The Acts. History or Lifestyle?

Someone said to me the other day, that the Acts of the Apostles is a history book, written simply to tell us how it was done then....and now we move on to something else.

Interesting - and presumably that is what 99% of the church thinks, because that is what has happened. Pretty well abondoned the strategy of AofA church life. And what has happened? We have lost the blessing they had. Coincidence? I think not.

It is very poor biblical exegesis to argue that parts of the Bible are simply a history book written for our interest. My, a Dawkins, or anyone who has half a brain, could make mincemeat of us!

No - IMO, AoA is written to show us, and it does clearly, how church should be, and how it should live in the world. It is simple, organic, clutter-free, dynamic, versatile, persecution proof (in the sense it can withstand it, not avoid it!) and great fun! If we live by the book, we will receive the blessing of the book!

How Many Days To Go?

A Christian leader said in my presence recently 'Christmas is all about Jesus'. This in order to begin an advertising campaign to get people to 'come to church at christmas and bring their friends'. This is of course pretty much incorrect.

Jesus was not born on December 25th. No chance. Clever people have worked out His d-o-b fairly accurately and it's not Dec 25th. Any suggestion that it is, real or implied, is a lie. Nothing more,nothing less.

No-where in the scriptures are we told His birthday. No-where are we encouraged to celebrate the event at all. Biblically, once we have marvelled at the cruel beauty of His coming in heart-stopping humility, there is little more to be said. The only really ongoing lesson is the almost total indifference that the world had to His first coming. They still treat the Lord of Heaven and Earth similarly today. His second coming may very well have a different impact.

Someone clever has worked out that 75% of annual church resources in time, money and effort are put into the 3 weeks of Christmas activity. Yet it is computed that less people find Jesus at this time than any other time of the year. As an evangelistic event it is a disaster. But then, if it's based on a lie, what do you expect?

I also discovered recently, that in many major moves of God where there has been evidence of prayerfulness, true piety, repentance, worship and godly living, there has been (albeit for a short time) a rejection of celebrating Christmas.

It is self-centred, gluttonous, self-indulgent, sentimental and wasteful. There can be no place for the Jesus I know in that.

By all means have a meal with your family and friends. By all means let's cheer up the cold and wet winter with some good food shared between those we love.

But as for Jesus, He is no more and no less there than any other day of the year.

To say anything else is simply not true....

Wishful thinking?

I went for a walk this morning, and thought about my present thinking. What do I want? In which direction am I heading? This is what I came up with:

I want to spend times of quality with my Heavenly Father. Those times will be spent honoring and glorifying His Precious Son, the Lord Jesus Christ - He will be the centre of all thinking. We will be led in all things by the Holy Spirit and no-one else.

That's it. End of. (As the boss would say!). There is nothing else and therefore, nothing else matters.

Can I, will I, find it? Here in Leicester? Or is it wishful thinking? We'll see.
I do not believe God creates a desire in someone without the opportunity to achieve it....

There's Some Good Food Going!

The boss and I visited a local congregation on Sunday, where a good friend was preaching. We also met some old friends which is always pleasant and encouraging to know that they are still 'going on' and being blessed.

The leader of the congregation read the words 'Taste and see that the Lord is good'....and it caught my attention. Familiar words, read many times. As I meditated on them, I felt the Lord saying to me that we must move on from that. 'Tasting' is an experience for the unconvinced, those who are distanced and need the flavour to invite them in. I've been to tastings in restaurants - and you don't get much!

I felt the Lord saying that we are nearer to Him than that. We are in the dining room, the banqueting hall. We are not 'tasting' - we are convinced! We tasted and found Him to be good. Very good. And now we are invited to feast on Him. There's plenty to go around, and we will not run out! We can eat as much as we like.

We have to enter in to the dining room. We have to sit down. We have to reach out and help ourselves....He will eat with us, break bread with us, and satisfy us completely.

Good, eh? My appetite is growing.....

Church - The Non-negotiables....

'Non-negotiable'....that's a bit strong I hear you think. Surely most things are negotiable? Not at all. I have a few non-negotiables I wish to share with you. You are free to disagree, but make sure (for your own good) that you are on solid biblical ground before you do. Any other foundation is at best suspect, and at worst, heretical.

