July 2011

VOX FAITH LIFE REALITY

Issue 11 July - September 2011

€2

Meet the “punching pastor”

ARE WE GETTING

THROUGH?

RACISM and the church in Ireland

www.vox.ie

Communication in a digital culture

VOX | July - Sep 2011 | 1

editorial Without walls

Get VOX through the door.

If you ever have the chance to take a drive through my beautiful county – Donegal - it won’t be long before you see a dry stonewall.

The countryside is lined with these examples of artistry, craftsmanship and practicality!

Slices and slabs of mottled grey stone are so ingeniously fitted together, it is a wonder a single stretch was ever completed.

There is something profoundly symbolic about the structures we erect to stay safe from harm.

Walls, barriers, barricades… we are so desperate to keep in the familiar and keep out the terrifying ‘other’, the alien, the enemy. It is understandable.

And yet… when we start to erect walls in our relationships, in our churches or in our communities, security comes at a high price.

We are so desperate to keep in the familiar and keep out the terrifying ‘other’.

Walls create separation. Separation germinates misunderstanding and suspicion. Before long these poisonous seeds produce sour fruit – division, disunity and conflict.

And whether we are wrestling with Racism in the Church (page 10) or tackling the barriers to communicating good news in the 21st Century (Are we getting through? page 18) we face the same dilemma.

Are we willing to break down the walls? It is a risky business. Stepping across the divides leaves us feeling insecure, vulnerable, even naked.

Our history shouts for a different future.

But maybe, just maybe, we’ll discover that the “other” is just like me… nervous and uncertain, yet longing for connection. Tired of separation.

Weary of conflict. Desperate for understanding.

Our history shouts for a different future. The words of scripture echo with inspiration and potential. Can we create a community without walls? A nation that needs no barriers or barricades? Is feidir linn!

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Phone: Email: VOX | July - Sep | 3

VOX MAGAZINE FAITH LIFE REALITY

July - September 2011, Issue 11 ISSN: 2009-2253 Publisher Solas Publishing

contents 10 16 18

Editor Ruth Garvey-Williams editor@vox.ie Advertising Jonny Lindsay advertising@vox.ie Layout and Operations Jonny Lindsay Directors Tom Slattery (Evangelical Alliance Ireland) Mike Mullins (OM Ireland) Dr. Abimbola Afolabi (Oasis of Love) Subscriptions Ireland (32 counties): €10 for four issues / €16 for eight issues Overseas: €15 for four issues / €24 for eight issues All cheques should be made payable to Solas Publishing.

Solas Publishing Ulysses House 22 - 24 Foley Street Dublin 1 Tel: 01 443 4789 info@vox.ie www.vox.ie Disclaimer The views expressed in letters and articles are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Solas Publishing, Evangelical Alliance, OM Ireland or Oasis of Love. The acceptance of advertising does not indicate endorsement.

Print Beulah Print, Drogheda VOX magazine is a quarterly publication, brought to you by Solas Publishing, a joint project of Evangelical Alliance Ireland, OM Ireland and Oasis of Love.

Jan -- Mar 4 | VOX | July Sep 2010 2011

COVER STORIES Racism and the church in Ireland Bad boy turned good – meet the “punching pastor” Are we getting through? - Communication in a digital culture

FEATURES AND INTERVIEWS

14 20 22 25 13 06 07 08 09 12

A remarkable journey - passionate for God's word A rare breed No ivory towers at IBI – where theology meets real life Liberate Eden - the new e-book from Greg Fromholz

VOX Views Access all areas

REGULAR FEATURES VOX: Shorts It’s all Greek to me VOX: World News Your VOX: Letters My Story

15 20 26 29 30

Web Watch Family Focus VOX: Reviews Event Listing VOX: P.S.

Christian Motorcyclists Association Our vision is to change the world, one heart at a time.

We seek to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ (Íosa Críost) to the biking community and others.

Luke 14:23 says “to go out to the highways and along the hedges and bring them in that my house may be filled.”

If this ministry sounds right for you, first pray about it and then call us on 086 8057982. We’d be delighted to answer any of your questions.

We’d also like to offer you a Biker’s Bible “Hope for the Highway”.

www.cmaireland.ie info@cmaireland.ie www.country.cmainternational.org/ire Tel: 086 8057982 Please find us on Facebook: Christian Motorcyclists Association (Ireland) VOX | July - Sep 2011 | 5

VOX:SHORTS

Men hit harder by recession

The man who beat burnout

A former work addict will share his story of hope with thousands at The Mandate men’s conference this autumn. Guest speaker Fil Anderson was raised in America’s ‘Bible belt’ and quickly rose through the ranks of church leadership. ‘”I was determined to do everything I could to please God,” he said.

“I was so driven to please, it drove me over the edge. I had a complete physical, emotional and mental meltdown.” He found the slow road to recovery when he realised, “God always expected more failure from me than I’ve ever dared to expect myself”.

Fil will share the Belfast Waterfront platform with Andrew McCourt, Senior Pastor of the city’s Christian Fellowship Church, on November 12.

Robin Mark will lead worship.

The Mandate draws around 2,000 men from across Ireland, Northern Ireland and beyond. Tickets are available at £35 (phone 028 9045 7500 or visit www. themandate.net).

A secondary school in Co Kildare was ordered to remove monitoring cameras from student toilets after parents made a complaint to the Data Protection Commissioner.

Students objected when cameras were installed in the toilets. They walked out of the school in protest when their concerns were ignored. Parents complained when another primary school in Co Mayo deployed CCTV cameras inside and outside the premises.

Challenging Stigma

ACET (AIDS Care Education & Training) Ireland is equipping local churches to challenge HIV-related stigma. A number of one-day workshops around the country have encouraged participants to reflect on their own attitudes and assumptions.

Using testimonies from church leaders living with HIV, listening-skills training and Biblical reflection, the training gave participants a different view of HIV and AIDS. “This was a very important awareness training. I will now be a support to anyone who needs my help, whether living with HIV or not,” one said.

ACET is grateful for the partnership and generosity of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Trinity Church Network and Solid Rock Church, Drogheda. In partnership with Acts of Compassion Project (www. actsofcompassionministry.org), ACET will now deliver the training to staff and residents of various accommodation centres for asylum seekers. Check out www.acet.ie for more details.

Image: Jonny Pardoe

Unemployment and recession are devastating Irish men, according to Finola Bruton. Speaking at The Iona Institute, she highlighted the unemployment rate for Irish men, which is 70% higher than for Irish women (17% versus 10%) and said the education system is failing young men.

“Men seem to be more vulnerable than women in how unemployment affects them,” she said. The National Economic and Social Council should “initiate a study to find out why unemployment is so severely affecting men in this country.”

CCTV in schools

Super Sunday

A Wicklow church cancelled its normal Sunday service and invited people from the local community to lunch in June. The Christian Community Church in Arklow meets in a local hotel.

As a way of reaching out to neighbours and friends, Pastor Solomon Aroboto encouraged his church members to invite their friends for lunch. A simple programme showed what the church is all about, helping to break down barriers and making it easier for church members to share about their faith in a natural way.

6 | VOX | July - Sep 2011

Christian radio is a “flying” success!

Ireland’s national Christian radio team, Spirit Radio, took third place in the Red Bull Flugtag in Dun Laoghaire Harbour in May. The event, which is now held in 40 cities all over the world, challenges people to create innovative, ingenious or outrageous flying machines and to test them by jumping off the end of piers.

Lottery answer to prayer?

A self-confessed atheist has become a believer after mocking God by sarcastically praying for his mother to win the lottery. The next day she won $1 million in the New York Lottery. Sal prayed out aloud, “God, I don’t know if you’re real or not, but if you are there, please let my mother win a million dollars.”

He was stunned when he found out his mother had won. Realising the odds were so farfetched, he has now become a believer! “I can’t shrug off that Jesus had a hand in it.” His mother is more thankful for her son’s transformation than for her winnings!

Left behind pets?

An enterprising group of atheists in America are cashing in on a widespread belief in an impending rapture. They have set up a business in at least 26 US states to serve Christians who are worried about their pets being “left behind”.

"When the Rapture comes, what's to become of your loving pets?" said a statement on the Eternal Earth-Bound Pets website. The group promises that as dedicated atheists they will stay on earth and take care of the pets.

According to the company, they already have over 250 clients each paying a non-refundable $135 for the first pet and an additional $20 for each additional animal.

Contracts last for 10 years.

