Racism.

The England under 21s football team played Serbia last night in a very important qualifying game in which England won 1-0 and thereby qualified for the Euro 2013.

However the result, and qualification was overshadowed by some horrific scenes at the final whistle. 

As the England players and officials celebrated, they were attacked by their Serbian opponents and racially abused by the home fans. You can read more about the incident here.  It makes hard reading.

So why am I blogging about this?  racism

Firstly I think it's disgusting that people are still abused because of their colour.  As a Christian I believe that God made each one of us in His own image (Psalm 139) and made us to be the apple of His eye (Psalm 17:8, Zech 2:8).  Galatians 3 makes it very clear that we are all equally valuable before God and means that if your balck, white, gay, straight, rich or poor...God loves you and accepts you just as you are. 

As I have come to know God in greater and deeper ways, His heart is changing mine and this is why when I see scenes such as we saw in Serbia last night I'm overcome with anger, sadness and compassion.  Just as He is. 

Secondly, I want us to remember that this is bigger than football.   Many people who read about the game will simply say 'that's football yobs for you.'  However I hate this attitude.  Not only does that put me, as a football fan in a bracket, it also displaces the real issue.  It's like saying that football is the problem and not racism. 

Let me ask you this, if you removed football from Serbia would there still be incidents of racist behaviour?  Of course there would.

This is far bigger than football.  This is a culture, a nation clearly struggling with some degree of racial hatred lingering in it's roots.  Before Euro 2012 (hosted in Poland and Ukraine this year) Panorama did a programme exposing some of the issues in this part of Europe and the programme can be seen here.  Essentially I want encourage us to not make this about football, but rather to make it about the need for change in nations such as Serbia, Poland and Ukraine.

But the big question is how?  How do we do this?  How do we implement change on such a scale?

What do you think?

Personally, I do not think this is done through hatred or revenge.  It's done through education, love and example.

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

The Church: Serving the poor

In my blog entitled ‘Pinky and the Brain’ I spoke of the three main purposes of the Church; to worship God, to bless the believer and to serve this lost and broken world. I’ve been stirred to ask myself ‘how am I fulfilling the purposes to which I have been called to?’ Today I want to look at how I’m reaching out to the needy and broken in my society:

God is really stirring me about this one lately.  I’ve been reading a book by Tim Keller called Ministries of Mercy - it is a dense book that has taken me months to digest, study and learn from.  It is jam packed with great wisdom about how we as a Church are called to love the lost, serve the broken and help the disadvantaged and has challenged by heart. 

Who are the poor?  They are those who are disempowered from making the choices that God wants them to make and this isn’t always about money or materials. This may include people who are physically disempowered through sickness and disease or those who are disempowered through circumstances that have happened to them.  It may include those who are spiritually disempowered and trapped in addiction or unbelief or it may include those who are emotionally disempowered through depression and low self esteem. 

For me my passion is for those who are relationally disempowered.  This is often overlooked when thinking about the poor but as a Church we should be aiming to serve those who are lonely, those who struggle to make friends, those who have no family to rely on and those who are marginalised by society. 

Those of you who know me, know that I have a big heart for young people and I believe that in our culture, media and society, young people are being disempowered.  This generation has been labelled as the lost generation.  They have been written off.  University fees have become a stumbling block to further education and self improvement, the Anti-Social behaviour act has helped to criminalise a generation and large scale unrest by the minority (such as the London riots) have caused them to be labelled as rebellious and unruly.

In my own town of Bishops Stortford, Young People are pushed to the fringes of the community.  They congregate in groups in the dark places in our town (car parks and fields) out of everyone’s way.  They instigate their own rules and live up to the reputation that society has given them.  This is not what God wants for the Young People of Bishosp Stortford.

For me I want to serve the young people of Bishops Stortford better than we are and that is why we are looking to launch a Youth Cafe in the town.  Thirst (www.thirstcafe.com) will be a warm, friendly, funky environment where young people can come and be themselves, find security and simply chill out.  It will be a place right in the middle of the town centre for all to see (76 South Street is the venue we are trying to secure the lease on) and it will be a place that looks to honour, love and bless the young people of Bishops Stortford.

Young people are my passion and I could talk about them all day…but what’s yours and what are you doing about it?  The bottom line is this; we’re called to serve the poor so let’s do it.  Find your passion…find your gifting and go for it.

