Hi - Any of you more regular readers may have noted a somewhat reflective feel to my last few posts; at times these may have been a little deep. For this I apologise and promise I will try to remain shallow from now on. Before September concludes, however, I would like to complete my look back on my first year attempting to lead a local church.
There have been a few things that I have learnt (only a few) that I did not know just twelve months ago. For example I did not know the number of meetings, committees and discussions involved in making decisions, some of which at times seem like very small simple ones.
I also did not know how a piece of information that I thought fairly simple could become so complicated and so hard to effectively communicate to any number of people.
Or that no matter how you communicate some information; by handing out written information, putting it on a website, notice board, projector screen, texting and emailing it as well as actually telling them face to face - some people still claim to know nothing about said events!!!
So that's my moan out of the way!
The most important things I have learned are that people never cease to amaze me with their generosity, compassion, love and energy. That the same people throw themselves whole heartedly into action at the drop of a hat, time and time again, seemingly putting the rest of their life on hold to help.
Most of all I've learned afresh that God's idea of people meeting together to regularly support, encourage and equip each other that we call 'church' is a uniquely fantastic idea. When it’s done well 'church' in any format is fantastic. That may be a service on a Sunday morning, or over coffee at Starbucks (other coffee chains are available), or at the pub, on a farm, round a table, on a bus trip, in the Royal Albert Hall or amazingly even in a little place called Selston. All of these times when people gather together to help each other or someone in need or to focus their attention on God and try to centre him in their lives - suddenly 'church' happens.
And whilst one year on, everything doesn't happen (thankfully) exactly how I would choose, the whole world (thankfully) doesn't think exactly the same way as me and everyone (again most thankfully) doesn't live their lives the same way as mine., I would not have it any other way. Church works and is fantastic and as perfect as its ever going to be in this world, because we try to keep Jesus at the very heart of all that we do.
So moaning over and reflection over (for now). I'm simply happy today that God has given me the beautiful opportunity to be involved in any way in his plan, in his church, to help his world.
Really do have a great day
God bless
Chris
Friday 30 September 2011
Saturday 3 September 2011
The best laid plans of mice and men - part two
I thoroughly enjoyed writing part one of this post remembering some of the great times of the last twelve months. But when reflecting on a year there are of course some very sad times that this same group of people have experienced together.
We have grieved together as two dear members of the church family passed away and where been united in glory with God in Heaven. Like any good family we remembered these friends with tears of both joy and sadness, celebrated their lives and still feel sorrow over the hole they have left in our own lives.
There have been two more funerals that have touched me dearly this year; one being the first funeral I had the privilege of leading. I had prepared myself beforehand to meet the grieving family, read up on the words that had to be used and felt comfortable about the service itself. What stood out at the time and still stands out today is that it really was a privilege - to be able to comfort, in I'm sure a very small way, a family who had lost a loved one. Then to lead them through part of that grief and tell them that there is a hope of a better tomorrow, really was a great honour.
The second funeral that I led this year was for a family member and many things still live with me from that day. Not least the battle of emotion - of staying in balance between comforting my wife and family in their grief and facilitating a service with respect and honour. It was a tough responsibility but one I would not have chosen to ever step away from.
During the last year there have been heartaches, painful and emotional times; we've seen loss and worry and felt people suffer. But we've been able to do all this together.
I don't know as you read this if you're looking back on a year, month or week filled with joy and happiness or sorrow and sadness. I do know that even our best laid plans don't always work out and life often throws us a curve ball when we least expect one.
What I am most thankful for is that throughout both extremes of lifes ups and downs God holds the plans and cares for, loves and wants to carry everyone of us, every step of the way.
He doesn't promise to remove every pain but He doesn promise to wipe away every tear.
Why not have a chat with Him about how your feeling (happy or sad) today?
Have the greatest day you can
And may God really bless you
Chris
We have grieved together as two dear members of the church family passed away and where been united in glory with God in Heaven. Like any good family we remembered these friends with tears of both joy and sadness, celebrated their lives and still feel sorrow over the hole they have left in our own lives.
