Mostly Harmless

after Harvest at fluid

2006-10-03T08:45:00.000Z

Yes, I am happy that the event was pulled together with such a good group of people with the desire to see a difference in the way we do church. The manager of the venue said to me after that he thought it was a good event and one of the folk that attended commented on the feel of the place as you came in. The publicity, grapevine or bother of people to come was disappointing and there were a number of youth there. A + and a - because the event was not aimed at teens but they were good and I will follow through with their leader to see what they made of it. Would I do a similar again with all the nervous energy and work. My answer is a bit like a parent fresh out of the delivery room ...

Harvest at fluid

2006-09-29T13:17:00.000Z

In recent weeks I have been involved in overseeing a Harvest with a difference. The churches together decided to do a harvest that would involve the younger people (20's to 40ish). We worked with the fresh expression in Stoke-on-Trent and took their lead calling the event "Harvest Without Walls". The notion is to have a different visual/audio approach toward encouraging prayer and observation from a Christian spiritual perspective. I was delighted to have the manager of the fluid nightclub in Newcastle town centre respond so positively straight away to the proposition. So on Sunday between 4 and 5.30 pm we are hosting an event in the town that we hope will inspire the unchurched/dechurched 20's to 40's to make a journey of faith in the hope of Christ.

Stop the War

2006-09-27T17:39:00.000Z

The War against Terror is approaching its sixth year. Following the atrocities or the 9th of September 2001 the response made by George Bush was not long in coming. Invasion of Afghanistan in order to Osma Bin Laden (still free), the Invasion of Iraq to chase Weapons of Mass Destruction (still not found), the heartbreak of terrorist murders in our capital and the more recent action of Israel against “terrorists” and the Lebanese people (not spoken against). The War against Terror has brought more terror, murder, destruction, widows, orphans and death as the cost of the U.S to “protection” of its people. The unequivocal support of our Prime minister, Tony Blair, and the Labour government in meeting terror with terror has caused many to despair over the blinkered use of violence that has caught up the innocents in its enormity.

Before the Labour Party Conference in Manchester last week I joined with the tens of thousands of people who converged on Manchester to show their opposition to the continuing fruitless use of violence to combat terrorism. But I was dismayed to see among the organised groups attending from Islamic, Socialist and Marxist groups, few Christians. I was dismayed because my belief is in the responsibility we own as people of faith to speak out. We are to stand with those who are subject to the oppression and violence of others. Christianity, Judaism and Islam share a common foundation in the faith of the Hebrew prophets. Isaiah said, in the way of the prophet to speak for God, “When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood; wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” (Isaiah 1:15-17 NIV)

While you may think that such protest is unavoidably political, I would argue that to protest is unavoidably spiritual. Our religion must be substantiated by our view of the world and how we treat those who are oppressed by the actions of others.

The most powerful impact of the march against the War for me was when the shouting and drum beating stopped and we held a mass “die in.” In those minutes I reflected on the loss of life of innocents seen as “collateral damage” by the hawks of Washington and Westminster. I thought of my own children and how precious their small lives are to me. I mourned for the loss of life taken by the fear, hatred and violence of people who would better serve their cause by seeking peace through dialogue with their “enemy”. I prayed for a better world free from violence and fear for the widows and orphans made by terrorists of all descriptions. I prayed for a world free from violence and fear for my children to grow up in. If this is political it is also spiritual and necessary to follow the command of Jesus "You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” (Matthew 5:43-44 NIV)

to preach or not to preach ...

2006-08-29T16:01:00.000Z

I was at the Greenbelt Festival for the day yesterday. There are some brilliant and contemporary Christian thinkers who speak at this arts and music festival. I heard Jim Wallis speak on a moral response to terrorism and it moved me to write to Mr Blair (again) with a broken heart for those who are treated as "collateral damage" in the war games of the powerful. I also heard Jonny Baker speak about deconstructing the sermon. I blogged a response to Jonny ( http://jonnybaker.blogs.com/jonnybaker/2006/08/summer_is_over.html#comment-21676282 ) and you might like to read his full chaper on the subject that is available as a download from his blog. The day was a fantastic experience for Catherine and me (not least because the girls were with their grandparents in Wales). I love being with people who are into Jesus and honest about their enjoyment of life in all its diversity as Christians. Thanks to Andy Kind, who was doing stand up for the first (not the last) time supporting Paul Carenza, for the tickets. Sometimes the best things in life are free even if the food costs over the odds. Long live the Greenbelt Festival.

No more mister nice Christian?

2006-08-07T14:29:00.000Z

It has to be said, no I can't avoid it any more, I have to stand up and say that I don't think that Jesus was nice. Yep you got me right. I don't believe that Jesus is the comfortable provider of religious satisfaction that he has been purported to be in recent history. We have gone beyond the terrible judge who took pleasure in sending sinner to a firey place in the medieval incarnation to an incipit character who takes little interest in what we do as long as we are quiet about it and nice to oneanother. A bit like a heavenly parent with a bit of a head at all the noise his children are making just waiting until bedtime when he can have a bit of peace. Perhaps my anaolgy is a bit strong but I don't think that Jesus is nice. I believe that he is the image of God and gives us ample warning to tidy up after ourselves and get to grips with what it means to take on board the pain of a world in a dreadful state of spiritual conflict. His command, not his request is that we should love God and one another in an all out manner. This is not something we want to do, can ever feel comfortable with either, because like all children we want to please ourselves. Derek Tidball said at the Keswick Convention this year that the problem with many of our churches is that we are descent selfish people. I would add to that we think that Jesus should be as nice and inoffensive as we are ourselves. I have (good) news for you all. If you read the gospels Jesus is offensive and noisey for the kingdom of God. I see a loving and sacrificial nature in Jesus but never could he be said to be nice. So I suggest for any Christian who wants to follow him, no more mister nice Christian.

Good for the soul

2006-06-29T11:07:00.000Z

It was my wife's birthday and as a treat I took her to Paris for the weekend. We have both been having a hard time with work and I have not been spiritually on track. The lead up to going away was o.k. but I didn't have much enthusiasm until a couple of days before. Then I started to get a spark about the approaching expreince. To cut a long one short it was everything that I would hope. The sights, the art, the food and drink was all wonderful. Even in the rain Monmartre was thrilling and our time was well used for relaxing as well as recreating. Fabulous time that led me to think how necesary it is that we find time away from the rush and push of life (even church life) because it is good for the soul.

east and west

2006-06-20T09:20:00.000Z

The day with the asian fusion emerging church chaps Pal and Richard at Cliff College yesterday was excellant! Engaging and challenging in all kinds of was that exceed the notion of cross cultural mission. I love these guys. Their heart is for the Jesus I know and their focus on brining all peoples into a real relationship with the living God. While not dismissing the real presence of the Holy Spirit throughout the witness of faith in God througout theirs is not an indistinct pluralism but a sensitive approach toward seeking souls in need of the revelation of Christ. A poignant quote "If you enter a completely dark room and there is someone there with a candle that you want to introduce to the sunshine you won't extinguish their light until you have taken them into the sunlight" We have much to learn in seeking dialogue and common ground with people of faith in the world. We need to experience the love of God for all his creation and all people whether we understand or agree with them. It is true!

A simple life

2006-05-24T06:30:00.000Z

Blogging is incredibly simple. But when there are a million and one things to do it seems like a long journey to make. The truth is that the multiplication of log in names and passwords on the various internet activities I do are a pain. I have tried to keep it simple but it gets increasingly complicated with the many exclusions of requirements. One is eight to twenty-four characters, another has to include a number, yet another can't include - or ~ when the original one chosen does. What a pain! I am usually quite good at remembering (at least I was until my head got so crammed with stuff I have to remember). I can still recall the first telephone no. my parents had before they changed to cable, in fact when they changed no. it took me a long time to exchange the new no. for the old. I know that these precautions are to preserve our security and our own identity on the web but I would just like a simple life. One that recognises me by name and welcomes me in. I think that is why I would rather live with Jesus than in cyberspace.

a nudge in time!

