does anything really change?

'Taking good news relevantly to every young person in Nottingham' is an interesting statement, particularly the relevant bit. Working with young people this could mean that you develop different styles every moment.

So what does being relevant mean? For anyone who knows me they know that i can be the king of tenuous links. Sometimes this works, sometimes it is just ridiculous. I don't think writing pantomimes helps lol, as they are just ridiculous although they are supposed to be.

I still sometimes get a bit embarrassed by some Christians as they attempt to be ultra relevant. Whether that is the clothes they wear (mutton dressed as lamb is one relevant phrase), or the music they sing a long to or listen to (just cause it has swearing in doesn't mean you have to listen to it to be relevant). I think sometimes we try and over do the relevance as Christians. Being in the world, but not of the world is a tricky concept but really helpful to get your head round. YfC used to have the mission statement geared to the times, anchored to the rock. Awesome.

The encouraging thing is that this isn't a new thing. I am currently doing some preparatory reading for a course i am about to start and one of the books i am to read is Christian Theology: an introduction by Alistair McGrath. Here he talks about the relation between Christian theology and secular society. Mentioning how Christian poetry and song was often put to secular music even in those days. See it has always embarrassing lol, but the desire for the Christian faith to be relevant has always been there. Which shows that there has always been people who have wanted to connect people with Jesus. That is encouraging.

Balance that with the fact their has always been slight tension between those who want to do that and the established Church and then you really see nothing has changed over 2000 years.

As we strive to be relevant let us be secure in the knowledge that people have been there before us, and that the reason the Church has lasted this long is because there are people and fellowships that continue to strive to bring Jesus to their communities in a relevant way.

But let's try and get it right by providing the true Jesus and not cheesy Jesus.

5 Ways to Find God in the Everyday with Rob Bell

Hi guys, just found this video on Greenbelt's site. Not going to be able to go this year, but this video gives us all a rfresher that God is always there, even when we are not aware of it.
Enjoy the video and check out the full link below.



5 Ways to Find God in the Everyday with Rob Bell on Vimeo

Rhythm

I have always been told that i have no rhythm. I once tried to learn to play the guitar, i got about 4 chords (isn't that all you need to be a Christian guitar player?) The one thing i couldn't get hold of was the strumming. I really tried but just couldn't get it, so i thought you know what i will play the bass, you don't need to strum the strings, you pluck (very technical terms i know), not realising that actually you need a lot of rhythm to play the bass guitar also, so it sits in my loft.

People tell me that once you get the whole strumming thing, it becomes natural, it is so simple i am told.

How ironic then when i was at a retreat earlier this year and someone said they had been praying and the word rhythm came to them for me. Was this a prophetic word that i may become the next big worship leader, average worship leader? No...

... No, unfortunately not, although i do still harbor thoughts of becoming like Graham Kendrick. Yet i think it will be more about age than talent and musical gifting.

No i have been challenged and provoked over the past few months on the rhythm of my life. Not just how we live it but the way we live it. I often visit a marist centre on retreat, just spending time with God and some great people. The nuns there and other communities esp. those that live a monastic life live their lives in rhythm, it keeps them focused, and although to some of us it may seem dull, it actually brings discipline (another word we don't like), and a way to live a life so close to God.

Not being a planner this whole idea fills me with dread, but what i do know is that to build a life with God in it's DNA, i need a rhythm that works for me to get the best out of life.

With summer season here (you may have noticed a lack of blogs this month), and the Christian festival scene in full flow, you realise it is to develop a rhythm while away on camp, but what does it look like when you get back?

Well for me i will start with what works... Lucas on life first thing, time with my kids, and praying with my wife in the evening. Not much but we all have to start somewhere.