I’ll finish with a quote from Bill Wilson: When people care more for themselves than the people around them, society beings to crumble.  My question this week is this:  Are we more concerned about ourselves or about others? 

What if the 'Big Show' wasn't God's idea?

Every year I lead a team of 20 leaders and 50 young people to an amazing event called Newday!  It's a similar event to Soul Survivor and the like and over 7000 people gather with the sole purpose to engage with God and be changed by Him and for Him.  Last year 305 young people made a first time committment to follow Jesus...it truly is an amazing week.

However last year I got into a big discussion with some of our young people about whether or not lighting...staging...and amplification actually helped or hindered our worship?  It was an interesting discussion but we ultimately disagreed with the young people thinking it was a help while I felt it might in fact hinder true worship!  For me it's not about how it 'feels' but rather is it inline with scripture? 

Yesterday I read this article and it stirred in me the same thoughts that I had during the discussion at Newday. 

Give it a read and let me know what you think...is the 'Big Show' a help or a hinderance?

MURDER!!

I love to follow the news but it is often hard to keep up to date with all that is going on and that is why my home page on my internet explorer is ‘The Week’…a website and magazine that takes all the weeks notable news and condenses it into small bite sized information so that you can capture all the weeks interesting information in half the time!  As I logged on to it today, two stories leaped out at me:

The first was a story about a Colombian drug trafficker called Griseblda Blanco known as the “queen of cocaine.”  It was being reported that she had shot dead by two gunmen as she left a butcher’s in Medellin, Colombia.  She was 69.  In the 1970s and 80s she was at the centre of the cocaine trade in New York and Miami, reportedly making $8m a month and responsible for the murders of numerous rivals.  One of the investigating officers almost justified the killing when he said these words: 'When you kill so many and hurt so many people like she did, it’s only a matter of time before they find you and try to even the score.’

The second was a story about Andrew and Tracey Ferrie who shot and injured two out of the four burglars who had broken into their home.  They were arrested by police on suspicion of causing GBH.  Their local MP has thrown his hat in the ring by defending the couple’s actions as ‘just.’

The reason that these two stories stood out for me is that they both essentially justified violence.  They both say that revenge is ok.  They both teach us that an eye for eye is ok.

As a society do we really believe that?  Do we really think that if some assaults my wife I should be able to assault theirs?  Of if someone steals from me I’m aloud to steal from them? 

In fact in the case of Mr and Mrs Ferrie they upped the stakes…they were stolen from but they repaid their loss by causing GBH.

The Bible does say ‘an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth’ in the Old Testament but what many people seem ignorant of is that Jesus actually redefined many things about life in the New Testament.  About these words He actually said:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”

Don’t hear what I’m not saying.  I personally believe that there can be such a thing as a just war.  There are times when authority needs to be fought against.  If a regime is oppressive and violent, then I do believe they need to be stopped. 

However I do find it very sad whenever I hear about people being killed as a punishment for their behaviour.  I may be alone on this one but when Saddam Hussein was hanged I was saddened.  When Osama Bin Laden was killed I didn’t rejoice.  Not because these people don’t deserve justice, they do.  Quite simply because I can’t agree with the attitude that killing someone, or indeed injuring someone for a crime or a wrong doing is ever right.

The gospel is this:  I sinned against God.  This sin was worse than burglary or drug trafficking and the punishment was death.  But God loved me so much that He sent someone else, Jesus Christ, to die in my place so that my sins and wrongdoings can be forgiven.

I’m not saying that we should just overlook people’s crimes…but I don’t think it is our job to decide when someone’s life should be ended, especially when basing this upon their actions.  I think our job, as the Church, is to imitate Christ: to love unconditionally, without prejudice and not based upon a person’s actions but looking at their hearts.

I’m so grateful God didn’t treat me as my actions deserved.

 

Becoming a Dad!

Fatherhood

Four years ago I got married to an amazing woman who has blessed me in so many ways that it overwhelms me.  However, nine months ago she gave me the best present a man could ask for and we were lucky enough to become proud parents to a gorgeous baby boy whom we named Joash John William Lines. 

I've learnt a lot in those nine months, from how to change a nappy, to what different cries mean, but I wanted to blog on three things I think every man should know before they venture into fatherhood.