2006-05-14T07:13:00.000Z

My friend in Sheffield began his blog for a new project today ( http://thewrudoc.blogspot.com/ ) which has nudged me to action. I have neglected to blog for some months and I do not have any excuses. My MPhil about emerging church as a Congregational minister is going well. I am loving the challenge of responding in both a positively critical and constructive congregational way to emergence. I am hoping to have the first draft completed by October this year and to pursue for completion twelve months following. Church life here in Newcastle has progressed and we are trialing a new kind of service at a different time for eighteen months from June. Our menu service will provide an all age, congregation provided, afternoon service on a bi-monthly basis. We have a weekly prayer hour that alternates between Wednesday's and Thursdays. We are discussing how to move toward the future in our church meeting and receiving the support of the Congregational Federation through the "Growing Together" project which uses the Natural Church Development Survey. Those who read my blog are welcome to add their comment, encouragement and ideas in this blog.

Happy whatmas?

2005-12-13T07:45:00.000Z

Approaching the season to be happy but what do we call it? The objection to identifying the mid-winter festival in our pluralist and secular society with Jesus brings a variety of names. I am not overly concerned with the move in society to adopt a post-Christendom culture. It isn't an issue for me whether the nation in which I reside as a Christian sees my faith as part of its national identity. I don't object to Season's Greetings or even Xmas (although I understand that it is an overt secular adoption to de-Christian the celebration). What I do believe is that whatever the title given to the celebration the season is one of good will. Yet the secular agenda that claims others with non-Christian religious belief are offended by reference to Christ is a secular lie. Let them be honest and get rid of this duplicitious appearance and say what they mean. Those who hold that a secular society will be better need to stop prevaricating. If we are to have equity for minority groups and not present offence then my Christianity should be included in that equation. No reference to any religion should include theism, humanism, and athiesm as belief in the existence or non-existence of God need to be a non-issue in a secular society. Unfortunately for all concerned the adoption of a secular agenda does not promote equity but a bias toward humanism, with a clear need for ceremony without reference to God, and where there is involvement with diverse cultural groups with a theistic basis athiesm, as a secular society must reject their right to express religious belief. The only way to provide equity in a secular society would be to actively encourage all participants to express their religious and non-religious belief faith freely and respectfully within the structures provided. What a merry chaos of human diversity that will provide. As a non-Conformed post-Christendom Christian, I really quite like the idea of expressing my identity and meaning as a follower of Jesus in that melay. Happy Christmas and peace to all people.

a pinch and a punch ...

2005-11-30T17:09:00.000Z

Superstition! How come it is o.k to say "White rabbits, white rabbits ...!" and acost your nearest with "a pinch and a punch for the first of the month?" Touch wood, avoid going out on Friday the 13th or avoid walking under ladders ad infinitum superstions ... Then to call my faith a superstition. I find that insulting in the utmost. Why? Because, although it is possible in folklore religion to adopt superstitious behaviour, my faith is founded on historical fact. It is a fact that Jesus was born, lived and died. That he was/is called the Christ by followers. That there is sound evidence to suggest that His resurrection was real. That a movement that has been at the core of many societies over the centuries grew up in his wake. That the Bible is an agreed accumulation of the writings preceeding and following the historical event which has inspired millions for good. I don't follow a superstition I follow a saviour and tomorrow I will not need to recite a creed or mumble a mantra in order to know how good it is to follow Jesus.

It shouldn't happen to a church minister.

2005-11-16T08:07:00.000Z

I hate to complain. No, I do it doesn't suit me. I have so many really brilliant people around me and the privilege of serving in a work that I love. I have worked hard to be in the place in life that I am. I work hard at the career path to which I feel called and so subsequently have chosen. However, I have recently read a couple of pieces that do down me and my fellow professional church leaders. The first is "The Complex Christ" which I have already said quiet a lot about in my blog and others. The simple fact is that Kester Brewin sees paid professional church leaders as people who are prone to power trips and control freakery. I do sympathise with something of his experience but, in a general view from my experience, nothing could be further than the truth. Most people who do this job do so because of a deep seated desire to serve God and to see Jesus become the center of the lives of people in their church and community. Second, a scurilous article published on the front page of the recent in house publicaton for the Congregational Federation criticised "clergy" for not telling their congregations how to convert their neighbours. "They" the author states, "have let us down!" Such criticism makes me sad. It does so because it takes the attitude that a) clergy know better how to bring people to Jesus and b) that there is an easy answer for non-clergy. In all my training as a church minister in theology, pastoral care and evangelism/church growth I have never seen an answer that is not readily available through Bible study. I have preached on the building of relationship and the need to engage with people who are not Christian and may not be "our kind of people!" I have, however, never seen an easy route that takes no application to the task from the people who are Christ's ambassadors. This is, of course, the whole of His people. The equipping comes through a mutual engagement in the task. To set the leader in a synthetic superior position is not my congregational way. A minister is not a jack of all trades or a the sole paid messenger of good news. The worst thing that can happen to a church minister is to be isolated as someone different from the whole corporate task of being the body of Christ in the world. As Christian churches we may well be on the path to eventually losing the capacity to have paid professional leaders. This might be a good thing for the motivation of congregations to draw together rather than rely on any individual action. However, leaders will always be in the position of influence and responsibility for an organisation to be effective. Replacing paid professionals with capable voluntary leaders may limit our horizons but may also allow for congregations to say, "I can do that!" This is no mean thing and could be the thing that ministers have been saying to their congregations but has not been seen as equipping for works of service. My message is the Bible says it and with Jesus at the center of our church you can do it.

Gifted

2005-11-14T07:46:00.000Z

The complex Christ is a book with two main themes: incarnational and inclusivity. Neither of these are wrong in themselves. In fact, I found myself sympathising with the direction in which Kester Brewin sees the future church taking. I just disagree with the destruction of the inherited church in order that the emerging conversation can become a real and dominant perception. A lack of doctrinal structure in favour or an experiential and relational format leaves me cold about incarnationality. That's not what I understand by being spirit filled. Never mind the grand design of science and philosophy that constitutes Brewin's argument. What about the historical foundation of Christian doctrine through which the gospel has been promoted for centuries? I found that I was more in favour of his understanding of the community that shares gift and is incorporate of everyone who finds meaning in Christ not a few who make some kind of grade. His wish to see this manifest and the recognition that we do not live in a duality of clean and dirty but all who are included are all who who will come to Jesus who he will not turn away. Both of these approaches to the gospel community are my motivation and my goal and that of the church I serve. So, how is the emerging church taking a forward step that needs to see the demise of the oldline churches?

Oral tradition and the blog phenomena

2005-11-11T12:15:00.000Z

I have written a sermon for Sunday which focuses on the way that oral tradition preceeded the written record. Not so boring as it might seem I hope. But the thing that strikes me is that the phenomena of blogging as it affects culture today through technology and the internet might have parallels. Although bloggind depends on putting thoughts down in writing the medium is one that allows for interaction and for the development of traditions and history in a fluid sense. The aspect of telling people's storys and relating their on going experiences so that they will be kept. The lack of dependance on the third party but the direct access to the narrative and the experience told. If I speak the story it has a potential to be absorbed in the universe without ever impacting anyone as much as the blog can be read and remembered by many, few or no one but me.

The importance of saying ...

2005-11-09T16:03:00.000Z

It is a socially acceptable habit to not say what you want to, "not to cause offence" but speaking out of school or behind their back. Or to adopt the stance of "It was only a white lie." But I find that not being straight and lying in any shade causes offence. It may be my Yorkshire etiquette of saying things how we see them. It might be my own bloody mindedness or simple lack of tact (Oh yes, I know you find it hard to believe!). I have curbed my abrasiveness, I do sincerely hope, over the years. However, I do think that as a Christian I have the responsibility to speak with love and that love requires honesty. It is better to not to speak than to speak harshly for sure. But the most incredible lack of Christian compassion sits in the courts of those for whom not telling the truth can be justified by saying, "It was for their own good!" God help us there is only one way of speaking for another's good and that is, if we can speak at all, and that is speaking the truth in love.

The importance of being ...

