Busy, busy, busy
Tuesday 24th March 09
You’ll have to forgive me for the long gap between posts. There has been a lot going on just lately! My sister-in-law sadly passed away in February – very unexpectedly – and we had all the funeral arragenments to deal with. Just about at the same time that was happening, our first grandson was born. Little Jacob weighed in at 7lbs 9oz, and is a beautiful, healthy baby boy. Naturally, we have been up to Norwich to visit him a couple of times aready, and this has meant that I have had little time to think of other things! Things now seem to be getting back to some kind of normality, and hopefully I can resume posting here about once each week.
This is a fairly quiet week at the Church. The usual things are going on – but nothing out of the ordinary. On Saturday, Nicky and I are going to Tonbridge for a farewell Service for Norman Tharby. Norman has been our Regional Minister for the past few years, and has been a great help to us and many other churches in the South East. He is moving back to his roots in Suffolk, and on Saturday we will be saying “thank you” to him, on behalf of the Association.
On Sunday (29th March), at the Morning Service we will continue to look at our Church’s Mission Statement. This week, we will be talking about Pastoral care. In the evening at 6.30pm, we will have one of our occasional “Prayer and Share” services – a chance for anyone who wishes to share something to do so. Our theme will be “Encouragement” – and I am hoping that a few of us can say something that will encourage and strengthen us all in our walk with God.
In case you havent heard, Easter Sunday is rapidly approaching! There will be an early Communion Service at 9am, followed by breakfast. Please sign up if you wish to have breakfast with us- a donation of £1 to cover costs is suggested. The 11am service will be for all the family – but then at 6.30pm there will be a baptism! Jane Lennon will be baptised to profess her love for Jesus. It would be great if she could be well supported, and I hope you can come on this very special Easter occasion. Have a good week – God bless, Stephen.
“I’m going to London to have bagpipe lessons! How can I afford it? The neighbours all chipped in!”
Our grandson Jacob
The Heart of our Faith 6. World Mission (22.3.09)
The Heart of our Faith 6. World Mission
Our Mission Statement says:-
“We have a heart for God’s world….through engaging in the task of World Mission.”
Are we “Worldly Christians”, or are we “World Class Christians”?
“Worldly Christians” are basically selfish, seeking to have their own needs met, putting their own preferences first, considering their own tastes and desires as primary.
“World Class Christians” put others before themselves, and ask what they can do for God, not what God can do for them.
If we are going to have a true World Vision, we will need to change.
- We will need to change from “self-centred thinking” to “other-centred thinking”. See 1 Corinthians 14.20. This is about growing up, and becoming mature Christians!
- We will need to change from local thinking to global thinking. Our society now works globally – we are influenced by all parts of the world. We need to start thinking and praying and working for a world won for Jesus.
- We will need to change from “here and now” thinking to “eternity” thinking. Do we spend much of our time and effort on things that are unimportant and temporary? God wants us to concentrate on things that will last – things of eternal significance! This is what Jesus meant by “treasure in heaven”.
Are we ready to change our way of thinking?
Are we ready to become World Class Christians?
Are we ready to be a part of a World Vision Church?
Try using this prayer this week :-
“Lord, forgive me that I am so often self-centred in my thinking, so often lacking in a vision for world mission, so tied to the here and now that I forget to think in the eternal dimension. Forgive us, as a Church, for being narrow, parochial, and for lacking in compassion and love for your world.
Teach us what it truly means to be “World Class Christians”, with a vision for the whole world to be reached for you.
Help us to do what we can to share in the task of mission, so that your children in every part of the world may have the opportunity to hear about Jesus, to come to know him, and to love and serve him as we do.
We ask this in your great and wonderful name – Amen.”
