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Fire in our hearts - Jesus Army

Fire in our hearts - Jesus Army

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FIRE IN OUR HEARTS<br />

COMMUNICATE!<br />

As the July convocation came round, Mark and others abandoned<br />

ship. At Cornhill disillusionment threatened to set <strong>in</strong>.<br />

Some there felt that God was judg<strong>in</strong>g their household. They<br />

prayed fervently and repented. Amidst a totter<strong>in</strong>g scene, a<br />

banner of loyalty was raised and the humble stepped forward<br />

to fill the gap. Their young musician sang this lament to the<br />

church:<br />

For those who once walked <strong>in</strong> y<strong>our</strong> light,<br />

For those who once fought with us <strong>in</strong> the fight,<br />

For those who have wandered away,<br />

For those ones we pray.<br />

Rob walked off stage unable to f<strong>in</strong>ish and many wept.<br />

The rest of the summer revealed the sad effect of compromise<br />

and human cleverness throughout the church. Well-established<br />

families were shaken and a few made a sad exit<br />

from community. Most rema<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> membership, but others<br />

left us completely with all the pa<strong>in</strong> of break<strong>in</strong>g covenant.<br />

Pete, my buddy from the Hall days, was on the way out with<br />

his family. It gutted us to see ‘pr<strong>in</strong>ces <strong>in</strong> Zion’ and old friends<br />

leav<strong>in</strong>g. Break<strong>in</strong>g covenant wasn’t some k<strong>in</strong>d of legalistic<br />

crime. It was more like divorce. We had stood side by side,<br />

had fought, loved, laughed and cried together. How could we<br />

forget that? These guys were precious. They were Zion’s heart.<br />

The senior men now closed ranks and trod gently <strong>in</strong> a situation<br />

which could have been very serious. The quality of relationships<br />

amongst its leaders determ<strong>in</strong>es the fate of any<br />

church. We had to get this right for the future.<br />

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