Agabus

I preached about Agabus today.

In doing so I reminded the Church of the key prophecies we have had spoken over us in the last 15 years.

What amazes me is how many of them have come to reality.

It is not the words shared that are the real key, but rather actually doing something about it.

No point finding out about a famine in Judea unless you do something about it! (Acts 11)

So it is with us.

Defining your Church

It can sometimes be difficult to define your Church.

People use all sorts of long words and definitions to make sure you know exactly what they are and probably make it abundantly clear what they are not.

We had a brilliant Fun Day yesterday.

There were over 200 guests, with 79 little faces painted and a brilliant local community event.

But one little moment really struck me.

A lady was taking her son to help themselves to the free refreshments.

"You come around here" she told the nervous child "and help yourself to a drink".

and then the line that really won it for me

"It is just like the baptist Church, but without the biscuits"

Next time someone asks me what kind of Church I go to, I am very tempted to reply "We're a bit like the Baptist Church, but without the biscuits"

I love my job...

What a day Wednesday was!

We started with checking my emails; you never know what surprises await!

A pastoral team meeting followed; which is where we consider how to best support those in the Church who need a little bit more support. The love and care shown within the Church continues to astound me, as does the faithful discipleship of those facing difficulties in life.

A few phone calls follow; including one with a local lady minister in training who is helping with a major outreach project I am involved with and a local baptist pastor. We're meeting on Friday to discuss future joint mission events in Shrewsbury.

Next up came a phone call with a local Church administrator I have much affinity with, having done a similar role here for years. We shared ideas, encouraged one another, and he gave me a useful press contact. We are working together; brilliant.

I had an appointment cancelled due to illness which was sad but helped me to catch up with all sorts of bit and bobs of admin. Urgent but not (that) important bits and pieces.

I found out that the council has allocated £2000 towards a Cage Football project I have been pioneering, giving us £11,000 towards a total cost of £12,000, and adding to the £3,000 I got from the Police. Yet I also received disappointment that further funding has been delayed, leaving me £1000 short. That is a bit gutting to be honest.

Next up came a 2 hour strategic meeting with my fellow elders and some very exciting ideas for the future. As a Church we are 25 years old and established in our town (having successfully planted 2 other Churches): the question now is what do we want to be in 25 years time?

I arrive home to find an email from a local businessman I know through the football club saying he is a trustee of a local charity and he has seen Cage Football in the local paper and wants to fund any shortfall, and if he can't through his charity he will through his business. Can you believe it? 3 hours after the bad news comes the provision. Jehovah is still Jireh yeah?

Back from that and a quick change of gear and a visit to a couple, the chap being the son of some of our Church members. They want a humanist wedding and they want me to lead it because of my positive relationship with him. It was great to spend time with them, affirm their desire to marry, and explain how my faith encourages me to consider all marriage as good. I also said how much I respected their authenticity by not wanting a Church wedding if they don't believe in God.

Back to our Church Centre for the Freedom in Christ course, except now I find that due to illness I need to help with an Alpha group instead. Wow! I have not led an Alpha group for a couple of years but it is goes great. Why did Jesus die? I mean, can you get a better thing to discuss with people on their journey towards faith? Dinner includes Cumberland sausages, what is not to like?

A lady member of our Church who has recently experienced a miscarriage tells me my blog posts on the subject have been a help to her; a precious moment.

As I leave a guy wants a private word and asks me all about the authenticity of Scripture regarding possible copying errors in response to my talk on the Bible in a previous week. Brilliant! Let's have a look.

Home I go, taking a lad home who expresses how helpful Sunday's "Steps to Freedom in Christ" day was for him.

I may be tired as I catch the tail end of the Champions League highlights, but God is good, all the time, but my gosh He is today.

Unlikely Heroes

He have been doing a preaching series on "Unlikely Heroes"

It has been very, very well received.

Firstly Mary Magdelene.

Then my turn: Boaz. What a great guy and such a good subject.

But this week?

Naaman's wife's servant!

Now that is unlikely! Probably even unknown!

And yet maybe 40-50 responded for prayer having been enlightened as to her compassion, her courage and her faith.

There is still time for Priscilla and Aquila, followed by Agabus.

Right the way through scripture there are these characters and these stories of every day people becoming part of God's overall story through following Him.

A bit like us really.

Freedom in Christ away day

Yesterday we took over 20 people through the Freedom in Christ Steps day.

Every time it amazes me.

It is just so straight forward.

It is between you and God.

Nothing is hyped up.

And yet people react in such different ways, as things come to the surface.

Again our team serving commented "I wish something like this was available when I became a Christian"

Well it is now, so we use it, and over half the guests were from our pre christmas Alpha Course.