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Transformation, not substitution.

I was grabbed by the John 16 v 23-30 reading from last weekends lectionary. I love the plain speaking of Jesus about His Father. It’s so helpful here to see how our Heavenly Father answers joyfully……and how He provides lovingly.

I spoke about how God brings joy to our lives, not by substitution, but by transformation.

Just as a young mother giving birth. The arrival of the child sees immense pain, giving way to great delight. In birth, God does not substitute something else to relieve the mother’s pain. Instead what is there already is transformed.

Every parent knows what it is like to have an unhappy child because a toy is broken or a friend has gone home. The parent can do at least one of two things: substitute something else for the broken toy or absent friend. If the parent always gets a new toy for the child each time a toy is broken, that child will grow up expecting every problem to be solved by substitution. If Mum always phones another friend and invites him or her over, the child will grow up expecting people to come to his rescue whenever there is a crisis. The result either way is a spoiled child who will not be able to cope with reality.

The way of substitution for solving problems is the way of immaturity. The way of transformation is the way of faith and maturity. We cannot mature emotionally or spiritually if somebody is always replacing our broken toys. Jesus did not say that the mother’s pain was replaced by joy, but that the sorrow was transformed into joy.
Here in John 16 – there is a promise to believe: “that your joy may be full!” verse 24.

There is a position to claim, as described in verse 33. “As disciples we might have peace in a world of challenges.” In this all we are in Christ, and therefore we can overcome the world and all of its struggles and hatred. George Morrison defined peace as “the possession of adequate resources.” In Jesus Christ, we have are assured that we have all the resources that we need.
“In me” is the key. In ourselves, we have little but “in Christ” we have all that we need.

Every believer is either overcome or an overcomer. 1 John 5 v 4 says it this way:- “And this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith!”
There is joy when we permit God to transform sorrow into joy. There is joy when we seek God in prayer, and there is joy when we know what it is to overcoming in this world.

 

IF we were transparent…..

Living a transparent life is a choice for all of us. Living behind a veil diminishes the fullness of life. Transparency gives power away; it invites openness and accountability. Initially it takes power, courage and confidence to release the darkness that prevents being transparent.

Transparency on the global landscape is not an end in itself but a needful value towards the effectiveness of aid and justice for all. The IF campaign is a great coalition: yes a truly great coalition teaming together petition and practicalities in a demand for an ending to the scandal of hunger.

Transparency will often be a thing that is left vague, fuzzy or maliciously obscured for wrongful gain. The call for transparency is vital as an approach that underpins all development activity.

Would you:

- Pray and practically petition the UK Government in its presidency of the G8? Pray that there might be a historic push for greater transparency in land acquisitions, a commitment to stop corrupt deals and the establishment of data checks to hold governments and companies to account.

- Ask that God might make you care more deeply.

- Promote openness, integrity and good governance in every place you can.

- Engage your local MP: contact, affirm, enquire and petition!

- Dare yourself to have a conversation every day about this. It’s accessible to all, grow your confidence in talking about this: become an advocate for a truer way!

- Stir up others through your social media connections.

- Ask that God might sharpen your conscience and clarity regarding transparency.

Confession time from me. Every time I bump into the word ‘if’ in scripture, I feel the weight and consequences of choice. Transparency invites an integrity and standard for the now and for eternity. Whether the opposite of transparency is compromise or not, there is a better way.

*a little part of my contribution to the Breathe Network.

Loving God & loving others

…..lies at the heart of gospel service and meaningful pastoral ministry. The Art of Pastoring has just been revised & released by David Hansen and IVP Books. Heres my reflection on this 5 star church leadership resource.

We are too often taken hostage by new ideas, unrealistic pressures and false measures in church based life. The main thesis of David Hansen’s writing is the pastor must minister “as a parable of Jesus Christ to the people we meet”. Nothing cheap or easy is offer here. Nor should it be.

