Francis Chan

I spent the weekend in Jersey being a best man. The speech got a laugh or two with the help of the classic book by Greville Janner 'The Complete Speechmaker'

I had a rare evening to visit another church and went to listen to Francis Chan at HTB.

All I can say is listen to this talk- it is one of the most challenging things I have heard in a very long time.

He is also the author of Crazy Love and Krish has some news on a series of films Francis Chan has made that look interesting.

I also highly commend a visit to either the 4pm or 6pm services at St Paul's Onslow Square- it is very innovative and creative service and well worth checking out.

Finally

As my friends says 'Wow....they have finally cracked it' Watch this.

Blog-sweep

I took a funeral today of a woman I did not know. One of the mourners on leaving said "Thank you for not being pompous, holier than thou and religious like they usually are and for telling us how to get to heaven". I have to say I left much encouraged.

This talk on suffering was really helpful and timely for me after the last week as was the story of the storm

Michael Hyatt is a man who has definitely thought about his travel luggage!

Gordon Brown's resignation speech was moving.

C S Lewis on three kinds of men.

Kester has written another book called Other

My friend is fighting everything not to buy an Ipad which is now on pre-order and here is a geek fest for him on using one. He will  probably also like this Kindle vs Ipad test.

The same friend is convinced the Iphone is the one Jesus would use- great stuff.

The idea of a technology basket.

Off to a wedding this weekend (unusually these days not doing it but as a Best Man-pray for my, as yet, not very hilarious speech) and have to say I am rather wishing I had Michael Hyatt to help me with my chaotic packing!

KXC

I love it when people plant churches so news of KXC excites me. If you live in King Cross then why not visit, tell others and of course do pray for them.

The three questions

This talk has a great nugget about counselling and giving wisdom to others which is as richly illustrated as ever.

Here are the pastor's three questions:

1. What's the problem?

2. What's God told you to do about it?

3. Are you going to do it?

Quiet days

The blog is quiet. My friend very sadly died this week aged 32 and so did my Aunt whose funeral I spoke at.

I will be back soon.

Keller on Revival

This talk 'On Revival' makes for a rewarding listen.

Here are the 5 marks of a 'Revived' Church so you might like to match yours against these:

1. Intimate worship

2. Deep teaching and theology

3. Passionate community

4. Concern for social justice

5. Enthusiastic evangelism

One for the pod

Kester had a great post on Gordon's bigot moment.

I again left my essay until the last minute so am reading my way slowly through these posts called Inside the mind of a procrastinator. (I know, I know, why not just get on with the 'To do' list instead of reading a blog about it. Here stands the problem!)

I had a very long drive so got to do some listening:

John Lennox on Transforming our workplaces (scroll down to 13/02/2010)

Driscoll on Legalism is absolutely superb and he manages to reveal the capacity of everyone to become religious (as you will discover he does not mean this in a good way!)

I also downloaded Keller's Q&A's which cover just about everything you have every wondered about, so listen to them on shuffle on your ipod and be blessed (or better still give them to a friend with questions).

Still waiting to listen to Seth Godin on Linchpin.

Happy listening.

Sandwich woman

I awoke to hear on the Today programme that Alison Pearson, the Daily Mail columnist, has quit her job due to depression. Here is an article from the NY Times called Mind over meds that is an interesting take on the place Western culture (and Alison) finds itself in:

"…psychiatry has been transformed from a profession in which we talk to people and help them understand their problems into one in which we diagnose disorders and medicate them."

Alison Pearson below seems to prove the cultural problem:

"The typical female of my age has been dubbed Sandwich Woman because she found herself in the middle of two demanding generations. 

Sandwich Woman postponed having her first baby till her 30s to get her career established. She and her partner couldn’t afford a house to raise kids in on one salary, so she had to keep working. 

Then, just as Sandwich Woman got the kids sleeping through the night, one of her parents fell ill. As the modern family is so dispersed, chances are your mum and dad don’t live round the corner any more.

So Sandwich Woman had to drive hundreds of miles to keep an eye on a confused or ailing parent, then race back again to collect the kids from school. Somewhere in between there was a job to be taken care of. 

And a man. Life is no picnic for Sandwich Woman — though let me tell you she would dearly love to have time to go on picnics with the kids, in summer, when the weather gets nice. 

Is it women who are mad, or is it the society we live in? We always suspected there would be a price for Having It All, and we were happy to pay it; but we didn’t know the cost would be our mental health. "

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1269376/Depressions-curse-generation-Im-struggling-grasp.html#ixzz0mQJbor9H

(H/T Buzzard)

Inflamed

When a man, by constant contemplation of the Passion and Resurrection of our Lord, finds himself so inflamed with the love of God and man that he cannot bear the thought of any man living and dying without the knowledge of God, he may begin to bear the Cross of Christ. If, as he bears it, this longing for the salvation of all men fills all his thoughts and desires, then he has that one thing without which no man can truly be a messenger of Jesus Christ. (Stephen Neill, quoted in The Gagging of God)


(H/T Dash House)

Whoops

I was in the car listening to the radio and this is what stopped me short: Goldman Sachs reported first quarter profits of £2.25bn. That figure just couldn't be right could it? Surely I had misheard. Didn't we bail out all the banks? Didn't Lehman Brothers go bust? Aren't we in the deepest recession since the 30's. Don't we have a national debt of £168bn?