 1. You have to become self-LESS

Before Joash was born I thought I was quite a well-balanced and servant hearted kind of guy…but post Joash being born I realised just how wrong my self-analysis was!!

I think we live in a fairly selfish world…consider social networking for a minute. I have been researching the meteoric rise of social networking in the last few days and have come to the conclusion that it has simply itched where we are scratching:

Facebook is simply me telling the world about me; Twitter is about me telling the world what I'm thinking and Instagram is simply me showing the world what I'm doing! 

Take one look at our society and we realise that we’re all (self-included) a lot more self-seeking that we might have first thought…a look at the banking crisis, the increase in abortion rates and the decrease in marriage rates confirm my thinking.

Becoming a dad helped me to realise this but it is also causing me to change my ways as I can no longer just drop everything and do what I want.  Of course this is what marriage is actually all about…laying aside your own desires for the benefit of another and I can’t help but realise that this is what parenthood is about too.  Joash is completely dependent on Amy and I, and relies on us choosing him and his needs over our own.

2. You need bags of energy

I’m a fairly fit guy…I run regularly…I play sport…I try to eat and drink right…yet becoming a dad has completely wiped me out at times!  Not just physically but emotionally too! 

After a while, getting up three times during the night takes its toll…there’s a reason why sleep deprivation is used as a torture technique!!  But it’s not just the lack of sleep…when Joash is awake he’s incredibly active and Amy and I spend most of our time chasing after him, pulling things out of his mouth that he shouldn’t be eating or changing his nappy!!  It’s constant! 

Remove the physical tiredness for a minute though and consider the emotional tiredness.  Joash is pretty good at giving cuddles, but 90% of his time is about taking!! He hasn’t quite mastered how to do the chores yet; wash the car, put the washing on or tidy the mess he’s just created in the living room!  But he is very good at requiring all your energy to figure out what he wants, when he wants it and how he wants it done!!

This is why I have huge respect for all mums out there!!  Amy is around Joash 24 hours a day, seven days a week…this means that she is on the go all the time, again not just physically but emotionally too.

As parents we both need to work harder at getting time to refresh and refill our tanks.

3.    It’s all completely worth it!

People often ask me how being a dad is and I quite often start off with a negative…in fact just as I have done in this blog post, and Amy quite rightly corrects me!  Being a dad is hard work, it is tiring, it does cause you to put your own needs further down the pecking order…but I cannot stress this enough:  I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Being a dad really is the most rewarding, exhilarating, exciting and special job I have ever had the privilege of doing.  It might not always be that easy but it’s true.

Just last night Joash woke up at 4am…yes 4am!!  Rather than him wanting a quick cuddle and his dummy, he wanted to get up!!  As I was holding him I was overwhelmed just how amazing he is and just how blessed I am.  I appreciate that there are many people, (some who are very close friends of mine) who want children but can’t have them.  It reminds me that children are a blessing…not an inconvenience, even if they do wake you up at silly o’clock.

As I was holding Joash I was also reminded that there is a God in heaven who loves me and you.  He is the ultimate and perfect Father and loves to hold us, enjoys being with us and has made a way for us to come into relationship with Him through His own son, Jesus Christ.

For me, I want to be the best dad I can possibly be and although I no longer have an earthly dad to look to for help and advice, I do have the most amazing Dad in heaven that I can look to and learn from as I continue along this journey of parenthood.

Whilst I thank God every day for the amazing blessing that Joash is to Amy and I…I also pray for more energy and a less selfish heart!

www.Goddle.com

If you could ask God one question what would it be?

I read an article today that told the story of a 6 year who wrote a letter to God asking Him how he was invented.  The letter found its way (via school teachers and parents) to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams who answered the question extremely well.  He explained that no one actually invented God but rather people have and still do discover Him through such things as nature, prayer, inner peace and through the person of Jesus Christ.

This got me thinking – what would I ask God? 

In Acts 15 we read about the Apostles and Elders coming together at Jerusalem to discuss the importance, if any, of circumcision.  What we can draw from this account is that it is good and right to ask questions and have in-depth discussions about subjects we might not fully understand.  Jesus Himself never ran away from a good discussion or argument and probably asked more questions than anyone else in the Bible.

There will always be things in this life that we don’t understand – if you have a faith or not, and the Bible, like the aforementioned article, encourages us to ask those tough questions.  I think it’s very easy for us to ignore our questions and doubts even though this can be unhelpful.

