Friday, 2 December 2011
Saturday, 19 November 2011
Should the church support the protesters at St Pauls'?
http://www.4thought.tv/themes/should-the-church-of-england-side-with-the-protesters-at-st-pauls/ian-chamberlain
You might like to take a look at this link since it will give you access to a number of views.
My own view is that the church should support the protesters since we need leadership at this time in history and unlike the prevailing political view that 'money' is going to fix things for us, we need to recognise that the big challenge for democracy now is 'Can it challenge the Corporations?'
Decades ago the cry was to challenge the landed gentry but over the last few decades we have seen the emergence of a rich elite that are so powerful that we have to bail them out when they get into trouble....
I am not at all sure that Jesus would approve..
You might like to take a look at this link since it will give you access to a number of views.
My own view is that the church should support the protesters since we need leadership at this time in history and unlike the prevailing political view that 'money' is going to fix things for us, we need to recognise that the big challenge for democracy now is 'Can it challenge the Corporations?'
Decades ago the cry was to challenge the landed gentry but over the last few decades we have seen the emergence of a rich elite that are so powerful that we have to bail them out when they get into trouble....
I am not at all sure that Jesus would approve..
A man died this week
A man died this week. On the operating table. Not much older than me. Quiet man. Not seen him for 30 years. As a young christian he introduced me to Matthew 25. Taught me a lot of things. Started a charity called Archway - http://www.archwayfoundation.org.uk/ which is still going.The Lectionary reading this week is Matthew 25:31-46 where Jesus points out some criteria that will be used at Judgement Day;
•I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, (or you gave me nothing to eat).
•I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, (or you gave me nothing to drink).
•I was a stranger, and you welcomed me in, (or did not welcome me in).
•I needed clothes and you clothed me, (or did not clothe me).
•I was sick and you looked after me, (or did not look after me).
•I was in prison and you came to visit me, (or did not look after me).
Some coincidence methinks.
So, I will have plenty to say tomorrow morning....
•I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, (or you gave me nothing to eat).
•I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, (or you gave me nothing to drink).
•I was a stranger, and you welcomed me in, (or did not welcome me in).
•I needed clothes and you clothed me, (or did not clothe me).
•I was sick and you looked after me, (or did not look after me).
•I was in prison and you came to visit me, (or did not look after me).
Some coincidence methinks.
So, I will have plenty to say tomorrow morning....
Saturday, 12 November 2011
Team Work works :)
It has been an incredibly busy week and more to follow as Christmas fast approaches but I am glad that all the fuss and bother from the summer is fast being overtaken by so many positives.
Remembrance day services in the schools this week have gone so well and the 6th form presentation in Bowmore was just amazing - the silence was not broken by a single cough or noise of any kind and I cannot remember such respect being shown by so many, so young.
Jim and Gwen managed the primary schools and it would be false to understate the positive impact that Jim (the Baptist Minister) and his wife Riona have had upon the team work on the island. The Ilsay Fellowship on Wednesdays and the prayer meeting on Fridays are bearing fruit as Christians bring before God the concerns for so many on Islay.
Remembrance tomorrow and the elders in Bowmore will lead as I go off to St Johns in Port Ellen to allow them to have an 11am silence this year. I won't mention names but I will say how great it is to have fellowship with these folk, especially as I see and sense their hope for the future.
After Remembrance we look to all the Christmas events, starting with the annual Christingle Service in the Round Church. This has become an island wide event and it is so good to get that support from the other parishes. Indeed a major part of my experience here is the shared goal of reaching our young people once again.
In each of the primary schools the children now recite the Lords Prayer with confidence in a way they simply did not a year ago! We engage them with new songs and videos in a way that has not happened before, all because of team work - team work with the schools, Jim, Gwen, our parent helpers who shall remain unamed, and our Presbytery Youth advisor Jess Reynolds.
I think we are beginning to connect in ways that will be a real blessing to all in months to come.
We have also been contacted 'out of the blue' by people that feel called to Islay in service and we look forward to an exciting 2012.
We must not forget the Gaelic Services which are becoming more established thanks to Parish support and contributions from the likes of the Gaelic choir and Alistair Scouller of Colonsay.
If I were to be asked for a summary of my theology then I would undoubtedly say that I am Romans Chaper 12 man - team work, shared responsibility, common vision and goals. This for me is God at work amongst his people and I see it beginning to emerge here. Please pray for us all as we see the way forward for Christmas and beyond. Thank you.
Team work works :)
Remembrance day services in the schools this week have gone so well and the 6th form presentation in Bowmore was just amazing - the silence was not broken by a single cough or noise of any kind and I cannot remember such respect being shown by so many, so young.
Jim and Gwen managed the primary schools and it would be false to understate the positive impact that Jim (the Baptist Minister) and his wife Riona have had upon the team work on the island. The Ilsay Fellowship on Wednesdays and the prayer meeting on Fridays are bearing fruit as Christians bring before God the concerns for so many on Islay.
Remembrance tomorrow and the elders in Bowmore will lead as I go off to St Johns in Port Ellen to allow them to have an 11am silence this year. I won't mention names but I will say how great it is to have fellowship with these folk, especially as I see and sense their hope for the future.
After Remembrance we look to all the Christmas events, starting with the annual Christingle Service in the Round Church. This has become an island wide event and it is so good to get that support from the other parishes. Indeed a major part of my experience here is the shared goal of reaching our young people once again.
In each of the primary schools the children now recite the Lords Prayer with confidence in a way they simply did not a year ago! We engage them with new songs and videos in a way that has not happened before, all because of team work - team work with the schools, Jim, Gwen, our parent helpers who shall remain unamed, and our Presbytery Youth advisor Jess Reynolds.
