Tuesday, 27 January 2009
I'm in!
Well, apparently, this is it. Tonight, the church body at Ford Baptist Church unanimously voted to call me as their pastor. Of course, we have to go through all the hoops to do with the Baptist Union and accreditation and stuff - but that's supposed to be just details. I have a new family - and a ministry! I am so very excited about it!
the highs and the lows
One privilege on being a pastor is that you get to take part in the highs and the lows of people around you. You get to experience life with them - and to lift them in prayer before our Father.
Yesterday my wonderful lady and I visited a former member of our church. She is in her 70's, and until last week, shared her home with her grandson. Now he is gone - suicide.
We will never know why this brilliant 19 year old chose to end his life. As a suicide survivor said, most people who attempt or commit suicide don't really want to die - they just don't know how to live. How I wish things were different!
There were no words to say, to comfort this lady. Her husband died a few short years back. Her son died recently. Now her grandson is gone too. All I could do was to give her a warm embrace and pray for her - and to listen to anything she wanted to talk about. I think that's all anyone can do in circumstances like these. Be there, show her love and support, a shoulder to cry on and an open heart. I left there saddened and encouraged in the same time. Saddened by the tragedy in this lady's life. Encouraged by a Father who loves her and chose to use my wife and I as a little reminder of that love.
Today was a very different day. Our church building was invaded by a bunch of 5 year olds from the local school. It was part of their Religious Education class - a visit to a local church. I got to tell them a bit about being a Baptist, about Jesus Christ who died on a cross for us - and who is symbolised in the cross on the wall and the bread and wine on the Communion table. About repentance and 'starting again' in baptism. One boy had a mock baptism - I must confess I changed the 'liturgy' a bit. Instead of the standard baptism questions, I asked him if he'll stop fighting with his sister and if he promises to be good in school (he said Yes!!!!) - and then he was baptised in a pool with pretend water.
The whole thing was a lot of fun. All the children went down in the baptistry - we have stairs on both ends, so we had a line of kids coming down one set of stairs and up the other. They admired the 100 year old pipe organ, the stain glass windows, the wood carvings, the banners - and, as the teachers said, this was for many of them the first time they've ever been in a Christian church.
It was a first contact, but now apparently I am in a lot of truble. They promised to bring other classes over for visits throughout the year. I am supposed to get scheduled to lead some of their assemblies. Community outreach - and this is a door that 'opened itself', all I had to do was to say 'yes.'
Yesterday my wonderful lady and I visited a former member of our church. She is in her 70's, and until last week, shared her home with her grandson. Now he is gone - suicide.
We will never know why this brilliant 19 year old chose to end his life. As a suicide survivor said, most people who attempt or commit suicide don't really want to die - they just don't know how to live. How I wish things were different!
There were no words to say, to comfort this lady. Her husband died a few short years back. Her son died recently. Now her grandson is gone too. All I could do was to give her a warm embrace and pray for her - and to listen to anything she wanted to talk about. I think that's all anyone can do in circumstances like these. Be there, show her love and support, a shoulder to cry on and an open heart. I left there saddened and encouraged in the same time. Saddened by the tragedy in this lady's life. Encouraged by a Father who loves her and chose to use my wife and I as a little reminder of that love.
Today was a very different day. Our church building was invaded by a bunch of 5 year olds from the local school. It was part of their Religious Education class - a visit to a local church. I got to tell them a bit about being a Baptist, about Jesus Christ who died on a cross for us - and who is symbolised in the cross on the wall and the bread and wine on the Communion table. About repentance and 'starting again' in baptism. One boy had a mock baptism - I must confess I changed the 'liturgy' a bit. Instead of the standard baptism questions, I asked him if he'll stop fighting with his sister and if he promises to be good in school (he said Yes!!!!) - and then he was baptised in a pool with pretend water.
The whole thing was a lot of fun. All the children went down in the baptistry - we have stairs on both ends, so we had a line of kids coming down one set of stairs and up the other. They admired the 100 year old pipe organ, the stain glass windows, the wood carvings, the banners - and, as the teachers said, this was for many of them the first time they've ever been in a Christian church.
It was a first contact, but now apparently I am in a lot of truble. They promised to bring other classes over for visits throughout the year. I am supposed to get scheduled to lead some of their assemblies. Community outreach - and this is a door that 'opened itself', all I had to do was to say 'yes.'
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Last time "preaching with a view"
... or so I hope! :o
The Vote is Tuesday, but already the deacons treat me as their pastor. And I really feel that they are my church. But today was the last time I was here as a visiting preacher.
This is what "prodigal John" says on his blog (http://stufffchristianslike.blogspot.com), about 'audition sermons': "1. I'd preach part 2 of a 3 part sermon series.
