My computer developed 'the blue screen of death' on Wednesday. Only, at first I didn't realise that's what it was. Then someone came along who knew what he was talking about and shared with me the news making sure to give adice on how to sort the problem. Sorting the problem involved saying goodbye to the old computer, cutting all ties with it and getting rid of it. Then it involved spending time getting a new computer, installing it and having someone come and install it, showing me how to get the most out of it. Now it involves me actually using it and using it in the right way.
Mmmmm, wonder if there is some form of message or illusration in that ... or would that be too simple!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
My bus trip ...
Well, today was a better day at work than Monday ... for a start nothing broke down on us ... a miracle in itself! Still, was tired when I left and was in a dream-like state for most of the bus ride home.
Just coming into East Kilbride when a man and toddler son get on. Now, I have to confess what first made me 'attentive' to them was that the man was wearing three quarter length sports trouser things (displaying some nice tattoos) as well as black ankle socks and a pair of Vans, plus a hoodie thing and leather juacket. Now, with it being so cold and all it seemed like the trousers would cancel out any warm the hoodie and jacket gave. Anyways, the look made me look!
The wee boy just smiles at me as dad puts the fold down pram thing in the bit its meant to go in on a bus, and the two sit opposite me. I don't know how old this wee boy is, but he's young enough to still need the buggy but old enough to talk a bit. Anyways, by this time the pair have my full attention.
I watch as the wee boy looks out the window and the talks, pointing at what he sees. The dad lets him speak, then joins in, telling him more about what it is etc. The dad gets the boy to pose for photos he takes on his mobile, and the wee boy is more than happy to do it, having fun, making memories. It is as if they are oblivious to other people, so caught up in each other.
In my dream like state I sensed God say to me thats what its like when we're together. You know, those moments when you're oblivious to everyone else but your Me and to you it feels like the most secure place ever. Nothing threatens and everything is an adventure. The Father and the child, Me and you, locked in an adventure, doting on each other.
The wee boy gets excited as the dad lets him push the red button that makes the bell noise. They get off and the adventure goes on ...
Just coming into East Kilbride when a man and toddler son get on. Now, I have to confess what first made me 'attentive' to them was that the man was wearing three quarter length sports trouser things (displaying some nice tattoos) as well as black ankle socks and a pair of Vans, plus a hoodie thing and leather juacket. Now, with it being so cold and all it seemed like the trousers would cancel out any warm the hoodie and jacket gave. Anyways, the look made me look!
The wee boy just smiles at me as dad puts the fold down pram thing in the bit its meant to go in on a bus, and the two sit opposite me. I don't know how old this wee boy is, but he's young enough to still need the buggy but old enough to talk a bit. Anyways, by this time the pair have my full attention.
I watch as the wee boy looks out the window and the talks, pointing at what he sees. The dad lets him speak, then joins in, telling him more about what it is etc. The dad gets the boy to pose for photos he takes on his mobile, and the wee boy is more than happy to do it, having fun, making memories. It is as if they are oblivious to other people, so caught up in each other.
In my dream like state I sensed God say to me thats what its like when we're together. You know, those moments when you're oblivious to everyone else but your Me and to you it feels like the most secure place ever. Nothing threatens and everything is an adventure. The Father and the child, Me and you, locked in an adventure, doting on each other.
The wee boy gets excited as the dad lets him push the red button that makes the bell noise. They get off and the adventure goes on ...
Friday, November 07, 2008
The Word Before The Powers ...
Have finished reading The Word Before The Powers: an ethic of preaching by Charles Campbell which I totally recommend. Brilliant book!!!
Am now half way into The Word on the Street: Performing the Scriptures in the Urban Context also by Charles Campbell as well as Stanley Saunders. In it they flesh out what Campbell explore in The Word Before The Powers, as they share thoughts, essays, sermons and stories from their work amongst the homeless people on the streets of Atlanta. They use Scripture to read the streets and the streets to read Scripture, which both inspires and challenges me. It's good to know I am not alone though, for it challenges and inspires them too ... after all they are seminary professors, Christians, theologians and human. Their honesty is in a sense liberating, and their stories moving.
In it all you get a sense of what Campbell talks about at the end of The Word Before The Powers. In the final chapter of the book he writes about the four virtues that ought to characterise preachers in addition to love: truthfullness, anger, patience and hope. This is how he concludes his section on hope, and indeed the book itself:
"… In the places of death, hope becomes radical hope in God, for no shallow, domesticated hope will do.
