Happy Christmas

Let me start by wishing you a very happy Christmas.  I hope that you enjoy good company and an really blessed time.  I hope too that there will be space to reflect on the real meaning and purpose of Christmas.

A chest infection has effectively cancelled many aspects of Christmas for me.  I gave it to Doreen too which wasn't kind!  But we have looked after each other.  But it was a shame to have to apologise for being failing to be Father Christmas at a local school, and again for not taking the Seniors' Carol Service in the village, then not being present for our special Christmas warmer, and - worst of all - having to cancel our first possible Christmas day service at Yelvertoft chapel!!!!   Aaaargh!!

Church is about more than sermons

I did make it through last Sunday when we had a super special occasion at Yelvertoft Congregational Church.  Ann Lund is a regular part of the church there.  Her husband John is a good friend to us.  They wanted to celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary with family and friends at church, and asked me to arrange a service in which they could renew their wedding vows.  I wonder what members of their family, some of whom had come considerable distances, were expecting!

The Happy Couple

John and Ann entered the church arm in arm to rapturous applause.  We sang hymns they had sung at their wedding, reflected on the gift of love from God, and had elements much the same as you would find in a wedding service.  This was followed by speeches from their children and a fantastic meal.  The centre of the church was cleared, tables laid and soon groaning with good things.  We managed to seat everyone - just.  Members of the congregation had contributed to purchase a £50 (to match the anniversary) basket of goodies that was unwrapped to the surprise of John and Ann.  Everything was gold (see picture).

The warmth of the fellowship was palpable.  One of the visitors said that if church was always like that he would come every week!  Well, he lived quite a way from us, but all the love and fellowship that created this wonderful occasion was our normal experience.  There are some things you can do in a village church that are somehow of a quality that town churches find hard to match.

Before being finally overcome with the chest infection (sleeping has been especially difficult) I did manage to get into Lubenham School and take an assembly.  I included in this the carol "It's Christmas Day" that was written by a 13 year old.  It went down very well.  So, in closing this posting I would like to add some links.  You will need to have sound turned on.  Click here if you want to see and hear this lovely carol.  For those (like me) who are particular about biblical facts you have to imagine a full stop after the bit about the shepherds and let the words "Guided by..." be the first part of what follows!  I think it's a super song.

Then, for those who appreciate something more 'cool' and 'groovy', take a look at this presentation of the passage from Luke 2.  It gets 12 out of 10 from me.  Both of those links are worth passing on to others.  I intend to see if we can get the latter one performed next year at the schools I work in.

Finally it has been gratifying and humbling to have a lot of interest in the 'Angels' Tearoom' sketch I have written.  If you have a church that likes to use such things you are welcome to download it from the Rural Mission Solutions website.

We planned to take almost all of next week off but I have colleagues abroad wanting me to provide material to help advance the gospel in their rural areas so some time I will be writing.  Otherwise, as I have been learning, it is good to 'come apart' before you come apart.

Peace and joy to you this Christmas,

Barry

The plans of mice and men...

You will recall that in the last Praise & Prayer News I mentioned that I had developed a cold and had to cancel a trip to Winchester on Monday.  Over the next few days things got worse.  I cancelled my weekly visit to Gartree Prison, then cancelled a Christmas Dinner, then apologised that I could not take the annual Christmas Carol Service for the older folk in the village, then yet another special Christmas event was cancelled.  At this point Doreen started to develop the same symptoms and I changed from being patient to nurse.  It is a particularly unpleasant virus with an unproductive irritating cough that robs one of sleep and leaves one feeling pretty exhausted.  Even the task of sending Christmas cards suffered as I kept dropping asleep until the next coughing fit awoke me.

So nothing of real interest to share with you!  On the plus side it was good to see how folk rallied round and things went on perfectly well without me.  I ought also to state that quite a lot of people have downloaded the simple Christmas drama, The Angel's Tearoom, and we had lots of appreciative comments.  It is still available at www.ruralmissionsolutions.org.uk/resources

As things are now I anticipate that I will be fit enough to take the meeting in the morning which will include renewal of marriage vows for a couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this Christmas time.  I have planned a special service that will echo their original wedding.  After the services we are having a 'reception'.  Their relatives will be attending so I value your prayers that God's presence will be felt and that his word will produce a harvest.

Other diary engagements this week include...

Monday 19th School Assembly, Lubenham, Leicestershire

Tuesday 20th Final visit this year to Gartree Prison.  Christmas can be a very difficult time for men serving long sentences in prison.  Pray for wisdom and grace.

Wednesday 21st I should be back at Lubenham Primary School in full Father Christmas costume for the first two classes.  Despite the padding out with cushions and a disguised voice some of the children often recognise me, but it makes no difference as they just enjoy the fun.  Of course Father Christmas ensures that they remember whose birthday we are celebrating.

Friday 23rd I am expected at the annual round of carol singing in Theddingworth village.  It's a small village and we usually manage to do about 90% in an evening raising money for a children's hospice..

Christmas Day we have a simple but special service at Yelvertoft, Northants.

Doreen and I are then taking the rest of the week off and mostly resting at home, with one family gathering.  Most people reading this will have the usual hectic time with family activities over the holiday period.  However, if you are on your own, or if the mood takes you, we would really love to hear from you at some stage.  There are several ways in which we could enjoy a few moments of fellowship.

• You could phone on either 01858 414930 or 07720 322213
• If you use Skype, you can call me.  I am revbarry.
• If you use Facebook, you can use chat.

We really are happy to have calls from friends.

Some of those receiving this will know that there is a super Christmas song written by a lad who was only 13 at the time.  Click this link as long as you have sound turned on on your computer/laptop/Ipad etc.  If you listen carefully you might spot something factually incorrect - though it depends where you put a semi-colon.

It only remains for me to thank you most sincerely for your friendship and fellowship through the year.  I pray that God will make this occasion very special for you, and will grant us a fruitful 2012in his service.

Barry

Important events

I am writing this in a brief moment before setting off for our Sunday morning meeting at Yelvertoft.  Despite the fact that there were not many engagements this week it has seemed very busy.  One of the tasks that I have been engaged upon has been writing letters to friends and relatives and sending them out with Christmas cards.  Last year we produced our own card combined with a letter; this year we have been supporting a charity that relies on card sales.  It isn't always easy to know what is the right way to mark this special time of the year without getting caught up with the commercialisation.  The man who runs my local sub post office told me that he has run out of the 10,000 special stamps he purchased!

The process has reminded me of just how rich Doreen and I are when it comes to family, friends and other relatives.  It has also provided the opportunity to look back over the year and record God's blessings.  We are truly thankful.

At this stage I had to break off and I am continuing writing on Monday morning.  Today I should have been going to Winchester for a supervision meeting at the University but I developed a cold over the weekend that has gone to my chest so I have requested a telephone conference instead to avoid risking incapacitating me for the next two weeks!

Yesterday morning instead of giving a talk as usual in the meeting at Yelvertoft I used the script of a four part drama entitled 'The Angel's Tearoom'.  This involves discussions between angels of the four occasions in which they were involved in the Christmas story.  It needs a little polishing but if anyone is interested in having a copy you can download it from this link.   We interspersed this with hymns and carols chosen by the congregation.

In the afternoon we had the Christmas Carol Service at Gartree Prison.  We were packed out.  The SA band and songsters from Kettering led everything musical and my choir sang 'Come now with awe' to Finlandia.  It went very well, as did the whole event.

I might have to give this week's Tuesday visit to prison a miss to save straining my lungs.  I have learned from previous years that working and singing through heavy chesty colds is far from wise.  It would just set me back for the other events coming up...

On Wednesday  I am leading the carol service for the village Seniors Circle in the afternoon.  Then on Thursday we have the Christmas Warmer at Yelvertoft.  This is the main Christmas event for our church and contrasts and complements what goes on from the Parish Church.  It is based around generous hospitality and is not a church service.  We sing favourite carols as chosen by those attending.  The message of Christmas is subtly interwoven with the carols.

Next Sunday 18th we have a special service in the morning at Yelvertoft that will incorporate the renewal of marriage vows by a couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.  I have designed a service that will echo much of their wedding, including their original hymns.  The couple will process in, and they have some new rings to exchange as well as promises.  Afterwards we are having a wedding meal in the church for congregation and members of their family.  I think making their vows in front of their adult children and grandchildren will be very special.  If the format is useful to anyone else please email or phone me.