2005-11-07T16:52:00.000Z

I wonder how important our identity is as Christains is to us? It appears that the importance of being church exceeds the importance of being Christian. What do I mean? Well, the traditions and the activities of our church, what our forebears did and what we have always done, stand in the way of finding out what it means to be Christian in the 21st Century context. The security found in not taking the encouragement within the gospel to live out our lives in following Jesus in his life, death and resurrection to heart but doing religion for our own comfort disturbs me. I want to be able to bring together my love of God and my love for His people in the service that I give to Him and His church. However, too often the pressure of those who are the church places those who wish to serve both Jesus and His people in a corner. The temptation to keep the status quo takes us by surprise when we would rather be radical and counter cultural. The wish of many church folk to live without challenge to embrace the counter cultural message of the "Good News" instead of the personal faith of our Protestant institution. Being the people of God means taking our community to task over the faithfulness we follow in the transience of our buildings, church and practices in order to realise the permanance of our message and our need to live it out together and apart.

birthday blues

2005-11-03T17:27:00.000Z

I was forty two yesterday. But Douglas Adams said that it is the answer to the great question of life and my wife says that it is one of the most divisible numbers. So that alright then! 42 is book!

Why blog?

2005-11-01T16:40:00.000Z

With the bloging revolution is full swing what is the use of a weblog. When there are so many people consumed with their own appreciations of life, the universe and everything what difference does it make if I add my own musings? Well, it helps if it only helps me! It is a way of self expression in a public domain. If a graffiti artist expresses themselves in the subway. If a pirate radio operator expresses themselves through the airwaves. If a computer tech expresses themselves through developing a website. Then I express my creativitity and destructivity through ploughing a furrow in a blog that may, or may not grab attention or interest. Why blog? Is it for me or for you. You decide.

Brewin's mistake

2005-10-27T19:58:00.000Z

I went to the Blah at Manchester on October 21 (I know its a while back but at least I care enough to blog it now!). Kester Brewin was speaking at Nexus under the Methodist Centre on Oldham Road. While I do like to hear what the convesation for emerging church is saying, I do feel that there was little of real relevance here. Brewin's book, which he did promote at the evening, makes sweeping generalisations about the state of the church and the validity of the emergening church. I see so little about bible and when he does relate his position to scripture his interpretation is spurious to say the least. His knowledge of church history is negligible and his foundational references to the contemporary church seem fueled by poor experiences in his own locality. When the unjustified position he calls emergence as a divine prerogative following the example of Incarnation (and evolution as a creative action) is promoted it is done so with no theological basis. I do believe that his position on the personal change adopted by God in Incarnation is a regurgitation of a half heard discussion on process theology. It is not his field and his commitment to understanding the disciplines of theology and ecclesiology shows through as wholly inadequate to the task.

Earthquakes, hurricanes, famine and war

2005-10-11T08:02:00.000Z

The terrible events of the last few months with enormous loss of life through natural disaster and human conflict make one circumspect. I am dreadfully moved by the images of devastation and destruction, loss of life and loss of loved ones, carnage and catastrophy. I am sick of feeling helpless and so small in the universe but I hold onto my belief that a good perspective of hope can be held. Nick Parks made a fantastic example of that when asked about the destruction of his animation archieve in a warehouse fire yesterday. He said that in the overall perspective of recent disasters his was a relatively small loss (my paraphrase). The global devastation that we see in recent history should help those of us not subject to its directe effect to hold a better perspective on the little things that trouble us.

By George, hes wrong

2005-10-10T10:28:00.000Z

This article appeared in the Sunday Sentinel 09/10/05

In the queue at the supermarket checkout on Friday the lady behind me looked at the front page of my Independant newspaper. She echoed my inward response. “George Bush was told by God to invade Iraq! Couldn’t he have told him to take a long walk off a short pier?” I have never believed that the conflict in Iraq was between Christian and Muslim. I have always said that there are greater issues of world politics and power behind George W. Bush’s aggression against the Iraqi people. But my position as a Christian minister has been, until now, to believe that a just war could be fought with Christian integrity. I now no longer believe that to be the case. If a world leader can defame the name of the saviour Jesus Christ in the invading of another nation, pounding their society and their culture with massive amounts of munitions and deprive their widows and children of food, medicines, and hope, then claim that my God agrees with his action I have two options. The first is that I can give up my Christian faith as a shame faced and hollow act against all humanity. I am not about to do that because I do not believe that to be true. Secondly, I can return to the roots of my Christian faith and dissenting tradition as a Congregational minister. That means to embrace a position of pacifism. This means that I will not accept the Christian gospel can ever be promoted through aggression. It also means that I will not defend by force my position but depend wholly on God to give me grace and courage to love in the face of hatred and fear. My reasoning for this that, as a Christian, I am called to submit my heart, soul, and strength to the love of God. Anything short of the refusal to do violence always ends up looking like some allegiance to a worldly power; if we refuse to embrace God’s peace we strive for some version of peace by force rather than the peace of Christ; and using violence means accepting ways that Christ himself refused. His was the way of sacrifice of self and not seeking to overcome by force but by the power of God. That power is the power of love because that is the nature of God.
No one believes that George W. Bush and the American government acted out of selfless love in pursuing a war in Afghanistan and invading Iraq. It is evident by the way that self-interest is served in the so-called rebuilding of Iraq, which is feeding the American and not the Iraqi economy. So, how can such destructive and aggressive self-serving policy on the part of the Bush administration be serving the purposes of Jesus Christ? The simple truth is that it cannot and that makes George W. Bush both deceived and deceiving. The great chapter on love in the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13:6-7, says, “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” Since the beginning of the war in Iraq, Christian people among others have stood up and said, “Not in my name!” I might add today, “Not in my name, nor in the name of my God George!”

What does post-Christendom mean?

2005-10-06T19:10:00.000Z

I have recently finished reading Stuart Murry "post-Christendom". He rejects anything except Anabaptism as a Reformation movement in opposition to the "Christendom shift". It appears that Murray wants to see the whole of Christian history since the fourth century as corrupted and incapable of communicating the grace of God. My key contention with Murray is the assumption that any Christian church that seeks to work from within the institution of society has to be part of the ills of Christendom. At one point he does (grudgingly) accept that the opportunities afforded the gospel because of the Christendom shift would not have been possible without the empire and religion relationship. I am not sold on his concept of authenticity only being in the believer baptist, pacifist and evangelical tradition inherited from the Anabaptists. I do hope that the assumption that the necessity of a neo-Anabaptist community is the route to an authentic expression of Christian faith.

Harvest thankfulness 2005

2005-09-22T07:53:00.000Z

It is usual for the Congregational church I serve to celebrate Harvest on the last Sunday of September. In an urban context it seems slightly obtuse for us to bring in fresh produce and behave as if we have grown it ourselves. The children's experience of food procurement extends to a trip to the supermarket and our thankfulness includes thanks for not having to grow our own produce. Convenience rules our 21st century society and a local church is no less seduced by convenience.

So how might our Harvest thankfulness reflect this reality? Well, we are including a focus on the global need for fresh water through a collection for "Water Aid" and our food offering will be in dry and tinned goods so that it can be used long term by charitable organisations. We are not a rural church that can claim to bring in the Harvest and so to have an offering of fresh produce for distribution might appear synthetic. Our thankfulness is no less real but our context must be shown in how we display it.

Oh my gosh two weeks ...

2005-09-19T09:45:00.000Z

Oh my gosh! two weeks since I last blogged. I don't know where the time goes. All I do know is that after the summer we hit the busy season full on. Last week I had two days in Manchester at the beginning of my MPhil studies. An interesting week in which it was really good to get back into JRULM and to see one of my Uni lecturers from ten years ago. He has chilled out a lot (I don't think that it is just me!). Any way, Harvest is this coming Sunday and we are inviting friends from "outside" the church to come and share the service and a meal with us. I am really happy that this is becoming a regular item on the church calendar. Unfortunately many of the regular organisers are away but there is nothing to say that we can't do without them. The idea, as far as I am concerned, is to build up relationships with those in the community for whom church remains that alien place where you go if you are religious. I want us to break down all those misconceptions (as far as King St. is concerned anyway) and bring the power of the love of God to bear in all people's lives. Worship for all ages means giving room for all ages to realise that they are loved, really loved by God and given freedom to find their fulfilment through Jesus and in His community.

