Sunday 30 December 2012

Six Resolutions for a Community of Blessing

A new year soon to begin. I pray for a special 'year of the Lord's favour' for our three churches, for each individual member, and for our neighbourhood. May God break into many lives with his healing power and love. Here are 6 New Year Resolutions for our Communities of Blessing which could enable this.
  1. Be thankful. Thanksgiving is the gateway to God's presence (Psalm 100.4). Start with the small and everyday: a roof over our heads, food on the table, people who love us, people we love. Think of the world around: flowers, birds, trees, the harmony of colour, art and music. Give thanks most of all for the awesome love of God expressed in the gift of his Son and his ultimate purpose of uniting earth and heaven in him. Thanksgiving banishes negativity.
  2. Be present. God has made us for each other as well as for himself, so we need to be as committed to each other as we are to him. This means a real attentiveness to each other (the greatest gift we can give is to listen); as far as possible, it means weekly attendance at worship whether we are 'doing anything' (reading, leading, singing/playing, serving coffee) or not - because our very presence can be a blessing, with a word of encouragement, an act of service or a listening ear.
  3. Be watchful. See the world in heaven's light, as we look for the fulfilment of all things in Christ. Pick up that piece of litter; buy that 'Big Issue'; speak words of hope and encouragement to friend and stranger; join that campaign for a better world; engage in community action as our gifts and opportunities allow; rejoice at every sign of God's presence and love in the world; resist evil.
  4. Be prayerful. Let there be moments of stillness and waiting every day. Like St Cuthbert, storm the gates of heaven with intercession for the needs of others. Do not hesitate to bring to God those things which seem impossible to us but which are possible to him (Luke 18.27). And may more and more of us engage in praying together, for there the Lord is present (Matthew 18.19-20). As a result, we can...
  5.  Be expectant. What will God want to do in us and through us this year? Are we in danger of hindering God by trying too hard sometimes? 'In quietness and confidence is our strength'  (Isaiah 30.15). Remember that God's ultimate purpose is to bring the whole world to the knowledge of himself (Isaiah 11.9), not to help us run a successful church (whatever that may be)!
  6. Be resolute. There is only one resolution that really matters, and that is to be obedient, to follow wherever the Lord may lead us, surrendering to his will and purpose (Joshua 1.7). Only thus can we be confident of 'God with us' (Joshua 1.9); only thus will his majestic rule of peace and love finally be established on the earth. 'The world needs the church' and only through our 'resolution' can God's mission on earth be accomplished.
By God's grace, may we be blessed and be a blessing in 2013.

Monday 24 December 2012

Creation echoes praise!

The last two nights, there has been an insomniac robin (well, I think it's a robin) - singing away on and off from about 2a.m. till dawn. I like to think the birds are praising the Lord when they sing. It's good to listen to the sounds of creation, especially at this time of year when the air is so full of excitement and hubbub. A friend of mine has just written, 'Creation speaks of presence, of being, of simplicity.'

The coming of Christ was a cosmic event as well as a very human one. Angelic messengers announced his arrival; the heavens were ruptured to reveal the angelic choir; a star was suspended over the baby's resting place. As I prayed this morning (words from Common Worship Daily Prayer), 'tune the song of our hearts to the music of creation.' Amen to that.

Happy, peaceful Christmas to all.

Saturday 22 December 2012

The Great God-Invasion

We are inclined to forget that Jesus was born in dangerous times. The Holy Family lived under foreign domination. There was no NHS, and there nearly wasn't even a roof over his head. Furthermore, within weeks of his birth, were it not for an angel's message, he could have been murdered along with other innocents. So we must not believe for one moment that we live now in 'the worst of times.' Yet it seems to me, we have gone soft as followers of Jesus and, as someone wrote recently, consumer culture has deeply infected the church. Churchgoers so easily become consumers of religion, and expect to get what they pay for. If the services are not to their liking, or they do no feel personally blessed, they stay away and turn up for the services they do like. They may even move churches.

This isn't to say that we shouldn't expect a blessing when we gather with our Christian brothers and sisters. Of course we should. But we need to be reminded of what the Church is for: not primarily for the satisfaction of its members but for the blessing of creation, of humanity. And that is costly. The resources for that calling come from within - our personal walk with God; not from without - the provision of church services to our liking. Yes, I know it's tough; and yes I know that Christians are sometimes their own (and God's?) worst enemy but by toughing it out together, we grow, mature and strengthen each other as we continue to serve God's purposes in the world.

John Eldredge has written, 'The coming of Jesus was...a dangerous mission, a great invasion, a daring raid into enemy territory'. It cost him his life, but in the course of his mission he triumphed over poverty, deprivations, threats, hostility, criticism, disease, demonic forces, and death itself. You see the same spirit in our Christian forebears from the apostles onwards, willing to lay down their lives for the truth they believed in  and the Lord they served. Because they knew that Jesus had done it all before them and they shared his mission to reconcile men and women to God. Somehow I can't see St Paul quitting because he did not feel blessed by his churches!

