The Old Forge

Tired?

2012-01-23T08:45:00.000Z

I notice last week I posted an entry for 'Beyond 400', which is now up and running and promising to be a creative impetus for the future for BUGB.

This week, I'm conscious of feeling 'tired', which can be an early warning system, a valid call for re-adjustment, or even re-alingment, or even simply an excuse to turn back.
Just a sample, for me, as one individual, in what is an average week I imagine: I could be tired because I'm trying to do too much, I'm fed up with the conversation around our future, I'm struggling with issues regionally, I think others are asking too much, I don't seem able to find enough time to get to the really important things, I'm carrying too much for others. or all of the above, or perm any three from ten! (only those with more dubious pasts, like mine, will understand this).

Of course, everyone will identify with feeling tired and especially those being paid for exercising 'Ministry'. Here is an arena, almost designed to drain people of creative energy and disperse clear gifting into mist, if you don't have two things within your grasp: a diary and perseverance.

So, it was with delight I read again James 1:2-8. I've found it a wellspring of nourishment and re-kindled hope.
'joy in trials' (? - not sure about that) brings 'testing of faith' (? - not sure about that one either) leads to 'perseverance' (ahh - at last, something I want, something I desperately need) ...
and then this lovely little phrase, I don't think I've paid much attention to personally before, even having preached on the passage (never assume both co-incide) ... 'let perseverance finish its work'.
Direction is crucial when it is God's call for long obedience in the same direction.

What then is the work of perseverance going on in my life, I must allow God to lead me through?

This brings a whole new perspective, this brings purpose into trials, this sees 'testing' as an experimental laboratory from which new discoveries are made and new ground is explored. This is an adventure with God ..... it just doesn't feel much like it right now.

Beyond 400 - baptists imagining life after 400 years.

2012-01-16T17:59:00.000Z

‘Beyond 400’ is a new website, starting tomorrow, which has been designed, as far as I understand it, to provide a platform for raising some creative and innovative thinking concerning the future of baptist life in BUGB (primarily England & part of Wales).

The 'beyond 400 six' say: “We hope that prophetic hunches, helpful insights, and creative thinking will emerge as baptists imagine what might be next after 400 years in Britain”.

40 people (myself included) have been invited to write a short piece of no more than 700 words and the hope is it will help the developing conversation about the future.

www.beyond400.net is the address you need!

Well, we certainly need to hear where the mission of God is leading us, so I hope this welcome initiative cultivates our imaginations and increases our capacities for engagement with God's future.

Cheap Grace

2012-01-12T08:37:00.000Z

'Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ - living and incarnate.'

To the best of my knowledge, it was Dietrich Bonhhoeffer and this quote in particular, from The Cost of Discipleship, which coined this phrase. It's now a well known phrase, but tends to be used without reference to the depth and breadth with which Bonhoeffer first used it. It's done me good for years and I am drawing upon its insights again now, so I simply pass it on.

2012: a year of opportunity for the gospel?

2012-01-03T10:05:00.000Z

An article in the Daily Telegraph, by Peter Oborne, entitled ‘The return to religion’, on 3^rd January, is not enough to build a strong objective case, but he is a valid observer of a trend we could easily miss. Oborne. The article is introduced: 'With the chill wind of austerity blowing through the country, religion’s warm embrace looks more and more inviting. Peter Oborne welcomes the resurgence of a national pastime: churchgoing'.

The Church Times article last week: ”Attendances prove Christmas surprise” added to the accumulation of observations. Cathedrals and churches up and down the country have reported a large rise in attendances this Christmas. Thousands of worshippers crammed into some of the most popular services.

And what about the Queen’s speech? I cannot recall (not that I keep a record!) a Christmas address, which has been so positively and expressively Christ oriented:

The importance of family has, of course, come home to Prince Philip and me personally this year with the marriages of two of our grandchildren, each in their own way a celebration of the God-given love that binds a family together. For many, this Christmas will not be easy. With our armed forces deployed around the world, thousands of service families face Christmas without their loved ones at home. The bereaved and the lonely will find it especially hard. And, as we all know, the world is going through difficult times. All this will affect our celebration of this great Christian festival. Finding hope in adversity is one of the themes of Christmas. Jesus was born into a world full of fear. The angels came to frightened shepherds with hope in their voices: 'Fear not', they urged, 'we bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

'For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour who is Christ the Lord.'

Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves - from our recklessness or our greed.

God sent into the world a unique person - neither a philosopher nor a general, important though they are, but a Saviour, with the power to forgive. Forgiveness lies at the heart of the Christian faith. It can heal broken families, it can restore friendships and it can reconcile divided communities. It is in forgiveness that we feel the power of God's love.

In the last verse of this beautiful carol, O Little Town Of Bethlehem, there's a prayer:

O Holy Child of Bethlehem

Descend to us we pray.

Cast out our sin

And enter in.

Be born in us today.

It is my prayer that on this Christmas day we might all find room in our lives for the message of the angels and for the love of God through Christ our Lord.

I, for one, thank God for our Queen.

Of course, 2011 was 'the wedding' year: of Kate and William. I recall commenting at the time of what I hoped would be the significance of their own heartfelt, personally written prayer. Not emphatically ‘Christian’ but certainly looking in the direction of Jesus.

David Cameron too has added his thoughts. In his recent speech on the place of the Bible and Christianity in our national life, he showed how the political development of the nation is inextricably bound up with Christian ideas.

I’m not arguing for a return to Christendom, but what I am observing is people are more open to real Christianity now, in the UK, than they have been for many years. People beyond the thresholds of our church buildings don't simply need, they want to see a credible expression of the good news, which is Jesus.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, this year heralds many things we instinctively draw back from, but I pray our commitment to, conviction in and communication of the gospel is not one of them.

The return to religion.

2012-01-02T20:19:00.001Z

Thanks to Matt Frost, I was able to read this:

The return to religion - Telegraph http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8970031/The-return-to-religion.html

Happy New Year!

Compost heap therapy.

2011-12-31T17:37:00.000Z

Well, New Year’s Eve and what do you do? Frankly, I was socialised out. Although delightful, I enjoy my own space as much as sharing it with others (I’m down the middle on Myers Briggs between I & E).

So, no rain and a much needed job beckoned down our allotment – the compost heap needed sorting before the next growing season. It’s a job I imagine most people put off as long as possible, but (freak that I am), I’ve secretly been waiting for a good time to get my hands on it.

However, what a gift, to aid my reflection on the passing and forthcoming years. My i-pod was on shuffle, working around Bob Dylan & Adele, providing a stimulating reflection on life, love, God and everything within their embrace.

There’s something wonderful about solitude as opposed to loneliness. I thank God for a wonderful wife, inspirational children and good friends, but this small space after so much engagement with others reminded me our my deepest need – to draw more from the wellspring, which is my relationship with Jesus. My 2012 needs to ensure these times are more frequent.

Sustainability was a clear theme. My compost heap is made using discarded pallets. The compost is other garden and vegetable ‘waste’. Chicken manure provides wonderful compost. Producing your own compost is, for me, almost as satisfying as growing your own vegetables (told you about the freakiness!).

There was a real thrill at being able to use an old rusty nail to keep two pieces of wood together. Genuine disappointment when one couldn't be resurrected. It’s all made using other peoples rubbish and produced by waste, but it keeps the soil fertile and provides the environment for growth. It’s the cycle of life and great to get your hands dirty, feel the muck in your hands and just realise it’s all about your own life in God as well as a few vegetables.

My morning reading from Colossians came back to the forefront of my mind, along with Charles Ringma’s comments: ‘Christ has shown us where true power lies. It lies in servant-hood, not in manipulation, or oppression.’

In contrast to our systems, Christ has paved a different way.

Reconciliation rather than enmity.

Justice rather than exploitation.

Peace rather than aggression.

Servant-hood rather than power.

Grace rather than legalism.

Community rather than individualism.

In living out such a vision, the powers of this age will be vanquished in the victory of Christ.’ (Charles Ringma, Resist the Powers with Jacques Ellul).

Crisis? Change? Has it always been this way?

2011-12-30T09:55:00.000Z

Well, we're still enjoying Christmas here. Off all week, apart from needing to prepare for Keynsham on Sunday, but beginning to emerge into the real world again. Wonderful to spend relaxed time with the family and now getting some prep time in whilst waiting for more friends to drop in.

Read this from Seth Godin's blog yesterday and thought it well worth posting for others here:

"It's always been this way"

The only standard is impermanence.

It's very easy to believe that the world we live in has always been this way.

Your ethnic group has always had a similar standing.

Technology has always permitted certain kinds of interactions and is always improving.

Real estate values always rise from decade to decade. (Until it didn't).

A job has always been the standard way to make a living.

Your chosen religion has always been practiced the way you practice it.

People in positions of authority and leverage have always had degrees from famous colleges.

Information has always been widely available.

As soon as you accept that just about everything in our created world is only a few generations old, it makes it a lot easier to deal with the fact that the assumptions we make about the future are generally wrong, and that the stress we have over change is completely wasted.'

Simply Jesus

2011-12-23T09:51:00.000Z

'Happy Christmas' - heartfelt, but easily sounds like 'cheerio'. Does that matter? Still today, in some places in the world, the word 'shalom' is used in greeting, which I think is a wonderful word to have in everyday use.

So, Happy Christmas to all who pop in here.

Currently reading 'Simply Jesus' by Tom Wright ..... the title says it all.

The Christmas Story

2011-12-22T09:20:00.000Z

If you're like me, you wonder how people find the time to discover the gems on You Tube. So, here's one I loved, shown by Ian and the team at Counterslip last Sunday during the carol services. If you're stuck for something next Sunday, you might be glad to have a look:

The Christmas Story as told by the children of St Paul's Auckland..

Regional lucky draw?

2011-12-21T11:33:00.000Z

To post, or not post, that is often my question.

Today, definitely not!

Today I have a morning to catch up on what I've not been attending to.

Today I went for a run and decided 'no posting' - I usually do this on the hoof.

Today I ended up taking my son to work because his car broke down, starting it on return, getting it to the garage, coffee due at 11 am when I returned.

So, definitely 'no posting' - no time!

So, here we are ......

The BUGB e-news sweep of 21^st December revealed the most clicked on story this year (so far) was entitled ‘New Regional Minister Team Leader for LBA’. Interesting.

Maybe this was inevitable, LBA being, by far and away, our largest Baptist Association.

Maybe it reveals people are still interested in who is appointed to be the key leader within an Association.

Maybe it reveals the fact our ‘system’ is not quite what we think it is. I’m grateful to Neil for highlighting this news via his blog: distinct reflections. Good for you Neil, but what else is this saying, apart from Neil is posting what people want to read?

Yes, it reveals how people choose, increasingly, to be informed and glean their news, but it also begs the question: why not either the LBA, or BUGB chose to announce this piece of information? Does it reveal who really 'owns' our RM's? - the churches and the people who form them.

