Friday 23 September 2016

Diotrephes Could Harm Your Church

Beware of Diotrephes
There are some characters in scripture with whom it is a privilege to likened.  To be called a Timothy, or a Mary or a Martha could be flattering.  What you would not want to be called, is a Diotrephes.  I first heard someone called a Diotrephes when I was a teenager bursting with enthusiasm and frustrated because my church at the time seemed generally lifeless (at least to a critical teenager).  I cannot be sure exactly who the person I was speaking with was referring, but I know the kind of person she was describing.

Diotrephes gets just one brief mention in the New Testament, in 3 John verses 9 and 10.  Since he gets this mention, and his character and conduct also get described in detail, I presume that the Holy Spirit wants us to know about him, understand him, and avoid becoming like him.

His name is interesting as it means ‘nurtured by Zeus’.  We can conclude that he was a gentile Christian.  Zeus, the god of thunder, was the king of the gods of Mount Olympus, ruling with a rod of iron.  I find myself wondering whether Diotrephes had admired, or even worshipped Zeus before becoming a Christian.  His own behaviour is rather Zeus like. It certainly seems to me that he might well have brought something from his pre-conversion culture into his Christian life.  He likes to be seen to be important, and loves that important status, while exercising his leadership role in an autocratic – even dictatorial – manner.

We note first that this is contrast to the character and behaviour of Jesus.  He is the king who is gentle and comes riding on a donkey.  This is the one who entered the world in a stable, and who sought no glory for himself.  This is the one who humbled himself, divesting himself of the majestic splendour that was his by right.  This is the Master who washes feet.

We also note that this was contrary to the teaching of both Jesus and the apostles.  Jesus was clear that among his disciples there was no room for anyone who might seek to lord it over another.  On one occasion he spoke about the seating at a feast and the folly of claiming superiority.  Paul emphasises humility in Philippians 2:1-4.  In Romans 12:3 Paul encourages the Christians not to think of themselves more highly than they ought. The very principle of fellowship (Greek: Koinonia) is based upon essential equality.

Diotrephes’ longing to have the pre-eminence is not his only weakness.  He has also made himself the gatekeeper for the church of which he is a part.  He controls who or what may gain admittance.  The apostle John finds himself excluded.  In this respect he is not prepared to have his authority challenged, so anyone who does not fall in line with his decisions, he expels from the church.  No room for dissent.  He is an extreme example of what we usually call a control freak.

To these two bad characteristics is added a third.  He spreads around malicious nonsense.  No doubt to reinforce his own position and opinions and defend himself from any criticism he employs slander and gossip. Here then is a man who has an inflated opinion of his own worth, is dictatorial, controlling, and instead of speaking words of love, tells lies to deliberately hurt the innocent.  No wonder that John feels that it is important to call attention to his misdemeanours and urges his readers not to imitate what is evil but what is good.

I was once taught that in any social group there will be one or some who will take the lead.  When I asked how these could be identified, I was told look for the ones who others listen to.  These comments were made to me regarding small rural churches where it is often claimed there are no leaders.  We are currently living in days when authority is regularly challenged, and assertiveness is often praised.  Trying to provide leadership in churches is not a science but an art.  Diotrephes stands in scripture as a stark example about how not to do it.  In character and conduct he is a contrast to the character and conduct of our wonderful Saviour, whose model we are called to follow.  Unfortunately, that might also lead to some kind of crucifixion.

It seems to me that the spirit of this age is rebellion against authority.  For those of us who are Christians, dissent should always be tempered with love, and those in leadership must not stifle the opinions of others.  In God’s economy, all are valued.  If we can get our relationships right, seeking to prefer one another, considering others better than ourselves, we will be a light in the darkness. Beware Diotrephes, for he can emerge from anywhere within our churches.

From the Diary
Give thanks to God for an excellent time at the Rural Likewise event in North Nibley, Gloucestershire last Tuesday.  Thirty people registered mostly from small rural churches.  I heard much that was encouraging and even exciting.

This Saturday, 24th September I shall be taking part in the Congregational Federation’s Mission and Society Committee in Nottingham.  This is an important committee so please pray.