What is the difference ...? mk I

2005-09-05T12:20:00.000Z

What is the difference between Christian religion and Christian faith? I am convinced that there is a significant difference. A much used evangelical preacher's ploy is to say that "going to church makes you a Christian as much as living in a garage makes you a car!" It is certain that church going has the effect (one would hope - but thats a different matter) of exposing someone to the good news of Jesus Christ. Therefore, the opportunity to accept the good news personally and begin to follow Jesus is a weekly occurrence. However, practicing a religion does not necessarily mean that a "conversion" has taken place. Talking with my neighbour this weekend we had a meaningful exchange about what it means to be converted. He and I differend on the extent to which conversion is implemented by the preacher and when the recipient enters into the conversion experience. What do I mean? People who have been journeying with questions and doubts over a number of years and passed significant barriers to faith but would not yet see themselves as converted are acceptable in my understanding of Christian faith. I think that Christian religion too often, whether evangelical or more traditional and denominational, demands that the person conforms to a set measure of conversion and committment before recognising their part in the community. I want to hear from those for whom Christian faith is not necessarily about Christian religion as much as I want a church that will accept a diversity of perspectives and extents of "committment" to the faith community. I want to hear from and accept people whose journey is further than the pews/seats for Sunday worship. I believe that Christian faith liberates the heart and mind while religion expects order and conformity before full acceptance. What do you think?

a woman and a girl

2005-09-02T09:16:00.000Z

I have been writing a sermon from the story in Luke 8 with the approach of Jairus to Jesus to heal his daugher and the interuption of the woman who touched him in the crowd. It has made me think about the insistance we have today that everything we want should happen now. I am subject to such impatience myself when faced with waiting in queues and not seeing the progress I want to see. Goal oriented and motivated I may be but waiting on the greater purposes of God is hard for even the most patient of people. Patience can sometimes be mistaken for complacency but complacency is never patience because patience sees the need to act in due course. Complacency doesn't see such a need in the future just lives for the moment. So, in fact, complacency can give the appearance of motion but doesn't go further than a circular route.

Jairus shows the qualities of patience waiting on Jesus when he is interupted by the woman in the crowd. It is even too late in the day in the natural order before Jesus reaches the little girl. But who ever said the purposes of God were easy and who ever said that there is any obstacle to God fulfilling His plans. We just need to be patient and follow Jesus to the place where He and we can act to fulfil a greater purpose.

What makes a church fellowship attractive?

2005-08-22T19:00:00.000Z

The attraction of the Christian church is missing to many in our communities. While there is a nominalism still in the reponse made by many e.g. saying CofE when asked their religion or giving the ten commandments or beattitudes as their guide to living, there is little commitment to the Christian church. A Christening, Wedding or Funeral is the only time many people enter the church and then this is with a personal agenda on a "social" occassion. Church does not attract! It is questionable how important a part of their faith many actual Christians see their church. Commitment to a denomination or style of worship can precipitate the extent of commitment to regular worship. Not to do so may not mean a lack of commitment to their faith or detract from their personal view of the good news. My question is, what is it about a church that will cause it to attract commitment to wheather change? My own priority is the call of God and at many times I have continued in a commitment to churches, that would not my own choice, because it is the call of Christ to be a part of his body. I find it hard to think that others make a consumer or lifestyle choice in their church. They may be attracted by the kind of worship or whether the people are their kind, if the minister is pastorally attentive and/or a good preacher. What attracts me to a church is whether or not the Spirit of God has called me to it and my commitment is to Christ first, serving others second and my own preference last.

Blah Manchester 26/07/05

2005-07-27T09:52:00.000Z

I travelled to manchester for the Blah manchester conference with the Long Tall Skinny Kiwi (I kid you not!) as guest speaker. I enjoyed the interaction with people who are thinking at the edge of contemporary expressions of church. I found LTSK a little forced in the illusions from nature and society that he superimposed on the shape of the emergence of church. It seems to me that the direction of emergent/fresh expression of church is being driven by the contemporary fragmentation of society, and so embodies the culture, instead of seeking to bring a revolutionary edge of gospel to bear to change the fragmentation to diverse and united community under Christ. What do you make of it? Do add your comments. Even if you are not at present a blogger if you set up a site and do not use it you will be free to respond to my observations (or ask questions of clarification).

Purpose Driven Nottingham

2005-07-22T15:06:00.000Z

I am getting really rubbish at this. Sorry for the paaauuussseee!

This week I went to the Purpose Driven Church (Europe) Conference at Nottingham. Two good things about it a) It was at Nottingham Arena and so I could go, unlike if it was South of Watford gap and b) Rick Warren and team were leading so it was authentic. Given that I was happy to have the refreshing worship and to get to grips with the Saddleback experience. For those who do not know Saddleback Christian Fellowship is a church planted by Rick Warren in 1980 and has risen to 82,000 people on the role or membership by 2005. He is the authour of "The Purpose Driven Life" and "The Purpose Driven Church." (The former of which has outsold Harry Potter in the U.S three years on the run.) Cool Californian Christian culture is at the heart of what they do. All power to them, really likeable and the real article!

So, critical head on what do I think. I think that the foundation and the processes are tight with the Bible. These folk are Bible believing Christians and genuinely sold out for Jesus. However, I think that the isolation of evangelical target groups and the thinking that like attracts like is not right. The consumer culture that dominates American thinking dominates the culture of Saddleback and makes the core of the church predominantly high earning, high powered middle class America. Mission takes place into the lesser communities and the world. The isolation does not extend toward the development of network but appears to be embeded in the Saddleback base. This did not have the kind of substantiation from scripture that much of the discipleship programme through which the church grows did.

Aside from that Rick Warren and the team were relaxed and friendly throughout. I do think that given a private meeting with them I would really like them and I do respect their commitment to the kingdom. It did appear that we were being taught a global vision that they have picked up in the last three years (good for them) as if it was new to us. Am I alone in thinking that American Christianity needs to break its notion that the rest of the world catches on to issues after they have been taught by the U.S. I sat there and thought, "At last the U.S. evanglicals are catching the vision of global responsibility!"

moynagh at cliff

2005-06-23T07:57:00.000Z

Michael Moynagh (writter of "Changing world, changing church" and "emergingchurch.info") was speaking at a day conference at Cliff on Monday. Interesting to hear first hand his perspective on emergent forms of church. It concerns me that there seems to be little regard for the theological underpinning of the forms though. The assumption is that there will be a Jesus centered spirituality! But what does that mean? There are so many interpretations and understandings of the "pale Galilean" (for one) and the contemporary culture of fitting a product to fit the recipient seems to encourage this proliferation. I have to say that I prefer to see the foundation of any "new" church movement on a sound, thought generous, orthodoxy. Where emergence comes from the "spiritual need" centered drive to grow without a clear theological groundwork I do believe that the ground is likely to contain boulders and bricks. A Christian assumption of emergent forms needs better defining as the theological problems that have dogged the previous history of church will just keep trying to take root. What I did/do like best about Moynagh very much is the gentle route of developing a core contingent in a divergent expression from a traditional core. The place where a "fresh expression" has progressed from seeking/engaging to a gathered church is unclear in his thinking but this has the root problem of ecclesiology, what makes a group into an expression of Christ's church. Still a lot more thought, praxis and learning on the curve to the future I think!

Hurrah!

2005-06-11T08:14:00.000Z

Whooops! I didn't realise that it has been so long since my last blog. Bad, bad, blogger!

Well the last blog was about the decision of my church leadership to support a part-time post-graduate course. In this blog I am glad to say that my application to Cliff College was successful and I am due to "begin" studies in September. Well, you know that I have already started to do reading and writing. I have finished reading "a Generous Orthodoxy" by Brian McLaren. I found that he had some really interesting points to make about the overall state of our Christian culture and his response to it. Love the book? yes there were parts that really resonated with me and I never found it boring to read. I have been recommende to read "Beyond Liberalism and Fundamentalism" by Nancy Murphy which I am embarking on now. It is a more academic book and one that does make the interesting point of the roots of both liberalism and fundamentalism in a dualistic philosophy from Descarte - Kant - Hume that assumes the authority of either skepticism or scripture. Interesting to find a middle way with her that does not need such certainty of either.