I think we are beginning to connect in ways that will be a real blessing to all in months to come.
We have also been contacted 'out of the blue' by people that feel called to Islay in service and we look forward to an exciting 2012.
We must not forget the Gaelic Services which are becoming more established thanks to Parish support and contributions from the likes of the Gaelic choir and Alistair Scouller of Colonsay.
If I were to be asked for a summary of my theology then I would undoubtedly say that I am Romans Chaper 12 man - team work, shared responsibility, common vision and goals. This for me is God at work amongst his people and I see it beginning to emerge here. Please pray for us all as we see the way forward for Christmas and beyond. Thank you.
Team work works :)
Sunday, 30 October 2011
November Prayer Diary
The November Prayer Diary is out!
This monthly prayer diary is constructed from prayer requests handed in to the Friday lunchtime prayer group and can also be found on the Round Church and St John's websites (see links to the websites in the sidebar on the right). Please feel free to use the diary and join us in praying for our congregations, community on Islay and the wider world. Click on the following link to view the diary. You can also download the diary by right clicking on the link and selecting “save target as” November Prayer Diary
This monthly prayer diary is constructed from prayer requests handed in to the Friday lunchtime prayer group and can also be found on the Round Church and St John's websites (see links to the websites in the sidebar on the right). Please feel free to use the diary and join us in praying for our congregations, community on Islay and the wider world. Click on the following link to view the diary. You can also download the diary by right clicking on the link and selecting “save target as” November Prayer Diary
Friday, 14 October 2011
Ministerial Support
I received an email from John Blanchard earlier this week.
For those of you who don't know him he has a worldwide evangelistic ministry and perhaps his most famous book is entitled 'Ultimate Questions'. This has sold over 14 million copies worldwide in many different languages.
Apparently he was evacuated to Islay, from Guernsey during the war and has very fond memories of that time. He is back here next June and he emailed me introducing himself and asking if 'there is any way I can serve you' whilst I am on Islay.
I found this expression striking, to say the least. Here is a man with a worldwide ministry asking if he can serve the ministry here, when you might expect him to perhaps suggest that whilst he's here 'he could teach me a few things, or help things along a bit...'
There is no doubt that ministers need support and I have a great deal of support here on Islay. It is no exaggeration to say that without that support the church just would not function. The support offered reflects, for the most part, the teaching in Romans 12 where we are told, for example, 'not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought' and to use our gifts for the benefit of the 'body of Christ'. In other words its all about Christian team work and ministry.
When you see a church working in this way it is a great witness to all that is great about being a Christian, but sadly not all 'ministerial support' is like this. There are those that work within the church to different agenda's, pledging support for the ministry but actually doing something else..... namely working for their own glory or self importance. They like to be seen and they enjoy the praises offered for the 'support'. They are quick to criticise. Such individuals and groups can be very damaging even though at first sight they may appear solid and faithful workers for the gospel.
The video below has long been known to us and when we first saw it some years ago we just laughed at it, but now we look at it with new eyes, eyes that know what ministerial support should look like. So, to all of our Romans 12 friends and co-workers with Christ.
Thank you :)
For those of you who don't know him he has a worldwide evangelistic ministry and perhaps his most famous book is entitled 'Ultimate Questions'. This has sold over 14 million copies worldwide in many different languages.
Apparently he was evacuated to Islay, from Guernsey during the war and has very fond memories of that time. He is back here next June and he emailed me introducing himself and asking if 'there is any way I can serve you' whilst I am on Islay.
I found this expression striking, to say the least. Here is a man with a worldwide ministry asking if he can serve the ministry here, when you might expect him to perhaps suggest that whilst he's here 'he could teach me a few things, or help things along a bit...'
There is no doubt that ministers need support and I have a great deal of support here on Islay. It is no exaggeration to say that without that support the church just would not function. The support offered reflects, for the most part, the teaching in Romans 12 where we are told, for example, 'not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought' and to use our gifts for the benefit of the 'body of Christ'. In other words its all about Christian team work and ministry.
When you see a church working in this way it is a great witness to all that is great about being a Christian, but sadly not all 'ministerial support' is like this. There are those that work within the church to different agenda's, pledging support for the ministry but actually doing something else..... namely working for their own glory or self importance. They like to be seen and they enjoy the praises offered for the 'support'. They are quick to criticise. Such individuals and groups can be very damaging even though at first sight they may appear solid and faithful workers for the gospel.
The video below has long been known to us and when we first saw it some years ago we just laughed at it, but now we look at it with new eyes, eyes that know what ministerial support should look like. So, to all of our Romans 12 friends and co-workers with Christ.
Thank you :)
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
October Prayer Diary
The October Prayer Diary is out!
This monthly prayer diary is constructed from prayer requests handed in to the Friday lunchtime prayer group and can also be found on the Round Church and St John's websites (see links to the websites in the sidebar on the right). Please feel free to use the diary and join us in praying for our congregations, community on Islay and the wider world. Click on the following link to view the diary. You can also download the diary by right clicking on the link and selecting “save target as” October Prayer Diary
This monthly prayer diary is constructed from prayer requests handed in to the Friday lunchtime prayer group and can also be found on the Round Church and St John's websites (see links to the websites in the sidebar on the right). Please feel free to use the diary and join us in praying for our congregations, community on Islay and the wider world. Click on the following link to view the diary. You can also download the diary by right clicking on the link and selecting “save target as” October Prayer Diary
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