So…What would you ask God?  You never know He might just give you an answer.

Is God angry?

I work for Bishops Stortford Community Church and so almost every Sunday morning, that is where you will find me.  However recently I had a week off and so had the privilege of visiting one of the other congregations in the town.

I enjoyed the service, and the change was nice even though it was not the flavour of church I would like on a regular basis.  In fact it made me even more grateful for my community at BSCC. 

So why am I telling you this?  Well something during the service, if I’m honest, disturbed me.  One of the prayers that were said went like this:

“…we acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, which we from time to time most grievously have committed, by thought, word and deed, against thy Divine Majesty, provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us…”

When I read this I was pretty shocked.  If we have accepted Jesus into our lives and tasted true salvation by confessing with our mouths and believing in our hearts (Romans 10) then does God still get angry with us?  When we as Christians sin, which we all do (1 John 1:8-9) then does God turn into an angry and aggressive Dad looking to punish at every slip?!

The Bible is pretty clear: we are to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and might (Duet 6:5), but the truth is that we have all love other things more than God.  This is what sin is…it is dishonouring God by loving other things over Him and acting on those preferences.  That’s why the Bible says that all have sinned and fall short of His glory (Romans 3:23).  Sin defames God and He can’t simply sweep it under the carpet and ultimately because He is a just God, our sins need to be dealt with…punished and corrected.

But the love of God offers us a solution in the very person of Jesus, for He came into this world and took the punishment that we deserved.  When Jesus died on the cross, He absorbed the wrath of God (Romans 3:25) and He took the punishment that needed to be paid because of our failings (Galatians 3:13).

So is God angry with us?  If you have accepted Jesus into your life then quite clearly: No.  Jesus ABSORDED the wrath of God, He didn’t just cancel it or divert it (1 John 4:10), He took it.  The fullness of God’s wrath was completely put on Jesus so that you and I might know His love, compassion and mercy so that we never need to come to Him fearing punishment or rejection.

So...don't give into the lie that God is angry.  As Thomas Paine says 'Belief in an angry God makes a cruel man.'

Unity is more important than theology!

HTB Leadership conference 2012

I spent Monday and Tuesday this week at the Royal Albert Hall…no not to listen to Opera or to attend some fancy award ceremony but rather to worship God and be equipped to go and build His Church in this country.

Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) hosted and led their annual Leadership Conference at this extraordinary venue and I was one of 4,300 delegates booked in.  These delegates came from over 900 difference churches and organisations and from 52 different countries.  How fitting that a conference about building the Church of God was attended by such a beautiful picture of what the Church is meant to be.  

As I’ve reflected on the conference, I think I can honestly say that this has been one of the most powerful conferences I’ve ever been too.  The calibre of speakers (Tony Blair, The Bishop of London, Christine Cain, Dr Rick Warren, Judah Smith…) was outstanding, the organisation was excellent, the content and topics were prophetic and inspired and as already said the venue couldn’t have been better.

However what made it so special for me was the diversity of the whole event, which was beautiful and yet uncompromising!   Theological differences weren’t issues as brothers and sisters in Christ came together with one purpose: to honour God.  For two days it didn’t matter what I thought about baptism in the Holy Spirit or church structure.  It didn’t matter that I didn’t have a dog collar on nor did it matter how I prayed!  It was such a refreshing and freeing environment to be in.

This is my dream for the Church.  That we might be united in the truest sense of the word.  That, as Jesus prayed in John 13, we would be one with each other as He is One with the Father.  That we would realise that unity is more important than Theology (Mark 13:24-25).  That we would understand that it’s ok to disagree with one another and still worship the same God in the same building!

I feel equipped, challenged and changed by this conference and I'm so grateful to God that HTB were able to host and led such a historic event. 

So…please let me encourage you:  Get booked in for HTB Leadership conference 2013!  More information can be found at http://leadershipconference.htb.org.uk/

Newfrontiers article

This year we're looking to launch an exciting project in our Town Centre (I will be posting more about the project in the coming months).  Attached is a link to an article I have written for the Newfrontiers (the family of churches we're part of) website asking for help and support!  Why not give it a read...


http://newfrontiersuk.org/news-and-events/article/bishops_stortford

Making a difference

Film Review: Freedom writers

I watched this film last night with Amy (my wife) and wanted to quickly blog on it.

