Over two weeks since my last post! What's been going on? The answer is our church has been celebrating 75 years in existence - and I have had a fascinating time reading 75 years worth of minutes, booklets and a folder of receipts from 1935-1938 as well as some other things and lots of photos. It has been really interesting, and I think we miss out if we don't know our history.
I have only been at the church since 2003 but am now much more aware of the heritage I have stepped in to, and believe that our past encourages us and inspires us for the future.
The God who encouraged those founder members is the same faithful God who empowers us today. More of the story next week, but it all began when thousands of new homes started springing up across this part of what is now NW London in the early 1930s and yet no provision had been made for a non-conformist place of worship. A small band of faithful Christians met together for prayer and their prayers inspired them to action. What followed from August 1934 to February 1936 was a month long tent mission, then the purchase of land, the erection of a wooden hut and finally the building of the church building. They met for prayer in April 1934, and the church building which we still use today was opened in February 1936.
We had a great weekend of celebrations with about 70-80 people from the past coming back to join with us. These guests included a lady who was there right at the being - although only one at the time. Also the children and grandchildren of those founding members. It was also good to pay tribute to our longest serving current member who first came to the church as a boy with his parents in 1939.
Next week I hope to give you some more detail and some pictures.
Friday, 5 March 2010
Thursday, 18 February 2010
Carbon Fast
I did not plan that I would be speaking about Fasting the Sunday before Lent, in fact it wasn't until last week that I even realised Lent started on 17 February. For many Christians Lent is a season of fasting and self-denial as part of our preparation in the run up to Good Friday and Easter Sunday. When the Bible talks about fasting it is primarily the act of giving up food and/or drink for a time, for a spiritual reason - more about that next week.
But I think we can broaden our approach to include other things. This year Tear Fund are running an interesting campaign aimed at getting us to cut our use of Carbon during Lent. For more details click here.
But I think we can broaden our approach to include other things. This year Tear Fund are running an interesting campaign aimed at getting us to cut our use of Carbon during Lent. For more details click here.
Sunday, 14 February 2010
It's not what you do but the way that you do it
This morning, as we returned to our series on the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), we reached chapter chapter 6:1-18. Today we looked at 1-4 (giving) and 16-18 (fasting). In these verses Jesus wants us to understand that it is not just what we do that is important, but also how and why we do it.
It is possible to give money to charity and the poor - but do it for all the wrong reasons. You can fast, you can pray - and yet it will count for nothing because of your attitudes. Jesus warns us of the dangers of giving, fasting and praying, with an attitude that wants to impress others rather than God. If I do my good deeds to be seen by others, then that will be my reward - they will be impressed and think I'm a great guy.
So why do I do the things I do? Am I looking to impress others, or do I want to respond to everything that God has already done for me?
It is possible to give money to charity and the poor - but do it for all the wrong reasons. You can fast, you can pray - and yet it will count for nothing because of your attitudes. Jesus warns us of the dangers of giving, fasting and praying, with an attitude that wants to impress others rather than God. If I do my good deeds to be seen by others, then that will be my reward - they will be impressed and think I'm a great guy.
So why do I do the things I do? Am I looking to impress others, or do I want to respond to everything that God has already done for me?
Sunday, 31 January 2010
Messy Church
In our house meal times are usually fairly messy and noisy affairs! But what do you expect with three children under five!
Part of growing up is an increasing independence, which when you are almost one means that you are no longer happy to be fed and the only way food is going to enter your mouth is if you put it there yourself. But when you are not quite one that usually results in quite a mess.
I have a book on my shelf called 'Messy Church' - which talks about a style of doing church which involves children and incorporates craft activities. The 'messy' refers to painting and sticking and cutting etc.
But I wonder if there isn't another kind of messy that church is supposed to be. Children will not learn to eat for themselves unless they are allowed to make a mess as a part of the learning process. If all Christians are supposed to contribute to the life of the local church, using the talents and abilities that God has given them, then surely church will be a messy place as people learn and develop their gifts. I wonder whether we would rather continue with the spoon feeding because that's a lot quicker and certainly a lot cleaner - but it doesn't lead to maturity. Maybe as a church leader I need to be prepared for a bit more mess. What's the sign of a growing church? Maybe it is a place where people make a mess - and a place where people are allowed to make a mess.
Part of growing up is an increasing independence, which when you are almost one means that you are no longer happy to be fed and the only way food is going to enter your mouth is if you put it there yourself. But when you are not quite one that usually results in quite a mess.
I have a book on my shelf called 'Messy Church' - which talks about a style of doing church which involves children and incorporates craft activities. The 'messy' refers to painting and sticking and cutting etc.
But I wonder if there isn't another kind of messy that church is supposed to be. Children will not learn to eat for themselves unless they are allowed to make a mess as a part of the learning process. If all Christians are supposed to contribute to the life of the local church, using the talents and abilities that God has given them, then surely church will be a messy place as people learn and develop their gifts. I wonder whether we would rather continue with the spoon feeding because that's a lot quicker and certainly a lot cleaner - but it doesn't lead to maturity. Maybe as a church leader I need to be prepared for a bit more mess. What's the sign of a growing church? Maybe it is a place where people make a mess - and a place where people are allowed to make a mess.
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