Monthly Archives: June 2011

The Traveller’s Rest- Climbing Companions

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Keeping the distance

One thing I have noticed about Leadership positions is that without any intention they can create clear dividing lines. This is true in all realms of life. I have seen in work when one of the shop floor colleagues becomes a department leader or a manager the whole relationship changes. That is why so many leaders end up living a very lonely existence, having no real friends, unless it is with another leader. This is almost imbred into church life and thinking within leadership training. I was told on a few occasions that I should not get too close to the sheep because those relationships were unhealthy to having clarity of vision, and it could breed jealousy etc. Things here in Wales got so out of hand that pastors even got their own elevated tables in the pulpit area for social events. The clergy/laity divide is so evident. And it is also very unscriptural. When will we wake up and smell the bacon that these so called ‘ministry gifts’ are functions and not titles and positions to be held. That the kingdom of God is not built on ladders of success and value. That a leadership position is not something to be ambitious about obtaining. That without relationship the Body is dead. It is amazing how many people that can hold positions cannot hold onto good relationships. Thinking the distance held is healthy to form respect and acknowledgment of what is being carried. One of the biggest lessons I have had to learn since resigning as pastor is that now without the position and the title I am just one of the guys. At work, one of the colleagues. Now people have to form relationship with me not for what I do but because of who I am. Not everyone will like who I am but that is the dynamic of relationships.

Climbing Companions

When I first moved into Wales I was like a stranger in a strange land. Part of the Assemblies of God and trying hard to build a few relationships with other ‘ministers’. Going along to the regional meeting was a real eye opener as it more like a trade union meeting rather than a place of encouragement. Yet there was one man there called Paul Dando. Paul had recently became pastor of the Newport assembly in Wales. He had been greatly influenced by Gerald Coates and Stuart Bell in Grapevine. He came over to chat and invited me to a small gathering at a farm for coffee and informal chat. There were about 6-7 of us there and we had a great time. Talking about ‘church’ life, praying, sharing thoughts on Scripture, laughing, eating, hearing visiting speakers etc. At the time it was a lifeline. The Message version had just been released and I remember one day Paul read from this passage

Matthew 5:1
[ You're Blessed ] When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions.

I loved that phrase climbing companions. We all did because our small group were called by that name in a very informal way. Jesus was a shepherd who never never went out of His way to have a flock. Yes there were followers and those that tagged along but He loved relationship. He had His companions. In another passage when it talks about the choosing of the twelve it simply says, ‘He chose those He wanted to be with.’ He wanted to hang out with these guys. He didn’t put up with them, He loved spending time with them. They were mates, buddy’s, friends. Some were closer to Him than others. Yes they let Him down sometimes but relationship is always stronger than peoples flaws and mistakes, well true relationship. We all need companions we can climb with. In this season I believe we will find those companions.

From Isolation to Elevation

The biggest problem of walking outside the confines of the construct is loneliness and isolation. People that you once thought were friends are nowhere to be found anymore. Those that are around don’t really understand where you are or what you are going through. At times and in seasons like that climbing can be very heavy and hard work. There is a yearning for friendship, companionship and true fellowship without expectations and religiosity. I sense in my spirit a real finding each other. Climbing companions linking and relating across Nations and across the broken borders. Encourager’s and life enhancers. Drinking partners and jokers. Cross pollination taking place through not what we do but because we find people we want to be with. People we want to journey with, talk with, share with, get transparent with. Accountability through love that is natural and not something we try and create. A mutual looking out for. A place to share doubts and fears as well as hopes and dreams. A relationship where we do not have to fear rejection when we stuff up. It is a yearning of my heart, and God said He would give you the desires of your heart. David had his companions, some found at a cave of the broken. Daniel had his companions. Paul had his companions for his journeys, some travelled some of the way, others all of the way, but there was freedom in relationship. And Jesus sat down with His companions, what an inspiring picture of what lays ahead of us. Not having disciples following our teaching and under our care, but companions walking shoulder to shoulder, being elevated together to where we should be in Christ.

