I have always found the account of Nehemiah and the re-building the walls of Jerusalem inspiring. There seems so many important lessons to learn from it that it is difficult to know exactly where to begin. I just love using it for a Bible teaching series or using it as conference material.
It seems to me that it speaks into our current political situation in the UK and there are two aspects that I would like to comment on here. The first of these is the rapid turnaround in the situation and how that was achieved. The other aspect is Nehemiah's concern for justice. That both these aspects are well documented together in one narrative is also significant.
The fact that the walls were re-built and all the gates completed and hung within just 52 days seems more amazing than the team of experts on the TV programme DIY SOS manage to achieve. It is a testament to sheer hard work but I love the fact that everyone rolled up their sleeves including people who would not normally do manual work such as silversmiths and priests. See Nehemiah Ch. 4) They were committed to a common purpose, recognised that the task was urgent and got on with it. There is probably significance in the way in which the task was delegated so that there was personal vested interest and possibly some competitiveness in pressing on.
UK productivity levels are still disturbingly low. We are unlikely to see the economic situation improve without real commitment by employers and employees in industry working hard together. Some already do so but clearly there is a need for more willingness to work. We have a common problem and we all need to roll up our sleeves. In what ways might this also apply to the task of evangelism and winning your neighbourhood for God?
While some of my friends are delighted that the Conservatives won the election, others are deeply concerned that some of the governments decisions could leave others in economic and/or welfare crisis. It would be difficult to find anyone more single-minded than Nehemiah. He had a task to complete and he wasn't going to be distracted by those who opposed him. However, when he discovered situations of injustice he took time out to deal with them. See Nehemiah Ch 5.
It would indeed be a tragedy if, in the pursuit of economic targets, individuals and their needs get overlooked or, worse still, ignored. In God's economy people matter. Tragically, there are some churches and Christian organisations where while pursuing certain aims the pastoral care of individuals has suffered.
Both the example of getting on with the task unitedly, and the example of justice and caring have much to teach us about society and church society today. But the fact that both co-exist is also a valuable lesson. In the life of any Christian church or organisation we need focus and commitment in our mission but also compassion and compassionate action. Feeding the hungry and providing refreshment at a party might not seem to be priorities in the ministry of Jesus but there were situations where this was what was needed at that time. On an urgent task to get to Jairus' home as quickly as possible, Jesus took time out to respond to the needs of a woman with a haemorrhage.
We all need to keep purposefulness and pastoral care in balance.
In the News for Praise & Prayer
It has been just over two weeks since I last wrote to you. The reason for this is that both weeks have been very busy with engagements and on the days between engagements there has been pressure of work administratively and pastorally. Here is a brief summary.
On Sundays 3rd, 10th and 17th May I have been teaching about the life of the early Church as it began to engage with the task with which Jesus had left his followers. This has included 'Accepting the Baton', 'Whose Authority?', and 'Breaking New Ground'. I hope to have a summary of these topics on the website of Yelvertoft Congregational Church.
From 3rd to 5th May I was in East Sussex for various tasks connected with Action for Christ. Some of this relates to the closure of the AfC office and I value prayers as I seek to sell various items of equipment and stationery no longer requires but in which financial resources for mission were invested. While in East Sussex I visited Monica, my colleague. Her initial radiotherapy for her brain tumour completed she is waiting to learn of the outcome. She was in good spirits and thankful for the prayers.
I travelled home on the Tuesday (5th) with minutes to spare before my regular work at HMP Gartree. My musical colleague has retired and we had already had the retirement of a senior Christian chaplain. Choir practises have gone well over the past two weeks. I will also be helping to pick up on some extra ministry in the prison until we get a new chaplain appointed. Prayers for the Christian chaplaincy team please.
In the evening of the same day (5th) I travelled by train to London ready to teach on the Salvation Army's Safeguarding Course. There were 22 people attending and reading the response forms I find an encouraging response to what is always a demanding day. I was back home on Wednesday evening preparing for a Bible Discussion on Thursday morning. We were fewer than normal for the Discussion but it was a profitable time exploring Timothy chapter 1.
Saturday 9th was the Annual National Assembly for the Congregational Federation in which I had a very small part. It was a good day ending a very busy and tiring week.
