It's been a great week! Full on, but so blessed. We have had staying with us a group of 4 students from a Bible college in Uppsala, Sweden, which - amazingly - is part of a 3000-strong church there! They have been immensely humble and willing to serve, doing school assemblies, leading home groups, meeting with our youth group, and attending our Team AGM last Thursday. They have been prayerful on our behalf, and behind them stand a number of their friends back in Uppsala who have also been praying. We have felt the benefit!
Two highlights: last Wednesday, we had an open meeting at a coffee shop in the town, to which we had invited a number of people who had recently made enquiries to us, whether about faith, a christening or a wedding. In the event, 8 guests came along. Part of the evening was an invitation to write on post-it notes their questions, so they could 'grill-a-vicar'! The questions varied enormously from 'how might a church welcome a prisoner to church, on their release?' to 'is there a hierarchy in heaven? - Mother Theresa to a death-bed confession' to 'has Judas Iscariot gone to heaven - was he pre-destined to betray Jesus?!' All very taxing and very thought-provoking! We did our best, in a relaxed atmosphere with coffee, cake and plenty of laughter. Already 5 of those present have signed up for our 'Start!' course next month.
On Thursday, we had our Team's AGM. Not normally a highlight in the year of any organization, but over the years, I have come to see its potential for celebration and forward-looking. As last year, we held it at a local hotel. About 60 people attended, and someone said afterwards it was 'the most joyous and celebratory AGM they had ever attended'! Our Swedish visitors also said it was a highlight of the week, remarking on the degree of unity between our churches, and a sense of 'honouring' one another from our different traditions. Certainly, I felt very thankful afterwards. Very few seemed in any hurry to leave.
Tomorrow we say good bye to our visitors, and we have a Team service together. We will offer a ministry of anointing to bless one another as we dedicate ourselves afresh to God's service. As it happens, our theme is 'The Up-rising of Discipleship', following the Resurrection, and we focus on John 21 where Jesus restores and commissions Peter following his denials. McLaren concludes: To be part of (Jesus's) uprising, we must be willing to fail a lot, and to keep trying. We will face long, dark nights when nothing happens.But we can never give up hope. He caught us in his net of love,so now we go and spread the net for others. (p.220)
Saturday 29 April 2017
Saturday 22 April 2017
The Uprising of Fellowship
It's going to be very hard to desist from political comment now that a General Election has been declared, but I'm going to try. Instead, I will try to give myself to more prayer for our nation and our world. I have such a sense of things getting out of control, it seems to be the only thing I can do. Certainly, no contributions to the debates from me will make the slightest difference!
The week after Easter always feels like an anti-climax. Usually I am on leave this week, but for various reasons this year I am not. Just as well really as we've been hit by a number of funerals. I have had three this week and two next, which have involved visits. In addition, there are two special events coming up next week to prepare for: an 'enquirers' evening at a local coffee shop, and the Team's Annual Meeting at a local hotel. Both require careful preparation.
In these weeks between Easter and Pentecost, our author maintains the theme of 'up-rising' - after the 'up-rising' of Jesus on Easter Day. That cataclysmic event changed everything, and resulted in the up-rising of a whole new community which over time has changed the world. And this community manifested a number of other up-risings which we consider from week to week. Today, the Uprising of Fellowship: how a scared bunch of disciples in an upper room became the earliest manifestation of 'church',
Their togetherness was key. Our Gospel reading tomorrow (from John 20) focusses on the story of Thomas, who cannot believe the message of resurrection because it is simply too good to be true. To his credit, though, he returns to the 'fellowship' of the disciples, even when he doubts, and is rewarded with the sight of the risen Lord. It's a powerful reminder to us of the need to hang in there, to stick with our brothers and sisters even when we have doubts and the going is tough. I like McLaren's description of fellowship: it's for scared people and for scarred people, and for people who want to believe but aren't sure what or how to believe. When we come together just as we are, we begin to rise again, to believe again, to hope again, to live again. Through fellowship, a little locked room becomes the biggest space in the world (where) the Holy Spirit fills us like a breath of fresh air. (p214)
The week after Easter always feels like an anti-climax. Usually I am on leave this week, but for various reasons this year I am not. Just as well really as we've been hit by a number of funerals. I have had three this week and two next, which have involved visits. In addition, there are two special events coming up next week to prepare for: an 'enquirers' evening at a local coffee shop, and the Team's Annual Meeting at a local hotel. Both require careful preparation.
