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Demographics

Posted by RLadmin on April 3, 2012

A developer has purchased a couple of fields near where I live.

In the leaflet that they sent out as part of the consultation exercise  they point out that the population of Solihull is set to increase by 20,000 by 2028.

The reason for this increase:

  • More people staying single longer.
  • More couples and families separating.
  • People living longer.

These figures / reasons are going to present a challenge to local services and to our churches.

It is no longer a case of churches providing activities for families, it is time for churches to become family for people who are single, separated or older.

Psalm 68 vs 1  says this: “He (God) sets the solitary in families”

What does this mean for those of us in churches – how do we make this happen?

A few starters for you:

  • Make friends with people of all ages and backgrounds – purposely engage people in conversations, find out about them.
  • Treat people as your brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, neices and nephews.  (See Matthew 12:50)
  • Purposely include others in what you do, e.g. BBQs, meals, walks, hobbies, DIY.

 

 

40 years at work

Posted by RLadmin on October 18, 2011

September 2011 marked the 40th anniversary of when I started work with BT.

BT chose to recognise this with a modest presentation in a meeting room in Coventry, where I received a certificate and letter from the Managing Director and a £500 gift voucher.

A glass clock followed a few weeks later.

Originally posted October 18, 2011

The Great Commission

Posted by RLadmin on September 25, 2008

I have read several books over recent months and I have spotted a grander design which links them.

There are differences between men and women. This is a simple fact and has nothing to do with issues of equality. This is the subject of “Why men hate going to church” by David Murrow.
To summarise an excellent book – there is not one big problem, rather there are a lot of small things that put men off.

We therefore need to do two things to get men interested in church.

1. Adjust the “gender thermostat” in our churches.

2. Give men a challenge.

The first thing is about adjusting the language and style of what we do.

For example, no man will ever admit he is “lost”, neither does he want to sing love songs – to another man. Come to many churches and he will be asked to sing romantic worship songs with lines like “I am a lost without you.”!! (From “Breathe”).

My intention here is to pick up on the second key item – men need a challenge.
It is not exclusive – it also applies to women as well.

Another book I read was by Bill Hybells – “Just walk across the room”. This book contains the challenge we men need.

Throughout his book, Bill calls Christians “Christ Followers” – a male friendly term.
Bill encourages us to leave our comfort zone and “crossing” the room and talk to people.

A key principle here is to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit. You guessed it – this was the key subject of another book I read. “Walking with God” by John Eldridge. The key theme of John’s book is that John encourages us to develop a dialog with God, so we are able to hear his promptings. He also discusses issues like spiritual warfare and getting free of the past. A very male friendly book – it is written in 2-3 page sections, with lots of object lessons.

So if we have learnt to hear the promptings of the Holy Spirit, then we have the real challenge of engaging with strangers and sharing the Good News that Jesus wants them to follow Him. We just need the motivation to do this. Bill covers this very well. Very importantly he covers what to do and say once you have “crossed the room”. The challenge is realistic – we are not out to convert them in one conversation, but to help them move a step or two in their personal journey into faith.

I am also reading another book called “Take the Risk” by Ben Carson, a leading brain surgeon – famous for being involved in operations to separate conjoined twins. If you remember the headlines, there were several cases where the patients died as a result. He knows what he is talking about.
We need to consider what is the risk if we keep out faith hidden? Or if we stand up and be counted?

So to wrap this up.

Being a Christ Follower provides a real challenge us men (and women).

Jesus wants us to reach the world – once person at a time.

It means taking a risk, getting out of our circle of comfort and following the prompting of the Holy Spirit to cross the room and speak with people.

This is also called the Great Commission

Links:

http://www.walkingwithgod.net/

http://www.justwalkacrosstheroom.com/

Anastasia

Posted by RLadmin on May 9, 2008

Anastasia is a greek word which means “resurrection” or “to stand again”.

At a talk in you church a few Sundays ago, we were reminded how the central truth of Christianity – the ressurection – is not a matter of faith or belief but is a historical fact.

Andrew, who was giving the talk, briefly put up a slide and mentioned that we can have “Anastasia experiences”.

Divorce – Change of Job – House move – Bereavement etc.

The point was that we all have moments in our lives where we have to die to the past and stand again.

Philippians 3:12-14

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

So if you have recently been through or are going through a “life change”, where it seems hopeless, can I encourage you by saying that you can and will “stand again”, but be prepared to let go and forget what is behind.