My first Non-negotiable for church life may surprise you. The early church gathered pretty well exclusively in homes. So must we. The Acts of the Apostles gives us a clear mandate for insisiting that the church meets in the homes of the believers, or a person of goodwill to the church. There is no biblical mandate for buildings erected for 'church services'. Indeed the whole emphasis of scripture is against that model. There are a number of reasons for this:

They are expensive. I read somewhere that if all religious buildings were to be sold, the poor would have every need met in the entire world. A church meeting in a house can give 90% of their income away. Expensive to build and expensive to maintain. A drain on resources.

They foster and tend the view, that we 'go to church'. This plants in our mind that we turn up for a couple of hours on a Sunday and that's it. Church is 24/7/52. No less.

They mean 100's can turn up and spectate, whilst a few 'gifted' and paid people do all the work in presenting us with some stuff to respond to. Totally unbiblical. End of.

In a home, a handful of people can gather, share what they have brought to build one another up. They can eat together, pray together, share together, support one another, give and receive. A family, indeed!
Just as it was, and was always meant to be.

I am beginning to arrive at the conclusion, that here in the UK, the church which has lost this truth will be driven back to this biblical blueprint for gathering in the not too distant future. It may have to be persecuted to bring it about...so be it. If a child is not obedient, after a number of warnings, there has to be pain. It was always so.

Every single move of God over the centuries, has started in homes. Only as they have grown have they gravitated to buildings.

In passing, as I cease this rant, let me say this. I visit church buildings. I see 'foundation stones' inscribed with the words 'To The Glory of God'. Underneath I see the name of the person who laid the stone. To whom is the glory really given? Buildings have, since Babel, been to man's glory and no-one elses.

That's enough for now, more later.

Team Work....

I had this thought. Yes, a lonely experience! Thinking about Jesus and His relationships with people - and His 'team'. He spent time on His own. He spent time with 3 selected men. He spent time with the multitude, with crowds, with hangers-on. But the picture we have of Him, and the stuff He did mostly, was with 'The Twelve'. Men, chosen largely because of their potential, from a fairly wide background. One was even a thief. Some older, some young. Some educated and some not so. But that is not my point. 12 is.

Since then all sporting activities have teams of 11 -15 mostly. Yes, there are '5's and 7's - and I know we have 'the bench' and so on. But broadly speaking we have teams of around the 12 in number. Interesting. Now in sporting events, we have the team 'performing' and the crowds 'spectating'...paying their money and watching.

Bit like church, really. When they met in homes 12 - 15 would probably have been the number of those gathering.....then they started to grow and the ambition of a few was to build larger - rather than more. When they had 12, they all brought what they had to the communal gathering and contributed to the body. Everybody 'feeds' - everybody is 'fed'. Simple, beautiful....and effective.

Nowadays, a few present something to the spectators. Few participate, few contribute. We pay our money, takes our choice, walk away. Jesus obviously got it right. He always did. Sporting teams know that 12 is a good number for strong relationship activity.

Where are we going wrong?

Towards Biblical Church.....?

I've decided to become more positive. It occurred to me that a lot of the time we/I get drawn into a despairing negativity by what we see around us in church life. With the Bible in our hands, the Holy Spirit in our hearts and the cause of Jesus predominant in our thinking, we look around and wonder what on earth is going on, and when is Heaven going to do something about it.

So, my blogging is going to begin to state positively what the church must become in order to fulfil what the Father requires of the Bride for His Son. Having pondered and prayed much about this, and read tonnes of stuff, my fingers feel inclined to put something readable down.

There are, of course, a few groundrules.

Traditional thinking - the manmade variety - is out of the window. There are Godly traditions we must keep. But manmade ones - out! Now this is not easy for me. After 63 years in church life you must pick up a few, but I am determined to let them go. If you don't think I am, tell me.

Also, it must be Biblical. Nothing else will do now. I (literally) don't care what man has made up. I may lose some friends, and that's a shame, I will miss you, but time is short. And a few less people at my funeral won't worry me too much! I am learning to love His Book increasingly, and He has revealed so much of His Will to us, that we must begin to drop our own plans, and adopt His. Urgently. We are facing a wipe-out in this country. Our enemies are around us, and within. Satan is (shorterm) rubbing his hands. Longterm he knows he's lost. It's the bit in between I plan to address.

I cannot offer you a 'local model'. What I am planning to present does not exist in my city of Leicester UK, to my knowledge. I believe it exists elsewhere, but I have no desire/leading to
move. This is theory as far as I am concerned. I long for the practical outworking.

I start soon.

I Can't Get My Head Around This One...