In these weeks between Easter and Pentecost, our author maintains the theme of 'up-rising' - after the 'up-rising' of Jesus on Easter Day. That cataclysmic event changed everything, and resulted in the up-rising of a whole new community which over time has changed the world. And this community manifested a number of other up-risings which we consider from week to week. Today, the Uprising of Fellowship: how a scared bunch of disciples in an upper room became the earliest manifestation of 'church',
Their togetherness was key. Our Gospel reading tomorrow (from John 20) focusses on the story of Thomas, who cannot believe the message of resurrection because it is simply too good to be true. To his credit, though, he returns to the 'fellowship' of the disciples, even when he doubts, and is rewarded with the sight of the risen Lord. It's a powerful reminder to us of the need to hang in there, to stick with our brothers and sisters even when we have doubts and the going is tough. I like McLaren's description of fellowship: it's for scared people and for scarred people, and for people who want to believe but aren't sure what or how to believe. When we come together just as we are, we begin to rise again, to believe again, to hope again, to live again. Through fellowship, a little locked room becomes the biggest space in the world (where) the Holy Spirit fills us like a breath of fresh air. (p214)
Saturday 15 April 2017
The Uprising Begins
It's Easter Eve. It's been a tiring week, and we have an early (6.30am) start tomorrow. We have been focussing on the royalty of Jesus - a kingship and a kingdom not from this world. As international tensions increase, a massive bomb is dropped on Afghanistan, there couldn't be a more poignant moment to remind ourselves that it is through mercy and sacrifice that the world is won.
Yesterday, we had a Walk of Witness through the town. It is something that Churches Together here have done for several years, but this year there was a new development. Taking 10 'Stations of the Cross', we connected them with different parts of the town as the Walk wended its way, with 'Jesus' carrying his cross. Our aims were to unite together around the suffering and death of Jesus; and to make the most of the opportunity to 'tell the story' to our neighbours.
At each station, a different church group offered their own interpretation of the scene. Here are some photos of the day.
Yesterday, we had a Walk of Witness through the town. It is something that Churches Together here have done for several years, but this year there was a new development. Taking 10 'Stations of the Cross', we connected them with different parts of the town as the Walk wended its way, with 'Jesus' carrying his cross. Our aims were to unite together around the suffering and death of Jesus; and to make the most of the opportunity to 'tell the story' to our neighbours.
At each station, a different church group offered their own interpretation of the scene. Here are some photos of the day.
Peter's Denial
Clowns demonstrate the theme of mockery
Riverside Walk
Along Main Street
Gathering on the Memorial Field overlooking the town.
We were delighted that, at the gathering for worship at the URC on Main Street, over 120 Christians from different churches were present. We hope for a similar number on the field in the morning to celebrate Easter!
So to the Day of days tomorrow. The day that changes everything. Our writer, Brian McLaren says this: It's not just that Jesus was resurrected. It feels like we have arisen too. We were in the tomb of defeat and despair. But now - look at us! We're truly alive again. So might have spoken the first disciples. And so might we?
Saturday 8 April 2017
Peace March
The most recent atrocity in Syria, the use of nerve gas to afflict a large number of men, women and children, has horrified and appalled the world. Except, it would seem, President Assad who continues to afflict his own people without shame or regret. President Trump has apparently reversed his foreign policy over night, in moral indignation at what he has seen.
Such news brings into sharp relief the kingly authority of Jesus, the revelation of which is at the heart of the Palm Sunday story tomorrow. In fact, much of the Passion narrative from this moment, through the trials, to the notice at the head of the cross seems preoccupied with this theme. As Jesus enters into Jerusalem, on the back of a donkey, there is unrestrained joy because of all the miracles they have seen. The people realise the distinction between the kingly rule of Jesus and that of Roman imperialism. Whereas earthly authority seeks to subdue and dominate, the Kingdom not of this world brings mercy, blessing, freedom and hope.
For now, as 2000 years ago, the two kingdoms continue to co-exist and are frequently in conflict. The question for us is 'will we have Jesus as our king?' For he is either Lord of all or not Lord at all. This was the problem for the people of Jerusalem all those years ago: to enthrone him in their hearts meant that they would be in conflict with both Roman authority and Jewish Law, both of which demanded a full allegiance.
So as well as asking whether Jesus is king over us,we have to ask ourselves who or what else claims our allegiance. And are we prepared to pay the price of enthroning him? I am currently reading a biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas. In the mid-1930s, Bonhoeffer is wrestling with this very question as Hitler's National Socialism gradually gains the ascendancy in Germany. In an astonishing sermon in January 1934, preaching from Jeremiah, Bonhoeffer says: The triumphal procession of truth and justice, the triumphal procession of God and his Scriptures through the world, drags in the wake of victory a train of prisoners in chains. May he at the last bind us to his triumphal carriage so that, although in bonds oppressed, we may participate in his victory.
He sees Jeremiah as God's prisoner, and identifies himself with that status. Of course, he was to die a martyr's death as a result. Maybe, in the tyrannies of this present world, more such 'prisoners of God in triumphal procession' may be called for.
...to be alive is to learn what makes for peace. It's not more weapons, more threats, more fear. It's more faith, more freedom, more hope, more love, more joy. Blessed is the one who comes in the Name of the Lord! (McLaren p186).
Such news brings into sharp relief the kingly authority of Jesus, the revelation of which is at the heart of the Palm Sunday story tomorrow. In fact, much of the Passion narrative from this moment, through the trials, to the notice at the head of the cross seems preoccupied with this theme. As Jesus enters into Jerusalem, on the back of a donkey, there is unrestrained joy because of all the miracles they have seen. The people realise the distinction between the kingly rule of Jesus and that of Roman imperialism. Whereas earthly authority seeks to subdue and dominate, the Kingdom not of this world brings mercy, blessing, freedom and hope.