I hadn't misheard.

As todays Rich List shows that there are a few who have a lot. They always have done but they seemingly now have even more.

"The richest people in Britain have seen a record boom in wealth over the past year. Their fortunes have soured 30% even though much of the UK is struggling to recover from recession...." (Sunday Times April 25th 2010)

Urgh? I am confused and just can't be any more because it is making me angry. I am reading Whoops and Injustice. I will let you know what I discover.

Being lied to

“Over the course of these fifty years I have seen both the church and my vocation as a pastor in it relentlessly diminished and corrupted by being redefined in terms of running an ecclesiastical business. The ink wasn’t even dry before I was being told by experts in the field of church that my main tasks was to run a church after the manner of my brother and sister Christians who run service stations, grocery shops, corporations, banks, hospitals and financial services. Many of these experts wrote books and gave lectures on how to do it. I was astonished to learn in one of these best-selling books that the size of my church car park had far more to do with how things fared in my congregations than my choice of texts in preaching. After a few years of trying to take all this seriously, I decided that I was being lied to”[

(Eugene Peterson, Practice Resurrection)

Injustice: Why social inequality persists

I listened to this on Radio 4 driving this afternoon (you should too) which has some stunning stats on British inequality and injustice.

Injustice: Why social inequality persists is certainly a follow up read to the Spirit Level which I have been banging on about to anyone who will listen. Daniel Dorling is a geographer which is a very fine thing to be. Guess what I read a University?

No jokes please

Blog-sweep

I have been writing my essay and you will be happy to hear the end is in sight. Here is the question I have been pondering,

"Is a pastor or a CEO better equipped to lead a growing church?"

As part of this I have been thinking about Vision and some words of John Ortberg were helpful to me.

One reader complained about not being able to comment so I have unblocked the comments (the arrival of Chinese porn with regularity made me turn to moderation so we will see how we go)

We are re-doing our church website. If you have a favourite church website then feel free to post a link to it and tell me what you like about it. One I liked was CCK in Brighton and especially the idea of a testimony on the home page.

A great picture Safe on Daddy's arm and Two essential traits of great leaders

Justin Taylor explores the future of books.

If God wants me happy why am I suffering so much?

McClaren somehow lost his way and here are some thoughts on how it happened.

The work of God in the life of a leader might be a good listen?

I watched this and was left thinking why not get on with it instead of faffing around on you iPad to do list!

Finally, if you like finding new blogs then Adrian Warnock has a selection from his time at New Word Alive that I may look at when I have time.

Developing leaders

I am immersed in reading and writing about Triperspectivalism.

This is about Jesus being a prophet, priest and king.

Leaders tend to be one of these three and here is a chart that helps you work out which you might be.

Just politics

Krish Kandiah taught me evangelism and apologetics at Vicar Factory and is great blogger and writer. One of his passions is that we should all be much more fully engaged in politics and not just when elections come around. He has written a book called Just politics that you might want to read over the next couple of weeks. He also offers Ten reasons Christians must Vote.

One way to cultivate an understanding of politics is to read more about it. Here are five of the books that got me interested and engaged with politics.

1. One of us: I did my university dissertation on Thatcherism (remember her!) This is a highly readable biography by the brilliant Guardian journalist Hugo Young. It gives an amazing insight into both the woman and her political philosophy.

2. The Alan Clarke Diaries : These are now infamous but Clarke wrote so well and his descriptions of his time working in the cabinet helped me understand what a complex and difficult task we give to politicians

3. All too human: This is a gripping account of the Clinton years that I found hard to put down. This is the West Wing before it became television.

4. Letters to my Grandchildren: Tony Benn is one of the greats of British politics and he is nothing if not consistent. These are a set of letters he wrote to his grandchildren and encapsulate the things he has given his life for and still believes.

5. The Long Walk to Freedom: This is quite simply a book everyone should read at least once in their lives.

More than letters please

Now I do love the C of E but so many things need re-branding. So much needs a complete overhaul. So much is so out of touch and incomprehensible it makes me scream at times.

Take, for example, the title of our annual meeting or should I say our A.P.C.M (Annual Parochial Church Meeting). It doesn't trip off the tongue now does it? One dear lady wondered why no one under 40 comes. "Perhaps it's in the name" I gently advised her.

We like a set of letters as descriptors in the C of E. They often make me smile. If you are wanting to be selected for ordination you are a sent on a 'BAP' (Bishop's advisory panel). One group of well-meaning folk called their group 'F.O.C.A' which, if you are in Merseyside, I think might mean something other than 'Fellowship of Confessing Anglican's.

So, just a word if you are thinking up a new C of E working party or campaign. Please choose your letters carefully and, if possible, here's some advice- don't choose any at all.