Someone recently mentioned that we are to celebrate soon in the UK (apparently it was a couple of weeks ago in the US...so we are not 10 years behind..) the event 'Back to Church Sunday'. I choked.

Google is so useful. I discovered that the CofE, Baptist and Methodist denominations jointly sponsor this event in an attempt to get people to attend a church service near their home, perhaps for the first time ever, or for the first time for a long time. Sometimes I just cannot believe what I hear and read. The more I think about it, the more ridiculous it sounds.

How can you 'go back to church'? You are either in it, or not. The Church is a people who have been gathered together in His Name. Sure, you can opt out. And sure, a decision is made on joining. But you don't 'go' anywhere. So you can't 'leave' anywhere. So you can't 'go back' anywhere!

When are we going to see that we don't 'go to church'? Ever. We 'are' church. Always.

What a difference it will make. Instead of 2 or 3 hours a week. 24/7. 52.

On a Mission...

This past week I set myself a discipline. Not in a bad way! I do not respond well to programmes and legalistic schemes, these days. In fact, never did. But particularly as I get older. But I decided to read Acts in a week. Not quickly, in a rushed way, but slowly and reflectively. And I used 'The Message'. This is a 'translation' I am becoming increasingly comfortable with. As you know, I am not clever enough to judge it's 'accuracy' - but I find it stimulates my thinking. I feel this is because all the other versions (including my beloved 'JND' version) make the teaching seem archaic and therefore not relevant. 'The Message' reads in such an up-to-date way, it sounds as if it happened yesterday..and is being reported by Sky, CNN or John Simpson...therefore relevant..now. It works for me!

I can recommend this exercise. The over-riding impact of this reading was to challenge me again about the vast gulf in experience between 1st century church and what we have today. They are so different. It almost seems like a 'different faith'. It's like 'Champions League' compared to park football. Concorde to Tiger Moth. Ferrari to Austin 7. I think you have my point! Recognisably similar, but poles apart in experience.

Gosh, it was dangerous then. Imprisonment, torture even death lurked around every corner. Theological debates were hotly fought. Relationships were tested. Decisions made. But in everything, Jesus was central, fellowship was vital, leading by the Spirit daily and the fear of the Lord evident. Tough times for those who lived at such a time, but underneath it all, forgive me the words don't seem right, but there was a sense of joy, excitement...even, dare I say it, ...fun!

Can we re-capture this? Of course we can. In fact we must. And if we don't do it soon, it will be forced upon us by God's great persuader...'persecution'. If the church corporate does not give up it's agenda (often called 'vision'...a word I am becomming increasingly uncomfortable with, in the current useage) and become a biblical expression of His body, it will be forced upon us by a divine parent who wants what is best for us. Not a pale, weak, childish man-made imitation.

We must leave the muddy messy mindless game on the local park, and make our way to the Neu Camp.

Has Anyone Noticed...?

Chatting about church life last night with a friend of mine, he commented that there seems to be so little spiritual gift activity in meetings these days. What he meant, I believe, was that tongues, interpretation, prophecy, word of knowledge and suchlike, do not seem to be as evident as they were, say 25 years ago. My brain has been examining this statement....as you can imagine!

He is absolutely right. Our memory does not play tricks, nor are we harking back to 'the good old days'. The average church service is devoid of much that could be described as supernatural. Mostly pretty straight stuff and most services could be mistaken in style with a political party meeting or a slick sparkly product launch.

WHY?

Because god is moving again and we haven't. Simple. As with the children of Israel in the wilderness led by the cloud and fire, He has moved on and we have hung on to what we know. I am reminded of the verse 'and Samson did not know that the spirit had departed'. Now I know that the Holy Spirit indwells the believer and we are 'sealed'. OK no problem. But when we gather corporately we have things so organised, polished, practised and beautifull presented that there is no need for the Holy Spirit to attend, so he slips away...un-noticed and un-missed.

We have attended 5 different church services in the past 2 months. All pleasant, neat, welcoming, friendly, even inspiring and stimulating. But only one had any evidence of spiritual gifting in any obviously supernatural way, and even that was not at all 'edgy', if you know what I mean!

We need to move. To catch up. God is waiting and the Holy Spirit is ready to ignite again.

Personally, I can't wait. My impatience is becoming unbearable. But individually we cannot do it. Moving the camp is a corporate event!

He is Risen!