In the places of death, hope itself finally becomes a form of resistance – a defiance of the powers that pretend to rule the world. In the face of the powers, hope is no passive, wishful longing for a better day. Rather, it is a form of resistance to the principalities that masquerade as common sense; it challenges the closed definitions of reality that offer no alternative future. Where hope is present, the powers have lost control, and their reign has been broken. The future opens up, and life becomes possible even in the midst of death.
As preachers enter the reality of Jesus’ resurrection, immerse themselves in the memories of the community of faith, and cultivate hope in the places of suffering, they are prepared to preach with hope on Sunday mornings. They are empowered to enter the pulpit and non-violently resist the powers with the redemptive Word of the gospel. They are prepared to speak the Word that helps set the church free to live faithfully in the face of the powers of death. And grounded in such hope, preachers may even find themselves preaching with joy – the joy that comes from the assurance of God’s redemption and the confidence that we are at least in the right struggle." (p. 188)
And so on Sunday morning I go to preach hope. When I go to work on Monday morning I go 'preaching' hope. As we journey together as preachers in college, we do so preaching hope.
Whatever else may be said
Christ died
Christ is risen
Christ will come again.
The powers do not have the final say. The final say is reserved for God, and God is the God who speaks, puts flesh on and enacts hope. And in resistence to the powers and in awe of God we preach that hope.
Am now half way into The Word on the Street: Performing the Scriptures in the Urban Context also by Charles Campbell as well as Stanley Saunders. In it they flesh out what Campbell explore in The Word Before The Powers, as they share thoughts, essays, sermons and stories from their work amongst the homeless people on the streets of Atlanta. They use Scripture to read the streets and the streets to read Scripture, which both inspires and challenges me. It's good to know I am not alone though, for it challenges and inspires them too ... after all they are seminary professors, Christians, theologians and human. Their honesty is in a sense liberating, and their stories moving.
In it all you get a sense of what Campbell talks about at the end of The Word Before The Powers. In the final chapter of the book he writes about the four virtues that ought to characterise preachers in addition to love: truthfullness, anger, patience and hope. This is how he concludes his section on hope, and indeed the book itself:
"… In the places of death, hope becomes radical hope in God, for no shallow, domesticated hope will do.In the places of death, hope itself finally becomes a form of resistance – a defiance of the powers that pretend to rule the world. In the face of the powers, hope is no passive, wishful longing for a better day. Rather, it is a form of resistance to the principalities that masquerade as common sense; it challenges the closed definitions of reality that offer no alternative future. Where hope is present, the powers have lost control, and their reign has been broken. The future opens up, and life becomes possible even in the midst of death.
As preachers enter the reality of Jesus’ resurrection, immerse themselves in the memories of the community of faith, and cultivate hope in the places of suffering, they are prepared to preach with hope on Sunday mornings. They are empowered to enter the pulpit and non-violently resist the powers with the redemptive Word of the gospel. They are prepared to speak the Word that helps set the church free to live faithfully in the face of the powers of death. And grounded in such hope, preachers may even find themselves preaching with joy – the joy that comes from the assurance of God’s redemption and the confidence that we are at least in the right struggle." (p. 188)
And so on Sunday morning I go to preach hope. When I go to work on Monday morning I go 'preaching' hope. As we journey together as preachers in college, we do so preaching hope.
Whatever else may be said
Christ died
Christ is risen
Christ will come again.
The powers do not have the final say. The final say is reserved for God, and God is the God who speaks, puts flesh on and enacts hope. And in resistence to the powers and in awe of God we preach that hope.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Music to my soul ...
Today I must confess, I am weary, I am tired, I walk slowly and draggingly (and am making up words it seems). There is much to do and it seems to little time to do it. And when you're tired and weary you do what you need to do even less well, and it takes even longer.
A highlight of the day was devotions in college this morning, in which we were reminded that we are adopted children of God, that we are aquitted and forgiven, and that we are deeply loved. In a stunning way we were lead with humour and prophetic reference, in which the truth spoke to my soul, the words becoming like music washing over me.
