Total Church Conference 2007

Over the past few days Sheffield has been hosting the Total Church Conference. It was a fantastic four days of interaction, discussion, Bible teaching, praying and singing. There were people from Plymouth, London, Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle, Texas, San Diego, Seattle, Marseille, Holland, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Tasmania (I hope I didn’t miss anyone out!). It was brilliant to see people from various backgrounds (anglicans, brethren, presbyterian, free church…) all coming together because of a shared passion to see missional churches planted throughout the world.

One of the highlights for me were Tim Chester’s talks on Jesus’ table ministry.

The church formally known as South View…

Back in May we planted a new church called ‘TCH South View’ that I have been involved in leading. We planted it on what might be called a probation period, with the help of our resident austalian, Steve McAlpine. The McAlpines are returning to Australia in two weeks and so the time came to make the decision about whether the church would be able to continue under mine and Duncan McIntyre’s leadership…

The decision was made that in fact we weren’t ready. We need more time to grow as leaders before we’ll be able to lead a church without significant input from someone more experience like Steve McAlpine.

So, last wednesday we had the final meeting of TCH South View. It was a really good evening. We spent time listing all the blessings that God has shown us over the past six months and they have been many! (You’ll be able to read a lot of them on this blog). We also wrote out our hopes for the future.

Because of all the mission opportunties we’ve had, the growing relationships in the music community and with the street drinkers down London Road we’ve decided to continue working as a ‘team’. That is we’re getting stuck in with TCH Sharrow Vale (the church we planted from) as our main family. But we’re also meeting once a week as a team to pray specifically for the mission that we’re involved with.

Although its been sad leaving TCH South View behind, I’m also finding it exciting what God will do in the coming months. He never ceases to suprise me! I hope that still working as a team will really focus us on what being a community is about – mission. It is very easy in household church to get cosy. Thankfully with our church lots of mission has been happening. But this move will show up what is really at our heart – is it a cosy group (which we’ve lost) or being a community in mission (which will continue!)?

Watch this space…!

Do you know him?

On Sunday I was preaching on Acts 8 and comparing the religion of Simon and his thirst for power, with the Christianity of the Ethiopian eunuch and his humility in wanting the person of Jesus.

It is striking how what we often really want is the things God gives us rather than God himself. So when we don’t get those ‘things’ we get down, upset or even depressed.

But listen to Christian, from the Pilgrim’s Progress:

prudence: …what is it that makes you so desirous to go to Mount Zion?

Christian: Why, there i hope to see him alive, that did hang dead on the Cross; and there I hope to be rid of all those things, that to this day are in me, an annoyance to me; there they say there is no death and there I shall dwell with such Company as I like best. For to tell you truth, I love him, because I was by him eased of my burden, and I am weary of my
inward sickness; I would fain be where I shall die no more, and with the Company that shall continually cry, Holy, Holy, Holy.

God is gracious; he gives us so much, not least freedom from our sin. But how much are we content with knowing Jesus? That’s what Christian can’t wait for – being able to be with the one who has freed him, “for to tell you truth, I love him…”