Just to prove that the C of E is not the only Church that seems, at times, completely nuts, try the 'Snake handlers' for size. (But it might liven up General Synod :)

Growth

'We cannot overemphasise bringing men and women to new birth in Christ. Evangelism is essential,critically essential. But it is not obvious that growth in Christ is equally essential? Yet the church has not treated it with an equivalent urgency. The American church in particular runs on the euphoria and adrenaline of new birth-getting people into church, into the kingdom, into causes, into crusades, into programmes. We turn matters of growing up over to Sunday school teachers, specialists in Christian education, committees to revise curricula, retreat centres and deeper life conferences, farming it out to parachurch groups for remedial assistance. I don't find pastors and professors, for the most part, very interested in matters of formation in holiness. They have higher-profile things to tend to. '

Eugene Peterson, Practice Resurrection, Page 5


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Ten on Leadership

I have been doing an essay for my MA (thanks to the good old C of E) on the leadership module and am pitching Bill Hybels against Eugene Peterson. I am enjoying it. Here are some of the books I would have on my shelf if I wanted to grow in my understanding of leadership:

1. Spiritual Leadership Sanders

2. The heart of a servant leader Miller

3. Good to great Collins

4. Leading with a limp Allender

5. Leading at a higher level Blanchard

6. Leading out of who you are Walker

7. Leading from the inside out Rima

8. Under an unpredictable plant Peterson

9. Confessions of a reformission rev Driscoll

10 Courageous Leadership Hybels

Losing heart

Today we discussed why so many get discouraged in ministry and generally in their walk with Jesus.

First a confession. I bunked my Greek class (fortunately no one reads this blog so I should be ok) Anyway, all was not lost after a fantastic start to the day studying 2 Corinthians 4 with Paula Gooder when one Greek word was all I needed. It will keep me going for some time.

This passage is all about keeping going. The word for 'lose heart' in Greek is 'egkakew' which is the word used for the pain a women feels in and prior to child birth. It is the pain that proceeds the joy. The joy a mother feels once the baby is placed in her arms. The pain that was so real at the time but is so quickly forgotten.

So if you are losing heart or are in pain be encouraged. The joy is coming. Joy, such amazing joy. It really really is.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The ten steps to vision

A great days training on leadership today. I have been reading 'Relational leadership' by Walter C Wright. Here are his ten steps to vision.

1. Who are we?
2. What is important to us?
3. Where in the world are we?
4. Where do we want to be?
5. What can we do?
6. How should we do it?
7. When will we do it?
8. Who will do it?
9. How are we doing?
10 Was God pleased?

(Page 83)

Three pastoral acts

“Three pastoral acts are so basic, so critical, that they determine the shape of everything else. The acts are praying, reading Scripture, and giving spiritual direction. Besides being basic, these three acts are quiet. They do not call attention to themselves and so often are not attended to. In the clamorous world of pastoral work nobody yells at us to engage in these acts. It is possible to do pastoral work to the satisfaction of the people who judge our competence and pay our salaries without being either diligent or skilled in them. Since almost never does anyone notice whether we do these things or not, and only occasionally does someone ask that we do them, these three acts of ministry suffer widespread neglect.’

Eugene Peterson, Working the angles, Page 3

Ipadolatry

Maybe because bloggers are spend more time on the net than most we are perhaps a tad more techno geeky. I have to confess I enjoy reading an iPad review or two and some of the early feedback from the US on how people are finding it is good reading. I am now wondering if I too will join the hordes and buy one of these seductive new machines when they are released here some time next month.

Of all the things I have read, Michael Hyatt's review has been the most thought-provoking and  I commend it to you. He thinks the iPad is ...'an elegant solution in search of a problem'

As an aside, I am glad that the Church Mouse is confused and pondering [as I was] about 'Shoe-throwing' and it's implications.

All things to all people

 “I want to prepare like an evangelical, preach like a Pentecostal, pray like a mystic, do the spiritual disciplines like a Desert Father; art like Catholic; and social justice like a liberal”

Mark Driscoll [quoted in the Shaping of thing to come, Page 27]

Shoe throwing and the B&B

One on the big issues of the last couple of weeks is the Chris Grayling, Christian B &B's and gay paying guests. I am not going to comment much-for that you should read 'Should a gay hotel owner be allowed to ban homosexual guests?'.

Watching this week's Question Time it is clear that it is now untenable in the public square to offer an alternative view (with the exception in part of Janet Daley who cited the interesting dilemma of competing principles) Objection was left instead to a member of the audience.

This morning, listening to the radio, I heard that a judge has said the muslims are able to throw shoes as an act of protest and has dismissed the Met's case against the shoe throwers because it is part of the tradition of protest in Muslim culture.

“The court accepted that the earlier shoe-throwing incident was simply a ritual form of protest and therefore not a criminal act of violence,” Holt said.

Judge Denniss agreed that the act of shoe-throwing should not be considered in a charge of violent disorder against the student because it was “a symbolic” political gesture." Times-online

I am pondering this one.

Blog-sweep

I am going to be rather busy this week so may not be posting as much- I have an essay pending. I'll try though.

80 ways to redeem time and an Anti-creativity checklist

A selection of Ten Million words reads: Drive, Sons of Hamas, The Checklist manifesto, Intellectual and Society and I especially love this one.

A good piece of helpful reflection from Ed Stetzer.

And a dose of Piper on a thorny theological issue

The Spirit Level

There is much to decide and praise God we have the freedom to choose who governs us.

A few things to fuel the fire of making a decision:

1. I am enjoying 'The Spirit Level' as my election book and am now mindful of the argument the authors put forward. Which of the parties offer the prospect of a more equal society?

