Came across this question about the church yesterday, its well worth thinking about.
How do you create a community that shows what life would be like if Christ was Lord over the world?
I'll try to post some thoughts in the coming days.
Wednesday, 31 January 2007
Faith or risk?
In the summer I was at the EMA in London and heard John Piper give a couple of talks on the idea that risk is right for the Christian and the church. It was one of those talks that leaves you fired up and ready to seize the next risk.
But the problem is in working out sometimes what is a risk taken in faith and what simply unwise. For example is it a risk taken in faith to plant a church in April with a smaller team and less build up or to wait until October for a larger team to perhaps be involved and for there to be more build up?
In the west we all live very comfortable existences and most of our churches are comfortable too, but comfort doesn't seem to feature too much in Acts or in the Epistles (Acts 2, 4, 8). Are we too wedded to our comfortable risk free church environments?
And when it comes to planting new churches Paul lived by faith, go to a new town preach the gospel see some people believe and start a new church eventually with its own leadership (Acts 14, 16, 17, 18). Paul Barnabas, Timothy and others certainly seemed to have the pioneer risk taking spirit.
Risk is right? The key for Paul is in being where God wants him at the time God wants him there (Acts 16:6-10), risk is right in God's timing. Such examples should drive us to pray to ask God what he would have us risk and when he would have us risk it.
But the problem is in working out sometimes what is a risk taken in faith and what simply unwise. For example is it a risk taken in faith to plant a church in April with a smaller team and less build up or to wait until October for a larger team to perhaps be involved and for there to be more build up?
In the west we all live very comfortable existences and most of our churches are comfortable too, but comfort doesn't seem to feature too much in Acts or in the Epistles (Acts 2, 4, 8). Are we too wedded to our comfortable risk free church environments?
And when it comes to planting new churches Paul lived by faith, go to a new town preach the gospel see some people believe and start a new church eventually with its own leadership (Acts 14, 16, 17, 18). Paul Barnabas, Timothy and others certainly seemed to have the pioneer risk taking spirit.
Risk is right? The key for Paul is in being where God wants him at the time God wants him there (Acts 16:6-10), risk is right in God's timing. Such examples should drive us to pray to ask God what he would have us risk and when he would have us risk it.
Tuesday, 30 January 2007
A day for news
Just back from an hour and half in casualty having an elbow X-rayed after a footballing injury last night, no lasting damage but a couple of days no lifting and on ibuprofen and paracetamol.
But as I was sat in the hospital I was watching life go on around me. There will be those there who will have had the worst possible news this morning, being reminded in no uncertain terms of their mortality. There will be those families for whom this morning life was normal but who now face the devastation of losing a loved one.
Yet elsewhere in the hospital there will have been those getting good news, a cancer in remission, a successful surgery, or an impending birth, or even the safe delivery of their child.
Yet ultimately hospitals are reminders of our mortality, that life is fragile and we are frail. For all our illusions of immortality, advancement and capability we are at the mercies of a patch of ice, or a virus, or rogue growth, or simply someone else's mistake.
What a difference the gospel would make to those who have had bad news this morning. To know that God loves them, that God knows, that he has sent his Son so that death is not the end, so that we can look forward to a world without the A&E department or X-ray or oncology.
That's great news and it is God's gift to his people to be able to live and speak that news to those in just the situation we find them in.
But as I was sat in the hospital I was watching life go on around me. There will be those there who will have had the worst possible news this morning, being reminded in no uncertain terms of their mortality. There will be those families for whom this morning life was normal but who now face the devastation of losing a loved one.
Yet elsewhere in the hospital there will have been those getting good news, a cancer in remission, a successful surgery, or an impending birth, or even the safe delivery of their child.
Yet ultimately hospitals are reminders of our mortality, that life is fragile and we are frail. For all our illusions of immortality, advancement and capability we are at the mercies of a patch of ice, or a virus, or rogue growth, or simply someone else's mistake.