'Freedom Writers' is a true story about how one woman made a difference.  Erin Gruwell (Hilary Swank) takes a job teaching inner-city kids raised on drive-by shootings and huge racial divides in the midst of the L.A riots.  As people around her, including her husband and father, tell her that these kids are 'unteachable' she makes a difference and helps them to reclaim their lives and identities.  It's a powerful film of how one person really can make a difference.

Two things really stood out for me in the film:

Firstly, being a pioneer means sacrifice
Erin Gruwell, or Mrs G as she was affectionately called by her class, wanted to make an impact.  She wanted to change the lives of 30 young men and women and in order to do this is meant working long hours, taking three jobs and selflessly putting her own desires to one side.  For her it cost her her reputation, her time, her energy and her relationships with those closest to her.

As I watched and reflected it made me think of other pionners; Mandela, Wilberforce, Luther King, and how they had to make huge sacrifices in their lives.  Mandela was impriosoned for over 30 years, Wilberforce battled through sickness and huge opposition and of course King was assasinated.

Secondly it reminded me that people don't like change
Whenever you see a pioneer you always see opposition.  Trying to make an impact is never easy.  Mrs G didn't have the support of her family, of the other teachers at the school or of the parents of the kids she was teaching.  Ultimately this is why people like Mandela spent years behind bars and King was murdered.

Mrs G was swimming against the tide but rather than giving in, she fought.  She did something about her situation rather than letting her situation dictate her life.  She refused to settle for something that wasn't right.  She did something that has changed the lives of 30 young people, something that can never be taken away, something lasting that they will always have.  She believed in them and gave them hope and a future. 

She sacrificed and refused to give into the opposition.

It got me thinking...what's the story I'm writing? 

If there was to be a film made about my life what would the morale of the story be?  Would there be people lined up saying 'this man has changed my life?'  I desperately want to change this world for the better.  I want to be someone who breaks new ground; someone who breaks the mould and someone who doens't allow the circumstances around me dictate how I live my life.

So the questions I find asking myself are: Am I willing to pay the price, whether it be time, money or reputation?  And am I willing to stand in the face of oppostion and see the obstacles as opportunites for something great?

The question is are you? 

It's a great film that I'd highly recommend and f you want to get it, just click here!

Seven tips for better Bible study

Mark Driscoll has posted seven tips for better Bible reading (link below).  I think it's excellent and if you want to read the Bible for all it's worth you should check it out!

Here is my favourite tip: Don’t think you need more knowledge. Often you need more obedience to the knowledge you already have!

Happy reading.

http://pastormark.tv/2012/04/17/7-tips-for-better-bible-study

Loving the unlovable

Book review: Whose Child is this by Bill Wilson

Wow.  What a book this is. 

Bill Wilson is the founder and Senior Pastor of Metro Ministries; America’s largest ministry to children, gathering around 20,000 kids every week to their Sunday school meetings.  The movement is international, with branches of the ministry in several other nations and the model is used in Churches everywhere.

The book is Bills story from orphan to orphan rescuer.  He was abandoned by both parents as a teenager and after being taken in by a faithful Christian family he went on to launch and establish the ministry in one of New York’s hardest areas, Bushwick.  At a time when the police had even stopped responding to calls to the area and would only send in Special Forces teams, Bill decided to move into the ghetto.  He was the only white man in town and faced rejected, failure, abuse, muggings and physical attacks. 

It’s an inspirational story; I found myself in tears several times reading some of the things that he saw and indeed experienced.  There are three things stood out for me in this book and that I want to share as they’ve stirred me and challenged me on how I do life and ministry:

1. One person can make a difference

Bill Wilson certainly has.  He is impacting thousands, if not millions of lives through his ministry.  Personally I want to change the world.  I want to be someone who impacts this little planet called earth.  I want to do something that changes people’s lives.  This book has reminded me and inspired me to push on with my dreams and goals because it is possible.

2. The need is the call

So often we think we need a lightning bolt revelation, a flash of inspiration or an invitation to help and impact things around us but this couldn’t be further from the truth.  Bill Wilson reminds us that we are called to serve the need that we see around us.  If a poor man is homeless and hungry don’t wait to be told…do.  If a child is alone and dying don’t wait for an invitation…act.