It’s all ελληνικά to me :: Lessons from a Greek Teacher “I’LL STAND BY YOU!” Just look at how various different versions of the Bible translate John 14:16 and you will be forced to ask what the Holy Spirit is supposed to be to us: Comforter (AV/KJV), Counsellor (RSV), Advocate (NEB) or what?

The Greek word (parakletos) is deceptively simple; it is made up of the words ‘call’ and ‘beside’. From that come all the permutations of ‘Someone-you-call-to-your-side’ that we have, and the question: for what purpose do you call them?

If we look at the secular Greek of the time we find that it could mean: to represent us in court, to do public duty, to speechify (i.e. to exhort), to cheer for us / cheer us on, or simply to help.

Not surprisingly the old Rheims Douay Version (1582) bypassed the problem and simply used ‘Paraclete’. We have to rule out the AV/KJV word ‘Comforter’ because it has changed its meaning; in 1611 it meant Strengthener, but now there is too much of the soft cushion about it.

For all its simplicity, The Message version isn’t far adrift in just using the word ‘Friend’, but perhaps the best translation of the concept, not just the word, is J B Philips' ‘someone to stand by you’. That does it for me!

Warren Nelson, originally from Drogheda, Co. Louth, taught at the Irish Bible School in Co. Tipperary. He now enjoys active retirement and DIY near Tullamore.

VOX | July - Sep 2011 | 7

VOX:WORLD NEWS Reducing HIV transmission

Keeping vigil for the Eritrean people A group of nine people from Irish charity Church in Chains took part in an annual protest vigil on behalf of Christians in Eritrea. The vigil in London, marked the ninth anniversary of the closure of all independent churches in Eritrea, where an estimated 2,000 Christians have been imprisoned without charge.

Christians from Ireland, Scotland and Wales joined English Christians and members of the Eritrean community outside the Eritrean Embassy.

The vigil was jointly organised by eight groups concerned for Eritrea: the British Orthodox Church, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Church in Chains, Evangelical Alliance, Human Rights Concern Eritrea, Open Doors, Release Eritrea and Release International.

Despite heavy rain showers, the protesters read from the Bible, sang praise to God, listened to speeches and prayed. Members of each organisation took turns to brief protesters on the situation in Eritrea and lead them in prayer for specific concerns such as prisoners and refugees.

Leaving Sudan

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has welcomed Rwanda's announcement that it is starting a nationwide campaign to eliminate the transmission of HIV from a mother to her child.

HIV-positive women will receive the best available anti-retroviral treatment as part of the campaign, while the Rwandan Government also hopes to ensure that all women have access to family planning and to information on HIV prevention.

At least 20,000 children under the age of 15 live with HIV and more than 90 per cent were infected by their mother, either during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding.

Imprisoned!

An Algerian Christian has been sentenced to five years in prison for blasphemy. The charges were brought against Siagh Krimo after he shared his faith with a neighbour.

The court ruling came just days after authorities forced the permanent closure of seven Protestant churches in the province of Bejaia. Krimo was sentenced under Article 144 bis 2 of the Algerian Penal Code, which makes it a criminal offence to "insult the prophet" or "denigrate the creed and precepts of Islam".

Tackling an Irish Problem in Moldova

Women from Eastern Europe and Africa are being trafficked into every major town in Ireland to work in the sex industry. They are lured into travelling, on the promise of jobs enabling them to send money home. But when they arrive in Ireland, they find themselves trapped in a horrifying nightmare.

Team Hope, best known for the Christmas Shoebox Appeal, is seeking to tackle this problem in the countries where Irish shoeboxes are distributed. They are now sending teams into Moldovan secondary schools, warning teenagers that this ‘job offer’ may not be what it seems and to be careful.

Team Hope also funds a shelter for Moldovan girls who have been rescued from a life of sexual slavery and have returned home. They stay in a secure environment and receive counseling and job training.

Find out more at www.teamhope.ie or by calling 01 2940222.

Irish aid agency GOAL is withdrawing its staff from Sudan because of violent clashes between opposing troops – one group loyal to the Northern government and another to the Southern government.

GOAL’s work in Sudan came to prominence in July 2009 when two of its workers were kidnapped from the Darfur region. The humanitarian organisation has had safety concerns for staff since violence between troops escalated.

In a statement, GOAL said, “GOAL has decided to withdraw its entire staff. Abyei town has become the flashpoint for continued North and South Sudan tensions as Southern Sudan prepares for full independence.”

8 | VOX | July - Sep 2011

YOUR VOX letters to the editor An emotional response I’m after picking up a free copy of VOX magazine at the Dream conference and reading through, I came across an article on individualism (Individualism and the Church, VOX magazine April – June 2011). This is something I’ve been meditating on for a long time and reading this article was not just music to my ears but it had me emotional; I could feel the emotions with a sense of relief.

I found it very, very poignant. I’ve been looking for ways to help people understand this message and to see it expressed in one article has been great. It is absolutely essential that this message is understood by people in the church, especially leaders.

Star Letter!

In each issue of VOX we award a prize of a €25 One4all voucher for our favourite letter. It could be you!

Robert O Mongain, Tallaght

Nearly crying I had heard about VOX but don't think I ever bought one before today. I really agree with article Individualism and the Church (VOX magazine April – June 2011).

I’ve seen it happen often.

In my understanding, clergy and laity should never have entered language of believers. I was nearly crying when I read the article. Thanks.

Christians, moral purity, social concern, passion for evangelism, etc.). Otherwise we end up preaching law instead of grace.

Perhaps a better analogy for the relationship is that between the sun (evangelism) and the moon (social action).

If the sun shines, the moon will reflect its light. You cannot separate the two, but one is clearly more important than the other.

Alvin Lamb By email

John Samuel Pastor of Grosvenor Road Baptist Church, Rathmines, Dublin 6

Evangelism and Social Action Getting clear on the relationship between evangelism and social action is key for Bible Christians. It is good to see VOX tackling the subject (The Gospel and Mission, VOX Apr – Jun 2010).

Analogies are used like two wings of a bird or two blades of a pair of scissors. But these pictures confuse since they remove the priority of verbal communication of the gospel message.

If we believe heaven and hell are the only two destinies and last for eternity, then eternal salvation has to be more important than temporary material improvement without eternal salvation.

However, if we believe in the necessity of the Christian growing in godliness, then compassion for the weak, expressed in practical ways, has to be an indispensable mark of the true Christian.

Of course, we cannot separate social action from evangelism. If evangelism is the horse, social action is the cart.

It follows on behind. But we must not confuse the content of the gospel message (grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone) with the consequences of the gospel message (love for fellow

On “Cuts to government spending” (The Conversation, www.vox.ie) Yesterday, as I was enjoying travelling on the train to Maynooth, looking through the window and the green fields I thought about the power of money. It has nothing to do with how much or how little we have but with the intrinsic power that it has. Even if I haven't got a lot and spend my time thinking about it, it has power.

But I also realised its power is also demonstrated in the way we make decisions. Many decisions can be made not on the basis of good or bad, but on how it will affect my budget.

If I could protect any area of Government spending, I would protect health and education and benefits for the disabled. I would help the unemployed but would also find ways in which that person will continue to develop even if he or she doesn't have a steady job.

All of these are at the heart of society, the family.

The same root problem I hope you don't mind a comment about ongoing financial issues (Cuts to Government Spending, VOX magazine April – June 2011) from a North American fan of Ireland and VOX. In an installment of the CS Lewis Lecture series given in Dublin the root of the problem was highlighted. We share that same root: greed!

Jonathan Stamberg Atlanta, Georgia Ed: Of course we don’t mind you commenting from “across the pond”.

Thanks Jonathan!

VOX magazine welcomes “Letters to the Editor” (ideal length 150-200 words) in response to articles and features or relevant issues facing Ireland in the 21st century. Send your contribution to Your VOX, editor@vox.ie or mail to The Editor, VOX magazine, Solas Publishing, Ulysses House, 22-24 Foley St, Dublin 1

Ana Mullan Dublin

VOX | July - Sep 2011 | 9

Building bridges or walls?

By Nick Park

I had popped into my office to finish some outstanding paperwork after our Monday night prayer meeting. Some of our church members had stayed behind to fellowship.

On this occasion I left my office about 11pm. The last two stragglers from the prayer meeting had gone out a few seconds ahead of me. As I was locking the door I heard shouting coming from the front of the church.

