All together now.

All people are complex and unpredictable yet the key component in God's hope in the world today. The church is not supposed to be a place for perfection but of safety for failure and imperfection. Yet we can do one key thing to ensure we keep seeking after the heart of God and serving the needs of our community. Work together. There is great potential and strength in working together if we are willing and prepared to support each others ministries, missions, lives, and relationships. It is easy to become transfixed on trying to get others to do what we want and forget that we may have something to offer them.

Take Carlos Tevez for example. Whether we know all the facts, the reality is that he is causing a disruption. How much of that effected the team in their defeat is unknown but it can't have helped. He may wear the shirt and training top, he may even sit on the bench but when it comes to supporting his team and when asked to try and make a difference he declines. We maybe like that in the church. Wearing the right clothes, sitting on the pews but when it comes to supporting others our first question is "what do we get out of it."

I know that I have, as the leader, subconsciously asked people to do stuff to "help"or "benefit" me without considering whether they want to do or are gifted to do it. We need to stick together and work with the people around seeking to use their gifts not simple to get a job done. If the church is to grow and deepen its relationships within then we have to work as a team that is focused on the vision God places before us. As a leader, I have a responsibility to make sure that we all know where we are head, why and what may occur on the journey so that we can stick together no matter what may come our way.

The church must always desire to reflect the unifying nature of God. It is through this that others may want to be part of something so loving.

Matt

All together now.

"We are one of them. The staff at the club have got to keep pushing the squad as hard as they can. We have got to push them, pull them, carry them, drive them on - and we have got to do it together." http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/paulfletcher/

This quote comes from Southampton manager Nigel Atkins after our sides demolition of Birmingham City which moved us up to top spot in the Championship. Being a loyal and long standing Saints fan I am thrilled with our start to the season and delighted that my club is in a better place than it as a few years back. A lot of that has to do with the new owners but also to Nigel Atkins. Despite my reservations of getting rid of Alan Pardew, Nigel Atikins was the best replacement. In his quote above I think we can see why.

First and foremost, he understands that the modern football club must be focused on the primary objective; is the team winning football matches. This is why teams like Man Utd, Baraclona, Ajax have been so successful. Whether we like it or not (I don't) this is also what the investment has gone in too at Man City (training ground, additional club staff, and top footballers). To win football matches, titles, cups and glory. To be the best team in the world, you don't just need the players but an environment that they footballers can flourish in.

My observation of the church is that we all need to know that we can only be effective and successful if we, as one, work together for the glory of God. This is our primary focus and should always be. If we forget this or take our eyes off the goal we may end up like Leeds, Sheffield Utd or Southampton (2 years ago). More on this in the next few blogs.

We need to work, pray, live and hope as one. United in our primary focus.

Matt

Leading Evangelism 3 - Easy Evangelism!

This year has been a very positive one in the life of the Aspley Salvation Army and continues to be so. This week we had a strange occurrence when a young lad phone up asking if he could join the Salvation Army. Taken aback I composed my self and said we should meet, so he came the next day with his mum to meet with me and chat through what it meant to be in the Salvation Army. I encouraged him to come for a few weeks before we go through our membership classes to see if it is right for him and help him understand what it means to be a follower of Jesus and a soldier in the SA. On Sunday, he turned up along with his mum to join us in worship and said once again how he wanted to be a soldier.

A couple of things struck me about this strange incident. The first is this; in the church we concentrate a lot of effort and thought in to clever, well intentioned and often expensive evangelistic strategies that we forget about the miraculous ministry of God. Evangelism is a lot easier if we place of faith in God's power and plan for our church. It's not to say we sit back and wait for people to phone us (that clearly is not God's intention for his church) yet we must be cautious in forcing the issues with God. Patience and faith need to off set our action and commitment. If we are not careful we can be caught up in our own succussflness rather that the Holy Spirit's power and promting.

The second is linked: Why should I be surprised that people want to become part of the church? Why should I find it "strange" that people are drawn to God? How limiting has my attitude to leading my church in evangelism if I am surprised when people want to be a follower of Jesus. It has really challenged me to lead a church that see's people make faith commitments. This is not about making our church bigger but growning the kingdom and changing peoples lives in and around the place we worship, live and serve. If this young lad can decide to be a soldier why cant the other people I know well do the same.