There have been two more funerals that have touched me dearly this year; one being the first funeral I had the privilege of leading. I had prepared myself beforehand to meet the grieving family, read up on the words that had to be used and felt comfortable about the service itself. What stood out at the time and still stands out today is that it really was a privilege - to be able to comfort, in I'm sure a very small way, a family who had lost a loved one. Then to lead them through part of that grief and tell them that there is a hope of a better tomorrow, really was a great honour.
The second funeral that I led this year was for a family member and many things still live with me from that day. Not least the battle of emotion - of staying in balance between comforting my wife and family in their grief and facilitating a service with respect and honour. It was a tough responsibility but one I would not have chosen to ever step away from.
During the last year there have been heartaches, painful and emotional times; we've seen loss and worry and felt people suffer. But we've been able to do all this together.
I don't know as you read this if you're looking back on a year, month or week filled with joy and happiness or sorrow and sadness. I do know that even our best laid plans don't always work out and life often throws us a curve ball when we least expect one.
What I am most thankful for is that throughout both extremes of lifes ups and downs God holds the plans and cares for, loves and wants to carry everyone of us, every step of the way.
He doesn't promise to remove every pain but He doesn promise to wipe away every tear.
Why not have a chat with Him about how your feeling (happy or sad) today?
Have the greatest day you can
And may God really bless you
Chris
The best laid plans of mice and men - part one
Continuing with my reflective mood from yesterday I was pondering this morning about some of the things that have happened over the last year. At church we have had some great experiences; enjoyed some unique, amazing, Spirit filled times where I can honestly say I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else in the world.
We have made steps into our community, visiting the local residential care home twice a month after our main church service to share communion with the residents. This comprises of a short and simple service, singing a couple of old hymns and taking the opportunity to remind the people there that God loves them too. Maybe the most enjoyable and important moments in these visits is chatting with the people in the home and starting to make some real connections.
We had a great Christmas at church which included a candle lit Carol Service with hardly an empty seat in the building, followed by a Christmas eve crib service where another forty people laughed together, sang the twelve days of Christmas and played games. Add on to these an intimate Christmas day morning communion and we see that the true message of Christmas was presented in three very different but equally effective ways to three groups of people. I loved each one of those services and spoke to many people who were touched individually and uniquely at each event.
Easter was a similarly varied and special time - on Maundy Thursday we met in the evening and were led through the steps from Jesus praying with His Disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane to His death on the cross. This was a powerful, moving and emotional time that honestly left several people drained from the experience. On Good Friday we met in the afternoon and recreated the 'stations of the cross' in, around and outside the church building. A church full of people criss-crossed their way around the premises reading, praying and looking at symbols of Jesus journey, the same one we had experienced in a different format the day before. Both of these occasions reminded us of Jesus amazing sacrifice in very different but equally meaningful ways. Easter Sunday we again met, but this time with a spirit of celebration, as we partied together praising God that Jesus didn't just die but rose again in majesty.
Again all three of these times were varied as they could have been but completely in tune, complimenting each other and together making whole greater the sum of the parts.
Easily some of the most enjoyable and memorable moments of this last twelve months, where spent with a group of people in Selston united by just one thing. This group of 40-50 people in normal circumstances probably may not have even met and may have very little in common share one thing. We are joined by the love of God and the knowledge that we are adopted into His family and that one bond has made those experiences together so very special.
It's been a truly great year, with many many highs and also some lows, but I wouldn't have wanted to spend it anywhere or with anyone else - more to come in part two.
Have a great day
God bless
Chris
We have made steps into our community, visiting the local residential care home twice a month after our main church service to share communion with the residents. This comprises of a short and simple service, singing a couple of old hymns and taking the opportunity to remind the people there that God loves them too. Maybe the most enjoyable and important moments in these visits is chatting with the people in the home and starting to make some real connections.
We had a great Christmas at church which included a candle lit Carol Service with hardly an empty seat in the building, followed by a Christmas eve crib service where another forty people laughed together, sang the twelve days of Christmas and played games. Add on to these an intimate Christmas day morning communion and we see that the true message of Christmas was presented in three very different but equally effective ways to three groups of people. I loved each one of those services and spoke to many people who were touched individually and uniquely at each event.
