Reach One More

Gone Home

2010-03-11T14:16:00.003Z

2 weeks ago I blogged about the Derick Bingham book that I had just read - "North of Shadowlands."

at the time I was unaware how ill Derick had againg become. My mum rang briefly on Sunday morning to tell me that Derick had died. He went to see His Lord on Saturday morning - what a joyful moment that must have been!

Follow the link to read a bit more...

William Crawley interviewed Derick Bingham just before Christmas, and the interview was broadcast on Radio Ulster. You can find the link from William's blog to listen to that remarkable and Powerful conversation.

For me, Derick was just another influence on my spiritual journey. His Tuesday Night at the Crescent Bible studies in Belfast were a breath of fresh air in the sometimes stultifying atmosphere of Northern Irish Christianity, with its tendancy towards Phariseeism.

He often preached for a hour or more (to be fair - sometimes too long), but what a joy to follow him through Romans or James!

Derick is Home now. Thanks for pointing the way, and shining as a light in a dark world. Derick is in the cloud of witnesses now, cheering us on...

Blessed be the name of the Lord

2010-02-26T11:26:00.002Z

Yesterday morning I received a book in the post sent to me by my mum. Entitled "North of Shadowlands," it is a collection of blogs written by Belfast preacher Derek Bingham during his recent battle with Leukemia.

When diagnosed he was given 2 days to live, and if put on Chemo, was given a 5% chance of survival.

I read it in a day.

So much pain and suffering, and yet, if we will 'lift up our eyes' we will discover that our help really does come from the Lord.

I was once again blown away by the story of English poet and Hymn writer William Cowper, who suffered many bouts of deep depression, even once attempting suicide by trying to drive knitting needles into his heart!

When aware that he was sinking into another season of deep despair, Cowper hurried home and wrote the following words, which I dont apologise for quoting in full...

God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform; He plants His footsteps in the sea And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines Of never failing skill He treasures up His bright designs And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take; The clouds ye so much dread Are big with mercy and shall break In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust Him for His grace; Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour; The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err And scan His work in vain; God is His own interpreter, And He will make it plain.

John Newton, who knew Cowper well, said that he never knew a man more in the Grace and Favour of God, who was made to suffer so much despair.

This morning my thoughts have continued along this path. Listening to singer/song writer Steve Curtis Chapman sing "Just have to wait," from his new album "Beauty Will Rise," as he reflects on the tragic death of his 5 year old daughter in May 2008.

Why Lord?!

Job 1 verse 21 "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart.The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."

Lord, I don't understand, but Blessed be your name. I want to praise you in the light, but help me praise you in the dark too...

No-one has greater love than this...

2010-01-12T16:41:00.002Z

I recently read "The suspicions of Mr. Whicher." This is not the kind of book I usually read, but I really enjoyed it.As a parent, I found the horrific nature of the murder, with its family involvement, very disturbing.

I liked the mystery, "whodunnit" nature of this story, and Kate Summerscale did a great job at keeping my interest. The historical detail was superb, however at times bordered on overkill - sometimes I felt I was being told extra detail from the authors extensive research, simply because she had come across it, and wanted to make sure she mentioned it all. It was this extra detail that slowed the pace of the book, and either added, or detracted from the telling of the story depending on your view. For me, it slightly detracted.

The best thing about the story though, was the unproven, though very likely possibility that out of love, one family member took the 'rap' for the murder to protect another family member. My mind was twisting to understand how someone could murder a young child to get back at someone else.... then I remembered that it happens all the time today. What a crazy world where the once 'sensational' murders of the past, are today all too common, particular where men kill their children to get back at a partner!

The redemptive note for me came though, as I read about the way in which one family member flourished, because another payed the price of the crime....

"No-one has greater love than this: that a man would lay down his life for his friends!"

Brokenness and Bogroll

2009-11-06T16:01:00.006Z

A friend recently told me of a conversation he had years ago with the Christian evangelist, Bruce Anderson. Speaking about a mutual acquaintance, who had entered a time of extreme brokenness in his life, Bruce commented "Now God can really use him!"

Recently I've been meeting with a man whose life is broken. He has, by his own admittance, brought much of it on himself. As we sat chatting in my church office, he wept openly, his heart breaking for himself and others involved in his life.