I love spending time with leaders in churches looking at vision, strategy, mission plans, etc. However, two things I have come to realise are:

i. You can change the structures, produce the statements, make the plans, but if the dominant culture doesn't change among any group of people, nothing substantially changes and when the current leader moves on, we return to the previous default.

ii. If the vision, statements, plans are not evidenced in the practices of the people, shred them (the statements, not the people!).

We tend to run churches by words, but the bible tells us Jesus (the word) became flesh.

Now, the catching up!

2011-12-20T17:32:00.000Z

Ruth's just posted this today on our WEBA 'making a difference' blog, but thought I'd pop it here too.

See more on: http://webahomemission.blogspot.com

Paradise Now

Jari Moate is a member at St. Mark’s Baptist Church in Bristol. In 2011, he was the main organizer of Bristol’s first ever Festival of Literature, and he’s also an author; his novelParadise Now brings together x-factor culture, Islamic Terrorism, and an unexpected experience of the Holy Spirit, all set in a version of urban Bristol just one beat away from reality.

Writing fiction like this is a very different form of mission to the activities usually described on this blog, so when I’d read the book I wanted to ask Jari a few questions.

In the story, video artist Elektra pays the rent by working in a call centre for The Company who produce The One Game and the Be Somebodymakeover range. While her face is picked to represent The Company, far away in the war torn Middle East trainee terrorist Tariq finds a blood stained copy of the Gospels in a dead soldier’s pocket. As you read, you assume their paths will eventually, and dramatically, collide.

What made Jari think of drawing together the themes of reality gameshow culture and the religious extremism that leads to acts of terrorism?

“It’s all about the brand name: Be Somebody. The core of that ambition that drives someone to get their 15 minutes of fame, it’s the same drive that motivates the terrorist. We try to create ourselves into something that stands out. If 9:11 did nothing else it dominated the TV networks, and that was its aim. 9:11 won the x-factor already.”

There are characters in Paradise Now who are perhaps immune from the drive to Be Somebody – one is the boy preacher Smith Whistledown, who the main character, Elektra, hears preaching in a small corrugated iron chapel when the Holy Spirit floods in and changes her life. Jari sees him as being driven by the message rather than his own desire to prove himself.

The other is a character imported from the 18^th Century – in this story, the poet and engraver William Blake is an eccentric art college technician who’s into lots of new age practices, but also has a prophetic role. I suggested to Jari that this character, and that of Blake’s wife, Kitty, have a rather ambiguous role in the story. Kitty is loving, generous character who is a substitute mother for Elektra, but who eventually, surprisingly, betrays her.

“I’ve met people in the New Age World who are quite evangelical and invasive” says Jari. “Kitty Blake actually wants a bit of power. She doesn’t want her protégée experiencing things in a Christian church, so she does something she wouldn’t normally do.”

Jari warns, however, against reading a sermon into this story. “Fiction is not about positing an argument, it’s about the characters. Sometimes Christian readers miss this and that’s why Christian Fiction doesn’t exist in powerful form in this country.”

Jari Moate

“I want to ask the WEBA audience to stand by writers, and work with artists” he goes on. “We want to truly express how we are in the world. Hold fire on the judgement.”

If you’re looking for a last minute Christmas Present, Paradise Now is a vivid and gripping story that will appeal to many readers across the belief spectrum. If you have a relative with an art college or visual arts background, I’d suggest it might be the perfect gift.

Paradise Now is available on the general fiction shelves, and can be found in Waterstones, Foyles, and at www.amazon.co.uk.

Jari is now working on a book about an AWOL solder, and making plans for next year’s Bristol Festival of Literature.

2011-12-20T17:01:00.000Z

Seriously, you can't get the staff these days! Another good reason for not trimming the funding to Associations too much ....

Apologies one and all - I gather my link yesterday, for the BBC 1 programme 'Inside, Out Britain' featuring the battle for Stokes Croft in Bristol, didn't work. It doesn't appear to be on i-player either.

Maybe if I had an i-pad .......

Christmas TV tonight

2011-12-19T13:08:00.000Z

Just quickly, before tonight!

Do try and watch this programme on BBC1 tonight!

Also, I received today, from Pete Farmer, this interesting report: Mission Britain has been carrying out a survey into simple/organic/missional/house Church in the UK and Ireland. Our intention has been to see what is happening on the ground through these forms of Church and to use the statistics to point out some of the trends seen.

Shepherds without a clue?

2011-12-18T16:42:00.000Z

I was a shepherd in the DIY nativity earlier today & it made me realise 'the shepherds' had little more clue than I about what they were doing. So, I feel well qualified to continue musing about our Baptist Future(s) ....

Simon Jones, as ever, has some perceptive things to say about our Baptist ‘movement’ and our on-going struggle with Pioneers. http://bromleyboy.blogspot.com The only thing we disagreed on was in our response to Neil - I didn't just chuckle, I thought it hilarious! No worries here: Maggie is giving me lessons on not taking myself too seriously....

Simon’s blog post 10^th December ‘sniffing out influence’. Check it out, but the points he makes are:

- We are facing national austerity.

- We are still declining numerically overall.

- Most of the exciting things taking place are on the margins.

- We don’t adequately train, resource, give time for exploration, Pioneers.

- Our ministerial ‘competencies’ are fashioned around an inherited model of church.

- Our current models are resource intensive (buildings, ministers, attractional events).

- Influence may be difficult to get a handle on and yet can ‘reek of the kingdom’ (liked that a lot Simon).

All good stuff and undergirds my concern for people to engage with the consultation process, which will hopefully inform the future shape of BUGB. Simon’s points undergird the need for a missional shape.

A missional focus to our purposes demands a flow of energy from the centre to the margins.

- If our greatest strength, as UK Baptists, is in the communities of Jesus followers we call church (and I think it is) then we must re-address the flow of energy. This means we need structures, which will enable us to ask how do they facilitate, resource, release a growing edge/margin.

- Structures, I reluctantly admit, are absolutely necessary. However, they need to serve life and not hinder it. Surely, this means we need to ask questions such as: ‘how do we best serve the mission of God across our nation through our churches’? This begins to answer what kind of networks (associations in Baptist ‘money’, while we have some left) are necessary.

- Missional is, essentially, about the nature of God. A missional shape, as I understand it, brings together things we easily keep apart. Things like ‘doing’ & ‘being’, evangelism & social engagement, vision & values. This is precisely because it is a word which has arisen from our growing awareness concerning the nature of God. So, intentionally inbuilt into this, is the challenge to work out, in practice, what it means to be in community together (just as God is in three persons). It also brings our attention, again, to the fact that what we do is as crucially important as ‘why’ we do and ‘how’ we do. Vision and values must dovetail. Being and doing are part of the same person when we look at Jesus, etc. Also, I can't think of another better word right now, which will challenge us to re-calibrate our life together more around the person of Jesus. Of course, this is also at the heart of our Declaration of Principle: one of the very few things every Baptist Minister and Church in BUGB has signed up to.

- We have to answer the question I have posed our own Trustees, which is ‘what are we called to be and do, whether we have the funding, or not?’ This is, I think, is the question Simon is raising in a variety of places about ‘church’ in general. It is a financial crisis, which has provided the environment for some of the crucial questions being asked for a number of years, to be heard. However, the answers must not simply be about answering a financial crisis.

- Of course, the exciting things are on the margins. This, however, is also true in any local church, or even as individuals I suggest, and as a valid observation, it’s principle should not be limited. (It’s too easy to blame someone else). What Alan Hirsch calls the ‘missional-incarnational impulse’ can only ever happen on the margins because that’s where we cross the borders into un-mapped territory. However, we can all play in the margins, if we dare to cross beyond our front door-steps, if churches can imagine a life organised around ‘going to people’, rather than ‘bringing to church’. However, we must take care we do not institutionalise a separation from the centre and the margins. Surely, whether locally, regionally or nationally, we are looking for spiritual leadership? Spiritual leaders, worth their salt, will listen for the voice of Jesus, wherever it is spoken and through whom whoever he speaks?

- We do need to train pioneers, but I’m not sure we ‘train’ anyone. My sense is we are doing what most movements do when they’re on the downward slope: focus on teaching, but not upon learning. Discipleship is about learning; it’s embedded into its very meaning. This is why ‘missional’ if a good word, because it puts discipleship at the core of our activity. It’s disciples we need to train!

- We do, however, need to train pioneers. We have just commissioned some research, which I hope will result in shaping a route towards accreditation on a pioneer track. However, no pioneer’s going to be primarily concerned about accreditation and degrees, so these can never become the goals. What I am not convinced we do very well in most of our churches, is identify, release and train pioneers, evangelists, apostles, or prophets. What I am convinced about is these are a range of gifts found and primarily intended to operate, in and through local churches.

- Resourcing needs to change. A rising number of people are talking about bi-vocational ministry, but once again my fears are it’s too much about providing ‘ministry’ and not releasing pioneering congregations. When you look, we are actually resource rich. BUGB may have declined numerically, we may have a pension deficit, but the reserves have increased significantly over the last decade.

- Missional is difficult to define and some argue (cf Alan Roxburgh who’s written more than most on this) this is part of its vitality, as Simon, also highlights. My fear is the structural, financial, need to get-it-sorted, agenda may squash the life out of the word.

Baptist Futures

2011-12-17T06:01:00.001Z

Hopefully the following is self-explanatory .... (I did begin to wonder about adding a photo, but then, what? ...)

Welcome to the first update from the BUGB Futures group. The intention is for this to become a regular publication through which Baptist Christians can be kept updated and encouraged to participate in this important process.

apparently future updates should appear on http://www.tlresource.nwba.org.uk/Futures%20update%201.pdf

The Futures Group was established by BU Council at its meeting in November 2011, in response to an increasingly likely, significant budget deficit. While it was something that could not be ignored, this was seen as an opportunity to seriously reflect on what our key priorities should be in the decades ahead.

Baptist Christians in the UK have been responsible and generous in their giving to the work of God’s Kingdom beyond their local church, and it is vital to be equally responsible in the way that those resources are used.

There are important decisions that need to be made, and some of these may well be difficult. That is why it is important to ensure that the consultation is as wide as possible and everyone is encouraged to think creatively as we seek to engage with the challenge before us. This will involve reviewing current expenditure, exploring potential new sources of funding and engaging with existing and potential partners, to consider whether there are tasks that might be undertaken more effectively together. This will certainly not preclude initiating new areas of work, if these are perceived as significant priorities by those that the Futures Group is called to serve.

Our world is in a state of unprecedented change at the moment; many accepted certainties and ways of doing things are becoming increasingly questioned. As Baptists we cannot expect to be immune from that, and it is vital to re-examine how we engage in mission and sustain our shared life in the light of this. Our prayer is that we might emerge better equipped to fulfil our common calling within the purposes and mission of our God.

The work of the Futures Group will be enabled by a small steering group, who have been appointed in recognition of the insight and experience that they will bring to the task. It is not for them to make decisions on behalf of others, nor to represent the interests of any party, but to ensure that those who do are properly informed and supported in their task.

