December 2012

ISSUE 17 / DEC 2012 - MAR 2013 / €2

“YOU’RE LIKE GHOSTBUSTERS -ONLY BETTER” Taking a walk with Cork’s Street Pastors

A WOMAN’S PLACE? What you said about women in church leadership

THE WORD BECAME FLESH

EDITORIAL

VOX MAGAZINE

One of us! he stark and shocking reality of incarnation can never be reflected in the sentimental and sanitised nativity scenes we see on our Christmas cards.

Like leaving the warmth of your home on a raw winter’s day, feeling the bite of the wind and the sting of rain on your face, real life is rarely cosy or comfortable.

Life may offer glimpses of glory, moments of incandescent joy and seasons of satisfaction but these are so often interspersed with gnawing anxiety or weary resignation, with mind-numbing routine or volcanic rage, with persistent aches or searing losses.

When Jesus stepped into our world, He did not enter a Hollywood set. He wasn’t cushioned and cossetted, pampered and protected. Instead, Jesus experienced the fullness of humanity in all its wonder and weakness, its beauty and its brokenness.

T

ISSUE 17 / DEC 2012 - MAR 2013 / €2 ISSUE 14 / APR - JUN 2012

ISSUE 13 / JAN

ISSUE 14 / APR - JUN 2012 / €2

ISSUE 15 / JUL - SEP 2012 / €2

ISSUE 16 / OCT - NOV 2012

IREl ANd ’S cRU El EPId EmI c calling for a christian response to suicide

“WE DON’T HAVE A PRIEST WHO IS OUT OF TOUCH WITH OUR REALITY. HE’S BEEN THROUGH WEAKNESS AND TESTING, EXPERIENCED IT ALL—ALL BUT THE SIN.” HEBREWS 4:15 THE MESSAGE

/ €2

- MAR 2012 / €2

tRAvE llERS comE homE

IRElANd’S cRUEl EPIdEmIc calling for a christian response to suicide

tRAvEllERS comE homE time you look down “YoU’RE lIkE“NextGhoSTbUSTERS at a traveller, remember -onlY bETTER” tIoN lord was one too.”

AN INvItATaking a walk with Cork’sourStreet Pastors Ey to A JoURN enough AN INvItAtIoN WoMAn’S PlACE? Why knowledgeAis not to inAchurch JoURNEy What you said about women leadership

“Next time you look down at a traveller, remember our lord was one too.”

IGN NEW DES

Why knowledge is not enough

G fEATURIN

pE ” of toho pIo NS drink dirty water.

ChnotAM childr en have fair that many

IgnItIn g thE fIrE

Lessons in prayer from the African church

OUr SPEcIAL chILdrEn

ThE WoRD bECAME FlESh TH E LE AD ER SH IP IS SU E

“It’s

IT’S TIME ToBoothSTE face to face with

“Imagine your children were from another country and spoke a different language.”

p oUT

pJ

S RISk y BUS INES syndrom e

THE COmm UNITy, THE

mARkE TPLAC E, WORSH

Avoidin g the ostrich

THE gOOS E OR THE gOLDE

Why we need self leadership

IP, yOUNg LEADE RS, THE

fUTUR E

N Egg? LET’S TALk AbOU T SEx Tackling the hot topic

churches often ignore

In this advent edition of VOX, we’ve been pondering what it means for us that The Word became Flesh (page 12). But we’re also trying to understand how Jesus can become “incarnate” in our communities.

Walking through Cork city with the Street Pastors (page 18) and playing basketball with SportQuest Ireland (page 34) give us a hint. But we know there are many more examples all over this nation.

Just as the Son of Man defied expectations and refused to conform to stereotypes, Ireland does not need well-fed-centrally-heated-super-saints.

But we do need a few more ordinary Jesusfollowers, with all their rough edges, who will venture outside the safe and familiar, to be where people are and to do what others are unwilling to do… whatever the cost. Like Immanuel.

