The Importance of Praise

I wonder whether you have ever reflected on the importance of praise.  All Christians that  I know seem to feel that it is important to praise God.  But why?  Is it that God has feelings of insecurity and needs to be encouraged?  Of course not.  Could it be that God is an egoist, Is that how we should understand passages such as Isaiah 42: 8 where we read "...my glory I will not give to another, neither my praise to graven images"?  Again that does not seem right.  Incidentally there is a lack of biblical evidence of God asking to be praised, though there are vast numbers of reference to the importance and value of praising God.

Recently I felt moved to write to George Verwer, founder of the missionary movement,Operation Mobilisation.  I came under the influence of George's ministry when I was 17 and he was kind enough to write me a long letter with helpful advice after that encounter.  I just thought it would be right to let him know the influence he had on my life since that time and how much that had been multiplied as by God's grace I have served him these past 50 years.  In turn George gratefully and effusively give thanks for the ministry of Dr Billy Graham through whom he came to faith.

Today I received two unexpected, and certainly unsolicited, expressions of praise.  One came from a young man who spoke out openly in a meeting.  The other came in a Facebook message.  Both moved me deeply.  I am profoundly grateful as it makes me feel that my labour is not in vain in the Lord (I know the Bible tells me that but it's good to get it confirmed!)  I have written before on the practise of saying thank you to people who do the most mundane and unpleasant jobs.  I have seen faces light up and heard people say, "You're the first person who has ever thanked me".

Anyone who has undergone any management or leadership training should know how vital it is to praise those who are 'subordinate' to you in any way.  Within our families we may have experienced what happens when a parent praises a child or a child praises his or her parents.  To praise only to achieve better or committed good performance is disingenuous and unworthy,  On the other hand, isn't it sad that only one of the ten men who had leprosy returned to thank Jesus. (See Luke 17: 11-19)

But does God need to be praised.  Why doe the psalmists and others make such a big deal about it?  At a basic level, praise gives feedback of understanding and appreciation for some benefit.  If we realise how great God is and how amazing is his love for us and his saving work, his daily care and provision for us, and his answers to our prayers, then we will be unable to stop ourselves from praising him.  The strange thing is that when those moments of understanding dawn on me and praise bubbles up and finds release in words, the enjoyment of the blessing is immediately multiplied and the praise also increases.

Please understand this: if you do not frequently find yourself lost in praise and unable to hold back from speaking it out, then you are not normal!  For praising God is not important for God; it is immensely important for the recipients of his grace and goodness.  It also follows that if you do not appreciate being praised your are not normal.  We all like to feel that we are appreciated and that what we do for others is important.  So please do not withhold praise because you fear someone might become proud.  One of the best sermons I have ever preached was on humility!  The fund was speaking with people afterwards who had clearly appreciated the message but felt confused as to whether or not they should say so!

So bags of praise upwards to God, and bags of praise to others who deserve your encouragement.  And while we are at it, lets follow the examples of the disciples in the upper room when the Spirit fell on them and could not help speaking out his praise - the wonderful works of God.  Pray God it will have the same impact on others amazed at our Spirit-inspired praise who will then hear an explanation that will bring then to share both our faith and our joy.

Monica Cook
Monica has started her course of radiotherapy.  She informed she did not feel anxious when going for the fist session and side effects have so far not been too bad.

Rural Mission Webinar
I am running a free online seminar this Saturday 11th April 9.00 am to 9.45 at the latest.  We will be looking at why and how to develop sustainable bespoke rural mission strategies for village churches.  The challenge I am finding is how to say enough and maintain focus.  There is so much more I would love to share but this will provide material for further webinars.  If you want to take part please click on this link to register (you will be asked to give your name and email address) and you will then be sent by return the access information.  If you are reading this before the webinar ends please also pray for its effectiveness.

The Diary
We had a wonderful Easter Sunday Family Service.  Some mature Christians described it as the best they had experienced.  It was clear to me that God was in our midst.  We give him the glory.

My routine (!) visit to HMP Gartree on Tuesday was a useful time.  Numbers in the choir have fallen partly because of behavioural problems from newer members who have ADHD.  We are now managing this far better and pray that past members will return.