Interesting Scripture #14

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You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’ But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne… Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.
Matthew 5:33-37.
So much of the Sermon on the Mount seemed like new laws when I used to read them. And the approach to the material was a big divide between the Anabaptist and Reformers. The former taking them seriously and many times as law, the latter (a little overstated here) ignoring the stringent demands they pose.

Not swearing an oath. I served on a jury in a UK court once and it was very interesting. 10 swore on the Bible, while I and an atheist asked to affirm!!

A few months earlier I had the opportunity to question an Anabaptist (Alan Kreider) about this Scripture, and he certainly put a different slant on it for me, which led to me taking the position I did with respect to jury service.

He said as a follower of Jesus, consider the following: You are under his authority. You have to be known as a ‘truth-teller’, your ‘yes’ has to be ‘yes’ and your ‘no’ a ‘no’. If there is any discrepancy then you are denying your discipleship calling. If the way to enforce your honesty is to swear on something – including the Bible – then you are in danger of denying the authority you claim to live under.

That put a whole new perspective on it all. And a whole new challenge with respect to following Christ. I know there can be counter arguments. What kind of vow did Paul take, for example. But for me since that time I want to be clear that only Jesus has my allegiance – no denomination, no expression of the body, no nation, nothing. As a citizen of heaven his Lordship relatives everything else, including swearing oaths.

The Traveller’s Rest- Welcome to the House of Fun

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Divide is not divine

Considering we are the family of God we are not very good at living as family. Considering we say so often that everyone is welcome to join us we only seem to extend a welcome to a certain type of person. They have to be the type that are quiet, want to listen, will respond without question and will never interrupt the show. Domesticated people that are well trained to sit still and be spectators to whatever is put in front of them. We find this exciting so they will as well. Children must be seen and not heard, must sit still. We may even take them out to children’s church if they are lucky. A place to hear the same twelve Bible stories. Then for the really trendy there is youth church. A real with it guy who has the language of the streets and is very loud and has some great bright coloured shirts will teach the youth some real relevant stuff about Jesus. They will even incorporate rap into the music. The more mature have their ‘Silver Lining’ meeting, a time for hymns and old school chorus’s. Singles can meet for their own meals and hopefully they will end up marrieds. Babies can be taken out into the creche if they start waking up. Keep them in when they are sleeping but if they make a little gurgle get them outta here. You have your own room where you can listen to the nice long sermon over a speaker system and feel a part of what is going on. The girls have their girl thing, find out what your colour is for this year from our fashion guru, guys come along to be real tough men. Jesus was a real man even though He wore a nightie. There is truly something for everyone. But surely being family is about discovering something for everyone. Not segregated into different departments (where have we got that one from?) but about living life as community. Someone once said that Sunday morning is the most segregated time of the week. I think they may be right.

Come Together

They were all together with one accord…

Is this only about having adult times? Surely it has to be about family having fun. Everyone included. That is why meetings will never be the answer because they are always aimed at someone at a certain level. Even our so called Family Services are not the answer. They are either just the same as an adult meeting with a bit of drama or lively songs thrown in, or they are so childish that only a few extrovert adults will be seen to be enjoying them. My kids hate family services. They find them more boring than adult one’s. Then we have seeker friendly. We as the church decide what the seeker would like to see. And even if that is friendly we will then try and introduce them to real mature church. If the friendly has not scared them off then the real thing will. We just need to learn the art of coming together as families do. No agenda, no stage, no age barriers, no expectations, just lots of people having a laugh and having fun.