During the next two weeks a number of key dates will be fixed in the diary creating a framework around which the research will be developed.  Please pray for wisdom as the 'jigsaw' comes together.

Thank you again for your friendship and support in prayer.

Barry

Just a normal week?

I find it difficult to explain what a 'normal week' is.  For the past 47 years my life has not had much obvious routine, though my pastoral responsibilities tend to create certain moments in each week that follow a clear pattern.  There is also a tendency when one is dependent to a certain extent on the interest, prayer and support of Christian friends to want to impress people with the fact that life is often busy.  So the more 'normal' week just passed gives an opportunity to focus on some of the things that bring me joy.

Take last Sunday, for example.  In the morning I felt that we should explore the subject of healing in our morning meeting at Yelvertoft.  However, a rather unbalanced attitude before our ministry began apparently led to hurt and division.  Dealing with such a weighty subject in the limited context of a Sunday service is also a challenge.  And yet, from my perspective, it proved a precious time in which we felt something of God's heart of compassion for those in need, an awareness of God's unchanging power to heal, balanced with an awareness of healing as a gift from God and our own inescapable mortality.

Our style of ministry is usually interactive, both at Yelvertoft and elsewhere.  The theme for the service at Theddingworth in the evening was 'divine guidance' and again it felt to me that it had been not only informative but a spiritual feast as we explored when, why and how God guides.  [You might like to read some reflection on guidance at barryosborne.blogspot.com]. Sometimes it is possible to open God's word and feed the mind, but at other times, like Sunday, the heart also feels warmed and the soul enriched.  In both services the hymns and songs were a blessing.  Just a normal Sunday but precious moments of fellowship with friends and with God.

On Monday I went to London for a meeting with others to look at the work of Rejesus.  This is one of the first evangelistic websites and is 'owned' by the Churches.  It sits alongside other evangelistic websites that have sprung up since Rejesus was started.  While it is far from being the cleanest and simplest of websites it has some amazing material on it.  Please take a look at www.rejesus.co.uk and explore the various areas.  You might like to look at two other evangelistic websites: www.christianity.org.uk run by the Christian Enquiry Agency, and www.lookingforgod.com which is run by United Christian Broadcasters.  Do you have links to these websites in your church magazines and website?  I hope so.

On Tuesday, after driving Doreen to her regular morning working for Torch Trust for the Blind I had a few moments for prayerful reflection on next year's school assemblies in Yelvertoft.  The thought of a series based on the adventures of the early Christians came to mind and five minutes with an open Bible produced sufficient topics from Acts for January to Easter.  My colleagues from two other churches warmed to these and in no time we had what looks like a neat and exciting series of assembly themes. It just felt that the Holy Spirit was helping us in this task.

The choir practice at Gartree Prison that afternoon focused on the carol the choir will sing at this year's Carol Service.  It is 98 in Mission Praise: 'Come now with awe'.  Towards the end of the practice I was able to sit with the men and talk through with them the truths behind Timothy Dudley Smith's profound poetry in this carol.  It was a little 'wow' moment.  Incidentally 'C' a prisoner who had been a problem in the past has been a real asset over recent weeks.  A real answer to prayer.

Thursday morning came and Doreen and I set off for the morning Bible Discussion Group at Yelvertoft.  We were ten people (two apologies) meeting to explore the first half of Philippians 2.  We are a diverse group and the discussion buzzed as we explored not only the fabulous verses from 5 to 11 but also the reason it is there as spelled out in the verses on either side.  This was the last time the group will meet this year but they are keen to start again in the first week of January.

So as near as possible this is a normal week and will not be that different from that of some reading this.  Of course, what makes it special is God's tangible presence and blessing.  I think it would have not had those special moments had it not been for your prayers.

The week ahead
Sunday - Yelvertoft Congregational Church
Tuesday - Choir practice at Gartree Prison (we expect a TV crew to film part of this)
Wednesday - evening Bible Discussion Group at Yelvertoft.
Saturday - preparing for some special events
Sunday - Yelvertoft in the morning and the Prison Carol Service in the afternoon.

Please pray that hearts will be touched and that I will walk closely with God.  Please remember my colleague working this week in Kenya.

Thank you again for your prayers on our behalf.  Do give thanks to God with us for his blessings.

Barry

Catching Up?

I used to find it amusing to watch a young cat trying to catch its tale while running round in circles.  Sometimes it would manage to get hold but then it would slip out between the paws and the cat would have to start all over again.  I was thinking that I have had a productive week and managed to catch up with quite a lot of tasks, but I'm still not quite there and spinning around!

It felt good to get those forms completed and sent off to University.  They had to include my research proposal properly set out with supporting bibliography.  These now have to pass two sets of scrutineers before I can advance.  I'd ask you to pray about this but it sounds rather like the student who left an examination room praying that God would make Tokyo the capital of China!

The new office layout is proving a great help and I am noticeably more efficient.  I spent some time this morning adding material to one of the websites.  This included 'Get in the Picture', which is a great idea for Christmas outreach.  If you haven't heard about this please visit www.ruralevangelism.net and click on knowledge exchange, then go to 'miscellaneous ideas'.  While you are on the website please take a further look around the sections within the Knowledge Exchange.


I have taken delivery of 15 copies of Time for Action (the book I helped to write about pastoral care for those who have been sexually abused) but we still need to get a re-print done.  It looks like I have found a good contact if I can get hold of the digital file of the book.  I am talking with CTBI about this.  I also received a fresh supply of Rural Evangelism in the 21st Century as these have been selling well recently.

Letters are going out to possible new trustees for Sunrise Ministries.  We need at least three new trustees so please pray that those receiving the letters will be guided aright.

Following the email sent out earlier this week about reading the blog I received more responses than I expected stating they do look up the blog regularly.  A couple of others responded to come off the list (reluctantly).  Most will now be receiving this as an email attachment, but remember that you can look back over the Praise and Prayer News by going to the blog at ruralmission.blogspot.com

During the week I had one initial consultation for a rural URC church.  It has beautifully reordered premises with good facilities, but lacks car parking.  With only a part-time (half a day a week) minister who does not live in the village and an elderly congregation they have a challenge.  But I was able to make several useful suggestions and will try to follow up on these.

The school assembly on Monday went well.  The senior teacher commented on how the 80 or so children were gripped as I retold the story of the Good Samaritan.  "I could picture every scene" she added.

The Week Ahead
Sunday - Yelvertoft Congregational Church
Monday - ReJesus committee meeting, London (see www.rejesus.org )
Tuesday - School Assembly Planning meeting, Yelvertoft; followed by Gartree Prison
Thursday -  Morning Bible Discussion Group looking at Philippians 2.
Sunday 4th - Yelvertoft Congregational Church

There is a lot of reading and writing to do this week, also updating another website with material from the recent Oxford Diocesan event.  Please pray for my colleague, Monica, as she works in Kenya this week.

Thank you for your fellowship,

Barry

Sharing encouragements

Hello once again.

This has been an incredibly busy week and I am grateful that my good friend Dr Gordon Temple is taking the service at Yelvertoft tomorrow morning.  It will be good to sit under his ministry and great to have something of a break.

Remembrance services in Yelvertoft were very special last Sunday.  Both the gathering at the war memorial and the joint service held at our church were well attended.  On Sunday evening we met with friends at Market Harborough Congregational Church making our projection equipment available for them.

The rest of the week began and ended with tasks for the Diocese of Oxford.   On Monday I wrote and submitted an article for their magazine, and on Saturday I had the privilege of speaking at an event held in Marsh Gibbon where the theme was mission and discipleship in a rural context.  I was grateful for the many encouraging things said both during and at the end of the day.  A good number showed interest in using our "No Ordinary Man" project.  Our supply of these books is getting low.  The target group for these is those who are faithful at church support but who might never have articulated a personal faith in Christ.  To be part of the scheme costs nothing and I am happy to supply any rural church with as many copies as they can use.  See the website at www.ruralmissionsolutions.org.uk for more information.

On Tuesday I led a school assembly in Yelvertoft and was back in the village on Thursday morning for one of the two Bible Discussion Groups.

On Wednesday I was in London at the Salvation Army College teaching on their Safe and Sound III course.  It was well attended and the response to the day was very positive. Teaching on sexual abuse issues isn't easy but the best way to make our churches and Christian organisations safer is to ensure that people are well informed.  I am hopeful that before long we will get Time for Action reprinted and distributed to new Christian leaders across the denominations.