The winding narrative of this book reads more like a journal not intended for public consumption, full of observations, insights and provocations that beg to be answered. One of the conclusions drawn from this writing is that this is not offered from an expert’s polished perspective, but from a man experienced in the crucible of pastoral ministry and acquainted with the doubts and failures that accompany his service. It is compelling in its honesty: a folksy and unpretentious book:- the real hardships, joys, challenges and practicalities of the pastoral ministry.

The clear prophetic faithfulness is seasoned throughout the book. Hansen asserts that the two essential components of shepherding are “a love for people and a love for God.” Hansen’s vision of pastoral ministry is rooted deeply in following Jesus.

The fishing metaphor may grate a little on you, if you are un-inclined as I am! Yetwithal in re-reading this I was re-energised by the mysterious, beautiful, challenging invitation of pastoral leadership. I found myself tearful at times repenting of my lack of trust, resolving to strive less, and to seek the Spirit of God more.

There are no quick fixes or silver bullets here but a strategy of the preached word of God and obedience to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Warm-hearted, relaxed, relational stuff from a wiser-older colleague in the trenches who offers his narrative and insight to fuel our faithfulness. This is a must read for every person engaged in or considering pastoral ministry : an essential help towards healthy church.

a prayer of committment

thats really fresh and helpful from Steve Stockman

Lord we come before you
Having been dragged through the days of a fallen world
We have things to smile about
But things that bring us down
We have things to celebrate
But things to mourn
We have things to look forward to this week
But many things that have us worried and anxious
And it is all these things that make us who we are this morning
And we come before you as we are
To commit ourselves to you, afresh.

Lord we come before you
Having been dragged through the days of a fallen world
We have been inspired by the words of Jesus
And confused by the devil’s lies
We have been praying hard for holiness
But seduced by temptation’s sparkle
We have prayed for eternal impact on our souls
And been blunted by momentary distractions
And it is all these things that make us who we are today
And we come before you as we are
To commit ourselves to you, afresh.

And as we come as we are
We are amazed at your grace
Because you know us as we are

And still love us
At this moment
No matter where we are,
In this in between place
Between what we want to be
And who we are
You cannot love us anymore than you do right now
And so as we are
We commit ourselves to you, afresh.

faith, hope and love

I keep being brought back to some of the central elements of the faith, again and again………this time from Reinhold Niebuhr.

“Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime: therefore we must be saved by hope.

Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history: therefore we must be saved by faith.

Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone: therefore we must be saved by love.”

May faith, hope and love sustain you afresh today……..

five on Friday

These key @patricklencioni questions are slapping me about a bit! Why do we exist? How do we behave? What do we do? How do we succeed? What is most important, right now? and, who must do what?

1 so pleased to hear of ‘the book love-language!’ that exists for all pastors!

2 epic discipleship quotes from the legacy of the late Howard Hendricks

3 probably the best ever ten bits of writing advice – ever!

4 industry leaders sharing their 7 productivity secrets: classic stuff.

5 what is your church designed to produce…really? Scott McKnights measure here…. 

mistrust and suspicion

are not holy things!

I’m really appreciating the new chapter of anglican ministry we are now in. Early in his time as Archbishop Justin spoke at a conference of diocesan lay chairs. He spoke of the inevitablity of leadership circles, and the temptation to go into closed environments where decisions are made. He challenged for openness.

++Justin spoke of many of the big issues in society, but the one that resonated with me was the way that polarisation happens in a culture of mistrust. It is assumed that if one person is in favour of something they must be bitterly against everything else.

“If we start with mistrust, our capacity to cope with events becomes crippled, inadequate, impossible.”

“And if that’s in your mindset, you need to repent, because your job is to set an example of holiness, and mistrust and suspicion is not holy. It won’t do, any more than it’ll do in me.”

five on Friday

Few things are more destructive to God’s work than angry Christian leaders: beware! 

1 How to prioritise a productive day: don’t be a victim to load, speed or artificial efficiency!

2 Don’t doubt it: children’s ministry is intentional discipleship.

3 10 best rejected book titles! Have a giggle.

4 still to be persuaded: but here’s the 10 commandments of iPad preaching

5 15 Proven Ways to Demotivate Your Staff! and staff mtgs.