One of their initial concerns is to ensure that as many people as possible are included and listened to in the consultation process. They will be using on-line resources, working with Associations, Union departments and committees and Special Interest groups to name but a few. The first full meeting of the Futures Group took place on Tuesday 13th December; the first phase of consultation is now being finalised and is expected to be released on-line on 20th December. Details of this and all future updates can be found on the BUGB website http://www.baptist.org.uk

All Baptist Christians are invited to share in this journey by praying for the Futures Group, the Steering Group and offering your reflections and insights when opportunities arise. Our desire is that together we might be led by the Spirit of God, and act in response to His leading.

BUGB Futures Group

Futures group beginnings

2011-12-15T19:08:00.001Z

Well, we had a 'Futures Group' meeting this week and the Baptist blogosphere managed a couple of mentions! My problem is, for some mysterious, but no doubt devilish reason, my list of blogs disappeared off my mac whilst in India! So, I've been well out of date with what's been put out there by Baptist colleagues. However, whilst I feel I cannot speak out quite as clearly as I would like, I do want to be part of the blog conversation - and I promise to catch up with what everyone else is saying. My main concern, with what I've read so far, is a focus on minor, structural and financial issues, which frankly matter little if we miss the big ones. You can have the best structure possible, but if it's not fit for purpose, what's the point?

Big generalisation, I know, but let me offer this:

We tend, as Baptist Ministers, to operate from a theologically reflective base, which (unfortunately because it's not supposed to work out like this in my view) contributes to our malaise when it comes to making significant change. My feeling is, this is made worse because we have grown accustomed to imbalanced practices among and arising from our local congregations. By this, I mean ‘ministry’ has, in too many churches, become almost exclusively identified with the pastoral and teaching models of Ministry. This is not quite the same thing as saying most of us are pastor/teachers, but there seems to be no denying this is the paradigm which dominates our practice as individuals and structures corporately.

Now, because most of the powerful voices engaged in the national conversations concerning any potential new shape for BUGB in the future, are Baptist Ministers, this is bound to influence us. However, what our nation desperately needs is churches, which are looking in their direction and, therefore, looking out for the people in our communities and places of work and leisure (wherever we find them). This demands an outward looking people. This means church leaders who identify and release people with gifts, which are expressed in loving service for others (how many spiritual gift identification programmes in church life actually result in more gifts being shared beyond our church premises?)

As a locally rooted Minister I used to work continually with three questions:

Wat kind of people is Jesus sending out into this community?

What kind of church creates those kinds of people?

What kind of leadership cultivates that kind of church?

When I became an idiot who no longer knows anything about the mission of God, sorry I meant a Regional Minister, I added another - what kind of Association enables this kind of leadership. What we didn't try and answer, however, following the re-structuring of 2001 was 'what kind of Union releases people, mission, gifts'.....

It seems to me the present context requires the primary shapers of ‘church’ to be far more balanced across, at least, the five-fold ministries spoken of in Ephesians 4. This is why I would advocate the word, which many people seem to dislike - ‘missional’ being promoted. We need to move towards a missional shape for many reasons, but not least because this word best describes the necessary posture of the church in our UK current context.

This was going to be short, but I've only just begun!

2011-12-11T23:23:00.001Z

If you can't use your own blog to brag about your daughter, then it's a crying shame .... so here's a plug from her dad and one of Emily's tutor's ....

Emily Coles', one of our talented third year students, has over the past year, been making a great blog about her photography. With her inspirations and wonderfully observed photographs, from Bucharest to Southampton via Greece, you'll be wishing you were there. Its certainly well worth a look!

Emily Coles' Blog

http://emsdarkroom.blogspot.com/

Emily Coles

Welton stages record-breaking nativity

2011-12-10T17:15:00.000Z

Here's a story of the one of our churches in this week's on-line Baptist Times:

Somerset town stages record-breaking nativity

THE WORLD Record for the most number of people in a nativity scene was unofficially broken on Friday - thanks to an ambitious project spearheaded by a Baptist church in Somerset.

More than 740 people crammed into the open-air production at Midsomer Norton, and although the figures still have to be verified by Guinness World Records the event looks to have comfortably beaten the current record of 567 set in Sassi di Matera in Italy.

The event was coordinated by Welton Baptist Church, which had been asked to help organise the town's annual lantern fayre.

To capture people's imagination the church decided to go for a record, inviting people to come dressed as shepherds to the event.

The local town council loved the idea, as did local businesses and schools.

An advertising campaign was launched encouraging people to don tea towels and dressing gowns and head to the Hollies Gardens in the high street, where the nativity was being staged.

The invitation was open to anyone who wanted to take part, and those who did were ushered into areas in front of and behind the stage.

As part of the production they were involved in singing of carols and responding to a couple of questions.

Matt Coomes, the church's outreach worker, was one of the organisers.

'It took a lot of organising, and thankfully went very well,' he told The Baptist Times.

'There were people from all over the town involved, not just the churches. It was a lovely atmosphere.

'It was a great opportunity to get into schools and we want to keep developing our relationships with the town council and local businesses.'

Leadership or direction? either/or/both/and?

2011-12-07T21:32:00.001Z

Pokhara Baptist Church - not a great view into the church, but look out of the back window and you'll wonder: 'is this the church building with the greatest view in the world?'

I often hear about (and also frequently, personally lament) the lack of leadership. We need more leaders. Everywhere, in both general society and within the Church.

Every church asks for one during a pastoral vacancy. In fact, the only people I hear not asking for more leadership are the ‘leaders in servants clothing’ group of Baptist Ministers, who protest too loudly. “We’re not leaders, we’re Ministers” I hear them cry, but when I visit their churches, it’s a very different tale I hear, which leaves me wondering what’s happened to self-awareness in the league table of Baptist competencies?

However, I’m also producing a work-book for Christian DNA groups, which is designed for ‘leaderless’ groups. Groups of three, meeting around the person of Jesus, seeking to be his followers. If Jesus is the leader, does one of us need to be?

So, am I wrong to promote such a way forward? The question is, for me, is it primarily more leaders we need, or is it actually direction?

You can have a leader who takes you …. nowhere fast.

You can have a leader who takes you backwards.

You can have a leader who takes you round and round in circles.

One of my favourite book titles, without doubt, is Eugene Peterson’s “Long Obedience in the Same Direction.’ ‘Same direction’ is crucial, more crucial than leadership?

Joshua Bell

2011-12-05T17:40:00.000Z

For the first time ever, I've felt like passing on one of those weird e-mail stories people love sharing .....

THE SITUATION

In Washington , DC , at a Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007, this man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After about 3 minutes, a middle-aged man noticed that there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds, and then he hurried on to meet his schedule.

About 4 minutes later:

The violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

At 6 minutes:

A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

At 10 minutes:

A 3-year old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head the whole time. This action was repeated by several other children, but every parent - without exception - forced their children to move on quickly.

At 45 minutes:

The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

After 1 hour:

He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed and no one applauded. There was no recognition at all.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold-out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100 each to sit and listen to him play the same music.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the D.C. Metro Station, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities.

This experiment raised several questions:

*In a common-place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?

*If so, do we stop to appreciate it?

*Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made .. . ...

How many other things are we missing as we rush through life?

Patterns of missional living

2011-12-04T21:56:00.000Z

The more I dwell on my experiences recently, in Nepal, Bangladesh and India, the more I’m seeing missional living as the connecting pattern, but not simply across Asia: with ourselves, here in the UK also. Discipleship is, in my probably not so humble opinion, our biggest current issue in the UK Church.

‘How then shall we live?’ It strikes me, if we cannot answer this question in a way, which:

- Expresses our response to Jesus’ call ‘follow me’.

- Engages with the people who share our environment (19 out of 20 not yet Christians in the UK).

- Authentically distinguishes as followers of He who is the way, the truth and the life.

So here’s something of what I noticed:

For missionaries: The fundamental issue is more a concern with how they live than with what they say. In many countries overseas, we cannot legally send ‘missionaries’ who openly call others to repentance and faith in Jesus. What no one can prevent, however, is ‘missionaries’ who don't appear to work for the Church, but who do live for Jesus.

For growth: In Nepal, Bangladesh and India the Church is growing – in some areas fast. The issue everyone always raises is an old chestnut: ‘what’s the point if the Church grows significantly numerically, but is only an inch deep?’ Well, it strikes me Jesus provides the answer in Luke 10. If Jesus propels illiterate, recent Christians out into his world, it strikes me he thinks depth doesn't just happen, but does need to start somewhere.

I’m personally left in no doubt, the depth of discipleship is a very definite concern for many people involved in some of the rapidly multiplying church planting movements. Where Christianity is being caught more than it is taught (if it ever happens very much any other way anyway) “it totally depends upon the Christlikeness of the planters”.

bi-vocational?

2011-12-01T23:11:00.000Z

I found this list on the Anglican 1000 USA website. I've heard a lot of people talk about bi-vocational Ministry here in the UK, but have yet to see very many good, positive examples. I personally think it could be a great development, missionally speaking, but my fear is it will merely be seen as a recipe to solve finances. The testimony of other denominations who have approached bi-vocational Ministry, motivated by financial, or structural concerns has been, again only in my opinion, disastrous. In some ways it boils down to what ministry is primarily released? A primarily pastoral mode will not be a blessing, whereas an apostolic leadership mode of operating could be hugely beneficial. Anyway, have a look at these for yourself ....

1. We have more relationships outside the church, and if the outside work is in the secular marketplace we know more non-belivers.

2. Being employed “outside” gives us a rapport with our parishioners that full timers don’t have. We finally understand why laypeople love weekends so much, but we’re not in a position to take advantage of them.

3. We have far less time to prepare a sermon or a Bible study, or to just hang out with the laity; and sometimes we feel very badly about that.

4. The pastor and people’s commitment to one another must be ironclad because churches led by bi-vocational clergy will usually be smaller, have fewer resources, and develop much more slowly. This bond will be tested.

5. Successful bi-vocational clergy have to be ruthless in their time management, and if they become workaholics they’d likely crash sooner and worse.

6. If we work full time in our outside job we are probably more financially secure than most fully-supported clergy. On the other hand we rarely have a day-off unless the outside employer gives us one—so much for the 4th Commandment. Isolation and burnout can be a real problem.

7. A church’s clergy and laity have to be equally committed to bi-vocational ministry. While the pastor has the spiritual oversight, laity must step up to do some of the work that a fully-supported minister would normally perform; and still, a lot of work just won’t get done.

8. Conferences and services for clergy are built around the fully-supported clergy model and are held on weekdays and in locations we can’t get to. So we are less networked in the diocese and must build our own support systems in the field.

9. Bi-vocational ministers don’t like the word, “part-time.” We are always on-call and always talking to God about our people.

10. Speaking personally, when I get home Sunday evening I can exchange hi-fives with my wife because no matter how the sermon went, I’m not going to get fired!

Oh, couldn't resist another picture!