My research degree will cover the way that church "tradition" is often tied to the philosophical assumption of the age. That many of the evangelical "answers" (Wimber and Warren especially) have depended on the dualism of fundamentalism. I will address both as inadequate to provide a real answer to the mission of a local church, inspired by biblical narrative, to affect its community with impact for the kingdom of God. I hope to see, through the study, a potential developing for a non-fundamental "evangelical" narrative in the mission of a traditional local church to impact its community for Christ. We should be working with an initiative from the Congregational Federation which is called "Growing Together" to give us a foot hold onto the mission cliff face for the future and gain confidence in how there is a God given grace for communities that engage in mission for mission's sake.

Advancing the mission of the local church

2005-05-19T15:18:00.000Z

I do think it is a recent development in a culture of crisis in the face of declining numbers but arguing for a long term view is the hardest part of church leadership today. The academic and practical training for ministry is thought to stop at the door of your first church. Academic study become something that you did to get where you are and any aspiration to take that further in professional development and church vision is viewed with suspicion if not disparagement.

I am glad to say that is not the situation for my church leadership and, with reasonable discussion of the long term efficacy planned, a part-time course of study was agreed. I do think this says much about the long term vision of our situation on the part of the deacons. While we, like most "oldline" denominational churches face a future with hard choices and decisions the willingness to say that a studious minister can be a long term asset has proved my faith in them. So I am on course now to begin a study looking at "translating tradion to mission in the local church." We are a church with a traditional and family base that needs to lead to diversity and unity. Building a leadership structure to provide consistent pastoral care and an empowering dynamic in leadership. Much of the renewal model in growth and change would never fit here but an empowering diversity and dynamic could be where our potential lies in Christ. The greatest benefit of looking forward is that you are looking at where Jesus' purpose for us lies. Reaching them is the priority of a mission minided congregation. Knowing how to reach them should be the priority of any mission minded leader.

David's visit

2005-05-16T09:38:00.000Z

Over the weekend we were blessed to have a young Ugandan minister visit King Street. Many were touched by his humility and the story of real poverty in his own experience and those of his church. King Street has supported the church in Bukekete for some years through a Christian trust. The little we have done has given hope and a future to people who may have had neither. But the privilege is in serving the purpose of God and becoming the blessing to these Ugandan people. May we see our future purpose in God to be a source of His blessing to these people and many more.

Moving on

2005-05-15T06:38:00.000Z

It looks a bit like my blog is becoming a weely occurrence. This is not deliberate and I will have to do something about it. Perhaps this week I will blog more!

Yesterday I attended the May Assembly of the Congregational Federation. This year it was hosted by the South West Midlands area and held in Cheltenham. Enjoyable? Well, as as enjoyable as any business meeting of a church group struggling with the 21st century turn away from commitment to organised religion. Enjoyable because the people there are a diverse group with a desire to see a unity in diversity. Ejoyable because, while some things never change, some things are changing and moving on. The highlight was to see a proposal for "Growing Together." This is a project for church health and is being driven by a guy from NZ who has a real drive for seeing churches given new zeal (excuse the pun!) for mission. Moving on from the model of church that maintained itself ad infinitum to one that sees healthy and sustainable growth as our priority. I am hoping that, as a congregation, we at King Street will engage with this at its earliest stage. So, watch this space! (for more than a weekly blog).

Still enjoying generous orthodoxy

2005-05-09T13:30:00.000Z

I have to admit that after starting with a bit of a feeling of indifference to Brian Mclaren I have warmed greatly to him. Do I love the book? Well love is as strong a word as hate and making such a judgement is still perhaps premature. The fact is that he has touched a few sensitive areas of church practice in me. He dealt with the reformative nature of reformation faith fabulously well. Echo's of Newbiggin in the reforming nature of the reformation Christianity as a tradition that is constatantly reforming at best and stubborn and intransigent at worst. His take on being Baptist/Anglican and the quaters of what it means to be a Christian with a reconciling stance on different baptism praxis is inspirational. He still has a rambling style (am I one to talk?) however, at regular intervals he shines with an effervescent clarity of reason and faith. I am finding him provoking and progressive, I like both.

Good day Monday!

2005-05-03T00:57:00.000Z

Had a brilliant bh! The church walk was just in the right place just at the right time. Thanks to the skill and ability of one of our deacon's the place was so beautiful. Thanks to the meteorological outlook (not the God of farenhiet or celcius) we had the best walking weather. I do think that the life of a church should be reflected in the quality of its outside interest. I just felt that the worship we engaged in was in equity with the Sunday morning. I do believe you need to be a Christian to fully appreciate the enormity of God's place in the universe and that the place of Sunday worship should not be left out of the loop (well I would wouldn't I!) But there has to be the outside the box element in the worship and witness. No better place than in the great outdoors with a mixed and diverse group of people, some of whom would never think to do the Sunday worship until they are given good reason to. What better reason than a balanced and real Christian who enjoys life and talks sense (well, sometimes!)

transition from ... to

2005-04-27T07:44:00.000Z

I had a stimulating conversation with my prospective supervisor for post-graduate research yesterday. An excessively busy man I was glad of twenty minutes to discuss the proposal I am putting to Cliff College. I have a yearning to look at what local mission means to the local church in a climate and culture of global church. What do I mean? The world has expanded dramatically in size around the local Christian church in the last fifty years. All that has gripped the church in the renewal movements, whether broadly liberal or conservative, are not always thought through in broader terms. They can be reactions to a specific cultural context that are applied in the supermarket of religious choice as pragmatic packages for "successful" churches. While the new forms, emergent dialogue have provided much food for thought and stimulus for local church life, there remains a distinct difficulty. The transition from ... to is one that has provided countless congregations and leaders with a headache. The situation of the traditional local Christian community has its roots in a different era. The gentler and more generationally structured community in which there was order established by seniority no longer is the cultural norm. The insecurity of those for whom this structure has provided a sense of purposefulness and promise is inherant in the demand for diversity. A younger generation, even down to gen M, are demanding the opportunity to define and express their own identity. Therefore, a Christianity that does not facititate this cultural and generational diversity is unlikely to enter into a transition from ... to. The theological and philosophical groundwork away from pragmatic and disassociated church groups to a transitional model that allows for a living alongside in diversity and enables corporate identity with difference has not been attempted. This will be my path ... wish me Godspeed!

St. Georges Day

2005-04-25T16:27:00.000Z

I had the privilege of giving a message at the civic St. Georges Day Service at the Parish Church yesterday afternoon. The whole of the Newcastle uniformed organisations (Scouts, Guides etc.) Good feedback today from my friend the Rector. I wanted to make the message accessible but challenging to all so I chose something that would be visable. The armour of God from Ephesians 6 was my theme and I thought for ages how I might approach it. Then Friday I hit on the idea of dressing up one of the leaders there but making the items (belt of truth, breast plate of righteousness, shoes of readiness of the gospel, sheild of faith, helmet of salvation and sword of the spirit) as completely different. So he ended up dressed in a scarf round his waist, a sweatshirt on his upper body, comfy slippers (serveral sizes too small), a dustpan, alien bobble headdress and a hand held sweeping brush. Ready? I think not ... I emphasised how important it is for a person who says they are Christian to follow Jesus and live by His Spirit. What a privilege to preach to a congregation of three hundred or so mainly normally none or nominal Christian! I pray that now from the seed there might be some seeds of new growth. For St. George and King Jesus.

election forum night

2005-04-22T10:52:00.000Z

Last night I hosted the Newcastle Election Forum (see previous post). Excellant event with a broad section of the candidates. All behaved impecably and the audience were respectful to all positions. Many of the issues raised (education, health, environment, community, law etc.) had much agreement of the need but difference in the ways of achieving the end. It was good to take the time to listen to the different positions and see the people we may employ as our Member of Parliament! We have a whole lot of choice with a great deal of quality to choose from. I was undecided before the day and I remain undecided if slightly less so. I saw men of strongly help opinion, integrity and commitment to the people of Newcastle, and that is enough for me. I have decided to put away the leaders of the party's, certainly the main two have not convinced me of their trustworthiness. What I can say of the people who are standing in Newcastle is that, mostly, those I have met have a hairs breadth between them. Any of the main three and the Green candidate would do a good job.

the tide is in but ...

