Most readers will have recognised the words of this heading as coming from the parable that Jesus told which we call "The Good Samaritan" as recorded in the AV. (Luke 10:25-37) I have to confess that this parable impacted me afresh recently when a colleague of mine was speaking at a church in Leicester. Over the years I have used this parable as an illustration of the compassion of Jesus in saving us. I have also used the parable to reflect on missional activity. Why didn't the priest or the Levite do something for the man? How did they excuse their inaction to themselves? The Samaritan does not seem to be a special kind of person; he saw and responded to a need as we all should do.
However, it is possible to so focus on such applications of a parable that we forget the real point. The story was told to answer the question "Who is my neighbour?" - that is the person we should love as much as we love ourselves. For the Jews, listening to this story, Samaritans were seen as unclean, worse than second class citizens. Within contemporary society many Christians have standards of behaviour that contrast to the ways of society around us. But these are our neighbours who need to see genuine love expressed towards them. We might desire that they lived differently but if they receive unkind criticism and a judgemental attitude instead of warmth and welcome, then are we not "passing by on the other side"?
The love the Samaritan showed was in taking time out to do something. He risked his own welfare, he probably got his clothes messy as he tended to the man and lifted him up. he probably went without sleep for a night, he parted with a substantial amount of money and he offered to do more. The parable does more than remind us that those we are called to love are sometimes those with whom we have no natural affinity: it teaches us that real love is always super-generous
News About Monica
Thank you for your prayers for my colleague, Monica Cook, who a few weeks ago was discovered to have a fast growing brain tumour. Following recent surgery Monica was taken this week to a hospital At Maidstone, Kent as a preliminary to a course of radiotherapy. A decision has been taken for Monica to have a course of six sessions two days apart, except for weekends and Bank holidays. We expect to learn in the next few days when these will commence. As news becomes available I am posting this on a special blog on our website. Please click this link to see that blog. You can leave short comments. You will also find a link at the top of the page to the original news posted.
Rural Mission Webinar
We are running a 40 minute online seminar on developing sustainable bespoke mission strategies for rural churches on Saturday 11th April starting at 9.00. This is completely free and all that you need is a computer with speakers. You will also have the opportunity to interact and ask questions. We are exploring what topics of rural mission people would find helpful for future webinars. Do please signup to attend. By doing so you do not commit yourself to anything more.
Some years ago at a one-day conference on rural evangelism a colleague said, "Surely God has already given you everything you need to do what he is asking you to do right now". This is a profound comment which we will seek to unpack in this coming webinar. Please click this link to register your interest in attending. It costs you nothing but a little time.
From the Diary
However, it is possible to so focus on such applications of a parable that we forget the real point. The story was told to answer the question "Who is my neighbour?" - that is the person we should love as much as we love ourselves. For the Jews, listening to this story, Samaritans were seen as unclean, worse than second class citizens. Within contemporary society many Christians have standards of behaviour that contrast to the ways of society around us. But these are our neighbours who need to see genuine love expressed towards them. We might desire that they lived differently but if they receive unkind criticism and a judgemental attitude instead of warmth and welcome, then are we not "passing by on the other side"?
The love the Samaritan showed was in taking time out to do something. He risked his own welfare, he probably got his clothes messy as he tended to the man and lifted him up. he probably went without sleep for a night, he parted with a substantial amount of money and he offered to do more. The parable does more than remind us that those we are called to love are sometimes those with whom we have no natural affinity: it teaches us that real love is always super-generous
News About Monica
Thank you for your prayers for my colleague, Monica Cook, who a few weeks ago was discovered to have a fast growing brain tumour. Following recent surgery Monica was taken this week to a hospital At Maidstone, Kent as a preliminary to a course of radiotherapy. A decision has been taken for Monica to have a course of six sessions two days apart, except for weekends and Bank holidays. We expect to learn in the next few days when these will commence. As news becomes available I am posting this on a special blog on our website. Please click this link to see that blog. You can leave short comments. You will also find a link at the top of the page to the original news posted.