3.  People need to know that you care

The ministry that Bill Wilson leads visit 20,000 families each week.  They give up their time to care for the families and children that no one else wants to spend time with.  They show that they care before they try and tell them what they know.  They try to help with practical and physical needs before preaching at them.  They first and foremost love those they serve.

 This book profoundly challenged me and has stirred me to look again at my own life and ask myself how am I making a difference; am I serving the need and do the people I serve know that I love them?

I want to marry a Horse!

At the end of March I had a wonderful discussion surrounding the issue of gay marriage on my Facebook page!  The discussion drew interest and input from the gay community, the straight community, those with faith and those without faith. I summed up my views on the discussion (and indeed closed the debate) with the following input:

“For me I can see and understand both sides of the debate without being for or against either. I haven't signed either of the petitions going around!! My personal opinion is that governments cannot change hearts and laws simply rearrange problems rather than solve them. For example by introducing gay marriage do we think it will solve the equality issue people have in their hearts?

I also think the debate is less about the gay community more about marriage.  The best way that I can explain this is through an example:

When I was in the Police I was issued a new style of shirt for my uniform. Instead of the traditional white collared shirt I was issued a black sports type t-shirt. The shirt was (and still is) black. However upon issue, the shirt was called graphite. Graphite is not the colour of the shirt I was issued.  Graphite is a dark grey colour. Upon further probing, Herts police didn't want to call them black for fear of offending. There used to be racist group called the blank shirts with whom they didn't want to associate with.

In my mind they simply changed the definition of a word (graphite) to suit them in order to be politically correct and not offend.

That’s the way I see the debate. It's not about gay marriage; it's about the definition of what marriage is.

If as a culture we're happy to change definition of such fundamental words then fine, but I personally believe that this is the argument: What is marriage?  It is not an attack on homosexuality.

 If we don't have a solid definition of marriage then what's to stop me challenging the system so I can have two, three or even four wives? Or marrying a horse? If I’m not allowed to express myself in this why, am I being discriminated against?

So that's where I stand: what is marriage. It's not about equality it’s about a definition.”

 I’d love to hear your thoughts?

Word and Spirit?

In my blog entitled ‘Pinky and the Brain’ I spoke of the three main purposes of the Church; to worship God, to bless the believer and to serve this lost and broken world. I’ve been stirred to ask myself ‘how am I fulfilling the purposes to which I have been called to?’ Today I want to look at how I’m blessing the believer:

I fully believe that the Church should be a place where we worship God in Word and Spirit (John 4:23) but the question is what does that look like?  What did Jesus mean when He said Word and Spirit?

My passion is for Churches that hold and honour BOTH the word and the Spirit in equal importance.  One without the other doesn’t work.  Just think, a Church where the Word of God is central but is without the Spirit of God to bring it alive you’ll find dry Christians, thirsty for a touch and filling of the Spirit.  Or a Church without a foundation built on the Word you’ll find immature Christians open to every wind of teaching (Ephesians 4:14).

Worshipping through Word and Spirit is not about activity but a way of living.  So often we think that the musical worship time is our ‘Spirit’ worship and that the preach is our ‘word’ worship!  Although there is some truth this view is fundamentally wrong! 

When we gather on a Sunday morning to worship together through music it should be worship full of both Word and Spirit.  The songs we choose should be based on scriptural truth, the Bible should be publically read and contributions should be based on theological truths.  The way we lead should be done in a God honouring way. Likewise, when we preach the Word of God should be honoured but so to should the Spirit.  Preachers we need to make room for the Spirit in what we preach and teach. 

A worship time without the Word is like a like a Plane without a Pilot and a Preach without the Spirit is like a car without the fuel.

I love to preach.  It’s one of my main passions.  Why?  Because I love building up and blessing the Church.  Like I’ve said several times already in previous blogs, the local Church is the hope of the world.  I have a desire to teach the Church biblical truths that help them in their everyday lives to honour and exalt God; Biblical truths that will help our musical worship be grounded on scripture; and Biblical truths that will stir them to love and honour the Word and Spirit of God.

Smoking, gambling and homosexuality

Everyone loves a controversial Blog title don’t
they?! 