2005-04-20T09:43:00.000Z

I struggle with the notion in many traditional churches that there is no sense that the tide is coming in at a pace. What to I mean? The secular tide of society is flooding the viability of churches founded and established in Christendom. Church played a far different role in society then than it can ever do now. The bemoaning of change and the harking back to a better day does not change the speed or pace of the tide. Like Canute there are those who think that by holding up a disavowing hand the tide will stop coming in and the Church will be saved. This is not the reality of the world today!

So what to do? As a minister of the church trained in a contemporary setting and keeping track of the issues, I want to say diversify and modernise! I recognise, however, that there must be a realtionship between the traditional and the modern esablished through mutual recognition of worth. What do I mean? The traditional often rejects the modern out of hand and stays entrenched in the sinking sand fearful of the hand offered. The modern can too quickly and easily take to the waters to swim without taking its bearings and lose track of the shoreline. Neither succeeds, both fail because there is a disregared for the diversity of expectation and experience in the twenty-first century. A church that decommissions its organ and makes its organist redundant, putting in electric guitars and drum sets to be thrashed mercilessly by undisciplined and untrained musicians, is not going to be a chuch that makes an impact simply a noise. A church that will not diversify its musicianship but keeps to the age old, tried and trusted organ fails to see that there is a new demand in society for diversity and excellance. But if we will open our eyes to the mission potential that surrounds us of people whose lives will be better for knowing Jesus and us, then we will adopt a rule of change. Measuring our way and following the path that leads us outside the doors to make Jesus real into peoples lives. Then to introduce our friends to a church that worships in diversity and excellance. It sounds so simple and I know that it isn't but takes the long upward path of most resistance. But the path that is most necessarry for a viable future swimming in the ocean, in sight of shore, and not drowned by denial.

Make Poverty History

2005-04-16T08:38:00.000Z

Churches Together in Newcastle Town (motivated mainly by Claire Hookey) put a table up in the town centre with cards and a voting box yesterday. We encouraged the towns folk to "register a vote" for Trade Justic, Drop the debt and More and better relief. The candidates of the main parties came for a photo opportunity for the local paper and we had a good turn out of Church folk to man the table. MPH is a movement that I feel passionately about and I am grateful to Claire for the opportunity to make a show in the town that church is about far more than religious worship. I have a real heart to see the impact of a radical witness to the good news in the world coming from the church. MPH is one of the ways in which we show our unity in making a positive difference into the lives of ordinary people throughout the world. This also translates into a local community message of the difference that Christ makes.

I wasn't surprised, but I was disappointed by the response of a great many people passing by the table. A moments diversion, the trouble to listen and respond, a thought for anyone other than themselves appeared too much trouble. At the end of the day the best response had come from the younger element, many of whom are not an age to vote in the national and local election. They seemed to realise that they could speak out for someone else other then themselves and that it would not mean that the "trouble" would be worth it! Thanks to all who "voted" and to those who maned the table on a cold and windy day.

bowled over

2005-04-11T11:18:00.000Z

We took the "Rock Solid" group from church bowling last night. I hadn't been for nearly six years and had forgotten just how hard a game it is. We ended up being shown up by the nine year old sister of one of the group who was originally just going to watch. We had a great time and I can also say I had forgotten how much fun it is. The appeal of the sound of a hard object hitting another object and knocking it over is universal. What a laugh! It make me wish for the carefree days of youth all the more.

the political climate

2005-04-07T09:35:00.000Z

We (newcastle-under-lyme congregational church) are hosting a husting on April 21 at 7.30pm with the local candidates for the May 5 election. People may think that politics and religion are poor bedfellows (and I am apt to agree when one subsumes the other!) However, the interest of Christian people in their world should not stop at the doors of their church building. While Christianty cannot take the colour of any politician it must promote a world view that engages on the broadest spectrum. What do I mean? If a Christian says that they have no interest in current affairs and politics they are limiting their Christian world view. Jesus did not tell us to leave our brains outside when we worship just as he did not tell us to leave our faith outside when we vote. I am motivated by my faith in how I view the current political horizon. I must admit that I am finding it increasingly difficult to place my confidence in the politicians to say what I hope to see and to do it when I vote for them (trust is a big issue for me!) I do not, however, believe that I ever have the right to ignore what goes on in the world and to waste my demoratic right as a Christian to make my mark. I believe that I must give everyone a fair hearing and ask the questions that are important to me. Therefore, that is why I would say that politics has a place in the life of the Christian to serve the kingdom of God in the world. Do come along and listen, ask questions, participate in debate!

half way point

2005-04-06T11:12:00.000Z

I am half way through reading Brian McClaren's "A Generous Orthodoxy". (I wonder how many times his name is mis-spelt Brain McClaren?) I have to say I don't "love" it, as the dust cover promises (or it is mine for free). I don't hate it enough to ask for my money back though. Brian makes some really interesting points and covers some revealing ground in a rambling kind of way. I am not convinced of his all inclusive Orthodoxy just as I am unsure of my own. I do see that he wants to make the calicified Christian reader from any position sit up and think outside their own prejudice. This can not be a bad thing! I kind of think that his own experience and the way that he has journeyd through this with the Bible and with faith moulds the plot. While he engages with many areas of theology he doesn't seem to say what the conseqeunce of any juxtaposition is! May be he will later in the book but I doubt it. He seems set on the course of many wanderers in faith today. "Just passing though to somewhere, not sure where, but I will see the path behind as experience, the path ahead as adventure and my present position as unknown." Bless him!

week away

2005-04-04T09:54:00.000Z

I can't call it a week off because the week away was at a conference. It was a very nice conference with a children's stream so that the whole family could take part. Excellant speakers from swym (south west youth ministries), ship of fools (www.ship-of-fools.com), the Iona Community and Christian Aid. A real provoker of a theme "Congregational Federation Unlimited" and a real sense of frustration as much of what we looked at isn't within the "vision" of many Congregational churches. We are far too concerned about maintaining the status quo and not provoking people from their comfort zones than taking the present dillema of local church life and mission by the throat. I want to turn the face of my congregation outward toward the issues of the global economy that affect both Christian and non-church folk. I want to see us creating a culture that measures up to the demands of the 21st century society while giving a distinct Christian message into the lives of the many and does not remain detached from the real lives of the many but becomes the peoples church. Am I a dreamer? Yes! Are my dreams within reach of the Congregational church that I serve? ...

Good? What's good about it?

2005-03-25T09:15:00.000Z

If I make the excuse that Easter is manic for a church leader you will understand I am sure. However, like I said to a friend recently, "Christian ministry is like Chinese food, no not have one and twenty minutes later you want another! Although that might be the case. No, all the work is in the preperation!" Given that the Easter weekend should come together like a dream if the amount of preperation is anything to go by.
I do love Easter! I think I enjoy this Christian festival most of all. Christmas is packed with symbolism and meaning but the stark realities of Good Friday and the glorious message of the risen Christ instill and inspire another level in me. My five year old is asking the tough theological questions this year. "Why is it called Good Friday when Jesus died? Wasn't God a bit mean to do that to him?" She has caught us on the hop with my wife giving the fuller story of resurrection to put God into a better light in our eldest's formative faith. I tried to play my part while taking a primary school assembly at her school on Tuesday and took the story swiftly on from Good Friday (sad) to Easter Day (happy).
It is the strangest of Christian doctrine, emphasised in Y7/8 & 9 assemblies too, and yet the central place of meeting with God and finding real life. Its Friday but Sunday's coming they say! and it is true. But Friday is good in itself! We don't relish the brutality, bloodied corpse, bruised body and betrayed good man on the cross. Our human sensibilities, if healthy and balanced, heave away from the very thought. But in Christ God was crucified! In His submission to the will of God to make a bloody path for sinful humanity to tread in humble repentance God did the work and we reap the benefit. Thank God for Jesus, His goodness covers my corruption, His faithfulness dissolves my rebellion. His sacrifice makes for my devotion and sets me free to walk through to the Easter Sonrise without spot or blemish inspite of myself and because of Him. How can we call it good? How could we call it anything other?

Jesus walked on eggshells to bring us Easter (their title not mine!)