Having no tissues in the office, I had to nip downstairs and grab an industrial size roll of toilet paper from the mens loos, which for the next two hours my friend slowly unrolled, used and binned.

I had informed 2 of my fellow leaders that I would be meeting this man, and I emailed them to ask them to pray during that time.

As time went by, we both seemed to realize that we were sat in the 'pigsty' of the prodigal son. This was his moment to come to his senses, and find his way back to the Father who loves him.

We read Psalm 51, where David pours out his repentant heart to God. It finishes "A broken and contrite heart God will not despise!"

"Did God forgive David?" my friend asked.
"Yes," I responded, "though there were lifelong consequences, David was forgiven!"

It was one of those moments...

"Would you like to pray with me?"
"Yes please," he responded.

We had talked about the Cross, the place where God himself took our brokeness on himself, and I was about to share with him how he could come Jesus, hoping to tell him the "ABC," or "4 spiritual laws" of coming to Christ.

"Do I talk to God or Jesus," he asked. I told him that Jesus is God, and before I could even finish my sentence, he burst into the Kingdom, pouring his pain and hurt out to a Gracious Saviour, and simply asked Jesus to come in!

I prayed too, then ripped the toilet roll from his hands, my face too, now wet with tears.

Jesus used many images to describe the Kingdom, but right now now seem so meaningful as brokenness and bogroll!

Fresh Paint and the Smell of Glue

2009-07-01T19:36:00.003+01:00

For the last few months our church has been preparing to move into our new building. For 13 years we have, like many other churches, been living a nomadic existence. School halls, community centres, and homes have sustained us through various ups and downs since we planted the church in 1996.

As I write I am lying on the floor of the new church office (no furniture yet) as we prepare to open this weekend. The smell of fresh paint and carpet glue fills my nostrils, and seems to heighten the dreamlike sense I have of moving in!

At school today, as my wife picked up our girls, a classroom assistant stopped her for a chat.
"I was on the bus yesterday going into town. Everyone was looking at your new church building and commenting on how good it was looking!"

Those words mean a lot. If you knew the state the property was in when we bought it... Broken windows, the stench of death, smashed furniture. Paperwork and destruction littered the auditorium. A year ago some of us saw a parable there. This broken building is like the lives of so many people in our world - broken, destroyed, and aparently hopeless - but faith is the substance of things not seen!

It is not about buildings is it? Empty churches are the Cathedrals to our folly! It is ALWAYS about people.

Moving into our new church building is a sign of God's promise to us. Transformed buildings make people sit up and take notice. God is in the tranformation business, and He has an agenda for change.

Will you commit again to his agenda, not through conformity to this world, but by being transformed by the renewing of our mind!

Church pastor wins nomination for his inspiring leadership

2009-03-30T10:40:00.000+01:00

Kevin Ward is an old friend of mine. HE has planted 3 churches in the last 20 years, and it looks like he is at it again. Have a read of the article linked here.

Church pastor wins nomination for his inspiring leadership

On being Irish (ish)

2009-03-23T19:57:00.004Z

Ireland, Ireland, together standing tall
Shoulder to shoulder we'll answer Irelands Call!!!!

What a glorious weekend for Ireland's rugby team! I even had the joy of watching it with a group of Welsh young people. From the euphoria of O'Gara's 78th minute drop goal, to the heart stopping missed Welsh penalty bang on time, followed by the huge relief - We had done it. Only our second ever Grand slam, and the first in 61 years.

Mind you, the only time I felt Irish for years, was when we played rugby. For the first 5 years that I lived in England, I got hoarse explaining that I was not Irish - but British! Eventually I got fed up trying to explain the complications of Irish politics to the uneducated of uninterested.

The situation got even more complicated during the muddied waters of the peace process. Talking to the enemy! How easy for those who didn't live in it to tell us all how to fix it.

However, the seeds of peace, reconciliation and hope were sown by men like Gordon Wilson, who in the rubble of the remembrance day bombing at Enniskillen in 1987, held his dying daughters hand as she whispered "daddy - I love you!" Then hours later he offered forgiveness to her killers - amazing! As a young Christian at the time, I felt like killing the b******s myself. Then I heard Gordon Wilson speak from his hospital bed - honestly, it melted my heart.

