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Our daily bread Banks By Gordon
Scripture Mark 9:35-41
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Let’s Focus: Rural community events come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, from a prestigious County Show run over several days to a modest flower festival in a tiny rural church. They can also have a very long history going back hundreds of years, or be a relatively new venture or possibly something that has not been done before. They can also be run entirely by the church or by a community group or as in the case of County Shows a long established organisation with both voluntary and salaried staff. In the majority of cases these events will happen in a spring/summer window, May through to September/October. It is of paramount importance that any involvement by the church must be both distinctive and engaged. This is a fine balance, and an overt and over enthusiastic presentation of the Christian faith may seek only to distance and harden opinions about the church and its motives. However we can and should have confidence to declare who we are and the faith to which we adhere. On occasions an event with a history may have developed factions and an acrimonious spirit. The church may be in a position to be good news of peace and reconciliation as well as sharing the Good News, i.e. sharing faith through words and action. A small village in rural Sussex had at one time the Church at the physical centre of the community. Development gradually moved the village a couple of miles away and across a busy road. The church now sits in glorious isolation surrounded by a cluster of older residential properties. In the ‘new village’, there is a modern village hall that sits on a large expanse of a flat green park area.
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Some residents in the new village suffer social deprivation. It was decided to run a series of events over a Saturday running on into an Act of Worship on the Sunday. The first event on the Saturday morning was a session on faith sharing, based around 1 Peter 3:15 and was held in the church. In the afternoon a Food Fair was held in the Village Hall. Local farmers and producers were invited to come together to sell and display their wares, free of charge. The whole event was based around the Lord’s Prayer ‘Our Daily Bread.’ Alongside the produce on sale there were simple refreshments using local produce and fair traded goods, plus activities for children. Everyone was welcomed by appointed people and on leaving given an invitation to the Act of Worship. In the evening they held a supper in the Village Hall with the title ‘Food for Thought’ with testimonies and song. Members of the congregation could have a ticket, the price bring at least one not yet believer.
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Let’s Reflect: “He who is not against us is for us” It is John the ‘son of thunder’ who comes to Jesus with a report of someone not of the group using the name of Jesus to cast out demons. In the thinking of the time it was a common understanding that demons had names and a power attached to that name. If you could invoke a stronger power by use of another name then the demon would become subject to dismissal. This is broadly the argument thrown at Jesus in Mark 3:22. There is a danger here that the disciples are using the same argument as the Scribes. On the power and use of names see the story of Moses’ meeting with God and his subsequent discussion with ‘God’ about his name - Exodus 3. Is it ever right to invoke the name of someone, perhaps known as a personal friend, to try and gain favour or shortcut due process? “…we told him to stop because he was not one of our group.” Sadly, in some instances the mounting of what should be a celebration and an opportunity to work together becomes a battleground with control over miner-kingdoms being jealously guarded and fought over. ‘They do not belong to the flower arranger’s guild and therefore they have no right to mount a floral display.’ How can we find a way of being inclusive and yet at the same time get the best out of everybody, because not everybody will be good at flower arranging? At another level we will find ourselves dealing with those outside the Christian faith, or those of another faith community. These people are clearly ‘not of our group’ - what is the right approach to engaging with them?
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Isaiah speaks very clearly about those ‘outside’ being called by God to fulfil his purposes. See Isaiah 44:28. However, for the most part Isaiah speaks to wayward Israel, that has failed to look after the orphan and the widow, to exercise justice, mercy, care and compassion. This begs the question does God only work through Christians and His church to fulfil His purposes in the world? So, if you are holding an event at which you are inviting stall holders, what criteria might you use to discern who may or may not mount a display or a stall? If you are participating in an event organised by others, would there be things you would feel it inappropriate to associate with? Taking a literal reading of ‘anyone who is not against us, is for us’; could enable us to associate with absolutely anyone who invites us to be part of their event. ‘If anyone gives you a cup of cold water because you belong to the Messiah, I assure you that person will be rewarded.” Just how they will be rewarded is not spelt out, but perhaps we need to hold this against the story of the separation of sheep and goats, (see Matthew 25:31). This judgement echoes that of Isaiah with a call of correct practice over orthodoxy. Should we have been the grateful recipient of that ‘cup of cold water’, are there ways in which we could say ‘thank you?’ This might be a practical letter or email after an event thanking someone for their help. What effect do you think this may have on someone receiving such a thank you? People may not be regular worshippers, and being aware of the danger of sexist stereotypes, this might often be the men who live their faith by proxy through their spouses. However, again perhaps being a tad sexist, men can often be drawn into a venture such as a flower festival, if for example they are asked to build a water feature. The opportunity to enlist the good will and support of those ‘not of our group’ and work together in the common enterprise of realising God’s kingdom is manifold through fetes, festivals and fun-days.
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Let’s Discuss: 1. Organising an event like this takes a lot of effort and good will. How can we ensure that no one rides roughshod over someone else in their desire to control or to be seen as too important to be ignored?
2. Very often an event will be organised and only then will thought be given to any children who may just happen to be about. How can we ensure children and young people are not simply an afterthought but considered as integral to any initiative that involves all ages?
