tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52915916346971412882024-03-22T02:38:04.773+00:00The Road to "Elder" adoMy journey in Church leadership, with my heart on my sleeve.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger367125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291591634697141288.post-19103358673650678072013-05-10T11:25:00.001+01:002013-05-10T11:25:07.781+01:00Reports from CwmbranTwo people I trust have been to Cwmbran and I am delighted to read their experiences.<br />
<br />
Click their names to see their reviews.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://grahampyman.wordpress.com/2013/05/09/the-welsh-outpouring/" target="_blank">Graham Pyman</a> leads Jubilee Church in Derby.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.andyrobinson.org.uk/cwmbran/" target="_blank">Andy Robinson</a> leads Kings Church Horsham.<br />
<br />
My list of things I want to look out for as I approach stories of God being at move...<br />
<br />
1) Lots of talk about Jesus - using the bible to explain the good news<br />
2) Lots of emphasis on personal salvation <br />
3) No-one trying to push me over<br />
4) No heavy sell on "sowing into the revival"<br />
5) Little emphasis on outward manifestations<br />
<br />
It sounds like what is happening in Cwmbran is genuine and exciting.<br />
<br />
I can't wait to go and see it for myself. <br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291591634697141288.post-52246241858693577022013-05-08T14:39:00.004+01:002013-05-08T14:39:55.088+01:00Another year, Another outpouring...I have been hearing a few things about <a href="http://www.victorychurch.co.uk/" target="_blank">Victory Church</a> in Cwmbran over the years.<br />
<br />
Their Pastor Richard Taylor came to do an outreach event for us, and so I was able to meet him personally.<br />
<br />
He seemed like a genuine bloke - he is obviously quite a strong character, but I trusted him. I think he is straight.<br />
<br />
He used to be part of Renewal Centre in Solihull. He places a high priority on the preaching of the word. He says the right things about it being about Jesus not people.<br />
<br />
What I find quite interesting was that he was one of the most outspoken critics of the "Lakeland Outpouring", of Todd Bentley and of what was happening in Dudley. He took to youtube to publically lambast what was happening and call people to not get caught up in the daftness. With hindsight, he was right in many ways.<br />
<br />
News of "another" outpouring no longer excites me, but rather makes me feel a little twitchy. "Here we go again" is in the back of my mind, and yet the fact he is in the middle of it makes me particularly interested. Not because of anything special about him, but because I think he calls a spade a spade and the fact it is in his Church, given his previous views on similar claims by others, well it is just too intruiging to let go.<br />
<br />
The week after next I will be fairly close to Cwmbran and so am thinking of swinging by and taking a look. If God is at work I am up for seeing what is happening. I don't want the excess or the nonsense of the past rob me of the blessing of the day.<br />
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So I go there very alert, yet to be convinced, and hopeful of being blessed.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291591634697141288.post-5549373541174491672013-03-21T09:00:00.000+00:002013-03-22T12:44:46.399+00:00There is another skywalkerThere is some amazing news in the Matthias household.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/382258_10151294954146363_1141651158_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/382258_10151294954146363_1141651158_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The kind of mind blowingly, amazingly large news which makes me really happy.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://theroadtoelderado.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Miscarriage" target="_blank">It has not all been plain sailing</a><br />
<br />
And reading back that post I realised I used the "Not all plain sailing" line before. Well it wasn't!<br />
<br />
And this bit sounds daft, but I am actually really blessed by 227 "likes" on facebook for that photo.<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291591634697141288.post-70971398642496606882013-03-20T09:00:00.000+00:002013-03-20T09:00:07.648+00:00"Newfrontiers" nowOur Church website is about to be updated.<br />
<br />
Where we were "part of Newfrontiers, member of the Evangelical Alliance and a charitable company number..."<br />
<br />
We are now "A ChristCentral Church, part of Newfrontiers, members of the Evangelical Alliance and a charitable company..."<br />
<br />
Imagine a father had several sons. Those sons went on to have families of their own. Each new family has its own identity, but they still bear the family name. A new identity and a historic loyalty. Both exist.<br />
<br />
I have my own family, and I still bear my Father's name. My family is my family, but we are all "Matthias".<br />