On Friday Doreen and I travelled to and from Hastings for a service of thanksgiving for Alan Blythe.  Alan must have known me almost my entire life.  He was a good and faithful friend.  He taught me to drive, attempted to teach me to play the piano accordion, but most importantly he taught me by example what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.  Alan was on the leadership team of the church in which i shared in pastoral leadership for 21 years.  It was good to meet old friends and share happy memories of Alan with his wife Peggy and their family.

When not out on activity almost every waking hour has been spent at my desk.  So a big thank you to those who prayed that we would be kept safe in travelling, and stay physically and spiritually fit.  I am always encouraged by words of appreciation I receive but the praise belongs to God, and thanks go to you - my fellow labourers in the gospel for your prayers.

This week:
Please pray that essential work for the university will get accepted by my supervisors this week.  This is a major hurdle and I have invested a lot of time into this section.  The deadline is 30th November.

I will also have other writing to do this week.  Pray for the Lord's help as I write.

Other key activities:

Sunday 20th - 6.00pm  Newton URC, near Rugby, Warwickshire

Monday 21st - School Assembly at Lubenham, Leics.

Tuesday 22nd - Doreen will be working for Torch Trust (morning); I will be in Gartree Prison (afternoon)

Wednesday 23rd - Yelvertoft Bible Discussion Group (evening)

Sunday 27th - Yelvertoft Congregational Church (morning) and Theddingworth Congregational Church (evening)

After two very intensive weeks it will be good to have some time during the week to slow down.

As we move towards the year end I value your prayers that the Lord will supply our needs.  Both my work in and from the Midlands and my colleagues work in the south-east were showing a small deficit.  In the light of the global financial position that is not surprising, but we do not want to reduce our work for God in the rural communities of Britain.

Thank you for your prayers.

Barry

Life after change

Hello,

I am writing this week's Praise and Prayer Blog from my new office environment.  It actually isn't new - just changed.  Last Friday evening I shifted most of the piles of paper and files from my office into our bedroom (what a patient wife I have!) ready for Saturday morning when my next door neighbour arrived to build my new desk.  Together we managed to get my two pedestal desk down stairs and into the front garden where someone collected it after I advertised it on Freecycle. A cupboard and a filing cabinet moved into the space previously occupied by the desk.  A large printer moved into the space previously occupied by the cupboard.  And the new work top was built where the printer and the filing cabinet had stood and a mobile pedestal slipped neatly under the new work top.

Outcome:  I can now open both doors of the cupboard and all the drawers of the filing cabinet (both previously restricted by the desk), and I have more usable space and better use of natural and artificial light.  You might ask why I didn't do this five years ago!  The reason was that my desk, which was in a good state, had served me well for many years before that.  I valued its role as it had been a good servant.  I was loathe to accept that it had become inappropriate!

How much of what goes on in the life of our churches revolve around inherited aspects that have proved useful in the past, but which might now not be so appropriate?  We are often loathe to let them go?  How much better might some things work if we only found the courage to let some things go?

One of the problems that Nehemiah encountered as he and others were rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem was that rubbish from the old wall was getting in the way (Neh 4:10).  I guess they were using some of the old wall in the new wall; but not everything was appropriate.

Last Week:
On Sunday we had a really good meeting at Yelvertoft.  In the light of the anti-capitalism demonstrations we explored what the Bible had to say about the use of money.  If you are interested I have a small booklet on this topic.  In the evening I drove to the Dartford Crossing and spent the night in the Travelodge sleeping next to a room with a noisy motor running all night!

Monday, on to Battle for Sunrise Ministries' trustees meeting.  Letters are about to go out inviting a number of others to join the board.  Please continue to pray.  There was a clear sense of unity in the meeting.  After this I called in at Herstmonceux to collect some hymn books, did a little admin with Monica in her office and then visited Peggy in Hastings.  Peggy and Alan are valued old friends and Alan has just gone to be with the Lord.  We spent an hour or so during which we expressed something of what Alan had meant to us.  Finally, driving home to Market Harborough and arriving at 11.30 pm.

Tuesday and Wednesday I was able to use some of this time for work related to the research degree.  I finally sent off my latest attempt at setting out my proposal on 'Form C' and spoke with my senior supervisor.  I am right up against a deadline and hope what I have done will be sufficient.  I also received a phone call from a university in Germany seeking my collaboration is preparing material in German on the subject of rural evangelism.  They plan to translate some of my published writing.

Wednesday evening I met with one of the Bible discussion groups in Yelvertoft where we opened up the second half of Philippians 1.  Worth reading about Paul's confidence about life after life and his attitude to suffering.

Thursday I had an early start to get to the church leaders breakfast in Rugby, which was followed by pastoral visits until 6.00pm.  At 6.45am I had received a phone call from Kenya from the pastor of the church through which my colleague does such a lot of work.  This led to a series of telephone conversations through the day and evening and drafting a special letter to be emailed the following day.

Friday was spent preparing for next Saturdays talk on 'Mission and Discipleship in Rural Areas' for the Diocese of Oxford.  I have also been invited to write 400 words on the topic for the Diocesan magazine.

Saturday morning I went to support a Torch fellowship Group (blind and partially sighted Christians).

This Coming Week:
Sunday 13th - Joint Remembrance Services at Yelvertoft in the morning.
Monday - priority writing article for Oxford Diocese and finishing talk preparation.
Tuesday - School Assembly in Yelvertoft; Gartree Prison.  Then travelling to London for overnight stay at the Salvation Army College, Denmark Hill.
Wednesday - all day teaching at the Salvation Army College (Safe and Sound Course)
Thursday morning - Bible Discussion Group at Yelvertoft
Friday - Doreen and I will travel to Hastings, East Sussex for a Service of Thanksgiving for Alan Blythe.
Saturday - Key Note Speaker at Oxford Diocesan event, Marsh Gibbon.
Sunday 20th - the service at Yelvertoft will be taken by Dr Gordon Temple; in the evening I am taking the service for Newton URC, near Rugby.

Please pray that I will use time wisely in this week, and be fresh physically and filled with the Holy Spirit for each engagement.  God is able!

I pray that God will grant to you a really blessed week.  As always we welcome your news.

Barry

A change is as good as a rest?

Hi!  I'm not quite sure where this week has gone!  I am writing this on Friday at the end of the afternoon, looking at a 'mountain' to be climbed before I go to bed tonight.  Tomorrow my office space is going to be reorganised.  My existing desk (taking up too much space) will be manhandled down the stairs ready for some one to pick it up as soon as possible.  A new work surface will be built against a wall to my right, which will reduce eye strain as my current desk faces a sunny window.  That done, a large printer, double cupboard and a filing cabinet will all take up new locations.  Two pedestals will take their places under the new work surface, and I will stop for lunch!!

Actually, all the above will not create a problem... the problem is finding somewhere safe to store all the bits of paper around the room plus the material from the desk while the changes are being made.  Please pray that all goes well and that someone who needs a desk will come and collect it soon.

Last Sunday we had a very special service at Gartree Prison.  Apart from the meeting itself all the team had good discussions afterwards.  In one of these a prisoner was led to the Lord at his request.

On Thursday I led the daytime Bible discussion group at Yelvertoft with eleven people present.  In the afternoon I led one of the house groups for Market Harborough Congregational Church.  This was the last in the series on Friendship Evangelism.  Please pray that those who have and are still working their way through this programme will find the courage to share their faith with their friends.  I hope to put this series into a single publication.  Let me know if you are interested in getting a copy.

This has also been a busy time preparing for the Sunrise Ministries trustees' meeting this coming Monday.  As part of that agenda the existing trustees will be looking at a list of potential new trustees.  At this time we need at least another two new trustees.  Please pray for God's guidance in this matter.

The coming week


Sunday - Yelvertoft Congregational Church, Northants
Monday - Sunrise Trustees Meeting, Battle, East Sussex
Tuesday - Gartree prison
Wednesday - evening Bible Discussion Group, Yelvertoft
Thursday - Church leaders meeting in Rugby, Warwickshire followed by pastoral visits
Saturday - Torch fellowship Group, Market Harborough (supporting)
Sunday 13th - Joint Remembrance Services in Yelvertoft.