On Monday and Tuesday 11th and 12th May I took School Assembles in Lubenham (Leics) and Yelvertoft (Northants). I love this aspect of ministry. Packaging the biblical message in story telling form for children aged 5 to 11 is an challenge but as the children engage and respond it is so encouraging. There were also nice comments from staff members. There were two more meetings on the Tuesday.
On Wednesday I shared in a planning meeting for Holiday at Home in Market Harborough. There has been an excellent team that has planned and run this event. However several of us have felt the need to retire. One good man has already gone and a couple will retire after this summer's event. I have managed to recruit one very good person for the team and others who will support the event following a talk I gave at a village Parish Church. We still need more volunteers and value prayer that God will enlarge the team before the summer. Holiday at Home is a programme that serves older people in the community. While not overt evangelism it is evangelism nevertheless.
Last week ended with 'Get Messy' at Yelvertoft where our theme was the Wedding at Cana. This is a form of Messy Church that reaches children and parents. I give thanks for a great team of volunteers. One of these was Louise who is currently undertaking a training course for which I am her mentor.
And so to this week where the key activities include organisational activities for theChurches Rural Group (which I Chair until our next meeting), Bible Discussion on Thursday and a wedding on Friday (the first in our church building for many years). Next Sunday (24th) is Pentecost and I will take the meeting at Yelvertoft. On 31st I will be taking the morning service at HMP Gartree. In addition to various other activities next week I have a hospital appointment on Wednesday, an early morning communion service at the prison and a meeting with other leaders from rural missions on Thursday,
Please give thanks for the Lord's enabling over the past few weeks, for safe travelling, and for blessing on the ministry. Please pray for the various activities and aspects above. Please continue to pray for the financial provision to keep the ministry going and for the moving of the Holy Spirit in the lives of all who sit under our ministry.
Other Information: There is a conference on Making and Growing Disciples in the Countryside during June. For more information see the Rural Evangelism Network website.
Back to Nehemiah
All that Nehemiah accomplished has its roots in his tender heart that caused him to weep over the sad state of Jerusalem. This then led to a season or earnest and honest prayer. See Nehemiah 1: 4. May God grant us hearts that can be moved by the needs of this world, a commitment to pray, and a readiness to go.
Barry
It seems to me that it speaks into our current political situation in the UK and there are two aspects that I would like to comment on here. The first of these is the rapid turnaround in the situation and how that was achieved. The other aspect is Nehemiah's concern for justice. That both these aspects are well documented together in one narrative is also significant.
The fact that the walls were re-built and all the gates completed and hung within just 52 days seems more amazing than the team of experts on the TV programme DIY SOS manage to achieve. It is a testament to sheer hard work but I love the fact that everyone rolled up their sleeves including people who would not normally do manual work such as silversmiths and priests. See Nehemiah Ch. 4) They were committed to a common purpose, recognised that the task was urgent and got on with it. There is probably significance in the way in which the task was delegated so that there was personal vested interest and possibly some competitiveness in pressing on.
UK productivity levels are still disturbingly low. We are unlikely to see the economic situation improve without real commitment by employers and employees in industry working hard together. Some already do so but clearly there is a need for more willingness to work. We have a common problem and we all need to roll up our sleeves. In what ways might this also apply to the task of evangelism and winning your neighbourhood for God?
While some of my friends are delighted that the Conservatives won the election, others are deeply concerned that some of the governments decisions could leave others in economic and/or welfare crisis. It would be difficult to find anyone more single-minded than Nehemiah. He had a task to complete and he wasn't going to be distracted by those who opposed him. However, when he discovered situations of injustice he took time out to deal with them. See Nehemiah Ch 5.
It would indeed be a tragedy if, in the pursuit of economic targets, individuals and their needs get overlooked or, worse still, ignored. In God's economy people matter. Tragically, there are some churches and Christian organisations where while pursuing certain aims the pastoral care of individuals has suffered.
Both the example of getting on with the task unitedly, and the example of justice and caring have much to teach us about society and church society today. But the fact that both co-exist is also a valuable lesson. In the life of any Christian church or organisation we need focus and commitment in our mission but also compassion and compassionate action. Feeding the hungry and providing refreshment at a party might not seem to be priorities in the ministry of Jesus but there were situations where this was what was needed at that time. On an urgent task to get to Jairus' home as quickly as possible, Jesus took time out to respond to the needs of a woman with a haemorrhage.
