Tongues Toolbox Talk

Last Sunday I gathered people from the Church who wanted to develop in the gift of giving tongues and interpretations publicly.

Making the transition from gifts we have to gifts we use is often a challenge.

We talked together, prayed together, worshipped together and then exercised our gifts together. There were about 12 of us there - and it will be interesting to see where it leads us.

I prepared a "Toolbox talk" on the subject. On building sites people often gather around a person who gives them a quick overview of where the job is headed. A practical "heads up" for where they are headed and how they are going to get there.

I want our worship to be an environment where spiritual gifts can flourish in a safe and clear way, following the biblical patterns we see and in a way that honours Jesus.

Tongues Toolbox Talk

Tongues are part of the spiritual gifts given when people are baptised in the Holy Spirit: Acts 2:1-4, Acts 10:44-47, Acts 19:6

Tongues are human languages or spiritual languages:
Acts 2:6-11, 1 Cor 13:1, 1 Cor 14: 2, Jude 20

Tongues are prayer and praise to God:
Acts 2:11, 10:46, 1 Cor 14:2, 14-17, Jude 20, Eph 6:8

Not everyone will speak in tongues, although it is very common:
Acts 2, Acts 10:44-47, Acts 19:6

Tongues are a sign of the kingdom:
Mark 16:15-18

Tongues, when interpreted are a sign for unbelievers:
1 Cor 14:22

Tongues help strengthen and edify the person & the Church if given publically:
1 Cor 14:5, 12, 26

Tongues must be interpreted if given publically:
1 Cor 14:27

You should pray to interpret your own tongue:
1 Cor 14:13

If you don’t have an interpretation someone else should do it:
1 Cor 14:27

The gifts of tongues and interpretation may be given to different people:
1 Cor 12:10

Tongues should be given no more than 3 at a time in public worship:
1 Cor 14:27

Everything in worship should be done in order:
1 Cor 14:40

Unless tongues are explained and handled carefully they can look very strange to visitors! 1 Cor 14:23

Tongues often occur in an environment of much prophecy, but they are different:
Acts 19:6, 1 Cor 12:10, 1 Cor 14:1-5

Freedom in Christ

I did the "Steps to Freedom in Christ" day on Saturday as a guest of another local Church, as we launch the course here on Sunday.

I have got to say, it was a very special day.

What I liked about it was the clarity of "taking hold of the truth" for yourself.

This was not going to see the particular "guru" counsellor or minister who could pray hard enough for you to be free.

This was about discipleship. About choosing to believe. About laying down falsehood or pain and picking up truth and holding on to it.

In short, it was far better than I thought it would be. I am always wary of pre-packaged models but this seemed very personal.

Amongst the lists of things to consider praying about each section started with a prayer. "Lord, show me what I should pray about. Bring to my mind what I need to deal with". I was simply amazed at the things that came to mind. Past experiences, hurts, concerns, relationships, even dreams and nightmares as a child.

No-one asked me anything. No-one hinted at anything. I just prayed, and then dealt with what came to mind.

I loved the emphasis on taking hold of the truth. Too often the Church at large has given the impression that you need specialists in every area of counselling or healing to have a chance at "getting" healing. What I liked about this day was that we each have a specialist, our Father in Heaven, and we do have access to Him, on a daily basis, or in my case, in a strange kind of way, especially on Saturday.

Zippy's month birthday!

God graciously provided me with a moped to use to get to work.

Yesterday marked a month of using "Zippy" to and from work, and so here is my first month report.

1) I have had to fill the tank with petrol twice. Costing a total of £11. I am currently averaging something like 130 mpg!

2) I can park up right outside the new football stadium without having to pay!

3) I have been able to make several pastoral visits quickly and easily.

4) Early morning prayer meetings now involve very very cold journeys!

5) Waterproof trousers are a must buy!

6) Motorcycle helmets and glasses are a lethal combination.

7) Freedom of transport is an amazing thing. You don't appreciate it until you lose it. You forget how much it means until you have it back.

8) Nobody respects a fully grown man on a 49cc scooter (except maybe a 15 year old who live in the countryside). Don't buy one for the image rights.

9) Cars will genuinely overtake you on a 30mph road despite the fact you are travelling at 30mph. It MUST be psychological!

10) Every time I start up Zippy I remember how God has provided for me. It is amazing how quickly we become used to His provision - keeping focus on thanks changes how we view the world.

Growing or swapping?

An interesting comment was made at a local inter-church meeting recently where another church leader in the town of a large church suggested that even though some of the Churches in the town look like they are growing, overall it is just transfer growth between the different churches and not the kingdom growing overall.

I do believe that sometimes this is the case, but even so, it felt very wide of the mark.

Just a quick scan through our Church directory shows me 52 people who have come to our Church via the Alpha Course as previously unchurched or backslidden Christians.

Most new members are either recently moved to the area, come to faith within our Church outreach, or have grown up in the Church and come to faith as teenagers. Two of those mean the kingdom is growing!

It just seemed a bit odd, as a way of trying to spark people into a greater urgency for mission, to imply the fruit we already see is not really fruit at all. I wonder why people seem to look for negatives to spur a reaction, rather than set a positive agenda for mission to which people can give their lives?

The Financial Crisis

On Sunday Morning our series on Abraham was interrupted for a one off "state of the nation" style address by Martin about the financial crisis.

It isn't very often this happens - perhaps the Tsunami was the last time.

But there does come a time when people do feel a sense of nervousness and it is important to teach into it. Cells will be discussing the implications this week and there will be an opportunity for individuals to support and encourage each other.

I believe that the Church has a huge amount to say about finances, justice, wealth and stewardship. I just wish it wasn't confused by prosperity rantings or church roof funds, which means the average man in the street just thinks the church is after your money.