But as the day wore on the weariness returned. After an afternoon of doing more 'stuff' (a.k.a. sermon prep) slowly and tiredly came the jouney home. There in central station as I stood weary and tired, a piper dressed in full kilt outfit stood off to the side and begun to play. Instantly I recognised Flora McDonald's Fancy, and my soul was uplifted. I wish I could have taken a picture, for it was a beautiful sight! As the music moved me, I moved towards the piper. Suddenly I was no longer as tired and weary, but instead had a desire bubbling within to take off my boots and dance. Dance with grace, dance with passion and dance with strength. Though I didn't let the desire bubble out into reality (I was I confess too self-concious), in my mind I danced. And as I danced joy returned. From Flora McDonald's Fancy to something I didn't recognise to Highland Cathedral and beyond, I was moved. The pipers music spoke to my soul.
Thank you Mr. Piperman, you have no idea what a blessing you've been to me today.
A highlight of the day was devotions in college this morning, in which we were reminded that we are adopted children of God, that we are aquitted and forgiven, and that we are deeply loved. In a stunning way we were lead with humour and prophetic reference, in which the truth spoke to my soul, the words becoming like music washing over me.
But as the day wore on the weariness returned. After an afternoon of doing more 'stuff' (a.k.a. sermon prep) slowly and tiredly came the jouney home. There in central station as I stood weary and tired, a piper dressed in full kilt outfit stood off to the side and begun to play. Instantly I recognised Flora McDonald's Fancy, and my soul was uplifted. I wish I could have taken a picture, for it was a beautiful sight! As the music moved me, I moved towards the piper. Suddenly I was no longer as tired and weary, but instead had a desire bubbling within to take off my boots and dance. Dance with grace, dance with passion and dance with strength. Though I didn't let the desire bubble out into reality (I was I confess too self-concious), in my mind I danced. And as I danced joy returned. From Flora McDonald's Fancy to something I didn't recognise to Highland Cathedral and beyond, I was moved. The pipers music spoke to my soul.
Thank you Mr. Piperman, you have no idea what a blessing you've been to me today.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Remembrance Sunday prep ...
Today is a historic day in America, though the reverberations of it will reach around the world. As was pointed out in Creative Homiletics today, in the history that has led to today stands a Baptist! Devotions from class this morning responding to Barack Obama's election as the next US President, allowed us to 'hear' and comment on the "I have a dream..." speech of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. To me at least it spoke of how, amongst other things, hope is alive and change is possible. "Failure does not have the last word" when you have "reached the other side of enough" as some students put it yesterday when articulating what the resurrection 'does'. Despite many failures and failings then, when many had reached "the other side of enough" today is a day of new and re-newed hope that change will indeed be possible.
On a different note (?) am preparing a sermon for this Sunday, Remembrance Day. I'm going to a new church that I have never preached in before, having accepted the invitation to come before I realised the significance of the date. Had I realised that first I would probably not have accepted, in all honesty. But I didn't, so I did, and I'm going.
Have never preached on Remembrance Sunday before. Had no idea where to begin with the preperation work ... other than in deep prayer of course. Went to Gathering for Worship which was of little help, so went to 'the little red book' more properly known as Patterns and Prayers for Christian Worship, which was slightly more helpful ... even suggesting appropriate readings. Having gone through them, some more prayerfully than others, Psalm 46 has been settled on, and so the last two days have been spent working with the Scriptural text.
From my own reflections one of the things that spoke most loudly to me in the Psalm was God's resounding "no" to all that would try to overwhelm. That "no" speaks louder than anything else, yet also speaks a "yes". A "yes" to trust in Yahweh, a "yes" to an alternative future to what the circumstances offer, a "yes" to hope. Surprisingly only half the commentary's I've also engaged with seem to have picked up on this in any kind of significant way. Yet it is there in the text. Craig Broyles writes that the Psalm speaks security because God is present, meaning 'the moment when light dispels darkness was symbolic of salvation, newness, and hope.' Therefore as the Psalmist writes "we will not fear."
The stillness is a call to cease, to recognise God and the reality of an ever-present, dwelling God both for now and for the future. The stillness becomes an act (of sorts) of resistance . It says "no" to fear and "yes" to trust. It says "no" to despair and "yes" to imagination. It says "no" to present chaos and "yes" to present Sovereignty.
Gerald H. Wilson sums it up like this:
We face death and the dissolution of the world, not because we are assured of a new life after death ... We live faithfully in the face of the ultimate threats of life because God is at the core ... Life with God is not dependant on life as we know it - or even on the universe as we know it. Life with God transcends our need to life here and now at any cost. Life lived in the power of God's refuge and strength becomes eternal life - not just life that hopes to be restored in some future perfect existence, but life that is not threatened by the imperfection of our world or even by the dissolution of all we know.
