Richard Ritter

Introduction

I have been at SBC since January 1979 having become a Christian two years earlier whilst in my final year of Teacher Training. I was bought up in a Christian family in an Anglican setting where we had gone to church on a regular basis and I had been “confirmed” at the age of 14. When I went to teacher training in 1974 my faith had more or less become one of a nodding acknowledgement of God until a road traffic accident just before Christmas 1976 changed everything. The situation made me realise that God was at work and by late January 1977 I at last committed my life to Jesus. I became a member of SBC in July 1979 and married Jackie in 1992. Our son, David, born in 1996, is a doctor like his mother.

My Time At SBC

I came to SBC on the recommendation of friends from my Teacher Training College who already attended. It was one of those situations where I crossed the threshold and realised that this was the place for me. Very quickly I realised I needed to be baptised which happened not long after joining the church and later in the same year I became a member.

It was not long after my father died and I was still struggling with my grief and life in general. In the next couple of years, I got to know one particular family (Cedric & Penny Pierce and their children) who were to have a huge impact on my life for the next 30 years. I lived with them in extended family for eight and a half years which allowed me to both broaden my faith and learn what it is to be servant hearted.

I became part of a life group and later one of its leaders. I sang in the worship group. In 1990 I took another step of faith: going to Israel in September until December 1991 as a SBC missionary. Having been there during the 1st Gulf War I returned burnt out and unable to return to Israel. I then met my wife Jackie and we married in July 1992. I studied for an MBA and then served as an SBC administrator for three years, re-joined the worship group and became part of the then Mission Group. In 2001 I joined Tearfund in their Finance Department where I stayed until 2013.

After reflection and mentoring, I moved on from Tearfund and became a fulltime student at Spurgeon’s College where I completed the Minister in Training course. At church I became more involved in the pastoral and administration aspects and also leading and preaching mainly in the then 1st service and sometimes the 2nd service until Covid struck.

I have been part of the Finance Group, Mission Group (now called IMSG), lead a Life group, assist in church administration including being one of SBC DBS verifiers, keep records of safeguarding training and any other tasks delegated by Oliver. Since Rachel and then Nathan left the church last year, I have led the Pastoral Care Team and I increasingly carry out pastoral visits on behalf of the church, including bereavement visits and conducting funerals. I also participate in services by preaching and leading and facilitate and conduct the annual Service to Remember.

How Can I serve the Church?

My call to serve has been something that has grown and developed particularly since I first went to Spurgeon’s College. My service had started before then as part of the Finance Group and Mission group. Pastoral care has been a ministry that has grown and firmly taken root, causing me to assess and develop my walk with God but also my potential further role within the church. I have been exploring how my calling and ministry can be developed and recognised both within the church and externally.

I am currently undertaking Local Ministry Accreditation with London Baptists to be appointed as a locally accredited minister. This process and calling has been affirmed by SBC by a unanimous vote of members. This is a work in progress that will take time: the London Baptist Local Ministry Accreditation course takes up to 2 years.

For now, I feel the next step is to offer my services as an SBC Leader with the Pastoral portfolio.