"A Certain Samaritan..."

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

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

Trusting through Knoiwing

I recently found myself pondering the words of the apostle Paul writing to Timothy while experiencing imprisonment because of his faith. As he reflects on his circumstances he encourages Timothy to stir up the gift that God had given him, not to be ashamed of the gospel, and to be ready to suffer himself if necessary for the sake of the gospel.  As far as his own circumstances are concerned he states. “I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.” (2Timothy 1:12)  No doubt his circumstances were not those he would have chosen, but he clearly felt incredible security.

The next day I found myself associating this verse with the way in which my colleague and friend, Monica Cook, has accepted the news that she has a brain tumour.  As those who have visited her and those who know her best can testify she has clearly a very real peace while fully understanding the seriousness of her situation.

There are three parts to this verse to which I draw your attention.  The first of these is the phrase, “I… am convinced” or as the KJV puts it “I…am persuaded”.  The meaning behind the original Greek and the English translations is that the state of Paul’s mind has been influenced into an attitude of certainty.  We therefore need to dig a little more to find what has brought about such confidence.

So we come to “have believed”.  The tense in Greek grammar refers to something that has been completed.  But although it is something completed before hand, it has subsequent effect.  Paul’s solid confidence in the Lord’s ability guard what he has committed to him (i.e. his eternal future) is on the grounds of having placed his trust in Jesus.  Trusting has brought about quiet confidence.

Working backwards we come to the third phrase “I know”.  The sense here is of a knowledge that has developed – it is about coming to know or to understand.  In this case he has “come to know Jesus” and, indeed is still discovering more about him.

So Paul is saying he is totally confident about his eternal security because he has been, and still is, trusting Jesus because he has developed an understanding of Jesus and his character.

We might not find ourselves in chains like Paul, or facing serious illness, but you can be sure that life will contain tough times.  So if we want that wonderful confidence that all will be well, we had better so know Jesus that we cannot but place our entire trust in him. Coming to know him leads to trusting him which leads to confidence that all is well whatever our circumstance.

Monica Cook

Last week Monica was discharged from the hospital at Haywards Heath to home where she is now waiting a course of radiotherapy at Maidstone Hospital.  Most readers will know that Monica has been a good friend and colleague in rural mission for many years, and that she was diagnosed with a brain tumour recently.

I have spent much of the last few weeks working with her local supportive network to ensure she is being looked after well and that work responsibilities are lifted from her at this time.  Please see the regularnews posted on our website.

From the Diary

Other than activities relating to Monica most of last week’s other activities relate to our work at Yelvertoft, Northants.  A planned school assembly was cancelled because of a heating system failure in the school.  Our Lent series, “Faith through Other Eyes”, has proved very effective and popular. Last Thursday we had a visit from a leading person from the Jewish community in Leicester.  These meetings have improved understanding and helped to focus our own convictions.  Details are on this website. On Saturday we held another Messy Church event which focused on the Easter story.

Sunday 22^nd – The Sunday Meeting “The Surprising Jesus”

Tuesday 23^rd – School Assembly planning meeting in the morning and the regular ministry in HMP Gartree in the afternoon

Wednesday 25^th – Free Churches Group Meeting in London

Thursday 26^th – Final Lenten Meeting in Yelvertoft

Sunday 29^th (Palm Sunday) – HMP Gartree Service followed by a Joint Service and Procession at Yelvertoft.