Ruth Garvey-Williams Editor (editor@vox.ie)

DEC OCT 12 - NOV - MAR VOX13 VOX 03

03

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P22

P34

P20

TIME TO THINK SMALL

SPORTQUEST: PLAYING THE GAME

CORK'S STREET PASTORS

DECEMBER 2012 - MARCH 2013, ISSUE 17 ISSN: 2009-2253

12 20 26

PUBLISH E R Solas Publishing EDITOR Ruth Garvey-Williams editor@vox.ie ADVERTI S I N G Jonny Lindsay advertising@vox.ie LAYOUT A N D O P E R AT I O N S Jonny Lindsay jonny@vox.ie PROJECT D I R E C TO R Tom Slattery (Evangelical Alliance Ireland) SUBSCRI P T I O N S Ireland & UK: €10 for four issues / €16 for eight issues Overseas: €18 for four issues / €30 for eight issues All cheques should be made payable to Solas Publishing.

SOLAS P U B L I S H I N G Ulysses House 22 - 24 Foley Street Dublin 1 Tel: 01 443 4789 info@vox.ie www.vox.ie DISCLAIM E R

The views expressed in letters and articles are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Solas Publishing or its partners. The acceptance of advertising does not indicate endorsement.

PRINT Cube Printing, Limerick VOX magazine is a quarterly publication, brought to you by Solas Publishing.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH: 04

CONTENTS

VOX DEC 12 - MAR 13

16 24 25 29 34 37 38 41 22 31 32 06 08 10 15 16

COVER STORIES The Word became Flesh

“You’re like Ghostbusters - only better” - taking a walk with Cork’s Street Pastors A woman’s place? - what you said about women in church leadership FEATURES AND INTERVIEWS Living the resurrection life in the midst of pain and suffering The Little Extras challenge Invitation to a journey part four - finding a rhythm for life What recession? IBI’s inner city miracle VOX Sport: Playing the game What’s in a name? - capturing the passion of the Albanian soul in Kosovo Journeying into God’s Kingdom - never a dull moment for Bluetree’s Aaron Boyd All I want for Christmas - alternative gift ideas VOX VIEWS Time to think small - exploring the future of mission in Ireland A ministry of reconciliation?

Striking gold - putting wisdom on our wish list REGULAR FEATURES VOX: Shorts VOX: World News Your VOX: Letters Confessions of a Feint Saint Facts from Acts

17 18 28 43 46

Family Focus My Story Web Watch Reviews VOX: PS

TM

IRELAND

C.M.A. celebrating

15 serving the Lord in Ireland years

1997 - 2012

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

We will accomplish our vision through: • Evangelistic outreach primarily, but not exclusively, to the motorcycling community.

• Run for the Son, where we will partner with ministries with world–reaching potential.

• Equipping our members in ministry training that aligns itself with biblical truths.

• A servant’s attitude to the world and to our members (i.e. here if you need us).

• Quality products that aid in evangelistic outreach.

Last Sunday of every Month Gort, Co.Galway

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

VOX SHORTS

Human Trafficking - how can the church respond?

There was standing room only at Tirzah’s first conference on “Human Trafficking” in November. Almost 100 people crowded into the Pearse Hotel in Dublin to explore how the church can respond to the challenge of human trafficking in Ireland.

People had come from all over the country to demonstrate their concern for the plight of trafficking victims and to explore how the church can respond. Speakers from the Anti-Trafficking Unit, the Turn off the Red Light

Campaign and Ruhama’s aftercare response outlined many of the key issues faced by victims of human trafficking in Ireland and the need for action.

Workshops highlighted the issue of bonded labour and domestic servitude. “People need to be aware that human trafficking is not just an issue within the sex industry,” explained Jeanne Whelan from Tirzah. Many participants were keen to work in their own communities around Ireland to end human trafficking. Find out more at www.tirzah.ie.