2. Watch this for the three party leaders seeking the Christian vote.

3. The Westminster Declaration is an initiative to be aware of.

4. As well as the popular press, Heresy Corner, The Church Mouse and Cranmer will keep you posted on most of the issues.

The Rage against God

I first became aware of Peter Hitchens through his appearances on Question Time. He is a right-wing columnist, author and international journalist and he writes a column for the Daily Mail. He very often says things that offend audiences. Now at this point, you may have already stopped reading but please don't.

Peter Hitchens has written a book about God. The reason for writing it seems to be to contradict and challenge the views of the primary nemesis in his life- his brother Christopher. Christopher, probably the better known of the two, has become famous as one of the New-atheist's. He has also written a book called God is not great and has made a movie with Doug Wilson called Collision.

The Rage against God is not an apologetic nor is it a work of theology, it is a spiritual life story. I can't see Christopher falling to his knees in repentance due to his brother's argument but, as I have witnessed on many occasions, the story his brother tells may soften his heart a little. Peter tells of his rejection of God at the age of 15 and his ceremonial burning of a KJV Bible and then his earnest pursuit of Marxism as the answer to the world's woes. His heart begun to change age 30 on holiday while looking at Roger Van de Weyden's Last Judgement.

Peter Hitchens talks often about 'religion' and very little (unless I missed it) does he speak of Jesus. He loves church buildings and hymns and tradition but aside from his art gallery moment it is not clear how his spiritual encounter has worked itself out in his life. I enjoyed this book for a very particular reason that will most likely be less interesting to you. Hitchens uses as his main argument in favour of God the example of the failed atheism of Russia in the 20th Century. He lived in Moscow for many years , as did I (seemingly at the same time though we never met), so his story-telling on this had great resonance with me.

Sometimes I don't finish books but I did finish this one. I am glad I did too. On the very last page, Peter describes a simple meal he had with his brother in Washington DC. Through this meal he comes at last to a place of peace with his brother and lays down the war he has fought with him for nearly 60 years. Maybe this is the moment I had been seeking for all the way through the book, a Jesus moment. I think I found it and it really moved me.

You can watch the story of the book here .

Blog-sweep

I have just returned from a couple of days in Norfolk. I'm feeling refreshed and full of sea air.

I was chatting with a friend and he said 'The difference between Labour and the Conservatives is that one is trading on hope and the other on fear' Apparently, my friend could be George Osborne as this post says exactly that.

Make the Cross Count is worth checking out as the election hots up.

Kester has some thoughts and The Church Mouse offers a general election survival guide.

I was interested to see how Barak Obama keeps in touch by reading letters.

Michael Spencer has sadly died. He was a great blogger who challenged many with his thoughtful and brilliant musings. This post offers a selection of his writing- do read some of them. Also, look out for his book called Mere Churchianity.

I have discovered a new site called Head Heart Hand

Ben Arment who writes a blog I enjoy has a new book out called Church in the Making and is launching SoChurch.

Tim Challies 10 Million words is also a site worth checking out from time to time if you are a book person.

I have been thinking for quite some time about John Frame's Triperspectivalism- I know I need to get out more. Jesus was Prophet, Priest and King- see which most fits you. Justin Taylor today also has a post on it so it must be the thought of the moment.

To finish, a vintage piece of Keith Green.

Donkeys

Recently, we have tackled some challenging passages.

I preached on Joshua 6 and some may have wanted to avoid vs 21. I tried to, but in the end I took it on,

'They devoted the city to the Lord and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it-men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys'

It is called 'The fall of Jericho' and you can listen here.

I also commend the sermon by Adam on Ananias and Sapphira called 'No room for falsehood' which you can also find here.

A commitment to preach the whole counsel of Scripture will lead you to difficult but at the same time hugely rich places.

You reign

I saw a pal who is a dear friend, a doctor and a worship leader. He is passionate about worship. Really really passionate.

He is always singing a song, not literally, but there is always a song on his heart. So yesterday, my Godson and his dad were singing their song of the moment- they were beaming and it made my heart sing. Like father like son!

Anyway, he always does me a 'mix-tape', as we used to call them when such things existed, and on his latest this song was that favourite song.

Somehow, it seems right for Easter Day.

He is risen indeed!

(If you don't know what that means then this talk might be helpful to you)

The Atheist and the Archbishop

In today's Times there is an interesting interview with Philip Pullman about his new book about Jesus. I spotted his new book 'The good man Jesus and the scoundrel Christ' this week in a bookshop window. It struck me that it is much easier to re-write the story than to face its implications and also interesting to see that it all came from a challenge from Rowan Williams.

Also from today's Times the first reviews of the iPad and a really good one here.

That's my King!

(H/T BTW)

"Lives depend on it"

Steve Furtick challenged me today to "Shut up and invite people to receive Christ" and he may challenge you too.

We are gearing up for some all night praying. If you come at 3am there will be a man playing the guitar rather poorly leading the people of God in worship. I wonder who? It's all guitars to the pumps I'm afraid! A few weeks ago we preached on Acts 4 as we go through the whole book and at the end of the service felt a call upon the intercessors. They came forward- a lot of them. The mark of the Spirit upon them was tears. Lots and lots of tears. So, as a result, tonight these very same people are doing what God has called them to do. Get us all praying and seeking Him.