The two ladies were standing by their vehicles in the car park. Two young men on the street outside were screaming abuse at them. It was a particularly offensive form of racial abuse, full of liberal use of the ‘N’ word and threats of violence.

Racist abuse

The men saw me and, being brave specimens of manhood, quickly retreated to the other side of the street at the sight of a middle-aged white-haired overweight pastor. I moved quickly to stand between them and our two ladies – and, although there were no more threats of violence, they continued to spew forth racist abuse.

Our two ladies left, and the loudmouthed racists carried on down the street. Now, here’s the weird thing.

The young men were white. I’m white. And the two church ladies are white. Yet these men were screaming hatred purely because of our church’s reputation as a multicultural and multiethnic church.

Driving home I confess that I struggled to stay sanctified. Part of me really wanted to turn the car around, to confront those young men and to administer the sorely-needed clip round the ear that their mothers evidently neglected to give them. But I kept on driving.

After all, a pastor beating up young men on the street doesn’t generally bring good publicity to a church.

But I found it difficult to sleep that night. I’ve been subjected to abuse before, but somehow racism has a viciousness that disturbs my spirit. Then a sobering realisation sank into my heart. If racist abuse has such

Somehow racism has a viciousness that disturbs my spirit.

10 | VOX | July - Sep 2011

an impact, even when it’s from a white person directed at other whites, then how must it affect the black members of our church?

A few evenings later I was in another prayer meeting with about a dozen black friends from our church. I shared what had happened. I began to say, “I’m sure this is nothing new. Some of you have probably faced worse abuse sometimes…”

Studies reveal that Evangelical Christians’ attitudes tend to perpetuate rather than to diminish racial divisions and injustices.

I got no further. One guy just about exploded. He said, “Pastor! Not just ‘sometimes’ – make that ‘every day’!”

He related how, as a bus driver, he had been subjected to racist abuse every single day of his working life in Dublin.

One day, the abuse was so nasty and vindictive that my friend’s patience snapped. He started shouting back at his tormentor. As a result he has now lost his job.

My friend is a large imposing man. And I’m sure his outburst was upsetting for some passengers. But as I listened to him I realised that a whole section of our church is experiencing stuff of which I have little or no concept.

I’ve recently been reading “Divided by Faith: Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America” by sociologist Michael Emerson. It has almost become a cliché that 11am on a Sunday morning is the most segregated hour in American society.

But, more disturbingly, studies reveal that evangelical Christianity attitudes tend to perpetuate rather than to diminish racial divisions and injustices. It’s not that they are overtly racist – but their worldview leads them to ignore inequalities in society.

VOX Writing Competition So, are we headed towards a similar scenario in Ireland? Is the future of evangelical Christianity in this land to be one of white churches and black churches with little interaction and little understanding of the problems each other face?

Don’t misunderstand me. I am not so naïve as to imagine that every church should be multicultural and multiethnic. Our histories and different people’s preferences in worship and preaching style mean we will always have white-majority churches, churches composed predominantly of immigrants and every conceivable mixture inbetween.

Part of the problem or part of the solution?

But, and this is a huge ‘but’, studies from the US also demonstrate that where black and white Christians form relationships with each other, then evangelical Christians become part of the solution to racial tension rather than being part of the problem.

Evangelical Alliance Ireland is moving to address this by promoting an event called “If My People” on November 11 2011. Pastors from diverse backgrounds will be planning prayer events all over Ireland with a view to building relationships with one another and between their congregations.

Let’s join together and set an example in the church that can show the way ahead for our nation.

To find out how you and your church can be part of this initiative then please contact Mary Dwyer at EAI networking@evangelical.ie Nick Park is the Senior Pastor of the Solid Rock Church in Drogheda and National Overseer for the Church of God in Ireland. Nick is married to Janice and they have a grown up daughter, Kirsty.

WIN €250 in vouchers for the Scripture Union bookshop!

At VOX magazine we want to encourage new and upcoming writers in Ireland. We are delighted to announce our “My Story” Writing Competition 2011.

Send us your story about faith, life and reality on one of these topics: Turning Point – how and why I became a Christian… or Real - God became more meaningful in my life after...

The lowdown: Entries must not have been previously published Word length: Minimum 400, maximum 800 One entry per person.

Entries should be sent as a (.doc) Word file All entries must be accompanied by a three-sentence author profile and a photo The competition is open to Irish citizens and to residents of the thirty-two counties.

The judges’ decision is final.

Closing date: 30 August 2011 Prizes: 1st prize: €250 SU voucher and a copy of The Narnia Code on DVD. Publication of your story in VOX magazine and opportunities for future contributions to the magazine.

2nd prize: €175 SU voucher and a copy of The Narnia Code on DVD. Publication of your story online at www.vox.ie 3rd prize: €75 SU voucher and publication of your story on www.vox.ie All non-winning entrants will be offered free, oneoff mentoring for their submitted pieces by Louis Hemmings.

Helpful websites http://www.dailywritingtips.com/show-dont-tell http://www.writerscentre.ie/html/resources/ competitions.html

July -2011 Sep | 11 VOX VOX | July -| Sep

Faith, Life, Reality My Story

“My Story” is an opportunity for ordinary people living in Ireland to talk about their journey to faith or the impact God has in their daily lives.

“I was homeless and you took me in.”

Fenny West from Nigeria sought refuge in Ireland in 1986 following immigration problems in the UK. He shares his journey as an “alien and a stranger” in a foreign land.

Blown across the Irish sea, I soon discovered that the Aliens Office was no soft touch. Once they discovered I had to leave the UK for working without a permit, I was told to leave within seven days. With the help of a solicitor, I lodged an appeal.

Fortunately, I had a generous sponsor (a man of God) that had undertaken financial responsibility for me even while in England. So I started studying for my professional accountancy course.

After one year, the sponsorship ceased but God raised up various Irish people who helped me.

Meanwhile I heard nothing from the Aliens Office for 5 years. I then felt prompted to go back to the Aliens Office, to regularise my stay and to seek a work permit.

Thankfully I had some sympathetic Irish friends who wrote in the papers about my plight and arranged an intervention by the local TD. The Nigerian Embassy also made an appeal on my behalf. This was how God turned the situation around.

It was not an easy road. I had to trust God on a daily basis. In eight years I lived at ten different addresses. There were times when I was an au pair and at another time I took care of a house for someone who was in prison.

I was encouraged to keep trusting God for a breakthrough. In my valley of trials God birthed songs and poems numbering hundreds and deepened my relationship and intimacy with Him. I thank God for all those who responded to His promptings to help me. I was homeless and you took me in. I was in Ireland wandering and you reached out and touched me!

Want to share your story in VOX magazine? Write to editor@vox.ie or Solas Publishing, Ulysses House, 22-24 Foley St.Dublin 1.

12 | VOX | July - Sep 2011

David Wilkerson:

A tribute from Teen Challenge Ireland David Wilkerson died in a car crash in Texas, USA, on April 27 aged 79.

Known internationally for founding Teen Challenge, David was recognised as a man of faith and total devotion to the Lord.

Those privileged to hear him speak when he visited Ireland in 2003 were conscious of listening to a humble man who had lived close to Jesus for what was then more than 50 years.

In 1958, as a young preacher from Pennsylvania, David felt God’s call to help troubled young people in New York after seeing a news report of youths charged with a gang murder. He believed that people without hope could be rescued and renewed by the love and power of God. He went on to reach out to gang members and drug addicts in that city and so was founded Teen Challenge, a Christ-centred drug and alcohol rehabilitation programme, which now operates over 1,000 centres in more than 80 countries, including Ireland.

Today Teen Challenge Ireland is seeing lives changed and men and women set free from addiction not just through a programme but through meeting Christ.

We thank God for David’s radical obedience to the Lord. He gave his life completely to Jesus and selflessly gave himself to the needs of others. He truly was a friend to the outcast and the hurting.

Aubrey Mc Carthy, Teen Challenge, Ireland

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I remember the day that the PJ II came to Ireland. I watched my parents head off with their packed lunch and deck chairs. One of my older brothers was left to look after me and he was NOT happy about it.

We watched it on TV and I squinted to see if I could spot my mam’s deck chair. I asked a million questions and my brother was getting fed up.

At one stage I asked, “Is the Pope going to give Communion?”

“Yes!” “To everyone? That’ll take hours!”

“He’ll only give it to some people.”

“Which people?"

“I don’t know… the nicest people.”

“How do they know who are the nicest people?”