Easter was a similarly varied and special time - on Maundy Thursday we met in the evening and were led through the steps from Jesus praying with His Disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane to His death on the cross. This was a powerful, moving and emotional time that honestly left several people drained from the experience. On Good Friday we met in the afternoon and recreated the 'stations of the cross' in, around and outside the church building. A church full of people criss-crossed their way around the premises reading, praying and looking at symbols of Jesus journey, the same one we had experienced in a different format the day before. Both of these occasions reminded us of Jesus amazing sacrifice in very different but equally meaningful ways. Easter Sunday we again met, but this time with a spirit of celebration, as we partied together praising God that Jesus didn't just die but rose again in majesty.
Again all three of these times were varied as they could have been but completely in tune, complimenting each other and together making whole greater the sum of the parts.
Easily some of the most enjoyable and memorable moments of this last twelve months, where spent with a group of people in Selston united by just one thing. This group of 40-50 people in normal circumstances probably may not have even met and may have very little in common share one thing. We are joined by the love of God and the knowledge that we are adopted into His family and that one bond has made those experiences together so very special.
It's been a truly great year, with many many highs and also some lows, but I wouldn't have wanted to spend it anywhere or with anyone else - more to come in part two.
Have a great day
God bless
Chris
Friday 2 September 2011
What a difference a year makes
This Sunday, the 4th September, marks one year since I took the full position of leading our church and started writing these blog posts a couple of weeks later. This Sunday is also our churches anniversary and we will mark the fact that people have met in the same building for 112 years with a celebration and then enjoy lunch together. Both of these facts put me in a mood of reflection today as I look back on a year and wonder what the next one may hold.
For me this last year has been one of learning many lessons, not least that things wont always happen in the ways or to the timescale that I have planned. I remember clearly standing in the pulpit at church and sitting in a number of meetings talking about a vision for the year ahead and honestly believing that everything was suddenly about to change. A year on, things have definitely changed, but not necessarily to my plans or ideas. Things are certainly moving and progressing very well but I have realised very quickly that God's plans are much better than mine and things work much better when He is in control.
This is a lesson that I am starting to learn in so many areas of my life and one which could ring true for us all. As we go though our busy lives, rushing from one problem to the next, it often seems like everything that possibly can go wrong, does. But when we stop and take a look at how we get into these problems I suspect, if you're anything like me, that in the majority of cases we've been the cause of the problem in the first place.
When I lean on my own understanding, trust in my own abilities and try to function in my own way too much things generally get more than a little messy. When I realise that I need God, my loving Father, to guide, direct and steer my life and trust in Him over myself, then things tend to work out much more sucessfully.
I hope and pray that this time next year I can look back and say that God was in control more often than Chris was and thank Him for showing me much greater success than I ever could have imagined on my own.
I pray that you all will look on life in the same way.
Have a great day
God bless
Chris
For me this last year has been one of learning many lessons, not least that things wont always happen in the ways or to the timescale that I have planned. I remember clearly standing in the pulpit at church and sitting in a number of meetings talking about a vision for the year ahead and honestly believing that everything was suddenly about to change. A year on, things have definitely changed, but not necessarily to my plans or ideas. Things are certainly moving and progressing very well but I have realised very quickly that God's plans are much better than mine and things work much better when He is in control.
This is a lesson that I am starting to learn in so many areas of my life and one which could ring true for us all. As we go though our busy lives, rushing from one problem to the next, it often seems like everything that possibly can go wrong, does. But when we stop and take a look at how we get into these problems I suspect, if you're anything like me, that in the majority of cases we've been the cause of the problem in the first place.
When I lean on my own understanding, trust in my own abilities and try to function in my own way too much things generally get more than a little messy. When I realise that I need God, my loving Father, to guide, direct and steer my life and trust in Him over myself, then things tend to work out much more sucessfully.
I hope and pray that this time next year I can look back and say that God was in control more often than Chris was and thank Him for showing me much greater success than I ever could have imagined on my own.
I pray that you all will look on life in the same way.
Have a great day
God bless
Chris
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