Man shall not live by video projector alone...

...nor shall he live by carpets, the removal of pews of the instigation of youth and Children's work!

Lots of people around me at the moment are finding out about their training posts in Churches around the country. I pray that this will be a fulfilling and rewarding time for all of them, but I have noticed that there is an odd correlation in the things that people say.

When asked about the Churches that they will be serving and served by people frequently reply with something akin to the following, "It's quite a traditional Church at the moment, but I know the minister wants to move things on. They are intending on installing a video projector soon." (Or for video projector you can substitute "start a youth group", "get rid of the pews", "install a sound system" etc.)

Other than the fact that it is not necessary for people to justify their choice of training opportunity to me I find it curous that a mark of life in a Church is not seen as a relationship with the Father, faith in Jesus or the moving of the Spirit. Instead of focusing on issues of the heart we appear to see life as a purely cosmetic issue.

I concede that a well ordered worship space, a vibrant youth and children's programme and a holistic mission to the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of the community are, amoung other thing, indeed outward signs of a healthy Church. However, I don't know that health can be gained through achieving these things.

I imagine that it's rather like good hair or clear skin. I'm told that healthy people, people who eat well, exercise and look after their bodies, do have a resultant positive effect on their outward appearances. Many of us try and achieve this healthy look through cosmetics, in the run-up to Christmas television is swamped with adverts promising "healthy looking hair" and "smoother looking skin". Not wishing to get into a discussion on the virtues of cosmetics it does occur to me that these solutions will not deal with the problem but cover is up, they do not make us healthy they merely allow us to give the appearance of health.

There is a problem in many Churches today that is we are trying to look like the healthy Churches (or even those Churches that appear healthy), instead we as Christians need to grow in spiritual health and pray for the spiritual health of our Churches. Then out of this health we might see the signs of life returning to our communities in both familiar and unexpected ways.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Ps 51:10)

Hung or Hanged?

Well, it's taken five days of wrangling but the UK finally has a government and I don't mind betraying myself and saying that I am a little hopeful. I had expected the idea of having DC in No.10 to be utterly depressing and the notion of a Con-Lib Coalition as horrifying, but I am... pleased and hopeful.

I don't know if it's the fact that Cameron didn't win his outright majority, but I have found his statements to the press in the last few days to be without his now signature smarmy tones and public school arrogance, possibly even with a certain amount of humility that I think is essential for the job.

As for hopeful, I think that the idea of UK politicians having to listen to one another and come to a mutual understanding that benefits the whole nation rather than there own support-base is very exciting. I think that the two party system where every 10 years or so you get a completely polarised new government trying their hardest to have their way until they're ousted again has led to inefficiency in economics and public services.

I'm hoping that a coalition government will bring balance, fairness and stability to the UK, however I am realistic that the signs aren't all there. I am particularly concerned that the press has already begun to say that "it'll never work" and is publishing stories that appear aimed solely at driving a wedge between either the parties of the coalition or them and their supporters.

Come on UK, lets reject our national cynicism for a change and give hoping a little go!

Pint anyone?

I've just been at the funeral and thanksgiving service of a long standing member of HT, someone I've known since I first arrived here nearly six years ago. I was struck by the tributes that were made to him and, in particular, how little I really knew about him. We weren't particularly close but I suppose I thought I had him pretty well pegged (through arrogance most likely).

It has made me wonder, how much do I actually know about the people in my life? How many people could I match to their tributes if they were laid out in front of me in some life-sized mix'n'match game?

I think it's probably time for me to repent on my arrogance and show some real interest in people rather than keeping them in their very neat pigeon holes. (In the words of my friend WIll) "I'm not gonna lie..." I think it'll be hard for me and I'll forget to do over and over again, but here's to starting another new adventure...

Pint anyone?

"Hello World"

My first post... The pressure to say something profound or at the very least not utterly boring is quite overwhelming, but it is that sense of being overwhelmed when I find myself in situations like this that has inspired me to give it a go. I am here to try and find my voice. I don't know if anyone else will want to listen to that voice, but that is not the point, I am here to try to learn to speak it.

I don't know what this will become, but let the adventure being...