Sunday 26 May 2013

Actions Speak Louder than Words

In Jeremiah 18 we have that well known account where the prophet is sent to the potter's house.  Here he sees the potter at work.  But as he sought to create a vessel for a certain purpose, something in the clay is unyielding and the work was spoiled.  The potter starts again with the same lump of clay but this time he turns it into a vessel for a different purpose.

Apart from the immediate message to a rebellious people at that time I suppose the illustration is capable of interpretation in various ways.  Some will see it as an illustration of a God with whom there is always a second chance of recovering what might otherwise have been lost altogether.  Some will see it as an illustration that when God's perfect will for a person is frustrated he is still able to use him in a different way if he truly repents.  The latter is more true to the historical context of Jeremiah's experience.

I have found myself pondering on some of the biblical accounts where what started out in one way turned out differently.  For example, John Mark who accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first mission through what we now call southern Turkey started out well but gave up along the way, letting Paul and Barnabas down.  That event led to Paul not wanting to give him a second chance when planning another mission trip.  But later, when writing three letters he commends him and in his second letter to Timothy describes Mark as helpful.

Then there was Demas who had been described as a fellow worker deserts Paul at a time of need because of the pull of this world.  In other words the cost of discipleship proved too great.

In challenging some of the religious leaders who opposed him, Jesus told a story about two sons whom he asked to go and work in his vineyard.  One refused but later repented and went.  the other promised to go but failed to do so.  Sometimes it is those that show the least promise whose actions prove their worth, while those who show much promise fail to fulfil what is expected of them.  Actions speak louder than words.

There is a word of hope here for any who are aware of past failing.  God can still use you if you gladly yield to him.  But there is also a word of caution for those that start out well.  Be careful that you do not fail before the end.  Over the 50 years in ministry, which I celebrate this year, I have seen both situations.  I can think of one person of whom I expected little who has proved a devout and fruitful servant of God.  Sadly, I can also think of others who seemed to promise much but have deeply disappointed me.

Are we truly selflessly committed to the potters hands?

Thank you for your prayers during the past week.  I had sent the Praise and Prayer News out on Friday as I was teaching at the Salvation Army College on the Safe and Sound Course.  It was a smaller group than usual but there was good engagement with all aspects.

Last Sunday we marked Pentecost with ministry at Yelvertoft on the person of the Holy Spirit and his work of sanctifying and empowering.  Monday's school assembly was cancelled at the last moment, but Tuesday's school assembly was a delight.  The theme for the term is journeys in the Bible and I was given Paul at Damascus to talk about.  The whole school listened in rapt attention.

I spent Wednesday at the Arthur Rank Centre as part of the Country Way editorial group in the morning, and chairing the Churches Rural Group in the afternoon.  It is always good to meet with people who have a common heart for God's kingdom in rural Britain.

One amazing answer to prayer took place this week.  I had asked you to pray about the situation in Action for Christ where we can no longer afford to pay the leasing costs for a multi-function printer.  The finance company wrote advising us that the cost to cancel the lease was just over £5,000 but then they have offered the opportunity to do so for just £750 plus VAT.

Items for your prayers please
  • Give thanks for God's blessing on the activities of the past week.
  • Give thanks for all who have a heart for advancing the kingdom of God in rural areas at home and abroad.
  • Give thanks for Monica's safe return from Africa.  She is recovering well from her injuries suffered there.
  • Give thanks for the offer regarding the printer and for a donation of £10 towards the £750.  Only another 74 donations to go!
  • Pray for the school's work of the past week.
  • Pray for the administration and governance work in which I will be involved this week.  I still have some work with Mission for Christ/Action for Christ to complete.  I am also preparing for a Sunrise Ministries trustees meeting on June 3rd.
Finally, I ask your prayers for former colleagues who "once ran well" but have stumbled and fallen.  It is not appropriate to mention names but they are known to God.

Thank you.

Barry



Friday 17 May 2013

When the News makes you weep.