Here is the story of the 1859 Coleraine Revival in Northern Ireland I mentioned yesterday that may encourage and excite you if you are coming tonight:

"A schoolboy in a class became so troubled about his soul that the school sent him home. An older boy, a Christian, went with him, and before they had gone far, led him to Christ. Returning at once to school, this new convert testified to his teacher, "Oh, I am so happy. I have the Lord Jesus in my heart." These artless words had an astonishing effect; boy after boy rose and silently left the room. Going outside, the teacher found these boys all on their knees, ranged along the wall of the playground. Very soon their silent prayer became bitter cry; it was heard by another class inside and pierced their hearts. They fell on their knees, and their cry for mercy was heard in turn by a girls' class above. In a few moments, the whole school was on their knees. Neighbours and passers by came flocking in, and as the crossed the threshold came under the same convicting power. Every room was filled with men, women and children seeking God"

Raised with Christ [Page 170]

Raised with Christ

This blog started in a library when I was bored at Vicar Factory. A student had explained to me what a blog was and were it not for them I would still be utterly ignorant. They were, as I remember, American and generally on matters of a technical nature the other side of the pond is often a step ahead. This is certainly true of blogging.

Why am I telling you this?

Well, were it not for the adventure of the blogosphere, I would never have discovered Adrian Warnock's splendid blog and would certainly never have read his book which is called Raised with Christ . This is a book about the resurrection. I do remember not long after being born again someone suggested I read the classic tome 'Who moved the stone?' and whilst it is indeed a classic I don't think I read much of it. Dare I say it, it really is rather dull.

This cannot be said of Adrian's book. As a doctor, preacher, prolific blogger and father of five quite how he found time to write a book is a miracle all of its own. The first section of the book gives a very helpful overview of the evidence for the resurrection and everything in the book is steeped in Scripture. The second half explores the implications of the risen Jesus and covers justification, prayer, the new birth, mission and the end times. This work includes so many references to all the people I enjoy reading-notably Piper, Edwards and Lloyd-Jones. I found the chapter on the Holy Spirit to be particularly helpful and would set it up there with More as one of the most helpful things I have read on what it means to be filled with the Spirit. Adrian is clearly a man with a deep love of the word but also a passion for more of the Spirit. A man after my own heart.

I loved the section on Revival. As a church, we are planning to pray through the night tomorrow and excitement is steadily building. The wonderful account of the revival that took place in Coleraine in Northern Ireland in 1859 warmed my heart greatly and I am now praying for the same and more for Richmond and London in 2010 (Page 170).

As Adrian notes in his introduction, there is very little material written on the Resurrection. This, I have no doubt, will become a go-to reference work for many and is a great read for all who want to be challenged to live more wholeheartedly for Jesus. To conclude, I don't think there are too many of us who have bothered reading both volumes of the life of David Martyn Lloyd-Jones but I know for sure Adrian is one of them (and he might agree that it is a shame Iain Murray failed to acknowledge MLJ's charismatic credentials). Anyway, it seems appropriate to end with a quote from the great man.

'Has he whispered to you, has he spoken to you? Pray for His blessing, seek it, be desperate for it, hunger and thirst for it. Keep on praying until your prayer is answered......Be satisfied with nothing less. Has God ever told you that you are His child? Has He spoken to you, not with an audible voice, but in a sense, in a more real way? Have you known the illumination, this melting quality? Have you known what it is to be lifted up above and beyond yourself? If not, seek it; cry out to him saying,"Speak, I pray Thee, gentle Jesus" and "Sue him for it" [Page 225]

If you want a post Easter read this may well be the one. Jesus is risen indeed!

Leading on empty

I have been reflecting on the news that John Piper is taking eight months out having watched him be so honest before his church.

For those who don't know him, Piper is the 'Lead Pastor', as the American's say, of Bethlehem Church and the founder of Desiring God. He is a prolific writer and international speaker. I discovered him through my love of the works of Jonathan Edwards and his book God's passion for his glory.

I have no doubt that Piper is far from perfect. He comes across as a man of very strong views that he often offers with great passion.

(H/T Take the vitamin z)

By his own admission, ministry is all-consuming and, as he says, all of us must be sure to have our priorities in the right order: God, wife and family, ministry/work. Piper has such a profound anointing and is very 'famous' in his own circles. Most preachers, if they are honest, want to be famous (Bloggers too, that's why I consciously don't have any 'blog stats' for this site). Preachers do have a few people who may listen to the sound of their voice but they are always keen for a few more. Of course, it's about the lost, the church and God's glory but given the choice a big crowd is always better than a small one.

What is our greatest danger? As this post reminds me, it is Pride.

What a thing then to lay it all down.

What a thing to give up your public platform, your fame, your writing, your whole ministry to the glory of God.

Piper is not perfect. Nor am I. Nor are you. But he is prepared to let it all die and face the trouble and uncertainty that may now come.

In a meeting last night, my 'Lead Pastor' read a quote from the journal he wrote on a recent visit to the Congo.