Bringing hope to families in need

Boxes full of joy!

All the boxes collected as part of the Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal are either on their way or have already arrived in Eastern Europe and Africa. Team Hope’s partners in Rwanda report: “What is important for the 6,800 Rwandan children who receive a shoebox is the love expressed through their box. These needy kids are blessed by receiving badly needed basic things like clothing, toiletries or school items.”

Niall Barry, Executive Director of Team Hope, was delighted with the response to this year’s appeal. “We want to thank VOX readers for your kindness, generosity and support. Your shoeboxes have more significance than you could ever imagine. On behalf of all the children who received your gifts – thank you and a have a very happy Christmas!”

Forum on abortion

Christians across Ireland are invited to attend a one-day forum to explore the scientific, medical, legal, political and theological issues surrounding abortion. The event will be held in Dublin on Saturday 23 February 2013 (venue to be confirmed). To register your interest and receive further details as they become available, please email office@evangelical.ie.

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VOX DEC 12 - MAR 13

Volunteers are needed to help pack up to 100 Christmas hampers for low-income families across Dublin this December. Over the coming weeks, Dublin Christian Mission (DCM) is collecting donations of food, essential toiletries and Christmas treats at its headquarters at 5/6 Chancery Place, Dublin 7. And on Monday 17 December, a whole team of volunteers will create the hampers ready for delivery in time for Christmas. People based in and around Dublin can join the team for a fun-filled day preparing the boxes of essentials along with a few festive goodies for families in need.

Throughout the year, DCM works among homeless people in Dublin and provides support for children, young people and their families in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. The secondoldest city mission in the world, DCM relates the love of God to people who are often marginalised in society.

“Please join the DCM Team as we pack hampers for those in need in our city, as we reach out to those for whom Christmas joy is overshadowed with grief,” said DCM worker Rachelle Kriel. “Join us as we bring the light of our Lord Jesus Christ to those households.”

Volunteers can also help out at the Lighthouse Christmas Party for the homeless on Saturday 22 December.

To find out more about these and other opportunities, please contact the DCM office on (01) 6775548, email bill@dcmlive. ie or visit http://www.dcmlive.ie.

VOX MAGAZINE

HIV in Ireland

Despite significant advancements in medicine, 320 people were newly infected with HIV in Ireland during 2011. And although HIV is no longer an automatic death sentence, fear, shame and stigma remain significant challenges for those affected. ACET Ireland has provided a Christian response to HIV in Ireland for the past 20 years.

Marking World AIDS Day on December 1, CEO Richard Carson said, "While the world is beginning to deal with the medical complexity of HIV, we still have to get to grips with the relational complexity of HIVrelated stigma. We can rejoice that over the past 20 years, we have seen lives transformed and relationships restored through patient, non-judgmental and compassionate work.” Find out more at www.acet.ie.

Delays to student grants causing real hardship

Third-level students awaiting the payment of Higher Education grants are struggling to make ends meet, according to charity Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP). Changes to the grant system have resulted in massive delays in payouts, with only 10% of students receiving their grants by late November.

Some first-year students, most of whom are still teenagers, have found themselves without food and without even the money for a bus fare home, according to reports from SVP branches around the country.

While Education Minister Ruairi Quinn apologised to students and their families for the distress that the delays are causing and promised that the backlog would be dealt with before Christmas, the Union of Students in Ireland has warned that some students may drop out of college before then because they are unable to pay rent.

SOME FIRST YEAR STUDENTS HAVE FOUND THEMSELVES WITHOUT FOOD OR MONEY FOR THE BUS FARE HOME.

Church in crisis? - Patsy McGarry paints a bleak picture

Together with 3Rock Youth, Holy Trinity Church in Rathmines hosts an annual discussion (Rubicon) on the interaction between the Gospel and culture. This year’s discussion ranged across issues of faith in public life, the media’s attitude to religion and the Church’s response to needs within society.