<br />
So the new movements which have been released out of newfrontiers still bear the name "Newfrontiers" alongside their new identity.<br />
<br />
In the UK the scene is still very organic, but we see (In no particular order):<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.christcentralchurches.org/" target="_blank">ChristCentral</a> led by Jeremy Simpkins<br />
<br />
<a href="http://newcommunitychurch.org.uk/#/about/new-ground" target="_blank">New Ground</a> led by Dave Holden<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.catalystnetwork.org/" target="_blank">Catalyst</a> led by Dave Devenish <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.relationalmission.com/" target="_blank">Relational Mission</a> led by Mike Betts<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.citygatechurch.net/about/commission/" target="_blank">Commission</a> led by Guy Miller<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.gatewaychurchdubai.com/Groups/153206/Gateway_Church_Dubai/Church_Life/Regions_Beyond/Regions_Beyond.aspx" target="_blank">Regions Beyond</a> led by Steve Oliver <br />
<br />
When I say "led by" and then a single name this is in fact a misrepresentation because each situation described is a strong team representing several different Churches and bringing different gifts. So the ChristCentral team Jeremy leads includes Church leaders of significant stature in their own right from Leeds, Cockermouth, Huddersfield and Derby who bring different gifts to the table and provide accountability for Jeremy.<br />
<br />
What has been fascinating to watch has been the way this has been led by relationships, rather than geography.<br />
<br />
So for example churches in the UK with long standing friendship with Steve Oliver in Dubai relate to him. And then all these groups already extend into other nations. ChristCentral is working in Canada, Relational Mission into Scandinavia, Regions Beyond is someone from Dubai working into the UK. Towns / cities next to each other in the UK may find themselves working in completely different networks, while also loving one another locally.<br />
<br />
So we planted a Church in <a href="http://www.northshrewsbury.org.uk/" target="_blank">North Shrewsbury</a>. The leader went to plant a <a href="http://www.thesimplepastor.co.uk/" target="_blank">Church in Stockholm</a>. We now find ourselves working within different networks - ChristCentral and Relational Mission. Next month he is coming to us to preach. In the Lord he is my brother, and in Church terms he is probably now my cousin. Not that I am too bothered by any of that because ultimately he is our friend.<br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291591634697141288.post-75833301624238067982013-03-19T16:03:00.003+00:002013-03-19T23:25:44.339+00:00Are you in a denomination?This is a question I regularly get asked.<br />
<br />
In a recent post I considered that newfrontiers was not a denomination and this was challenged by commenters.<br />
<br />
Firstly - please consider my previous comments about <a href="http://theroadtoelderado.blogspot.co.uk/2009/12/5-things-i-love-about-anglicans.html" target="_blank">Anglicans</a>, <a href="http://theroadtoelderado.blogspot.co.uk/2010/09/5-things-i-love-about-baptists.html" target="_blank">Baptists</a>, and <a href="http://theroadtoelderado.blogspot.co.uk/2009/12/5-things-i-love-about-methodists.html" target="_blank">Methodists </a>before being concerned I am having a dig at anyone.<br />
<br />
Secondly - several friends of mine from university days are Church leaders - Newfrontiers, Vineyard, Anglican etc. I have seen those go the "denominational" route, and those within church movements, and have witnessed a difference in structure.<br />
<br />
Thirdly - I was pointed to <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/denomination" target="_blank">Webster's definition</a> of a denomination in respect of newfrontiers<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="ssens">a religious organization whose congregations are united in their adherence to its beliefs and practices </span></blockquote>
And I guess it is the "religious organisation" bit which is where people consider differences. What is the actual organisation? The whole discussion always comes back to definitions.<br />
<br />
I would consider denominations to include the Church of England, Methodists & URC amongst others.<br />
<br />
I would consider Church movements to include Newfrontiers, Vineyard, Salt & Light, Ground Level, Plumbline and NCMI.<br />
<br />
Wikipedia has a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nondenominational_Christianity" target="_blank">surprisingly interesting piece on this</a> which says<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"<b>Nondenominational</b>" (or "<b>Non-denominational</b>") Christian institutions are those not formally aligned with an established religious denomination, but are historically Protestant,
or that remain otherwise officially autonomous. This, however, does not
preclude an identifiable standard among such congregations.
