Off to war again then

So, today, Friday 18th March 2011, we're off to war again! As the United Nations affirm a no fly zone, so Nato begins its planning. Of course, as a country, we've been at war for the last 10 years or more.
The Western "Christian" world can always appeal to the Just War doctrine to affirm that this is just, right and godly action to take, given Gadaffi's actions.
Reflecting for a minute on the last few weeks - we have had earthquakes, tsunami and now nuclear devastation - and possible meltdown, and now we have war.
I heard it this week from a Christian who met with me - "looks like the end times is really kicking in now!" And to some extent, they may well be right. Jesus said almost word for word what we have seen - rumours of war, earthquakes, floods, devastation. And these he made clear would signal that we are in the end times. But some balance please! The disciples, after Jesus death, resurrection and ascension, also though they were in the end times. For them, Jesus' promise to return was not going to be long. It was if he had left the room for a moment and would be back in a jiffy! And the fall of Rome with its terrible martyrdom of Christians and fire and destruction of mighty Rome City, might have also indicated that Jesus was about to return. But he didn't and hadn't. And every generation has seen its own huge levels of devastation, and yes, the Christians of those times thought it was so bad that Jesus would be about to return. But he didn't. So, does that mean that Jesus isn't going to come back, and that the scriptures and promises are incorrect? No! But it does mean that we must be watchful, be prepared, and trust. It also means that we don't know when he will return, and for me - I love that scripture, that he will come as a thief in the night! I cannot say, nor can you, where we are in the heavenly schemes of the end times, and that isn't our concern. But that we are ready and prepared is.

Keeping the balance

The human being is always at risk of over emphasising the argument! That's not a quote, but my observation of life, ministry and well, stuff! That's why balance is important, and it applies to many aspects of life. Over emphasis can very easily lead to things being twisted - a narrow, distorted perception of the facts that, if not challenged, lead to serious diffculty. I remember this being demonstrated in a visual way once when I was Minister in Oundle, in the EMBA. The then Regional Minister, Peter Grange, brought one of those hanging play things that you put above babies cots, that are hung delicately together by cotton or the like. He displayed how if you give even the slightlest extra force onto one of the strings, then the entire play device is very clearly distorted, and out of line.
So it is with our theology; care is needed to keep balance. When theology gets over emphasised, distortion occurs. In church ministry settings too, aspscts of a church's life can be given inappropriate focus, then imbalance can occur.
Finally in our relationships - that area of life that we tiptoe around. Relationships are fragile - handle with care!

A crossing place ministry

Yesterday I spent some time with one of our Church Members over a coffee just listening to what she was doing, day in, day out in her educational establishment. I have to put i like that because it would probably not be too clever to reveal her identity or where she works - too many hints already!
She is a Teacher, of sorts within a Christian educational setting, but working with those young people who find life just hard work and challenging. She is the kind of professional who would never inflict her faith on anyone, and yet God is using her in the daily hum drum of life to extend his Kingdom. It's not with loads of flashy lights or lots of noise, but the questions she is getting asked by her kids are mind blowing. The cross on the wall seems to start the conversations and questions, and this it seems leads to asking big questions about life, about the Bible, and about prayer. She is very hesitant to share anything and is almost unwilling to do so, lest she be misunderstood. She always begins her response by saying "these are my personal views", but then she shares her story. I am humbled at the power of the Gospel daily at work in this way and in numnerous other places too.

What do I do?

It's an interesting question, "what do I do?" I'm sure its a question people sometimes ask, and can I be honest (I always am), its a question I sometimes ask of myself! Of course, I'm a Christian Pastor, a Baptist Minister, which in and of themselves carry with them many suggestions, job descriptions - biblical, but not always, of what people expect of me. If we take the bible alone, then some of the job specs are clear - preach, teach, encourage, pastor, watch over, disciple, evangelise, train and equip! Oh, well thats fine then! Trouble is, ministry is far more than that. Add to it administration - of which there is a lot, the 30 odd emails that I get each day, the need to stay organised, and planned. Then there is the school stuff I do, then the Ministers meetings that I have to attend, then all the stuff I do for Regional Baptist Ministry and then National Baptist Ministry. And then all those loony community and outreach ideas I come up with, then all the church ministry meetings I have to attend and prepare for so that I look as though I'm organised and know what I'm talking about! Before long, its crazy. To make no mention of the stuff i do around the church site like check and repair equipment, test fire alarms, move chairs. And then what about prayer and reading the bible, and what about my own family and marriage and home DIY and home finances and cars and garden? And what about me and doing the stuff I want to do, and staying fit and the hobbies that keep me sane and give me a life beyond the ghetto? In the end, its often all too much. I'm stuffed and find it all to easy to give up and be discouraged. Thats why I crave my monday day off and my saturday family time, and why I hate going out more than 3 nights a week. And most of all I just want someone to say "you're doing a good job, well done!" Well, its back to ministry then ....