Much of my time is currently being spent preparing for various upcoming events.  On Thursday and Friday, 29th and 30th September I shall be taking part in the Enabling Group for Churches Together in England.  On the Thursday evening I have the privilege to talk about the Congregational Federation and chose to share this with my friend and colleague from the United Reformed Church as both traditions share a common history marked by courage and conviction and which has led to the blessing of many.  Please pray that what is said and how it is said may glorify Jesus and bless all.

On Saturday 1st October (where has this year gone!) I will be leading an online seminar on the theme of the powerful influence of image.  Tragically, the failure of many churches to recognise the importance of image means that the message they long to share with others is drowned out by the many unspoken messages we give out daily.  There is still time to book your place for this event if you have not done so.  It is free.  It starts at 9.00 and runs for 45 minutes, with a lot to think about.  All that is needed is an internet connection with sound.  This is really an important topic so in addition to praying for it, please encourage others as well as registering yourself at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7965285920768011533

Sunday 2nd October starts a very busy week which includes, among other activities, a trustees meeting for Sunrise Ministries, the charity title for Rural Mission Solutions.  In the midst of this busy period I am reminded of the words of Martin Luther who suggested that at times like this one should spend more time in prayer.

Thank you for your prayers on my behalf.  It means so much to me
.
Barry



Saturday 10 September 2016

Children and Church - Are they Disadvantaged?

Over the last day or so in the UK there has been concern expressed politically about how we educate children, about their potential, and about what they should be entitled to receive as they grow towards maturity.  Strangely, for the latter part of the week I had already decided to focus on children and church as the theme for this week’s Praise and Prayer News.

I have various thoughts running around my head, which I hope I will be able to express meaningfully within the limits of this e-letter.  But the bottom line is that we seem to get it seriously wrong in so many of our churches.

We might pay lip service to the value that God seems to place on children.  We might refer to the words of Jesus, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”  We might tell with wonder of the little child prophet, Samuel, or of the way that Timothy grew up knowing the scriptures from childhood and, while still relatively young, became a Christian leader.  One of our favourite stories is certain to be David and Goliath.  Though we do not know David’s exact age when he felled the giant, we tend to present him as no older than a young teenager.  Then there was little Miriam and her role in the life of her baby brother, Moses, and the little servant girl who brought about the healing of Naaman.  God clearly works in and through the lives of children as well he does with adults.

But in the life of our churches, children are usually marginalised, poorly taught, excluded from Christian service, and frequently barely tolerated.  One reason for this is the discontinuity between the kingdom of God and our churches, which we have institutionalised.  Instead of modelling our churches on the principles of the kingdom of God, we have modelled them to reflect our preferences as to how we like to worship, who can minister, and the style in which this is done. Adults today are still often doing what those early disciples did to the children (see Luke 18: 15-17) and denying them full access.

In a special service for welcoming a new minister to a Methodist Circuit recently we were informed that he had chosen the hymns except for the second hymn which his toddler daughter had chosen.  It turned out to be an action song, “Sing a song, sing a joyful song”.  When we got to the verse, “Clap your hands, clap your hands like this….” Several in the congregation clapped to the rhythm.  But when we got to the verse, “Jump up and down, up and down and around…” there was only one adult who seemed to be prepared to make a fool of himself, and sing this worship song to Jesus the way it was intended.  The rest remained dignified!  I wondered what the new minister’s family, which clearly valued the place of their little girl, might have thought if the whole congregation (or at least as many as possible) had jumped up and down, up and down and around!  What would it have signalled?  If we want to take children seriously, sometimes we need to be prepared to have a bit of fun with them, unapologetically.
In Rural Mission Solutions we try to put high value on our ministry to and with children.  My former colleague, Monica Cook, and I wrote a paper entitled Releasing the Potential (availableon the website)I am delighted that our current Children and Families Work Adviser has the same view. Our vision is to help churches developed programmes for both adults and children, that help people come to faith, grow in faith and go in faith.  Part of doing this effectively will be having some measures in place to test progress (but I’m not advocating church stats!).  But unless children are able to articulate their faith (in their own words and ways) how will we know if we have effectively communicated the gospel to them. How can we determine whether they are growing in discipleship if they are held back from opportunities to exercise the gifts and ministries that God gives to them?