We Are Family

A couple of months back we had a get together as a family because a baby was being dedicated. We had the ‘meeting’ but then we gathered in my brother and sister in laws house for food. There were about 40 of us. We talked, we ate, we laughed, we cried. Some gathered in large groups. some paired off with others. The children ran around through everybody. The elders told their stories about times gone by. The guys talked football and rugby. The women talked babies. Couples snuggled up on the settee. Tea and coffee was constantly on tap. The family comedians kept everyone laughing with there exaggerated stories. People came and went as they wanted to. Plates were filled and then  emptied and then filled again. We met new people who were welcomed to the family gathering as if they were family. We met family members we had never met before. Nobody felt uncomfortable or out of place. All were welcomed with a cuppa, food, conversation. God flowed in and out of the conversation. Church-ed and non-church-ed were involved in the same conversations, nobody knowing who was in or who was out. And anyway which category do I fit in these days? Nobody was corrected for swearing. Nobody was judged for their dress sense. The house was full of people being what came naturally, family. People could drink if they wanted to but drunkenness was not the measure of having a good time. Now this to me was family. We ate and drank together as in communion. No saying if you don’t believe then let the bread and wine pass you by. (Can you believe we used to say that? Welcoming? Embracing? How to make someone feel an outsider in one easy lesson.) We fellow-shipped, we ministered to one another (surely that comes as we share our lives together not just through praying with laying our hands on the unsuspected and the nervous.), we were a part of each other, it was spontaneous, it was fun, it was God filled, everyone came home in my Espace full of stories and laughter and looking forward to the next family gathering. There was no planned programme of events or agenda, what happened just happened. In the kitchen, the garden, the front room etc.

Heart is where the home is.

Jesus was the most inclusive guy I know. He drew in both women and children into His realm of influence. The disciples wanted to usher the children away because there was important adult stuff going on. Jesus rebuked them and embraced the children sitting them on His lap and making them a part of what was going on. I kept hearing the phrase they are the church of tomorrow- what crap!!!!! They are part of what is going on today, and if we do not embrace that or just tolerate the kids, then we have not created a space for true family. We treat them as a nuisance to us having a good time on a Sunday and then wonder why they never want to be a part of it when they are old enough. Home is so key. A family home. A place where no one feels outside. A place of life. A place of tears and laughter. A place where people can live and grow. And it needs to be full of heart. Love. The segregated Sundays must end and the family needs to take it’s place.

Babylon will fall?

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Four days away, loads to process and to catch up on. The Greek crisis continues, people are the real sufferers as always, but the façades keep on swinging open. In the USA an increase of $2.5 trillion in the debt ceiling would allow the government to operate until early 2013. Have things gone out of control? What a decade to be living through.

We were privileged to be in Cádiz when the Indignados took to the streets. Not sure how many but certainly quite a few thousand people. We found ourselves walking, praying and impacted. A city with around 40% unemployment. It was amazing to read the banners, one straight out of Revelation about Babylon coming down. Maybe left-wing rhetoric, maybe perception, maybe prophetic.

Tough times are ahead… cover over the cracks rather than deal with the core issues; kick the can further down the road, rather than deal with it now. Those phrases are applicable.

And Cádiz? Maybe some keys there. After all the oldest continual inhabited city in Europe; the port for so much of the wealth that came in from the ‘new world’. Maybe a key there. Maybe a key where you live? A people who pray and walk streets asking for ‘on earth as in heaven’.

Sweden and new

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Been receiving emails about new manifestations in Sweden (I had felt to prophesy that a sign in the land would be new species of bird and flora, along with warm winds over the land. One place not to far south of the Arctic circle was the warmest zone in Europe a few weeks back). I received this email just a couple of days ago:

The Lake Vättern has been enriched with a new species. This is a previously unrecognized member of the family oligochaetes as an environmental consulting firm found in its annual survey. Some news call it a “unique discovery”.

So time is now for new manifestations in the land of new expressions of mission. I see this as very important. Sweden with a strong finishing gift is a sign in Europe. If it is now poised to release new manifestations then there has been a very significant shift. This can happen in a first place, but when a finishing place begins to release them it is a sure sign that there has been a shift.

So a word of encouragement today from the northern lands.