My poor brother lost it and in a desperate effort to say something that would get me to be quiet, he blurted out, “An award was given to the nicest person in each town and THEY get to receive Communion from the Pope - now SHUT UP!” It never occurred to me that it wasn't true. I was seven at the time and for years I thought about the “nicest person” and imagined it had been me. So much so that in my first religion class in secondary school (in a moment of madness), I decided to assign the honour to myself.

Our religion teacher asked everyone what their most significant religious experience was. I answered, “When the Pope came to Ireland, I received Holy Communion from him.”

My teacher’s jaw dropped but everyone else in the class was very impressed.

Before my teacher had time to challenge me I said, “Each town gave the prize for the nicest person, and well…. (pausing for modesty) I won it.”

I looked at the teacher and immediately knew that HE knew it wasn’t true.

Worst of all my dad was the caretaker of the school, but thankfully my teacher didn’t tell him.

As I write I’m turning red at the huge lie I told but behind it was the desperation to be significant and special and different. I wanted to be one of the ‘chosen few’ who had access all areas.

I know now that I am special in God’s sight. I have access all areas because of Jesus. Romans 5:1,2 says, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.” So now I don’t have to tell lies to boast about having access all areas!

Annmarie Miles comes from Tallaght in Dublin and is married to Richard, from Wales. She works for Focus on the Family and loves to cook, sing, read, talk and eat! Follow Annmarie's blog at www.auntyamo.wordpress.com.

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VOX - helping Christians in Ireland to find their voice!

www.vox.ie VOX | July - Sep 2011 | 13

A Remarkable Journey On August 8, Dr Barry Funnell will start an epic 1,000-mile journey from Lands End to John O’Groats in the UK. Barry, who is paralysed from the chest down, will use a hand cycle to cover 43 miles a day, raising funds and promoting the cause of Bible translation. VOX editor Ruth Garvey-Williams met up with Barry in Dublin. This is his remarkable story:

When I was 28 years old, I fell from a three-story building and was paralysed from the chest down. I was an ambitious and materialistic young man who just wanted to have fun without concern for other people.

I realised that I had been a fool thinking I was the master of my own destiny. All my dreams came crashing down.

My dad was a Baptist minister in South Africa. I became a Christian at the age of nine but my faith was very immature and self-centred - I used God as a convenience for my own needs.

After the accident, I recommitted my life to Christ and I began to grow in my love for the Lord. I began to read my Bible two or three hours a day. People would say things to try and comfort me but it was when I was alone, reading the Bible, that I was comforted. It became the most important book in my life.

I qualified as a dentist in 1986 and I really enjoyed witnessing to my dental patients. But I felt so many of them had already heard it and were not interested. I became inspired to bring the word of God to those who had never heard.

I met my wife Julia and it was love at first sight. As soon as she graduated, we went to the Africa School of Missions and studied Bible Translation for three years. Many people thought how could I go on the mission field in a wheelchair? But I felt God had called me to translate the Bible

All my dreams came crashing down.

God put the Sena people in Malawi on my heart. We lived among them for 10 years and translated the Bible in a record 10 years by training local translators to do the work.

This is the way Word for the World Bible Translation works - we pioneered an approach of empowering mother-tongue speakers in translation.

While we were in Malawi we adopted our first daughter in 1993 and our son in 1995. Then all hell broke loose. Things went wrong with the adoption and eventually our son was kidnapped when he was just 14 months old. It was very traumatic!

We had only a few weeks to go before finalising our New Testament. Thankfully Timothy was recovered after three days through the efforts of the local community. But our situation was very insecure and eventually we fled Malawi for four months.

God told us if we went back to Malawi we would see breakthroughs. Twelve of us went to pray on a mountain and within a few weeks the kidnapping issue was resolved and the people involved were arrested. A book called Operation Jonah, which is a fictionalized account of the kidnapping, has been written by E. Miller. She has donated all proceeds of the sale of the books to Bible translation.

We completed the full Bible in 2001. That was the most exciting day of our lives, when the full Bible was launched in the Sena language Once we were distributing the Bibles and saw two people on bicycles. I gave them a Bible as a gift. They were amazed to see it was in their own language.

As we drove the car down the road, we looked back and saw

A Sena man reads the Bible for first time in Malawi

Scripture portions being distributed in Tanzania among the Lughuru people

Barry teaching translators in Bangalore, India

...we looked back and saw that they were dancing in the street with unabated joy and excitement.

My top five...

Web highlights from VOX readers

that they were dancing in the street with unabated joy and excitement.

These young men were obviously Christians but never had the Bible in their own language.

This is the vision of The Word for the World - that God’s word would be available in everyone’s heart language. We work closely with Wycliffe and the Bible Society to avoid repetition or overlap of resources.

We also partner with the Jesus Film Project. Once we have completed the gospel of Luke we make sure that the Jesus film is made available in those languages. Working together with Faith comes by Hearing, we make sure that audio versions of the new translations are made available.

Today we have 50 Bible translation projects and about 1500 full time Bible translators working in their own countries and own language groups.

We have 20 missionaries who help with training and support of the translators.

This year is The Word for the World’s 30th anniversary. I wanted to make the journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats to revive people’s interest in Bible translation.

If people do not have the Bible in their own language, they feel like God is ignoring them. When they finally hear God’s word in their own mother tongue it feels as if He is speaking directly to them and that they can speak to Him in their heart language.

I want to encourage people to really value their own Bible and to read it every day. I have a disability and I have access problems. There are millions of people who do not have access to the word of God. My disability is incurable but theirs is not!

You can support Dr Barry Funnell’s work and his epic journey by donating online at www.thewordfortheworld.org

www.pjcockrell.wordpress.com Tagline is: Already not yet. This is theological reflection at a challenging level (for me, anyway!).

I especially enjoy the bits I don’t agree with. Peter helps to challenge my own thinking. www.letmyenemiestakecare.tumblr.com Art and poetry blog, which seldom posts but is always breathtaking and insightful. I just love being surprised by beauty and startled by ugliness.

Probably need therapy on that last one.

www.pindropclub.co.uk An acoustic band from the Bristol area of UK. Totally original, funny, fresh and innovative. They do very small scale intimate concerts in village halls with home-made soup and wine in the interval.

The last one I saw started off with a ten minute duet between two guitars played almost entirely in harmonics. So quiet you could hear a… www.crabbyoldfart.wordpress.com On a quite different level, the wisdom of Mr Don (“All my best friends are dead”) Miller leaves me crying with laughter as he expounds on “The Problem with Young People today.” Read it and weep. Literally. www.mightycraic.wordpress.com This is the teaching back-up base for the new NRG (New Rising Generation) programme for 18 to 25 year-olds doing one-year internships as church planters/radical believers in Ireland starting in September.

Barry with his hand cycle, preparing for the long journey

Dr Ken Baker has been a Bible communicator for many years in colleges, universities and churches. He now pastors Hope Community, Roscommon and is a regular contributor to www.godsvoicetoday.com. Search for his video devotionals under Dr Ken Baker on YouTube!

VOX | July - Sep 2011 | 15

Ross barrett, a.k.a. ‘The punching pastor’, has multiple awards in Shotokan karate and Tae kwon do. He gave VOX reporter, Roberta von Meding, a few moments of his time to talk about how he is using martial arts and boxing to invest in the lives of young people in Waterford.

16 | VOX | July - Sep 2011

Q: How did you first get into Martial Arts / Boxing?

A: I was a relative latecomer, not starting training until the age of 27. I took up kickboxing under the guidance of then World Champion Dean Sugden in Nottinghamshire, England. That was where my passion for the fight game and ring sports really developed.

My training went from one evening a week to seven days a week, with 6.00 a.m. starts on some mornings. As well as being successful in these sports, I was not as angry as I used to be. I found myself turning to God a lot more through prayer (most prayers at that time went something like, “don’t let me get too beat up”) and reading the Bible.

Q: What was the motivation for setting up Bad Boy Turned Good?

A: My daughter Bethany was having more success in the sport than I was, yet there was nowhere for her to train locally so I set up a small club, training young and old out of the local community centres. As the numbers grew, I finally secured premises to house the Bad Boy Academy No.1 Martial Arts.

In my own life my prayer included, “Lord bring those to me that you wish me to serve”. More and more angry young people were turning up with a lack of focus, leadership or space to express themselves.

All this got me thinking and praying, “How can I make God cool for the youth of today?” As I was watching the Ultimate Fighting Championships, I noticed the winners were giving thanks to Jesus for their victory, even our own Katie Taylor. Amazing eh?

