Nb. For our international readers; please see this report about the ticketing for the London 2012 Olympics and the mild debacle that it became.
Did you get any Olympic tickets? Did you even try? As a sports fan, I was so excited when London was awarded the Olympics. I’d never thought I could go to the Olympics – and now I could. Wonderful! I jumped through all the hoops – applied for a wide range of sports to increase my options – and waited with anticipation. There was a false dawn when some money was taken from my account that would have been the exact amount for several tickets. Yes, I thought, I’ve definitely got something. But it turned out to be my council tax. More waiting… and waiting… until, eventually, the email that started “We are sorry…”. I was gutted.
A few weeks later, the whole saga started again. This time I set my alarm for 5.45am, so that I could sign in and apply on the dot of 6.00. My application was finished at 6.03am – yes! … No … “We are having processing difficulties…” Round and round the circuit I went – apply / deny / apply / deny – ugh! Eventually the application was accepted – but that didn’t mean tickets, just that they’d received my request. “You’ll hear for certain in 12-24 hours” – oh, no I didn’t. Aagh! Then eventually, when I’d given up hope, another email: “We’re delighted to tell you…”. Phew! I’ve got one. Just one solitary ticket, (and even that was dependent on them successfully taking the payment from my account), but I now know how lucky I am to be going at all.
The whole process was exhausting, frustrating and an emotional roller-coaster. But it also got me thinking. The worst thing about the Olympics process was the not knowing. The uncertainty, coupled with the disappointment of hopes dashed, was crushing. And in the end I had to tell myself I was delighted with something that’s far less than I originally hoped for. In contrast – how wonderful the gospel message is. We’re not left hanging around waiting. The outcome is based on the finished work of Christ, not the vagaries of a lottery. And the glittering prize won’t lose it’s glow as we get closer to it – instead it will prove to be far more wonderful than we can ever imagine. I’m still quite excited about my single Olympic ticket – but I’m thrilled to the bottom of my soul by the prize I have through Christ my Lord.
Recently I was given a “Zero Intolerance” leaflet. It’s a publication from the United Reformed Church – one that seeks to encourage congregations of all denominations to stamp out prejudice. It’s a precursor to a poster campaign that may be hitting a church or a street near you in the not too distant future.
Its central thesis is that Jesus welcomed everyone but the church doesn’t and that failure to love is a blot on our copybook, a reason why many have left local congregations and a reason why others don’t join. Its call is to encourage churches to become “radically welcoming” to the marginalised of society and to accept people of all backgrounds without issuing any call to change.
If nothing else, the campaign poses some interesting questions ...
•Do we need to repent of prejudice?
Quite possibly! I, for one, have been sinful since conception (Ps 51:5) and there is no part of my being that hasn’t been tainted by sin. Unlike God, I don’t always look at people’s hearts, I do sometimes look at outward appearances at least at first glance (1Sam 16:7) and that is something I do need to repent of. Maybe your church too...
•Does more need to be done to make our churches more welcoming?
Absolutely! There is much to commend the welcome of my church and I guess yours as well but we’re not perfect. James 2 makes it quite clear that churches down the ages have been guilty of the sin of partiality. We need to be passionate and intentional about doing all we can to change that.
•Is it our responsibility to accept people without calling them to change?
Not in a million years! The church isn’t a place where people stay the same. We follow a saviour who loved those that others tossed aside but who also issued the call to lifestyle change (Jn 8:11). We are bearers of the Holy Spirit whose role it is to help us put off the “old self” and put on the new (Col 3). And that message must ring true to people of all backgrounds (including our own).
If you see a “Zero Intolerance” poster later in 2011, why not think and pray about how you can start some conversations like this, using it as a spur to show love... and speak truth.
Here's a couple of updates on the world's newest country - South Sudan.
There's this very helpful video from the BBC which is a great overview of the whole independence movement.
There's a letter from the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan detailing their framework and guidance for the new country.
And here's a report from the Barnabas Fund about the fighting around the border between North and South.
Tim Thornborough writes about keeping an eye on the clock over on his blog about leading a home group.
The study is flowing, the conversation is sharp, funny and moving by turn.
Someone raises an interesting question that everyone wants to comment on. Someone shares a deeply moving need that everyone wants to pray for.
You look at your watch, and it's 10.45.
"Whoa!" you cry, "time these little piggies were all tucked up in bed for the night." Some members shoot out of their seats and head straight for the door. Others linger in the hallway talking by the open door. You stifle a yawn, close the door and switch on the TV to wind down before you go to bed. The light doesn't go off until 12.45.
Sound familiar?
Time can just rush by at a homegroup when things are going well, when enthusiasm and interest seem to be sky high. But did you notice the warning signs in the little scenario above? "Some members shoot out of their seats and head straight for the door."
Before you read on, just pause for a moment and consider what the typical timings for your group meeting might be.... continue reading
This is an excellent testimony from our friends at Hill City Church, Wales.
"People used to think of me as Jim the Marine - it gave me that sense of recognition. And yet... there was something still missing."
James Richards talks about his experience serving with the Royal Marines, and his search for belonging in the battle of life.