Evangelsim is easy, when God is leading us.

Matt

Leading Evangelism 1 - why?

One of the biggest impacts the Arrow Leadership process has had on me is my attitude towards leading evangelism in the church I am appointed to currently (and beyond). I have often seen ministers who can clearly lead others in evangelism but then opt out of doing it themselves. I would like to think I have always been open and willing in leading by example but know I have not always been effective or intentional about this. I know that I have a strong missional heart and am willing to go into situations that require me to show faith without necessary having or seeking the opportunity to speak about my faith.

However, I do wonder if I don't say enough! Evangelism is more than deed, it is about what we share verbally with others. As this point I acknowledge that the language we use is part of the issues but Evangelism isn't mission just very closely related and complementary too. People have become scared of the "e" word but it is crucial to our mission and purpose as the voice of God in our world. Maybe many of the issues surrounding the suppression of Christianity stem from the churches silence rather than supposedly being gagged. Whatever the cause, we are fearful of speaking about Jesus to our world today for fear of ridicule, losing friends or being seen as weird.

What I have discovered recently is that when you mention Jesus, people are intriged, respectful and open to knowing more. So lets tell them!

Matt

If your happy and you know it.

One of Katherine's favourite songs for us to sing is "if your happy and you know it." She can only do the clap your hands bit as she hasn't worked out the bit about nodding your head or stamping your feet but loves the song. I came across this article on the BBC news page about an organisation that is dedicated in spreading happiness.

"The world's first membership organisation dedicated to spreading happiness is being officially launched. Action for Happiness, which claims to have 4,500 members in more than 60 countries, says it prioritises healthy relationships and meaningful activities as a means to happier living."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13046148

It got me thinking about the role of the church in the general well being and happiness of our society/local communities. I don't believe the churches main role/purpose is to make people happy(ier) yet it's ministry should make people feel better about life, themselves and God. Any organisation can do something just to help people but the churches mandate is deeper, it is to bring about salvation and freedom in peoples lives. This should naturally, if we do it correctly, impact the physical and emotional aspects of peoples lives but can't be what we simply measure our success and effectiveness on. Numbers attending and accessing our programme must never be the sole source of justification to running them.

As it states in the article, Action for happiness focuses on "healthy relationships and meaningful activities", which poses the question; If we are to be the church God craves, why isn't the church addressing these needs already? This is not about providing programme to fill the gaps or having programme for programmes sake but the very nature of the church expressing the relational heart of God. We need to ensure that our mission doesn't become a service we provide that makes us look good or make/keep people happy but as a way of exposing people to the fulfilling love of God.

If your happy and you know it clap your hands.

If your happy and you know God, reach out your hands.

Matt

Open book

One of the great tensions as a leader is how much you give of your true self to the cause, how much you are yourself in public and how much you keep well hidden.

It is easy for a leader to reveal a fraction of themselves and be themselves to those they lead. A good example of this was when Gordon Brown, on his departure speech from office, revealed more about himself than in his entire premiership. As he spoke the words " I know go to do the most important job of all as a husband and as a father." Part of me was encouraged at his acknowledgement of the importance of family but was annoyed that it took a general election defeat to see that element of his character. I wonder what difference it would have made to his reign had he said that as he became the PM.

There is a need in leadership to be real, honest and as open as possible. This is difficult in many circumstance where there is a need for confidentiality for legal or personal reasons. However, I am always drawn to those leaders I know more about, regardless of what I know about them. In my experience, people will not like you any less if they know the truth about you. Being an open book does not mean you tell everyone everything but you are willing to be yourself in all situations and honest enough to admit your failings and flaws.

Over the years I have found this difficult and frustrating within the Salvation Army, whether as a member of the congregation or in a position of leadership. Trying to be yourself in an organisation that expects certain things creates a predicament that I have pondered about a lot. How can I be myself as well as fulfill the expectations as a Salvation Army Officer (minister) which sometimes I may have different views about? Yet

At the heart of a good leader should be a willingness to be open and honest in all situations. God created us as he desired, why would we want to hide who we are from him or anyone else?

Matt

Faith first.