Thank you once again for your fellowship,

Barry

A Caring Church

Sadly, while all of us would hope to be able to describe our local church as "caring",the reality may well be different.  But that is exactly what every church should seek to be.  Sent by a Roman Emperor to spy out people called Christians, it is said the Aristides commented "Behold how they love one another!".  But this was not a comment in sarcasm or irony, but of admiration.  This was a comment on a love that is prepared to be self-sacrificing.  The quote is also attributed to Tertullian in some sources. Much of the past week has been focused on concern for my partner in ministry, Monica Cook.  During this time she learned that the cause of various symptoms that had been worrying her was, in fact, a brain tumour.  Since Monica is single and lives alone in Battle, East Sussex, I was naturally concerned for her welfare.  I have been in the final stages of recovering from a nasty virus that sets up a chest infection.  Taking that to Monica would not have been kind.  Fortunately, Monica is a member of a truly caring church (though I'm sure its not perfect).  A single phone call to one of the members started things moving. Visits were made and food was brought in for her. Last Sunday she managed to get herself to church where a Christian doctor quickly identified something was seriously wrong.  He contacted Monica's doctor, who had only just returned from holiday.  Within hours others were alerted, Monica's needs at this time had been identified, and a team of carers formed who have helped her get up and dressed, washed and fed, given company, and undressed and put to bed.  Friends took her to hospital and doctors appointments, and helped her handle the difficult questions.  Her friends and prayer partners around the world were alerted.  Message of love and assurance of prayer came pouring in. As I was pondering this issue of the Praise & Prayer News a few days ago I saw that the verse for the day on Bible Gateway was, "Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and truth" (1 John 3:18)  How appropriate!  This particular verse is preceded by a remarkable challenge.  I guess you may well be able to quote John 3:16 to me.  But can you quote 1 John 3:16 which talks of laying down our lives for our sisters and brothers?  My early Christian life was greatly influenced by a man called George Verwer who often quoted that verse, so it has stuck in my mind! Of course, we do not need to wait until a crisis such as with Monica to demonstrate true love and care.  Every day will bring opportunities.  As John Kemble's famous hymn (New every morning is the love) comments, "The trivial round, the common task will furnish all we ought to ask: Room to deny ourselves;  a road to bring us daily nearer God"  I know a young man who personalised those words and stuck it on the wall of his office to challenge him daily.  Scripture does provide many illustrations of truly caring.  The early church was organised so that widows who had no other means of support were cared for by the church.  It even appointed a team of people to manage the programme.  The church at Philippi, Macedonia, gave sacrificially to help the Christians in Judea at a time of famine.  Paul, speaks of his own love for the church at Ephesus as causing his own life to be poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice of their service to God. True love costs.  It costs time.  It requires self-denial.  It might cost energy and money.  But we cannot say we love or care if we are not willing to pay the price.  I have witnessed Monica care in such a way for over 40 years.  An amazing work in the village of Obambo, Kenya exists as witness to that commitment.  I am so thankful that in her hour of need such a wonderful group of people have rallied around and shown love the Bible way. Over the next days, Monica will be meeting with specialists, have further tests and discover what treatment she needs (almost certainly surgery).  Please pray for her, her brother for whom this has been a deep shock, and for th team from Battle Baptist Church.  Pray too for their pastor, Denis, who during these same days lost his mother and is also coping with a very sick brother.  You can find a regularly updated page on our website. Our challenge for this week is to ask ourselves do we really care?  Are we really a caring church?  Is it visible and do others understand that it is motivated by the sacrificial love that Jesus has shown to us? From the Diary Sunday 1st March (Incidentally Doreen and I celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary today) I am taking the Morning Meeting at Yelvertoft, Northamptonshire  (the first time after a 3 week absence through illness). Monday 2nd March - Lubenham School assembly (Leicestershire) Tuesday 3rd March - Planning meeting for 'Holiday at Home' Outreach in Market Harborough in the morning and back after the break to HMP Gartree in the afternoon. Thursday 5th March - the third of our lent series "Faith through Other Eyes"   It has been great to see numbers grow.  See the website for summaries of the two meetings held so far. Friday 6th March - I am leading the meeting for the Women's World Day of Prayer at Crick, Northamptonshire. Saturday 7th March - routine hospital appointment with an endoscopy to check up on Barrett's Oesophagus. Sunday 8th March - back with my super folk at Yelvertoft once more. I am thankful that the consequences of the virus that attacked me are nearly gone.  Praise pray that these ill completely go.  This week i shall be able to schedule the next Rural Mission Webinar which I should be able to run without coughing throughout!

Next Rural Mission Webinar: Introduction to developing a bespoke mission programme for your church.  Biblical and practical principles involved that fits any size of church in any rural location.  Watch out for information coming your way.