2005-03-21T12:51:00.000Z

This is a piece I had published in the Sunday Sentinel 20/3/05

When we win the whole country seems to get behind their heroes and cheer them on! When we are losing and we keep losing there seems to be a lull in the enthusiasm. Men and women in pubs who spoke animatedly about “us” “our” “victory” talk about “them” “those” “losers”. At least that is the way it seems for the England Rugby team as they struggle with their defeats in the six nations. There I go too! No one likes to be on a losing side, everyone likes to be thought a winner.
The celebration of Easter is a strange contradiction, as is much of the Christian faith. The approach toward Christ’s Passion is one that seems a roller coaster of success. Jesus is lauded as a prophet and healer by the people. The power that is displayed to, and praised by the onlookers and tag-alongs, seems to be a burden to Jesus. The attention that it attracted was often tiresome to him and he sought to escape it at times. He never tired of doing good but seemed to struggle with the misunderstandings this power to heal, deliver and save stirred up.
Palm Sunday is the pinnacle of misunderstanding of Jesus’ purpose. His followers stirred up the crowd toward a great victory. The king was coming to take His throne and everyone should be ready to receive Him. Even though Jesus followed through with the entry to Jerusalem so that the prophecy of the Old Testament could be fulfilled, He knew that those who were counting themselves in the “us” “our” “victory” would soon talk about “them” “those” “losers”. He knew that the purpose that He must fulfill would set everyone against Him. His alone was to be the humiliation, suffering and pain. For three days everyone would see this as defeat!
As He was taken from the Mount of Olives; as He was paraded before Pilot and Herod for judgement; as he was beaten and brutalized by the Roman soldiers; as the skin was torn from His body through whipping with leather and bone; as he was forced to carry His own cross through the streets of Jerusalem; Further, as He was hung out in the cruel sun to die, Jesus was alone. No one wanted to support Him everyone that had lauded Him rejected Him as a lost cause. They mocked Him and said that if He was a winner He would get down from the cross.
What they misunderstood, and we misunderstand in seeing Jesus’ sacrifice, is the nature of victory. The world at large sees strength, domination, force as achieving victory. There is an overwhelming support for the best, the strong, the brave. Jesus on the cross epitomizes defeat, helplessness, weakness and presents a pitiful sight. It is the contradiction of the God of love, the dichotomy of faith that when we are at our weakest the dependence we have on God is at its greatest.
Many people do believe in God and at the times of greatest weakness faith often surfaces. The loss of a loved one or personal adversity drive us into a dependence on God. Often when the grief decreases and the crisis passes we may return to our independence. But the recognition that in weakness our only help is God is the centre of the Christian celebration of Easter. We are all weak, no matter how easy life is on us or how self-sufficient we maintain that we are, no one is strong in the face of the overwhelming odds that life too often throws up for us.
Easter shows us that faith in God is dependable even when faced with rejection, suffering and death. Jesus has faced it, fought it and conquered it. Why? Because on the morning of the third day after His crucifixion Jesus was no longer dead but alive! He appeared to His closest friends and five hundred others between His resurrection and ascension. The authorities never did find a body because Jesus, the loser in the sight of men had become a winner in the sight of God. There was a massive fight and there were overwhelming odds that overcame Jesus to the point of death and beyond. Surely there was no comeback for Him. Surely no one would ever want to sing His praise or call Him a hero. Well, history has shown that Jesus who faced defeat and death on the Friday became the winner and the hero of the day on the Sunday.At Easter we have a lot to sing the praises of Jesus for. He makes us glad to be followers of Him. Why? Because He is God’s best, top of the league, holder of the cup and I want to be seen with Him, do you?

Victoria Cross

2005-03-18T15:56:00.000Z

I was watching sky news this morning at the gym. There was the coverage of Private Johnson Beharry receiving the Victoria Cross. The first time in forty years that a British Soldier has received this honour. Firstly, he managed to guide five armoured vehicles out of an ambush and recovered wounded colleagues while under fire. Then, on a second occassion, managed to drive his vehicle out of an ambush while sustaining a severe head injury himself. This is certainly a brave soldier and a young man who showed valour in the face of an enemy attack. Whatever my views on the rights and wrongs of the Iraq occupation I can not be anything but impressed with personal courage. Private Beharry is twenty-five, sixteen years my junior. A young black man for whom the career in the army must not always have proved an easy occupation already. I admire his personal presence of mind and lack of consideration for his own safety. No wonder they call the medal the Victoria Cross!
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. (Matthew 16:24-25).

Bread of life

2005-03-17T13:23:00.000Z

John 6:35 Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. (NIV)

I love making bread! It is a real joy to me to mix the strong flour, salt and oil together. Then to make a well into which the yeast, which has been dissolved in water and sugar added, is poured. Then the mixing and kneeding. A fantastic process of bringing together a doughy mixture that is then left to double in size. After knocking back (kneeding a bit more) the mixture is ready to be proved (left in shape or tin to rise) and then baked. Perfect food with such a variety of forms that it can never get boring in the making or eating.

In the approach to Christ's passion Jesus calls to the people in the temple court. Bread had always played a central part in the temple cult. It had, however, become simply a symbol of religious life, and a hard and lifeless one at that. Jesus brought new meaning and significance to the presence of bread among us. He identified His life, death and resurrection in the presence of bread in the Christian faith. A daily source of nourishment and a food that was better shared than kept to oneself. Jesus is the bread of life, life giving noursing our bodies and our spirit. By participating in him to the full we receive life and, He tells us, we will never want for food or drink as we share in the fulness of that life. What a gift of life to us is Jesus the bread that came down from heaven.

listening church in a diverse world

2005-03-15T07:29:00.000Z

After the service on Sunday am I approached a man I had never seen there before. His take on our worship made me step back a little bit. We had a couple of hymns, prayers and a time of worship as well as a visual illustrated talk and a good preach, that was engaging but not intellectual, by someone else not me. His take was "dull"! What? was my inner response outwardly I looked at him and said, "I'm sorry you feel that way, we try to give something in a service that everyone can take away". Inside I felt a bit abashed as I expected that it might at least have thought the talk or the preach were good even if the worship wasn't to his liking. I do listen to other views of church life and worship and dug a bit deeper into his background: brought up in the Salvation Army, not recently church so out of touch with the culture, supporting a member of his family who is having a difficult time, partially sighted. So the wordiness of our traditional approach to church worship didn't appeal but then a visual approach (tried with the talk) didn't connect either. A generation of difference in how the gospel is recieved? A previous church culture of victory songs and pithy evangelical messages? A trauma of personal tragedy and a question of God's goodness in its wake? I had felt that the service was a good one (and still do!). But, I have to hear the unspoken words behind the negative response. Not blaming the man, no I don't blame him, as I am most conscious of my failures to meet expectation than my successes. I am conscious of the diversity in which I am called to give an account of God, Jesus, Bible, church et al., called to give an engaging service for all present, called to serve God's purpose (not always certain I know, definitely not the whole purpose!) as well as the diversity of His people and mission to the bigger picture. "You can't please all the people ...!" yep sure but I do feel that there is an element of "You shouldn't expect to be pleased but challenged and encouraged in believing (if that is pleasing then all the better!) But the view of all is important and I believe most vehermently listening church in a diverse world remains the key to being heard.

ministry and service

2005-03-14T14:56:00.000Z

I had an appointment with the taxman this morning. A number of cockups since 2000 has meant that I have not made self-assessment declarations but depended on my p.a.y.e. One of the paradigms of Christian ministry is that both are necessary (I only found this out between Christmas and the new year). Anyway, the nice taxman wanted to meet with me to sort out a few discrepancies in my hurriedly submitted self-assessment for this year. I really felt that he had my best interest at heart and we got on very well. I do not do accounting and maths with any ease since my maths teacher at secondary school decided it would be fun to make my mathematical inadequacy a subject of fun for the whole class. I do think that there was a certain amount of good will and a real helpfulness in his approach to me. I think that there is a genuine wonder in the mind of many people outside the church why well educated and apparently capable people would give themselves over to a career that does not have the accumulation of money as its key motivation. I am simply pleased to be in the service of people for whom the services that I can give are recognised as worth its salt. We ended up with the converstation turning to holidays and the offer to send me details of a good value campsite in Southern France (Cote de Azur!) Cool! I do like a friendly face that wants to give the best possible service and help to others. It is at the heart of all ministry and service isn't it?