Crisis? Which crisis? Choose yours...

2011-11-27T09:30:00.001Z

When Alan Roxburgh recommends ‘a good read’ I’d be foolish to ignore it. On this occasion, however, I baulked at the $29.95 price tag. It’s called The Leap – how to survive and thrive in the sustainable economy’ by Chris Turner a Canadian. My book allowance wont sustain it before the end of the year!

Sustainability – that’s a key word for us right now. It’s a massive and still growing issue here in the UK economically and environmentally. Whilst too many Christians remain aloof to the issues in these arenas, the sustainability question has parked itself right in the middle of us.

Whilst I was away recently, the Baptist Union Council agreed a budget deficit of just in excess of £1 million. OK, I’ve looked at the figures and it looks like £650k, but this includes an aspirational increase in HM giving for next year (when this years figures give no basis to suggest this), so in all probability, we’re looking at £1 million. In one sense the figure is immaterial, because it’s the unsustainable model, which is the real issue.

We do have a crisis. However, it’s not the financial crisis, which worries me. A lack of finances is little threat to real churches. Unlike some Christian streams and denominations we are not looking at switching off the lights in the last church building. Baptist Christians in the UK may not be growing numerically, but we are not anxious about being around ‘in’ the next generation. Whether we will be here ‘for’ the next generation, however, remains a challenge and a question. In many ways, our lack of dramatic decline numerically has led us to the complacency we find ourselves in. We’re not growing, but we’re not declining massively – a bit like a sailing boat becalmed for lack of wind speed. However, the age profile of many congregations may result in a significant decrease over the next ten years and this appears to be something those who are relying upon a ‘simply give more’ strategy appear to have overlooked.

No, our crisis is a systemic crisis and if the finances bring the spotlight upon the crisis of our ‘system’, it’s one I welcome. Let me clarify that, I ‘cautiously’ welcome – I’m not that brave! Why also I've chosen this, for me, wonderful image of sunrise in the Himalayas - it could be a new day!

Why? Am I simply odd? (no need to comment on this one!) The reasons I welcome a crisis threatening our system is because it offers hope we might be able to shift towards a more appropriate way of being for the present and foreseeable future. We shall need many things, but perhaps most significantly, a willingness to walk where God is leading us.

Back to ‘sustainable’. We have to explore sustainability. New churches built on a model framework, which assumes full-time paid ministry is not sustainable. Grants to churches, which do not intentionally facilitate outward movement, rather than inward care, are not sustainable. Regional bodies, like the one I am part of, which duplicate the local domination of pastor/teachers as the sole pattern for ministry are not sustainable. A Union, which is more concerned with who comes in than who’s sent out, is not sustainable.

One comment on ‘The leap’ is ‘it filled me with excitement and hope for the future’ = maybe I will read it after all!

NB – sustainability in the kingdom of God has within it the built in assumption that growth exceeds faith – aka the mustard seed conspiracy. This is not akin to budgets simply based on past ways & giving.

I’m remembering last Sunday – preaching in a congregation of about fifty people, but one, which has given birth to 6000 plus others. They didn't have enough money to do that!

Sarangkot

2011-11-23T22:21:00.000Z

Here's the view of the Annapurna's from Sarangkot at sunrise. It was such a blessing as the weather meant it had been cloudy for weeks before and again the day after. For me, this is the kind of view, which does put life in perspective.

Well done Delia Smith:
“As I’ve got older I have become more aware of the simplicity of our faith,” she said. “If Jesus has said, ‘there’s only one thing needed’, we cannot grow as Christians without incorporating that ‘one thing’ into our daily lives and take his words utterly seriously.”

We had a good time with Roy Searle, speaking at our Leaders Day today on Missional Living. From my perspective this is the key issue facing us and the discipleship factor seems to be key in whatever culture, or context, in today's world. Over the last two weeks I've heard:

In Nepal: without discipleship we shall be too shallow, if persecution returns.
In Bangladesh: without discipleship Christians will be indistinguishable from everyone else.
In India: the discipleship of the planters is what this movement depends upon.

Whilst I've been away, BU Council has met and I've noted a couple of things:
i. The Baptist Times will cease publication at the end of this year due to falling circulation numbers. This saddens me, to say 'I told you so', but I just hope it will serve as a reminder to us all we cannot bury our heads in the sand and simply hope things will turn around in other aspects of Baptist life. The reality is, we should have realised we needed a different expression of 'Baptist times' years ago and radically changed what the paper was for. The sooner we stop playing at trying to be a proper denomination and start cultivating an environment in which missional discipleship flourishes the better.
ii. The fact of our £1 million budget deficit is now on public display. This represents a huge challenge to our way of being, but I'm one of those who sees it as an opportunity to get real about what Delia is talking about: simplicity and simply following Jesus. Of course, we could bury our heads in the sand again.

movement

2011-11-22T21:35:00.000Z

One of the things I love about photography is the fact you capture, in a split second, an image which can then be kept. So, with great anticipation I today, at last, am able to upload my photos from my most recent trip. Back home, I'm just beginning to enjoy looking at what will now be reminders of some amazing stories. So what, shall I post first was my question?
Well, here are two images of the same woman. In the first, she is walking down the river bank, through an amazing amount of mud.

The reason? Here she would be baptised, as you can see in the second image, along with 16 other people.

I've been thinking, talking, praying a lot recently about how we can re-kindle a sense of movement here in the UK. However, these photos, capture in a split second, a fast growing movement of the mission of God in India taking place across this vast country. What a thrill to meet people, who have only recently begun to follow Jesus, from Hindu, Muslim, and various other backgrounds.

re-calibrate

2011-11-20T13:13:00.000Z

No time for much yet. We've been away in the Sunderbans and had an amazing time. Had withdrawal symptoms from not having an internet connection, but when you return and find yourself stepping around people sleeping, because they live, on the street, it kind of brings perspective.
Hopefully, I'll have time to unpack some of the vast amount of experiences and some focus will come concerning what I need to learn and do, as well as, how I need to change.
The big issue in my mind right now is the extent to which we need to re-calibrate, in the UK church, far more than we realise, by Jesus.

Kolkota!

2011-11-16T17:12:00.001Z

Well behind as barely a signal to pick up in Bangladesh, so here's a few journal notes ......

Arriving in Delhi, I’m not sure what I expected for my first time in India.

- Cleaner, less noisy, more ordered traffic, generally feeling less ‘busy’ than Kathmandu. I didn't think the contrast would be so striking.

- The obvious presence of street beggars was probably less than I’d been warned about.

- The void between rich and poor was grater than anticipated, considering we’re staying near the centre of the capitol city.

- The general apparent level of affluence was probably higher than I anticipated.

- My first curry, in India, was much better than I’d hoped.

- The hotel was excellent & great value for money – thanks to Gareth on this one.

Wow, here in Bangladesh. Bigger contrast with Delhi than I’d prepared myself for. Great rickshaws, but I’m glad it wasn’t raining. The potholes here are something else, but I’m told, when it rains and you can't see where they are, they call the front seat the ‘meet Jesus’ seat! Bad enough in a car, but in a rickshaw – lethal!

An amazing visit to a church school. Now this is real commitment from three women in particular. Around thirty young girls, taken in from extreme poverty (handed over by families who ‘cannot afford to keep them at home’. They’re looked after and provided with an education. So, boarding school with many extras thrown in. The context is harrowing, it raises all manner of questions I didn't find answers to, but it does build credibility for the Church in a hugely challenging environment.

God is clearly up to something here in Bangladesh. A whole number of Isai fellowships and churches have sprung up in recent years. Simply ‘followers of Jesus’ made up of Muslim background believers. One person has told me today there are, a conservative estimate of 50,000 people in such groups and churches, compared to around 20,000 ten years ago.

Great to hear some stories from Muslim background believers today. Great to meet mainly young people (20's) from Muslim, Hindu and Christian backgrounds in the discipleship school. Wonderful reception, but we have so much more to learn than we can ever teach. I'm asking everyone to pray for us.

Kolkota tonight. Vehicle fumes terrible - far worse than Kathmandu which I didn't expect. Staying at BMS guest house - very good. First rickshaw in India tonight - to the Chinese restaurant with Benjamin Francis. So good to hear something of his story and a little of the 6000 churches planted over the last six years, or so. Truly inspiring and I'm looking forward to our two days out with him ..... more 'down the river' than 'on the road'.

Nepali time ....

2011-11-12T23:57:00.001Z

I've been before, but not enough to really get used to 'Nepali time' ....

'About ten minutes' - nothing ever happens in ten minutes.

'Just around the corner' - hopefully you have your walking boots on.

'We start/finish at 10 o'clock - whatever the time mentioned, add on a very minimum of half an hour, but be prepared for much longer!

We've, so far, missed meals, bible study, church services, meetings and we've only been here just under a week - just think of all the good things we could pack in missing, if it were longer!

I had to laugh, however, when our taxi guy moaned he'd had to wait for us to get down the mountain - considering we set off in the dark in the wrong direction we did quite well to be only half an hour late- but that made us on time after translation!

What I have to say, however, is I have met some wonderful people. Some planned, but more often not.

Learning from Nepali Baptists

2011-11-12T16:07:00.003Z

What are we learning from NBCC?

Since our engagement with PMC (Partnership for Missional Church), ‘what are we learning’ has become a favourite question for some of us in WEBA? What, especially, has staggered me is how little we asked the question before as it is so simple, but helpful, in nurturing the habit of reflection and embodying the results (or at least offering the potential).

So, what are we learning from the Nepal Baptist Church Council (NBCC)?

1. We’re too quick sometimes to insert the disclaimer: ‘this is such a different culture, we’re in such a different place’. All true mission is cross cultural, unless we live somewhere other than where the UK was (in people’s minds, more than reality), if you believe post Constantine Christianity is something to return to, it is, therefore, essential we do the work necessary to ask the question both ways. We don't assume what we have learned in our context is relevant to others & neither do we assume what seems to be a great idea here, is something we must take on board back home. However, I’ve heard far more reasons why what God is doing elsewhere is not relevant for us than seeing practice influenced and enriched.

2. Discussion about doctrine and theology is an essential contributor to building foundations. One of our group commented ‘we don't do this anymore’. So, at a time, when a growing number of people (not just Neil Brighton and me, I’m heartened to say!) are questioning what are we doing and why, we must ensure the conversation is rooted. The Nepali’s are allowing the Bible to question them and their practice in a way the western church (not merely a UK, or Baptist, issue) seldom does. We question God, not the other way round.

3. Intentionality, rooted in purpose, is a more likely way of hitting the target than doing nothing. I didn't catch the figures, but the gist of it is, next year, the Nepal Baptist Church Council are looking to God:

- To increase the number of baptisms significantly (from already significant number) to 500.

- To see 1000 people come to Christ.

- Start 4 new Churches, but declare 20 new ‘preaching points’ (house church?).
- To build more church buildings.
- To plant more churches (20 people as ‘members’ before they can be considered).
- To establish more groups in fellowship.