The Traveller’s Rest- Our House In The Middle of the Street

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A House of Prayer for all Nations

You would think that because we are so desperate for a blueprint that Jesus would have given more of a description concerning what His house/dwelling/church/ekklesia would look like. That He would have given us an Ikea type plan on how to put it all together and labelled all the parts so we would not get it wrong. After all Moses was given very specific instructions that He had to follow to the letter, Solomon was left detailed instructions by his father David and now here we are wanting to build something and He leaves us very much in the dark. In fact the only mention and glimpse we get of His dwelling place on earth is one sentence. One measly sentence. No wonder we have so much trouble! But what He said I find very interesting and am often reminded of this when I think of His house.

My house shall be a house of prayer for all Nations.

Although His description is very brief it still amazes me that often we try to make it a house for everything other than that. A house for seeker-sensitive gatherings, a house for teaching, a house for Holy Ghost blow outs, a house for kids and youth work, but a house of prayer for all Nations?

Cymru, a house of prayer for all nations

A few things have reminded me of spoken prophecies and declared Words from the past today. So many spoke about Wales being a house of prayer for the Nations. That 24/7 prayer, praise and worship would rise up from this Nation. This was not just released once but many times. Carl Brettle had his million hours of prayer for Wales, where over a million hours of prayer were sown into the Nation. We found out here that one prayer mountain in Korea was specifically designated to pray for Wales. Communities in America and Australia were praying for our Nation. 24/7 prayer took place at Cardiff, where the people gathered to cry to the capital to wakes up. In Bridgend where they had a room designated as a house of prayer, once a month gatherings would take place to cry out for the Nation. People came from all over the world to be in that room. In Llanelli where wild worship and intercession would take place over whole weekends. A new sound being released into the heaven-lies. The list goes on. These gatherings brought together a Nation running for the cause of Jesus. Relationships were born. It felt as if a canopy was raised over Wales. Then as quickly as it came it seemed to disappear. I still do not understand the reason. A different season? Distractions? Pride? God moving us to something else? I do not really know, but as I look back they were significant and key days. A place where hierarchy meant nothing. A place where the focus was Him and not us. A place of unity like nothing else I have ever experienced. Prayers that inspired journeys and launched people into walking out their dreams and visions.

An ancient but fresh reminder

Over these past seven days these few things have happened. I had a letter from two great friends who have supported me personally in so many ways, David and Joy Chipchase. They were sharing about how in a visit to Fflayd-yr-brenin In Wales they captured the heart for having a house of prayer. They are returning to Dorset to use their home as a house of prayer for the Nation and the Nations. Antioch church, Llanelli sent out a flyer sharing about some of the stuff they were up to. In September they are going to have a 24/1 prayer and praise event to release fresh sounds into the heavens. Yesterday I went with friends to Llantwit Major. Geoff and Lynne Reed are visiting from the North-east of England and I just thought I would take them there. The Welsh name for Lantwit Major is Llanilltud Fawr, Llan meaning Christian community and Illtud being the person who led the community. Around 400-500AD this man and many others, including who became known as St David, lived community that included education, releasing missionaries and incredibly having a house of prayer for the Nations. On the spot where the Parish church is now they would gather 24/7 to pray, praise, sing, send. Much that was released from this small Welsh place effected the Nation and the Nations, including Cornwall, Brittany, parts of Turkey, Ireland etc. Have been thinking afresh, is it possible for a Nation to have a specific call? Is Wales really an example of a house of prayer for all Nations?

Pray continually

Where we are today is a consequence of the prayers that were released into the heavens and into the earth during those days 10-15 years ago. Yet from togetherness of vision of living the house of prayer there seems to have been a season of isolation for so many. Loneliness even. We all seem to have got on building our own houses like in the times Haggai. And others are realising that the house is about people rather than church. That where we live as a family is a house of prayer. Our house in the middle of our street is a house of prayer for the Nations, because we live here. Not because of our house but because of us living out lives that pray continually. Have often wondered what gatherings would look like in the new landscape. Yes there would be time for the story, yes there would be time for sharing lives together. But we also need to keep at the heart that as His house we are a house of prayer for all Nations. There will be a fresh sound. Not focused on man and individuals but on Him. Of course what we mean by being a house of prayer can be interpreted in many ways but I think God wants it that way. He wants a river that will flow with the contours of our own community, and we have unique contours. This is His house and He wants to put us together as living stones. It is time for the sound once more to arise!!!!