Cuts and the Big Society

Speaking as someone who couldn't wait for the demise of the last Government (can I say that as a Pastor?) I now find myself in something of a dilemma! The cuts (and lets face it, there is a new one every day now) which are very necessary seeing as the country nearly went bankrupt, are now potentially hitting at the key community policy which is the flag ship of Cameron's philosophy - "The Big Society!
Hey, we liked the idea. It was said that not many understood it mind you! But it rang bells with me because thats exactly what we are about with the Christian Gospel. In fact we are at the heart of "big society" and were there before Mr Cameron even dreamt up the title. The church has always been doing the big society! We are connecting, caring, pastoring, reaching out and loads more. Who knows, if the cuts keep coming, we may be the only ones left doing it! Or will we? Actually the cuts are beginning to effect us now too. If the government is careful, this could be one spectacular home goal. But I guess we shall keep doing what we have always done - which is to be Christ at the heart of our communities. we will continue to be the "Big Society". But that doesn't mean we can be take advantage of - government please note!

“God was really in the house today”
Recently, I came across an expression that I stored away somewhere in my subconscious because it sounded something to meditate on – “God was really in the house today!” I saw it again this week in an advert for Christian summer camps in tents in Devon. They actually altered it to say “tents” rather than “house”, which I suppose is a fair enough kind of thing to do.
But then I started to think about the expression in a little more detail. What did it mean? I wonder if it’s a new expression for the old subjective comment “I really liked the worship today!” Over the years I’ve heard this put in several other ways – “Wow! The worship was really anointed today!”
Now on one level these can be quite encouraging comments, particularly if you are the person responsible for leading worship or happen to be in the worship group that day. And goodness, do we need to hear comments that encourage and build up, because put plainly, the church can so often be a place called “The Desert of Encouragement.”In other words, it just doesn’t happen. And that’s good, because often words of encouragement will spur people on to even greater things. Whilst of course, words of discouragement can do the opposite.
But then again, the trouble with these kind of comments is that they so easily point out the subjective nature of worship. After all, it may have been good for you, but it wasn’t for me. I might have been up late last night and to be honest anything you ask me to comment on is going to get negative feedback! And what works for one, may just not do it for another. And in any case, who on earth is the worship for? Us and to make us feel good, or God and to give him glory and honour, no matter what we feel like or what is happening in the midst of our life and it’s struggles?
One final point came to my mind which may well be worth further reflection. There is a verse in Acts 17: 24 which makes clear that God “does not dwell in temples built by man.” Now that is interesting! If it’s true, then could it be, as free churches (a la non-conformists) have always held and thus chosen not to have altars, that God actually is not in residence in our church buildings?

The General Election 2010

So it’s all over! And a week on into the new Government, I am beginning to wonder what it was all about. A number of observations: 1) The TV debates made it far more presidential: And if that’s what we really want in the UK, then well you can keep it! I’m no fan of it, and whilst it has been said that the TV debates were very good – and yes I did watch them, and that they have made many more people turn up to vote than in the past, then okay, but I’ve never ever considered the key facet of being a Prime Minister as being how well you come across on TV. In fact, and I know little more than you about what a Prime Minister does, but I doubt its about appearing in front of TV cameras 24-7 is it, I’m pretty sure that running the country and its government is very NOT about how well you come across on TV. 2) Tempting as it may be to see an individual as the target of my “yeh” or “neh”, I actually would hope that I voted for a party and it’s policies after careful research and reflection, not merely on whether I liked its figure head or not. 3) I know that we live in a TV and internet age now, but I personally resented not seeing any of the local candidates come around my house asking for their vote. Sure I received loads of printed advertising through the door from them, but wanted I really wanted to do was to see the individual concerned asking for my vote. But this gets a big fat zero! I saw none of them. “Oh, but we can reach more people by email, Twitter, Facebook or a leaflet through the door, rather than trudge round on foot, door to door.” Well, I’m sorry, but I wanted to see them and speak to them personally! So someone will say, “well you had the local hustings, don’t complain!” Well yes, in fact we had two. But it still isn’t the same. I wanted the candidates to come round the doors in the way that they always used to, so that I could talk to them!

The fact is that I feel disenfranchised from the process. Is that my fault? Maybe the candidates would say it is. But as Christians, you and I have a scriptural commandment to be fully engaged with the salt and light ethical and political issues of our nation, even if they try to disengage from the people, in this instance Christians. In fact, I think God will hold us to judgement for the things we did and do nothing about “on our watch” whilst either The Commons or The Lords try to slip them through “on the nod” without me/us knowing. Sadly, most of us (that’s you and me – “Christians”) are quite happy to do nothing about any of the stuff that is contrary to scripture and which sails through the legislative process. And then we complain when we find out, and it’s too late. The famous quote, ‘All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing’ is absolutely applicable here.

So I will hold my MP and the new Government to account. I will follow his voting record on the internet and chase him for decisions. After all, he is our representative! Will you do the same I wonder?