Doreen and I spent Tuesday afternoon to Friday afternoon at the Congregational Federation's Leadership Conference at Hothorpe Hall.  It was a real blessing.

On Sunday, together with two other trustees I will be attending the morning service atDunks Green Evangelical Church near Sevenoaks.  After lunch together we will be discussing constitutional issues with the members.  I will then travel on to Herstmonceux to share in their evening prayer meeting.

On Monday, with my fellow trustees we will continue the process of closing down the Action for Christ offices at Bodiam.  Already quite a lot of the office equipment has been sold.  We hope to sell more on the Monday and will be moving archived material to store at Dunks Green.

On Tuesday I have various other duties in East Sussex and the day will include a visit to Monica at Battle and some office work at her home.  I will be returning home on Wednesday.   On Wednesday I will take past in a Committee Meeting for the Rural Evangelism Network.

Please pray for Doreen while I am away, that she will be kept safe from falls.

On Thursday we are starting a new term of Bible Discussion Meetings at Yelvertoft.

On Friday I expect to travel to Worcestershire for a short mission consultation with an Anglican Benefice.

On Saturday morning it will be Get Messy (Messy Church) at Yelvertoft, and ministry there on Sunday.

Pray for safe travelling, wisdom in business activities, grace in all things and for Jesus to be glorified by deeds and words.

Thank you.

Yours, still praising!

Barry

Easter Op[portunities

I pray with all my heart that this Easter will be a time of great blessing in your life and that many more will come to know the risen Saviour.

I wonder whether you have noticed that there are two key moments in the account of the journey on the Emmaus Road (Luke 24:13-35).  The two travellers had obviously left their journey until the afternoon.  It might have taken them three or four hours and they needed to get there before nightfall  Dusk would have come around 6.00pm.  Luke tells us that Cleopas and his companion are deep in conversation as they are walking.  It is clear that they are confused, disturbed and distressed.  Their expectation concerning Jesus seem to now be shattered.  

It is here that the first of the two key moments takes place:"Jesus himself came up and walked along with them" (Luke 24: 15).  I love that Luke puts it that way: "Jesus himself...."  We cannot be sure exactly who Cleopas was and we certainly do not know who his companion was.  We could say that in the ranks of disciples they are not particularly significant.  But it is Jesus himself who is to brighten their day and change their lives.  He could have sent an angel but he came himself.  At that moment they are unable to recognise him; he was just a stranger on the road.  There is no suggestion of their inviting him to join them.  Jesus has taken the initiative.  But as he enters into their situation they could have ignored him.  What would they have missed had they done so!

The second key moment takes place a few hours later.  In the intervening time Jesus has been referring to passages throughout the Hebrew Scriptures.  I wonder which Messianic prophecies he quoted and in what order.  How they must have wondered at the knowledge of this stranger.  How their hearts burned within them as truth dawned on their darkness scattering the shadows of doubt.  It all began to make sense.  But now they have reached a fork in the road.  They are turning towards the village but he looks as if he is going on another way.  Once again there is a moment of opportunity.  They could simply have thanked him and bade him goodbye.

Luke uses an interesting phrase translated from the NT Greek as "strongly urged".  They do their best to persuade him to spend more time with them.  Was it for his benefit or theirs?  I suspect while they expressed concern for the stranger continuing as darkness was about to fall, they had another motive.  They wanted more of his company.  Note that this time the initiative is with them.  They have to act.  They have to be willing to make him their honoured guest.  And by doing so they had the most fantastic experience.  Can you imagine their emotions in that moment of recognition that this was none other than Jesus risen from the dead.  No wonder they immediately retraced their steps to Jerusalem.  Do you think they left everything on the table?  I think they probably did.  There was an exciting motivation to share the good news with others and it could not wait until morning.  Darkness dangers, difficulties - nothing would impeded their mission.

How does this account relate to our own experience?  Can you recognise a moment of realisation that Jesus had drawn close to you?  You might not be able to identify the exact moment but you know he has been helping you realise the truth of his Word.  But what about that second crisis?  Has there been a deep desire to know more of his presence?  Have you made him your honoured guest, putting him before yourself?  If you have then you too will know the blessings that follow.