At the service at Fleckney Baptist Church last Sunday I was specifically informed that one of the children would bring the offertory prayer.  He did so brilliantly. In one of my churches I occasionally had the bread and wine served by children to adults.  In an Essex church I attended once I found over 50 children running a prayer meeting before Sunday School.  In a Primary School in Sussex, Christian children asked teaching staff if they could start a Christian meeting during the lunch break.  When they were told that there would not be a teacher available they told the head teacher that was OK as they were capable of running it themselves.  And they did so!

So I appeal that we make more space in our churches for children, and that we run well designed programmes that have those three aims built in.  Let’s help children come to faith, to grow in faith and to go in faith.  Let’s make church more like the kingdom of God.  But be warned:  if we get it right, the adults might have difficulty keeping up!

From the Diary
We give God thanks and praise for the blessings on our ministry on Sunday and through the week.  We also give God thanks for some progress made at the recent Court hearing to resolve a difficult Trust management issue relating to a Will.  The trustees (of which I am one) are seeking a more manageable situation that ensures a better and safer future for a beneficiary.  But it means change – and that is resisted.  Prayers for grace and wisdom are appreciated.

This Sunday, 11th September I will be taking the morning meeting for Newark Congregational Church.

On Tuesday 13th I have a school assembly to take and my regular work in HMP Gartree.

On Thursday 15th I am taking part in a visit to a small rural church in Northamptonshire which looks likely to close.  We need to assess this situation carefully.

On SATURDAY 17th Katrina Thomas and I are holding a meeting at Herstmonceux, East Sussex in the morning, in order to introduce Katrina to friends and supporters in the area and to share the vision for her part in our ministry.  We have had a lot of apologies sent so I am hoping that there will still be a reasonable attendance.  We intend to follow up this event with some gatherings for those responsible for children’s work in rural churches.  This is part of re-launching this aspect of ministry.  This is a key activity for your prayers please.

On Sunday 18th I will be speaking at St. Leonards Baptist Church where I grew up, came to faith and was effectively sent out in ministry.  It will be great to spend time there and I hope that I bless them.

Thank you for your prayers and gifts for the work.  Please do not leave the issue I have raised about the place of children in your church (or their absence) to others.  We all need to examine our attitudes and get a serious discussion going.  Katrina and I will be happy to help you with that if needed.

May the Lord abundantly bless you.

Barry





Saturday 3 September 2016

Feeling Out of Your Depth

When my grandfather was asked if he could swim, he assured me that he swam like a brick and could dive like a shovel.  Now that I’m my grandfather’s age at that time I guess it describes my swimming ability pretty well.  As a child I was afraid of water and dreaded school trips to swimming baths.  Later, with several friends I went to a series of adult swimming lessons.  It was quite a big group with two instructors.  Unfortunately, I was average and the instructors divided their time helping the worst and best of the class.  By the end of the course if I tried to swim freestyle I almost immediately went upright.  But I could float happily on my back, swam the width of the pool doing breaststroke and the length of the pool doing backstroke as long as the instructor walked alongside with a pole handy in case I got into trouble.  They declared me a swimmer but I have rarely been in a pool since.

Like many non-swimmers I am worried about getting out of my depth, and never developed the skill of treading water.  Strangely, so far, when life circumstances have resulted in my finding myself out of my depth, I haven’t panicked. And there are times when I do feel that circumstances have developed to cause me to be out of my depth.

We know that the apostle Peter could swim.  In John chapter 21 we read of Peter jumping out of a boat and swimming to the shore to meet the risen Jesus (see John 21: 7-14).  But on another occasion (see Matthew 14: 22-33) , when Peter had a go at walking on the water, he cried out to be saved as he began to sink beneath the waves.  When he swam he was not far from shore; when he tried to walk on water he was in the middle of the Lake of Galilee.  Perhaps Peter had a thing about not wanting to be out of his depth.