Currently, they have 124 Churches, 16000 members (WEBA has similar number of churches, but only 6600 members!) , 32 supported Ministers (we have three times that number).

Back home, whenever I talk about looking to intentionally reach people and help them find Jesus, I’m met with, what feels like, a barrage of excuses and reasons why it just doesn’t happen like that. I fully appreciate we are in a very different place culturally, but when in local ministry, we simply planned a baptismal service once a quarter, at least, and it happened. It’s not the whole story, but next week I hope to visit William Carey’s grave: ‘expect great things from God, attempt great things for God’.

4. When you love Jesus you don’t waste time arguing over the social/evangelistic divide we specialise in. Our BMS missionaries are still not allowed to come here on a visa other than for something, which makes a valuable contribution to the society of one of the poorest nations on earth. When persecuted and oppressed, as well as now in freer times, social projects and numerical growth have gone hand in hand. We visited Greenpastures Hospital, met Leprosy patients, heard about their award winning spinal injury treatment work and also heard how ‘every month several people turn to God’. We’ve also been swapping stories of our churches where people are finding faith – the commonality is significant community engagement. The thing is, here they had learned how to love people in Jesus’ name without talking, because it was not allowed. It’s a better training ground than a theological College.

5. ‘Jesus is Lord’ is still the primary reason we are Baptist Christians. There was no denomination here in Nepal until very recently – this is only the seventh congress. Prior to this Christians, supported by various mission agencies from around the world just got on with telling people about Jesus, gathering them together to worship and shape discipleship and not worrying about structures. As in China, one of the ‘benefits’ of an oppressive regime is you don't concentrate upon structures. Of the present 150, or so, member Churches of the NBCC, only about half identified themselves as ‘Baptists’ beforehand. They’ve recognised the benefit of associating with like-minded others, but few of them, even among the other 50%, were planted intentionally to become ‘Baptist’ Churches. One cannot but help see the contrast with our way of being in the UK. It seems our structures are set up to vet people, before we allow them in, rather than facilitate the centripetal movement of the mission of God. When we talk in WEBA about how we can orientate towards a focus upon counting those who go out of the doors as disciples, more than the ‘footfall’ (interestingly a retail term) of those who come through the building, people break out in a hot sweat. Nepal has a long way to go, but we have that much in common.

I’m sure there’s more, but I hope the plane’s arriving soon!

Wonderful, wonderful Pokhara

2011-11-10T14:03:00.001Z

Pokhara has to be one of the most wonderful places on earth - certainly it is on my experience.
Once again, I'm humbled by the faithfulness of God's people. Here, when they pray, they expect God to work. I've been at the Nepal Baptist Council meetings, yesterday and today. Very interesting - this is a young church here in Nepal & this is only the 7th annual gathering of Baptists. They're still forming the basis of who they are and what they stand for - as I write they're debating how they express their essential faith in trinitarian terms. In a land where Hinduisms many god's are very evident, this is appropriately taking time. Still, better debate this than a budget deficit!
I can't help compare this with our own institutionally boing Council meetings, which will take place next week, whilst I'm still away. Here there's no point talking about money, they need not bother because they have none. To a western mind this appears catastrophic - how can you do anything without it?! How different would we look if we asked 'what can we not afford to forget'? whereas we tend to ask 'what can we afford'? Too frequently this becomes 'we can't afford it, so we can't do it'. Nothing would have happened here on that basis!

Don't fret, it's not all meetings. This morning we had the most wonderful experience. Up at 4.30 am, we went to Sandarkat to watch the sunrise and put the spotlight on the Annapurna range - it was so clear; a fantastic experience. Bizarrely, I met Andy & Judy Caldwell from Bristol at the top - how weird is that! They're leading a vision trip for INF here at the moment, but to meet someone you know at sunrise, half-way round the world.

2011-11-09T06:53:00.000Z

When I visited Nepal two years ago, I never imagined I'd have the privilege of returning. 'Privilege' has to be the word. I'm here under the umbrella of BMS with Grenville & Gareth. Gareth's trying to do a good job of looking after us, but it's a hopeless task in all honesty. I admit when BMS raised the question, it was difficult to pray about. 'Would you like to visit Nepal, Bangladesh & India for two weeks in November'? I managed to reply, I'd wait until Maggie was back from a school trip before I answer, but my mind was pretty much made up there and then. Having been to Nepal before and wanted to travel in India for some while, who wouldn't?

We arrived in Katmandu on monday met by Cynthia at the airport. Cynthia is a friend, in any case - she and here husband, Ian, are members of the same church and I used to be their Pastor, as well as friend. As soon as you leave the airport, you know you're in Asia. A blend of sight, sound and smell hits you full on. However, there is a dominant theme as you travel across Kathmandu in each of the sensory departments - colour, car horns and diesel fumes.

Why are we here? It's the question everyone asked me before I came.
On the face of it we're here to visit and encourage a number of missionaries in each country. However, there are other themes, which have the opportunity to emerge more clearly and I want to be open to any and more.
A closer sense of partnership between what we describe as international and national mission, home and overseas, is one concern I bring.
A desire to serve the Church here in Nepal is a lingering legacy from my previous visit.
A willingness to ask what it is we need to learn from brothers and sisters in Christ elsewhere in the world.
Who knows where it will all lead? Well, God knows and I'm thankful to leave the next two weeks to him.

Preaching today .... literally!

2011-11-06T08:35:00.001Z

Oh dear .... am I preparing to preach this morning, or am I merely feeding my own soul? It's a dilemma, which sometimes appears to cripple some people. Hopefully, I've never been one of those, of whom there seem to be many to my ears, who suggest:
preparing what to share as a result of dwelling in God's word (sermon preparation) does not somehow count if you find yourself refreshed, challenged, fed, whatever, in the process.

Of course, if the only time you ever hear God is as a result of reading and reflecting on the Bible, as a result of being there for the sake of others, it's an indication of a problem. However, don't knock it too much. I've worked for over ten years now primarily in the arena of other Christian leaders and I've learnt a couple of things:

1. The weekly discipline, which I no longer have, of needing to prepare to speak is both a huge privilege and benefit to the nurturing of the mind of Christ in me. Sermon preparation has to be a habit in local Ministry, but it's not a bad habit. Speaking out what you've had to dig into and reflect upon, is a privilege most people don't have. Not simply privilege, however, but luxury. We're in a place currently where people, like me, are emphasising the need to transition into a missional way of being. I know people easily hear this message as implying 'mission' (doing stuff) is paramount and 'worship' (being stuff) is secondary, or even optional. Listen again please. What God has joined together ....... Preparation can nudge us another notch around the reflection-action cycle, we can escape, if like me, you don't have to do this. It's no guarantee your pastor this morning is standing up embodying all he/she preaches, but it increases the likelihood because God speaks to whoever listens, even of they happen to be a hard-pressed Pastor, frantically getting ready for Sunday!

2. If weekly serious, lengthy, reflection on the word of God takes place in the life of an average disciple of Christ in the UK Church today, who is not there for the sake of others, it's more unusual than normal. I'm now like everyone else out there sitting before you in the chairs, which seemed a great idea to buy cheap at the time. I read my bible, but I know what a challenge it is when you have to do it to prepare. I read my bible, but I know what it's like to do it to tick the box for the day in hand. I read my bible, because I want to be able to answer the next person, or my mentor, 'what are you reading, or hearing from God'? I read my bible, but most times, serious reflection happens in the car, apart from the 'moment' and can feel it doesn't count. Remember, for most people the privilege of having somebody open up God's word, to take them on a journey to the centre of their being before God, to draw questions up from the recesses of their heart where they might find God in the answering in their own lives, all these things are the privilege of listeners to someone who's done business before God in the previous week. Please, please, if you're responsible for this privilege in any way, don't short-change them by coming up with a downloaded from someone else, Americanised, sermon, which has by-passed your brain (but more especially your heart). Please, please, don't put them into groups to ask an irrelevant, useless question and think you're helping people learn and reflect deeply on their place before God. I've suffered some of these: they make people groan, they turn people off, they leave seekers for truth unsatisfied, but I would say that, I believe in preaching.

Now, off to Corsham .... am I prepared?

UWE now coffee ....

2011-11-01T12:53:00.000Z

I'm consulting....
I've just been to a meeting at UWE (University of the West of England). Basically, I'm a Trustee of The Octagon, which is the chaplaincy building int he heart of a once avowedly secular University, or Polytechnic as it was then.
UWE are part way into a grand £250m master plan, having purchased another 70+ acres from HP, which will ultimately bring much of their operation on one campus, hopefully including Bristol Rovers and Rugby stadium. So, a reasonably large and exciting project.
The Octagon building could be a fly in the ointment - it really needs to be pulled down to make way for one of any number of new buildings. 30,000 students and a projected 3000+ living on campus, a chunk of which will be international students living there throughout the year and not simply during term time, so a 24/7 'village' is being created.
So, how do we engage as Christians in this multi-faith-cultural-environment?
Do we aim for a similar amount of dedicated 'space' int he new build? How do we try to ensure a Christian engagement for future generations of students? (You'll realise this is a tricky question in the present environment). How do we relate to the other faith communities? etc.
Answers, or offers of help, on a postcard please!
Seriously, feel free to contact via nigcoles@tiscali.co.uk if you'd rather not leave public comments.
The good news is the next meeting is in Porto Lounge, one of my favourite coffee haunts, now a growing chain, which began here in Bristol.

Leadershift

2011-10-25T09:13:00.002+01:00

I’ve been reading Leadershift, new in paperback, by Emmanuel Gobillot (The Connected Leader). It’s one of those books, for me, where somebody puts expression to gut feelings and that intuitive straining after hunches you just struggle to find the words for: so I think it’s really good. I also hope it’s going to be really useful. Of course, Gobillot is speaking primarily into the corporate business communities, but there’s a huge amount of wisdom here for those with ears to hear from the Christian leadership community. I’ve scrawled all over the book, but at page 62 I put finger to macbook ……

‘as a new world of mass collaboration is upon us, leaders should stay well away from trying to act as architects and town planners attempting to redesign the communal landscape. Instead, their time will be better spent tending the gardens and renovating the houses to make the place attractive for people who want to move in.’

…. The trends indicate that the coordination of activities we have so far achieved through hierarchical means is not efficient and that the means through which we achieve coordination will need to change.

…. Does that mean that leadership is irrelevant? Are we going towards some anarchical, communal days where no one is in charge? The way we have led might be irrelevant, but this is not true of leadership altogether. We are living beyond the days of leadership.

All on p 62 of ‘Leadershift’ by Emmanuel Gobillot.

For those who realise we’re spending too much energy barking up the wrong tree I would heartily recommend Leadershift. I’m sure he’s not 100% accurate in his reflections and observation of current trends, but if he’s describing the changing landscape, which is influencing the vast majority, both inside and outside of the church, with even 51% accuracy (and I think it’s a lot higher), then it’s worth taking note of. If he’s right, then our future as leaders will be heavily impacted by the trends he describes. However, ‘good’ we feel we may have been, the skills demanded in the future will need to look very different.