Nondenominational church congregations may establish a functional
denomination by means of mutual recognition of or accountability to
other congregations and leaders with commonly held doctrine, policy and worship without <i>formalizing</i>
external direction or oversight in such matters. Some nondenominational
churches explicitly reject the idea of a formalized denominational
structure as a matter of principle, holding that each congregation is
better off being autonomous.</blockquote>
And guess what, Newfrontiers & Vineyard appear in the list of such groups.<br />
<br />
The definition of <i>formal </i>denomination and<i> functional</i> denomination is probably most helpful. Because when I say "we are not formally a denomination" others say "yes, but you are by function", and perhaps we are both right.<br />
<br />
I have a few questions (not an exhaustive list, just where I see differences between me and some of my friends) regarding a Churches legal framework which would certainly help to decide how "formal" a denomination was.<br />
<br />
<span id="comment-6a00d8345296c369e2017d3fc576c6970c-content">1) Who owns the property / assets?<br />
2) What legal rights / legal roles does the central organisation have and how are these enforced?</span><br />
<span id="comment-6a00d8345296c369e2017d3fc576c6970c-content">3) Does money have to be given centrally?<br />
4) Who pays ministers? Who provides pensions?<br />
5) Does the central body own: property, educational establishments etc?<br />
6) Is there a designated HQ?<br />
7) Who sets policies and procedures for Churches?</span><br />
<span id="comment-6a00d8345296c369e2017d3fc576c6970c-content">8) How is church oversight apportioned? Geography etc?</span><br />
<span id="comment-6a00d8345296c369e2017d3fc576c6970c-content"><br /></span>
<span id="comment-6a00d8345296c369e2017d3fc576c6970c-content">So if I answer those for my own Church the answers are</span><br />
<span id="comment-6a00d8345296c369e2017d3fc576c6970c-content"><br /></span>
<span id="comment-6a00d8345296c369e2017d3fc576c6970c-content">1) Our local charity</span><br />
<span id="comment-6a00d8345296c369e2017d3fc576c6970c-content">2) None</span><br />
<span id="comment-6a00d8345296c369e2017d3fc576c6970c-content">3) No</span><br />
<span id="comment-6a00d8345296c369e2017d3fc576c6970c-content">4) Our local charity, a private pension provider</span><br />
<span id="comment-6a00d8345296c369e2017d3fc576c6970c-content">5) No</span><br />
<span id="comment-6a00d8345296c369e2017d3fc576c6970c-content">6) No</span><br />
<span id="comment-6a00d8345296c369e2017d3fc576c6970c-content">7) No-one - likeminded Churches have affiliated</span><br />
<span id="comment-6a00d8345296c369e2017d3fc576c6970c-content">8) Relationally, voluntarily. Often this links to geography because you get to know people locally</span><br />
<br />
Friends of mine in other Churches reply in very different terms to almost all those questions. There are strengths and weaknesses both models. This is not a "look who is best" but rather a genuine attempt to show what I mean.<br />
<br />
The mission of my independent Church is gathered into a bigger mission, with other similar Churches, which functionally looks like a denomination, but if we left newfrontiers (or ChristCentral) tomorrow all we would do in reality is change the logo on our literature, lose some valuable spiritual input, and miss many friends.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291591634697141288.post-80876449479038718042013-02-24T20:18:00.002+00:002013-02-24T20:18:39.741+00:00Me and the UCCFI have found myself in quite an interesting position recently, <a href="http://42.blogs.warnock.me.uk/2013/02/university-cus-and-women-speakers.html" target="_blank">defending the UCCF</a>.<br />
<br />
Anyone who knows anything about me knows <a href="http://theroadtoelderado.blogspot.co.uk/2009/08/working-together-part-two.html" target="_blank">that must show quite a journey</a>.<br />
<br />
And I found my freedom to forgive and make my heart attitude right <a href="http://theroadtoelderado.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/evangelists-summit-2011-richard.html" target="_blank">because of relationship</a>.<br />
<br />
Which is why <a href="http://theroadtoelderado.blogspot.co.uk/2009/08/working-together-part-5.html" target="_blank">my views on unity are ever evolving</a>.<br />
<br />
As I read back some of the things I said originally when discussing my own experiences, I genuinely now know my heart is clear. They don't have any hold over me.<br />
<br />
Receiving forgiveness is such a rich, rich blessing.<br />
<br />
Sometimes we underplay the amazing gift of being imparted the grace to give it!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291591634697141288.post-36540232225201355122013-02-03T23:22:00.001+00:002013-02-03T23:23:38.203+00:00Reflecting on ChristmasIt seems a long time ago now, but I am still trying to work out quite what happened this last Christmas.<br />
<br />
We had two carol services on the Sunday before Christmas, 4.30pm & 7pm.<br />
<br />
I knew something was up when guests started arriving 45 minutes early.<br />
<br />
And they kept coming.<br />
<br />
Not sure what your Church is like, but even though our start time is pretty consistent at 10am, we have people arriving well into the beginning of the service.<br />
<br />
Well this was different.<br />
<br />
By the time we were ten minutes to go, we are basically looking full.<br />
<br />
The next 20 minutes are a blur, as the stewarding team managed to move our entire refreshment set up and fit in an extra 80 seats.<br />
<br />
And so they kept coming. We started just ten minutes late, surfing a tidal wave of visitors.<br />
<br />
The second meeting felt a little bit small in comparison, which is a bit odd as it was larger than a usual service.<br />
<br />
So we ended up with 540 people there. Actually it was 570, but about 30 came to both including the choir. 540 unique visitors breaks our previous record for any day by a neat 123.<br />