Like many Irishmen, I am still on that journey. It felt almost complete 2 weeks ago....
2 soldiers and a policeman lay dead on Ulster's streets. Then, standing shoulder to shoulder (just like the rugby team), with the Chief of Police came Martin McGuiness. This self confessed ex-IRA leader called the murderers 'traitors.' "If you have any information give it to the police," he said. It almost felt like listening to Gordon Wilson again.

When Ian Paisley entered Government with McGuiness, and was asked how he could sit with a leader of the IRA, Paisley responded "Even murderers can repent and find forgiveness!"

What a few weeks. What a weekend. What a turn around.

U2 - White as Snow

2009-03-12T23:54:00.007Z

Tony Compolo has called Bono a modern day prophet! You may or may not agree with that. However, Bono's commitment to peace, aids relief and campaigns like Jubilee 2000 along with his consistency declare at the very least, his sincerety.

What makes the case though for the 'prophet' tag is the overt (and sometimes ambiguous) Christian content to many of U2's songs...

From "Pride - In the name of Love" to the iconic "I still haven't found what I'm looking for," the band's Christian faith (and sometimes doubt) is rarely below the surface.

Recent track "Jahweh" includes the lyrics...
Yahweh, Yahweh
Always pain before a child is born
Yahweh, tell me now
Why the dark before the dawn?

Take this city
A city should be shining on a hill
Take this city
If it be your will
What no man can own, no man can take
Take this heart
Take this heart
Take this heart
And make it break

The broken heart that Bono recognises a broken world should bring in us, can only find healing and wholeness in God, and specifically through the death of Jesus for our sin. My heart needs to be broken over the state of the world, but more so over the state of my own heart itself.

Nothing I do can bring about the wholeness and healing I desire... only Grace can do that... and so Bono sings on the track Grace. Reminding us that Grace travels outside of Karma, the song concludes...

What once was hurt
What once was friction
What left a mark
No longer stings...
Because Grace makes beauty
Out of Ugly Things

In the latest offering "Get on your boots" we discover where such Grace can be found, Grace that can forgive even me with all my brokeness. On the song "White as Snow" we discover...

Who can forgive forgiveness where forgiveness is not
Only the lamb as white as snow

John the Baptist said "Look - the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"

If your heart is breaking, and you need Grace, not Karma, if you are struggling to forgive yourself - Look at Jesus on the Cross - The Lamb as white as snow who died to take away your sin!

Hope for Christmas

2008-12-23T20:08:00.005Z

Christmas is here for another year. But this year, more than any I can remember since the 1980's Thatcher era when unemployment topped 3 million, people are worried about their jobs, security, income and home reposessions.

Economists tell us it is worse than we can even imagine. The RBS and HBOS were, we learn, a day away from not opening for business in mid-October.

The darkness is closing in... Many people hear the depressing messages, amplified by the endless media coverage, and fear the worst. Credit card debt is out of hand - and the Government has the gall to tell us to keep spending - and that spending is based on more borrowing.

Personal debt in Britain is now over 1.3Trillion pounds. There is no doubt that the Nation is heading for a fall, and the drastic measures being pursued by the government is only keeping the wolf from the door, as we store up trouble for the future.

Into this dark world shines the Light. And John writes about Jesus, "The Light Shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it!"

However simplistic it sounds, it is nevertheless true. Jesus is the light of the world, He is THE Hope!

Along with many Christians, we are involved in helping people learn life skills, get out of debt, and grow in confidence as they face enormous personal hurdles. However, if all we are offering are programmes (however good), we are only dealing with symptoms, not cause.

We need to offer Jesus. He is the Light of the World, and when He shines into peoples lives no darkness can overcome Him.

Man-flu

2008-12-12T18:24:00.002Z

I've got, what my wife calls "man-flu!" I feel dreadful - headache, blocked up nose, chesty cough and I can produce flem all the colours of the rainbow (well there have to be some compensations!)

Of course, it is just a bad cold - a virus. Someone told me that there are around 200 cold viruses in circulation in the UK at any one time. Once you have had one you have life-time immunity from it. Still - I think it's flu...