 

 

Business gates posts

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I have put up an article on business, commerce etc, at ‘Gates of Society’. It is trying to look at the bigger picture of the economics that now shape our world. Some of the tragedies that have arisen such as the amount of money spent on perfume per annum in the EU and the US alone would feed and give basic sanitation to the world that needs it.

I have then put a post there (under Business forum) asking the question, ‘Is the stock market evil?’. The more basic question though that I am trying to open up there is that of ‘can money make money’ morally?

I am trying to steer between: definitely not and maybe!!

Part of the way forward (I think) is to bring a measure of separation between money and work. By so doing we can say that some ‘making money’ is not work and is definitely wrong; but that there might be the possibility of ‘making money work for us’ if… ok see you at the ‘Gates’ and I will gladly read your contribution.

The Traveller’s Rest- Jesus Should be the Question not the Answer.

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Faith- a journey of discovery

When I think back over my own personal journey of discovery and belief in Jesus one thing I appreciate more than anything is that I was not forced into deciding about anything. I escaped the pressure of signing on because everyone thought I already was a Christian. The day I finally made a decision that this was the direction I wanted to go in for my life everyone was shocked, I had tricked them all. Glad I did because since I have realised I would have been under immense pressure to make a decision, put my hand up, say the prayer, become a member. I could not get into heaven without becoming ‘born again’ and making a decision to follow Jesus, repenting from my sins and then going to church every week. The pinnacle of every Christian is getting a scalp. Get loads of scalps and you are an evangelist. There were 40 decisions today!!!! 90 more souls going to heaven!!! 25 teenagers became Christians today!!! Evangelistic tools, crusades, special speakers with amazing testimonies, all used to get those names signed on the dotted line. Whose benefit is this really for? For theirs or for ours to make us feel better because we’ve preached the Gospel and saved these people from the jaws of hell? Do we really need to go around leaving tracts, cold calling people to sell them Jesus? Are we any better than the tele-sales people who get on our nerves every day? I thank God my discovery of faith was outside these parametres because people thought I had already signed on. And anyway surely people who want to know more will discover for themselves. We need to give people space to look, seek and find. And if we were honest what percentage of those people forced to sign on actually stayed the course? I bet that would be pretty near 0%. We need to give people space and give them more questions than answers.

Sharing story the Jesus way

Jesus loved telling stories that had hidden meanings. He never preached the Word at people, except the religious. For those who came looking for Him (see the difference) He told stories about every day life and people; farmers, treasure hunters, foreigners, weddings etc, and then He walked on. No explanation, no interpretation, no this is what it all means. Just a conundrum and a mystery. For those that were interested they came looking for more, they asked questions, they thought about the hidden depths of the story. For those who were just following the crowd they would just go on their way having heard a good yarn. Jesus wanted to leave people with questions, without questions there would have been no step of faith. Giving all the answers gives my discovery and not theirs. Jesus may have been the answer but to begin with He needs to be the question. We are so desperate for the dotted line to be signed that we give people the answers, but then it is not a personal journey of faith, it is my journey pushed onto them. It has to be their story if not it will never become reality in thier lives. Reading the way Jesus went about sharing His life it seems as if He loved making it tough for some people. But true seekers will keep seeking.