Forget this one off nonsense. I'm coming in and preaching the second part of a three part series. I'm starting right in the middle of the conversation. You want to hear the dramatic conclusion? You want to know how this Biblical cliffhanger of a sermon ends? Curious about where the series began, or what I would call the "prequel?" You'd have to invite me back to preach again."
Well, this is more or less what I did. I began a series from John the first time they called me, back in December. Today I let them know that it was a series.... If they want to hear the rest, they have vote me in on Tuesday. :)
It would be interesting if it goes south... I'm already scheduled to preach there for the next few Sundays, so if there is a No vote, that'll make for some interesting crowd dynamics!
We passed another hurdle today. My buddy Eddy came to his dad's church, and loved it! I was afraid he'll miss Hope - they are an amazingly great church, and I feel a bit bad to take my family from there in order to join a much smaller church. But Eddy really loved the Sunday School - Well done, Lord! There is this girl, Rachel - she is only 18, but she is AMAZING! I watched her interact with the kids at the Boys' Brigade on Wednesday - if there ever was a person gifted to work with children, it's her! So great to have people like her on the team! Eddy said he loves her. OK, don't take it the wrong way - he's a bit young for that kind of love - well, he has a girlfriend his own age, sort of. But to hear him say that did a lot to boost this daddy's confidence that he's doing the right thing.
On Tuesday I have this bunch of 5 year olds from the local primary school descending on me. Put me in front of thousands of mean looking adults, and I'm OK. But send a bunch of 5 year olds my way, and I'm scared witless! I love kids, but I always feel like I don't know quite how to keep them interested and entertained. As a father of 4, this does not speak highly of my parenting skills... Anyway, after being in the States for a few years, it's great to realise I'm in a country where schools will call on churches for help and would drop in for a visit with a bunch of kids. I am hoping this will develop into a lasting relationship with the school. They are just down the road from us.
So here I am, already making plans, developing a vision, trying to lay down a path... Maybe I'm a bit too excited about it all? I guess what makes me so pumped up is the deep sense that I'm exactly where the Lord wants me, and that He is going to come through for us in a big way. He's such a great God! OK, he does have some questionable choices when it comes to pastors for his churches - at least one of them.... But I am so in love with him!
The Vote is Tuesday, but already the deacons treat me as their pastor. And I really feel that they are my church. But today was the last time I was here as a visiting preacher.
This is what "prodigal John" says on his blog (http://stufffchristianslike.blogspot.com), about 'audition sermons': "1. I'd preach part 2 of a 3 part sermon series.
Forget this one off nonsense. I'm coming in and preaching the second part of a three part series. I'm starting right in the middle of the conversation. You want to hear the dramatic conclusion? You want to know how this Biblical cliffhanger of a sermon ends? Curious about where the series began, or what I would call the "prequel?" You'd have to invite me back to preach again."
Well, this is more or less what I did. I began a series from John the first time they called me, back in December. Today I let them know that it was a series.... If they want to hear the rest, they have vote me in on Tuesday. :)
It would be interesting if it goes south... I'm already scheduled to preach there for the next few Sundays, so if there is a No vote, that'll make for some interesting crowd dynamics!
We passed another hurdle today. My buddy Eddy came to his dad's church, and loved it! I was afraid he'll miss Hope - they are an amazingly great church, and I feel a bit bad to take my family from there in order to join a much smaller church. But Eddy really loved the Sunday School - Well done, Lord! There is this girl, Rachel - she is only 18, but she is AMAZING! I watched her interact with the kids at the Boys' Brigade on Wednesday - if there ever was a person gifted to work with children, it's her! So great to have people like her on the team! Eddy said he loves her. OK, don't take it the wrong way - he's a bit young for that kind of love - well, he has a girlfriend his own age, sort of. But to hear him say that did a lot to boost this daddy's confidence that he's doing the right thing.
On Tuesday I have this bunch of 5 year olds from the local primary school descending on me. Put me in front of thousands of mean looking adults, and I'm OK. But send a bunch of 5 year olds my way, and I'm scared witless! I love kids, but I always feel like I don't know quite how to keep them interested and entertained. As a father of 4, this does not speak highly of my parenting skills... Anyway, after being in the States for a few years, it's great to realise I'm in a country where schools will call on churches for help and would drop in for a visit with a bunch of kids. I am hoping this will develop into a lasting relationship with the school. They are just down the road from us.
So here I am, already making plans, developing a vision, trying to lay down a path... Maybe I'm a bit too excited about it all? I guess what makes me so pumped up is the deep sense that I'm exactly where the Lord wants me, and that He is going to come through for us in a big way. He's such a great God! OK, he does have some questionable choices when it comes to pastors for his churches - at least one of them.... But I am so in love with him!
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
I am so blessed!