Jesus promised his followers that they would be three things:

1. Absurdly happy

2. Entirely fearless

3 Always in trouble

I am going to read one book as a result of this that has been recommended to me a few times. It is called Leading on empty. If you are a Pastor or if you are not but you are a sensing that you are losing your edge, getting stressed, have your priorities misaligned, are not sleeping or are aware of your pride then maybe we should read it together.

Drawing things out

I had a great visit to friends and came across a thing called Bamboo.

My Vicar pal in his past life was a cartoonist and artist and has incorporated this gift into his new discipleship course. It allows him to get all Rob Bell Everything is spiritual on his listeners and draw to teach his people. If you draw (which I don't) you might find this something to add into the armoury.

I am happy to announce the introduction of another friend to the land of blogging. He will be very Un-ambigous.

I listened in the car on Saturday to the Art of Remembrance by Matt Chandler-this is preaching that really goes after the idols.

Live life (our discipleship community) are going to be immersed in Galatians next term which I am excited about. Tim Keller's enormous series on Galatians transformed my understanding of the gospel. I listened to it driving to and from work some years ago and have never been this same since. It may be the best $67.50 you will spend.

Here is a taster called Justified Sinners

My brother is never my enemy

John Mumford is the National Director of the Vineyard and is an enormous encouragement to many of us. This is both moving and thought-provoking.



(H/T IGod)

Hopeful Catholicism

In anyone's estimation it has not been a good fortnight for the Catholic church. Just when I was about to think it was all lost, along comes the most glorious, hopeful, spirit-filled, joy-leaking, creative, inspiring man who confirms that good wins and Jesus reigns.

His name is Frank Cottrell-Boyce and he's a Catholic and if you do nothing else this week give yourself the treat of listening to him on Desert Island Discs. (Only two days left so hurry...)

"Who's he?" you ask. Well, he's a screen writer, husband, father of seven and lover of Jesus.

I didn't know of him. Half-way though I learnt he had written God on Trial which is one of the most spell-binding things I have ever watched on TV.

As a representative Catholic he might have been on trial himself to some this week.One of his choice of records was fascinating-an Irish girl telling the story of John the Baptist. Again, a wonderful if not slightly weird listen. 

He said so many interesting things. When asked why he stayed in Liverpool rather than move to London he said, "If you want to see the world standing on one place to see it is a pretty good way to do it"

I always look forward to the book choice and his I think I am going to read just because he was such a delightful man. It is almost certain to be a great and pleasurable read.

By the way, if you want to explore Catholicism more here is one man's current adventure called 'Learning about Catholicism'.

Bits and bobs of thoughts and doings

I have to say it has been rather a busy week. People often say to me in my line of work,"Must be a very busy time of year for you". I am not sure it is much busier than usual but there you go. 


I am still pondering tweeting. I think I have a rather dull life and am struggling to write anything I think anybody would be faintly interested in. Maybe it might cause me to be more interesting? Doubtful.


I am half way through The Rage of God and will offer thoughts shortly.


My friend texted me from Hong Kong asking me a question about music. I recommended Mumford and Sons (as an aside, not that I like to claim to be an early adopter, but they were mentioned on Cookiesdays when they were no more than a Myspace page-today they were played on Radio 1 as a drove to do a funeral). Anyway, my friend wanted to know what else I recommended. I think I suggested David Ford and I have been listening to The Be Good Blue Tanyas which I have rediscovered on my ipod. 


I have seen this before but it is great stuff.


My pal rang up and asked me a question yesterday. He is teaching a discipleship course and has got to the subject of the Cross. The course material doesn't like the term sin as it thinks our culture doesn't understand what that means. Instead it says there is 'Grace and ungrace'.  'How do you repent of ungrace?" was my response. Ungrace is surely a place (which I rather like as a term) but to get to grace you still have to repent and believe. You can't repent of a place or am I missing something?


The Church of England funeral is a funny beast. Burying someone you never knew is always an odd experience but a wonderful chance to share people's lives and share the gospel.  Very often so is the choice of music. Today's last tune was 'We'll meet again' sung by Vera Lynn


Maybe we will.

From Linchpin

Driscoll on Anglican's

My pal listened to this talk Driscoll gave to the Sydney Anglicans and loved it. He gave 18 points on the subject of Reaching the next generation and I think he challenged and offended just about everyone (in a good way!).

Linchpin

Seth Godin is a leader, blogger, entrepreneur and thinker. I enjoyed reading Tribes last year and his latest book Linchpin is about leadership and creativity.

"What we want, what we need, what we must have are indispensable human beings . We need original thinkers, provocateurs and people who care.....Every organisation needs a linchpin, the one person who can bring it together and make a difference. Some organisations haven't realised this yet, or haven't articulated it but we need artists" [Page 8]

Godin keeps himself a step-ahead. It's his personal brand identity and is the reason why millions read his blog each day. In this book, he tells us that the world has changed. A complete paradigm shift has occured of how we work, how we earn our livings and how we lead our lives. The problem is that most of us haven't noticed and it's certainly not in the interests of our employers that we do.

Godin has a lot of views on teaching.

"What they should teach in school

Only two things

1. Solve interesting problems

2. Lead" [page 47]

He goes on to say that "Leading is a skill, not a gift (Romans 12 might put a different slant on this statement but I'll let it slide) You're not born with it, you learn how. And schools can teach leadership as easily as they figured out how to teach compliance"

This is a good and thought-provoking read. The writing style does have the feel that Godin has pasted together a load of blog posts (maybe he has?) and this does at times make his argument a little disjointed but it left me with lots of 'that's an interesting thought' moments.