Sharing his opinion on the state of the institutional church, Patsy McGarry, Religious Affairs Correspondent for The Irish Times, said, “Ireland is becoming a very unchurched society. The church has no moral authority and people are drifting away from the faith. Religion is not very attractive. People are attracted when the church is fighting for justice, getting out and serving the poor. Instead, churches seem to be obsessed by sex. Churches are tearing themselves apart over the gay issue. Attitudes towards homosexuality alienate Irish young people. The churches cannot read the signs of the times. They are too preoccupied with rules, regulations and structures. The spirit is missing. The Church needs to get back to the basic teachings of the Gospel. It should be comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable.”

Do you feel this assessment is fair and accurate? If this is how the media perceive Christianity, who is to blame? What can Christians in Ireland learn from this? And how should we respond?

Share your views on The Conversation www. theconversation.ie, email editor@vox.ie or write to: The Editor, VOX Magazine, Solas Publishing, Ulysses House, 22-24 Foley Street, Dublin 1.

DEC 12 - MAR 13 VOX

07

WORLD NEWS

UNDER THREAT

Church in Chains reports a 400% increase in the persecution of Christians in India over the last 10 years. This alarming statistic is linked to the rise in Hindu nationalism, summed up in the slogan “One Nation, One Religion, One Culture”. Every week there are violent attacks against Christians in rural areas. The Evangelical Fellowship of India recorded 79 instances in the first seven months of 2012 and has called for State Governments to ensure the protection of the Christian minority community. Find out more at www.churchinchains.ie.

MORE THAN A CARD

LAND RIGHTS VICTORY FOR INDIA’S LANDLESS POOR

With the rise of globalisation, governments increasingly force poor families to sell their smallholdings to major corporations. In response to such land-rights abuses, over 60,000 Indian people embarked on a month-long march to the capital, Delhi, in pursuit of reform.

The marchers, mainly Dalits and tribal people, began the 200-mile march from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh to Delhi on 3 October. They were due to reach the capital in November. However, they called off their protest when the Indian government agreed to their demands.

The march was organised by Christian Aid partner Ekta Parishad. The new deal gives statutory backing to the provision of agricultural land to the landless poor.

The government will also urge states to protect the land rights of Dalits, tribal people and “all other weaker and marginalised sections of society”.

“This is a true example of people’s victory through peaceful negotiation,” said Anand Kumar, Christian Aid’s country manager in India.

Activist PV Rajagopal and founder of Ekta Parishad added, "We have met thousands of people who have had similar struggles with land rights abuses. Access to land is critical for the eradication of poverty. Access to land and resources could lift an estimated 400 million people out of extreme poverty. If we don’t act now, there will be nothing left for the poor."

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VOX DEC 12 - MAR 13

As you prepare to send Christmas cards to family and friends, Church in Chains is asking you to add a Christian prisoner to your list. This simple act sends a clear message to jailers that the Christian prisoner is known and cared about overseas and can help to ensure better treatment. Church in Chains has produced a list of addresses and writing guidelines for prisoners in China, Mexico and Uzbekistan.

Email info@churchinchains.ie to find out more.

CHRISTMAS WARMTH

Since the brutal murder of her husband, Bodi has been raising her two daughters alone. She started work in the fields as a day labourer to make ends meet. When her daughters Sujitra and Lipi were sponsored through Compassion, Bodi’s load was lightened. In northern Bangladesh where the family live, the weather turns bitterly cold from November to February. Christmas gifts of warm blankets and clothes made a huge difference last year. It was the first time Sujitra had owned a jacket! To find out more about Compassion’s Christmas Gift Fund, contact Lisa at lisab@compassion.ie or call 087 2073459.

CRISIS IN SYRIAN REFUGEE CAMPS

With tens of thousands fleeing Syria every month, the number of refugees worldwide in 2012 is set to be the highest this century, according to UN sources. Neighbouring Jordan now has the largest refugee population on earth.