Rural Mission Webinar
We are running a 40 minute online seminar on developing sustainable bespoke mission strategies for rural churches on Saturday 11th April starting at 9.00. This is completely free and all that you need is a computer with speakers. You will also have the opportunity to interact and ask questions. We are exploring what topics of rural mission people would find helpful for future webinars. Do please signup to attend. By doing so you do not commit yourself to anything more.
Some years ago at a one-day conference on rural evangelism a colleague said, "Surely God has already given you everything you need to do what he is asking you to do right now". This is a profound comment which we will seek to unpack in this coming webinar. Please click this link to register your interest in attending. It costs you nothing but a little time.
From the Diary
Last Wednesday I attended a meeting in London of the Free Churches Group. I did so as Convenor of the Congregational Federation's Inter-Church Board. As always this was a valued and productive meeting with mission at its heart. The Free Churches Group has a particularly special role facilitating chaplaincies in prisons, healthcare and education but see the website for more details.
Our series of Lent Meetings in Yelvertoft proved very effective and popular. Details of the six "Faith Through Other Eyes" sessions can be read here. We held our final meeting last Thursday. The usual pattern of fortnightly Bible Discussions will recommence after Easter.
Sunday 29th March - 9.00 Preaching at HMP Gartree; 11.00 Palm Sunday United Service, Yelvertoft
Tuesday 31st - HMP Gartree
Friday 3rd April - 10.30 Good Friday Communion Service, Yelvertoft
Sunday 5th - Easter Day Family Service, Yelvertoft
Tues 7th to Fri 10th Doreen and I will be attending a conference for church leaders at Hothorpe Hall
Saturday 11th 9.00 The Online Webinar (see above)
AFC Office Closure
The trustees of Action for Christ (formerly Mission for Christ) are closing an office at Bodiam in East Sussex and have various items of office furniture and equipment for sale. These include tables, chairs, filing cabinet, printer, power guillotine, A3/A4 laminater, computers, mono desktop printer, display boards and shelving. Offers are being invited but the items will have to be collected before the end of April. Click here to register an interest and leave your phone numbers.
Celebrating Easter
I pray that this Easter will be a precious time, reflecting on the immense cost of our salvation and then rejoicing in the victory of the cross and empty tomb.. Who are you inviting to join you at church? You might be surprised at people's readiness to go along with you. Please ask someone who does not normally attend a church.
Every blessing,
Barry
Our series of Lent Meetings in Yelvertoft proved very effective and popular. Details of the six "Faith Through Other Eyes" sessions can be read here. We held our final meeting last Thursday. The usual pattern of fortnightly Bible Discussions will recommence after Easter.
Sunday 29th March - 9.00 Preaching at HMP Gartree; 11.00 Palm Sunday United Service, Yelvertoft
Tuesday 31st - HMP Gartree
Friday 3rd April - 10.30 Good Friday Communion Service, Yelvertoft
Sunday 5th - Easter Day Family Service, Yelvertoft
Tues 7th to Fri 10th Doreen and I will be attending a conference for church leaders at Hothorpe Hall
Saturday 11th 9.00 The Online Webinar (see above)
AFC Office Closure
The trustees of Action for Christ (formerly Mission for Christ) are closing an office at Bodiam in East Sussex and have various items of office furniture and equipment for sale. These include tables, chairs, filing cabinet, printer, power guillotine, A3/A4 laminater, computers, mono desktop printer, display boards and shelving. Offers are being invited but the items will have to be collected before the end of April. Click here to register an interest and leave your phone numbers.
Celebrating Easter
I pray that this Easter will be a precious time, reflecting on the immense cost of our salvation and then rejoicing in the victory of the cross and empty tomb.. Who are you inviting to join you at church? You might be surprised at people's readiness to go along with you. Please ask someone who does not normally attend a church.
Every blessing,
Barry
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