I preached on Joshua 6 on Sunday and asked how differently you would lead life if you already knew victory was yours. Godin argues the same about life in the workplace. Right from an early age we start having our homework marked and wait around for the exam results to be pinned on the headmasters door. We are disempowered early and if we are not careful most people choose a whole life of waiting for a C+ rather than choosing an A.

"My heroes Roz and Ben Zander wrote an incredible book called The Art of Possibility. One of the most powerful essays in the book describe how Ben changes the lives of his hyperstressed music students by challenging each of them to 'give yourself an A"[Page 59].

I think Godin believes most if us should be doing something different. The system wants us to be drones and most people seems to be happy with it. My friend when we discussing this book admitted as much. But we needn't settle for it and Godin would be really pleased if having read his book we decided not to be. I've been a drone and I heartily commend a non-drone life choice.

"Loving what you do is almost as important as doing what you love, especially if you need to make a living at it. Go find a job you can commit to, a career or a business you can fall in love with"[Page 228]

This book is worth buying just for the bibliography but I am happy to tell you it worth reading for many more reasons that that.

Read it and become a linchpin.

An Amazon objector

I read this by Robert Crampton in the Times and it made me smile.

Talks for the pod

I have been doing a bit of driving in recent days which is when I listen to talks:

How the cross converts us by Keller

The call to preach by Matt Chandler

The call to endure by Driscoll

A dear lady in my church recommended Michael Ramsden's talk on the Good Samaritan which is also on my list.

Saturday smile

A New Kind of Christianity

A pal has preached an amazing sermon that includes a thorough critique of Brian Mclaren's book A New Kind of Christianity. This is a great example of preaching that truly contends for the gospel.

Do not miss this one it is very, very good- 'Treasures old and new'

Purpose

Leaders that last is a book packed with wisdom.

In the chapter on purpose, he commends the idea of writing down a purpose statement. I did this quite a few years ago having been forced to do it on an expensive leadership program my firm sent me on.

It is one of the most helpful things I have ever done .

The book that Kraft recommends to help you in this task is one I have never heard of. He writes:

"One of the best books I have found on the subject of formulating your purpose is The Path by Laurie Beth-Jones" [Page 45]

($0.08 on Amazon!)

Buying this and booking some time out in your schedule with a Moleskine might be just the launch pad you need.

The Rage against God

Chrisopher and Peter around the Christmas table must be a lively affair:)

(H/T Justin Taylor)

Solomon among the Postmoderns

My sister, much to my parents dismay was a punk from 1977-1979. The whole deal-tartan trousers, purple hair and a leather jacket with 'Joy Division' written in large white letters on its back. I can still see it now. She often now complains that today's teenagers don't have that same 1977 fire. I tend to agree.

The reason is perhaps postmodernity.

What's that you ask? Well, on one level its a load of French philosophers with too much time on their hands drinking coffee who thought too much (Michael Foucault being most prominent). Their central thesis is that truth is relative. A postmodern really really dislikes the absolute.

'Modernity is a clock; postmodernity is a turbulent stream...In a word, modernity is mid-twentieth century Detroit; post-modernity is Vegas' [Page 58]

In Solomon among the Postmoderns, Peter Leithart looks at the history of philosophical thought covering its three giant pillars; the Enlightenment, Modernity and the current season of Post-modernity (or are we now in post-post?). He looks at it rather cleverly through the book of Ecclesiastes and as a study grappling with big thoughts this a pretty good one. It did lose me in parts but in the main it was very accessible and a good primer.

There a lots of good stories, the best of which was the story of Duncan McDougall. In 1907, he discovered that humans at the point of death lost weight. Dogs when they die don't apparently. He concluded that this must be the departure of the soul. He was so fascinated by this that he decided to discover the weight of the human soul. 21 grams is the answer. [Page 108]. How cool and mad was he!

If you are interested in philosophy and want to cover it all in 160 pages then this is the read for you. If my sister reads it, it might go some way to explaining to her why there are no bands as good as the Ramones and why it is no one goes on marches any more. Ah marches-remember those.

The times they certianly have a changed.

Enjoy.

Moments

I loved this on moments

Moments from Everynone on Vimeo.

(H/T Culture Making)

Blog-sweep

Some intersesting thoughts on the Church and Facebook

Books according to Seth Godin should be an experience

A few things on evangelism- a talk by Joe Boot and a discussion on the reason for decline and the future of vocational evangelism.

A post on the on-going shocking revelations of the Catholic church. On a lighter note, Giles Coren's article in the Times on the Vatican's chief exorcist is very amusing.

Neil Cole on disciple-making

Piper is coming to England 

A book getting some blog reviews is Steering through chaos

A post about defining Luddites and if you know what Jott and Evernote are you are clearly not one (one for the App geeks and I know you are out there!)

Leaders who last

I am enjoying Leaders who last by Dave Kraft.

"Here are some obvious contrasts in the way we need to lead today in contrast to the ways we've led in the past.