In all this 'stuff' there is strong message for Remembrance Sunday. A time when, yes we come to remember and to pray, but also create space to imagine and hold onto the hope that is birthed and clung to as we are still and know that God is God, no matter the surrounding chaos. Ultimately its about the rule of God. We remember those who fought and died in wars, we pray for those who still do,but we anticipate when wars will be no more. As Isaiah puts it so beautifully, we look forward to a time when "He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore." (Isaiah 2:4) Quite how the text will work its way into a sermon text to be 'performed' is tomorrows work, but tonight I go to bed reminded of what it means to be still, to really cease all strivings and quell all fears, and in that space dare to put all trust confidently in the awesome God of hope.
On a different note (?) am preparing a sermon for this Sunday, Remembrance Day. I'm going to a new church that I have never preached in before, having accepted the invitation to come before I realised the significance of the date. Had I realised that first I would probably not have accepted, in all honesty. But I didn't, so I did, and I'm going.
Have never preached on Remembrance Sunday before. Had no idea where to begin with the preperation work ... other than in deep prayer of course. Went to Gathering for Worship which was of little help, so went to 'the little red book' more properly known as Patterns and Prayers for Christian Worship, which was slightly more helpful ... even suggesting appropriate readings. Having gone through them, some more prayerfully than others, Psalm 46 has been settled on, and so the last two days have been spent working with the Scriptural text.
From my own reflections one of the things that spoke most loudly to me in the Psalm was God's resounding "no" to all that would try to overwhelm. That "no" speaks louder than anything else, yet also speaks a "yes". A "yes" to trust in Yahweh, a "yes" to an alternative future to what the circumstances offer, a "yes" to hope. Surprisingly only half the commentary's I've also engaged with seem to have picked up on this in any kind of significant way. Yet it is there in the text. Craig Broyles writes that the Psalm speaks security because God is present, meaning 'the moment when light dispels darkness was symbolic of salvation, newness, and hope.' Therefore as the Psalmist writes "we will not fear."
The stillness is a call to cease, to recognise God and the reality of an ever-present, dwelling God both for now and for the future. The stillness becomes an act (of sorts) of resistance . It says "no" to fear and "yes" to trust. It says "no" to despair and "yes" to imagination. It says "no" to present chaos and "yes" to present Sovereignty.
Gerald H. Wilson sums it up like this:
We face death and the dissolution of the world, not because we are assured of a new life after death ... We live faithfully in the face of the ultimate threats of life because God is at the core ... Life with God is not dependant on life as we know it - or even on the universe as we know it. Life with God transcends our need to life here and now at any cost. Life lived in the power of God's refuge and strength becomes eternal life - not just life that hopes to be restored in some future perfect existence, but life that is not threatened by the imperfection of our world or even by the dissolution of all we know.
In all this 'stuff' there is strong message for Remembrance Sunday. A time when, yes we come to remember and to pray, but also create space to imagine and hold onto the hope that is birthed and clung to as we are still and know that God is God, no matter the surrounding chaos. Ultimately its about the rule of God. We remember those who fought and died in wars, we pray for those who still do,but we anticipate when wars will be no more. As Isaiah puts it so beautifully, we look forward to a time when "He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore." (Isaiah 2:4) Quite how the text will work its way into a sermon text to be 'performed' is tomorrows work, but tonight I go to bed reminded of what it means to be still, to really cease all strivings and quell all fears, and in that space dare to put all trust confidently in the awesome God of hope.
Monday, November 03, 2008
Devoted honesty ...
The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17
Thank you Coral for sharing so beautifully and honestly tonight on what is also one of my favourite verses. It was a real blessing and "wow" moment!
Micah challenge ... part two ...
Well, arrived at church last night to be greeted by someone with a 'word' for me. They shared it and God definately spoke in that moment. Just what I had been praying for and not sure of God confirmed in just one word. Was such amazing assurance for me, and a blessing for the person to know that it did in deed make sense to me, and that God was nurturing the prophetic gifting in them.