What a difference the gospel would make to those who have had bad news this morning. To know that God loves them, that God knows, that he has sent his Son so that death is not the end, so that we can look forward to a world without the A&E department or X-ray or oncology.
That's great news and it is God's gift to his people to be able to live and speak that news to those in just the situation we find them in.
Monday, 29 January 2007
Dealing with disappointment
Sometimes things just don't go as we want do they. People say or do things that surprise us, or perhaps react in such a way that it leaves us feeling bemused and angry, or leaves us feeling let down.
A couple of years ago someone said that in such situations we should repeat the following to ourselves "I'm not God and it's not my world." To remind ourselves that the world does not revolve around me and my needs. The world is God's and he is working his purposes out, the best place for me to be is in the place where God wants me no matter how hard or frustrating that may be.
At root I guess the question in such situations is 'Do I believe God has my best interests at heart?' When we hear of a friends terminal illness, or a family member dies, or the things we thought God has planned for us just don't seem to be as plain sailing as we had thought they would be. I need to ask myself again 'Do I believe God has my best interests at heart?'
If God gave his Son for us at measureless cost then the answer has to be yes. God is working to knock off my rough edges, to mould me, to get me into the place he has for me no matter how hard the process may be to get there. I guess that's why one of the most common phrases in the New Testament is 'Stand firm'.
A couple of years ago someone said that in such situations we should repeat the following to ourselves "I'm not God and it's not my world." To remind ourselves that the world does not revolve around me and my needs. The world is God's and he is working his purposes out, the best place for me to be is in the place where God wants me no matter how hard or frustrating that may be.
At root I guess the question in such situations is 'Do I believe God has my best interests at heart?' When we hear of a friends terminal illness, or a family member dies, or the things we thought God has planned for us just don't seem to be as plain sailing as we had thought they would be. I need to ask myself again 'Do I believe God has my best interests at heart?'
If God gave his Son for us at measureless cost then the answer has to be yes. God is working to knock off my rough edges, to mould me, to get me into the place he has for me no matter how hard the process may be to get there. I guess that's why one of the most common phrases in the New Testament is 'Stand firm'.
Thursday, 25 January 2007
What I really need?
It's a question which we ask ourselves a hundred times a day in subtle ways, what is it I really need? It's what the advertisers seek to answer for us; what you really need is a new car, or a plasma TV, or a PS3.
What we all think we really need is what we desire, what we crave. The challenge is to mould our cravings in the light of what the Bible says. There are both good and bad cravings, the Lord's prayer is a means of reminding ourselves that we should crave what God craves "your kingdom come".
But that is a battle. Maybe that's why one of the most consistent images of the Christian life in the Epistles is that of a battle. A battle in which we stand with, alongside, in support of one another. The church is the barracks room where the soldiers help each other prepare for battle and engage with the enemy. A vital part of that is our need to engage with each other and be accountable to each other, moulding each others cravings in the light of the good news of Jesus.
If God gave his Son in our place so that he no longer views us as rebels but perfect sons then I can trust God for everything and not crave the things he will not give me, but seek to crave the things that God craves.
What we all think we really need is what we desire, what we crave. The challenge is to mould our cravings in the light of what the Bible says. There are both good and bad cravings, the Lord's prayer is a means of reminding ourselves that we should crave what God craves "your kingdom come".
But that is a battle. Maybe that's why one of the most consistent images of the Christian life in the Epistles is that of a battle. A battle in which we stand with, alongside, in support of one another. The church is the barracks room where the soldiers help each other prepare for battle and engage with the enemy. A vital part of that is our need to engage with each other and be accountable to each other, moulding each others cravings in the light of the good news of Jesus.
If God gave his Son in our place so that he no longer views us as rebels but perfect sons then I can trust God for everything and not crave the things he will not give me, but seek to crave the things that God craves.
Wednesday, 24 January 2007
The message of the Cross
Last night we were looking at 1 Corinthians 1 and the message of the cross. It was really encouraging to be reminded that the cross is the only way of salvation, that it is God's wisdom revealed and that it is not for the clever or noble or rich. But it is for those whom God calls.