I pray that we will all know such a sense of his presence that our hearts burn within us and our feet run to share good news with others.

The Rural Mission Webinar
I would like to encourage you to switch on your computer and turn up the sound next Saturday 11th April at 9.00am (BST) (8.00 GMT) when I will be talking about developing sustainable bespoke strategies in mission that suit and fit whatever our church and location are like..  Bespoke strategies develop from an understanding of who we are as a local church, what we have as resources, and where we are located.  We will explore the biblical principles and the rationale for developing your own unique programmes. The webinar lasts no more than 40 minutes.  Whether you are a church leader or an ordinary member, whether lay or ordained you should find this well worth while attending.

Please register to attend as soon as possible.  Click this link to get the process started.  If you have tried to register in the past and have not received the confirmation message please register again.  You will be asked to supply your name and email address (for my benefit) and you will be supplied with information as to how to log on next Saturday.  Once you join the webinar you can either just sit back, watch and listen or you can interact if you wish.  All will be explained at the beginning. These on-line seminars are a great way to share information without the usual geographical limitations.  Please pray for this event.

From the Diary
Easter Sunday 5th April - Easter Family Service at Yelvertoft Congregational Church, Northants.
Tuesday 7th to Friday 10th Doreen and I will be attending a Leaders' Conference at Hothorpe Hall, Leics.
Tuesday 7th - the regular visit to Gartree Prison, Leics.
Wednesday 8th - Monica Cook starts radiotherapy for her brain tumour.  Please support her with your prayers.
Saturday 11th - 9.00 The Rural Mission Webinar.  In the early evening I have a meeting to attend before driving to Kent.
Sunday 12th - Dunks Green Evangelical Free Church, Kent (an Action for Christ project)
Over the next three days I will continue in East Sussex helping to close down the Action for Christ Office at Bodiam, visiting Monica and carrying out a number of other duties.
Wednesday 15th - Rural Evangelism Network Committee via video link.
Friday 17th - a rural mission consultation for an Anglican benefice in Worcestershire.
Saturday 168h - 'Get Messy' (Messy Church), Yelvertoft.

Some friends will know John Bradley, a former trustee of Sunrise Ministries and a great colleague in ministry.  John is also battling cancer and i commend him and his family to your prayers.  John almost always responds to these Praise & Prayer News and sent me a great story based on last week's theme.  Thank you John.

Thank you for your prayers and support and for the various Easter Greetings received.  Journey with Jesus and discover great blessing.

Barry

"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.

Church Leaders is it a biblical concept?

One of the topics that came up at a recent editorial meeting for Country Way was the nature of church leadership.  We were essentially thinking about leadership in rural church situations.  I raised a question regarding whether the polity of our different denominations was a factor in determining leadership style.  Watch out for a forthcoming issue of Country Way to see how this is further explored.

Here I want to ask the question, “Is leadership the appropriate word?”  It certainly is a contemporary term across the denominations.  The recent guidance given to training Bishops in the Church of England also highlights the subject.  But the term “leader” is not one that you will find in ant of the three New Testament passages where gifts and ministries are listed[1].  Indeed the term is used sparingly within the New Testament of the early churches.  Barsabbas and Silas are described as leaders from within the church at Jerusalem.  The only other references are in Hebrews 13. Even these must be considered in the light of the words of Jesus whose only reference to leaders among his disciples is in Luke 22:26 “the leader must be like the one who serves”.

Leadership has become a generic term as there has been growing realisation of the limitation in the pastor/teacher model that served churches well in the past. But unfortunately the term carries with it certain images and expectations that are unhelpful within a Christian context.  That said, I am reminded of a conversation that I had with the late Dr Donald McGavran many years ago.  He had been emphasising the importance of good leadership for church growth.  I had pointed out that many rural churches were lacking in leadership.  He then asserted that in any social group leaders naturally emerge and that to identify them you only have to see who gets listened to.

Of course there are various models of leadership.  When I did my university studies in management we even considered Jesus as one model for contemporary leadership. Some leaders are more assertive while others are more consultative in style.  Contemporary gurus on the subject will point out the need to adapt an appropriate style of leadership dependent upon the circumstances at the time.  That is to say that the one leader might sometimes need to be assertive at important moments but might otherwise be consultative.