And so the word / challenge God had laid on my heart through Micah was shared last night. Afterwards many came up and said that I had "done a great job." And I wanted to yell, "what, I did a great job?!" That was so not what I wanted to hear. I did not want to hear I'd done a great job, just because I was one of their own as if it were some form of performance (which, no exaggeration, is how it sounded somewhat). What I wanted to hear was that they had sensed God's voice and heard His challenge. What I wanted to hear was that something in their actions would confirm this challenge being heard and acted upon. What I wanted to hear was a recognition that the walk with God required acting justly and loving mercy in concrete rather than arms length abstract terms. What I wanted in a sense was for the community to stand together and say "amen, lets live this way."
I got none of that, but that doesn't mean none of that is present. I spoke what I felt led to by God, and so now I trust that God by His Spirit spoke into hearts and is somehow, somewhere at work in it all.
On a more personal note for me, I realised how terrified I am of our little 'Act of Kindness' project last night as Morag, Jo and Fiona led YF, talking about their work on the streets. Apprehensive about the people we'll meet, the conversations we'll have, the impact it'll have. I shared with Jo later how scared I am ... but at the same time how I know I need to give it a go. God loves all people, and so must I. Or sermons just become trite words, discussions puffed up hot air, and the Spirit's uttering that I sense are never put into practice. Justice becomes held up as some form of abstract concept again, like it has for so long, rather than something dynamic that is participatory and becomes concrete through action. I may not be 'called to the streets' in the same way as others, but how am I to know if I do not try. What I do know is that I am called to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God. Therefore I need to engage in the Act of Kindness project, allowing the Spirit to do in me whatever He wills, encouraging others to do the same, and see where this crazy ride takes us. For some this may not be a big deal ... but for me this seems a much bigger deal 'in my flesh' than choosing how I shop for example. But if the Spirit keeps sending us the same message over and over again then He's definately up to something, and I want to be part of that something, even if with fear and trembling ...
And so the word / challenge God had laid on my heart through Micah was shared last night. Afterwards many came up and said that I had "done a great job." And I wanted to yell, "what, I did a great job?!" That was so not what I wanted to hear. I did not want to hear I'd done a great job, just because I was one of their own as if it were some form of performance (which, no exaggeration, is how it sounded somewhat). What I wanted to hear was that they had sensed God's voice and heard His challenge. What I wanted to hear was that something in their actions would confirm this challenge being heard and acted upon. What I wanted to hear was a recognition that the walk with God required acting justly and loving mercy in concrete rather than arms length abstract terms. What I wanted in a sense was for the community to stand together and say "amen, lets live this way."
I got none of that, but that doesn't mean none of that is present. I spoke what I felt led to by God, and so now I trust that God by His Spirit spoke into hearts and is somehow, somewhere at work in it all.
On a more personal note for me, I realised how terrified I am of our little 'Act of Kindness' project last night as Morag, Jo and Fiona led YF, talking about their work on the streets. Apprehensive about the people we'll meet, the conversations we'll have, the impact it'll have. I shared with Jo later how scared I am ... but at the same time how I know I need to give it a go. God loves all people, and so must I. Or sermons just become trite words, discussions puffed up hot air, and the Spirit's uttering that I sense are never put into practice. Justice becomes held up as some form of abstract concept again, like it has for so long, rather than something dynamic that is participatory and becomes concrete through action. I may not be 'called to the streets' in the same way as others, but how am I to know if I do not try. What I do know is that I am called to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God. Therefore I need to engage in the Act of Kindness project, allowing the Spirit to do in me whatever He wills, encouraging others to do the same, and see where this crazy ride takes us. For some this may not be a big deal ... but for me this seems a much bigger deal 'in my flesh' than choosing how I shop for example. But if the Spirit keeps sending us the same message over and over again then He's definately up to something, and I want to be part of that something, even if with fear and trembling ...
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Micah challenge ...
Am preaching at EMBC tonight. At the moment quite nervous and praying hard! Feel like I'm walking a tight-rope between my own rant and something that God has laid on my heart.
We were speaking this week in Creative Homiletics about trouble and grace. The idea that biblical passages can contain trouble, but that they also contain grace ... the trouble needs to be worked through though before grace comes. I fear that what is heard tonight will be more trouble than grace. To an extent I'm ok with that. Am becoming more and more convinced that in order to be disciples we need to engage in issues of social justice and a whole heap of other 'stuff' (or the powers and principalities), and that if we're not can we really call ourselves disciples. However, while to an extent I'm contented with the harsh sounding-ness (is that even a word!) I'm aware that part of my role tonight as a preacher is to come from among the people as one grappling with this themselves and speak God's words in a way that will mobilise the community and not stop them in their tracks.