But I think what struck me in particular was verse 17 "For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, less the cross of Christ be emptied of its power." Preaching the gospel is not about human wisdom, about our eloquence or abilities it is about faithfully proclaiming the gospel as best we can and God calling and working in people.
The message of 1 Corinthians is a reminder that we don't need charismatic or brilliant leaders and preachers but those who will faithfully "preach Christ crucified". It is a call not to let worldly views of leadership leach into the church, as the church at Corinth had.
How often do you explain the gospel, or take a friend to hear the gospel explained and come away thinking, how come they don't get it? How can they not see it! Well 1 Corinthians 1 reminds us that "the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing". A crucified Messiah was an impossibility for Jews and an absurdity for Greeks, but it is God's message of salvation, it is God's wisdom revealed. So we shouldn't be surprised that people don't get it, unless God is working in their lives already.
What a fantastic encouragement as we seek to share the great news of Jesus birth, life, death, resurrection and its meaning with those we live and work alongside, in weakness, fear, and trembling. The cross "is the power of God" and as we pray and share that message God Will work in those he has called through his Spirit and his power.
But I think what struck me in particular was verse 17 "For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, less the cross of Christ be emptied of its power." Preaching the gospel is not about human wisdom, about our eloquence or abilities it is about faithfully proclaiming the gospel as best we can and God calling and working in people.
The message of 1 Corinthians is a reminder that we don't need charismatic or brilliant leaders and preachers but those who will faithfully "preach Christ crucified". It is a call not to let worldly views of leadership leach into the church, as the church at Corinth had.
How often do you explain the gospel, or take a friend to hear the gospel explained and come away thinking, how come they don't get it? How can they not see it! Well 1 Corinthians 1 reminds us that "the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing". A crucified Messiah was an impossibility for Jews and an absurdity for Greeks, but it is God's message of salvation, it is God's wisdom revealed. So we shouldn't be surprised that people don't get it, unless God is working in their lives already.
What a fantastic encouragement as we seek to share the great news of Jesus birth, life, death, resurrection and its meaning with those we live and work alongside, in weakness, fear, and trembling. The cross "is the power of God" and as we pray and share that message God Will work in those he has called through his Spirit and his power.
Tuesday, 23 January 2007
A new community
What does the word fellowship mean? Is it just about chatting over coffee? Acts 2 seems to paint a very different picture, it shows the church in and out of each others homes, sharing meals together, breaking bread together as a simple way of remembering what unites them, their salvation in Christ.
As you move on to the pastoral epistles you see fellowship as a commitment to build one another up, a determination to spur one another on. That involved far more than a chat, it means being involved in each others lives and helping each other daily with the things we struggle with. Home Groups are a place where this can happen over time, but it must be accompanied by sharing our homes and families with others, prayer triplets or one-to-one bible study are perhaps an easier environment in which such relationships could flourish.
Its quite striking that one of the other features of the church in Acts is that the people watching on are amazed by their love for one another, by the gospel at work and in their actions.
As you move on to the pastoral epistles you see fellowship as a commitment to build one another up, a determination to spur one another on. That involved far more than a chat, it means being involved in each others lives and helping each other daily with the things we struggle with. Home Groups are a place where this can happen over time, but it must be accompanied by sharing our homes and families with others, prayer triplets or one-to-one bible study are perhaps an easier environment in which such relationships could flourish.
Its quite striking that one of the other features of the church in Acts is that the people watching on are amazed by their love for one another, by the gospel at work and in their actions.
Friday, 19 January 2007
What is Church?
What is church? Its a question that we rarely think about. We often think about practicalities, as I did yesterday about when and where and who. But what is it?
Is it church when you meet in your home with some other believers to pray together, or just to chat together, or is it only when you open the Bible together? Are home groups effectively acting as 'Little Church'? Or is it only when we all meet together?