As a minister within a Congregational tradition my own understanding of leadership style is tempered by the fact that I am under the authority of our Church Meeting.  My congregation might expect clear leadership from me but that must remain balanced by limited authority at all times.

I would much prefer a clear return to an understanding of ministry within our churches as relating to the diverse charisms or gifts that are mentioned in Scripture.  No one should be expected to exercise any kind of ministry beyond that which has been given by God and proved within the churches.  Let pastors care, evangelists proclaim, teachers teach, etc.   Leadership should never be one size fits all.

The biblical ‘offices’ within the churches of elders/bishops and deacons are about service and not about status.  We must never forget that Jesus taught that in the kingdom of God there is no such thing as rank!  I regularly hear lip service being given by church leaders regarding being like servants.  But it is not about acting it is about accepting the role of a servant.  It is what we are and we must never forget that.

Within one short list of ministries in 1Corinthians 12: 27-29 Paul refers to what the AV translates as ‘governments’ and most other modern translation present as ‘administration’.  But the Greek word which is translated here is ‘kybernesis’ and comes from the sense of piloting a ship (the noun can be found in Acts 27:11). This particular gift (among the many) carries a sense of true leadership.  It is about understanding the journey and how to make progress safely until the desired destination is reached.  As one of my university lecturers said, a good team leader is someone who is like a helicopter and can rise above a situation to take in the wider picture and implications, but then descend again to show the way ahead.

So, if you are defined as a ‘church leader’ I urge you to know your real gift and stay true to that.  Do not let your own or another’s expectations force you into a non-biblical role that could lead to burn out and frustration.  If you are among the led rather than the leaders please do not place this non-biblical expectation upon others.  Leadership will always exist and take various forms, but what really matters is that the many gifts that God has given within his Church are allowed space to be exercised for the common good and growth of his Church.

From the Diary:

Thank you for your prayers.  The chest infection is slowly clearing up and I am getting back into work after a two weeks break.  Please continue your prayers for a complete healing and also for my colleague Monica who needs God’s touch at this time.

“Faith through other eyes”, our Lent series at Yelvertoft got off to a good start last Thursday when the Senior Pastor of the Elim Pentecostal Church spoke of his particular tradition and what he values within it.  The meeting was well attended and well received. We have an interesting diversity of representatives of other Christian traditions and other faiths over the coming five weeks.  For more details click here.

We had a great “Get Messy in Yelvertoft” meeting this Saturday morning, using the theme of love.  Please pray for the children and parents who attended that we do not see on other occasions.  Give thanks for the excellent and willing team.  Click here for more information

Sunday 22^nd February I will attend the Parish Communion Service in Great Bowden, Leics and speak about our summer outreach programme, “Holiday at Home”.  We are seeking to enlarge the team and appoint a new co-ordinator.

Tuesday 24^th February I hope to be fit enough to go to HMP Gartree for my regular work with a group of lifers in the prison choir.

Thursday 26^th February the second in our Lent series at Yelvertoft.

Saturday 28^th February Congregational Federation Mission and Society Committee meeting in Nottingham

Sunday 29^th February Yelvertoft Congregational Church

During this week I will be following up two request received recently to provide guidance on appropriate and effective evangelism.  I hope also to set the date for the deferred Rural Mission Webinar.

Thank you so much for your faithful fellowship.

Barry

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[1] There are lists of ministries and gifts to be found in Romans 12:1-8; 1Corinthians 12:  Ephesians 4: 7-16.  There is no suggestion that these provide an exhaustive list, but they do identify God’s gifts to the Church.

What Might Revival Look Like?

Since the moment God took hold of my whole heart when I was seventeen I have maintained an interest in the subject of Revival.  This was partly because I had grown up in a church where I had been taught the gospel faithfully in Sunday School but where, it seemed to me, there was no real experience of the presence or power of God within the church.  The minister of the church was a good man but was being careful what he preached as he didn’t want to split the congregation.  For me, as a critical teenager, the church seemed pretty dead.  Together with some other Christian young people we decided to do something about this and started a weekly prayer meeting for revival.