For now, as 2000 years ago, the two kingdoms continue to co-exist and are frequently in conflict. The question for us is 'will we have Jesus as our king?' For he is either Lord of all or not Lord at all. This was the problem for the people of Jerusalem all those years ago: to enthrone him in their hearts meant that they would be in conflict with both Roman authority and Jewish Law, both of which demanded a full allegiance.
So as well as asking whether Jesus is king over us,we have to ask ourselves who or what else claims our allegiance. And are we prepared to pay the price of enthroning him? I am currently reading a biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas. In the mid-1930s, Bonhoeffer is wrestling with this very question as Hitler's National Socialism gradually gains the ascendancy in Germany. In an astonishing sermon in January 1934, preaching from Jeremiah, Bonhoeffer says: The triumphal procession of truth and justice, the triumphal procession of God and his Scriptures through the world, drags in the wake of victory a train of prisoners in chains. May he at the last bind us to his triumphal carriage so that, although in bonds oppressed, we may participate in his victory.
He sees Jeremiah as God's prisoner, and identifies himself with that status. Of course, he was to die a martyr's death as a result. Maybe, in the tyrannies of this present world, more such 'prisoners of God in triumphal procession' may be called for.
...to be alive is to learn what makes for peace. It's not more weapons, more threats, more fear. It's more faith, more freedom, more hope, more love, more joy. Blessed is the one who comes in the Name of the Lord! (McLaren p186).
Sunday 2 April 2017
The Choice is Yours
It's been an unusually full week, including a visit to Liverpool just for the day on Friday. We were returning to the parish in Everton we left 23 years ago! The man who was Head Teacher in those days has died, and left instructions that he'd like me to take his funeral. At the start of the service, I felt quite overwhelmed, not just at losing someone to whom I was professionally quite close for several years, but also also at standing where I had stood for so many years in the past, seeing familiar faces, still recognizable after all this time.
Preparing the sermon was an interesting experience, as I reflected on the 1980s. What changes we had to negotiate then. It was the 'Hatton' era, of a Militant City Council versus an intransigent Tory Government, with Merseyside Churches caught up in it all, striving for the soul of Liverpool, under the firm and inspirational leadership of Archbishop Worlock and Bishop Sheppard. I recalled the introduction of LMS - Local Management of Schools - when for the first time, governors were entrusted with their own budget and a variety of new powers. This thing called a 'computer' arrived on the desk of head teachers, and a whole new era had begun. Almost overnight we said goodbye to hand-written ledgers and typewriters; soon we would have wireless telephones too. Gordon and his colleagues had many changes to negotiate.
Today is Passion Sunday, and we are coming towards the end of Lent. With it comes the last in our series on the Sermon on the Mount. It's unlikely this was the sermon as preached - no means of verbatim recording in those days - but we can be confident these are the very words of Jesus which Matthew has compiled for us. As they stand, Jesus has:
Preparing the sermon was an interesting experience, as I reflected on the 1980s. What changes we had to negotiate then. It was the 'Hatton' era, of a Militant City Council versus an intransigent Tory Government, with Merseyside Churches caught up in it all, striving for the soul of Liverpool, under the firm and inspirational leadership of Archbishop Worlock and Bishop Sheppard. I recalled the introduction of LMS - Local Management of Schools - when for the first time, governors were entrusted with their own budget and a variety of new powers. This thing called a 'computer' arrived on the desk of head teachers, and a whole new era had begun. Almost overnight we said goodbye to hand-written ledgers and typewriters; soon we would have wireless telephones too. Gordon and his colleagues had many changes to negotiate.
Today is Passion Sunday, and we are coming towards the end of Lent. With it comes the last in our series on the Sermon on the Mount. It's unlikely this was the sermon as preached - no means of verbatim recording in those days - but we can be confident these are the very words of Jesus which Matthew has compiled for us. As they stand, Jesus has:
- raised our aspirations, telling us whose company we should seek: the poor, the justice-seekers, the peace-makers, the pure in heart etc
- challenged our previous assumptions, calling us to a new righteousness - indeed, perfection like our heavenly Father
- warned us against making a show of our religion, teaching us how to give, to pray and to fast
- identified 3 enemies of spiritual growth: greed and acquisitiveness, worry and prejudice and demonstrated how to overcome them
Throughout, as noted last week, we have been reminded of our heavenly Father. Christian discipleship is a relationship not a religion.
Therefore, we have to make a choice: to follow a narrow way rather than a broad one, to build on rock rather than sand. As it happens, my reading from Henri Nouwen this morning was on the same theme: The core message of Jesus is that real joy and peace can never be reached while bypassing suffering and death, but only by going right through them.
Last night, Riding Lights Theatre Company was in town, with a performance of Crosslight - reflecting on the discipleship of Peter. It was profoundly challenging and moving. One memorable scene was when the apostle John insists on recounting what happened at the cross, since Peter had deserted. It was only by facing what he had tried to avoid that he could eventually find hope to live again. The final words? - 'Follow me.'
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