I will be very focused on some the work I have to do for Winchester University through this week.

We give thanks to God for all who stand with us in prayer and for those who are able to support us practically.

Thank you.

Barry

Some mid-week news

Matthew is the one wearing
a cap. Taken a few years ago!

Hello!  I am writing this post in the middle of the week as Doreen and I are off to Wales for a wedding on Saturday and so we are taking a couple of extra days to visit relatives and friends in the area.  This posting will be brief and rather cryptic.  The wedding is of Matt Ford and his wife to be, Liz.  Matt is now a farmer, working with his parents at Herstmonceux.  It has been a privilege to watch him grow up and to have shared in his journey of faith during our time of ministry there from 1990 to 2005.  Just for his embarrassment I have included a picture of him and his friend Xian. 

The baptism on Sunday went well and I will add some pictures here.  Catherine was all smiles and I have had amazing feedback from various quarters.  I am very grateful for everyone in the church who helped to make the whole event such a blessing.

I wrote part four of the four-part Bible-based sessions on Friendship Evangelism.  As it is half term the groups are not meeting this week.  If anyone wants to look at this material for their church or home groups I will gladly make it available.

Today (Wednesday) I am off to Nottingham for a joint Pastoral Care Board and Training Board meeting.  I am chairing the PCB element as our esteemed chairman is unable to attend due to an illness in his family.  This evening I will be leading a home-based Bible discussion group in Yelvertoft as we dig into Paul's letter to the Philippians.

The coming week (30/10/11 to 5/11/11)
Sunday I am taking the morning service in Gartree Prison with three friends from Theddingworth.  We usually get 30 plus to the services.  Some are committed Christians, filled with the Holy Spirit.  Others range from casual attenders to new seekers.  Please pray that God's word will be heard through it all.

Please also pray for our friend, Dr Gordon Temple, who will be taking the service at Yelvertoft.

Tuesday I will be back in prison to work with the choir - now preparing for Christmas Services.

Thursday morning I will be leading the second Bible discussion group that meets in Yelvertoft.  We have thirteen of us now meeting.  Then in the afternoon I will be leading the last of the four home group sessions on Friendship evangelism in Market Harborough.

Sunday 6th Yelvertoft.

Other matters:  Both September and October have been extremely busy and my university work has suffered as a consequence.  Please pray as I have to dig in hard and get back up to speed with this.  I am still at the stage of having to do a lot of reading so that my work can be appropriately referenced.  As this means reading several books on matters that I have been teaching and writing original material about for years this is hard for an activist!

Thank you.

Barry

Exciited by what God is doing

Dear friends,

It was great to be able to sit under John Harris' ministry last Sunday.  John is part of the team that help me with ministry at Yelvertoft.  He is a retired Methodist minister and was one of the first to welcome me warmly when we came to the East Midlands.  It had been a very busy week with a lot of travelling, and I needed the break.

The early part of the week involved preparing documents for the Sunrise Ministries trustees meeting.  We are looking to appoint two or three new trustees and value your prayer that we will be led aright in this matter.  We need people who have a real heart for rural ministry and who share our vision of helping existing rural churches to become appropriately missional.

We were twelve at our village Bible discussion group on Thursday morning (even with one missing!).  In such a small village this is a great encouragement.  We are also running an evening Bible discussion group looking at the same passage.  There is a potential of five more in that group.  Praise God for this opportunity and the way God's word is being received.

On Thursday afternoon I led one of the home groups for Market Harborough Congregational Church where we are looking at Friendship Evangelism (a course of four studies I have written with Suzanne Nockels, the local minister).  Once again this went well.  We have at least one other person wanting to use this course.

A large part of Friday and Saturday were spent preparing for the baptism at Yelvertoft tomorrow.  Please pray for Catherine and her family that God will use this service to draw them and others closer to himself.  This will be the first time that a baptism by immersion will have been conducted in the Chapel.  We are grateful for the use of a portable baptistery and heater from neighbouring churches.  This service could prove a major event in the life of the church in the village.

Next Tuesday I will be in Gartree Prison.  On Wednesday evening I will be leading the Bible discussion group in the village.  Then Doreen and I will be away for a few days in south Wales.  On Saturday Matthew, a young farmer who grew up under our ministry at Herstmonceux is getting married.  Please pray for him and his wife to be and all their relatives.

We hurry back after the reception ready to take a service in Gartree Prison on Sunday 30th.  I will be taking with me a team of three from the village of Theddingworth.

Thank you again for your prayers.

Barry and Doreen

Missional Spirituality

What a week!  Monday and Tuesday contained a 24 hour residential for the Churches Group for Evangelization at High Leigh, Hoddesdon.  Then back to Market Harborough for my weekly visit to prison.  Wednesday was Churches Rural Group in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, Thursday was session two in the series on Friendship Evangelism I am helping to run.  Then we were off to a Farm Stay B&B in Bromsgrove and an evening gathering with some of my cousins who live in the area.  Friday morning I had personal business to attend to in Kidderminster and then off to Doreen's visit sister in Preston, Lancashire, stopping off to visit Sheila (a former colleague) at Crewe on the way.  On Saturday morning we helped Doreen's sister sort out some of the things she no longer needs since the passing of her husband, packing the car out with lawn mowers, power washer, garden hose, garden seats, tree lopper......etc!   On the way back home we stopped off to spend time with Alfred and Sylvia Lavender, eventually arriving home Saturday evening amazed at how much we had managed to pack into two days (not to mention how much we had packed into the car!

The title of this news post comes from the agenda of the residential at the start of last week.  Is evangelism just a mechanical process or does it have roots in some form of genuine Christian spirituality?  As part of this discussion I made reference to the 'Values Statement' I introduced at Yelvertoft.  The thinking behind this Statement was to define the life and work of the church in some other way than using dogma and doctrine.  It has become a mission statement, both informing ourselves and using a language that communicates to those outside the church.  Here it is:

We value all individuals, young and old, male and female, regardless of wealth, ability, or standing in society.  We value communities in which individuals care for one another.  We value the kind of love that puts other people’s needs before our own. 

We value justice for all people and long for a world where there is greater fairness and equality.  We value truth.  We value kindness and compassion.  We value deeds more than empty words.

We value the peace that comes from respect for other people who might be different from us in some way.  We value the kind of unity that can also celebrate diversity.  In other words we value the kind of world about which Jesus taught and for which he gave his life.


The week ahead
Monday 17th  Meeting with the new CEO of Rural Ministries
Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th Study days (no prison visit this week)
Thursday 20th 10.30 Bible Study Group at Yelvertoft; 2.00 Home Group on Friendship Evangelism at Market Harborough (I have now written three sessions and starting on the fourth).
Friday 21st Collect portable baptismal pool from Northampton.  Setting it up on Saturday.
Sunday 23rd believer's Baptismal Service at Yelvertoft.  Please pray for Catherine and members of her family.

Please also pray for a very special friend, Alan, who has known me since early childhood and supported and encouraged me in my ministry. He is unwell in hospital where he is also grasping every opportunity to witness for Christ.

Barry

Temporary Message

Hello!  Thanks so much for coming to read the blog today.  Doreen and I returned from our journeys last night and, frankly, I was too tired to sit down and type last night, and I am just glad that John Harris is taking the service so I have not had to prepare anything and can sit back and enjoy the meeting.

But I will write the news up this (Sunday) afternoon).  Lots to thank God for and also items for prayer.  So please come back and have a look later.  Have a good day.

Barry

This Week's News

Do please take a look at the immediately previous post about discipleship.  I would value your comments.

As predicted it has been a busy week and the one in front of me looks just as busy.  A good number attended the Area Assembly in Oakham, Rutland where we explored the importance of every Christian knowing and engaging in the role that God has called them to.  The Monday school assembly theme was about ambitions and after praying about this we focused on the vision for the kingdom of God and our part in working with God to bring it in.

Tuesday's Prison choir practice was our last before the concert the following day.  Fourteen men turned up (the most ever) but we had a few (slightly) unruly characters.  This was made up  for by a high level of enthusiasm.  The concert itself on Wednesday was well attended by those from outside (mostly prison visitors) and men off the wings.  The tumultuous applause at the end said it all.  It was good to see the smile on the lads faces as they stood for yet another round of applause!