Over the following few months the church changed radically.  Many of the teenagers who attended youth club made commitments to Christ.  The weekly church prayer meeting attendance grew and there was new passion in the prayers.  The minister and deacons experienced an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  There was new life in the church services.  God heard and answered prayer.

Our prayers at this time were based upon Habakkuk 3:2

“O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known;
in wrath remember mercy.” (KJV)

Contemporary translations tend not to use the word “revive” but speak of God repeating his deeds.  The only other explicit references to national/spiritual revival in the Bible are in Psalm 80:18 and Psalm 85:6.  God describes himself as a reviver in Isaiah 57:15.

While there have been numerous localised revival experiences the UK experienced two major regional revivals during the 20^th century.  One of these affected people in south Wales and the other affected people in the Hebrides. Both had wide reaching affect upon the spiritual and social life of the areas.  In Wales crime seemed to disappear and the pit ponies were confused when the men working them treated them with kindness!

As a young man I read avidly anything I could find on revival.  Significant among this were the writings of Charles Finney and reports of his meetings in the USA. In his Lecture II “When a revival is to be expected” he includes a section on “When a Revival of Religion is Needed”. Here he lists seven situations including where there is a lack of brotherly love and Christian confidence, where there are jealousies and dissensions, where there is a worldly spirit in the Church, where there is gross or scandalous sin among church members, where there is a spirit of controversy, where the Church is mocked, and where people in society are careless about sin.  I guess this could be summed up by saying when things within the churches are not what they could and should be and our impact upon society is weak.

Revival is not about some ‘new thing’.  It is about the recovery of the way things should be.  Recently I have been unwell having succumbed to a virus that impaired my breathing and speaking, gave me pains and sore throats, and left me feeling bereft of energy.  Now my health is slowly reviving – getting back to normal. While for several weeks I have been acutely aware of the need for my health to revive, I suspect that the spiritual malaise which afflicts so many churches all too easily becomes accepted as the norm.

“Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?“ (Psalm 85:6)

Revival brings a renewal of passion. But that is not mere emotionalism. It is a passion for all that God longs to bring into our lives.  It is a passion for prayer and the reading of scripture.  It is a passion for sharing the gospel and seeing men, women and children put their trust in Jesus.  It is a passion for the coming in of the kingdom of God within the world as it is today.

Jesus promised the presence of God in a new way.  This involves the Holy Spirit within us.  That is within ordinary believers: male and female, young and old, rich or poor. The New Testament reveals the importance of this experience of the Holy Spirit so that we might live holy lives and be effective witnesses to the gospel.  While the early Church was never perfect (or at least not for long) it is revealed as a Church with real and deep experience of the Holy Spirit possessing God’s people.  This is the norm against which we should measure our own experiences.  But we do well to note that it carries a cost.

Revival is most definitely a need today.  It is not so much about how much of the Holy Spirit we possess as how much of us he possesses.  Revival usually seems to start when a few men and women become dissatisfied with the status quo and realise that things could be better.  One person burning with a love for Jesus can catch others on fire. Oh, that it might be me… or you.

From the Diary:

For almost all this month so far I have been unwell with a chest infection and other viral problems.  Consequently there is little to report.  My colleague, Monica Cook has also been unwell and I commend her to your prayers.

The Week of Prayer at Yelvertoft, Crick and Lilbourne was a great success.  Some information is available on the Yelvertoft website and will be updated further.

We are holding a series of Lent Meetings on the theme “Faith through Other Eyes”.  More details here.  The first one starts this Thursday morning.

Because of the health complication I have deferred the online seminar on tailoring mission strategies for rural churches.  Please watch out for information.

We value your prayers for “Get Messy in Yelvertoft” which is a form of Messy Church.  We meet again this Saturday 21^st February in the morning.  Please pray for numerical growth.

Sunday 22^nd February I will be speaking about “Holiday at Home” at the Parish Church in Great Bowden, Leics.  H@H is a wonderful mission programme but we need additional involvement from local churches in the Market Harborough area.  Please pray as I seek to share the vision.

Thank you for your faithfulness in prayer.  Please drop us a line.

Barry