I have been challenged by a book I have been reading lately which is a serious book, outlining the importance of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus, to our faith and preaching. The writer asserts that in the early church and in subsequent revivals of the christian faith throughout the world, the preaching of the resurrection was the main theme of all public teaching.

He goes on to say that in these days of 'popular preaching', there is much about the life, birth and death of Jesus, but little is mentioned about His rising from the dead. Even though we all would nod our heads in agreement that the 'Lord is Risen Indeed', we just don't preach it!

So, me being me, on Sunday as we sat in a congregation here in Leicester for about 2 hours, I listened for a mention of the resurrection. Although I wasn't listening all the time (my mind does wander - and wonder!), I must confess I don't remember the resurrection mentioned once. Whilst Jesus was central to much of what was done and said, and that is commendable of course, the one event that distinguishes us from all other 'faiths' ie that our Lord rose from the dead, was not mentioned at all. Interesting, eh?

A belief in the bodily resurrection of Jesus is central to our faith. We cannot become a disciple of Jesus until we acknowledge that fact. The ultimate victory - as well as others along the way - depends on that event being an historical fact. Surely it deserves a mention?

If I Had a £m?.....

Seems ages since I wrote about the Watchman Nee book. That's because I've only just finished it. Normally I get through a book in about 3 days...but this one has taken nearly a month...and I need to read it again! All I could manage was a paragraph or two and then I had to lay it aside, ponder...read something else....and then pick it up for another dose.

It was written in the '30s. But it is as up to date in it's message as tomorow's newspaper (as Billy Graham used to say). Quite simply it is a biblical strategy for a 'Jesus Centred Church'. Most churches are activity centred, pastor centred, denomination centred, revival centred, growth centred. Let me illustrate. Recently I attended a church service and the song we majored on truly exalted Jesus. Lots about Him - centred on His life, work and ministry. Lovely - really moving and energising - and, more importantly, Jesus exalting. Then I picked up the 'bulletin' - the publication which listed all the church was doing for that month. The name of Jesus was mentioned once. The name of the church (in full) 14 times. Get the idea?

Oh, the title? 'If I Had a £m?' Have you often wondered what you would do? Narrow it down a bit and forget about family, house, holiday, car whatever. If you had a £m - which you had to spend on something/someone else - what would you do with it? Right now, I'd buy as many copies of this book and send it to as many church leaders as I could, requesting that they read it.

The church as it is today in the UK, bears little or no resemblance to the church of the Lord Jesus and and the 1st century. And, frankly, it breaks my heart after 63 years of church life to see what we (yes, me and you and others) have done to it. I'm not just blaming others, I'm blaming me as well. I've contributed either directly, or by allowing things to happen.

Jean and I visited a church we used to belong to 25 years ago. It had it all then. Apostolic input, a stategy, a spirit of worship, community, more and much more. We hadn't been back for over 20 years. It was so very sad. Whatever we had then, has gone, IMO, and replaced by 'nice'. We walked away with a heavy heart. The main reason for that weighty organ, was that they didn't know it had happened. We shall, as far as I can see, never go back. Life is too short, now.

I would love to find a group of people who really want to experience 'Jesus Centered Spirituality' and not 'Church Centered Spirituality'. Are you wondering what I mean? A year ago, so was I. I think they idea is beginning to dawn.....more later.

Rediscovered Treasure....

I've rediscovered Watchman Nee. I first read his stuff when I was a young Christian and wanted to explore and learn quickly. It was too much, then. I was too young to appreciate him and his work. I also didn't like Red Wine and Stilton, bought that's changed too. Something to do with growing up.

The book I'm reading at present is 'The Normal Christian Church Life'. It is simply stunning. No words I can use can amply portray my appreciation of this book. And I'm only a third-way through. It is awesome. All my life I have sought to find, and contribute to, biblical church. I have read millions of words and explored many an avenue. I am now at the point of near despair and frustration. I am a thirsty man in a dry and arid land. So God by His grace, brought me to the metaphorical feet of Frank Viola. His writing on the church is wonderful, almost too good to read. He has recommended I read this book by Watchman Nee, and he is absolutely right.

Ifthis book were to be read by all believers who love their Bibles a lot, and their Lord a lot more, and laid down their preconceived notions, we would have a church on our hands which would change this nation.

More will come from my dancing fingers.

I watched, very moved, the service from Whitehaven yesterday. Sky News, bless 'em, gave the whole hour at 6-00 to broadcasting this without any comment. Respect. No BBC broadcast at all.