Many in the UK have been deeply shocked by news following the trial and conviction of seven men guilty of child rapes (click link).  This is just one of the latest news items about sexual abuse.  Some TV celebrities and some music teachers are among other people in the news for such offences.  Meanwhile a shadow hangs over the Roman Catholic Church because of the extensive allegations of abuse.  Some other denominations have also had heartache when abuse has taken place.

I am glad that many national and local churches have now put in place safety policies and are better informed on the subject of sexual abuse, the care of the victims and the management of offenders.  Most regular readers will know that I have helped with others to achieve better practise.  I co-wrote the book, Time for Action, and the Church of England Report Responding Well.  This Saturday I will be teaching on the Salvation Army's Safe and Sound Course at their College in London.  I have also taught on the Congregational Federation's Integrated Training Course and some clergy gatherings.

The best way to make our churches and Christian organisations safer places is to be well informed.  For that reason I am once more commending Time for Action.  This is such a valuable book and no church or minister should be without it.  You can obtain it from me at £7.95 and I will send your copy post free in the UK.  The book would also be valuable to those outside the UK and anyone interested can email me at barry@ruralmissions.org.uk.

There are many forms of sexual abuse.  Many who read this through email or online will have experienced abuse of some kind.  Sadly, most church leaders are not well informed and all too often trot out unhelpful advice.  Unscriptural and ill-informed advice on forgiveness is a common problem.  Much abuse in the Christian context has taken place because of poor teaching on forgiveness and repentance.  I have a little booklet on this topic if anyone would like it.

When we wrote Time for Action there were certain evangelical churches that believed that they were not at risk.  Some small rural churches also thought "It could never happen here".  Sadly, experience has taught them they were wrong. Please do not take chances.  A single act of abuse can blight the life of not just the victim.  Make sure that you understand the risks, how best to prevent inappropriate activities and how to be a caring church to any victims who may be there already or who might come your way.  Possibly as many as one person in five could have been a victim.  The high profile through the news recently could awaken bad memories.  Be able to be helpful.

Matters for Praise and Prayer

  • Please pray for teaching on Saturday 18th with the Salvation Army (see above).
  • Please pray for my ministry at Yelvertoft for the next two Sundays.
  • Please pray for two school assemblies this week: Lubenham (Leics) on Monday and Yelvertoft (Northants) on Tuesday.
  • Please pray for a Country Way editorial meeting on Wednesday, followed by a meeting of the Churches Rural Group which I chair.
  • I found the CTBI Conference on Wednesday and Thursday last week a blessing.  Excellent worship times.
  • We give thanks that we now have a date for the Prison Choir Concert (12th June).
  • I am thankful that Microsoft replaced my tablet computer after it developed a fault with an audio socket.  The service was excellent and timely.
  • During our extended weekend break last weekend we met with Dunks Green Evangelical Free Church, which is part of Action for Christ.  Lovely time of fellowship.
  • I encourage continued prayer for my colleague in rural ministry, Stephen Cope, who recently lost his wife after a long battle with a brain tumour.  
  • Please pray for Ron Spillards and family.  I heard from Ron this morning that his wife has also gone to be with the Lord after a long and difficult illness.  Ron is involved in the Rural Evangelism Network. Funeral is on Friday.
  • We need a miracle in Action for Christ (formerly Mission for Christ). Funds are so low that the charity is unable to maintain quarterly payments for a multi-function printer.  This could have been bought outright for £6,000 at the end of 2010 but the managing trustee at that time entered a contract that could ultimately cost £11,000.  I am in correspondence with the finance company, and value your prayers.  Obviously, there is a legal obligation so there is no reason why this company should be kind to us!  One option would be to find a church or organisation that would be interested in a bargain printer that is two and a half years old.  Once I know what kind of settlement figure the finance company will require I will share this information.
  • We thank God for the interest shown in purchasing the OHP from Action for Christ, and so much interest in purchasing the digital projector that we might need to invite written offers to be fair to everyone. (If you have already expressed an interest you should hear from me in a week about this).
  • Please pray for my own rural ministry that the Lord will meet our needs.  Pray for Monica Cook as she currently works in rural Kenya.  We thank God for existing support for Sunrise Ministries (this includes Rural Mission Solutions) but also need to pray for growth in our small band of supporters.
  • Give thanks for a ministry blog recently commenced by my niece.  It;s good top have another Christian writer in the family!  Pray for Vicki as she develops this ministry.
I finish with that famous quotation from William Carey, a great Baptist Missionary: "Expect great things from God and attempt great things for God".  He is greater than all the challenges that confront us.

