BBC 3 ran the first of two programmes reveiweing the Noughties - the decade that unbelievably is almost over! As 2009 draws to a close I found it fascinating to think of all the things that only became part of life post the Millenium Dome.... (look out for a whole new batch of sermon illustrations!)....
1. Weird Baby Names
2. The Da Vinci Code
3. Metrosexual men
4. Sat Navs
5. Civil Partnerships
6. Ipods
7. Simon Cowell
8. Celebrity business people (The Apprentice & Dragon's Den)
9. Plasma TVs
10. ASBOs
11. Charity Muggers (Chuggers)
12. Size Zero
13. Shock Docs ('Half Ton Man' etc)
14. Botox
15. Five-a-day
16. Coffee Shops
17. Internet Shopping
18. Obsession with property (Location, Location, Location)
18. Militant Atheism
...and we're not even at the top 50 yet.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
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).
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).
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The Arts & The Church
Thoughtful and constructive piece by Kevin DeYoung on some of the issues previously discussed on this blog...
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2009/10/29/the-church-and-the-arts-some-common-ground-and-some-common-sense/
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2009/10/29/the-church-and-the-arts-some-common-ground-and-some-common-sense/
Monday, October 19, 2009
A prayer for our children
Heavenly Father
I want to pray for my child(ren) and lift them up before you now.
I pray not that they might have wealth, or be academically outstanding, or have a successful career. I pray not that they will be popular - or even that they will live comfortably and be free of stress and harships.
But I pray that they will know you, love you and serve you - that they will be followers of Jesus, men and women of God with the hope of heaven in their hearts. Grant it that they might know none of this world's achievements if they would in any way come between them and following Jesus Christ wholeheartedly.
Lord, you know that even as I pray these things that a huge part of me is pulling away from them. My motives are mixed - I want it all, and fear the cost of discipleship for myself & my children. But Lord hold me to my word - and honour those right and true things I have prayed for - even when other parts of me were crying 'no'.
Amen
I want to pray for my child(ren) and lift them up before you now.
I pray not that they might have wealth, or be academically outstanding, or have a successful career. I pray not that they will be popular - or even that they will live comfortably and be free of stress and harships.
But I pray that they will know you, love you and serve you - that they will be followers of Jesus, men and women of God with the hope of heaven in their hearts. Grant it that they might know none of this world's achievements if they would in any way come between them and following Jesus Christ wholeheartedly.
Lord, you know that even as I pray these things that a huge part of me is pulling away from them. My motives are mixed - I want it all, and fear the cost of discipleship for myself & my children. But Lord hold me to my word - and honour those right and true things I have prayed for - even when other parts of me were crying 'no'.
Amen
Thursday, October 15, 2009
No getting away from it!
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. (Luke 5:16)
He was a very busy man - But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
He only had a limited time in which to complete His work - But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
He faced constant demands and requests from people - But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
He had great gifts and abilities that the world desperately needed - But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
He was a very busy man - But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
He only had a limited time in which to complete His work - But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
He faced constant demands and requests from people - But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
He had great gifts and abilities that the world desperately needed - But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly Response
Luke 4:16-30
Jesus comes to His hometown. Nazareth is gripped by expectancy as its most famous son returns – the news of His exploits elsewhere on everyone’s lips. He begins to read from the book of Isaiah – the message is all about ‘good news’. It’s a message of freedom & favour. The people love it, ‘All spoke well of him’ (v22). Jesus it seems has struck just the right note – everyone feels uplifted & encouraged. The speaker has been a hit – 'let’s make sure we get Him on the programme next year!'
But – CLUNK – Jesus doesn’t take the chance to say ‘Amen’ and hit the buffet on a high. No – He goes on and the atmosphere suddenly changes. The message becomes a little personal – it starts to challenge the congregation’s presumptions about who ‘Isaiah’s blessings’ are for. Jesus turns the screw on them – His words now are not so reassuring but warning and challenging. The response: ‘All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this’ (v28). And it had all been going so well….
Jesus is our model for ministry – He tells good news but doesn’t side-step the bad news. We want to have ministry that stops at v22 – so our sermons skip over v’s 23-27. We want the feel good verses so we read out a Psalm in church – but stop when we get to the verses about the wicked or wrath, etc.