I love the Church.  It’s what I live for, it’s what I’ve given my working life too and I believe 100% that it is the hope of the world.  The best laws, policy and governance will never be the solution to this world’s problem’s because they can never change the heart of a man...I believe only the Church can do this.

If the Church is functioning correctly Jesus should be at the very centre of it all, changing hearts, impacting lives and bringing freedom quite simply because that is what He does.

However, in my experience that’s not always the case.  Whether it is through my own personal experience of through shared experiences of others I have spoken to, the Church fails to do this on a regular basis.  Now this is not to criticise Churches, leaders or even members of Churches.  It’s simply to acknowledge the truth. 

The single biggest cause of atheism today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door and deny them with their lives (DC Talk).  I have many friends who like the idea of Jesus but are hung up on the judgemental nature of the Church.  I have friends who have been rejected by the church because of their lifestyle.  Friends who openly critiscise the Church for double standards.  Friends who think the Church is outdated and irrelevant.

Why is this the case?  I believe  it is because as Christians we're sometimes too quick to judge...too quick to see the sin and not the person.  Too quick to want to keep our Churches neat and tidy and without drama.

Something that has really bugged me in the last two years (since I started to work full time for the Church) is how the Church perceives those who aren’t in the church? 

I often think to myself on a Sunday morning, how would my friends feel in this place?  Friends who smoke, gamble and who are in gay relationships.  Friends who I care about, respect, honour and want to bless.

Now this isn’t a theological blog about what I think about these subjects…although I do think there is a lot to be said about these things from a Biblical perspective (especially on smoking and gambling!).  It is simply posing the question to church goers:  ARE OUR CHURCHES INCLUSIVE?

The one subject that has really got me thinking of late is homosexuality.  Now again, I’m not going to go into details of my beliefs on the subject (although I do love debating it), but it breaks my heart that the Church community and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community are so far apart in terms of accepting one another.

This is not what Jesus would want for His Church. 

Jesus is an all-inclusive Saviour and God.  This blog could be about any contentious issue.  It could be about alcoholics, covicted criminals or abortion. The Bible clearly states that He wants every single person to be accepted and welcomed into His family (1 Timothy 2:4) and as a Church we have a responsibility to serve with this mentality in mind.  That doesn't mean I agree with everything that all our guests believe, in fact there are many christians that I disagree with!  But it does mean that we should love everyone who comes through our doors...in the way we think about them, view them and engage with them.  Gay or straight.

So Church, think…would you dwell in an environment where you’re made to feel unwelcome and uncomfortable whether passively or actively?  I know I wouldn’t.

I would love to see Churches all over this nation that love and embrace everyone regardless of their background, faith or lifestyles.  Straight or gay.  Addicted or not.  I love the vision of the Church that Jesus painted for us in Revelation 21 and my prayer and hope is that we see this sooner rather than later.

The most selfish person I know!

In my blog entitled ‘Pinky and the Brain’ I spoke of the three main purposes of the Church; to worship God, to bless the believer and to serve this lost and broken world.  I’ve been stirred to ask myself ‘how am I fulfilling the purposes to which I have been called to?’  Today I want to look at my Worship life:

Worship is everywhere and everyone worships.  When I became a Christian in  2002, I made a commitment to God that I would choose to worship Him before all other things, for this is simply what worship is.  To lift someone or something up, to adore and honour them and to put the person or object before yourself in full devotion.  People worship money, career, sex, drink, sport, their families or a mixture of them all!  In fact anything can become an object of worship; even cows!

 In November 2011 my son Joash Lines was born, a moment that has and is changing my life.  Not just in terms of what I do and how I spend my time but he’s also taught me a lot about myself.  Since he’s been born I’ve realised that I actually worship myself much more than I thought.  I’ve realised just how selfish I am.  It’s been incredible to see my response (albeit internally) when he needs a nappy change at three in the morning, or when the house needs tidying, or when there’s something I have to give up for the benefit of my family.

It’s hard work being a dad, husband, employee, brother, friend and son.  A lot of my time is no longer my own and when the time that is my own gets infringed upon, how do I respond?  I often get grumpy, bitter and annoyed at those doing the infringing!  I think that I should be number one, that I'm the most important person in the world and that my time should reflect this!  I get frustrated that I have to do something I don't want to do!  I lift myself up and evelate my own feelings and opinions to a point of honour and praise!  'I know best...' I tell myself.  I think 'I deserve to be selfish.'