<br />
The vast majority of extra people were guests. Some invited. Some completely out of the blue.<br />
<br />
There is not a marketing strategy, or a prayer strategy, or a guest speaker, or anything really that I can put my finger on, which explains why so many people seemed to show up.<br />
<br />
I am pleased about that, because it must have been a God thing!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291591634697141288.post-87542839254173457362013-02-01T09:59:00.003+00:002013-02-01T11:09:02.820+00:00Christ Central on the webI posted recently about being part of <a href="http://theroadtoelderado.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/we-are-christ-central.html" target="_blank">ChristCentral Churches</a>.<br />
<br />
One commenter of a previous post about the transition within newfrontiers was so incensed at a lack of web presence he wrote <i>"If this is a master plan for a great way to move forward and be Church
in the 21st century then someone has a great sense of humour."</i><br />
<br />
To me that probably takes the biscuit for the strange path some of our detractors will take to find things to criticise, but it did make me hope the new website would go live soon.<br />
<br />
<br />
Up until that point you could <a href="http://www.facebook.com/christcentralchurches" target="_blank">"like" ChristCentral Churches on Facebook</a> and connect with lots of people.<br />
<br />
You could follow <a href="https://twitter.com/cc_churches" target="_blank">ChristCentral Churches on twitter</a> and keep up to speed with events etc.<br />
<br />
Yesterday the <a href="http://www.christcentralchurches.org/" target="_blank">website went live</a>. I like it. Clean and crisp in design. Very clearly part of the wider newfrontiers family while also having its own new identity.<br />
<br />
There will be lots of new content in due course, but for now the platform is in place to build a useful resource for people within, and outside, to see what we are about.<br />
<br />
<br />A quick shout out to <a href="http://catalystnetwork.org/" target="_blank">Catalyst</a>, <a href="http://www.relationalmission.com/" target="_blank">Relational Mission</a>, and the events hosted by <a href="http://ashburnham2013.co.uk/" target="_blank">New Ground</a>, and <a href="http://www.westpointevent.org.uk/" target="_blank">Co-mission</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291591634697141288.post-11618104538454490602013-01-29T14:45:00.002+00:002013-01-29T14:46:25.680+00:00High Chairs, and the road to Christian UnityWe recently changed the high chairs that we use, to stackable ones, because of reduced storage space.<br />
<br />
So we had 13 folding ones we no longer needed. All in reasonable, used condition.<br />
<br />
We had thought of ebaying them, but actually, why not use our opportunity to renew stuff as an opportunity to bless others?<br />
<br />
So I emailed a few mates and asked if they needed any?<br />
<br />
2 are making their way to a local Anglican Church, whose toddler group I attend, and 2 to our local United Reformed Church just around the corner who have a thriving "Messy Church".<br />
<br />
2 are off to the Baptists, the Church out of which we were planted, and three to a more rural Anglican Church several miles away who have hosted many of our Alpha Course away days in their lovely facilities.<br />
<br />
2 are off to members of our local Newfrontiers Church here in Shrewsbury, and 2 are going to members of our congregation who responded to an offer on our Church facebook page.<br />
<br />
So there we have it.<br />
<br />
High chairs.<br />
<br />
A blessing shared.<br />
<br />
Several different Churches.<br />
<br />
Many friends. <br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291591634697141288.post-791785043088193282013-01-12T09:30:00.000+00:002013-01-12T09:30:00.446+00:00We are Christ CentralCarrying on the discussion about the future of Newfrontiers, comes my own Church.<br />
<br />
We are overseen by Jeremy Simpkins who provides friendship, encouragement and challenge to us as an eldership team.<br />
<br />
In the past different people have looked after our Church and in a transient movement like newfrontiers this tended to change as people became involved in new things, both here and abroad.<br />
<br />
Now we are in a really fruitful place relationally and receiving lots of gifts from a network of Churches, and hopefully being in some small way a blessing to others.<br />
<br />
So when Jeremy was recognised to develop his ministry nothing really changed for us. "Christ Central" is the name given to this work, part of the newfrontiers global family.<br />
<br />
I am looking forward to their website going live at <a href="http://www.christcentralchurches.org/" target="_blank">christcentralchurches.org</a> soon, and will try to make a regional celebration meeting in Derby next month <a href="http://jubilee.org.uk/celebration/" target="_blank">http://jubilee.org.uk/celebration/</a>.<br />
<br />
More locally we relate to other churches within our Borderlands region, Shropshire, Staffordhsire and North Wales, through a fortnightly prayer meeting and working together in different ways on the ground, with a camp coming up this summer called the <a href="http://www.newfrontiers-borderlands.org.uk/" target="_blank">Borderlands Camp</a>.<br />
<br />
I don't know how this journey will all end, but back in 2009 Dave Bish had a lot of this nailed in this post <a href="http://thebluefish.org/2009/07/of-apostolic-spheres-methodology-of.html" target="_blank">http://thebluefish.org/2009/07/of-apostolic-spheres-methodology-of.html</a>, and with that in mind fair play to Terry Virgo, he did what he said he would do.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291591634697141288.post-53739953412048269282013-01-11T11:43:00.001+00:002013-01-11T11:57:34.754+00:00The Future of Newfrontiers in the UKTerry Virgo did a very good job of explaining what was happening within Newfrontiers in this blog series here<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.terryvirgo.org/Groups/173737/Terry_Virgo/Resources/Articles/Series/The_Future_of/The_Future_of.aspx" target="_blank">The Future of Newfrontiers</a><br />