Over the past few months in our church we have witnessed some incredible moments of joy, fun and hope. One of the great blessing of leading the church is that I have seen people step out in faith and trust that God knows what he is doing. Whether in the small conversations,willingness to be a leader or believe that God's plan will be worked out, people have stepped out in faith.

One example of this is seen in our churches willingness to take on an allotment as a way of connecting with our community. We have no idea what were doing but it was offered to us free and was to good an opportunity to turn down. We set about weeding, digging, removing baths, pulling down a couple of trees and avoiding wasps from a nest we found and in the new year we placed a shed (the size of a small house) on the plot. It was time to get planting but without someone with the expertise to co-ordinate it were would we start. However, God had a plan. Last week David had a conversation with an old work colleague that was looking for an allotment but was unable to find one. David invited him to come and have a look at ours on Saturday and he has agreed to help us out. He knows what he is doing, talking about and is already planning the crops. Thank you God!

Faith always comes first when we are seeking to follow God's plan for our lives. Our church had the faith to take on something it wasn't skilled for but God has provided us with the person who does have the skill. Our church's theme for this year is "preparing to grow" and now we have a place to do it, a person to help do it and a church willing to see it become a reality.

Faith cannot be taught it must be learnt and the church must always be willing to learn.

Matt

Leading

Last week the Salvation Army (SA) elected a new General (World Leader). Linda Bond will take up her appointment on the 2nd April 2011, following Shaw Clifton who retires on the 1st April 2011. I must admit that I was intrigued by the process more than the outcome. The body that makes the decision (The High Council) is made up of leaders of a certain position within the SA world. In theory any SA Officer (minister) can become the General of the SA but must be nominated by at least 3 members of the HC. This has never happened. See following link for more details: http://www2.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/www_uki.nsf/vw-search/0DA2C1DB392DE343802570EB0057542A?opendocument

It got me thinking about the process of leadership and how we raise new leaders within the SA at all levels. Does our position/appointment mean we are good leaders? Are the best leaders in the best places?

Of course, I have little say on the big issues regarding the Generals election process but I do have a opportunity to ensure that we are a movement that keeps raising leaders at local church level. In my experience, this is where leaders are born and should be develop and grown. The reality is if local leaders are not present, nothings grows. I am convinced that the local church should be like a chemistry lab where people are involved in experiments. It will mean that some work out well, some will make a mess, some discovering little, some discovering lots and some changing the way we think. This will allow people the freedom and opportunity to experiment in leadership and ultimately learn how to lead better.

I must add that being a leader doesn't mean having an official role or responsibility but the gift and ability to lead others in faith and vision. God doesn't have a standard mould that he uses to make leaders but he certainly can mould people in to leaders.

My hope is that as an Officer people look to me as a leader not because of my rank, status, or even experience but because I lead with integrity, honesty and a desire to release others to lead. If I get this wrong it will time for me to step aside!

Matt

Lessons

Read this this week:

Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

I would say that life is pretty boring once you stop learning from it and church is no different. I can honesty say that I am currently learning a lot about myself, leadership, fatherhood and church. I can't say that I understand it or that I am any good at all of them but I know I am better than I was this time last year. For example; I am learning what the various cries Katherine makes and what they mean (i.e hungry, nappy change, sleep and just grumpy!).

I am discovering that to be a good leader, I must learn at every opportunity. When things go well, take the credit but don't forget to look at what could have been done better or differently. When things go badly, don't be afraid to hold up your hands and say "I could have done that differently." There is no weakness in admitting you got things wrong but there is danger in ignoring it. I have learnt that when you lead you have will always get things wrong but its how you respond and react that limits the impact of your mistakes.

I don't believe God asks for perfection but for a willingness that as we seek to live we seek to learn.

Matt

Living it out

Having failed to blog in a while, I have found a bit of time at the end of a brilliant Easter weekend. This Easter has been on of the best for a few years for a number of reasons. The whole week has been busy, so much to sort out at church, things to plan, meetings to attend and clearing out cupboards for good measure. Today has been a great day for our church, there was breakfast, an Easter egg hunt, messy worship, roast dinner, sung worship and then a service at a local resident home. It was a busy day but a day full of fun, laughter, and most of all life. This was the first of our Family and Community Sundays where we meet for family friendly worship and then seek to engage with our community in various ways. It was a great start and people entered into the spirit of the day.

