Month: July 2010

1 Corinthians 9: 24-27 Training for the big race

Mo Farah is a British athlete of Somali origins. He won this week Britain’s first-ever European gold medal at 10,000m. I found the following quote in the Independent, dated 29th July. Farah lived for a time with some Kenyan runners and said of them : “The Kenyan runners are so humble and hard working. They run, sleep, train and that’s it. I’m living my life in that manner now. That’s exactly what you have to do to be amongst the best in the world.”

Is that what Paul had in mind when he wrote to the Corinthians:

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27

Missionaries: Help Us Help You | Church Plant Pastor

Here is an article I could have read before starting deputation: Missionaries: Help Us Help You | Church Plant Pastor. In it, Jeff  Brewer lists 10 things that he would ike missionaries to keep in mind when they share their ministry in a local church so that people in the congregations are gripped by a love for Christ and urgency for the task of world missions.

If you are a missionary it is a must read. If you aren’t a missionary, it is helpful as well.

Read the whole article: Missionaries: Help Us Help You | Church Plant Pastor

New medias and the Christian mind.

Here is a list of a few articles I have come accross which lead me to wonder about the impact of the new medias (Internet, Facebook and the like, Mobile phones…) on the ministry, Evangelism, Discipleship, and on my/our own Spiritual growth. Comments on these are welcome:

Scott Thomas: The Troubled Souls of Pastors

I found the following article on the Acts29 Blog helpful: The Troubled Souls of Pastors. In it, the author Scott Thomas gives some very practical advice to Pastors who are burned out. It is easy to be overwhelmed by the ministry. Even more so in pionneering contexts, and in small churches where so much is expected of the pastor. The article came from his meeting the widow of a pastor who had commited suicide, a sobering reminder of our own weaknesses.

Scott Thomas first lists a few symptoms of a troubled soul:

  1. Minimal longing for Jesus
  2. Minimal joy and gladness
  3. Minimal dependence on God
  4. Maximal thoughts of self
  5. Maximal burdens of ministry
  6. Maximal outbursts of anger (masked fear)

Then, he gives 7 Possible Solutions to a Troubled Soul:

1. Renew your mind with prolonged Scripture reading

2.  Pray with an unhurried heart

3. Confess the hidden sins of your heart

4. Live in true community with others and allow them to truly know you.

5. Review your calling by God.

6. Review the goals and strategies you have for your life

7.  Rest in God’s grace, love and acceptance of you

Read the whole article at: The Troubled Souls of Pastors

Jesus’ prayers for his people.

In Luke 22: 31-32, our Lord warned Peter: “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Our preacher today the Rev Jeremy Walker brought us a challenging, yet encouraging Sermon. In this passage, Peter was about to fall, but our Lord encouraged him by telling him that he had prayed for him, and that although he would fall, his faith would not fail. The Lord never promised Peter that he would be immune to the attacks of the Evil one.

The message was challenging: just like Simon Peter, Chritians must face the assaults of Satan. He will not let the church alone one minute. There is a sifting going on, often brutal, always challenging for our faith. None of us can boast that we will not fail. Peter did and fell. We must be on our guards, and aware of this.

But the message was also comforting. The Lord is praying for us, interceding in our favour. However badly we may fall, if we are truly one of His people, our faith will be protected, and will not be extinguished.

John Lichfield: Holidaying en masse: What France can teach us about the Big Society

John Lichfield is correspondent in France for the Independent newspaper. Last Saturday, he published this column on France which has some good insight into French people’s mindsets: John Lichfield: Holidaying en masse: What France can teach us about the Big Society – John Lichfield, Commentators – The Independent. I won’t post extracts because of copyright issues, but read on, it will give you some idea about the people we are trying to reach out to.