<br />
And as Andrew Wilson expresses well, it is really important to counter the myths and explain that <a href="http://thinktheology.co.uk/blog/article/the-emperors-new-frontiers" target="_blank">Newfrontiers is not breaking up</a><br />
<br />
Yet there are big challenges ahead. The challenges I forsee are numerous, and four of specific concern to me are:<br />
<br />
1) What about Churches who don't feel they "fit" into the new teams being developed? As in, if your primary relationships were with people who are no longer in a driving seat, how do you transition?<br />
<br />
2) What happens when there is missional / theological divergence amongst teams?<br />
<br />
3) How does a family co-ordinate its independent lives? What bits do we still do together?<br />
<br />
4) What does it mean for some of the massive Churches who may feel they have lots of gifts within themselves and are therefore less reliant on external relationships? <br />
<br />
This whole process is going to require a lot of prayer, a lot of grace and a lot of humility from people as they seek to find where they fit into the future.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291591634697141288.post-59753303235273420222013-01-10T16:27:00.005+00:002013-01-11T11:17:14.786+00:00Farewell, Newfrontiers UKAt the turn of the year, Newfrontiers UK, the UK part of the "apostolic sphere" of Terry Virgo, formally ceased to exist in it's previous form. While the relationships and future plans had been under development for a couple of years, that was the moment, when something really final happened.<br />
<br />
"Newfrontiers" is now a collection of "apostolic spheres" all over the world, of which there are six relating in the UK, around familiar (within newfrontiers) names of Jeremy Simpkins, Mike Betts, Guy Miller, Dave Devenish, David Holden and Steve Oliver.<br />
<br />
Names for these new church groupings have sprung up: "Relational Mission", "Catalyst", "Christ Central".<br />
<br />
Many of these spheres involve Churches all over the world; USA, Dubai, Canada, Ukraine, Russia, France, the list goes on.<br />
<br />
Other places in the world have seen apostolic teams released: such as John Kpipi in Ghana, Edwards Buria in Kenya and PJ Smyth in South Africa, and several more.<br />
<br />
Out of these come new conferences, new Church planting, new Ephesians 4 ministries.<br />
<br />
But what impresses me most of all, is what it actually says about newfrontiers.<br />
<br />
WE NEVER WERE A DENOMINATION<br />
So often people accused newfrontiers of being a denomination by any other name. Which it wasn't. And isn't. And now a myriad of new Church movements spin off from what we were together, it proves it once and for all. Instead of the legal, the bureaucratic, the centralised, all that is left is the relationships.<br />
(EDIT: I am not saying this is a fair reflection of what a denomination is!) <br />
<br />
IT WAS NEVER ABOUT ONE PERSON<br />
Out of one person's ministry comes tenfold of what he started 40 years ago. That is real fruit.<br />
<br />
TERRY VIRGO WAS WILLING TO LET GO<br />
He could have appointed the next "pope" to rule over the whole thing. That is what many people thought would happen when he handed over to a "successor". But he didn't. He released his children to forge their own future.<br />
<br />
<br />
But what now? It reminds me of the moment when parents stop hosting the family Christmas, and the children become the hosts. In this case spiritual children held together by common ancestry and identity, but forging their own lives and destinies, while still occasionally meeting up and carrying the family name.<br />
<br />
I am not sure many Church movements have ever done it this way before. I don't know what will happen. I can see challenges ahead.<br />
<br />
But ultimately, I think it's a really, really exciting time.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291591634697141288.post-79298190522802256502012-04-25T13:40:00.003+01:002012-04-25T13:43:04.924+01:00Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It is off to Trent we go!So then, tomorrow morning we embark to Nottingham for a newfrontiers gathering.<br />
<br />
Well actually; it is a gathering of the newly recognised apostolic spheres who work together in the UK as Newfrontiers.<br />
<br />
And also those people representing Churches who still identify with Newfrontiers as was, and are still waiting to build relationships with one of the new apostolic spheres.<br />
<br />
So yes, it is a time of flux. A time of transition. A time of change.<br />
<br />
And yet, I feel, a time to be reaching out for a greater sense of unity and togetherness than perhaps ever before.<br />
<br />
My guess is that there will be lots of worship. There will be lots of powerful spiritual gifts. There will be a few introductions. There will be some meaty teaching. And there will be some important explanation.<br />
<br />
And by the end I will know more than I do now about the future of our movement of Churches but I won't have every question answered.<br />
<br />
Because we are still at the stage of working out what it means.<br />
<br />
Ultimately I think I will be standing at the back of the meeting, baby Joy in my arms, enjoying the presence of God. If someone asked me what Newfrontiers might look like in the future I honestly don't have a tight answer for them, but in that moment the answer will be clear, "This!"<br />
<br />