This morning I was reflecting on this church activity and began to see that this brief hour represented a picture of the church and her engagement with a needy world.

About 300 people gathered in the town square. There were a few seats, but most stood, watching. There was a canvass gazebo-like construction for the church dignitaries so they could shelter from the rain. They sat on a raised platform facing the congregation. One by one church leaders did their bit. Readings, poems, prayers, homily from the Bishop, hymns sung, musical solo and recital, candles lit. Very British, reassuringly amateurish. After one hour precisely, they finished their service. Trooped off the platform and disappeared into the nearby church building. The people, wandered off, holding onto one another, huddled in groups, solemn and tearful. Their faces strained and expressions fixed. Sad and despondent. I wanted the religious leaders to go and meet people. To shake hands, hug, embrace, individually pray with folk, cry a little - engage! It didn't happen.

Sunday by Sunday, we meeting in our buildings sheltered from the elements. People sit and stand and watch as religious rituals take place. Music, recitals, prayers, readings, talks. The people listen. The religious leaders peel off and go home. A handshake at the door. The audience returns to the business of the week.

It's going to change, folks. It has to. The church cannot go on doing what it does.

Suffering - on a Hot Day...

Our 'Sunday Service' yesterday morning was devoted to the subject 'Why does God Allow Suffering' and we were presented with a series of UTube-like visuals and Cartoon film clips, and a talk which was designed to help us come to terms with this question.

I sat and pondered. As I do. And on the way home I talked over my ponderings with the boss. I admitted to her that I had never, ever, in my life asked the question 'Why Does God Allow Suffering?' and therefore was there something wrong with me? She, of course, said that there was, but this issue was not particularly it. I could not believe that people should ask such an impertinent question. In my view, we are lucky toget away with the little suffering we do endure......

So last night, I left the family BBQ and wet downtown to see an openair conducted by some followers of Jesus who want to reach out a bit to people they would not normally contact. A lovely evening and I sat on a wall and listened as men stood up in turn and gave public announcement of their faith. A bit dated in language and style, but bless 'em they made an effort.

During one of the talks a big and rather drunken man shouted out that he had lost an 8 year old son recently and 'where was God in that, then?' Some of the guys there talked with him, and he calmed down. My heart went out to him. I choked back tears. He had no understanding of God at all, no sense of the love of God, no idea of the relationship that he could have with a loving Heavenly Father. He went lurching on his way. I pray he finds peace..

So there is suffering, there is hurt, and people do ask that question....May God be merciful and reveal His purposes to us....

Great BBQ! Good food and fellowship with lovely people. My family!

Another thing I can't believe.....

Before I launch into today's rant....I have decided to blog more and FB less. FB is too open and invites comment from people who can't really be bothered....I know, I've done it on other people's FB! S, avid reader, expect more....

I read the other day that some followers of Jesus find denominations a good thing. Others thought they actually helped christians to be more united. Others couldn't give a hoot one way or the other. Unbelieveable!

Search as I may, and to be honest, I haven't searched much, I cannot find a single Bible verse that suggests that denominations are helpful or desirable. Personally, I think they are contrary to any idea God ever had about church. I am dismayed that believers can see any virtue in any thing that divides the body and that they are totally man-made and probably devil inspired to keep the church from demonstrating the unity Jesus prayed for in His last hours on earth.

People say that it gives people to find and expression of church that suits them. Frankly that's nonsense. We should not be in the least interested in what suits us, purely in what suits Him! The scripture is clear about how church should be. If you are interested, read for yourself and see how your church group marries up with the Bible. Be prepared to be dismayed!

Covering. Now what was that again?

I was listening to a preacher the other day who used the word 'covering' in the sense of protecting someone from error. It took me back to the days when I believed that. We used to ask people when we met them, maybe for the first time, 'Where do you get your covering from?' and they would either mention the name of some apostle or other, or, alternatively, look a little uncomfortable and 'admit' that they hadn't the privelege of such a security. We would then, either a) extol the virtues of 'our' apostle or b) tut-tut and warn them of the imminent danger they were in of apostasy or worse.

The using of the word today astonished me, as I had genuinely thought that we had outgrown such thinking. The preacher, I think, would have seen his covering from his denomination. Most institutionalised churches see it that way. At least there is a 'safety' in an organisation covering you as opposed to an individual.