If there is one thing I am discovering at the moment, it is that the church should be the ultimate expression of the creative life of God. God loves a resourceful church who are willing not only to think outside the box but live outside of it. The church must seek to be as creative as possible in order to take hope to its community. This is not about gimmicks but genuine interaction and mission.

In the experience of His resurrection we must seek to live our lives for Him and make sure that as many people are touch by our journey as possible. Today may have been Easter Sunday where we focus on the life giving resurrection but we live in the same power tomorrow. Faith is best lived out in the reality of life and can't be contained on one day of the week or certain time of year.

Go raised His son to bring us life so lets live it.

Matt

The kingdom or the church?

You may have gathered from my blogs that I have a passion for the church to be engaged in mission in a local context. Recently my thoughts on this subject have been more focused through personal experience, books and conversations on the subject. I have never and will never see the church as a means to keep Christians happy until heaven but as a agent of heaven on earth. As Dave Tomlinson puts it "The mission of God was not to invent Christianity but to spread life" (Re-enchanting Christianity, Tomlinson, 2008:132). This should be at the heart of every church.

I am beginning to uncover the sticking point to this thought. I have long known and acknowledge that we should be a people of the Kingdom but never fully grasped and convinced myself about as to how and why. What is beginning to emerge for me is a picture of what the church would be like without the Kingdom as its focus. One dimensional, inward looking, a place on maintenance, safe and comfortable. The kingdom is none of these things that I have listed. The kingdom is a scarily unsafe place to live out faith, it is a place where anything is possible and anyone can be involved. It is about always being aware of your surroundings and seeing the creator in them and how God is calling us to engage with them. Often the church has taken the priority over the kingdom. Surely, God has ordained the church as a tool to represent the values and image of the Kingdom.

Our mission, if we chose to except it, is to be people of the Kingdom rather than members of churches.

Matt

Church is for girls!

From time to time I get an extract of a news paper sent to me from our regional headquarters. This week I got a copy of an article that claimed that "real men find church too girly. Here is the first paragraph.

Real men don't like going to church because they don't want to "sing love songs to a man", because the "vicar wears a dress", because they feel like "mongrels on parade at Crufts" and because they want to be waited on by women rather than queue for coffee after the service.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article7004861.ece

On first reading I thought how helpful this might be as I lead worship in our church but the more I thought about it the more stupid it all sounded. Apparently men would come to church if there were less flowers and more swords, more manly words and less wishy washy words in the songs that are sung. For what ever reason, women become part of a church a lot easier than men, women find it less embarrassing singing and praying and being sensitive to God. This article would suggest that men don't come to church because it isn't cool enough or that men feel stupid about saying they go to a girly church.

On reading through this again I found it strange that the church needs to be more man friendly. I would suggest it is the examples that males see that puts them off church. As I look back over my life I can tell you that it is the example of other people that has drawn me to faith and encouraged me to be a part of a church. There are a significant number of blokes that have shown me what faith looks like and it its to those that I acknowledge as the reason I find myself as an SA officer.

I don't think men want swords, HD TV's, sports related sermons and a vicar who drives a sports car. I think men need to see christian men living out faith in a normal everyday fashion before they even contemplate being part of a church. Maybe it is men who have the issue not the church?

Matt

Dirt can be good for the church?

Dirt can be good for children, say scientists:Messy play should be encouraged, according to the hygiene hypothesis Children should be allowed to get dirty, according to scientists who have found being too clean can impair the skin's ability to heal.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8373690.stm

As a "soon to be parent" I noticed this and thought it was worth look. I have always been a believer that our society has become obsessed with cleanliness, over subscription of drugs and Health and Safety. But I do recognise the importance of these things in the running of a church community. Peoples safety should not be taken lightly and God demands we are good stewards of our the people we serve.

My point is more focused on how spiritually safe our churches have become and how we have sought to ensure that any mess is kept out of our churches, especially in worship. By playing it safe and keeping things tidy we are in danger of minimising opportunities of restoration and healing to take place on individuals and as a body of followers. We are fooling ourselves to think we can leave our sin at the door of our churches and worship as if we are all OK. It does a disservice to God and to our friends who we worship with. Maybe we need more sin in the church (this is not the same as being more sinful).