3. One of the rules of St. Benedict is that guests should be greeted as if they were Christ. How can we learn to greet and welcome everyone in this spirit?
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4. Christians do not live in glorious isolation for the most part. How can we share in a common enterprise with those who do not hold to the same values and morals as we may do as Christians?
5. Community events need to have the goodwill and practical help of everyone, those who attend church and those who do not. How can we be witnesses to our faith so that it contributes to a transforming community?
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Action: This context lends itself more accurately to be described as transforming communities. The Christian community worked well at engaging different groups within the community so that all those who involved themselves in the Food Fair felt integrated and respected. The Parish Council was so enthused by the success of the Food Fair that they are now keen to carry the initiative forward. A crucial part of the success was to pass on to them all the right information. This has resulted in both buyers and sellers indicating their keenness to see the Food Fair continue on the church premises. Therefore a pre-Christmas market has been arranged in November, with even more stall holders, to be followed by regular (probably quarterly) Food Fairs in 2009. I am thrilled that our local producers will continue to have this support and that the community will be given the opportunity to buy fresh local produce. What is great is that the Food Fair will continue at the Church, it will give us a great opportunity to gently share our faith through the building up of relationships.
Prayer: Almighty God, help us to get alongside everyone within our community. Through our ministry enable us to be people who hold the community together rather than divide. Enable your grace to abound in each of us as we witness in practical ways, to those around us. Amen.
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s e t o N g n i Support uals and d i v i d n I for s r e d a e Group L I remember the first time I prepared to lead a bible study; I was 22 years old and went bald! Well, I think that was down to nature rather than the preparation. However, it was scary as well as exciting. Ring a bell? Then read on‌. The scriptures are littered with stories of God's people being called to do something they feel they are not humanly capable of. Yet it is similarly littered with outcomes of God's people completing what He has called them to undertake and the blessing therein. So let's take those fears and chill a bit, in the knowledge that God will help you, as he has helped countless others. Part of my ministry as an evangelist over the past 10 years has been to encourage and enable, so be encouraged that the Lord is moulding you in leadership. In my experience it helps to know that you do not have to be an expert on the Bible or even a college professor! Essentially it is all about preparation and discussion. Allow God to enable you by His Holy Spirit to lead you with confidence and discernment. Therefore in order to offer some help to you, I have set out below some of the things that have aided me in leading studies in the past.
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Before you begin Studying the scriptures and exploring other people’s experiences of evangelism can be for some, very exciting; for others it can be very daunting indeed. I have put together some suggestions that may help you as you prepare to get the most out of The Fullness of Life. We hope that each week you will be stimulated through the scriptures and through the content on the Web. To find out more about how all of our Evangelists and staff are working at transforming lives and communities visit http://www.churcharmy.org.uk/people to see videos of ministry in action. Each of our contributors to these studies has carefully thought through how you can apply this learning in your own life and context, in order to engage in evangelism. Their questions are designed to challenge and encourage action.
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Studying as an individual Pray: Before you begin each study, ask the Lord to guide you and open your mind. Give yourself time to allow God to stabilise your inner self so that you can apply what you are learning in your life. Time: Give yourself space to learn; the studies are designed that you can learn at a pace that suits you. It may help you to briefly read all seven studies before you begin; this may help you to think about where the studies will take you. Bible: Having your own Bible is important as it will be a book that you will be familiar with. The version that you find most helpful is the best one to use. All Bible verses quoted in these studies are from the New International Version. Notes: Make notes within each study. Remember there are no wrong answers; the beauty about our relationship with God is that He illuminates our life and inspires us by the Holy Spirit. So jot down your response to the question honestly.
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Studying as a group For the leader: These notes may be of some help as you prepare to lead the group either for the first time or as a seasoned veteran! Preparation: Groups are naturally formed of individuals, so be encouraged to follow the points suggested for individuals, as you prepare for your group study. In this way you will find your learning in group study deepens through your preparation. Participation: Discussion is by far the best form of learning. Remember that as the leader you will need to ensure that everyone has their say. No answer is wrong! Share how God is teaching you, how He is encouraging/challenging you, and how He is doing that with others. Be focussed: Stick to the study material being discussed for that week. It has been my intention that you only have to use the scriptures referred to. There is no need to look up commentaries or other views. The core essence of these studies is to reflect upon the evangelistic example given. Therefore the paramount questions of the study are: How can I do this? How do I apply this? Listen: Encouraging all that listening to other members of a group is as important as contributing. If you have an attentive ear, you may be surprised at how much you can learn from others. In parish ministry I was always amazed at how the quiet person sometimes came with a suggestion that was as a blast of fresh air. A balanced input: As group leader you should be able to ensure all have the chance to contribute. It is important that we ensure that individuals do not dominate the discussions. The eagerness one has to share can often be at the cost of others not having time to respond. Therefore encourage one another; after all, the Christian journey really should not be about outsmarting each other. Involve God: God wants to share with each of us; His desire to see us evangelise. Be open to the Holy Spirit talking to you and to your fellow group mates. Most of all have fun discovering new boundaries.
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