Where did it come from, this concept of covering (which I admit, I embraced 30 odd years ago)? Well, not from the Bible, that's for sure. I remembered one of our elders, who was a man who loved the scriptures, admitting that it was a concept difficult to prove from the scriptures, but it was, nevertheless, a 'good thing'. I blush as I recall accepting such an arguement for embracing a belief that was so significant at the time.

There is no Biblical basis for 'covering' by one individual or organisation over another. The very thought encourages an heirarchal view of church - a 'clergy' and 'laity' concept which is a complete nonsense, and totally discredited by even the most basic understanding of the work of Christ on the cross. Our security, in every possible way, depends on our relationship with Jesus. He and He alone is our complete security in every walk of life and every area of our existence both in time and in eternity.

Frankly, I wouldn't want it any other way, or by any other person.

....and another try at church

The house is not big as seen from the road, but parking is easy and it seems a safe area. We walk up the driveway and ring the bell. A young boy answers and hot on his heels a 30+ year old welcomes us. 'Not been before?' We are assured we will soon feel at home. There is the noise of laughter from a large room just off the hallway. We are greeted by about 20 people, all very relaxed and sitting around the room - on seats, stools and even on the floor. A couple have guitars. Room is made for us and people around the room tell us their names and welcome us again. We respond by introducing ourselves. They seem to approve! Every age group is in the room and there seems to be, though predominantly white, a mix of nationalities.

One of the guitarists starts to play and suggests we sing some songs. For the next 20 minutes we sing songs suggested by the people there. One or two give a reason why they have requested their song, which is usually because it has been on their minds that week and has blessed them is some way. All the songs are Jesus-centred. Then a few folk pray - everyone enthusiastically commends the prayer to God with loud 'amens'. All the songs are praise and thanksgiving. There are a couple of relevant Bible readings. Then there are some stories of how God has blessed and provided that week. It seems there has been some cafe evangelism happening and there have been some contacts made. Prayer is made on their behalf and one of the men speaks in an unknown tongue which is interpreted - it is an offering of praise to God who is described as a God of 'opportunity' - something I had not considered before.

Then for about 25 minutes one of the men teaches from the scriptures on The Lord's Prayer - it would seem there is a series going on, and this week it's about forgiveness. Interesting and all use Bibles and when they are not sure about something, interrupt for an explanation. Aprayer at the end and then a lady brings a prophetic word regarding the need to take the next step in our walk with God....quite thoughtprovoking.

There is then a prayer for a family who has a virus and are not there today. Someone responds by offering an opportunity of taking a food-parcel to them....most promise a contribution. There is then an offering basket passed around - and someone says they are sending £500 to a church in Malawi with which they have a contact.

Two hours have passed....we stand and say the blessing together....and then food! In the next room is a table laden with goodies! We are encouraged to eat and drink. When we are satisfied a bottleof wine in open and a loaf of bread (tasting a bit strange - apparently it's unleavend) each drinks and eats and prayer is again made giving thanks to God.

We take our leave - we have been there for over three hours and the time has passed quickly.....we get back in the car and make our way thoughtfully home.

It was my wife (always the source of wisdom) who commented that it seemed like we had been in the presence of Jesus. There was such liberty, joy and spontenaity.....church?


What do you think?

Let's Go and Visit...

We're going to church - at least that's the mindset. We pull into the car park of a big out-of-town warehouse and are directed by some smiling waving men in bright coats to a parking bay. We lock the car and make our way through an entrance into the 'church building'. We are greeted warmly and enthusiatically by several folk and shown to a seat half-way down the auditorium. Soft rock music is playing and we make ourselves comfortable. We are a little early and the opportunity is taken to look around at where we are.

We face a stage with bright multicoloured lights illuminating it. There is a large screen to one side which bears a welcoming slogan. Neat! There are 500+ seats and they are filling up gradually. As it nears the start time people make their way quickly to seats and the place is soon 'nicely filled'. A young smiling man makes his way on to the stage closely followed by a group of musicians and singers who arrange themselves around microphones. The young man welcomes us 'particularly those here for the first time'. A 'time of worship' is announced. The music begins and the roller-coaster of music and singing begins with songwords projected on to the screen. We know some of them and join in where appropriate. This continues for about 40 minutes. No-one prays publicly and there is no prophetic word, tongue or interpretation.

The music subsides and we are encouraged to take our seats. The young man tells us what is going to happen in the upcoming week. He prays. We have an offering - and we are encouraged, if we are a tax-payer to fill in a form, so the church can get more money off the government.