‘Bad Boy’ was an understatement for my previous life.

When talking with a friend he said, “So you’re like a bad boy turned good then?” Bingo! There was the name ‘Bad Boy Turned Good’ – F4C (Fight 4 Christ).

Q: Is it only accessible to people in Waterford or can other counties get involved?

A: BBTG is open to all Christian denominations and counties in Ireland and across the globe. We are looking for young adults who would like to fill a GAP year by completing an intern course or training to become a leader in BBTG. Q: Can you give a story of a young person from the programme?

A: We have had one student whose parents came to me regarding his anger and the trouble he was in with the local police. Fifteen months later, this lad has calmed down and is in control of his anger and he is getting the best grades at school he ever has achieved. He has won two major titles in kickboxing and is praying and developing a relationship with God. Another young 21-year-old man has been training with us for nearly a year now and has kicked his drug habit. He is making huge progress in his own life.

Q: Where can people go to find out more or join?

A: Our website is www.badboyturnedgood.com and the training centre website is www.badboytrainingcentre.com.

Following the birth of her daughter Juliet, Roberta is now a proud stay-at-home mum. Watch this space for her first children's book, which should be out by the New Year!

Q: What are your main goals?

A: BBTG was born out of a desire to see a generation of young people develop a relationship with God and live lives worthy of their calling.

In Ireland we have few places where people can come to discover and develop their faith. We have more than enough churchgoers, yet too many are content with merely hearing God’s Word and never become doers of the Word.

The result is that they are stuck in a religious rut looking at the frustrations in their life, often asking the questions; ‘Is there really a God?’ and ‘Why am I here?’

It is time to redefine genuine Christianity and authentic discipleship according to Jesus. It was a radical thing for the first disciples to heed the voice of the Master!

Bad Boy Turned Good F4C is a gym dedicated to helping young people with social and emotional stress from all communities and walks of life.

Our aim is to educate teens that there is more to life that hanging out on the streets of our towns and villages, that there is more to experience than consuming alcohol, using drugs, crimes or self-destructive behaviour.

July -2011 Sep | 17 VOX VOX | July -| Sep

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new technologies have become woven into the fabric of our culture and social interactions.

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YAHOO, HOTMAIL, GOOGLE, WIKIPEDIA, WORDPRESS, FACEBOOK, FLICKR, YOUTUBE, TWITTER, AUDIOBOO, STORIFY… the last 20 years have transformed the face of communications.

This revolution has far-reaching consequences, whether you are more comfortable tweeting your every move on an iPhone 4 or posting handwritten correspondence at the nearest Oifig an Phoist.

Initially dismissed and even ridiculed, new technologies have become woven into the fabric of our culture and social interactions. The latest figures from Internet World Stats show 1/3 of the world’s population is now using the Internet, an increase of almost 445% since 2000!

Last year, Facebook announced it had 500 million active users (only India and China have a larger population)!

The Internet and its offspring are variously credited with the downfall of dictatorships, early cancer diagnosis, matchmaking and successful social justice campaigns as well as promoting laziness, shallow relationships, information overload and the destruction of family values!

“We have chosen a future dominated by electronics and that has enormous consequences for every aspect of our lives.

The things that digital technologies make possible define our culture. This is a once-in-a-civilisation transition as significant as the last big one, which was the invention of writing.” Bill Thompson, BBC, Mash Media conference, Dublin (May 2011).

But the myriad new forms of communication are still only tools to be used or set aside. Media experts remind us that the fundamentals of communication have not changed.

Whatever medium we use, the question remains, are we getting through?

Effective communication only happens when an audience understands our message. It is possible to have a great message but communicate it badly.

It is also possible to have a negative, damaging or simply self-serving message and communicate it really well – how else does the media (in all its forms) shape and transform people’s thinking so dramatically?

Sadly, Christians, who have the life-changing, world-shaking, inspirational story of a compassionate, gracious and forgiving Saviour, can be lazy and ineffective in their communication.

Compare these images:

What we need to learn is not necessarily to jump on the latest technological bandwagon but to invest the necessary time, effort and skill to communicate well using whatever tools best suit our audience.

“Technologies help us to tell stories but people find, craft and tell those stories.”

John Mulholland, The Observer newspaper, Mash Media conference, Dublin (May 2011).

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Leading Irish, British and American media professionals at the Mash Media conference in Dublin kept repeating the same back-to-basics message I learned when I trained as a journalist (almost 25 years ago!!).

And they are the same principles we see in action through Jesus’ ministry! So here are the principles and some tips for effective communication – online or offline, in the supermarket queue or on a bus, on your church noticeboard or in a sermon, with your youth group or in the retirement home, in a magazine or on YouTube…

Communication 101 (or John 1: 14) Once upon a time, a rich entrepreneur took off his Gucci suit and pulled on a pair of Dunnes Stores jeans and a Pennys' T-shirt. He left his comfortable home in the centre of Dublin and squeezed onto a crowded bus to Letterkenny. He hitchhiked to a tiny rural village and took a room in a rather dodgy B&B. For a long time he was silenced by the dramatic change in his circumstances. All he could do was watch, listen and learn. The people in the village had a different accent and at first they were suspicious of the newcomer.

Day by day, he hung out at the village pub, drinking a pint of Guinness and eating a bowl of the landlord’s famous stew.

Soon he was joining in the sing-a-long every Thursday evening.

He knew all the words to “Lisdoonvarna” and “The hills of Donegal”. He asked many, many questions and began to adjust his speech patterns to use local words and phrases.

He volunteered to help out with a street collection to repair the community centre’s leaking roof. He went to weddings and wakes, attended parties and even dressed up as St Patrick for the annual parade.

He discovered fascinating facts about the local history by chatting to the secretary of the local Heritage Society and visited an art exhibition in aid of the hospice.

Finally he began to make YouTube videos about ordinary people and their lives. The videos went viral. Soon everyone was chatting about the stories. A few locals even recognised who he really was!

But some became jealous and started a smear campaign in the local media…

Lessons from the Master

1 GO TO PEOPLE. (Don’t expect them to come to you.)

Jesus’ ministry began with the astonishing moment of the Incarnation! We need to go where people are - that includes social media spaces as well as market places. Where is your audience? If you don’t know, perhaps it is time to find out?

2 KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE. Jesus spent time with people. He was called the “Friend of Sinners” for good reason! A frequently touted criticism of Twitter is, “I don’t care what you had for breakfast.” If you truly care about people, you will care about the smallest of details of their lives (wine at a wedding, a sick servant, a hungry crowd…).

3 LISTEN. There is a time to speak and a time to be silent.

Jesus knew how to listen. Do we? How often do we ignore what people are saying because we are too busy composing our next sentence?

4 ASK QUESTIONS. Much of Jesus’ teaching was a dialogue, not a monologue. In Jewish tradition, it was the Rabbi, not the student, who asked the questions!

Kenny Jahng from www.Godvertiser.com asks, “Are you communicating to people or are you communicating with people?”

And in “Less Clutter, Less Noise,” author Kem Meyer advises, “[People] like it when you get them thinking, but not when you tell them what to think. Instead of coming at people, come alongside them.”

5 BE CREATIVE. Jesus used stories of ordinary people to connect with His audience. His teaching was richly coloured with metaphors, similes and cultural references. He had the ability to paint a vivid picture for His listeners and they hung on his words… his videos went viral!

A word at the end Whatever tools you choose to use, old or new, your communication demonstrates what you really think and feel about your audience. Do you care enough to communicate well?

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We need to go where people are - that includes social media spaces as well as market places.

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Apple App Store July -2011 Sep | 19 VOX VOX | July -| Sep

A rare breed

“How’s she cutting?” Every head turns toward the big voice to see a wee woman coming through the door. “I’m dyin’ for a cup o’ tea pet” she says.

That is the cue for the kids to run and hide their chocolate because nothing is safe around Mary*, including the heavy chocolate blocks used for baking. Yuk! By her own admission she has no morals when it comes to chocolate and she’s not joking!

This stretching of boundaries started when she was young and reached great heights in her teens when the priest brought the local kids home in an attempt to reach out to them with the love of God while they smuggled his bottles of whiskey out the window.

Through time, the love of God did trickle down into her soul like a river flowing and wore away the hard places, leaving a beautiful, compassionate heart. I saw her opening her home to the homeless and alcoholic while she let them take a shower and gave them clean

clothes to help retain their dignity.