Barry

Saturday 4 May 2013

Using your best assets

In February 2012 I wrote an article for the magazine of the Congregational Federation entitled When did you last service your minister?  (See http://barryosborne.blogspot.co.uk) What had occasioned this article was my awareness of colleagues who suffered from burn out, exhaustion, and depression.  I am glad to say that I have always been well looked after in most of the churches where I have been in ministry.  My members fuss over me and take care of me very well.  Sadly this is not always the case for others.

In the article I compared ministers to other assets, such as cars and houses, that we often spend much time, money and attention on ensuring they are in good order.  I suggested that, for most churches, their minister is their greatest asset.  In this post I want to address the balance (while not losing the importance of caring for your minister) and state that in every church the greatest assets they have are the people who make up that church.

At this point I want to confess to a weakness that I have.  I have been blessed by having a number of talents that I can draw on whether in preparing ministry for a Sunday, or providing leadership to a church or organisation.  I can both speak and sing reasonably well, and God has graciously used my varied ministries - indeed he has used the gifts he has given me.  The weakness is that in a busy life it is all too easy to fall back on one's own abilities instead of creating time to ensure the involvement of others.

It is not that I see myself as a one-man-band.  Nor is it that I do not appreciate the values of delegation and the development of others.  It is just that "doing it myself" is a lot easier and less time consuming.  So the danger is that while my ministry has proved a blessing to many, I might sometimes be a hindrance to the development and ministry of others.  This is not an uncommon problem.  Even as you read this some might be thinking "I do that too" or possibly, "That's what's wrong in our church"!

So I am trying to take myself in hand and address this situation.  In one village there is a Christian couple who are keen to explore God's purpose in their lives.  Despite the demands of a young family and that they both have to work 'she' has started on a training programme with the Congregational Federation, and 'he' has also undertaken a short training course.  Both need mentoring which includes practical opportunities with appropriate feedback.  I need to set aside time to give them support.

Also at Yelvertoft we have experienced some slow growth in numbers but I don't know what each persons particular gifts and abilities are.  What is God calling them to do and become?  Do they already know that or might they need help to discover it?  How can we keep doing the things that God is using to grow the church and ensure that all within the church are growing at the same time?

These are not problems that are exclusive to churches.  Secular organisations also need periodic reviews.  A strategy that is developed to move a church or organisation forward should lead to change. But when the situation has changed it is time to review the strategy or we are in danger of stagnating.  We need to ask what now needs to change, what now are our priorities?

The whole of Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 emphasises the importance both of all who are part of God's Church and the ministries that the Holy Spirit has given to them.  If we stifle any one of these we deprive ourselves, the Church universal and church local.  Paul spells this out so clearly,  No one should consider themselves so important that they don't need the other more humble parts.  Neither should anyone feel inferior.  God has made us to be interdependent and we need to give full value to each person in the Body of Christ.

But knowing the principle and applying it in practise are two very different things.  But of this I am sure: if we want to see any local church (congregation) move forward and realise its potential we need first to look at our greatest asset - all the people God has given us.  the secret of developing the life of the church is developing the lives and ministries of its members.

Recent Activities
On Sunday 28th April we welcomed a good number of family and friends of Jim Gregory for a special service followed by the interment of his ashes.  Some time ago we had held his funeral service followed by a service of thanksgiving and celebration of his life.  Jim was a lovely Christian man, Welsh and a keen Boys Brigade officer.  Once again last Sunday we sang some hymns to good Welsh tunes and raised the roof with the Boys Brigade hymn (Will your anchor hold...).  The Lord had led me to speak on Jesus revealing God's shepherd heart.  It was encouraging to be told afterwards how God had used that talk to bring someone to a new commitment to follow Jesus.  Please join us in giving thanks.