Watch this space!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291591634697141288.post-77403687414274241392012-01-20T08:48:00.004+00:002012-01-20T08:56:08.256+00:00Shrewsbury Food BankFor more than a decade the food bank at our Church has given out thousands and thousands of pounds of food to local people <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">disadvantaged</span> through <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">all s</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">orts</span> of different circumstances.<br /><br />Starting out primarily as a debt relief project the ethos has morphed to include crisis help, especially for people who are caught before their benefits starts to kick in.<br /><br />All kinds of agencies refer people to us, and we give them enough food for a week.<br /><br />As food has got more expensive so the food parcels have got more expensive and yet the work still grows, and in this economic climate we can only see it continuing in one direction. 20-30 people a week get around £30 of groceries.<br /><br />For years it was called "Basics bank" but now we have changed the name to make it easier for people to find and understand what it is.<br /><br /><a title="blocked::http://www.shrewsburyfoodbank.org/" href="http://www.shrewsburyfoodbank.org/">www.shrewsburyfoodbank.org</a><br /><br />A couple of years ago the guy who set it up won a "Pride of Shropshire" award from the local newspaper / council for services to the community.<br /><br />There is a big bin at the back of our main hall and people bring donations of food every Sunday. We receive all sorts of stuff from Harvest Festivals at other Churches. We go to supermarkets and ask for donations.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">"</span><span class="st" style="font-family:georgia;">For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat"</span> jumps out of my Bible and this project gives me a way to live it out.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291591634697141288.post-54104986197981462402011-12-15T11:04:00.003+00:002011-12-15T11:41:40.057+00:00Why blog?This much discussed subject came up at dinner with friends last night when I was asked the same question.<br /><br />The underlying concern was that it appeals to our vanity and sense of worth trying to gain following.<br /><br />This was not an accusation against me, but rather a general comment.<br /><br />And the more I think about it, the more I kind of agree.<br /><br />When I started this blog I wanted it to be me making an honest assessment of my own journey in Church leadership.<br /><br />In it I have tried to be real about some of the more personal elements of my life, while also celebrating the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">great</span> things God is doing in and through our Church.<br /><br />I don't want to use this as a medium to throw stones at others, as some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">bloggers</span> sadly do.<br /><br />Nor do I want it to be a one sided propaganda tool for either my own ministry, my Church or my movement of Churches.<br /><br />"Hey, everything is amazing and we are brilliant" is never the whole story.<br /><br />I want it to be real.<br /><br />And then for times I don't write much, because I don't really have anything to say.<br /><br />Then at other times I may have a specific subject or situation I am working through.<br /><br />The more I read other people the more I think people are either just trying to provoke a reaction or gain traffic. I don't want to fall into that trap.<br /><br />We had 389 bums on seats across our two services on Sunday. I don't know them all. Not properly. I could give you the names of every one of our 275 adult members, but not necessarily all their children. Nor do they know me.<br /><br />My friends know me. The people I work closely with know me. My midweek group know me. But as the Church grows and new people join I find my blog is actually a useful way to allow people to get inside my head and see the kinds of things I think about and stand for. New people regularly view it as they research our Church, and it does not seem to put them off, in fact they feel they know me better because they have found out more about my life and personality than they could do in normal circumstances.<br /><br />So all in all, I am confident in what I am doing writing this, and ever more confident in why I don't write more.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291591634697141288.post-77550451393036043542011-11-25T10:14:00.003+00:002011-11-25T10:21:12.761+00:00Gift DayGod has been speaking to our Church recently about <a href="http://theroadtoelderado.blogspot.com/2011/09/priorities.html">gearing up for growth</a>.<br /><br />We need to do something about facilities because we are pretty well full at our <a href="http://www.barnabascommunitychurch.com/barnabascentre.htm">current site</a>.<br /><br />So in order for us to explore our options we are opening a Building Development Fund.<br /><br />We have no plans yet.<br /><br />We have no building we want to buy.<br /><br />We have not decided to alter our current premises to fit more people in.<br /><br />We just know we have to do something.<br /><br />So we called a gift day.<br /><br />You don't take gift days just before Christmas.<br /><br />You don't ask people to give if you have not got a clear vision of what they are giving to.<br /><br />Well we don't know what it will be for and we did it last week: so to hear our Church have generously given £47,916 (with more pledged) was really exciting.<br /><br />It also means we can give 10% away as we always do, shared this time between <a href="http://newfrontierstogether.org/">our family of Churches</a>, a <a href="http://www.communitymoneyadvice.com/">national debt advice charity</a>, our local <a href="http://s-yfc.org/">Youth for Christ Centre</a> and a recently launched <a href="http://www.streetpastors.co.uk/CurrentLocations/Midlands/Shrewsbury/tabid/889/Default.aspx">Street Pastors initiative</a>.<br /><br />International & national mission, national social action, local mission, local social action.<br /><br />And we now have a fighting fund to start exploring the next practical steps in our journey as a Church.