Even though Peter seems to be an impetuous character, at times he seems very cautious.  He was somewhat tentative about going to the home of Cornelius, and took others to support him.  On another occasion, he got into trouble by compromising on the issue of law and grace.  Sometimes we find ourselves in situations where our faith seems to be stretched thin and we lose our peace as the waves of the circumstances overwhelm us.  I have several friends who are currently doing battle with cancer.  Indeed, my own wife recently had surgery to remove a tumour.  Most seem to cope incredibly well.  The same cannot always be said of those who are closely related to them, who often feel suddenly out of their depth.

Sickness, financial difficulties, bad things that other members of our families do or are done to them, the sudden loss of employment, the breakdown of what had previously been a loving relationship, are just some of the things that can cause us to feel out of our depth.  Disobedience to God’s clear guidance got Jonah out of his depth in a violent life-threatening storm (See Jonah 1).  We don’t know whether he could swim but he knew the only hope for all concerned was to abandon himself to the waves.  Once I allowed myself to be talked out of what God had clearly shown me was his will for me.  Instead of acting immediately as I should have done, I agreed to delay the action by 24 hours.  In that time the opportunity was lost.  I felt suddenly out of my depth as far as my purpose in God’s plan was concerned.  Fortunately, God seems to have a ‘shoal of large fish’ for such occasions that get us back on course.

I love the story of Jesus walking on the water because everything that Peter feared was about to be over his head, was already under the Master’s feet!

One of these days, courage and opportunity will combine and I will get into a swimming pool again.  Fear must not deny me the enjoyment of swimming.  If fear is holding you back from pursuing something God has laid out before you, I hope you will trust the Lord and ‘dive in’.  Sometimes the pathway of discipleship takes us out of our depth.  If we find the courage to trust God at such a time we usually find the experience is nowhere as daunting as we feared it would be.

From the Diary

Praise God:  Following a successful webinar on 27th August we produced it as a video, which can be seen at https://youtu.be/IX0yZNXqrP8On the day I had a bit of a cough and lack of experience means there is a hiatus for a few seconds when I tried to launch a poll.  But we are getting better.  Super to work with Gordon Banks on this.  Lots of good ideas for the autumn.  Do take a look.

Praise God:  This Saturday (3rd September) I ran a forum as a follow up to the webinar.  This is a new development but adds value to the webinar for anyone who wants to discuss anything in depth.

Sunday 4th Sept. – I will be taking the service at Fleckney Baptist Church, Leics in the morning, then in the afternoon attending a welcoming service for a new Methodist Minister.  In the evening I will be speaking at Narborough Congregational Church, near Leicester.

Tuesday 6th Sept – after my regular work at the prison Doreen and I set off for Kent and Sussex.  Doreen will spend a few days with her sister in Rainham, while I travel on to Herstmonceux ready for an important Court hearing on Wednesday morning.  I am a trustee under a will for a good friend and colleague who died in 1979.  My co-trustee and I are seeking to change how we are managing this trust as it has become very difficult and one beneficiary is vulnerable.  Change is often resisted, but resisting our proposed change will impose great difficulties.  Please pray for a wise judge!

Sunday 11the Sept – Newark Congregational Church.

Please pray for Sue Newnham, her husband Tony and the rest of their family.  Sue has just been admitted to hospital with ovarian cancer diagnosed.  Both Tony and Sue are good friends of ours, and former colleagues in mission. They face a challenging time as Sue undergoes treatment.  The situation is still only at an early stage.  Anyone reading this who remembers Tony and Sue but has lost touch, please let me know and I will gladly connect you again.

Other former colleagues needing prayer:  Heather Stainer and Sylvia Lavender both now in care.  Please uphold them and Philip and Alfred (respective husbands) at this time.

Doreen (my wife) is making a good recovery from her cancer operation.  I have several other colleagues and friends battling serious illness.  I am trying to keep in touch and value your prayers as I try to offer encouragement to them.

The routine work of research, writing and training goes on.  A big thank you for your prayers and also for the practical support that keeps our ministry going.

May the Lord abundantly bless you.

Barry