Christian workplace forum asked Peter Saunders, General Secretary of Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF) to encourage other Christian organisations to grow. Peter told the story of CMF and the biblical principles for growth; “the Christian Medical Fellowship was founded in 1949 and has over 4,500 British doctor members in all branches of medicine, and over 1,000 student members. We are affiliated to the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship and linked with around 60 similar inter-denominational bodies worldwide through the International Christian Medical and Dental Association (ICMDA).
“Our aims are discipleship, evangelism, mission and proclamation and changing the world through
changing the hearts of doctors. We believe that God has called us to be specifically Christian and
medical – and this must define our priorities – leaving other medical and/or Christian organisations to
pursue activities that we may support in principle, but don’t regard as part of our specific calling as a
fellowship. We make an effort not to duplicate things that others are doing but to work within our
specific remit doing those things we can do but others can’t.
“We are evangelical Christians – meaning that while we may co-operate with other ‘Christian’ organisations
– we regard as having central the evangelical distinctives defined in our doctrinal basis: Trinitarian
belief, the death and resurrection of Christ, biblical authority, the centrality of the cross, the atonement,
justification by faith, the reality of the new birth and the responsibility of evangelism. We are also interdenominational
which means that while perhaps holding differing views on such issues as baptism,
ecclesiology, eschatology, pneumatology, etc – we are united with others in holding to the ‘issues of
first importance’ as outlined above. Our evangelical distinctives determine our aims, doctrine, values,
priorities, publishing and partnerships.
“We are a fellowship because we are part of the universal church called together to work for the
sake of Jesus Christ and his Gospel. We are not simply an association of Christian doctors, nor a
pressure group, nor a mutual support group – but rather a dynamic body of doctors seeking to stir up
one another to love and good works – to fulfil Christ’s commission and obey his commandments.
Implicit in this is that the success of the fellowship depends on the commitment and involvement of its
individual members in prayer, giving and serving through CMF committees, events, literature, staff
and member support and other initiatives. CMF invests in people – to help encourage and equip
the Christian doctors of the future – and through them to impact our society for Jesus Christ. We
aim to encourage and train the next generation of leaders. For each of our members we want to ask,
‘What is the vision God has given you and how can we help you fulfil it?’”
“CMF have 19 staff, 5 full time and are passionate about impacting our society. All their members are
practising doctors or medical students so are already ‘in the world’ and as such they can model
Christ-centred whole-person healthcare in the workplace. CMF also help members speak out on
bioethical issues (eg. Euthanasia, abortion, cloning, teenage sexuality etc) in the context in which God
places them.”
Peter Saunders gives us the following encouraging verses and leadership principles. Let us ask God
for CIC, our fellowship groups and ourselves:
‘What is the vision God has given me and how can I fulfil it?’
• Understand your own personal calling and live it wholeheartedly
(Acts 20:24)
• Have a clear vision and goals and communicate them clearly
(Matthew 28:19,20; Romans 15:20)
• Be persistent in prayer, ask God to continually raise up more workers for the ministry
(Luke 10:2)
• Be an example in your personal life, priorities and commitment
(1 Timothy 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:10,11)
• Look for faithful people and give them things to do
(2 Timothy 2:2)
• Encourage people in steps in proportion to their faith, gifts and ability
(Romans 12:6)
• Always try to involve people in ministry you think will change and challenge them
(Acts 16:1-3)
• Recognise people’s specific gifts and callings and encourage them specifically in those directions
(Romans 12:6-13)
• Spend disproportionate time with a small number of key people
(Mark 3:14)
• Be approachable and willing to listen to criticism
(Exodus 18:13-27)
• Always be looking to hand over areas of your present ministry
(Titus 1:5)
• Delegate as much as you can to others so you can move on to other tasks
(Acts 6:2-4)
•Set priorities and follow your calling
(Luke 4:42-44)
• Make people and relationships your key priorities
(Mark 3:14)
• Engender responsibility in your volunteers and staff
(1 Timothy 4:11-16)
• Be prepared to be disempowered and see others succeed
(John 3:30
• Be prepared to suffer for your people and your ministry
(2 Timothy 2:3-7)
• Lead byexample –don’t askpeople to dothings you are not preparedto do yourself
(1 Cor 11:1)
• Be honest and open about your own struggles and spiritual journey
(2 Cor 6:3-13; 1 Thess 2:8)
• Be constantly open to the leading of the Holy Spirit in unanticipated directions
(Acts 16:6-10)
• Seek wisdom about timing and procedure for implementing new projects
(Ecclesiastes 8:5,6)
• Don’t worry about money but trust that God will provide as you communicate the vision and press on with it
(Philippians 4:14-19)
• Support your staff and volunteers and constantly encourage them
(1 Cor15:58, 16:13,14)