Thursday morning held a Bible discussion on the start of Paul's second missionary journey and was well attended.  In the afternoon I led one of the home groups for my local colleague as we began exploring friendship evangelism.  Friday was given over to some pastoral work with a meeting of the Congregational Federation's East Midlands Area Executive which I chaired in the evening.  This brings us to today which is all about preparation for tomorrow's harvest thanksgiving services.

Two other answers to prayer:  we received a secure promise of a portable baptistery for the event at Yelvertoft referred to in last week's post.  Please pray for Catherine who will be baptised on 23rd October. My baptism on Easter Sunday 1963 was a real milestone in my journey of faith.  May it be so also for her.  The other answer to prayer is that we seem to have obtained listed building consent for the much needed alterations to our premises at Yelvertoft.

The Coming Week:
Sunday 9th 10.45 Harvest Thanksgiving at Yelvertoft.  In the evening we will be supporting a similar event at Theddingworth.
Monday and Tuesday - Group for Evangelisation Residential at High Leigh, Hoddesdon.
Tuesday afternoon - Gartree Prison.
Wednesday - Churches Rural  Group, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire.
Thursday - Second session of the Friendship Evangelism Home Group.  This time exploring the importance of listening to God and the people we befriend (Bible passage Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch).
The tail end of the week is free of engagements and Doreen and I might use this to make fleeting visits to some family members in Worcestershire and Lancashire.

I hope you are encouraged by the many answers to prayer we have been experiencing.  God is good (all the time)!  Don't forget to read the posting about discipleship.  What our ministry is all about is the developing of disciples within missional churches.  God has so much more that he longs to do through Christians in rural Britain.  The challenge is getting people to catch that vision.

Our thanks and warmest greetings in Christ,

Barry and Doreen

Believers or Disciples?

I have been invited to speak at an event in November on evangelism and discipleship in rural areas.

While I have a wealth of material on rural evangelism, I am still gathering material on rural discipleship, and would value any contribution anyone can make.  It would be particularly helpful to learn of any active programmes in rural area where the intention is clearly the making of disciples rather than the making of believers.

You may well be aware that the issue of discipleship has been raised in several denominations.  I am curious as to why this is and how it is being worked out.  Any information you have on this would also be helpful.

I am interested in how discipleship is being defined, if indeed it is being defined.  Is it understood in terms of the quality of personal devotional life, in terms of holiness, or in terms of mission?  How would you define discipleship?

I am also curious as to how the concept of discipleship sits with the concept of ‘committed Christian’ – a term common among evangelical Christians.  Is that expression something that people are familiar with today?  In the past it was usually understood in terms of support for two Sunday services plus at least two mid-week meetings each week!  Has it become redefined or are there just less committed Christians around!

Most churches in rural Britain, by reason of their denominational identity, are already committed to the ‘Five Marks of Mission’ of which one is the proclamation of the gospel, and another the making of disciples.  It seems to me that in rural Britain, unlike rural areas of many other countries, there is not a great deal of evidence of such a commitment.  Am I wrong?

Preparing for this talk is likely to produce an interesting, and perhaps helpful, paper.  I hope to make that available.  If you would like to make brief comments on any of the aspects raised above you can either leave them below or email me at barry@ruralmissions.org.uk.

Thank you.

Barry

Giving thanks

When I was about five years old I had a two week stay in hospital during which some national celebration took place and we all received a present.  My present was an autograph book that was signed by the surgeon, doctors and nursing staff.  My pastor, Angus McNaughton,  also visited me and wrote in it "Whenever you are in a fix, look up Philippians 4 verse 6".  Long ago I lost the autograph book but never the memory of what Angus wrote in it.  To save you rushing for your Bible, here is what that verse says: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."  But the bit that often gets forgotten are the words "with thanksgiving".


Last Sunday I was encouraged when at the end of a pre-baptism session with Catherine last Sunday she indicated that she was willing to be baptised by immersion (Congregational churches historically baptise the infants of believers but Catherine - now in her twenties had not been baptised).  It had been a good session held before the morning meeting at Yelvertoft.  This will be the first such event (as far as I am aware) in this village.  The problem is finding a portable pool.  Hiring one would cost the church over £200 and that is not on.  Doing it somewhere else is not in my opinion an option.

Emails circulated through our local inter-church network produced an offer - rejoicing! This was followed by a subsequent email apologising that it was already promised to another church on the same day - frustration!  Time is very short and this is important.  One possibility is changing the date but that is not ideal.  So first item for praise and prayer: give thanks for Catherine's progress and please pray for wisdom and guidance as we seek another source of pool.

Give thanks for the interest shown in the Bible Study series starting this week at Yelvertoft.  These are run on an open basis in the village and not just for our members.  We are looking at Philippians and my hope is that it will prove valuable both to mature Christians and for those still at the exploratory stage.  Please pray for a good attendance.  We are running two in parallel - one in a morning and one in an afternoon.

Give thanks for a busy month of exciting activities at Yelvertoft but please pray as I must get studies back on track and time seems limited!  Pray for wisdom in prioritising the use of my time.

Give thanks for the invitation from Market Harborough Congregation al Church to develop a series of home group material on 'Friendship Evangelism'.  This series will run on Thursday afternoons through October and I will also lead one group.  Session 1 is complete and the outline for sessions 2 and 3 are ready but need writing up very soon and certainly by the end of Monday!  Please pray as the minister of the church and I prepare these, and that they will have great benefit in the life of this church.

Give thanks for an excellent time with the choir last Tuesday and the continued cooperation of 'C'.  Please pray for our final rehearsal on Tuesday and the concert on Wednesday.  We expect perhaps 30 people from outside the prison and perhaps 20 from inside to attend.  If you have seen 'Sister Act' you will have some idea of how big a deal this is for these men.

Give thanks for an excellent issue of Country Way now sent out.  Please pray (a) as we gather articles for the next issue, and (b) for growth in readership of this inspiring and helpful magazine.

Give thanks as I was able to set up a new prayer group using Facebook.  Please pray for some who limit communications because they are somewhat facebook-phobic!  This social networking facility offers much potential that Christians can use for good and we should grasp the opportunity rather than retreating.

Give thanks for an encouraging planning meeting in London last Thursday as we look forward to a major international conference in 2013.  Please pray as we seek to book the right speakers at this time.

This week's key activities
Sunday 2nd  10.45 Yelvertoft Congregational Church.
3.00 Area Assembly at Oakham, Rutland where I will be speaking.
Monday 3rd  School Assembly at Lubenham, Leics.
Tuesday 4th  Gartree Prison...
immediately followed by participation in the Leicester Diocese Rural Group meeting in Leicester.
Wednesday 5th  Early evening concert at Gartree Prison.
Thursday 6th Morning Bible Study group at Yelvertoft ...
and afternoon Home Group on Friendship Evangelism in Market Harborough.
Friday 7th Afternoon meeting with Canon Glyn Evans in preparation for an event in Oxford in November where I am speaking on discipleship in a rural context...
and in the evening I will be chairing the Congregational Federation East Midlands Executive.
Sunday 9th Harvest Thanksgiving at Yelvertoft.

As you will see it will be a busy week needing your prayers, but let's not forget to give thanks.

Barry

A week in the life of ...

This week I thought you might like a glimpse into some of what I have been up to.  As you will see some unexpected news in the opening hour of the week brought added work.

Sunday 18th. Just after midnight (early hours of Sunday) I picked up an email from a friend informing me that a sex offender who had previously set up and led a mission which gave him opportunity and cover for his activities was now proposing to launch a new rural evangelism organisation.  Horrified I sat down at the laptop and wrote an account of some of his activities as this was certainly something he ought not to be allowed to do.

09:55 Doreen and I set off for Yelvertoft to take the morning service.  In the meeting we reflected on the way God often surprises us by his generosity (Jonah in the OT and the parable where all the workers received the same pay in the NT).  It was good to have Jean back at the Clavinova and it felt a good meeting.  In the evening we supported the meeting at Theddingworth.

Monday 19th. Early morning appointment at the dentist and then helped move and store audio visual equipment in the Market Harborough church.  The rest of the day was spent preparing and sending out emails to members of the Rural Evangelism Network regarding the proposed new rural mission organisation.  How can one protect small rural churches that are likely to grasp at an offer of help without checking if it is safe?  Had a useful conversation with the Police who have asked for documentation.