And so this afternoon I'm praying hard ... for peace in my heart ... for the right words in my mouth ... for open hearts to hear from God ... and for open bodies to respond.
Lord, let it be Your words said in Your way that come out my mouth tonight and not anything of my rant and my issues. Let it be done to Your glory, that people would walk deeper with you, with justice and mercy being qualities that mark us out as belonging to You. Amen.
We were speaking this week in Creative Homiletics about trouble and grace. The idea that biblical passages can contain trouble, but that they also contain grace ... the trouble needs to be worked through though before grace comes. I fear that what is heard tonight will be more trouble than grace. To an extent I'm ok with that. Am becoming more and more convinced that in order to be disciples we need to engage in issues of social justice and a whole heap of other 'stuff' (or the powers and principalities), and that if we're not can we really call ourselves disciples. However, while to an extent I'm contented with the harsh sounding-ness (is that even a word!) I'm aware that part of my role tonight as a preacher is to come from among the people as one grappling with this themselves and speak God's words in a way that will mobilise the community and not stop them in their tracks.
And so this afternoon I'm praying hard ... for peace in my heart ... for the right words in my mouth ... for open hearts to hear from God ... and for open bodies to respond.
Lord, let it be Your words said in Your way that come out my mouth tonight and not anything of my rant and my issues. Let it be done to Your glory, that people would walk deeper with you, with justice and mercy being qualities that mark us out as belonging to You. Amen.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Community at the Assembly ...
Quite literally have just returned from the Baptist Union of Scotland's annual Assembly. This year it was held in Glasgow, which means returning took only 20mins and ensured last night and tonight I got/get to sleep in my own bed - for which I am grateful!
The theme of the Assembly was 'The DNA of Discipleship'. Catchy title and really there were good things about this weekend. Not least of which was Mark Greene talking 'empire theology' and 'stuff' yesterday morning. Catching up with people was good and helpful. Listening to presentations was sometimes good and sometimes helpful. Worshipping together is always good and always helpful.
Yet, what I enjoyed most about the weekend, what the highlights were if you like, had nothing to do with any of that. There were two and both are all summed up in the word COMMUNITY!
After the college presentation our lecturers (though that is not the right term, as they are more than lecturers) wanted to take us out for coffee. So off we students went, gathering more students and former students and students other (better?) halves along the way. By the time we reached the coffee shop we were many. Yet rather than disperse, we moved furniture to be together. Conversations broke out that very quickly turned deep ... especially (not surprisingly as ministerial students) about 'this journey called ministry', in all its differing senses. Points were discussed, questions asked, opinions shared, thoughts provoked, learning stimulated ... all over coffee, cake and ciabatta. Time passed, quickly, as it does when it is being enjoyed amongst friends. Before we knew it we were late for the next session and so decided to walk leisuely back together, continuing in conversation.
We were doing community together. Not because it was forced, not because it was felt we needed to, or were obligated to ... but because actually that is what we are. We are a community together. Of students yes, but more so as Christians, as people seeking to follow Jesus and learn what it means to come under His rule even more. And in that there is a recognition that we can't do it alone, and so we do it together, becoming part of the shaping forces in each others lives. And that continued even into the dinner with two friends.
That was a highlight of the Assembly for me.
The other came just after communion, as the closing act of worship. Communion is a powerful time, and this was too, as a core leaders and others served the body with the symbols of Christ's body and blood ... and (in my case at least) not silently, but with the words "this is Christ's body given for you ... this is Christ's blood poured out for you." After that onto the platform came a small team. After sharing that their presentation (given at a conference in Germany earlier in the year) was both Scottish in culture and simple in language, images began to appear on the screen. Images of Scottish things ... places, people, history, and information was shared in slow careful language. As the presentation continued the two girls on stage acted freeze style different kinds of greeting before it was shared that in Scotland we greet with a handshake. And so, the woman continued, the delegates (that had been in Germany, standing in black trousers and white tops) were going to pass among people and share the greeting with them. As it was recieved it was to be passed on to as many different people as possible. And so the team began to move among, and from my position in the balconary the most beautiful scene began to unfold.