Post Graduate

2005-03-12T08:52:00.000Z

I am glad to see from their website that Cliff College( http://www.cliffcollege.org/college_index.html ) has received its accreditation from Manchester University. I have been straining at the leash for more than a couple of years to get to grips with a subject Post Graduate. I also want this to have direct impact on the ministry that I am involved with in Staffordshire. The mission context of the studies at Cliff suit the direction of my ministry for the 21st century to the ground. So, with the support and agreement of my church, I hope to pursue a part-time course with them from September. I feel that the time is right and the approach appropriate. With the grace of God and a strong wind I hope to see land this time.

gererous love

2005-03-11T10:30:00.000Z

Although the web provides such a rich source of information and stimulation I still love books. So I picked up a book that I have had on order for a while today. I usually buy paper back and was surprised to find that this purchase (on recomendation some time ago) is a hard back. Not pandering to my economic bias and bugetary prejudice I did not let this stop me from completing the purchase. The book is called "A generous orthodoxy" by Brian Mclaren. It provides and interesting dust cover promoting the author as "missional + evangelical + post/protestant + liberal/conservative + mystical/poetic + biblical + charismatic/contemplative + fundamentalise/calvanist + anabaptist/anglican + methodist + catholic + green + incarnational + depressed-yet-hopeful + emergent + unfinished CHRISTIAN". The promise is that if the reader does not "love" the book it is theirs for free! Nice offer and "love" is a very strong word. I can't help but say that I am as intrigued as when I bought "The post evangelical" (Thomlinson) and as anticipatory as when I began to read "What's so amazing about grace?" (Yancey). Now the task is to make time to read it and discover if I will "love" it as they guarantee.

Jesus' mission model

2005-03-10T07:55:00.000Z

Last night at the lent study we took the three accounts of Jesus healing the parlytic and the calling of Matthew from Matthew, Mark and Luke. The goal was to see just how Jesus related to people in his life. This is to be our example of how to live in relation with God and other people. There are different emphases in the accounts but clearly these are the same event in Jesus' life. The common message from these accounts are: Jesus was out there among people, his healing them was not dependant on the person being in church or being a Christian, the objections raised by the religious people were because he actively forgave sin and shared food and drink with unacceptable and unreligious people. Wouldn't it be good if we were as chilled as Jesus when it comes to who we see as included in the mission of the church?

rush, rush, rush

2005-03-09T18:42:00.000Z

A member of my church who is housebound said, when I apologised for not getting to see him more frequently, "Don't worry about it! You wouldn't be doing your job if you weren't busy". While that is true the simple fact is that there are never enough hours in the day or enough energy to do the things that I want/need to. I am grateful of a few extra hours given when another person preaches so I don't have the full weight of preparation. But then what do I do? Go to a meeting in another town and spend the day travelling and attending. Life never has the freetime to take the foot off the excelarator. While Jesus was certainly busy I do not think the pace of life in general in first century Palestine was anywhere near that of the twenty-first century in England. I would like time to simply be without the thought of responsibility or time pressure. Even when the day off dawns there are always things to do and places to be. Oh for the peace of God that not only passes understanding but puts us in a place of stillness.

the need for a new view

2005-03-08T08:33:00.000Z

In our lent study we are looking at "mission shaped church". From a report by the C of E we are addressing the issues that face the future of "church" in the twenty-first century. There is an emerging feel that traditional reformed churches in which I serve are tied to the maintenance mode. All the time and effort, and money, is committed to keeping our heads above water in the present activity we engage in. The model is "come", come and be a part of what is happening. Mission shaped church challenges us to be a community that resources the new view while giving space to the old view too! If we are resourcing our maintenance in the buildings, fabric and ways or worship that we own at present then we are equally required to resource a mission into the lives of people in our community who may never be attracted to the present forms but discover a new view of church in the 21st century. This takes the will of the existing church to give time, people and money to a project that will pay on rather than pay back. It is the biggest challenge facing the existing church. Will they have the courage to change the thing they can, their view of what is going to be the shape of the church in fifteen or twenty years?

The Tsunami and the God of love

2005-03-03T22:15:00.000Z

This is a piece that I had published in the Sunday Sentinel on 9/1/05

Tsunami was an unfamiliar word to many people, including me, prior to the horrific events that shocked us all between Christmas and the New Year. The tragedies that unfolded from Boxing Day shook the world’s population as mercilessly as the earthquake that shook the Indian Ocean’s bed. The waves of pity and sympathy that swept over the people of this nation mirrored the waves that devastated so many lives and decimated so many communities in South Asia. Deep sadness and sympathy towards the indigenous populations and the holiday makers caught us all up in this disaster.

In a situation of such tragedy blame, though sought, is difficult to apportion. But we naturally seek a target. In the wake of the devastation wreaked by a natural disaster there are few human targets so “God” so easily becomes the soft one. “If God was a God of love how could He allow such suffering?” is a question that addresses our feelings of betrayal and helplessness through a loss of order and control. We stumble about looking for an answer or simply choose not to believe there possibly could be a good and powerful being interested in the Universe, our world or our individual lives. The simple answer is that there is no simple answer! Yet here is my attempt at as simple an answer as I can give, although necessarily an inadequate one.

First of all, the Christian God is not simply “a God of love”. According to the Bible, God is in His very nature perfect love. This means that the actions that God takes in regard to the Universe, our world, and each individual life can only be motivated by the greatest love. This may prove hard to believe in the face of such human suffering yet the big picture demands not only an artist but a canvas too! In the purpose of creation God acted in love and yet, the first chapters of the Bible tell us, the selfish actions of humanity have perverted the course of God’s creation. Because of this wilful rebellion against the loving will of God toward the whole of His perfect creation God subjected the whole of creation to sin, death and decay from then on. In this way God is “responsible” for the imperfection in creation. However, it is the sinfulness of humanity in rejecting God’s loving and perfect purpose in creation that is “to blame”.
The Christian God could not act with malicious intent toward any group of people or any individual in “allowing” such a disaster to occur. Such natural disasters are a consequence of the fall of creation in which we all live and in which we are all caught up. No right thinking person wishes suffering or death on another whether it is on this unimaginable scale or an untimely individual death. Neither does the God of the Bible. The good book tells us that God values human life highest of all His creation.

So if it is not God’s action then why do terrible disasters happen and people suffer and die? God has subjected the whole of His perfect creation to decay and that simply is the nature of the world we live in. Each day is uncertain, fragile and unpredictable. In short, every human being lives with the continuing consequence of this “original sin”. Almighty God transcends the imperfection of His creation while still loving and valuing every part of it intimately. If this is the case then how can there be any hope? Won’t life always be futile and finite despite the best of our efforts? Yes! Yet there is hope, there is a God given way to combat the consequence of this original rebellion and to believe in the ultimate restoration of God’s perfect creation. Saint Paul says, “For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God”. (Romans 8:20-21) In brief, Jesus is the security of the present and the hope of the future for all creation. For the individual and for the communities we live in Jesus holds the key. Our compassionate and merciful God has placed the way of escape in a wooden cross where His perfect son suffered and died. The hope of every human being is invested in this sacrificial love and the hope of a fallen creation in God’s expressed design of complete restoration through Jesus. Until that day we have a choice to make, either we can blame God for the world’s demise, or we can trust Him for His ultimate will to restore all perfectly in His time not ours.

Make it easy on me!

2005-03-03T14:56:00.000Z

The cry, "keep it simple so that we will understand you" comes from many to the preacher. I have a little sympathy with a congregation when the preacher seems hell bent on sharing the whole catalogue of their theological training. However, the lack of will to grasp the application of the Bible (lock, stock and two smoking testaments) leaves me with none at all. Too often the ease of the religious life is what is called for. But there is no easy way, the path is uphill, rocky and treacherous at every turning and the enemy stalks those who attempt it. Simplicity is one thing but a complacency in the face of an on going battle is another. This world needs to know the benefits of the life of Christ in real ways. The way for us to make it real is to not just to talk the walk but to walk the talk. Understanding with the heart is a priority for the people of God before ever an understanding of head. The priority of the preacher (imho) is to put the priorities of God before his people and keep on doing so until they move into a new and living way of understanding through being.