COLOMBIAN PASTORS IN DANGER

Pastor Henry Rodriguez, 44, was shot dead as he left a church service in Bogotá on September 16. The motives for the murder are unknown but it appeared to be a professional hit. Up to 30 church leaders are killed in Colombia every year because they refuse to support illegal armed groups.

MODULES BEGINNING IN JANUARY 2013:

Here’s what our students say...

Life and Teaching of Jesus Introduction to Pastoral Care Introduction to Biblical Interpretation Irish Church History ... and many more!

“I have learned so much about God’s heart, love and grace during my studies at IBI and because of it I am a richer person. My training has enriched my ability to teach, preach and lead at my church.”

Andrew Feeney, IBI student

Apply online at www.IBI.ie.

To find out more about our BA and MA in Applied Theology, please call Deborah on 01-8069060.

“I have learnt the skill of critical thinking which has helped me build a solid foundation of the principles of the Christian faith.

This has given me the confidence to share my faith and a security to be able to engage with people of different

The staff and students of IBI

beliefs within and

would like to wish all VOX readers

outside the

a Happy Christmas !

Christian faith.”

Irene Byrne, IBI student

Visit www.IBI.ie

YOUR VOX

Letters to the editor Star Letter

of VOX we In each issue all of a €25 One4 ize pr a d ar aw r. tte le ite r favour voucher for ou u!

It could be yo

Couldn’t put it down Today I received my copy of Issue 16 - it is (in my honest opinion) your very best yet! I couldn't put it down.

I am encouraged, blessed, challenged and excited by its contents and by the leaders, churches, individuals and community/charity groups who are leading by serving in Ireland and around the world.

I praise God for your magazine, which brings heartening news that other Christians are using what

NOT THE ONLY ONE

Thank you for thoughtful issue on leadership. On a typical journey on our roads the other day I came upon the common signs, saying “Local Traffic Only” and “Diversion”. Isn’t there a similarity?

Leadership in the Church is mostly for our “local traffic” of in-house believers. More trained, or in-training, leaders should consider diverting into some avenues of broadcast and communications.

This will probably involve various forms of spiritual demotion (your work might not be valued as much as if you were serving in Church) but it could multiply your effectiveness in reaching out.

Didn’t Jesus teach from a boat so that more people could hear Him? WARREN NELSON TULLAMORE

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VOX DEC 12 - MAR 13

God gave them to meet the needs of others wherever they are. :) You go, VOX team!

ERIN HARMER TRAMORE, CO. WATERFORD VIA FACEBOOK Ed: Wow, thanks so much, Erin. This was a big encouragement to the whole team J

“CHRISTIAN” CHRISTMAS?

The consumer spending frenzy surrounding Christmas often prompts people to buy the most random and ridiculous items. But a quick search of the web reveals that the “Christian” market is also big business.

At VOX, we’ve spotted a few, but we’re wondering whether you’ve seen any more. Send us the url to weird and wacky “Christian” gifts you spot online (editor@vox.ie) or share a link on the VOX Facebook page. And tell us what you think of the “Christian” gift market.

Forget Monopoly; Bible-opoly is described as one of the most popular Christian games of all time! The object of the game is to be the first player to build a church in one of the Bible cities. (www.gifts.com)

Last Supper After-Dinner mints offer “miraculous breath-cleansing power”. (www. accoutrements.com)

“I’m not lucky - I’m blessed” T-shirt features an “Irish three-leaf clover”.

The blurb encourages wearers, "When something good happens people usually say: ‘I'm just lucky’ not giving any credit to God, but instead to luck!