Tuesday 20th.  In the morning I travelled to Yelvertoft to take a school assembly.  The topic was Noah.  Big issues about what one says in school regarding some issues that even Bible loving theologians are unsure about. Focused on his preparedness to stand out and be different, living a good life in the midst of sin, and how obedience to God saved him but no others though he preached to them  It was excellent and some of the children expressed the hope that I would be back with them the next week.  Coffee in staff room and a good chat with teachers.

Afternoon off to Prison.  Once again 'C' was helpful so please keep praying for him.  It is a real change in his behaviour.  We worked hard all the concert pieces and I got home exhausted and fell asleep on the settee.

Independent safeguarding Authority requested a formal report about the rural mission 'risk'.

Wednesday 21st.  Drafted letter to go to long-standing prayer partners who might know the person setting up the mission.  I am concerned that some could have had a communication requesting support for this inappropriate action.  I have had to share bits of my history working with this man that I would have preferred to keep to myself.  Emails start flowing back thanking me for my honesty and supporting what I had written.  Somewhat relieved as the supportive emails keep coming in.

Late morning met with ministerial colleague, Suzanne, from the Harborough church to discuss a series of home groups on friendship evangelism.  Welcomed the time of prayer we shared.  In the afternoon I drafted the first of the Friendship Evangelism programmes based on John 4.

Thursday 22nd.  In the morning I drove to Stoneleigh, Warwickshire for the Country Way Editorial Group Meeting.  Sad that Jill Hopkinson, National Rural Officer for the Church of England and Executive Editor, was not well enough to be at the meeting.  It was a productive meeting and I arrived back home early afternoon for a late lunch bring back home copies of the current magazine for mailing out to Rural Evangelism Network members.

Over the last several days back into last week I have also been getting the data for the REN Directory up to date.  Started preparing the Directory ready for the mailing.

Friday 23rd.  Finished the REN Directory and wrote the REN Newsletter.  Also some REN administration as the annual subscriptions are coming in (letter sent out last week).  Late afternoon I met with Dr Gordon temple at the Torch trust offices in preparation for Saturday's meeting.   All REN mailing now ready by the evening but I needed to prepare for Saturday.

Saturday 24th.  Gordon and I travelled to Nottingham by train.  As I was about to leave I received a pastoral phone call.  One of my members was taken ill during the week while in south Wales and has ended up in hospital in Newport.  I managed to arrange for a colleague to visit Lynne in hospital and also set up a pre-baptism meeting for early tomorrow.

Congregational Federation's Mission & Society Meeting (Gordon was a guest speaker).  A very positive time.  My report went well as did Gordon's presentation.  Much else was encouraging.  Came away having been tasked to set up a Facebook Group Page so that Committee members can share news and prayer.  Good idea but short on volunteers!

In the evening I wrote this blog.  Thanks for being with me through this fairly typical week though somewhat overshadowed by the news at the start of the week.

The Week Ahead

Sunday 9.30 Pre-baptism meeting at Yelvertoft.  Morning meeting taken by Angela.

Monday Printing and then mailing out to REN members.  In the afternoon I take part in an international telephone conference for a theological commission for whom I prepared a new constitution a few weeks ago.

Tuusday Gartree Prison.

Thursday Part of International Congregational Fellowship Conference Planning Group in London.

Sunday Morning Meeting at Yelvertoft followed by Area Autumn Assembly in Okeham, Rutland where I am the speaker.

Hopefully plenty of time to catch up on the study missed through the past week!

Thank you.

Stop struggling ... just sit still

I returned yesterday evening from a day spent in Nottingham for the Christian Ministries Committee of the Congregational Federation.  It is not a body on which I normally sit, but I was deputising for our Area representative on this occasion.  Since I was attending I was asked also to deputise for the Chair of the Pastoral care Board (on which I do sit).  It was an interesting day including encouraging news of what is happening among our work with children and teenagers.

This was one of the occasions when my mind is a blank when it comes to preparing for Sunday and I was tired this Saturday evening.  Sometimes I have a conviction well in advance, and sometimes it comes later in the week, but usually I have a sense of what the Lord wants me to speak about.  Long ago I prayed that God would keep me from 'sermonising' - just speaking for the sake of it, even if the content is good.  What matters to me is that we come together to meet with God and need to hear what he has to say.

Of course, I cannot guarantee that I always get it right or that I make a good job of communicating God's heart for his people, but it remains my aim.  Lacking any clear guidance I looked up the lectionary readings and was intrigued to find the theme was on how God's values often surprise us.  The OT reading is the story of Jonah and the NT reading the parable of the workers who all received the same pay regardless of how many hours they worked.  When I woke this morning, Doreen shared with me a song that had been on her heart in the night.  It was "To be in your presence...".

Was it a subconscious influence or the prompting of the Holy Spirit that then took me to a beautiful hymn I have only found in the old Redemption Hymnal.  The first verse goes, "Dwelling in the Secret Place, Overshadowed by his grace, Looking up into his face, Seeing only Jesus.".   In my mind I could see Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus, and in the background Martha frantically trying to offer Jesus the best hospitality.  I wonder how often we miss drinking in from the generosity of God because of our desire to serve him.  Jonah groused because he failed to understand the heart of God, and felt that God should deal harshly with his enemies.  Some of the workers complained, not because they were not well paid, but because the owner paid everyone the same.  Martha was not doing anything wrong, it was just that he desire to serve obscured the need to sit and listen.  It all seems to be about finding the heart of God that so often surprises us.

Prayers & Praise
Give thanks for a lovely time in Gartree Prison both on Sunday morning and again at the Choir practise on Tuesday.  Did you pray about the behaviour of 'C'?  This week not only was he not a nuisance, he was actually helpful!  I managed to get some more important reading and writing done, and a task i have to do for the university became clearer.  Sunday at Yelvertoft also brought encouragement and it was great to make a start on a Bible study series in the week.  Thank you for your prayers.

Sunday 18th - Yelvertoft Congregational Church
Tuesday 20th - School Assembly at Yelvertoft and Gartree Prison
Thursday 22nd - Country Way Editorial Group Meeting, Stoneleigh, Warwicks.
Saturday 24th - Mission and Society Committee, Nottingham

I have been asked to provide some material and teaching on Friendship Evangelism during October and will be meeting in the week with the Minister of the church to discuss this.  I want to tailor this to the local situation and value your prayers.  I am also preparing for a conference I will be speaking at in November on discipleship in rural churches. As I prepare I want to be guided by the Holy Spirit and not just grab hold of 'good' material previously used.

I met with 'M' who recently had a mastectomy about which you prayed.  We spent 45 minutes rejoicing together over God's blessings.  Alison (recovering after the removal of a brain tumour) and her husband Stephen still need your prayers.  An infection in the operation wound is causing problems.

Thank you for your fellowship in prayer.

Barry

Surprising influences from God

Today I have been putting in time writing a 3000 word essay for the University.  Writing is normally something I enjoy and I remember that I excelled in this when at school.  In fact a great deal of my time is spent at my laptop writing all manner of documents including legal documents, articles for magazines, book chapters and web pages (to mention a few).  However writing anything on which I know I am going to be assessed is a different matter as I have suffered from a sense of anxiety in exam situations.  So what should have been relatively easy today became that much harder.

The task was writing about something that has influenced my research topic - an expansion of a face to face presentation with PowerPoint given last semester.  For many of my fellow research students there were books that had informed their research but there has not been much written on rural evangelism in the UK other than my own contributions.  But what had significantly influenced my research was undertaking an Open University Business Management Course back in the mid-1980s.  At the time I was working as General Secretary of a mission organisation and I invested a small legacy I had received on this OU pilot course for an MBA course they were developing. The aim was to improve my abilities in management of the organisation.

Having to fund the course myself meant that I was only able to take three major modules before the money ran out but I enjoyed it immensely for various reasons.  What I had not expected was how much the course would speak almost prophetically into my ministry, shaping a new paradigm in mission.  Many years later I was to discover that some of those who wrote the course were committed Christians.  At the first tutorial, held in the University of Kent's Religious Studies Department we met for the first time an interesting gathering of middle managers from all kinds of businesses.  One of my fellow students, looking at the arrangements of images of Passover night and the crucifixion enquired light-heartedly what all that had to do with management.  What an opportunity!