You need to read the book.

disciple-making churches

2011-10-19T22:06:00.000+01:00

'MOVE' is the latest research Willow Creek have released, with the subtitle 'What 1000 Churches reveal about Spiritual Growth. As this suggests it's a focus upon what they're learning about 'disciple-making' churches, I shall be very interested to read the results i full. I'll be approaching it with my usual 'this is the USA we're talking about here, not the UK, kind of hesitations, but I'm sure there will be lessons for us to learn and no doubt things we need to hear over here. Here's the summary of the top four 'practices' (I'm already interested now they're using that word!)

Practice 1: They get people moving.

Instead of offering up a wide-ranging menu of ministry opportunities to newcomers, best-practice churches promote and provide a high-impact, nonnegotiable pathway of focused first steps — a pathway designed specifically to jumpstart a spiritual experience that gets people moving toward a Christ-centered life.

Practice 2: They embed the Bible in everything.

At best-practice churches, the Bible goes well beyond its role as the foundation for teaching and life instruction. These churches breathe Scripture. Every encounter and experience within the church begins with the question, “What does the Bible have to say about that?” And church leaders model living life according to the answers to that question.

Practice 3: They create ownership.

Best-practice congregants don’t just belong to their church; they believe they are the church. They embrace its discipleship values as part of their identity. Best-practice churches inspire and hold people accountable for changing their behavior — for becoming more Christlike in their everyday lives as a reflection of their faith.

Practice 4: They pastor their local community.

Best-practice churches don’t simply serve their community. They act as its shepherd, becoming deeply involved in community issues and frequently serving in influential positions with local civic organizations. They often partner with nonprofits and other churches to secure whatever resources are necessary to address the most pressing local concerns.

In addition to these four practices, we identified one overarching leadership principle that emerged in our interaction with the senior pastors of these top-5 percent churches. These churches are led by individuals consumed with making disciples. Absolutely consumed. Making disciples of Christ was unquestionably their most important aspiration and the deepest desire of their hearts. And that characteristic fueled all four of the practices.

I don’t know if you’ve ever had those nagging doubts that I had: Do I really know what’s going on in the hearts and souls of my people? Is all this activity and programming moving them closer to God, or are we all just spinning our wheels? The REVEAL survey told us the truth about how our people experienced church, and some of what they told us wasn’t pretty. But it also showed us how to do a better job of helping people grow spiritually, which, after all, is why all of us — you and me — do what we do.

Kindness

2011-10-14T10:36:00.001+01:00

KIndness. It's part of the fruit of the spirit. It's one of the practices, which helps Christians look like Christians.

We got onto kindness at a discussion this week. The discussion was supposed to be around Alisdair's presentation of his dissertation findings re whether people who lived some distance away from the building they use to gather together for worship was a missed opportunity? Another time . Because it was at one of our leaders for 'larger' (over 150) Baptist Churches network days, we debated, for a long time, over the first bar on the first graph (!!), but we also got caught by kindness.

Kindness - "I wish our people would just work at being kind to other people" - probably not an exact quote and probably more politely put, because there was a fair bit of angst directed towards 'our people' (!?).

It raised the issue again - what is discipleship all about and how do we establish an environment in which it happens? We are all disciples, but of whom? We often assume the answer, within the Church, is Jesus, but is it?

I've often said we must begin with the end in mind, but I was reading something by Alan Hirsch again this week and he raised a lovely both/and for me. It's not simply about beginning with the end in mind, but also ending with the beginning in mind. What is it exactly we are multiplying? Dare we take a close look at the results of our practices?

Lest we (those of us who look as themselves as Christian leaders) think this is an issue simply for 'our people' and, therefore, merely a case of changing our home group structure, or whatever, let us think again.

Yesterday a friend and colleague sent me this prayer of Mother Teresa: "If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. be kind anyway."

Missional includes kindness.

Steve Jobs .... great speech.

2011-10-11T22:26:00.000+01:00

In case, like me, you're not one of the 10 million plus people who have viewed this clip on YouTube already, I recommend you have a listen. Not spoken from a Christian viewpoint, but I'll be quoting a few bits over time, I'm sure of that. Very moving & deeply profound.

The RFU & BUGB.

2011-10-10T15:11:00.000+01:00

Yesterday, I was driving to Cheltenham to preach at Salem BC in the morning and back to Gloucester for a Cluster gathering in the evening. On both journeys I was listening to Five Live, which was dominated by the Rugby.
OK dismal from England, well done Wales, great match between the Aussies and South Africa (how did they lose?), sorry for the Irish.
Anyway, what dominated was the post-mortem on England and the RFU. I felt I was listening to the same conversation in stereo - out of one speaking I was hearing 'RFU" and the other 'BUGB' (Baptist Union of GB).
Both a pretty boring, it seems to me, to most Rugby fans,a s well as most members of Baptist Churches .... unless you happen to be involved in the structures themselves.
However, what people are interested in is 'how can we find a supportive structure, which helps, rather than hinders, England winning Rugby matches.
What is the relationship between who's the CE of the RFU and who are the Board members, etc. and who manages the team and the results of the fixtures?
Translate all that into our Christian ghetto and I get to the same answers. You can change the structures all you wish, but in and of themselves they wont necessarily make any difference.
However, if the actual structures are getting in the way of empowering churches to plant churches and disciples to make disciples, then something needs to shift.

Steve Jobs and Jeremiah

2011-10-06T16:13:00.000+01:00

I don’t envy Jeremiah. To be told, at your induction service, ‘today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and to tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant’ (Jer. 1:10) is not what anyone wants to hear .... neither the messenger, nor those to whom they’re sent!

I’m writing this on the day I’ve heard the news that Steve Jobs has died. Jobs was co-founder of Apple and the man behind the iPod, iPhone and iPad (I haven’t bought the latter …. yet!) However, the tribute I want to pay, and the reason why I mention him in the same breathe as Jeremiah, is to his role as a disruptor.

Apparently, he was not an easy guy to work with, or for, because he disrupted people’s thinking, time-scales and plans. Every church needs disruptors, but hardly any welcome them. We all need disrupting from time to time. I’m not suggesting we need disrupting all the time, none of us could cope with that, but comfort zones are hugely appealing places to live. I simply suggest, if we are called to Christian leadership and we are feeling comfortable, then maybe we need to listen more carefully for God’s voice, or go out and find a disruptor!

As Einstein said (another fairly bright guy): “The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before.”

You don't get innovation, unless you have disruption.

After Christendom & Restoring Hope details

2011-10-06T13:39:00.000+01:00

Here's the details for the next Crucible weekend 5th-6th. November @ IMC, Selly Oak, Birmingham. Bookings via crucible @urbanexpression.org.uk

My conundrum this week.

2011-10-06T13:35:00.000+01:00

I find myself thinking more about gospel planting than church planting this week. The problem I encounter, whenever I say "church planting" is the image I can almost imagine forming in the mind of the person in front of me.

Because most of the leaders I speak to tend to be Baptists you might imagine these mind-pictures would not automatically feature a paid full-time Minister, a church building and a music-group led worship service. Wrong.

Therefore, I am beginning to wonder whether my usage of the term church planting is really helping convey what I'm thinking about any more. The problem then becomes what do I say?

If I want to plant the seed of the good news, which is Jesus Christ, in a new community - I'm often left with a Home Mission application form in front of me, which demands a whole list of questions to be answered. Good questions (usually) but pre-supposing an ordained person, paid, meeting in an existing building and preaching to the an already legally constituted group (church) of people. My instinct and conversations, however, suggest 'forget about a constitution until you need one, which wont be until you've at least gathered 25 fully committed people.

My problem is I'm a Regional Minister and everyone presumes our system can answer such conundrums. That leaves the words 'Regional Minsiter' and 'problem' in the same sentence!

Church planting consultation .... dangerous thoughts.

2011-09-25T21:37:00.001+01:00

Last week we held a consultation on church planting in the WEBA region, led by Stuart Murray Williams, who's part of us, I'm pleased to say. From my perspective, it was a fascinating day and I had the privilege of listening to some of things God is up to through some of the people God has gifted to us.

Bearing in mind the primary group we invited were Baptist Ministers, two things have stuck with me though, although I'm not yet 100% sure what I'm hearing on either issue:

No one from our larger churches came long. In our region 'larger' stands for churches with a formal membership of 150+. Now, you might not think this is especially significant, but for me it is ..... and worryingly so. Traditionally, as Baptists the majority of our new planting has arisen from larger, better resourced churches (ie. of 150+). I know Stuart has not always been popular by reminding us we have over relied on the mother-daughter type model. However, he is only reflecting on the facts of our recent past. What I'm left wondering in our region, where we are looking at multiplying intentional planting, is where the future planting is likely to come from. Not the traditional sources is what I'm suspecting. If anyone can tell me why there appears to be little vision for planting out from our larger churches, then on a postcard please!

Secondly, I was particularly fascinated by the make-up of the group who gathered. It could have been almost assumed everyone who might come along to this particular consultation would be Baptist Ministers. Most were, but when I noted down who had attended a Baptist College AND was leading a Baptist Church I came up with 35%. This was a group who were invited on the basis they are leading, or thinking of possibly initiating a plant.

So, I have more questions:
What have we done to produce so few APE's?
Are we looking to narrowly at existing capital 'M' Ministers?
How do we release and channel the planting energy, which is clearly among a group of people.
Are capital 'M' Ministers in any way getting int he way of what God is up to?
How can we help more people see the need?

What was absolutely great, however, is not everyone had a card saying 'Baptist' on it. Of course, I handed out application forms ....

Oh boy, more work!

Transforming mission into missional?

2011-09-20T15:28:00.000+01:00

What’s in a word?

I guess the first time I heard the word ‘missional’, as part of a decent conversation, was at Cliff College when Martin Robinson pulled a few friends together to explore how on earth we could help churches and congregations transition somewhere new.

We knew a few things: new is where we needed to go. ‘What kind of churches?’ was a question beginning to be asked, but too much of what was under the ‘emerging’ banner seemed to have little emphasis upon discipleship and too much emphasis on simply gathering around we didn't like with inherited models of church.

As I listened, I was partly irritated by the two people, from across the Atlantic, we were talking with, but simultaneously drawn in because, intuitively, I knew they were making sense. They wanted to avoid defining the word, the frustration of needing to go on an exploration was good for us, so they said!

A number of years on what have we made of the missional conversation here in the UK? Sadly, I fear, not very much. But then again, I think, we’ve moved a long way.

So what’s in a word? My fears come from hearing the word ‘missional’ used far more frequently, but primarily as a replacement for ‘mission’. My hope’s are rooted in some tangible expressions of people experimenting. The danger is we go for the fruit without paying attention to the roots – which brings us back to ‘missional’.