People greeting each other ... not in the way we sometimes do in church, you know the "turn around and say hello to someone" forced way ... but in genuine greeting. People began to get up naturally and share with others a handshake, and somewhere in the midst of that God was tangibly present. There was a girl singing, though to be honest I didn't hear the words, but in the music and in the handshakes the Spirit was breathing something that seemed like community in some ways. Not in the same way as in the cases above, but something deeper than I'd seen all weekend ... and I sensed in my spirit the real hope of genuine, loving, committed community. And as the handshake made it way to where I was and I got up to greet others I did so with tears in my eyes, that began to stream down my cheeks (and I really don't do public crying!) because it was truely something beautiful, and I mean beautiful that was taking place. For me, the Spirit was resting heavy and this was in deed a holy moment! It took a while for people to make their way back to their seats, because the handshakes were still going on ... genuinely going on ... a feeling of community was being birthed in some way almost.
That was a highlight for me.
And so the conference was good ... but those moments of community were great. That is what I take away from the Assembly. Discipleship is about our whole lives, that came across load and clear from the front ... and its about being disciples in community.
The theme of the Assembly was 'The DNA of Discipleship'. Catchy title and really there were good things about this weekend. Not least of which was Mark Greene talking 'empire theology' and 'stuff' yesterday morning. Catching up with people was good and helpful. Listening to presentations was sometimes good and sometimes helpful. Worshipping together is always good and always helpful.
Yet, what I enjoyed most about the weekend, what the highlights were if you like, had nothing to do with any of that. There were two and both are all summed up in the word COMMUNITY!
After the college presentation our lecturers (though that is not the right term, as they are more than lecturers) wanted to take us out for coffee. So off we students went, gathering more students and former students and students other (better?) halves along the way. By the time we reached the coffee shop we were many. Yet rather than disperse, we moved furniture to be together. Conversations broke out that very quickly turned deep ... especially (not surprisingly as ministerial students) about 'this journey called ministry', in all its differing senses. Points were discussed, questions asked, opinions shared, thoughts provoked, learning stimulated ... all over coffee, cake and ciabatta. Time passed, quickly, as it does when it is being enjoyed amongst friends. Before we knew it we were late for the next session and so decided to walk leisuely back together, continuing in conversation.
We were doing community together. Not because it was forced, not because it was felt we needed to, or were obligated to ... but because actually that is what we are. We are a community together. Of students yes, but more so as Christians, as people seeking to follow Jesus and learn what it means to come under His rule even more. And in that there is a recognition that we can't do it alone, and so we do it together, becoming part of the shaping forces in each others lives. And that continued even into the dinner with two friends.
That was a highlight of the Assembly for me.
The other came just after communion, as the closing act of worship. Communion is a powerful time, and this was too, as a core leaders and others served the body with the symbols of Christ's body and blood ... and (in my case at least) not silently, but with the words "this is Christ's body given for you ... this is Christ's blood poured out for you." After that onto the platform came a small team. After sharing that their presentation (given at a conference in Germany earlier in the year) was both Scottish in culture and simple in language, images began to appear on the screen. Images of Scottish things ... places, people, history, and information was shared in slow careful language. As the presentation continued the two girls on stage acted freeze style different kinds of greeting before it was shared that in Scotland we greet with a handshake. And so, the woman continued, the delegates (that had been in Germany, standing in black trousers and white tops) were going to pass among people and share the greeting with them. As it was recieved it was to be passed on to as many different people as possible. And so the team began to move among, and from my position in the balconary the most beautiful scene began to unfold.
People greeting each other ... not in the way we sometimes do in church, you know the "turn around and say hello to someone" forced way ... but in genuine greeting. People began to get up naturally and share with others a handshake, and somewhere in the midst of that God was tangibly present. There was a girl singing, though to be honest I didn't hear the words, but in the music and in the handshakes the Spirit was breathing something that seemed like community in some ways. Not in the same way as in the cases above, but something deeper than I'd seen all weekend ... and I sensed in my spirit the real hope of genuine, loving, committed community. And as the handshake made it way to where I was and I got up to greet others I did so with tears in my eyes, that began to stream down my cheeks (and I really don't do public crying!) because it was truely something beautiful, and I mean beautiful that was taking place. For me, the Spirit was resting heavy and this was in deed a holy moment! It took a while for people to make their way back to their seats, because the handshakes were still going on ... genuinely going on ... a feeling of community was being birthed in some way almost.
That was a highlight for me.
And so the conference was good ... but those moments of community were great. That is what I take away from the Assembly. Discipleship is about our whole lives, that came across load and clear from the front ... and its about being disciples in community.
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