If we adopt a church culture that is all about the nice stuff in God’s Word while missing out the tough stuff we will eventually develop an unBiblical worldview - a Christian worldview that is distorted, incomplete and wanting. So don't be afraid of ministry that isn’t all ‘pats on the back’ – you’ll be in good company!
Jesus comes to His hometown. Nazareth is gripped by expectancy as its most famous son returns – the news of His exploits elsewhere on everyone’s lips. He begins to read from the book of Isaiah – the message is all about ‘good news’. It’s a message of freedom & favour. The people love it, ‘All spoke well of him’ (v22). Jesus it seems has struck just the right note – everyone feels uplifted & encouraged. The speaker has been a hit – 'let’s make sure we get Him on the programme next year!'
But – CLUNK – Jesus doesn’t take the chance to say ‘Amen’ and hit the buffet on a high. No – He goes on and the atmosphere suddenly changes. The message becomes a little personal – it starts to challenge the congregation’s presumptions about who ‘Isaiah’s blessings’ are for. Jesus turns the screw on them – His words now are not so reassuring but warning and challenging. The response: ‘All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this’ (v28). And it had all been going so well….
Jesus is our model for ministry – He tells good news but doesn’t side-step the bad news. We want to have ministry that stops at v22 – so our sermons skip over v’s 23-27. We want the feel good verses so we read out a Psalm in church – but stop when we get to the verses about the wicked or wrath, etc.
If we adopt a church culture that is all about the nice stuff in God’s Word while missing out the tough stuff we will eventually develop an unBiblical worldview - a Christian worldview that is distorted, incomplete and wanting. So don't be afraid of ministry that isn’t all ‘pats on the back’ – you’ll be in good company!
Friday, October 02, 2009
The eXcellent Factor (again)
After stirring up a bit of debate on the subject of ‘excellence’ recently (thanks to those who posted comments) – let me add a further thought on this topic.
Excellence is good – we rightly enjoy and praise excellent food, music, football, woodwork, etc etc. We may not always be able to define exactly what ‘excellence’ is but we know it when we see (hear) it. However, appreciating when things are excellent and, as it were, requiring excellence need not go hand in hand. Because if we make the attainment of excellence central to how we do things in ministry – we risk ‘professionalising’ ministry and only attaching real value to the contributions of a highly gifted elite in the church.
The church is described in the NT as a family – so what is good and true our domestic families should hold good in the church family. So what therefore is the place of excellence in our homes? Do we forbid our children to pray at the dinner table because they're not, let’s be honest, very eloquent? Is the best reader in the house the only one who can read the Bible out loud at bed time? Should Mum always cook the dinner because she has the most experience?
I’m much more comfortable the idea of people doing their best and being appreciated for that (even when it’s not ‘excellent’). The church is a family – and families need to give space and time for its members to develop gifts, make mistakes, have off-days and grow in an environment of encouragement, support and appreciation. You know that feeling you get when your child is excluded by other kids from taking part in something (because ‘they’re rubbish’) – I wonder how God feels when it happens to His children?
Excellence is good – we rightly enjoy and praise excellent food, music, football, woodwork, etc etc. We may not always be able to define exactly what ‘excellence’ is but we know it when we see (hear) it. However, appreciating when things are excellent and, as it were, requiring excellence need not go hand in hand. Because if we make the attainment of excellence central to how we do things in ministry – we risk ‘professionalising’ ministry and only attaching real value to the contributions of a highly gifted elite in the church.
The church is described in the NT as a family – so what is good and true our domestic families should hold good in the church family. So what therefore is the place of excellence in our homes? Do we forbid our children to pray at the dinner table because they're not, let’s be honest, very eloquent? Is the best reader in the house the only one who can read the Bible out loud at bed time? Should Mum always cook the dinner because she has the most experience?
I’m much more comfortable the idea of people doing their best and being appreciated for that (even when it’s not ‘excellent’). The church is a family – and families need to give space and time for its members to develop gifts, make mistakes, have off-days and grow in an environment of encouragement, support and appreciation. You know that feeling you get when your child is excluded by other kids from taking part in something (because ‘they’re rubbish’) – I wonder how God feels when it happens to His children?
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