A fellow evangelist once put forward to me the concept that religion should not be taught in schools, and schools should not, by and large, have 'christian' assemblies. His theory ran that RE (or RS) and in particular, Christianity, is so poorly taught, or at least, presents such a wimpy, soft at the edges version of Christian faith, that it effectively innoculates much of the population against future contact with the real thing!

I always disagreed with him, feeling that UK law continues to give us a real opportunity to take the Good News about Jesus into our schools. I for one, am still involved in doing this, having had 2 opportunities already this week. (Follow the link to see one way some in Manchester are reaching real kids) http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=LWjLf0rfvz4

However - he may have had a point. Our churches (I generalise of course) continue to suffer with a distinct absence of men. "Women and children first" was the cry when the titanic went down, and with a continuing lack of male leadership, switched on fathers, and loving faithful husbands in many churches, some of them will soon go the way of the Titanic too.

What kind of man are you? What kind am I? If non-christian men look at me will they see a real man, or the 'gentle Jesus meek and mild' kind of guy that they may have been innoculated against? If we are going to reach men we must be deliberate about it. Great kids and womens ministries are fantastic (as a Father of 3 young daughters I am involved in both), but mens work will not happen by accident. Men must be pursued, confronted, engaged, deliberately targetted and attracted. Our churches must be man-friendly!

To coin a phrase "Real men followed Jesus - they still do."

The Shack

2008-12-02T23:53:00.003Z

Last weekend I read the book "The Shack" by Wm Paul Young. This book has been number 1 best seller in the New York Times charts, and has even broken into the top 100 at WHSmith in the UK.

It is a controversial book in a lot of ways, particularly in its depiction of God the Father appearing to Mack (the central character) as a black African-American woman.

"The Shack" is endorsed by leading evangelicals, including Eugene Peterson (The Message) and Michael W. Smith from the USA and the evangelist J. John in the UK. Equally, it has been derided as Heresy by others, including Mark Driscoll (Mars HILL Church, Seattle) who I count amongst my Christian heroes.

What did I think of it? Well, at the risk of offending somebody - here goes....

Without giving the whole story away, the plot follows Mack, whose daugther Missy is abducted and murdered. For the following few years Mack is enveloped by "The Great Sadness." One cold winters morning he receives a letter from God inviting him back to the shack where his daughter is believed to have been murdered, though her body was never found. At the shack, Mack meets God - Father Son and Holy Spirit, and over the course of a weekend, his encounter with them transforms his life.

First - lets get the difficult and dodgy stuff out of the way. I found the depiction of the Father (Papa) as a black woman more than difficult to deal with. The first person of the Trinity is depicted throughout Scripture as a Father. In "The Shack", God explains that He is Spirit, and that any depiction of Him in human terms is purely for our benefit. In Scripture, there are ocassions where God shows clear 'feminine' characteristics, such as Jesus using the image of a mother Hen protecting her chicks, and defining his heart for Jerusalem in that picture. In the Old Testament, God is depicted as a mother desiring to breast feed and nourish her children. In Creation we read that God created Male and Female in His image. There is no doubt that it is the 2 together - Male and Female, that give completion to the image. God is neither Male nor Female, but Spirit. However, we have no Biblical mandate to present Him as a woman, and I found the image in the book deeply troubling.

Mark Driscoll's comments are interesting, and can be found on You Tube. However, having rewatched his comments after reading the book, I dont believe that he had read the book when he critiqued it. For example, he accuses the author of the heresy of 'modalism' (look it up - come on - do some of the work yourself!) He uses 1 quote to support this claim. The charge is not verified by a reading of the book.

The 1 other area that did trouble me though, was the possible suggestion of Universalism (that all will be saved whatever.) This is by no means explicit, but could be implied in a number of places. Particularly in one section where Jesus tells Mack that his followers come from all walks, races, political parties and religions - Hindu, Muslim, Mormon, etc. I re-read the section, and it seems to be deliberately ambiguous. Certainly people will follow Jesus from every tribe, people, tongue and nation, but they will have to come to Him as the only Saviour. The section in question has Mack mention about people being Christians, and Jesus responds "I never mentioned becoming a Christian!" It is deliberately ambiguous. However, the rest of the book seems to clearly suggest that if people want to know God, they must enter into a relationship with Him through Christ.