She definitely has a “thing” about waifs and strays and this was reflected in her pets. My first encounter was with the psycho cat. She warned me to be careful because the cat had been known to attack visitors and it did have a queer look in its eyes.

After the cat came a dog that was found abandoned and was named “Harry”. It came as no surprise to learn he had kleptomaniac tendencies and when things went missing they were usually found in the dog’s basket. At least we always knew where the TV remote was!

A couple more dogs were taken in while their owners were sick or on holiday and when Mary had nothing to eat herself, she always managed to feed the dogs. Whatever the need, she puts others first. And God blesses her.

The more she was given, the more she gave away Those of us who considered ourselves a little more pious than Mary struggled at times to understand why her prayers were answered so overwhelmingly. Her generosity is well known in her town.

People give her TVs, DVD players, beds, all sorts of things and her response is always “Oh, Mrs. Murphy needs a TV, her’s just broke” and off she would go to

give the TV to Mrs. Murphy.

It was a simple principle - the more she was given, the more she gave away.

Prosperity theology in its truest form!

Mary has a great “God-given” sense of humour - well, actually, some of it probably didn’t originate in heavenly places.

As one of the “Nordie Prods” she calls friends (Northern Irish Protestants for those reading this outside of Ireland), I have probably never been so verbally abused, in such a loving manner, within the church. Mary says what others only think and then while you are still reeling from her comments, she will put you in her car and drive you from Coleraine to Kerry to visit your sick aunt or just to let you see the sea!

For me Mary is one of the great people in Irish history, an unsung hero in this world, but her name is engraved in heaven! She embodies the funny, compassionate and generous of the Irish and is indeed a rare breed, which is disappearing from our land… and our church. *name changed Rita Holmes is Belfast born and studied at the Irish Bible School in Tipperary. She now lives in The Netherlands.

Family Focus The ABCs of raising children Raising children is one of the greatest challenges (and rewards) any adult will face. Doing it successfully, and raising children with a positive Attitude, good Behaviour and developing a great Character requires courageous and purposeful parents.

Applying the principles set out in Dr Kevin Leman’s New York Times bestseller, Have a New Kid by Friday, will help!

This book has been the subject of Focus on the Family Ireland’s radio programmes (go to www.family.ie and click ‘On Air’) in which we have shared tips on raising children.

Here is a quick summary: • Take responsibility for yourself and your role as a parent • Be consistent in your treatment and engagement with your child.

• Our kids need us (parents) to follow through and to be fair.

• Relationships are the key – to having success with your kids.

Speaking the right language

20 | VOX | July - Sep 2011

Dr Leman offers a 5-day Action Plan that really works: 1. Consequences 2. ABC’s of Attitude, Behaviour and Character 3. Show me the parent and I’ll show you the child 4. Developing self-worth in your child 5. So what’s your Game Plan?

If we are willing to take up the challenge of parenting we can really make a difference in the lives of our children.

Now, how can we help you?

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Develop as a Disciple at IBI IBI is committed to an approach to study that develops the whole person: head (mind), heart (attitudes) and hands (skills).

If this approach to equipping appeals to you why not check out our website today for more details on our courses such as:

Certificate, Diploma, BA Degree, MA Degree, Evening courses and individual modules.

Whatever time you have available, we have a course to suit you.

www.ibi.ie

or contact Linda at 01-8069060 Now is the time to apply!

Equipping the whole person - head, heart and hands VOX | July - Sep 2011 | 21

No Ivory Towers at IBI Studying theology might seem a far cry from the challenges of life in 21st Century but past students from the Irish Bible Institute have discovered differently. Sharing with VOX magazine, some of IBI’s alumni reflect on what they learnt and how they are putting those lessons into practice in the “real” world!

David Blevins lives in Richhill, County Armagh and works part time as the Ireland Correspondent for Sky News and part time as a Lay Pastor at Richhill Methodist Church. He completed a BA Degree in Applied Theology at IBI (Sept ’07 – June ’10).

When I started, IBI was the only college in Ireland offering a degree in "Applied" Theology. It struck exactly the right balance between classes, home study and ministry.

The emphasis on head, heart and hands was refreshing.

Theology, Christology and Pneumatology classes stretched the mind. Old Testament studies both blessed and challenged the heart. Pastoral Care and Mission in Contemporary Ireland modules equipped us for ministry.

[My studies] enabled me to grasp that all of life is sacred, not just the things we call "church" and "worship".

Working part time in the media and part time in the church, the media keeps the ministry relevant and the ministry keeps the media in perspective.

Why recommend IBI? I'm tempted to write, "the coffee" but it will read better if I write, "the coffee, the community and the challenge of moving what you learn from your head to your hands via your heart."

22 | VOX | July - Sep 2011

Children’s worker Laurna Nolan serves with CEF in Bray Co Wicklow. She took a one-year, full-time course with IBI (2009-2010).

I had previously done a distancelearning course many years ago with IBI when it was in Tipperary.

The full-time certificate course was appealing to me as it was only over two days a week, leaving me free to continue working with CEF. I found the course to be very achievable, yet 'not a walk in the park'. I had to work hard!

The lecturers are amazing and dedicated folks who are eager to help and assist students to achieve their goals.

The course is not just academic but practical and encourages engagement in ministry. I learnt a practical theology, which aided my personal walk and ministry to the children and teenagers of south Dublin.

I have a better understanding of the Bible and what I have learnt has automatically come into my ministry, reaching and teaching the children and teenagers.

For anyone who is serious about their own personal walk with God and is willing to enrich the Irish Church after being well equipped and trained for service, then IBI is the place to go.

Joe Donnelly works in Dublin’s inner city docklands, developing a “Hope” themed community outreach project and missional church. He completed the MA in applied theology at IBI (2006-2010).

My primary motive [for studying at IBI] was to research the subject of biblical hope. I did the six-module course and found it had a broad enough spectrum without losing focus.

Over the years you recognise that your work and ministry will reach certain plateaus, and the big challenge is knowing when and how to take things up to the next level. In my experience, theological study is a very important part of this whole process, alongside the other disciplines of prayer and listening to God. In the community project I am seeing numerous opportunities to put applied theology in action.

One example is that we have just opened our hope-themed Cafe, (see Facebook page Fair-Play Cafe for more details or call down sometime).

I have been always impressed with IBI, especially as I have always felt a strong sense of mission among the whole IBI team, and with this there is a personal commitment to the learning experience of each student.

Currently living and working in New Zealand, Kirsty Harnden studied Applied Theology at Carraig Eden before moving to IBI in 2009 /2010 to finish her course when the two colleges merged.

Methodist Minister Rosemary Lindsay lives in Birr, Co Offaly, where she serves three churches in Birr, Athlone and Tullamore. She was one of the first intake of students on the MA programme in 2005 and graduated in 2008.

I'd been considering further study for some time but hadn't found anything that really excited me. The modules of this course were structured in a way that suited: a block of four days' teaching three times a year, rather than the same day every week which I find can be difficult to fit in with other commitments.

I liked the look of the content.

It looked not just theoretical but useful and promised to be relevant for the church in the Ireland of today.

As an Englishwoman with no great love of history, I found myself becoming a lot more au fait with events in Ireland's past, which have shaped the church and enjoying doing so! I learnt to be more questioning, thanks to Steven Singleton's frequent repetitions of 'Why?' in the margins of my work!

I think being in IBI, with so many different people from different walks of life enables you to have a broader outlook on how you view life and faith.

I learned to trust my own opinions more and not to be afraid of thinking differently from someone else.

The course has enriched my ministr y because I understand my leadership style better and learned the value of dissenting voices - a help when choosing a team.

I wrote my dissertation on same-sex partnerships and have since been working with a group in the Methodist church to try to suggest Church policy regarding appropriate responses to homosexuality.

I would recommend IBI because the coffee always seems to be on tap! Seriously, that welcoming smell is borne out by everything else: the interest that all the staff have in all the students, the prayer that undergirds everything (from the moment I arrived for my initial interview!) and the great rapport between students from so many different places and Christian backgrounds.

It was the permanent staff's love of the Lord, their enthusiasm in teaching and their constant support that have stayed with me.

[My studies] enabled me to grasp that all of life is sacred, not just the things we call "church" and "worship".

I originally started my college career in Trinity College, studying Biblical and Theology Studies.

After two years I decided I wanted a more Christ-centered approach to Theology so I moved into Carraig Eden and eventually IBI. I loved the year that I did in IBI - the courses were relevant to ministry and living practically as a Christian but they were also intellectually challenging.