Last week a group of us from Ford went to visit Flo, a 90-something young lady from our church. We chatted, we had communion, we admired the amazing matchstick ship model she builds... It broke my heart to know that she has not had communion in years - there was noone to bring it to her, and she is house-bound. And yet she didn't complain - she loves the Lord, she loves his Church, she keeps up to date with what is going on - and she is praying for us.
On Monday my wonderful wife and I went to visit Edie, another young lady, in her 80's, also house bound. She just came home from the hospital; we went there just for a chat and a prayer - hoping to be a blessing to her. In fact, it was us who were blessed. I could see Evelina filled with the joy of being there. Find the elderly, the sick, the needy, and she is in her element. And, sure enough, we got another prayer warrior interceding for us. Edie promised to keep Evelina and I in her prayers - the Lord knows how we need that.
Today I went to the Boys' Brigade. There were less than 20 boys tonight - but altogether, this little church has about 40 youngsters enrolled in the Boys Brigade and the Girls Brigade. 40 young lives being touched with the love of Christ - and through them, their families too. For me tonight was lots of fun. Beyond that, however, is the realisation of how wonderful this church is. They had years of hurt, of pain, of decline. And yet, rather than focusing on themselves, they are as outward focused as ever. They look for ways to help the community. They pray, and encourage, and love, and support. They spend their time, and money, and effort, in order to touch others with the grace and love from our Daddy.
And here am I, this wondering, lost, uprooted guy - called to be a part of this work of God's grace. I am from another country, another culture, I am just a stranger - and yet they embraced me as their own. I have no illusions - it is going to be a long and difficult jurney - but, I am so blessed! I could have ended in any of the disfunctional, selfish, inward-focused, consumer churches out there - and yet the Lord lead me to these dear ones. I have such a gift for messing things up, and getting things wrong - and yet I am so blessed!
On Monday my wonderful wife and I went to visit Edie, another young lady, in her 80's, also house bound. She just came home from the hospital; we went there just for a chat and a prayer - hoping to be a blessing to her. In fact, it was us who were blessed. I could see Evelina filled with the joy of being there. Find the elderly, the sick, the needy, and she is in her element. And, sure enough, we got another prayer warrior interceding for us. Edie promised to keep Evelina and I in her prayers - the Lord knows how we need that.
Today I went to the Boys' Brigade. There were less than 20 boys tonight - but altogether, this little church has about 40 youngsters enrolled in the Boys Brigade and the Girls Brigade. 40 young lives being touched with the love of Christ - and through them, their families too. For me tonight was lots of fun. Beyond that, however, is the realisation of how wonderful this church is. They had years of hurt, of pain, of decline. And yet, rather than focusing on themselves, they are as outward focused as ever. They look for ways to help the community. They pray, and encourage, and love, and support. They spend their time, and money, and effort, in order to touch others with the grace and love from our Daddy.
And here am I, this wondering, lost, uprooted guy - called to be a part of this work of God's grace. I am from another country, another culture, I am just a stranger - and yet they embraced me as their own. I have no illusions - it is going to be a long and difficult jurney - but, I am so blessed! I could have ended in any of the disfunctional, selfish, inward-focused, consumer churches out there - and yet the Lord lead me to these dear ones. I have such a gift for messing things up, and getting things wrong - and yet I am so blessed!
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
News and stuff
Well, I've been posting (occasionally) to the p.com blog, since I forgot the login to this one. It eventually came back to me, so here I go again :-)
The News.... I am in a new church (Ford Baptist Church), a new town (Plymouth), a new country (UK), a new job (self-employed database programmer and website designer - well, apart from pastoring) and - I don't know, there so many new things going on! Just getting out of this very dark valley, but hey, I probably needed this experience too. How else would I serve those who are going through this same road?
Oh, and I'm so very excited with this new church I'm in. Well, it's about 150 years 'new', in a poorer inner city neighborhood, big crumbling building, lots of hurts and needs and problems - but hey, I love this bunch of people. I am so looking forward to what the Lord is going to do with us here! This time I hope it's for the long haul, there is no INS to chase me out, we should be fine; if only we can get some income....
Anyway, the Lord is good, He has been taking care of us and guiding us through, so here we are.
The News.... I am in a new church (Ford Baptist Church), a new town (Plymouth), a new country (UK), a new job (self-employed database programmer and website designer - well, apart from pastoring) and - I don't know, there so many new things going on! Just getting out of this very dark valley, but hey, I probably needed this experience too. How else would I serve those who are going through this same road?
Oh, and I'm so very excited with this new church I'm in. Well, it's about 150 years 'new', in a poorer inner city neighborhood, big crumbling building, lots of hurts and needs and problems - but hey, I love this bunch of people. I am so looking forward to what the Lord is going to do with us here! This time I hope it's for the long haul, there is no INS to chase me out, we should be fine; if only we can get some income....
Anyway, the Lord is good, He has been taking care of us and guiding us through, so here we are.
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