However (and you cant ignore the dodgy stuff - that's why I mention it), I was deeply moved by the book. I have no doubt that at times I had fresh insights into my relationship with God.

A couple of examples. Young's potrayal of "The Great Sadness" is just brilliant. Anyone who has had a deep sad, life changing (Life-numbing) experience will identify with it. His depiction of this cloak of despair is true to life, and many will see themselves in it.

The way in which Young deals with "The Great Sadness" is also brilliant. In a "Judgement" scene, God invites Mack to be Judge and Jury on his own children. He is told to choose 2 to go to Heaven and the others to destine to hell. He pleads with God "Let me take their place - let me go instead of them!"
"Now you sound like Jesus - you have Judged well" comes the reply!

In the book, there is also a wonderful depiction of Jesus at the centre of all things, with Creation and the redeemed gathering to worship Him. The scene that follows moved me to tears as Young writes... "Everything that had breath sang out a song of love and unending thankfulness. Tonight the universe was as it was intended!"

The last thing that I will mention is that the book deals as well as any (fictional book) with the issues of forgiveness and anger and bitterness. There is much Biblical wisdom in the way Mack is led to address the brokeness and pain in his own heart and family.

"The Shack" was a good read, moving, inspiring, and ultimately I would recommend it with the proviso that you read it as a piece of fiction, and not a systematic theology.

Baby P

2008-11-18T10:59:00.000Z

Some things make me feel sick.

This weekend I dont know if it was something I ate, or someone I touched. Whatever it was, I was contaminated and spent most of Saturday night and all day Sunday on, over or under the toilet!

Last week, what made me feel sick was the rash of stories about children being abused by parents or their friends here in the UK. "Baby P" as the story has been known, involved the brutalisation and systematic abuse of a little boy at the hands of his mother and, in particular, her boyfriend. Of course, what has made the whole thing worse was the fact that the child was under the watch of the local authority children's services, and ultimately the wrong decisions were made, which led to baby p's death.

Getting involved in such cases and situations can be both frightening and costly. Often, as the church, we want to help, but feel we can do so little.

The alternative to doing something is, however, doing nothing. If such abuse makes you feel sick, then the only righteous response is to get involved. "If salt loses its saltiness it is only good to be thrown on the fire" said Jesus. In other words, either I make a difference where I am, because I get involved, or I am good for nothing!

Our church has recently taken a step of faith to appoint a Family worker. The needs are huge, and perhaps you may ask "what difference can one make?" I have been overwhelmed by the support of the local schools and others to give support and training for our new worker. I am hopeful that we can make a huge impact in the community where we live. Salt needs to be applied to bring healing and savour to a broken and desperate world.

Maybe we wont make a huge difference, but then again, the alternative to doing someting is to do nothing.

Dawkins deluded?

2008-11-11T14:01:00.000Z

On Saturday I picked up a copy of the Dvd of Richard Dawkins debate with John Lennox in Alabama last year. I have watched it twice already. Dawkins followers have been upset at the construct of the debate, feeling Dawkins was handcuffed and therefore unable at times to counter Lennox's arguments. However, it is worth pointing out that "Fixed Point" who hosted the debate, is a christian organisation, and Dawkins was given the first and last word. It equally says something for Dawkins that he was prepared to debate an evangelical Christian in the deep south of the USA in the Bible belt.

It is well worth getting hold of! Lennox is brilliant. I know him (though not well) and have had the privilege to hear him on a number of occasions. He is a Mathematician and philosopher of science at Oxford uni. Lennox is insightful, some of his arguments are cutting, and he manages that difficult thing in a debate of being direct and at the same time, incredibly gracious.

I remember a few years ago, as a young evangelist, getting into a debate (argument!) with some members of one of the 'quasi christian' cults (JW's, Mormons, Christadelphians). I was incredibly enthusiastic, fresh out of Bible college, and dreadfully naive! Not only did I not make any ground for the Gospel, but I lost the argument.

I am becoming more and more convinced of the need to "win friends and influence people!" The church is full of cliches and catch phrases like "People need to belong before they believe." Just because it is a cliche does not mean it doesn't contain a nugget of truth.

