The church I go to...

Dara O’Briain has a book out this Christmas entitled ‘Ticking the English’ – it’s an Irishman’s observations on the British. He notes that we British are a very self deprecating bunch – it is in our DNA always to find the downside in ourselves and to play down even significant achievements. He notes the recent news that average life expectancy in the UK has now risen to 79 years old – a remarkable attainment and something that puts us among the most privileged people on the planet. We have, he notes dryly, pushed back the Grim Reaper himself and extended the very bounds of mortality – yet this news is announced in the British Press, in terms that only the British could come up with - 'PENSION TIMEBOMB!'

Our church culture is not immune from ‘glass half empty’ perspectives – we readily, too readily at times, run ourselves down – our natural disposition is self-flagellation. Well as someone, often guilty of such an approach, let me attempt to redress the balance by stating some of the many good things about the church I go to (no it’s not perfect - not by a long-shot but this is Fallen world after-all), but it's my church and I love it because….

The church I go to has two Toddlers groups with lots of non-Church carers and kids who mix with and get to know Christians;

The church I go to has a café, staffed by volunteers, which is regularly full of non-Church people – being served by Christians in a warm & friendly church environment;

The church I go to has a Kids Club and a Youth Club where non-Church kids get to hear about the gospel and their parents get to have contact with Christians.

The church I go to has started doing Community Litter Pick-ups and Free Car Washes in order to serve its local community;

The church I go to provides meals for families who have recently had a baby to show them care and practical support,

The church I go to has a football outreach to unchurched teenagers in a nearby housing scheme;

The church I go to runs Christianity Explored courses twice a year so that non-Christians can get to explore the Gospel in an environment suited to them;

The church I go to is often full and has a steady inflow of visitors;

The church I go to is committed to preaching the Bible itself – and allows me to hear God’s Word explained both by those in full-time Christian service and by people who work in education, law, health services, business, social services, and policing among others;

The church I go to is kept in really good condition and feels modern and comfortable;

The church I go to has a group of talented musicians who thoughtfully lead us in edifying praise and worship;

The church I go to has regular Missionary reports and helps to support Mission by regular prayer and financial giving;

The church I go to is connected by an email Prayer Chain to keep me informed about prayer requests and to remind me to pray;

The church I go to has an annual week long Kids Club which is run by loads of Christian volunteers and attracts loads of children from within and without the church;

The church I go to has an Easter Egg Hunt & short service in a local park when we have fun and share with others the wonderful news of a Risen Saviour;

The church I go to … when I think about it, is a place that I am very privileged to be a member of (I spent 12 years in church with 15 members so I know not to take the above for granted!).

Don’t worry I’m sure normal service will be resumed – but as Churchill said on VE Day – although there is still much to do, many difficulties and battles to be fought, ‘we may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing’ – just once in a while (Php 4:8).