The children at thsi point are ushered out and the speaker makes his way to the microphone. His face appears on the screen. He introduces himself as the 'senior pastor' and proceeds to announce what he is to be talking about that day. For the next 43 minutes we are presented with an excellent, well thought out talk on the christian life of faith and discipleship. We are encouraged to pray more, read our Bibles more and get more involved in the life of the church. It would appear there are a number of vacancies that need to be filled in the activities of the church and we are exhorted to talk to a member of the church 'staff' if we are interested. There is a closing song (very loud!) and a prayer and that is it. No Bible has been opened, the verses have appeared on the screen for us to see. Few actually carried Bibles at all...some take notes. Most do what they have done sice the service began. Simply sit and listen. Passive and unmoving and apparently unmoved.

Coffee is now served and several people engage us in conversation...very pleasant. We make our way to the car and leave for home.

There is, believe me, no particular church in mind here. This is an amalgum of several churches I have been to. In every instance it has been enjoyable, entertaining and professional.

I leave, intending to try something else next week.......


Do you think that what you have experienced above is church? If it is, in your opinion, a biblical assembling of God's people, then comment accordingly and have a look at what the NT calls church.

I have a dream....

The other Sunday evening we absconded. Forsaking our normal 'Sunday evening service' atour 'normal place of worship' (where do we get these expressions from?) we arrived outside our local brethren assembly at 6-30 on the nail. Welcomed by one of the elders who knew me we settled down in our seats and spent the next hour (precisely!) in a time warp. I went back 50 years into my past. Nothing has changed. Even the paint is the same colour. We had 4 hymns, a prayer, a Bible reading, a 4-point 'message' aimed at non-christians - and 'notices'. Everything totally orthodox, beautifully presented and the 'message' biblically 'spot-on' and a pleasure to listen to. Everything planned and predictable. At the end, people welcomed us warmly and seemed genuinely pleased to see us. I came away blessed, well-taught and nostalgic. Of course the Holy Spirit is there - churlish to suggest otherwise. He was in the Word and guided us into truth as we listened.

This morning I was in our usual Sunday morning venue. I was taking the offering on one of the aisles. I was told that the announcements would soon be over, then a prayer and then 'go'! I asked the young lady co-ordinating this if she had written the script as she seemed to know what was coming. 'I've been here many years' she responded, 'I know what happens'. Bless.

Am I reading too much into these two experiences? It is my honest belief that if the Holy Spirit were not to turn up at our meetings whether it be in a down-town brwethren assembly, or the 'hottest church in town' - we would not notice. We would just carry on regardless. And this has been going on for years. Depressing and dismaying.

Oh for a coming together of God' people where our only leader is the Holy Spirit and we respond to Him by each of us bringing to the body the blessing the Lord Jesus is to us. Songs, prayer, tongue and interpretation, prophecy, teaching, eating and drinking, bread and wine - remembering, rejoicing, comforting, strengthening, empowering. My heart is heavy as I write. We do not have it and we desperately need it.

Haven't They Had Enough?

Have you noticed the amount of 'bashing' the Church has received from the media lately? Or is it me with a persecution complex? It seems to me that evry other day there is a TV show with some attack on the truthfulness or validity of the Bible. Ann Widdecombe had a hard time the other evening whilst talking through the 10 Commandments with a few folk. Now call me old fashioned, but the 10 Commandments seem to me to be very reasonable pattern on which to base one's life. Nothing wrong with that list of personal targets we would think. Stephen Fry was getting most upset! One lady favoured the view that Moses never existed! Dear old Ann fought her (and God's) corner very well. Even Woman's Hour today is debating whether the Bible really likes women. Try the Koran, dear!

Most, if not all, of the people I've met who have made the Commandments of God a yardstick for behaviour, have always seemed to me to be good, hardworking, reliable, pleasant folk. Salt of the earth, you might say. So what's so wrong?

If the think they know better - what alterations would they make? And why? If they can't why don't they a) Join up and go with it or b) leave us alone?

Perhaps it's because we are an easy target...we won't fight back. No, we won't. But there's a Day coming when Someone will. Unfortunately, I will be too busy to gloat.

'It's Different, Now, Isn't It?'