Is church more fluid than we think of it? And are some of our terms we use unhelpful? For example sometimes we are welcomed to a time of worship -but the Bible's picture of worship is that it is all of life, it is my work, my parenting, my rest all lived to the glory of the God who made me and brought me back into relationship with him at the extravagant cost of his son.
Sometimes we are invited to stay for coffee after the service - but isn't that an essential element of the service? I'm not sure it is what the Bible sees as fellowship, as that seems to be much deeper than a quick chat over coffee and a biscuit, but it is an important part of the churches time together.
If we described it as such would it help redeem it from being a chat so often about the week past, into an opportunity to work the gospel into each others lives, to be 'devoted to the apostles teaching', to build one another up.
At a conference in London a couple of years ago the speaker spoke of the pastors job as being like the man banging on the side of the vending machine to get the coin to drop, we are to be banging the gospel deeper into each others lives. That is how we build one another up, that is what it means to be devoted to the apostles teaching. It means listening to, talking about and working the gospel deeper into each others lives, beginning with those conversations over coffee and continuing as we devote ourselves to fellowship.
Is it church when you meet in your home with some other believers to pray together, or just to chat together, or is it only when you open the Bible together? Are home groups effectively acting as 'Little Church'? Or is it only when we all meet together?
Is church more fluid than we think of it? And are some of our terms we use unhelpful? For example sometimes we are welcomed to a time of worship -but the Bible's picture of worship is that it is all of life, it is my work, my parenting, my rest all lived to the glory of the God who made me and brought me back into relationship with him at the extravagant cost of his son.
Sometimes we are invited to stay for coffee after the service - but isn't that an essential element of the service? I'm not sure it is what the Bible sees as fellowship, as that seems to be much deeper than a quick chat over coffee and a biscuit, but it is an important part of the churches time together.
If we described it as such would it help redeem it from being a chat so often about the week past, into an opportunity to work the gospel into each others lives, to be 'devoted to the apostles teaching', to build one another up.
At a conference in London a couple of years ago the speaker spoke of the pastors job as being like the man banging on the side of the vending machine to get the coin to drop, we are to be banging the gospel deeper into each others lives. That is how we build one another up, that is what it means to be devoted to the apostles teaching. It means listening to, talking about and working the gospel deeper into each others lives, beginning with those conversations over coffee and continuing as we devote ourselves to fellowship.
Thursday, 18 January 2007
Timing
Time is important to all of us, whether it is the dash to the office or the time squeezed in with family, or the urgent visit that just has to be carried out.
In days when Sunday is as hectic as every other day of the week, when families have the pressures of Sunday Football, or other parents to be visited, when is the best time to do church? Is it Sunday, or another day during the week? Is it morning, afternoon or evening? If morning is it early on or just before lunch with a shared meal following? If afternoon is it better nearer tea with a shared tea?
My personal leaning is to Sunday mornings, but is that just because of what I am used to, and how should we then use the rest of the day? What about then doing church for those who can't make Sunday Mornings, do you run a Saturday service too? Or can Home Groups then fulfil that function?
So much to think about and be decided upon. But we have a great God who waits for us to ask and will give us his wisdom as we pray for his kingdom to come.
In days when Sunday is as hectic as every other day of the week, when families have the pressures of Sunday Football, or other parents to be visited, when is the best time to do church? Is it Sunday, or another day during the week? Is it morning, afternoon or evening? If morning is it early on or just before lunch with a shared meal following? If afternoon is it better nearer tea with a shared tea?
My personal leaning is to Sunday mornings, but is that just because of what I am used to, and how should we then use the rest of the day? What about then doing church for those who can't make Sunday Mornings, do you run a Saturday service too? Or can Home Groups then fulfil that function?
So much to think about and be decided upon. But we have a great God who waits for us to ask and will give us his wisdom as we pray for his kingdom to come.
Wednesday, 17 January 2007
Team work
One of the things we looked at whilst away for the weekend was the idea of a team and the different attributes that people can bring to a team.