Let's be honest and not scared to just praise the Lord." (www.c28.com)

FOR ENCOURAGING, UPLIFTING AND LIFE CHANGING CHRISTIAN RADIO

LISTEN TO UCB IRELAND IRELAND LISTEN ON UPC CHANNEL 918 LISTEN ON SKY CHANNEL 0214 LISTEN ONLINE AT www.ucbirelandradio.com Download the FREE UCB Ireland APP from the iTunes store or the Android Market LISTEN ON DAB Radio

WORD FOR TODAY Kickstart your day by listening to the Word for Today on the hour, every hour on UCB Ireland To receive to the Word for Today booklet every quarter call us on 01 4299899 (office hours) or email ucb@ucb.ie

UCB Ireland is now broadcasting on DAB & DAB+ in Dublin City and County reaching as far west as Mullingar and as far north as Drogheda. Our DAB broadcast continues in Waterford, Wexford and South Leinster and the service is expected to be rolled out in Limerick, Cork and Galway in 2013

PRAYERLINE Do you need someone to pray with you and for you? Call the UCB Prayerline for the price of a local call.

Republic of Ireland: 1890 940 300 (local rate) Northern Ireland: 0845 456 7729 COME ON BOARD WITH US We welcome your skills and talents. Talk to us about volunteering with UCB Ireland or about producing a programme for your church or group. Let us promote your church events.

Email details to ucb@ucb.ie

24/7, 100% IRISH CHRISTIAN RADIO

The Word Became Flesh

The light in our dark place!

Out of the world’s deepest darkness a true light blazed into life. The darkness didn’t understand it but it could not be extinguished, no matter how hard we tried. Photo: Adam Rory Porter

And we tried... We hated the light because it showed us up.

Photos: Micah Stephens

(Words by the Apostle John interpreted

by Ruth Garvey-Williams) 12

VOX DEC 12 - MAR 13

We didn’t recognise our Creator.

We walked past as if He wasn't even there.

Perhaps we didn’t want to acknowledge Him? Photo: Luis Faustino

Unknown and unnot iced

Rejected This was no triumphant homecoming. His own people slammed the door in His face. His arrival was inconvenient, disturbing and unsettling. This wasn’t what we wanted or expected. So we turned against Him. Better that, than allow Him to turn our lives upside down.

One of us!

Yet it was a miracle unfolding in front of our very eyes: flesh and blood reality but with one-of-a-kind glory. He moved into the neighbourhood; lived His life side by side with us. He was like us and yet radically, different.

Photo: Richard Garvey-Williams

Revelat ion Suddenly we see the unseen and known the unknown.

This is more than just a look-alike He’s the real deal. He shows us what God looks like and gives us a glimpse into the Father’s heart.

Photo: Andrew Garvey-Williams

CONFESSIONS OF A FEINT SAINT

There can be miracles... when you believe

By Annmarie Miles

C

"I was shocked and a bit upset to think he’d forgotten who went where in the crib."

Illustration: Andrew Garvey-Williams

hristmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a story about my dad. I’ve mentioned before that at his age he gets a tad confused – and when you throw the madness of Christmas into the mix... well, you can imagine!

I was blessed to be brought up in a home where, no matter what the financial situation, Christmas was a great occasion. But as well as the tree and the tinsel and the presents, my dad always made a big deal of the crib.

One year at Christmas Eve Mass, I remember queuing up to see ‘the infant in the manger’. As clear as if it was yesterday, I remember kneeling at the life-size crib and I knew... I KNEW... there was something special about this baby. But it was at least 15 years before I found out why.

Every year, my dad made a new crib for our house. He used wood or cardboard, crepe paper, bits he’d cut off the Christmas tree and whatever else he could find. The ancient figures were carefully taken from the tin (with the equally ancient straw) and placed in the homemade crib – always in the exact same position. Then a blue bulb would replace the white one in our hall, giving it a bluey-white moonlight glow.

In more recent years he hasn’t gone to so much trouble, but the figures of the Holy Family are always packed away very carefully.

A couple of years ago we were putting up the Christmas decorations in his house. I walked into the kitchen and he was standing looking at the open tin, obviously confused. I asked him what was wrong and he explained that he thought he knew where everything should go, but didn’t know where to place these last two figures. I was shocked and a bit upset to think he’d forgotten who went where in the crib.