I explained that Passover and the Exodus were major projects that called for management skills.  I then went on to explain how it foreshadowed a greater deliverance.  I had just finished when the tutor arrived. Up till then they thought I was the tutor apparently.  As I soaked up the next two years of study I made good friends but was constantly blown away by the way in which insight into management practise cast new light on Bible passages and created a new mission paradigm.  Out of that came the development of Rural Sunrise, the publishing of The Key to Effective Rural Evangelism, and our strategic focus on helping rural churches engage in mission in ways that are appropriate for them in their context.

Sometimes God speaks at unexpected times through unexpected means.  Back in my teens I had experienced God speaking to me through a song played on a juke box.  There were no labels on the buttons but a stack of records.  One of the owners of this just-reopened coffee bar who could not have heard the discussion I was having with Christian friends inserted a coin and pressed three buttons randomly.  The first song played was so relevant to our discussion it was like hearing the voice of God.

Of course that experience could have just been a fluke but sometimes you can read or hear something and the Holy Spirit witnesses to what you have just heard or read.  Such experiences do not undermine the discovery of God and his will through the faithful reading of scripture.  Nor can I claim to have heard God speak to me in unusual ways more than probably half a dozen times over the past 48 years.  What I do know is that each of the occasions has marked a significant change for me.

It was good to spend several hours today reflecting on the impact that OU Course had, and the fact that journey is still incomplete.  The recent survey on impediments to rural evangelism endorsed the strategies developed as a result of that experience, but there is still a hill to climb and I need your prayers.

This week:
Sunday 11th  9.00am at Gartree Prison followed at 10.45 at Yelvertoft Congregational Church
Tuesday 13th Gartree Prison Choir.  We had a little difficulty last week and I ask you to pray for 'C'.  He has a disruptive influence and I need wisdom to know how to handle him.  I think it would help if he talked about himself with me.
Wednesday 14th Church Leaders' Prayer Breakfast in Rugby followed by some pastoral ministry.
Thursday 15th Rural Church Leaders Network Meeting in Market Harborough.
Saturday 17th - a special panel to consider a ministry application followed by a Christian Ministries Committee, both in Nottingham.  I am not a regular member of the CMC and only attending as a deputy for our Area Representative and deputy for the Chair of our Pastoral Care Board.
Sunday 18th - Yelvertoft Congregational Church.

Thanks for your prayers for Alison who had brain surgery to remove a tumour, for Margaret who had a mastectomy  and Deb who started chemotherapy.  All value your prayers.  Alison is on the mend but is stuck in hospital until they can get her temperature under control.

I learned this week that a booklet I wrote about what to do if the Minister or his family are affected by serious illness is about to go into circulation.  Orders continue to come in for the second CD of treasured gospel songs.  One person described listening to these old gospel songs as uplifting and energising. I'm glad they are bringing blessing and, of course, they are full of Christian doctrine as well as enjoyable.  In between engagements I still have a lot of reading and writing to do.   It looks like a busy week so please meet me round the throne of grace.

Barry

Great things happen when people pray

Firstly I would like to thank you for your prayers over the past week - especially for those going through difficult times.  The news from Stephen, whose wife Alison had a brain tumour removed is that she has come through the operation well and was making a good recovery.  Margaret had her mastectomy but I have no news and have been unable to visit the hospital so far.  Deb, who started chemo this week does not appear to have had any nasty side effects.  I am sure that all these and those close to them will appreciate your continued prayers.

It is now Saturday evening so once again I am writing this later than I normally plan.  This is partly because a scheduled pastoral visit to C and her family to discuss baptism was deferred from Monday evening to this morning.  This is the second discussion with C (probably mid twenties) and her parents.  It has provided an excellent opportunity to discuss the gospel.  Today we explored who Jesus was both as a person of history but also more than an ordinary man.  While it is good to be able to have three people to talk with it makes it difficult to focus on how C is responding to the gospel.  Please pray as our discussions continue.  [For any that have missed the background C's niece is being baptised in a Catholic church in October and the RC regulations will not allow a non-baptised person to act as a godparent.  C's brothers were baptised in a CofE church but the family moved about the time that C would have been baptised and they just never got round to it.]  I left C with a copy of an excellent booklet by Eric Delve.

Choir practice was also better this week, though I remain concerned about the prisoner whose behaviour was bad the week before.  Some of the choir are Christians and I hope that this contact and singing Christian songs might get through to him and the other non-Christians.  Again a matter for prayer, and thanks to those who prayed through with me last Tuesday.

Several days this week were given over to sorting out accounts.  Not having a secretary or any administrative backup means that book keeping gets deferred and then I have a lot of catching up if I want to be reimbursed for various payments made on behalf of Sunrise, the church at Yelvertoft  and others.

The week ahead if fairly busy.  Here are the main activities and some prayer requests.

Sunday 4th - 10.45 Yelvertoft Congregational Church (I plan to speak on Christian hope and assurance).  In the evening Doreen and I will attend Market Harborough Congregational Church.

Monday 5th - I need to send out the subscription renewals for the Rural Evangelism Network.  Any spare time will be spent in study.  Please pray as I am still trying to initiate rural mission consultations in various parts of Britain.

Tuesday 6th - I have a follow up appointment with the optician.  I have been having trouble with my sight after a lot of reading or computer work.  In the afternoon I am at Gartree prison.  Prayer as suggested above please.

Wednesday 7th - Congregational Federation Pastoral Care Board Meeting in Nottingham. This is an important meeting and wisdom will be needed.

Thursday 8th - This is usually the day for pastoral visits but I also am behind with my study schedule.

Friday 9th - I have a scheduled meeting with my University Supervisors but I am hoping to reschedule this so that I can get more up to date with work first.  Please pray that I will get some order into my life so that I can progress with the reading better than at present.

Saturday 10th - Perhaps some free time and also preparation for Sunday.  Please pray for the work of Rural Mission Solutions (previously Rural Sunrise) and for the Lord's provision to enable this needy work.  A recent survey on impediments to rural evangelism highlighted as most significant the issues that we have been tackling since 1988.  We appear to be strategically 'on the ball' with our ministry.  Please also give thanks and praise to God for his sustaining grace and unnumbered blessings.

Sunday 11th -  Yelvertoft Congregational Church (expecting C to attend for the first time in many years this Sunday).

Each new day brings fresh challenges.  I never know when the phone will ring or what I might be asked to do regarding meetings, writing papers or giving advice.  Doreen is a great help and puts up with the fact that she doesn't get as much of my time as she deserves.  She is truly a suitable help as God planned for Adam.  God's plans are always the best!

I pray you will have a good week.  Please pass on prayer and praise information to others.  We need you as much as Moses needed Aaron and Hur (See Exodus 17).

Thank you for your fellowship.

Barry

It is time to seek the Lord

We have become aware of a very strange phenomenon recently.  The trees in our part of England suddenly seem to think it is autumn two months early!  Many of the trees are rapidly turning from green to yellow and brown in the middle of August.  A closer look also reveals that on some trees it is specific branches that are acting this way, and indeed some branches seem to have died off altogether.  In other trees the evidence of an early autumn pervades the whole.  What a contrast to last year when the autumn changes happened slowly and we were given one of the best displays I have ever seen.

The experts seem to be undecided as to what has caused this phenomenon.  Some point to the dry early summer, while others are talking about the recent lower night time temperatures.  Whatever the cause we could say that the evidence from the trees would suggest that it is later than it is!  Certainly, any hope of a prolonged and colourful autumn seems to have been suddenly snatched from us.  I wonder whether, like me, you have ever been hoping to get something done or finished only to find time has run out.  It was later than I thought.

Many years ago a Baptist Minister was walking with his wife along the seafront when a man looked up from the paper he was reading to ask the time.  The Minister consulted his watch and passed on the information.  A few moments the Minister felt compelled to retrace his steps.  The man was surprised to see him.  "A few moments ago," said the Minister, "You asked me what the time was.  I feel compelled to tell you that it is time to seek the Lord".  To his amazement the man burst into tears and the Minister led him to the Lord there and then.

Some stories like that stick in the mind.  But seeking the Lord is not just about getting saved.  What about praying for revival or the salvation of friends and family?  Are there blessings that should have come into our lives if only we had sought them earlier?

