Fire in our hearts - Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTS THE LORD TOOK HOLD OF BUGBROOKE
pioneers — for worshippers — those who are going to get out
of compromise and get into reality.’
The last ceremony in the unaltered chapel was Mim’s wedding.
Then, while work went ahead, sixty went down to an old
rented Bible College in the New Forest for the summer retreat.
Some major subjects were tackled in Noel’s teaching
sessions, including authority, spiritual ministries, church
meetings and the nature of the church.
The function of the church was a vital topic. They began to
see that it wasn’t enough simply for chapel practices to be
renewed. Throughout the world, the Spirit was bringing a
fresh understanding of the nature of the church. Churches in
the first days were planted by apostles and prophets and functioned
more or less independently. Denominations and priestly
systems were unknown, as were consecrated buildings, vestments
and altars. Theological colleges were unheard of. Instead,
on-the-spot training was given in the local churches.
With a full range of spiritual gifts and ministries, each local
church should be a place of simple brotherhood and a real
expression of the body of Christ. In Britain, many people who
felt this were joining the house churches, and those who pioneered
these ‘new churches’ were helping other fellowships
and taking them under their wing — or ‘covering’ them.
Bugbrooke Chapel had received input from ‘restoration’ and
from ‘renewal’ streams. Where did she stand? Basically, as
an independent church. Bugbrooke had a remarkable heritage
of independence, and the chapel, like others affiliated to
the Baptist Union, was entirely self-governing.
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