Yesterday I gave two presentations on “Living with Purpose” at a Church Away Day for Farnham Baptist Church pastored by John Ross. You can read the presentations here and here.

Purpose Driven Mission: Matthew 28:18-20 from Stephen Sizer on Vimeo.

Purpose Driven Membership: Ephesians 4:1-16 from Stephen Sizer on Vimeo.

I concluded the first presentation with a quotation from William WIlberforce, written in 1797, that stands as a prophetic indictment of our own contemporary society and a rallying call for Christians to give their lives fully and wholeheartedly in the cause of Christ – to know God and make him known.

“Boldly I must confess that I believe the national difficulties we face result from the decline of religion and morality among us. I must confess equally boldly that my own solid hopes for the well-being of my country depend, not so much on her navies and armies, nor on the wisdom of her rulers, nor on the spirit of her people, as on the persuasion that she still contains many who love and obey the gospel of Christ. I believe their prayers may yet prevail… May there be here at least a sanctuary, a land of true faith and piety, where we may still enjoy the blessings of Christianity. May there be in this nation a place where the name of Christ is still honoured and men may see the blessings of faith in Jesus.”