Fire in our hearts - Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
CITY ON A HILL
the NOT UNDER LAW plaque above the tray of assorted
wines!
‘You’re pioneers,’ Gerald told us, ‘and pioneers exist for
the sake of others.’ In his eyes we were a bit legalistic, but
had a lot to offer — if only we could communicate.
We certainly wanted to. For us 1980 was a year of expansion,
public relations and bridge-building. Bank Holidays were
billed as Community Open Days, when friends, relatives, and
interested Christians came around.
Lewis Misselbrook spoke at one special meeting at Cornhill
for local church leaders. We also advertised a conference
in magazines like Renewal. We called it A City To Dwell In
and invited Christians to stay for a weekend in August and
sample community. Worship and teaching went on in a marquee
on Cornhill’s lawn and indoors we held ‘share groups’.
Six panels answered questions on areas such as administration
and business, marriage and celibacy, evangelism and
church building, and household life.
Dave’s team dealt with theology and included Trevor Saxby,
who was finishing his doctorate and writing Pilgrims Of A
Common Life 61 , a history of Christian community. They all
wore glasses and looked studious, apart from Andy, a sausage
packer with a degree from London Bible College!
When I arrived with Jim, a guest at the Hall, the questions
had already begun: ‘So you practise rebaptism then?’
We turned our heads and noted a provocative looking chap
at the back. Dave grinned. ‘Over to you, Trevor.’
‘Thanks!’ said Trevor. ‘No we don’t. Most Christians who
come to us have been baptised as believers and are happy
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