Dirt is good for the church because it allows God to clean us up, make us right and recreate our minds, bodies and spirits repeatedly. This does not mean we sin on purpose but bring the realities of our everyday life before God (not just on a Sunday), before our community and deal with it. Being exposed to the dirt of life will not harm us because God promises that he will protect us where ever we are. Jesus prayed for His disciples and us in John 17 that we would not be taken out of the world but be protected as we interact with it.

Then why are we scared to get our churches dirty?

Matt

This is your life

I was leaving my coaching session of the Beacon Under 13's carrying two footballs when one of the lads asked for one of them. I said "no", and so he asked why. My reply was along the lines of: "it was dark, there were cars around and that I was about to put them in my car." He then added but "I want one." I replied once again to his question with "sometime we don't always get what we want and we have to do things we don't want to." Smart, so I thought. He then said "I only wanted the ball not your life story!"

This young lads comment has kept coming back to me in the last week because I think it has a lot to teach us about how the church relates it faith, beliefs and values to those around us. I think we have something people want even if they don't realise it. Something that is good, precious and liberating. My relationship with God is what sustains me, drives me and empowers me to be the person I am and will be. I highly recommend it!

I recognise that the church has finds itself in a difficult cultural climate, where people have become sceptical about religion, organised groups and also the church. It is not easy being a Christian but that's the point, it not supposed to be. My belief is that people want to share their life stories with others (christian or not), people want to be in community with one another but have forgotten how.

The church needs to rediscover its confidence in telling it's stories, and then get out of its buildings and share them.

Matt

It is a lot safer in here

Have been reading a book called "Breakout" recently (Thanks James and Amy) . It the story of St Andrews, Chorleywood transitioning their church into Mission Shaped Communities with a central resourcing church. It has been really helpful for me in thinking about the life of Aspley SA but also in my thinking about the Salvation Army at large. One quote caught my eye: "This (today's) culture tends to keep the army in the barracks, and of course if the army is in the barracks the enemy has got the rest of the world" (Stibbe and Williams,2008 :Page 211).

It pretty obvious what is coming but it is something that has been bugging me a lot recently. How do engage with our community outside our church buildings? How do we move from maintenance to mission? How do we do church that makes sense to different groups of people of all ages? How do we make Christians confident in their faith enough to share it in the normal everyday?

I don't have many if any answers but I do know that the "come to us" model of church is no longer effective. We can't continue to wait for people to turn up on a Sunday, Alpha or Special services. We (the church) have to make the more out into our communities, in the reality of life. The problem is we feel safe in the barracks, protected by those we know and reassured by the familiar. yet, whilst we sit in our barracks we allow those people to continue to get lost, to miss out on the joy of being in a relationship with Jesus. It doesn't matter what model we use whether its cells, MSC, Alpha or planting (to name just a few), all I know is that we need to be creative and we need for it to make sense in our local communities first and foremost.

Still thinking this through but know that God wants more from his church, lets breakout and see what happens.

Matt

I can't get no satisfaction!!!

Do not worry I am not going to break into song! At the East Midlands Youth gathering in Grantham (25/10/09), Andy Whitehouse challenged us about our attitude to our churches to "not to become satisfied with what we have." An interesting thought that I felt was worth a blog.

On one level I disagree with him. Dis-satisfaction can lead to discontent which could in turn lead to a destruction of hope. This may sound extreme but I have seen many Christians get dis-satisfied and move on. Also there is a danger you can drag others down with you which will be damaging for a church community.

On the other hand Andy is right, if we become satisfied with our churches we will simple seek to maintain our churches rather than see that they are places of purpose and mission. I believe that God needs a church that is willing to question itself, be willing to be honest enough to see what is going on around us and change if necessary. Being dis-satisfied as a church should bread hope and mission because we are willing to evaluate our effectiveness and purpose.

I prayer I will never be satisfied with which ever church I find myself apart of but only because I want God to have the glory not because It doesn't suit my style or needs.