On Monday we held our bi-monthly Church Meeting at Yelvertoft as we explored the way forward in God's plans.  My congregation had been naughty (they are from time to time) and had secretly agreed to give Doreen and me a personal gift to mark the 50 years of ministry I am celebrating this year!  Some people are too nice!  Please give thanks with us.

On Tuesday I went as usual to HMP Gartree.  Plans for another one of the concerts is still held up because of proposed changes to prison routines.  These concerts provide much needed motivation for the choir members, they are very therapeutic, are good PR for the prison, and provide an opportunity of expressing appreciation for those who volunteer services of various kinds within the prison.  Please pray that we will be able to set a date soon.

On Thursday morning we had another encouraging Bible Discussion meeting looking at Hebrews chapter 11.  Later that day I travelled to Manchester to attend a one-day seminar/training event on the Equalities Act 2010.  This important piece of legislation affects everyone but I was especially concerned about its impact for those of us who minster within secular bodies such as hospitals, prisons, etc.  This was a secular training event but I found that I was not the only Christian present.  Several from various secular organisations have asked to stay in touch with me.  Perhaps we need one another in God's economy!  Please pray that I will be sensitive to anything God may be saying.

During the week I was encouraged that we now have the required four trustees for Mission for Christ (the original charity) so that we can progress essential business and seek to move the ministry forward in a new context.   We are so thankful for the help being given by Ian, the Christian solicitor we so badly needed, and the helpful advice from the Charity Commission.  There are still issues to be cleared up and that will take a few weeks, but every day we make progress.  Please give thanks with us and keep praying that the Lord will remove all obstacles along the way.

Items for Prayer
Please pray for fruitful ministry at Yelvertoft this Sunday.  The following Sunday please pray for Angela who will take the meeting while Doreen and I are away for a few days in Kent.

On Tuesday I will have my regular visit to HMP Gartree.  On Wednesday and Thursday I will be attending the annual meeting of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland at High Leigh Conference Centre in Herts.  These are changing times for Churches Together across these islands and with my colleagues I have been able to make some suggestions about a useful development that would help the mission of the Churches.  Please pray for this important gathering of national Church leaders.

On Friday morning Doreen and I set off for Kent where we will spend a long weekend with her sister.  On Saturday 11th I will share in the Congregational Federation's Annual Assembly where I will be encouraging interest in the forthcoming international conference in July.  On Sunday we plan to attend the meeting at Dunks Green Evangelical Church, near Tonbridge.  This is a village church where we held a mission many years ago and is part of the ministry now of Action for Christ.

Please continue to pray for two female colleagues (both named Elaine) who were recently diagnosed with complicated forms of cancer.

Please pray for Terry Martin, who has been working with us as a trustee of Mission for Christ and Action for Christ.  Terry arrives back in his native USA this week.  We thank God for him and his wife Dana, for their love, generosity in helping to sort out the problems in these organisations.

Please pray for Monica, my colleague in Sunrise Ministries (Rural Mission Solutions) who is currently working in Kenya.  While In Malawi recently she had a nasty fall but has been well looked after both by those who travelled with her and the local people.  She tells me she is recovering well and able to get on with all her work (you try stopping her!).

Please pray for Stephen (I think I may have told you of this fellow servant in rural ministry whose daughter had a brain tumour).  Alison died earlier this week.  Please remember Stephen in your prayers.  Please also pray for Simon, another man with a heart for rural ministry but who has been very unwell.

Please pray for the Sunrise Ministries trustees and our two management teams.  We are so thankful for their fellowship and service in Christ.

Finally
Coming back to my reflection at the start of this post please take a moment to reflect on what kind of an asset you are - or perhaps could be - in the life of your church.  Do you need help discovering your gift?  Do you need help to develop and deploy your gift?  Are there other latent ministries in your church that you have the ability to encourage (without unnecessarily rocking the boat)?

Thank you for your prayers, fellowship and friendship

Barry