There’s a fair history to the word now, which began to appear with any kind of frequency around 1998. The publication of the book ‘Missional church: a Vision for the Sending of the Church in North America’ certainly began the increase in popularity of a previously little used word, but NB ‘North America’ – perhaps that’s when the UK switched off. However, listen to these guys and you’ll hear the two primary ideological roots are found here, in the UK, and in South Africa. Basically, this is down to the writing and thinking of two individuals: Lesslie Newbigin and David Bosch.

Returning home to England, Newbigin took up the challenge of trying to envision what a fresh encounter of the gospel with late-modern Western culture might look like. The issue he raised, focused (probably best) in ‘Foolishness to the Greeks’, in the form of a question: “What would be involved in a missionary encounter between the gospel and the whole way of perceiving, thinking, and living that we call ‘modern Western culture?”

David Bosch (I remember David Coffey recommending ‘Transforming Mission’ when he was head of evangelism, or similar, before becoming BU General Secretary), similarly advanced our grasp of the missio Dei:

‘Mission is understood as being derived from the very nature of God. It is thus put into context of the doctrine of the Trinity, not of ecclesiology or soteriology. The classical doctrine of the mission Dei as God the Father sending the Son and God the Father and the Son sending the Spirit is expanded to include yet another “movement”: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit sending the church into the world.’

‘It’s not that the church of God has a mission, but that the mission of God has a church’

- both from Transforming Mission.

So, beware the un-definable, but work at giving it a shape!

mission an idol?

2011-09-19T10:33:00.000+01:00

I'm pretty disturbed (some would presume this is a massive step forward in my growing self-awareness!). However, what's disturbing me is the way in which we seem to be intent upon separating what God has joined together. One reason why I use and welcome the word 'missional' is precisely because it enshrines the recognition that mission is not merely the domain of narrow-minded and theologically inept pragmatists: it is about both being AND doing, incarnating the gospel AND being attractive disciples, etc.
What is disturbing me is how, in the UK, we seem to be picking up on divides from across the Atlantic, which really should not become our concern.
Some of it is language - 'mission' and 'missional' have become inter-changeable words, which seems to my way of thinking a mistake, not universally accepted, or understood and mis-communication results are rife.
So, Mike Breen writes a blog entry: 'why the missional church will fail', which is all about how important discipleship is: 'if you make disciples, you will always get the church, but if you try and build the church you will rarely get disciples'. Agreed, but is this our point of tension? Mike's, from the UK, but now based in the States (incidentally I have huge respect for Mike and this is in no way critical of him) and I suggest it may be an appropriate challenge there. It may a relevant conversation in the USA, but where discipleship AND mission are seen as being intrinsically missional??
So, we get an article highlighted on the BU new sweep, again from the States, 'Has mission become our idol?' I can see ways in the States where the way in which this question is posed and the challenges is presents to some people and agencies, but is mission our idol here in the UK? I think, if mission had the place where it could even begin to be considered as a question, we'd be alot furtehr down the road than we are. At present, we're a couple of light years away!
So, I think 'On the Verge' is a great book in many ways, but are we on the verge here in the UK? The chance would be great thing.

So, when it will dawn, we are in the UK and not the USA?

On a journey?

2011-09-14T09:39:00.000+01:00

Well I'm on a journey ... I think! Literally I'm still hoping to get to Spurgeon's for a DMin workshop today ... but I opted for the bus. The Megabus is great for one thing - price. With deficit budgets everywhere you can get paranoid about such things but I still get 'why do/don't you'...
It's had it's interesting moments - listening to the conversation between two people about her shooting, drugs and sport. Peace seriously disrupted by the lady on the phone who us an excellent communicator -if the object of the exercise is to let everyone else know how she feels about the fact she was the first one on this f***** bus and now it's full (sorry)!
Plenty of conversations, but no engagement.
How do you just jump into someone else's? You just don't do you, or do you? Well, I haven't .. yet!
I'm reading about George Barna's new statement the US is heading for a population of 310m and 310m religions. It'll be interesting to know more as it's based upon research of the last ten years only. We're further down the road on that one.
Also thinking about On the Verge - very good, but we're not in the same place. We're not on the verge of missional movement even though it's where it would be lovely to get there.
Still on the bus - increasingly late now so I'm sure John Drane will be good but wondering whether I'll find out first hand!
Ironically, whilst on the bus to explore something around missional transitions and the feasability and capacity of Baptist regional associations to become effective in that etc - I'm also engaging in an e-mail conversation, which someone looking at could be excused for questioning whether there's any point - some would doubt whether there is a future church.
We need to face realities ... the bus is late, will we get where we're going?

last lap, or first?

2011-09-11T21:48:00.000+01:00

Should I have been in a Sunday worship this morning, instead of running the Bristol half marathon? Well, I wasn't and I did turn up for a service this evening, which I guess will count for those of you appalled by sentence one! The one sadness was 9:11 didn't get a mention - i can only hope that happened this morning.
It's taken today to kick start by post holiday blogging again - for it's a habit, which when broken can be fatal - not unlike many other things we engage in. Habits are not necessarily 'bad', which is the press they mostly get.
Anyway, bizarrely to some people, I can think and pray when I run and this surprise to me has been one factor, which has kept me going in between the 'targets' like today. One of the recent avenues of thought of running has become a growing concern around the desperate need for Churches to engage the 20's to 30's generation.
Popping down to Momentum recently, just for an evening, started me off down this avenue and the concern is growing within me and the desperate situation become ever clearer. If there's anyone out there remotely bothered about this, I'd appreciate your prayers, because we really do need to develop some strategies, which connect.
This was the first year my daughter Emily and I both ran the half. I guess the majority of runners were in in their 20's & 30's, but most would probably rather be running than worshipping God, but then they neither know they have the option, nor they are not mutually exclusive.

a riot on holiday!

2011-08-26T17:30:00.000+01:00

Been away from two weeks, the world went mad, but normal service has been restored, so it appears, so I'm left wondering whether I simply dreamt it all!
Back from two weeks in Cornwall, which was like falling back in love - with Cornwall, I mean. Spent two weeks wondering where everybody was as I keep hearing about how many people are staying in the UK for their holidays. We've avoided Cornwall in the summer for a good few years (crowds, paying to park, weather, etc.), but the last two weeks suggest something else.
Whilst away we try and avoid TV, radio, e-mail, blogging(!), newspapers, so were unaware of the riots until they'd past the peak.
I did end up reading something about what was going on once we were aware and have no great desire to add to myriad of reflections in terms of who's to blame, what was really going on, etc. What I couldn't help thinking about, however, was the nature of the organisation behind them, if that's the word. I was simultaneously reading around various things feeding into the reality of our present and future challenges as the people of God within the UK. The same words keep cropping up in both stories: networks, social networking, viral communication, spontaneity, flexibility. I recall someone's comparison to al qaeda and missional multiplication networks. This is not to suggest what's happened is not really important in and of itself, but ..... I need to think about that some.

unlocking and releasing the apostolic?

2011-08-02T10:09:00.001+01:00

Things have not been quite so hectic the last couple of weeks. ironically, blogging doesn't happen so frequently either - weird that, how you have more time, but ...!
One of the delights has been to have a number of conversations with people who have encouraged me deep down inside - because I can see they're attempting to help their churches break out of the mould.
I've tried to nudge WEBA towards the idea part of our role, at least, is about cultivating an apostolic environment and a number of these recent conversations have caused me to reflect a little more on this.
I believe God equips His Church with all we need for our next steps in the exciting adventure of faith in Jesus.
I believe Ephesians 4 too and assume God has gifted His Church with the broad range of people, who bring the APEPT Ministries specifically mentioned here, plus others, to the table.
However, this can easily be seen, with the pre-dominant present UK Baptist mind-set, to equate to every local expression - that is, 'local' Church. I'm no longer convinced, by my own logic, if this is pushed to its logical conclusion to imply no congregation needs to draw upon others, outside of themselves, for bringing a re-awakening of certain aspects of these various gifts.
However, what is my role all about? Well .... I often wonder and have looked longingly at various jobs recently (why I nearly applied to join a car rental firm is another story!).
However, it's appears to me at least, to be far more about re-kindling the latent, overlooked, forgotten apostolic gifting in an individual, or the church more widely, than it is attempting to be the person with that gifting for them as a group of God's people.
Once you start looking for the apostolic gifting and patterns, rather than trying to identify the individuals, you find much more.
Is it necessary for others to name that, or should I just be glad they're acting on it?
I'm hoping Alan Hirsch's book, 'On the Verge', will arrive before my holiday and I'm hoping he's going to help me explore this some more.

becoming part of the web?

2011-07-21T17:31:00.000+01:00

We had a really good executive away-day today. My aim was to unpack the missional agenda and use it as a framework to help us think through where we've come from and where we're going.
One of the interesting things to arise was the question of how we're seen and the challenge of 'the institution' being so large in people's minds, out crowds out much else.
So, if we are really a network of churches, why not start to call ourselves just that?
Why not drop the 'A' from WEBA - shock, horror, not call yourselves an Association? Well, every Church could automatically be part of the 'Association' still.
Why not become simply the WEB Network? West of England Baptists. If we are more self-consciously a network, more than anything else, then we may be able to offer much more to others we support and encourage and also include those small missional groups, potential churches, etc.
It's certainly a good message, the language is more relational, more appropriate (I think) to who we are and even, where we began.
Now, of course, a good idea, does not mean it'll happen, but we do need to begin to test the idea out on people before we make any formal change to the letterheads and website!
Of course, changing a name, changes nothing, but the plaque on the door. It's whetehr it does what it says on the tin, which counts. I'm up for that.

character rises to the top

2011-07-18T22:38:00.000+01:00

In a whole load of different ways, over the past week or so, I’ve been caused to reflect upon what I am convinced is the biggest issue facing our generation of Christian leaders in Britain: character.

I’ve had the privilege of spending some significant time with a number of people I respect: among them my regional team leader colleagues, individuals like Rick Lewis, as well as some good friends who, whilst not holding formal church leadership roles, are real examples of Christian integrity. What strikes me personally is the same question I pose groups of leaders when I’m the one doing the majority talking – ‘what is it in others you know well, you most admire?’ Character is way ahead of competency every time.

The dark-side, however, leads me back to the same conclusion: character is the big issue. As Baptists, we have been naïve. For some reason, we’ve not seen coming around the corner what has afflicted other denominations and tribes: the encroaching web of legal disputes. Why did we ever believe we were somehow made of different stuff? We shall continue to maintain our conviction that Ministers are not employees of Churches, but it will be a hard battle to win in an environment where the judge may well not be as heavenly as our Father.

If Jesus is Lord of the Church, at point do we practise civil disobedience in support of our convictions? What I don't know the answer to yet is: who do they put in prison of a whole church acts in such a way as is deemed illegal? I have been known to offer to go to prison on behalf of our Ministerial Recognition Group, when some began to get worried about a particular decision, but so far I’ve only been a visitor!

money talks, but if you don't listen, it shouts....