“Who have you got left, Dad?” “These two,” he replied, handing me a salt cellar in the shape of Santa and a pepper cellar in the shape of Rudolph. “Where should they be? I don’t think they should be there at all. That’s not right.”

I had to hide my laughter as I explained that Santa and Rudolph must have been put in the tin by mistake. They didn’t actually go in the crib. God love him, he was so confused! But he knew there was something wrong. Those two sides of Christmas were separate and different.

My family gave me my love for the red and white of Christmas. But God Himself placed within me the significance of the bluey-white light in our crib. And as loud and mad as Christmas is in a big family like mine, the reality of Christmas to me (and my dad) is the infant in the manger and the mystical glow of that blue bulb in our hall.

The great discovery was not the disappointment that the guy in the red suit isn’t... it is the joy that the infant in the manger is.

Happy Christmas to you all x

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.

DEC 12 - MAR 13 VOX

15

REALITY

LIVING A RESURRECTION LIFE IN THE MIDST OF PAIN AND SUFFERING

“Living Faith Conference 2013” | Friday 8 February - Dublin | Saturday 16 February - Cork ladys Nutley will be one of the seminar speakers at the Living supporting a loved one through painful times, come prepared to Faith conference in February 2013. Here she gives a taste of receive and be encouraged and to know you are not alone. what’s in store: To those in leadership, understand how to prepare and equip Like so many people, your people for inevitable hard times and I have faced several dark and painful learn to better understand those in pain. times in my life when God seemed to To everyone else, just come to hear withdraw, nothing made sense and pain this subject demystified and discover EVERY DAY WE ARE BOMBARDED WITH IMAGES and confusion were all I had. how to encourage those others around OF TERRIBLE SUFFERING BEING INFLICTED AND you.

There is so much confusion, fear, uncertainty and controversy over this I want to show that it is possible to ENDURED ALL OVER THE WORLD. issue. Every day we are bombarded come out the other side with renewed with images of terrible suffering being hope, a greater understanding of our faith inflicted and endured all over the world. and a deeper relationship with God, even “If God loves us, why do we suffer?” is the refrain, repeated by both if we have not received any or all of the answers we were looking for!

Christians and non-Christians alike, because no one is exempt.

The Living Faith conference is a joint initiative of the Irish Bible Christians need a theology of suffering to help us as we face Institute, the Irish Mission Agency Partnership (IMAP), Tearfund personal hardships and to enable us to respond to others in their Ireland and Lausanne Ireland. Visit www.tearfund.ie to find out more pain. The conference is for everyone! We all need to face this issue or book your place by selecting “Living Faith” on the Tearfund Ireland and learn from one another.

Donate page (€25 Early Bird until 18 January 2013 / Standard booking To those going through suffering or for friends and family €35).

G

PART 4

BY WARREN NELSON

In Evangelism one size doesn’t fit all s the decades passed the formula and words used to present the Gospel of repentance and faith changed, just like fashions. There was ‘asking the Lord Jesus into your heart’ or ‘being saved’ or ‘coming to a personal faith’.

But common to all was the idea that the same formula would suit everybody, so much so that if new converts didn’t use the right words to describe what had happened to them, then doubt was cast, by some, on their salvation.

It was not so at the beginning. Looking at the Acts of the Apostles we see early Christians using a variety of approaches, adapting the message to the circumstances.

Accordingly, we find Peter using the Old Testament to convince Jews on the Day of Pentecost, yet later he traces the life story of Jesus for Cornelius, a Roman soldier.

In a synagogue setting at Antioch of Pisidia, Paul follows the Old Testament story but neatly and seamlessly moves on to the death of Christ and the offer of forgiveness.

Later when he is arguing with the intellectuals of Athens he takes the basic principles of the universe as his starting

A

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VOX DEC 12 - MAR 13

point. Further on we find him using his own story before Felix.