As we stand on the truth of Gods Word, and the Rock of Truth, Jesus Himself, may God help us to be less concerned about winning the argument, and more so about winning people.

Yes we Can

2008-11-06T14:44:00.000Z

Reading Christian comments online on US Christian website, you would think that the American electorate had voted Satan himself into power!

We need to hold in balance the truths that Satan is the Prince of the Powers of the air (and therefore has great influence on this world and its systems, and on the other hand remember that the governments are ordained by God. It is our job, not only to contribute to society, but to pray for those in authority.

Barack Obama seems to be a man of humility, grace, vision, and purpose. These are great combinations. We need to pray for him. We need to be careful about the hype! The praise and glory being poured on Obama is only equalled by the vitriol and hatred that has been aimed at George W. Bush.

For us, this is a time for humility and Hope.

Change Has Come! What a great slogan. Change is what we need. Who knows what Obama's presidency will bring, but the rhetoric, vision, and goals are admirable. Listening to Obama is inspiring.

We believe that Change needs to come. Changed hearts, changed lives, changed priorities, changed families, changed communities.

But... real heart level change, change that lasts, change that redirects the course of a nation, needs to begin with the church. Bill Hybels says "the local church is the hope of the world!" "If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, I WILL come and heal their land!"

Dear God - Please give us "Change we can believe in!"

Bland and Dross

2008-10-31T18:30:00.000Z

I've been away for a few days this week, and have been amazed at the Jonathan Ross/ Russell Brand incident, in both the sheer grossness of the comments made and broadcast by them and the BBC, and in turn the number of those who have spoken out in favour or defence of them.

So much has been said and written that I am sure that I can add very little to the debate. The subject of this blog revolves around engagement with the culture. However, there are clearly many times and occassions when 'engagement' needs to be understood as 'seperation', 'opposition' and 'distance.'

A few months back when I started collecting podcasts to listen to on my ipod, I subscribed to Russell Brands' radio 2 podcast. I lasted about 2 weeks!!! I find Brand very funny at times, and I enjoy 'zany' comedy in the 'goons/Spike Milligan' style, but our society (at least parts of it) seem to relish, even wallow in, humour of the bassist kind. It has been some time since I watched Jonathan Ross on Friday Nights, and I have stopped following Big Brother and other elements of culture as I once did.

To engage does mean reading, watching, and experiencing many things that the culture I am part of enjoys. However, engagement is not the same as immersing myself in all the worst culture has to offer.

I dont belong to this world, but I have been sent into it. As Larry Norman sang "This world is not my home - I'm just passing through..."

Advertising Nothing

2008-10-22T17:00:00.000+01:00

Yesterday on the radio, I heard that Atheists are planning a national advertising campaign, placing ads on buses declaring "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life!"

It amazes me how militant atheism is becoming a parody of the religious right in America which it so despises. Prof. Richard Dawkins, the leading exponent of fundamentalist atheism, has agreed to match pound for pound money donated to pay for the campaign.

And anyway - when you believe in something so vehemently, how come you cant come up with a better slogan than "There is probably no God!" It is absolutely classic. And because there is a God, and His Holy Spirit is in the business of convicting people of their sin, and revealing Jesus, then this advert could well be the best money spent in promoting Christian faith since Ceasar paid for Pauls room and board in a Roman prison cell!

It is therefore no wonder that a Christian group "Theos" have donated £50 to the cause.

Quoting from the article in the Daily Telegraph online "Theos believes the "weak" adverts will encourage people to think about God.

The article continues...

Its director, Paul Woolley, said: "Initially, we almost felt sorry for the campaign, as its difficulties showed that there were not many atheists in Britain, and certainly not many who were willing to put their hands into their pockets. But when we saw the message, we couldn't believe it.

"Stunts like this demonstrate how militant atheists are often great adverts for Christianity."

The Rev Jenny Ellis, spirituality and discipleship officer of the British Methodist Church, added: "This campaign will be a good thing if it gets people to engage with the deepest questions of life."

If you see the ads. make sure to draw someones attention to them. Ask them what they think! You never know, it may be just the thing to lead someone to Jesus!