2011-07-13T21:19:00.000+01:00

money talks, but if you don't listen, it shouts....
One of my friends and colleagues, a Bishop in the Church of England, bemoans the number of requests he gets from people offering to try something new, pioneering, fresh, liquid, whatever, but always needs more money to try. When, he asks, will someone find a way forward, which doesn't demand more money?
I missed the prayers led by my colleague Nick, earlier today, but I know one sentence he was going to talk about was 'the good news for the beggar, was Peter didn't have any money on him'. I'll ask him what else he said tomorrow, but it raises the same issue. Do we need more money to do what God calls us to give away?
The BUGB deficit still continues to grow and the latest HM figures, to the end of June, suggest the anticipated appeal giving is not in line with some people's expectations (no surprise here however). The question needs to move away from what can we afford to what can we not afford to do? Personally, I think God is speaking to us through what we don't have to focus attention upon who we need to become.

Yesterday's news of the world.

2011-07-11T17:27:00.000+01:00

Today I'm wondering if we shall be looking back upon tomorrow as a tipping point for ethical change? The demise of the News of the World has come about, it seems to me, for the reason the media understand better than anyone - public opinion has turned against them.
Whilst there may well be a cynical view of the strategy behind this decision, it remains true, the general population are expressing their concern about ethics in a way few were prepared to predict a few years ago. I recall Patrick Dixon was one - when he promoted "ethical" as his "E" of his vision for the 'F.U.T.U.R.E.' , but few believed this was likely. However, following on from the MP's expense crisis, for similar reasons, I think he was right after all. In Christendom we could assume upon both the vision and values of the church (well we did, however il-advised that may have been!), but in post-Christendom we certainly cannot. However, what this demonstrates, to me, is any church, which does not pay enough attention to their values will not engage today's generation. Whilst we need to lower the bar regarding 'church' we need to heighten the bar in terms of discipleship. Many instinctively react against this suggestion, but my experience and observation teaches me this is the case and we ignore it at our peril.

Alfred as public art.

2011-07-07T22:24:00.000+01:00

OK I love the Gorillas in and around Bristol. I loved the pigs in Bath too. In fact, I didn't realise it consciously, but I love what’s now described as ‘public art’.

Apparently, according to Wikipedia, this term refers to “any works of art in any media that have been planned and executed with the specific intention of being sited or staged in the physical public domain, usually outside and accessible to all”. Church – public art, or private collection?

This is Alfred - or no 56 based in Brislington, just up the road. Nearly caused a crash, stopping to take the picture!

wow Gorillas - the funky Gibbon no 58

2011-07-06T22:15:00.001+01:00

Really pleased to see my first Gorilla in the front of Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church. Really nice guy -' the funky Gibbon' & no 58! The only sad comment is the clues for where to look around town suggest to look behind bars. So are the church bars keeping people in, or out, is my question?

wow gorillas!

2011-07-05T22:19:00.000+01:00

The gorillas have been unleashed into Bristol this week. A little frustrated my schedule means I'm yet to see one, but will rectify this gap in my life sometime soon .... I hope.
At least there's a map -
http://www.bristolzoo.org.uk/sites/default/files/files/Bristol%20Gorilla%20Map%20for%20web.pdf

call to plant more churches ....

2011-06-27T09:04:00.000+01:00

I’m wondering this week, what impact the recent front-page headline in the Baptist Times “call to plant more churches” has begun to have?

None what so ever?

A U-turn in people’s thinking?

Somewhere in between?

The article was based around an interview with Stuart Murray-Williams, whom I'm pleased to say we are working in partnership with here in the West. Not surprisingly, therefore, I welcome Stuart’s comments and recognise the themes from over a mug of coffee. I suggest you listen to the whole interview on the Incarnate website: http://incarnate-network.eu Of course, it’s easy to welcome someone’s points of view when they coincide with your own isn't it? We all need to take a check of our compass when we recognise this, but we're not always headed in the wrong direction and, on this occasion, I think we're on course. On course in thinking, however, is not the same as on course in practice. Herein lies the greatest failing of those of us Ministers. 'I've read it = I'm doing something about it.'

I suspect one thing many Baptists are not going to like, is the suggestion we’re complacent about something, intended to be part of our DNA, that is mission. However, I am sure Stuart’s perception is right on here.

I’ve observed recently in particular how easy it is to get Baptists to agree with a statement, such as, ‘mission needs to become our organising principle’, but how equally comfortable we are with immediately ignoring it. I notice this in conversations with local Churches, Ministers and leadership teams, but also in regional and national conversations.

One complication is our definition of mission because, as is often quoted now, ‘when everything is mission, then nothing is mission’. Unfortunately, the idea of mission becoming our organising principle sounds too much like the latter statement, whereas the reality is very different.

One way of deciding whether any Church, or organisation (like an association, or a union of churches) believes what it says, is to look at where the energy and the resources are actually directed. Once you begin to do this, you begin to see what we really believe and this reveals just how much our structures and frameworks for mission need to change. The answer to helping our churches transition into a more missional way of being is not, I believe, necessitating huge extra sums of money and resources, but it does need a re-focusing of energy and resources (including the money) and a re-aligning of strategy. We need to wake up to the fact we are living now in a missionary context and no longer the pastoral one assumed by Christendom – before the demographics of our churches begin to join the increasing death rate in a few years time.

congregations learn most from one another

2011-06-21T16:54:00.001+01:00

This, amazing photo, was taken during the Vancouver riots following the ice hockey match last week. Apparently it's genuine, not posed - she must be quite a girl!

Sunday saw the last of our 3-in-1 events for 2011. This one was hosted by Clarence Park Baptist Church, WSM.
We're trying to apply the two lessons we've learnt from PMC in a wider context:

i. congregations learn most from one another.
ii. congregations don't want to learn from one another.

If both of these statements are true and from observation, so far, I'm suspecting they are, then our challenge is a difficult one. Not an impossible one - simply providing an environment in which 'churches' can learn from one another in a non-threatening way. Story telling is the medium were using in this present attempt.

Essentially, a 3-in-1 consists of worshipping, telling stories and listening to God .... together.
So far, the word 'inspirational' has been used by some of the people at, at least, three of the four events. As the person who has preached on each occasion, I need to immediately say I am under no illusions they were talking about my sermon, but about the impact of one another's stories. More accurately, we're looking for the story of what God is up to among them. I know God is not actually so slow in speaking as we often think, but I pray more people among our churches might be catching more of his words, prompts, nudges. I would be concerned if I thought people simply started what the church is doing along the road, without any further reflection, or contextualisation, but I don't think most of our churches would do that, which proves the other point - churches don;t want to learn from one another! I wonder sometimes, if the lesson really is 'Ministers don't want to learn from one another'. Whilst competition is good for innovation, the insecure simply seem to dive for the nearest sand-dune to bury their heads!

Just heard from Emily - in Berlin today on an eleven country inter-rail adventure.

Towards a Missional Association?

2011-06-16T09:58:00.000+01:00

We have our association executive and staff away day soon and the above is the title I've chosen for us to look at. Just beginning, this morning, to put finger to laptop on it.
I'm taking a leaf out of Glen Marshall's book today - see his blog - Nah then - where he's invited comments on one of his mission modules. As I realise a good chunk of those who read here are Baptists, I wonder what you'd want to say under this heading?
Rather than put up my points, I'd prefer comments not constrained by those. However, the outline (so far) for the sections we'll take the question in are:

Unpacking the jargon. - Theological and biblical framework.
What might it look like? - Exploring principles.
Where and what do we need to change? - Where in our system are the dams?
What are our implications? - Personal and group reflections.

So any offers?

missional communities - soma

2011-06-13T15:52:00.001+01:00

I must admit, I like this a lot and commend it to you.

partnership for missional church

2011-06-11T12:31:00.000+01:00

I'm at our Partnership for Missional Church Cluster today and we're sitting here reflecting on what's going on. It's thrilling to be hearing stories about what God is up to.
Basically, the congregations involved are at the point where they're reflecting upon the various experiments they've set up and been working with for some while now. A whole variety of things and activities, but was is important, is why? One church are trying to build meaningful relationships with the parents of children and young people they're already involved with - a smallish church, but they have a web of connections with over 80 families. There's been all kinds of things being tried - film clubs, open hospitality in various ways, cafes for parents, parenting classes, initiatives for the 'lonely' and elderly in different communities, etc.
The most crucial thing coming out of today for me is the comment - we're going out now and looking for people of peace and finding they are everywhere in every day. Now, if that mindset could spread across any congregation of God's people, we'd have the kind of cultural shift on our hands we're looking for.
Oh, we meet in West super Mare, but obviously not the photo!

Liverpool 5 v Man Utd 3

2011-05-28T21:56:00.000+01:00

Childish it may be, but what a performance from Messi & Co.

Tweeting!

2011-05-27T18:21:00.000+01:00

Just set up a Twitter account - @nigcoles - does anyone else tweet?

Alisdair's forced me so I can follow his bike riding, but it'll be interesting to see what happens. I've been wondering about it for ages and made John Henry my second person to follow. What do people say? With 140 letters a time you need to be Ryan Babbel to get into trouble, but I'll let you know.
Happy to follow others if you want to join in.

WEBA goes north!

2011-05-26T09:37:00.000+01:00

My colleague Alisdair begins his Land's End to John O'Groats bike ride today and needs all the support he can get, so feel free to check it all out.
http://two50s.blogspot.com

400 years

2011-05-22T21:30:00.001+01:00

Thanks Andy for sending me this picture, which I love.
We held a Bible fresh event in Bristol today a variety of things going on, disappointing crowd (though 2pm onwards on a Sunday afternoon is not exactly designed for ?).
The service in the Cathedral was good though - many good things, but Steve the juggler was the highlight! What does it say about my spirituality when, in a service designed to celebrate the Bible, this is what I focus on! That said, I thought Ann Holt preached well and felt her message was thought provoking - not an easy wicket to speak on the bible on such an occasion. She mentioned Rowan Williams' quote about the best translation of the bible being that of life, which does it for me. However, she also alluded to the trend - more and more Christians are reading the Bible less and less. I have no reason to doubt either, but it is an issue I fear will undermine my hope of a re-calibration of the Church around the mission of God as embodied by Jesus. Getting your hands dirty, as the picture suggests, needs the soil of the word of God to get under your fingernails.
I was 'off' today and was pleased to catch Simon Woodman at Counterslip - excellent sermon Simon and a good example of making deep truth understandable to everyone. I checked this out with Malcolm so I now I'm right! I do wonder sometimes whether as Baptists, who are renowned for the place we give to the Bible, we are not more guilty than most at dis-empowering people at being those Bible translators into life. I have a concern we re-equip people with confidence to hear for themselves and wonder how many sermons preached today did as good a job!
Carlo Ancellotti got sacked today by Chelsea - despite finishing second, which tells you something about the place of 'success' and the state of English football. Shame Blackpool went down - especially sorry we'll lose Ian Holloway from the airwaves. Come back soon!