I learned how to merge the two areas of my life that I had thought separate - studying and ministry.

I hadn't ever had any practical application included in what I was learning [about theology]. Being able to discuss something in class that directly affected me and my faith was a very good challenge!

I think being in IBI with so many different people from different walks of life enables you to have a broader outlook on how you view life and faith.

IBI is a different experience for everyone - and that's why I would recommend it. It's not a cookiecutter Bible college degree; it's challenging, it's dynamic and it will change you in ways you can't even begin to imagine.

At the moment I'm working as a photographer on board a Dolphin Discoveries boat doing tours around the Bay of Islands, swimming with dolphins and visiting the islands.

My ministry in Ireland was youth work, working with Scripture Union and I plan to get back into some sort of youth work when I return.

It's very different not being involved in some sort of ministry, but I decided to take this year out to see where God wants me to go in my life, to see what He wants me to do and draw closer to Him. It's been great for learning about myself and my relationship with God, especially after being involved in ministry since I was about eighteen!

July -2011 Sep | 23 VOX VOX | July -| Sep

Do not let people disregard you because you are young, but be an example to all the believers in the way you speak and behave, and in your love, your faith and your purity.

1 Timothy 4:12

BAD BOY TURNED GOOD “YOU ARE CALLED TO STAND OUT, NOT FIT IN”

WANTED: Leaders and volunteers who are on fire for God. (18+) We believe young people need leaders who will help them to rebuild what has been lost in our society and return to a foundation of faith.

Our goal is to reach, teach and train young people to make an impact in their communities and the world with the love of Jesus.

If you want to stand out & not fit in, why not enroll on our intern course and become a leader on the Bad Boy Turned Good team or serve in our Respect4Youth team (www.respect4youth.com).

Call us on 087.9551227 or email fight4c@gmail.com

We know you wouldn't swap your kid for anything.... but what if you could have a new one by Friday?

It’s as easy as A, B, C...

Attitude, Behaviour, Character.

See page 24 for a review of this practical and encouraging book.

Focus on the Family Ireland, Unit 11 The Plaza, Main Street, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 T: 01 806 6288 | E: info@family.ie |W: www.family.ie 24 | VOX | July - Sep 2011

VOX:REVIEWS

Liberate Eden The new e-book from Greg Fromholz

“Extraordinary creativity and spiritual sensitivity… get to know Greg through this debut book that is both a work of faith and a work of art.”

Brian McLaren “As poignant, graphic, stark and luxuriant as any book I have seen in years… a labyrinth of compelling juxtapositions.”

Phyllis Tickle

In Liberate Eden, author Greg Fromholz (Dublin-based communicator, creative director, musician and youth leader) issues an artistic and passionate call to re-embody the fullness of all that life in Eden was meant to be - a life characterized by unadulterated and intimate communion with the living God. With the advent of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, all that Eden was intended to be is now available here and now to those who are defined by the remarkable truth of “Christ in you, the hope of Glory.”

Through a variety of artistic mediums, Greg offers a firsthand account of how God is liberating Eden in his own life, a fellow traveller on the ever-winding road of faith. The work is a visually stimulating representation of Greg’s own ongoing story of redemption - one that vividly portrays the operation of God’s grace in the life of the human soul and the community of saints.

Liberate Eden is infused with honesty, passion and humility as it explores themes that are at the core of humanity: worship, cultural engagement, belonging, judgment and grace.

Swipe after swipe, digital page after digital page, personal anecdote after personal anecdote, Greg displays, in striking simplicity, the concreteness and beauty of what it means to embody the kingdom of God for the sake of others.

Perhaps one of the most notable features of Liberate Eden is its use of different mediums in exploring the themes of the Christian faith. ‘Reading’ Liberate Eden is a bit of a misnomer. Rather, one ‘experiences’ Liberate Eden - Greg and his design team include printed text, short digital soliloquies, as well as printed art. The combining of mediums into an integrated reading experience has created an entirely new category of e-reading which aims to engage more of the reader’s sensory faculties in the process.

While the digital soliloquies certainly enhanced the content expressed in the printed text, the reader is left wondering if the creative impact of such videos might have been greater if they were allowed to serve as stand-alone contributions to the overall content; many simply restated verbatim what was already expressed in the printed text (usually immediately before or after the inclusion of the video).

All in all, whether one is a seasoned traveller or a novice on the journey into the fullness of life in Christ, Liberate Eden is an engaging and honest digital conversation that explores the Christian faith from the inside out. It is a conversation worth joining. I highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Ross Inman. Ross is from Southern California and is currently studying philosophy at Trinity College Dublin.

VOX | July - Sep 2011 | 25

VOX:REVIEWS RETURN OF THE CELTS Clive Price reviews the latest album from Iona

THE NARNIA CODE

DVD, Drama Documentary Michael Ward wants to tell all C S Lewis aficionados that there is more to The Chronicles of Narnia than meets the eye. Of course, most people who have read Narnia know that. We also know that these children’s stories are laced with biblical allegory. Aslan, the lion, is Jesus. And everything else falls into place after that.

But Michael Ward (Chaplain of St Peter's College, Oxford) goes further. While researching C S Lewis for his doctorate, he claims to have discovered a secretive underlying layer of meaning. Stated simply, he believes Lewis' amateur interest in astronomy had a profound impact on the Narnia stories.

His thesis is that each of the seven planets of medieval cosmology were at the back of Jack's mind when he concocted the world of Narnia. In fairness, he gathers a good body of evidence to back up his theory.

Ward published a book entitled PLANET NARNIA: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C S Lewis. It is an interesting theory, but hardly a matter of life or death. It is possible that people will re-read Narnia in the light of Ward's theory and see the planetary references. Personally speaking, two layers of any Narnian book is enough for me - a third filling might give me indigestion!

Now that the Devil's advocate is out of the way, there is no doubt that the DVD is compulsive viewing. It is beautifully and thoughtfully filmed.

Anybody who loves Lewis' writings will be charmed by the production. The camera follows the trail from his early life in Belfast, through the battlefields of Europe, to his academic life in the hallowed halls of Oxford. His spiritual journey is well documented also, all the way from Atheism to Christianity.

The DVD is further enhanced by 45 minutes of bonus features, in which we meet Lewis' longtime friend and biographer, Walter Hooper, who is convinced of the truth of Ward's theory.

Born in Kildare and educated in Glenstal and UCD, Peter Brabazon has produced several CDs and 2 books.

He is part of the L’Arche community Kilkenny.

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It’s a big feast with meaty courses and flashy desserts. There’s even a big helping of engaging – perhaps controversial – chat, too. That’s the menu for the latest album from Celtic band Iona.

Hard to believe it’s five years since their last studio recording. Just like the proverbial bus, wait a long time and suddenly two turn up. Another Realm is Iona’s first-ever double studio album.

So what can you expect? The cover design shows someone wielding a sword while riding a white horse, amid a barren landscape and dramatic skyline. There’s something medieval and biblical about the imagery.

Established fans won’t be disappointed. The sounds are classic Iona, with a bit more drumming – and some beautiful violin – by Frank van Essen; gorgeous uilleann pipe from Dubliner Martin Nolan; and sparkling guitarwork by Dave Bainbridge.

Lead singer Joanne Hogg piles on the vocals in luxurious layers. Bass player Phil Barker keeps the pace pumping along.

There are grand, epic sweeps through musical vistas and big theological themes in songs such as The Ancient Wells, which starts with a powerful rallying call, ‘Let us climb this hill in the footsteps of Patrick’.

And there are pure, intimate times like the track Foreign Soil. Hogg’s plaintive voice echoes the cry of the immigrant: ‘History has scattered far/ The hearts that seek their home’.

The band let rip on some joyous instrumental sections such as sliding into The Galtee Rangers at the end of And The Angels Dance.

Iona root themselves in Celtic Christianity, so there are references to Columba and Patrick with plenty of quotes from former vicar of Lindisfarne David Adam.

There are also brief mentions of contemporary charismatic thinkers Rick Joyner and Bill Johnson. The band is bridging traditions.

Yet the lyrical direction does raise one or two questions. Will we really see revival fall if we call out, open the ancient wells, and so on? Is there really ‘something stirring in the heavenlies’?

And is there ‘another realm’? Didn’t the Celts express more of a unity between heaven and earth? Many have been encouraged by the early monastic approach that saw heaven’s touch on the ordinary things of life.