We all need to keep purposefulness and pastoral care in balance.
In the News for Praise & Prayer
It has been just over two weeks since I last wrote to you. The reason for this is that both weeks have been very busy with engagements and on the days between engagements there has been pressure of work administratively and pastorally. Here is a brief summary.
On Sundays 3rd, 10th and 17th May I have been teaching about the life of the early Church as it began to engage with the task with which Jesus had left his followers. This has included 'Accepting the Baton', 'Whose Authority?', and 'Breaking New Ground'. I hope to have a summary of these topics on the website of Yelvertoft Congregational Church.
From 3rd to 5th May I was in East Sussex for various tasks connected with Action for Christ. Some of this relates to the closure of the AfC office and I value prayers as I seek to sell various items of equipment and stationery no longer requires but in which financial resources for mission were invested. While in East Sussex I visited Monica, my colleague. Her initial radiotherapy for her brain tumour completed she is waiting to learn of the outcome. She was in good spirits and thankful for the prayers.
I travelled home on the Tuesday (5th) with minutes to spare before my regular work at HMP Gartree. My musical colleague has retired and we had already had the retirement of a senior Christian chaplain. Choir practises have gone well over the past two weeks. I will also be helping to pick up on some extra ministry in the prison until we get a new chaplain appointed. Prayers for the Christian chaplaincy team please.
In the evening of the same day (5th) I travelled by train to London ready to teach on the Salvation Army's Safeguarding Course. There were 22 people attending and reading the response forms I find an encouraging response to what is always a demanding day. I was back home on Wednesday evening preparing for a Bible Discussion on Thursday morning. We were fewer than normal for the Discussion but it was a profitable time exploring Timothy chapter 1.
Saturday 9th was the Annual National Assembly for the Congregational Federation in which I had a very small part. It was a good day ending a very busy and tiring week.
On Monday and Tuesday 11th and 12th May I took School Assembles in Lubenham (Leics) and Yelvertoft (Northants). I love this aspect of ministry. Packaging the biblical message in story telling form for children aged 5 to 11 is an challenge but as the children engage and respond it is so encouraging. There were also nice comments from staff members. There were two more meetings on the Tuesday.
On Wednesday I shared in a planning meeting for Holiday at Home in Market Harborough. There has been an excellent team that has planned and run this event. However several of us have felt the need to retire. One good man has already gone and a couple will retire after this summer's event. I have managed to recruit one very good person for the team and others who will support the event following a talk I gave at a village Parish Church. We still need more volunteers and value prayer that God will enlarge the team before the summer. Holiday at Home is a programme that serves older people in the community. While not overt evangelism it is evangelism nevertheless.
Last week ended with 'Get Messy' at Yelvertoft where our theme was the Wedding at Cana. This is a form of Messy Church that reaches children and parents. I give thanks for a great team of volunteers. One of these was Louise who is currently undertaking a training course for which I am her mentor.
And so to this week where the key activities include organisational activities for theChurches Rural Group (which I Chair until our next meeting), Bible Discussion on Thursday and a wedding on Friday (the first in our church building for many years). Next Sunday (24th) is Pentecost and I will take the meeting at Yelvertoft. On 31st I will be taking the morning service at HMP Gartree. In addition to various other activities next week I have a hospital appointment on Wednesday, an early morning communion service at the prison and a meeting with other leaders from rural missions on Thursday,
Please give thanks for the Lord's enabling over the past few weeks, for safe travelling, and for blessing on the ministry. Please pray for the various activities and aspects above. Please continue to pray for the financial provision to keep the ministry going and for the moving of the Holy Spirit in the lives of all who sit under our ministry.
Other Information: There is a conference on Making and Growing Disciples in the Countryside during June. For more information see the Rural Evangelism Network website.
Back to Nehemiah
All that Nehemiah accomplished has its roots in his tender heart that caused him to weep over the sad state of Jerusalem. This then led to a season or earnest and honest prayer. See Nehemiah 1: 4. May God grant us hearts that can be moved by the needs of this world, a commitment to pray, and a readiness to go.
Barry
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