I guess we need to learn the discipline of struggle, and like Jacob, wrestle for the blessing (Genesis 32.22-32).




 

 
 
 

Wednesday 19 December 2012

BLESSing

Last night we welcomed Calderstones School to All Hallows for their carol service. These are always great occasions: a combination of amazing performance by young people and the telling of the Christmas story. It was good to reunite with staff members and governors past and present, some of whom I have not seen for some years. The school is clearly in good heart, under new leadership since Brian Davies retired in the summer. Liz Russell, the new head, was very proud of her new school last night, with good reason.

I'm very aware on these occasions that we are welcoming a number of people for whom this is a rare visit to church. We hope that something of the presence of God touches them, and I pray at the end of these services for the blessing of God to be upon each one. Here is the prayer I used last night:

May God the Father keep you in all your days.
May God the Son shield you in all your ways.
May God the Spirit bring you healing and peace.
May God the Holy Trinity drive all darkness from you
and pour upon you blessing and light. Amen.
 
I am more and more convinced that 'Community of Blessing' is such an apt description for church in our own day. Our values are formed from the word BLESS:
  • Being Family
  • Learning and Growing
  • Encountering God
  • Sharing Christ
  • Serving God and Neighbour
I long to see us translating these values from words into actions.

For example, how can we bless Calderstones School?

Sunday 16 December 2012

Growing Old

I returned last night from a 2-day visit 'down south' to visit my mother in Rugby and my aunts in London. Both my mother and one of my aunts are currently in nursing homes. Such visits inevitably stir something deep within, not least because in 20 years (or less) it could be me! You see the love and the tenderness of many staff; the resolve and compassion of family members who visit; you are also aware of the sometimes casual even indifferent attitude of some staff for whom, it appears, this is just a job. You are also very aware of the former lives of residents: one such at my aunt's home had been a high-court judge. He still had the booming voice with which he would have commanded a court room; but now he was raving and physically frail, attended by a devoted wife who soothed and comforted him.

Care of the elderly, in a rapidly aging population as 'baby boomers' like me retire, is the elephant in the room as far as our nation and its economy are concerned. It is not talked about nearly enough, and government seem to be leaving the matter to market forces, with the result that some people are growing rich out of care homes but generally people are struggling to cope - especially those who are retired themselves and find themselves looking after even older parents often alone.

Coincidentally, on Thursday, the Archbishop of Canterbury used his final speech in the House of Lords as ABC, to highlight this issue. He spoke of how society tends to regard old people as a 'problem', waiting to die in a country 'frenetically oriented towards youth.' I guess it is an inevitable consequence of a allowing personal success and fulfilment to take precedence over communal values. Surely this is an area where the Church has something to say - and to demonstrate. By our valuing of the wisdom of age, by not disallowing older people from participating in the life of the local church and - just maybe - by Christian entrepreneurs entering the care-of-the-elderly market place, we could witness to the ageless God. By coincidence, I read this morning that in God's new heaven and new earth, 'Those who live to be a hundred will be considered young'! (Isaiah 65.20).

So the question is: how can we value the elderly in our own 'community of blessing'? Indeed, how can we bless them?

Monday 10 December 2012

Goodison Conversations

I had an exciting time at Goodison Park yesterday: a potential 0-1 defeat turned to a 2-1 victory in injury time as Everton beat Tottenham Hotspur (my childhood team). The roar of the crowd was deafening! I was particularly pleased as 1) we badly needed a win after a succession of draws and 2) I had predicted the scoreline!

There were several good conversations with my hosts. 2 subjects predominated: why was the CofE not ordaining women as bishops (incomprehensible to the non-church world)? And what about gay marriage? I suspect David Cameron may be making a serious error of judgment if he thinks this is a vote-winner among the general population. Deep down, I think many people just feel 'this is just not right'.

For myself, I think we have to start with the fundamental assertion that all are created equal under God. To Paul's list of those between whom there is no difference before the Lord (Galatians 3.28), we might add 'gay or straight'. However uncomfortable those of us who are heterosexual might feel, however uncomprehending we might be towards gay people, the fact is God judges them the same way as everyone else. So I have no problem in principle with the legal protection, the affirmation and even the blessing of a gay civil partnership. It seems to me that in a broken world where so many relationships seem fragile and temporary, Christians of all people should want to celebrate any committed, faithful, lifelong relationship. But only in the way appropriate to that situation.

I believe that marriage (that is, a faithful, exclusive and lifelong relationship between one man and one woman) is a creation ordinance, something that is part of the very DNA of human society which must be protected at all costs. Simply changing the legal definition, as the Government proposes, will not alter that fundamental truth. Not only is marriage life-giving - in every sense of that word, not just in the sense of procreation - it symbolises the complementarity of the sexes upon which human society depends.