Matt

Back to church - Part 2

Following on from comment on facebook regarding my blog on the 30th September, I thought it only right to deepen the discussion. Thanks to David for his helpful challenge (see below).

"ok - another little thought..."Isn't it about time we went back into our local pubs, shops, barbers, sports teams, schools, library, sheltered housing, council offices and many other places and take the message of Jesus with us for all to see." (This extract comes from my Blog 30/09/09)

"isn't that what everyone goes every day??so- i suggest (for chewing over) - we don't need any more calls to go - but rather a call to be effective in our demonstration of the gospel.... the "problem" may be that we Christians too often are living dualistic lives - we can be "all evangelical" on Sunday but on Monday be affronted that we would ever think of speaking of Jesus (after all everyone is entitled to their views)." (This is David Robertson's comment on my facebook page 02/10/09)

The questions that rang to mind as I read the comments were; is Sunday the most relevant day for a gathering? Are we stuck in a rut? What is church? Have we got it wrong? How do we aid our communities to inherit the kingdom of heaven on earth on Monday morning?

I think there is only one answer; Live it. We can have the best, well intentioned programmes or projects but unless our daily lives match up with our words we are useless. My firm belief is that people need to experience the goodness of God once again. We have left him out of so much of our lives that the world can no longer see His impact. Of course I know God doesn't need us for his mission to be effective but He wants us to be involved with His mission because it brings Him glory and honour. Maybe it's just me, but I think it requires us to redefine our understand of what church is or in fact what church should be.

Matt

Well done Wenger!

Today sees Arsene Wenger 13th anniversary of being at the helm of Arsenal Football Club. I have to be honest to say that I am not always a fan of his attitude after games but there is no doubt he is a brilliant coach and his teams play the best football in the league. Not only has he nurtured teams to play football the right way he has influenced the whole of the club, and many others in this country, as to how to maintain a club for the long haul.

"Thirteen years after he was greeted with the headline "Arsene Who?," Arsene Wenger made Arsenal history on Thursday. Having arrived in English football a virtual unknown, he is now the longest serving manager of one of the world's most famous clubs.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2009-10-01-3633290902_x.htm

So what has this got to do with the church? Arsene, for me, has proved that time is an essential commodity in leadership. Someone once told me that the average length of stay of a C of E vicar in growing churches is 17 years. Stability is key to developing teams, leaders and ministries in local churches that can flourish and impact the community. Arsene is still not finished with Arsenal and will continue to look at ways of making it a place where good football is played and trophies can be won. A church leader needs time to survey the church and it's community, discern a vision and then develop the values with which the church will grow. Of course there are dangers with leaving leaders in the same place such as: becoming comfortable, traditions setting in, becoming leader driven rather than need driven and feeling immovable.

As a Salvation Army Officer I have no idea how long I will be in Aspley (a long time I hope) as it's leader. But I am convinced that time is need in all situations to allow leaders and the church to seek and respond to the needs around them.

Matt

Are the blessings ours alone?

Recently, went to see U2 live at the Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield. They were out of this world as they went through their latest album with many of the hits added in for good measure.

One line still rings in my head loud and clear; "Blessing are not just for the ones who kneel, luckily." It has made me think about the experience of God that non-christians can have with out asking for it. It could seem unfair for all the life long Christians who do the right things, say the right things etc and then someone who doesn't even ask or maybe want God's blessing can receive it.

However, I have been excited that God can speak to and bless anyone and everyone. So often I have reduced God, restricted Him to the churches property. I am beginning to understand what this mean (but have some way to go) and how differently it means are approach to church should be. If we keep God inside our churches, is it any wonder that the Salvation Army (as well as other churches) is in decline.

Jesus didn't bless his followers all that often, it was the poor, the sick and the oppressed to whom the whom the blessings were given!

Matt

Do we need songs to worship? These young people don't think so!

Came across this little gem on the BBC website.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8177318.stm

Yesterday at Aspley we had a Prayer Breakfast for the few of us that were around after a great day on Saturday for Louise and Mike's wedding. There were 6 of us in total and we shared in breakfast (bacon, coco-pops, juice and fresh coffee), watch the section from BBC one's big questions on "Do we try to hard to fix families and then had a conversation and time of prayer around the subject. No songs in sight yet it felt like church!

Matt