I am pleased to say that in God's grace we have a team that is growing with God leading people to commit to planting a new church. We have a team of about 16 adults in place already with others prayerfully considering coming, we need about 16 more to make it viable.
Leaders, however, are key and we would value prayer for God's guidance for a leadership team for South Doncaster Community Church to be in place soon, so that we have time to work some issues out before we plant the new church.
God has been very good to us in disposing a local school to allow us to hire their hall, in the support we enjoy from BEC as the sending church, and in drawing people to come to our Carol Service in the Church Plant area which was held in the school.
All in all we are very grateful for God's answers to the many prayers being made as we seek to plant a church for his glory in South Doncaster.
I am pleased to say that in God's grace we have a team that is growing with God leading people to commit to planting a new church. We have a team of about 16 adults in place already with others prayerfully considering coming, we need about 16 more to make it viable.
Leaders, however, are key and we would value prayer for God's guidance for a leadership team for South Doncaster Community Church to be in place soon, so that we have time to work some issues out before we plant the new church.
God has been very good to us in disposing a local school to allow us to hire their hall, in the support we enjoy from BEC as the sending church, and in drawing people to come to our Carol Service in the Church Plant area which was held in the school.
All in all we are very grateful for God's answers to the many prayers being made as we seek to plant a church for his glory in South Doncaster.
Tuesday, 16 January 2007
A fantastic image
Ephesian 3:10 paints a startling image of the church as God's masterpiece, of the church not as the media portray it or even as we sometimes think of it. But of the church as God's way of displaying his wisdom to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
How does it do that? As it lives out the gospel, as it exists as a community united in Christ Jesus our Lord and utilising the access Christ's death grants us to the Father.
The church is the hope of the world, it is God's shop window, it is where the mystery of the gospel is made clear as people from different backgrounds come together united by the death of God to appease God and free us to enter relationship with God and live for God's glory.
How does the church function? It works as it reads and applies the word of God in daily life in each others lives, listening to God's opinion of us not man's opinion or my own, listening to what God says I need and not what the world says we need. It functions as a fractured world sees a restored and refurbished community who live for one another loving one another, forgiving one another just as Christ lived for, loved, and forgave them.
How does it do that? As it lives out the gospel, as it exists as a community united in Christ Jesus our Lord and utilising the access Christ's death grants us to the Father.
The church is the hope of the world, it is God's shop window, it is where the mystery of the gospel is made clear as people from different backgrounds come together united by the death of God to appease God and free us to enter relationship with God and live for God's glory.
How does the church function? It works as it reads and applies the word of God in daily life in each others lives, listening to God's opinion of us not man's opinion or my own, listening to what God says I need and not what the world says we need. It functions as a fractured world sees a restored and refurbished community who live for one another loving one another, forgiving one another just as Christ lived for, loved, and forgave them.
Weekend Away
Just back from the Church Plant Weekend Away in Keswick. It was a great weekend with a good team despite some wet and windy weather.
If the good news that Jesus died in our place for our rebellion against God is true and it is, and if we have a hope of eternity with God in the new creation which we do, and if that great truth is the churches to proclaim which it is, then the local church is the hope of the world.
That is the premise which ran all through the weekend as we studied Acts 2:42-47 and asked what does it mean for us as a church to be devoted to the apostles teaching, prayer, breaking of bread and the fellowship. And what does that look like in 2007, how can we spur one another on to do that and how do we do church in a way that enables us to do so as effectively as possible.
More thoughts to follow this week as I work through the material from our discussions.
If the good news that Jesus died in our place for our rebellion against God is true and it is, and if we have a hope of eternity with God in the new creation which we do, and if that great truth is the churches to proclaim which it is, then the local church is the hope of the world.
That is the premise which ran all through the weekend as we studied Acts 2:42-47 and asked what does it mean for us as a church to be devoted to the apostles teaching, prayer, breaking of bread and the fellowship. And what does that look like in 2007, how can we spur one another on to do that and how do we do church in a way that enables us to do so as effectively as possible.
More thoughts to follow this week as I work through the material from our discussions.
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