It is interesting that even some gay people see no need for a change in the law to allow them to marry. I would have thought that, in these days when celebrating difference and valuing diversity has become something of a rallying cry, gay people would rejoice to create their own institution different from marriage. Perhaps the problem is that no one can think of another word to describe that state? Civil partnership doesn't quite do it!

Although the proposed legislation is meant to be 'opt in' rather than 'opt out' (i.e. clergy would not have to marry gay people unless they chose to), you can see how this law would represent and lead to a serious culture change which would inevitably lead to clergy being expected to perform these ceremonies in due course. That would put many of us clergy in a quite impossible position.

Wednesday 5 December 2012

Alpha Over

Last night, we completed our Alpha course at the Patio restaurant. A brilliant talk from Tom on 'How can I make the most of the rest of my Life?' He was just the man for this, as it's something he's clearly thought deeply about himself. Then it was 'goodbye' till we meet again for a reunion in January.

The whole experience has been good. The group has gelled well. Miranda and Danielle (supported by Mervyn and Vicky) have been excellent hosts, and all the talks have been outstanding. Two members are now considering baptism; and two more confirmation. I think all would say that in some way they have moved on in their journey of faith. We praise God for the work of his Holy Spirit among us. Such a joy to be part of something like this.

And then there's the Patio. This is all of grace. We gave a special thank you to manager Dave last night. The hospitality has been amazing: free main course meal + coffee every week for 3 months. And top quality food, from their main menu. Served with charm and courtesy by staff. I still can't quite believe they have been so generous. Definitely a God thing! Last night, we prayed a blessing upon their business, and hope that their kindness to us will be rewarded.

So - you know where to go for your Christmas meal or your night out! The Patio, 3-5, Church Road, L15 3EA. 0151 733 7474! Excellent food; great service.

Saturday 1 December 2012

Happy Advent!

Advent has to be the best of the church seasons of the year for me. It's not just the growing excitement about Christmas - Saviour's birth - with all that means for church and family. It's that sense of waiting, anticipation: the best is yet to be! Bishop Tom Wright has written*:
"God has promised to give the entire world...a complete makeover. It will be renewed from top to bottom, so that it will be filled at last with the presence and glory of God 'as the waters cover the sea.'" (Isaiah 11.9).  That's got to be worth waiting for! Meanwhile, as Wright points out often in his writings, the Christian calling is to live now as if that time has already come, so we show the world what it's like to live the life of heaven on earth. That's why the world needs the church, to point the way.
 
Yes I know we don't always make a very good job of it, but that doesn't revoke the calling does it?
 
* 'Virtue Reborn' p.28


 

Thursday 29 November 2012

The Blessing that Never Was

This doesn't happen very often, but I'm delighted when it does: blessing a house. It's happened twice of late: once, for a couple whose wedding I took last year, and who have now moved to a new house; and yesterday for a church member who has just moved to her new home. It is good to pray God's peace and blessing into a home, so that the person or the family become conscious of 'abiding under the shadow of the Almighty' (Psalm 91.1). It would be good to be asked more often.

This week, I also had the experience of a blessing being cancelled. I was phoned by a woman who asked me if I 'did house blessings'. I told her I did, and 'was there any particular reason?' She said there had been some weird goings-on. I arranged a day and time, and asked a female church member to accompany me. I then had to phone the lady back to adjust the time, and left a message on her voicemail. Back came the message later on: 'Who are you and why are you coming?'    It turns out that the woman who inhabits the house, and whose phone number I had phoned, had not made the original call to me! She said someone was trying to cause trouble for her: she had had taxis call at the house, which she had not ordered; anonymous letters and hoax phone calls. Now this. Time to call the police, she said. All very embarrassing for both of us - and very sad for her. I wonder what that is all about. I prayed for her anyway.

Tuesday 27 November 2012

From the Beginning

I've been meaning to do this for a long time - set up a blog intended mainly to improve communication with members of our three churches. I don't kid myself that this will be widely read or do much to change the world, but at least it will enable us to keep in touch a little better.

I spent an hour this morning with one of our church members. She was concerned that we rarely pray (at least in public worship) for persecuted Christians. She feels that this subject is widely ignored, and yet thousands of our brothers and sisters suffer for their faith. Why the silence - for example, when she highlights a particular case on her FaceBook page? Perhaps too uncomfortable? Politically sensitive? Maybe we would be accused of an anti-Muslim bias, since - sadly - so much persecution of Christians is perpetrated by Muslims.

We have agreed to do a few things e.g. include specific needs for prayer on the All Hallows pew sheet (her own church) and arrange for a preacher to come next year to highlight this matter for us.

It's another way we can break out of our self-preoccupation and become more mission-minded - seeking first God's Kingdom and his righteousness.