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291591634697141288.post-1504712893062546702011-11-18T09:30:00.000+00:002011-11-18T09:30:02.899+00:00Not blogging as muchWith a 4 month old daughter, an amazing Church and a few hobbies I have not been blogging much recently.<br /><br />Which I guess the bishop of Shrewsbury would approve of?<br /><br />I was at the launch of our Street Pastors initiative and the Bishop Mark Rylands made these remarks...<br /><br />"More words have been used since the years 2000 than all history before. This is because of the vast overload of information, fuelled by the internet, and people churn out more and more and more.<br /><br />We are too busy writing blogs and uploading things to websites that we don't have time to listen.<br /><br />We have less time to actually do things.<br /><br />And because of that our words have become devalued.<br /><br />God sent His one and only Son to live with us. He did not send a memo!"Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291591634697141288.post-37284553070743755472011-11-16T15:51:00.003+00:002011-11-16T15:57:11.410+00:00Cage Football in ShrewsburyWe have just launched our <a href="http://www.cagefootball.net">Cage Football project in Shrewsbury</a>.<br /><br />A couple of weeks back we had it in use at our half term fun day.<br /><br />On Saturday we took it out to a local village where a couple from the Church run a youth club.<br /><br />Next week the NOMAD team from YFC are coming to help us do a big launch; in 4 schools and 4 youth clubs (3 Church, one council) and then at Shrewsbury Town's stadium before the afternoon match.<br /><br />All in all, it is a really exciting opportunity to go and be involved in our local community, by giving the local young people a fun, free activity, and dovetail in with the work already being done by a variety of community agencies.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/sNFc0rkN7Do" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" width="480"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291591634697141288.post-79780550613617603112011-10-19T14:13:00.003+01:002011-10-19T14:21:12.705+01:00Time to prayOur Church is undergoing a huge change.<br /><br />God is asking us the think bigger.<br /><br />With that in mind we have called a week of prayer and fasting.<br /><br />At our lunchtime prayer meeting today there were 44 adults and 5 children.<br /><br />I am humbled and excited about so many people caught up in the vision God is placing before us.<br /><br />It does make me wonder what can be achieved in the kingdom if we do really give ourselves to prayer.<br /><br />There are prayer meetings and there are prayer meetings.<br /><br />This one was spiritually ablaze.<br /><br />We had worship, we had <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">spiritual</span> songs, there was praying in tongues and in English, people had scriptures and pictures from the Holy Spirit to help us to pray.<br /><br />If anything is going to happen it is down to God. So we are not going to focus on just buildings and people and practicalities, matter as they do.<br /><br />We are going to pray.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291591634697141288.post-531908725469062902011-10-02T15:27:00.003+01:002011-10-02T15:34:55.548+01:00Playing GodFresh back from holiday I was asked this morning before the service if I was willing to play a part in a small drama being used by our visiting speaker.<br /><br />"Yes" I replied, "as long as I don't have to play the devil"<br /><br />You see a few months ago on our Freedom in Christ course I was cast in a similar talk illustration, as sin.<br /><br />Talk about playing the "bad guy", I was sin itself!<br /><br />So today I waited anxiously to find out which "character" I was going to have to play. I missed out on "Father God", and got a bit nervous as "man" was introduced but that part went to someone else and I ended up being Jesus!<br /><br />Bonus!<br /><br />What I did not realise, and nor did the person who got volunteers beforehand was that in the sermon illustration the three of us were stood on chairs and man crosses via Jesus to Father God. <br /><br />Great illustration, clear, straightforward, the "bridge diagram" using real people. What could go wrong?<br /><br />They had picked, shall we say, three "bigger" lads, quite by accident, and speaking of accidents how we avoided a major one I will never know, as we shuffled and changed places on these chairs!<br /><br />A few years back I wrote the working copy of our working at height risk assessment, so I may have been Jesus but I still broke out into a cold sweat!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291591634697141288.post-72686389575952992912011-09-30T11:44:00.001+01:002011-09-30T11:44:51.024+01:00Holidays<div><p>It has been quiet on here this week because we are away on holiday.</p>
<p>A family affair with 9 of us across three generations in a Herefordshire cottage.</p>
<p>And what great weather!</p>
<p>This time 2 years so we were in Lanzarote.</p>
<p>This week it is warmer in Herefordshire than it is in Lanzarote!</p>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291591634697141288.post-2665763278624175782011-09-23T12:11:00.004+01:002011-09-23T12:24:11.704+01:00PrioritiesGod has been really speaking powerfully to our Church recently and opening up a new vision for the future.<br /><br />Last night was our "Church Together" meeting, where we gather to worship and pray.<br /><br />You know God is doing something exciting when you are not far off 150 adults for a Church prayer meeting.<br /><br />There are ten key areas we are looking to develop in. These were displayed right the way around our main hall for people to go and choose which to pray for.<br /><br />The results of where people went were fascinating!<br /><br />1) By far the biggest contingent went to "Spirit level": that we would experience a greater empowerment of the Holy Spirit for all the things God is laying before us and that our worship would be in His presence.