During the past week I called on a family to discuss the baptism of their daughter - now in her late twenties.  Her older brothers had been christened when young but then the family moved and time went by and they just didn't get round to it.  Her brother and his wife have had a baby and want the young woman to be a god parent, but the denomination concerned will not allow an un-baptised person to be a godparent!  Now they are asking why they didn't get round to it much sooner!  Well, you will realise that this is an interesting situation.  My views on baptism have moderated over the years such that the volume of water is now less significant to me.  But genuine faith is vital - whether on the part of parents wanted their child baptised as a sign of their faith, or an older person wanting to be baptised as an expression of that person's faith.

I value your prayers as I talk these things through with them.  I realise how important an issue this is in their family but I would like it to be a really important factor in the life of someone who perhaps will realise it is not just baptism that they did not get round to!  I have had one good pastoral visit and my second visit is scheduled for this Monday 29th in the evening.  Please pray for wisdom that I will do what Jesus would do in such a situation.  I need both the right words and the right attitude.

This week:
Today (Sunday)  I took the service at Yelvertoft on the theme of baptism
Monday - pray for the pastoral visit.
Tuesday - Prison.  Please pray for a young man in the choir who behaved very badly last week and created a bad atmosphere.  Please pray also for a Christian friend, Margaret, who has just discovered a tumour and has a mastectomy this day.
Wednesday - Please pray for Alison, the wife of a friend and colleague, who has an operation for a brain tumour today.  Also for Priscilla, one of our older church members, who goes to hospital.  Some time after a hip replacement her hip has become very painful.
Thursday - Please pray for my study that I will find time to do essential reading and complete two important pieces of writing.
Friday - I have an evening meeting for the Congregational Federation Area.  We have a piece of unfinished work in trying to set up a children and family worker for the Area churches.  This keeps slipping down my list of things to do but finding someone else to carry it through is difficult.  Such an appointment would help several churches - including mine - in their mission.
Sunday - I'm back at Yelvertoft.

This past week I am thankful that I managed to complete a number of important administrative jobs in addition to regular ministry.  If you prayed about that as asked then I am very grateful.  Your prayers are so important to Doreen and me.  Do remember my colleague, Monica, busy in Kenya at this time.

Barry

The "Church" experience

Last Sunday morning I took the service at Gartree Prison before heading back into Market Harborough to pick up Doreen and make our way across country to Yelvertoft for our regular morning meeting.  There was quite a good attendance at the prison and I had deliberately encouraged contributions from the lads.  I had several good testimonies and hymns provided.  In order to accommodate the various elements I had not followed any discernable order of service.  I drove away feeling it had been a good experience of church.  At Yelvertoft I was delighted to find the chapel fairly full.  Again, I had asked people to choose hymns in advance and be prepared to say something about this.  At both services I had continued the thoughts around how God knows each of us personally, calls us individually, and has a unique role for each of us within his purposes. "You might be a number a computer can trace, but God knows your name, your need and your face!"

Afterwards (and after we had had coffee) we had all been invited to the home of one couple in the fellowship for a bring and share lunch.  The table was loaded with good things, the company was excellent, and we sat relaxed in the garden enjoying both.  It was then that I asked the question, "Is this an "after-church" activity or is it actually still church?"  All those around me agreed it was still church.

lunch time at Holiday at Home

Much of the rest of the week was spent at Holiday at Home in Market Harborough.  This initiative, started by my friend and colleague the Rev Brian Kennard, provides a five day event including an outing on one day.  Other days involved sessions such as short mat bowls, discovering the internet, making shopping bags from recycled curtains, calligraphy, relaxation, drama, a talk from a Christian psychiatrist, chair-based exercises, cooking and much more.  Just under 40 "older" people from the community came each day and we finished each day with a nice lunch.  It is not evangelism as some might define it but it is an excellent opportunity to genuinely show God's love and demonstrate the gospel.  My role included supporting Brian any way I could, running a community singing session, and sharing some of the gospel story within short programmes of jokes, stories and songs on two other occasions.

making shopping bags from old curtains

On each of the four church-based days of H@H something was said about the need and opportunity to enter into a relationship with God.  But the gospel often permeated the fun activities too.  One joy for me was seeing a lady bring her 92 year old husband for the first time.  It was her first time a few years ago and I had shared several conversations with her.  She has since started attending church.  Reflecting on the week I find myself wondering whether what we have been doing is really what church is about.  It might not have had a formalised religious character but can you only have fun once "church" is over?  Fun, fellowship, gospel talks and songs, sharing food and taking time to draw alongside people and listen to them... sounds like church to me.  What do you think?

This week
Study, writing, administration and some pastoral visits.  This week I am also trying to set up a number of rural mission consultations for later this year.  A quiet week as far as activities are concerned but one needing your prayers none the less.  Please pray for my mission colleague, Monica, as she prepares for another four weeks of ministry in Kenya starting on 22nd August.

Thank you.

Barry

"In the Church God has appointed...those with gifts of administration..."

I found myself muttering to God this week about the activities that have preoccupied me over the past several days.  Most times I am happy to get on with whatever God puts in my way or calls me to do.  The only exception to this usual sense of contentment relates to administrative matters. And it isn't that I find them hard to do.  I think it may have something to do with how I perceive their relative value.  But often these are very important and I suspect that those who have a gift of administration are among the most undervalued servants of God.  I'm just not sure that it's my gift, but maybe...

I had spent time the previous week organising an important telephone conference for the Sunrise Ministries trustees that would ensure that our child and vulnerable adult protection policies were brought up to date.  Our chair of trustees had done useful work and since the trustees were not due to meet again until November I had sent all the documents to them electronically.  The conference I facilitated was held first thing last Monday and all went well.  I wrote up the  minutes and sent them off to the Chairman for his approval.  Meanwhile there was a certain amount of work needed to get a few odd wrinkles in the policy documents ironed out.  In particular the Protection of Vulnerable Adult Policy needed more editing and I completed this task on Tuesday (in addition to the weekly prison visit) and sent the new draft to the Churches Agency for Safeguarding for approval.

The next task was to draft a new constitution for the International Congregational Theological Commission.  This had been sitting on my desk for several weeks and I was finally bumped into finishing the task as I was due to meet with one of the ICTC Co-Chairs on Thursday.  Writing a constitution for an incorporated charity is a challenge and it took me sixteen hours - though some of this was getting "Word" to format it in a way that the Charity Commission might be happy to accept.  It was as I staggered off to bed in the early hours of Thursday morning that I started muttering to God.

There was a sense of fulfilment in getting both the policy documents and the constitution efficiently drafted (as far as I can tell) and I also reflected that the previous week had also included a session with leaders of a local church looking at a new trust deed for them.  In many ways I didn't mind giving time to these tasks, though I could think of other aspects of ministry I would rather have been doing.  And that is it - it is a ministry (1 Corinthians 12:28).  What I could not think of was anyone to whom I could have delegated these important tasks.  It is important that the local church will be able to operate effectively.  It is important that our organisation operates both legally and safely.  It is important that the Theological Commission can develop its valuable work with an enabling new charitable status.  It is a ministry.  Perhaps I shouldn't have muttered!

Thursday I went to Congregational Federation offices in Nottingham (a) to meet with others as we plan a Church Leaders Conference for next Easter, (b) to meet with the Co-Chair of the Theological Commission, (c) to meet with the Mission Development Officer, and (d)  to meet with the Finance Officer.  All four sessions concluded in under five hours and I was on my way back home.  But such meetings also generate administration!

Friday I had a change.  I produced several copies of the second "Treasured Gospel Songs" CD, designed and printed off CD labels and case inserts and put some in the outgoing post for the day.  Now, at last, I can give more thought preparing for the services at Gartree Prison and Yelvertoft tomorrow.

Praying through the coming week
Sunday - 9.00 Gartree Prison;  10.45 Yelvertoft Congregational Church.

Monday to Friday (except Thursday) we are running Holiday at Home for the fourth year.  This is a friendly outreach aimed at older people and is really pre-evangelism.  I will be interacting with those attending, backing up the organising minister, running a couple of sessions, singing and giving a short talk.  Mostly it is about showing God's love to folk as they move towards the last years of their lives so please pray that they will see Jesus in me and the others running this programme.

Tuesday afternoon - Gartree Prison Choir

Thursday - lunchtime networking meeting for the rural churches around Rugby, Warwickshire.

Final thoughts
Pray for those to whom God has given the gift of administration that they will step up to the mark, and that they will recognise the value of their ministry and be recognised within their churches for the valuable role they undertake.  What makes the work of value is the fact that it comes as a trust from God.

Barry