Playing for Pizza

2008-10-15T12:46:00.000+01:00

I've just read 2 John Grisham books in the last 2 weeks - the second one, "Playing for Pizza," I finished yesterday.

It is a story about a failing American Football Quarterback, who rediscovers the joy of being in a real team, where he is accepted, respected, and as a result, produces his best.

You may not be into American Football (I am a Philadelphia Eagles fan, for what it's worth), but I must say that the book warmed the cockles of my heart. It is, like many books, a story of new life, new hope, a new start. Rick, the despised failure of a Quarterback, is hounded out of Cleveland, vilified in the press, and despised by the press after 1 poor performance costs them their shot at the Super Bowl. Via his agent, he finds himself in Parma, Italy, playing on a team of amateurs who play for the love of the game, for one another, and for the free post-game Pizza.

In this foreign culture, Rick finds a home.

We live in a broken world, people feel hounded, are vilified, and many have nowhere to turn. What if they looked to the church - your church or mine? Would they find love, acceptance, forgiveness - a home?

To many church is a foreign culture, the last place they might look particularly if they have personal, or fabled "memories" of church as a place of condemnation rather than forgiveness.

Wouldn't it be great if your church and mine was a place where people rediscover the joy of being in a real team, where they are accepted, respected, and as a result, produce their best.

Politicians and "Back to Basics."

2008-10-11T12:44:00.000+01:00

For a few years now I have been a governor on a variety of local schools.

Yesterday I sat in the office of a Head Teacher meeting a prospective candidate for the next parliamentary election. Most of the conversation was around schools, education, money and local politics.

At one point though, the subject veered towards the issue of politicians pronouncements on family morality. Although I had contributed to the discussion up to this point, I felt the carpet being gently, but firmly yanked from under my feet. Both Head and Politician were in agreement that any kind of commited relationship, or settled single parent family was better than a bad married environment. Lesbian couples were bringing up happy, stable kids, and married couples were allowing sexual abuse under their roofs.

What would you have said?

I muttered something about how it was possible to hold a particular moral position, and at the same time be even handed and not discriminate in our relationships with people. The church was right to uphold a clear position on marriage. Poor churches were those that either fudged their stance on the morality of marriage or discriminated against people because of it. I shared my heart as gently as I could. The politician (who over the last year I have come to view as a friend), smiled - "I know where you stand Martin, and you're OK with me!" he laughed.

I know, I can hear someone mumble "It's not about keeping friends - it's about maintaining truth and righteousness." After all, John the Baptist lost his head, but kept his integrity. I am sure there are times, and will be many more to come, when we will part company with people over the truth.

But didn't Jesus come to us full of Grace and truth? Didn't he say to the woman caught in adultery "neither do I condemn you!"? When the woman at the well confessed her history to him, did he say "You harlot!"? No! Gently, full of Grace, he allowed the truth to do its own work.

Surely our job is to uphold the truth in our words and deeds, and at the same time, love people in such a way, that the conviction that comes is from the Holy Spirit, and not the shame or anger invoked by our self-righteousness.

Full of grace and truth....

Hello Blogosphere

2008-10-10T15:21:00.000+01:00

Hello

My name is Martin Erwin. For almost 20 years I have lived and worked as an evangelist and church planter based in Herefordshire in the west of England.

I hope to use this Blog to share ideas and resources for those who want to reach people with the Good News of Jesus.

I currently share in the leadership of Challenge Community Church in Hereford. I teach and preach widely in the West Midlands and South Wales area, and lead seminars on issues like "Developing Vision and Strategy for the local church."

I have been amazed at the "growth" of the "emerging" church movement, and am seeking to engage in the conversation, whilst at the same time feeling incredibly wary about the apparent ease with which some evangelicals seem able to jetison the baby with the bathwater.

Our commitment needs to be to the possibility of holding to Biblical authority and at the same time engaging with the culture.

Over coming months, I hope to be able to share some ways in which we have found that possible, whilst at the same time hearing of your struggles to do the same.

Mark Driscoll's book "Confessions of a reformission rev." has been a superb spur to me in believing that such a position is possible in a world as culturally confused and diverse as this one.

See you here soon - thanks for stopping by!

Martin