I was chatting with a pastor's wife the other week. A lovely, sincere, gifted lady. We were talking about the 'business' of church life and she made a comment. 'Of course, being a pastor now is very different to how it used to be'. Prompted by my inquisitive eyebrows, she explained. Apparently, these days, there is so much more that occupies a pastor's time. He has a building to run, forms to fill in, staff to employ, motivate, instruct, counsel - even sack. Meetings to plan, powerpoint to create, finances to oversee, vehicles to buy, etc. (Some of these I've added - but you get the gist. It would seem that slowly, perhaps inperceptibly, the Godly Biblical ministry of being a pastor has shifted to being a kind of CEO or managing director of a company.

I wondered whether this had something to do with my previous posts in as much as this is what happens when a ministry becomes a leadership. I think there is a connection and I think something needs to happen to correct this alarming trend. The spiritually impoverished nature of most churchgoers is a sad result of a downgrading of ministry in the local church and the spoonfeeding that christians expect from the 'guys they pay to do a job'. Very, very sad.

What can we do? I'm going to give it some thought, and if you in any way agree with what I've said above - may I ask you do too? Perhaps we can compare notes later.....

Leadered - or Led? Episode 2

So what? Does it matter? If men are filled with Holy Spirit surely it's OK for them to lead us and we call them leaders? Well, in my view, if it were OK then our heavenly Father - committed as He is to lead us into all truth by the Holy Spirit - surely would have mentioned it, even in passing. And I don't think He has.

The problem with men as leaders (and from now on to help me with repetitive stress stuff - if I say men, I could just, might be also referring to women, to keep you happy......) is that they soon become personalities. They become associated with 'their' church. Can you imagine Houston without Joel Osteen, Dallas without John Hagee, Chicago without Bill Hybels and so on? Good men, possibly great men - but as a substitute for the dynamic, powerful leading of Holy Spirit, I know where my money is! I want an intimate relationship with He who knows all things, is all-powerful and is totally committed to my best possible well-being. Not just a guy who knows bits. And could fall. Or die. Then where would I be? Rudderless, I guess.

How lovely it must be to be so in tune with Holy Spirit that we hear His promptings, recognise His voice and learn to co-operate without question with His wishes. This needs more thought...

Not only on a personal level, but when we meet as church and there's a group of us.....how pleasant and powerful to individually contribute His leading to the body and corporately respond to the Holy Spirit and His leading...wow, that sounds a lot better than a big bunch of people sitting in a big room led by 'worship group' who have practised 'so hard' and then listen to a church CEO who has scripted a 'message' (Freudiently, I almost typed 'massage'!) that we find largely unhelpful and usually irrelevant. No contest, eh?

Leadered or Led?

Here we go. First attempt....I just hope it works!

I made an interesting discovery the other day. As far as I can see there is no mention of the word 'leader' in the New Testament. If you don't find this astonishing, then you needn't read any further, you are obviously too bright for me.

Now I can't remember how many leader's meetings I've been to. How many leadership conferences I've attended. How many leaders I've met. How many hours I've spent being instructed by successful leaders on how to be a better leader. And how much time I've devoted as a leader to exhorting others to be better leaders. Countless. And right now, I'm wondering why.

The New Testament seems to suggest that we are 'led by the Holy Spirit'. Each believing, discipled follower of Jesus has the Holy Spirit. He leads us. Simples.

Now there are 'Ministries' - Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers - and more if you care to investigate. But there is no mention of leaders. These men (and/or women if that is your persuasion) are there to confirm where necessary that leading of the Spirit, to interpret where necessary that leading of the Holy Spirit and to apply that leading into the local church and 'trans church' where appropriate.

Do you think I am splitting hairs? It's all about semantics, people say. But words matter. And if the Holy Spirit wanted to delegate leadership to men/women I think it would be plain in Scripture - and it's not, in my view at all. What do you think?

Well, this is breaking fresh ground! I would not have dreamed this event would take place, even a year ago. I've always maintained that technology is wasted on the young - they have nothing to compare it with! We, however, can remember Atari, slide rules and the first breeze-block sized mobile phones. Here I am at 62 sitting in my little room allocated to me by the boss, and preparing to enter the scary world of web-logging. Mercy me! Where shall we go?

The answer? Wherever we like. That's the beauty of it. Not much in the way of censorship, not many controls, and, if we stay anonymous, no-one will know our most secret thoughts. Fun, eh?

My plans are these. To examine the life we mere humans can live in relationship with God. Frankly, I think there is a lot more than we enjoy already and He wants to impart a lot more to us.

What do you think? Take part if you wish. Join me on a bit of a journey (after all, at 62, it can't take long!)