<br /><br />2) Next up Social Action gathered many people praying for the Church expressing the love of God to the hurt and vulnerable locally and nationally.<br /><br />3) Third in terms of number were people seeking God for healings and miracles: that the gospel be proven through signs and wonders.<br /><br />All the other stuff is really important too! And many people moved around and everything was thoroughly prayed for! It was so humbling to see people kneeling and quietly praying, or standing and shouting out, whatever, however, calling on God for the future of the Church and ultimately for the glory of Christ; that the Gospel goes forth and people come to Him, become disciples and join His bride.<br /><br />It was interesting in the three areas mentioned that above all else the desire was for more of God in our hearts and lives, to see more of God demonstrated in power, and express more of God to a hurting world.<br /><br />That is my kind of Church.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291591634697141288.post-39904238916956514742011-09-20T14:21:00.002+01:002011-09-20T14:45:30.889+01:00New Media AwardsThis blog has been shortlisted by Premier Christian Radio for their <a href="http://www.christiannewmedia.com/awards_finalists.php">New Media Awards</a> within the "Most inspiring Leadership Blog" category.<br /><br />I am chuffed with that.<br /><br />Simply because if this blog is a blessing to people then it is doing what I set out to do.<br /><br />Looking at the shortlist in my category I can see different Christians from around the country all using blogging to encourage others. In doing so we all make a small contribution.<br /><br />It is interesting to see the different styles: some of us are blogging about preaching specifically, others, like this one, is more a diary entry/things going around in my head kind of effort.<br /><br />Last year people like <a href="http://www.davegilpin.com/">Dave Gilpin</a> and <a href="http://adrianwarnock.com/">Adrian Warnock</a> were shortlisted, which kind of makes this blog look like a primary school kid scribbling on a scrap of paper, but there you go!<br /><br />There is an awards ceremony in London for the top two in each section which sounds quite exciting.<br /><br />Whatever happens moving forwards it has been a real encouragement.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291591634697141288.post-39427928059126347372011-09-17T09:49:00.003+01:002011-09-17T10:48:38.126+01:00Reading my blogA lady came up to me on Sunday morning who has been living abroad.<br /><br />I did not know her that well, but she seemed to know me!<br /><br />It turns out she reads this blog, and has read it, pretty well all of it while being away.<br /><br />And has recommended it to friends.<br /><br />Yet again my series on <a href="http://theroadtoelderado.blogspot.com/search/label/Miscarriage">miscarriage</a> appears to have been a blessing, and has been shared with others.<br /><br />I set out writing this blog in the hope of allowing people in our Sunday congregation of 300 or so to see inside my mind a little bit more and get an impression of who I really am.<br /><br />I also wanted to chart my ups and downs in my journey in Church leadership for some of my peers who know me across the country.<br /><br />And to blow away some of the misconceptions by being as open and down to earth as I possibly can.<br /><br />It is a real priviledge when a real person with a real life comes up and says reading this blog was a real blessing to them.<br /><br />The great danger of blogging is that either you are talking to yourself, or you are trying to stir up a debate to get readers.<br /><br />Hopefully I do neither, but just for the record, why are you reading this post today?<br /><br />I can see my blog statistics and can see almost everyone who reads it does not comment.<br /><br />But on this post alone, please reply!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291591634697141288.post-68254597700991715362011-09-16T17:08:00.004+01:002011-09-16T17:17:43.764+01:00Henry Olonga, Blood, Sweat and TreasonSomething is happening in Shrewsbury.<br /><br />On Wednesday night over 300 people attended an event at Shrewsbury Abbey, the thousand year old Church building just around the corner from our Church centre.<br /><br />Five Churches had chipped in some money to invite Henry Olonga to Shrewsbury, for a joint event that was a pre-alpha social.<br /><br />He was outstanding. He shared his story of how his faith encouraged him to stand up to Robert Mugabe by wearing a balck armband in the cricket world cup.<br /><br />He was funny, engaging, humble, honest, and my goodness the man can sing.<br /><br />Guests were invited to receive an Alpha invitation to one of the courses at one of seven participating Churches, who are running courses this Autumn.<br /><br />One of those courses is a joint course between Shrewsbury Baptist Church and Shrewsbury Abbey's sister Church St Peter's, the first such collaboration between the two Churches.<br /><br />The vicar of the Abbey made that point in his welcome on the night to spontaneous applause.<br /><br />Joint events. Joint publicity. Joint introductory courses.<br /><br />In Psalm 133 King David asserts<br /><blockquote><br />" 1 How good and pleasant it is<br /> when God’s people live together in unity!<br />2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,<br /> running down on the beard,<br />running down on Aaron’s beard,<br /> down on the collar of his robe.<br />3 It is as if the dew of Hermon<br /> were falling on Mount Zion.<br />For there the LORD bestows his blessing,<br /> even life forevermore. "</blockquote>There is still further to travel on this journey, but step by step we will reach our town with one voice.<br /><br />I am excited!<br /><br />And if you ever get the chance to go and hear Henry Olonga, grab it with both hands.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2