Past Leaders                      Future Leaders

Organisational                     Relational
Operate in committees         Operate in teams
Command and control          Permission-giving
Degreed and elected            Gifted and called
Linear and pyramidal           Over-lapping circles
Share propositional truth      Tell stories
People of the written page    People of the screen
Tightly structured                 Highly flexible
Emphasise position               Emphasise empowerment

[Page 23]

The gospel in life

This new Tim Keller discipleship resource called The Gospel in Life looks great. Watch the trailer to learn more. One of our home groups have been going through the Prodigal God teaching resource and found it to be excellent so this looks like more good stuff.

Getting the Church Praying

I have been reflecting once again on the Leadership Conference and particularly on the issue of prayer.

Pastor Agu is the leader of Jesus House and since coming to England from Nigeria in 1993 they have planted 480 churches in the UK. He is a weighty leader and at one point I think the things he said about the UK had a prophetic tone to them. He said something like:

"We have come to you with the gospel for you sacrificed much to bring it to us and this land will again be used by the Lord"

He tells his amazing story here and do listen to it.

There are lots of helpful things around about church planting like these 5 Qualities of a Church Planter. However, so often prayer is not given primacy and one of the secrets of Jesus House is their commitment to and passion for prayer.

What does that look like?

Well, twice a year they fill the Excel Centre from 8pm until 8am and 40k attend. Yes that number is 40k. No surprise really that the wind of the Spirit is blowing through this church movement.

This challenged me greatly and Pete Greig, Prayer Director at HTB, helpfully gave a fantastic talk on called Getting the Church Praying. This will certainly give you some excellent fresh ideas and you never know very soon you may need to be booking the Excel Centre yourself.

I hope so.

Missional Ministry

I am often commending talks.

If you wonder why God is using Mars Hill so powerfully and want to know how, why and learn some of their lessons then here is one talk on "Missional ministry" that is a must.

I found it extremely helpful and encouraging and hope you will too.

One for a car journey perhaps.

Invictus

If you get the chance do see this film. Unashamedly feel good and uplifting but also a wonderful study in leadership and the nature of hope. Made me cry in parts. I know, I know- I'm a big softy.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Blog-sweep

If you dismissed the Ipad maybe you might have been hasty?

Can anybody start something with a bit of passion? Crush it says yes.

If you want to know about the new Brian McClaren book then this review is good and you should also download and listen to this excellent sermon on Matthew 13 v 33- The Leaven of Heaven

Struggle with the email- I must confess I do. Here is a bit of advice on getting some Email sanity

Chris Tomlinson's Crave

It seems to be a sweep of sevens....

Driscoll on 7 ways to know if you are a fundamentalist

7 currents that are shaping the church

And a best book called Mastering the 7 decisions.

If you love the outdoors like me then you might want to read The Wild Places.

And finally-How not to be a leader.

Gospel and Character

Sometimes it is the things you remember after the a conference that stick.

Hillsong Church London has a remarkable story. Planted less than 10 years ago in the Dominion Theatre it now has a congregation of over 10k and most of those are in their 20's.

In this interview, Gary Clarke who leads this church said a couple things that he concentrates on as a leader.

1. Hospitality: For most of the years he has had 75 people through his home a week (Yes, I did say 75).

2. Gospel and Character: He also said this "I am only concerned about 2 things- preaching the Gospel accurately and my character-the team can do everything else."

Well worth visiting perhaps if you want to learn a thing or two about reaching this generation with the Gospel (particularly if you lead a church with an average age of over 55?-just a thought).

Saturday smile

(H/T Vitamin Z)

One to get and one to give

Today is 'World Book Day' so the Times tells me- but it appears according to the website to have happened on Thursday-but let's not be picky. This article asked various literary and celeb types how they would use their voucher.

So the book challenge is this: one book to give away and one you might hope to receive.

1. Give: I think I would give Peter the Great by Robert Massie. This towering biography of one of the giants of history is a blinder. Peter's leadership literally picked up Russia, which was facing East, and plonked it down facing Europe and to be honest the world has really never been the same since.

2. Get: Recently, I read Linchpin and it has a great bibliography as a last chapter. One of the many books Seth Godin recommends is The Gift by Lewis Hyde and this book appeared again on my radar in this Times article so it has gone on my 'get' list. As a back-up, this article is also worth reading and here is an extract:

"I’ve just read a remarkable book, Whoops! by John Lanchester, that in elegant phrases and witty analogies, explains the crisis to the economically dyslexic in a way that actually sticks. So, to my amazement, I finally grasp stuff such as leverage, credit default swaps, derivatives and am angry with my ditsy former self who dismissed these as the domain of the boring City types you get lumbered with at parties."

So as a second 'get' Whoops seems the best thing to read if you want to demystify banking, finance and economics. Buy me either:)

Tweeter

I am now a tweeter. I thought I would add one more voice to twitter but have not yet quite worked out the point of tweeting.

We'll see how it goes....

Here are three things from the Times:

1. Apparently the Dalai Lama tweets so I am not alone!

2. Antonia Senior has some advice for Google and it's all about trust.

3. Frank Skinner on wanting brownie points for persecution as a Christian.

Avatar

I think I am the last to have seen Avatar. Driscoll thinks it is the most demonic film he has ever seen.

Don't know what anyone thinks?