The assumption is the listener knows exactly what you mean, but often they may not. Thankfully, Iona offers some words of explanation in the booklet – a helpful move.

It’s only a touch bewildering. And of course, fans of Joyner and Johnson will love it. Others, like myself, might prefer Iona to return more fully to their roots of digging deep into Celtic Christianity.

Their music helped spearhead a wave of interest. This convinced many that much of our contemporary charismatic state was pale and thin compared to the rich, full-bodied spirituality of our Celtic forefathers.

Some would say this is splitting hairs. However, balance is partly restored on this album with the poetry of Native Canadian Chief Dan George: ‘The thunder of the sky/The rhythm of the sea/Speak to me’.

Now that’s more like it.

Another Realm is out on Open Sky. Visit www.iona.uk.com.

Clive Price is a journalist serving publications across Ireland and Britain. He also works as a media consultant to leading charities and other organisations.

THE WAY Directed by Emilio Estevez

www.theway-themovie.com

“YOU DON’T CHOOSE A LIFE. YOU LIVE ONE.” When high-flying Californian Tom (Martin Sheen) finds out that his son has been killed in a storm while on the Camino de Santiago, he decides to undertake the pilgrimage journey himself, taking the ashes of his cremated son with him and spreading them along the historic trek. Emilio Estevez wrote, directed, and coproduced the film and also plays Tom’s son.

Grief-stricken Tom meets a burly Dutch man (Yorick Van Wageningen), a hurting Canadian woman (Deborah Kara Unger) and an Irish writer (James Nesbitt). Together the four amigos journey the famous Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of Saint James, and develop a lasting bond.

The journey acts as a healing and cathartic experience for each of the four individuals and in their own way, each one deals with

the emotional turmoil that they seek to resolve.

Camino de Santiago is 800 kilometres and is one of the world’s most popular Christian pilgrimage routes. It begins in the Pyrenees in southern France and ends in Santiago de Compostela in northwest of Spain.

The soundtrack compliments the movie and the scenery is stunning. The movie is inspiring for anyone considering walking The Way and for those that have been on the Camino, it will evoke great memories.

Cliona Murphy is from Cork and works for Tearfund. She is based in the Dublin office.

TRANSFORMING THE WORLD?: THE GOSPEL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY DEWI HUGHES AND JAMIE GRANT “Evangelical Christianity has long been plagued by a dichotomy.” This is an opening comment in the introduction of an important book on a much-discussed theme. It has an impressive list of contributors - people like Chris Wright, Howard Marshall, Tim Chester, René Padilla, David Smith and Anna Robbins.

The book is a sustained argument for a holistic understanding of the gospel. It provides a resounding ‘YES’ to the question: “Should evangelicals be attempting to make this world a better place in tune with God’s will as well as prepare people for life in a better world?”

The first half offers a biblical-theological basis for a holistic gospel, examining the Old and New Testaments’ consistent concern for those in need. The second half explores the ‘how’ of this call to transform the world.

The big picture being proposed is this: “The Bible’s teaching regarding the believer’s responsibilities towards those in need makes it absolutely plain that God’s salvific work is both spiritual and physical. Therefore the church – as God’s representative on this earth – should be characterized as those who bring a message of salvation that deals with humanity in every respect, practical as well as spiritual.”

Chris Wright’s consideration of ‘Biblical paradigms of redemption: exodus, jubilee and the cross’ is a tour de force. He makes a compelling case for how the cross should shape our evangelism and social action and concludes, “Bluntly, we need a holistic gospel because the world is in a holistic mess. By God’s incredible grace we have a gospel big enough to redeem all that sin and evil has touched. And every dimension of that good news is good news utterly and only because of the blood of Christ on the cross.”

This is essential reading for anyone seriously interested in engaging with the Bible’s teaching on this important issue and its implications for the church today.

Patrick Mitchel is Director of Studies and lecturer in theology at IBI. Visit his blog at www. faithinireland.wordpress.com July -2011 Sep | 27 VOX VOX | July -| Sep

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Our vision is that “anyone who comes here will experience the love of God through new, strengthened or revived faith in the Lord Jesus Christ."

"Coolnagreina allowed us to feel completely at home and cared for while we learned and grew as a group" (Kathryn Long Alwood)

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Dublin 89.9 Galway 91.7 Limerick 89.8 Cork 90.9 Waterford 90.1 28 | VOX | July - Sep 2011

VOX:ADS&EVENTS Events Calendar What’s happening, where and when?

July

Summer Madness - Christian youth festival 1 - 5 July King's Hall, Belfast www.summermadness.co.uk Urban Soul - active citizenship programme for youth 5 - 8 July Dublin www.urbansoul.eu New Wine Summer Conference Sligo 10 - 15 July www.newwineireland.org

August

FUEL Christian Arts festival 19 - 21 August Ballymena, Co. Antrim www.fuelevents.com

October

Inside Out Men's Conference Saturday, 15 October Carlow www.insideoutconference.org

ADELAIDE ROAD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (Dublin) seek a part-time

MUSIC LEADER to oversee and develop our music ministry with a mix of traditional and modern music.

Ideally skilled in one or more musical instrument to include keyboard / organ.

For more information contact Rev Sam Mawhinney at mawhinneysam@gmail.com Closing date for applications: Friday, 29 July 2011

Free leaflet with 5 inspiring rugby stories

Discover the Key Moment Text “RUGBY” plus your name and address to: 087 750 1347 Enquiries: phone 016678 428 or e-mail ireland@rbc.org

RBC Ministries Ireland, a registered Christian charity

VOX | July - Sep 2011 | 29

VOX:P.S.

T

Remembering to forget

That cranky but wonder-filled poet Patrick Kavanagh got me thinking. He has a lovely line about “a quiet street where old ghosts meet”. With Dublin’s streets very quiet as the Queen came to call on us, I got to thinking about old ghosts meeting.

So who might they be, those old ghosts? A rebel from the 1916 rising, laid low on Sackville Street in Easter week? The other, perhaps a neighbour of his from the same Dublin tenements and a soldier too, but this one not a rebel who fought the crown, but a fighter for the crown, laid low far from Dublin’s streets in Flanders’ blood-soaked trenches.

Separated by history, by circumstances, by need – these neighbours and friends have ended up on either side of a long and bitter conflict.

So old ghosts meet on Dublin’s quiet streets and reflect. What do they speak of? Do they speak at all – these former neighbours and former foes? Do they sense the change that is occurring?

They have both seen an elderly lady, a monarch, quietly doing her duty, representing her country and her people.

But while she represents the British she serves the Irish too.

She bows to remember both old ghosts and in doing so some tangible barrier dissolves. She speaks the “cúpla focal,” the few words of our language, and calls us “cháirde,” friends. She speaks of “things we would wish had been done differently, or not at all,” and old ghosts don’t just meet on a Dublin street, they reconcile – come home.

And in that meeting lies the image of something deeper still.

For even if two old ghosts have been reconciled, one old barrier

She speaks the “cúpla focal” the few words of our language and calls us “cháirde,” friends.

dissolved and one new bridge built – there are plenty more old animosities that remain. And if there weren’t, aren’t we busy creating new ones all the time? It takes more than royal visits to dissolve them all.

So I think of how St Paul described what the death of Jesus achieved. That event, he wrote, “tore down the wall we used to keep each other at a distance.” (Eph. 2:14) How did that happen? How does it work?

Who knows! We can analyse the queen’s visit – dissect it politically, historically, sociologically and theologically - and yet still not fully understand the dynamics at work.

“[Jesus] tore down the wall we used to keep each other at a distance.”

And in the Jesus events something greater happened, in one sense is still happening. St Paul again: “Instead of continuing with two groups of people separated by centuries of animosity and suspicion, He created a new kind of human being, a fresh start for everyone... You’re no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country.” (Ephesians 2 – The Message) What old ghosts have met as a consequence of that visit, that act of service, that humble sacrifice? What ghosts might yet meet as we continue to mine our past for treasures of the future? It is remembering that helps us to forget!

Sean Mullan has been working in church leadership for many years. He is developing a new project in Dublin City Centre called "Third Space".

NOW

BOOKING www.insideoutco

nference.org

InsideOut Men's Bible Conference Saturday, 15th October 2011 CBC Buildings, Carlow

Theme: Jesus a Man among Men Speaker: Desi Maxwell Tickets €25

Contact 059 9135819 / 086 1656504 | Email: info@insideoutconference.org 30 | VOX | July - Sep 2011

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32 | VOX | July - Sep 2011