So how’s my worship life?  How am I doing when fulfilling the first and greatest command given to the church (Matthew 26:36-40)?  Not very well!  Of course we’re all on a journey and Joash has nudged me a bit further along on that journey, but what I’ve come to realise is that the god of self is rife in our society. 

In my opinion this is the main reason abortions are on the increase and marriage is on the decrease; because both require a self-sacrifice.  Both require us to give something up and our culture teaches us that this is wrong and a sign of weakness.

My prayer daily is that God would give me the grace, energy and strength to worship Him and not myself and my worship is fueled by the truth that Jesus didn't worship Himself but chose to humble Himself and exalt and honour the Fathers (Luke 22:42).  There are so many good things in this world and I want to make sure that I get them in the right context.  I want to make sure that I put God first and everything else second.

The Volunteer Revolution

This year I've set myself a goal of reading 15 books, both for enjoyment and for study.  I've just finished reading Bill Hybles excellent book entitled 'The Volunteer Revolution.'


Hybles is an outstanding writer and leadership expert and has authored or contributed to nearly 50 publications.  He founded and is a Senior Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago, Illinois where they gather over 20,000 people each week!  He was an advisor to Bill Clinton and is believed to be close to President Obama.  Needless to say he's a fairly big cheese with lots of experience to draw upon.


'The Volunteer Revolution' is a very easy read, full of testimonies of people who have served Hybles and the ministries at Willow Creek.  Testimonies that show God's blessings upon men and woman as they give out of their passions, skills and experience to serve their communities.  Hybles states that following Jesus' radical call to servant-hood is the only way to experience fullness of life and that happiness will never come through selfishness or self gratification.  Although as a Church we shouldn't be motivated to serve in order to 'get back,' the truth is that when we do serve, we do 'get back.'


How is this true?  Jesus said 'whoever would lose their life for me will find it' (Matthew 16:25).  In the kingdom of God, obedience leads to a blessing (Psalm 119:35).


I'd recommend this book to anyone thinking about volunteering (in any sphere) and to anyone who leads teams of volunteers.


I personally have the honour of leading an amazing team of about 20 volunteers in the ministry (Revelation) I lead at Bishops Stortford Community Church.  I've grown to admire the energy and commitment they show week after week, giving up valuable time to bless the young people under our care.  They are the true heroes of Revelation and I'm indebted to them.


In another of Hybles books, Courageous Leadership, he makes the bold statement that 'the local church is the hope of the world.'  I love this quote because it's true (Ephesians 3:10-11, Matthew 28:18-20).  However without volunteers, the church is like a car without petrol or a fire without a flame.  It's impotent and going nowhere.


Just as Jesus came to serve and not be served, let me encourage you; get involved in serving your local church, community or neighbourhood.  It'll be the best decision you ever make.

Pinky and the Brain

I used to love watching the cartoon 'Pinky and the Brain' when I was a child, a show that was centred around Brains extravagant plans to impact the world from his little cage that he shared with his not so clever sidekick Pinky! The show would always end with Pinky asking: 'What are we going to do today Brain?' To which Brain would reply...'We're going to try and take over the world!'

I’ve just finished reading ‘The Volunteer Revolution’ by Bill Hybles (book review to follow) and the one thing that really struck me was this:

What am I doing that will outlive me?

This question has challenged me to look at my life and see if it really counts for anything?  Of course to God, my family and friends; it does!  But if I were to die tomorrow what would be the legacy I would leave? 

On Sunday (19^th Feb) I preached at Bishops Stortford Community Church on the subject of God’s Big Story (http://www.thecommunitychurch.org.uk/resource/index.php).  I outlined how the Church is the fulfilment of the promise spoken to Abraham (Genesis 26) and how The Church has always been on His heart.  It has always been Gods plan to bring about a people from every nation, tribe and tongue for three main purposes: to worship Him, to bless one another and to serve this lost and broken world.

Surely, to quote Hybles again, the local Church is the hope of the world (Ephesians 3:10-11).

So what am I doing that will outlive me?  I’m doing my best to love Jesus, love the Church and to serve this world.  

In the coming weeks I'll take a deeper look at these three purposes and how they are helping me change the world that I live in.  Hopefully along the way I'll stir you to ask yourself: What am I doing that will outlive me?