The Aisles of Asda

Over these past couple of weeks I have been really encouraged by some conversations I have had with a young guy called Dewi. When he first started I was like his training buddy, he would spend some time in my aisle while I showed him the ropes. We talked about loads of stuff, and that included a bit of my story about once being a church pastor and now not being a church goer at all. Loads of months since passed until last week he said ‘I wondered how you were so laid back I thought it was drugs, and I mean that in a nice way.’ He then went into telling me about his journey of faith. We talked about the system letting us down and the negative aspects of organised religion. He asked me why I left the church system and what beliefs I still had. We talked about everything from astral projection to David Icke to bishops. Never once did I feel the need to correct him about some strange beliefs he was reading about, or telling him about the errors of the new age movement and the age of Aquarious. He was on a journey. He heard my story. It was obvious to me God was doing some stuff and I needed to let the story do the work. I felt no need to get him down on his knees, tell him he had to decide before it was too late and that Jesus was the only way. Infact we parted in the middle of the conversation with more questions than answers. Last night we spoke again and it was interesting to see and hear the progression of the story. He came to hunt me out to chat. He told me about the failings of many of these new age beliefs that last week he was so enthusiastic about. He was discovering more and more. I believe as he keeps seeking he shall find. Every now and again I drop in a thought, a life lesson as he asks questions. I left really excited about what the Holy Spirit was doing. I feel no need to ring him up, give him a book. He is reading the Bible of his own accord and discovering truth that the church has kept hidden. Don’t we believe the truth will set him free. Maybe there are truths he will teach me that I need to hear because I have been too pre-programmed to believe something else. Who knows what discoveries he will make before the next time we meet. Am I looking for him to make a decision? No. I want to continue to see him on a journey. If he really wants to discover the genuine he will find it. I never knew work could be so full of the spiritual. God is everywhere.

I believe: sin is not good

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These are not deep systematic theology posts, but an attempt to put down some core beliefs. Jesus died for our sins, and through his death I am saved. But defining sin? That is a challenge. ‘He will save his people from their sins’ (Matt. 1:21) is not a general evangelical Scripture but a very specific Scripture into the people of Israel who need deliverance from Exile, so that God might return to be with them again. Sin is breaking the law – but what law(s)? After all the law – in all its forms – was given to Israel within the context of their covenant. And of course there is a continuation, but we cannot simply draw an unbroken line.

So let me take another tack. To sin is to miss the mark, it is to never discover the reason for which we are born (Walter Wink is someone who suggests this take on the word). I like that approach. The core tragedy is that we are made for God, and to reflect his glory. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. From this waywardeness Jesus has saved us. Saved us from the alienation we experience, first at the vertical / heavenly level with respect to God; then the alienation at a horizontal level.

This seems to accord well with the opening chapters of Genesis. Alienation: God / human; male / female; earth / people; familiar discord and murder; angelic / human; national / language strife.

Then God called Abraham. Walk a different path. Be an alien in the land. Become an outpost of heaven. Be a light to the nations… Then comes Jesus, and in his light we begin to see again. We can enter through his death – because his death is our death – into reconciled life. We begin on the journey of discovering the reason for which we were born.

Interesting Scripture #13

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Now the whole earth had one language and one speech… Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.
Gen 11:1-7

This very interesting take on this Scripture I heard from a wonderful guy in Sweden who is working in city development. He was not exegeting the text, simply using it to illustrate a point, and one that made an impact on me.

The inevitable result of towers that are built is the confusion of language. As soon as there is a distance between people on the vertical scale language will suffer. Communication will go. Hierarchy confuses language, because language itself is taken captive with the result of raising some and lowering others.

The language at the top of the tower is one language, at the bottom another. The reversal of course is at Pentecost:
“we hear, each of us in our own native language?”

Sunday morning

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A resurrection… that changed the world. That brought all those of faith to encounter and live within a new creation. Wow!!!

What does a new creation look like. Recently I read Len Hjarmarson who quoted that The kingdom of God is creation healed. Seems that gives us an agenda for prayer, discussion, hands dirty etc., for a while to come, if today we are helping to prepare the building blocks for then.

I am slowly developing the ‘gates of society’ part of the web site. A few ‘chapters / articles’ are there already and now a few short blog type pieces to interact with. I am focused on the background issues of how do we influence, terminology etc.

So you will find all of that under General Forum. The blogs are not dated, rather I will try to keep them roughly alphabetical so that the discussion develops rather than a multiplication of blogs. Head over that way and see what you think and make a comment or two. Of course only ones that agree with my perspective!!!