And he was versatile enough in an extreme situation, in the gloom of a prison cell, to go directly to basics: “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.” Although here we should remember that this gospel call didn’t come in a total vacuum; he and Silas had been singing hymns!

We can learn so much from their methodology, not by imitating their words exactly: that would be to fall back again on a formula. Rather, we need to listen to people and know where they are coming from and adapt, but not change, the word of salvation for their mindset, not ours.

The apostles were flexible, imaginative and opportunistic in evangelism, yet at the same time keen to show their listeners that their message was well grounded in what their listeners believed, be that philosophy or Scripture.

Let’s leave the last word to Acts itself: "he (Paul) expounded the matter to them . . . trying to convince them about Jesus." (Acts 28:23)

FAMILY FOCUS

tressful S It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

For some families, the vision of “a perfect Christmas” may be the reality but for many Christmas can be stressful, particularly if your family circumstances have changed in the past year. We have some suggestions for how you can make the most of the season. With a little planning, you can have a fantastic Christmas.

Planning well to enjoy well One of the reasons Christmas can be stressful is trying to meet the expectations of so many people. If your circumstances are different this year, you can take this opportunity to create your own Christmas traditions. It might not be the Christmas you’ve ‘always had’ but you may find it a positive and memorable family time all the same. Here are three steps to celebrating Christmas well.

1. Involve the children Christmas can become much easier if you include children in discussions and planning. Often children - especially teenagers - can come up with creative ideas you may have missed. And, of course, if your kids are involved in the decision-making process, they are more likely to accept the plans and actively enjoy Christmas.

2. Plan ahead If you’ve always done Christmas a certain way, changing can be challenging. Decide as a family where you’re going to spend Christmas Day and when you’re going to see other relatives. Inform everyone else as far in advance as possible.

3. Cut a deal If both sets of grandparents want to see their grandchildren on Christmas Day but it’s just not possible, then make a deal. Offer to spend Christmas with one set this year, and New Year with the other, and then alternate it next year. Or, if it’s practical, take the plunge and invite them all to your home for Christmas dinner (remember, you can ask them to bring food with them).

Worried about your spending this Christmas? See www.vox.ie for our practical tips.

TIPS FOR GETTING TEENS INVOLVED IN CHRISTMAS Ask them what they’d prefer to do and give them a choice between tasks.

Emphasise why you need their help. Many teenagers will pitch in to do something you can’t.

Listen to their opinions. If they think the tree would look better in a different corner of the room, then experiment with it.

If you do have guests, don’t expect your teens to be around all the time. Negotiate when they can excuse themselves.

Choose your battles at Christmas - everyone wants to have a good time. Try to keep any arguments until your guests have left.

Being a teenager is an awkward time in life, so make sure they can sit out family party games if they find them embarrassing.

When they aren’t under pressure to join in, most teenagers will feel a lot happier about taking part.

Top tips for a healthier Christmas Stay away from depressing soaps and watch plenty of comedy. Studies on patients in hospitals show that those who watch comedy heal twice as quickly as those who don’t.

Proverbs 17:22 says, “A joyful heart is good medicine.”

Opt for dark chocolate. It has flavonols, which keep the heart healthy, it is packed with antioxidants and is also good for the brain and heart!

Keep bacon and pork to a minimum.

Forgive others as you have been forgiven! Scientists are playing catch-up with one of the principle messages of the New Testament - those who practice forgiveness are much healthier.

Help others less fortunate. With temperatures set to drop this Christmas spare a thought for those who are homeless. Don’t forget 1 John 3:17!

Get at least eight hours of uninterrupted sleep, in a pitchblack room with all electrical devices unplugged. (Try it!)

Take a good quality Omega 3 supplement. Omega 3s are reported to alleviate the symptoms of many diseases.

Keep active! Enjoy some long, brisk walks with family, friends or pets!

Offset any indulgences by drinking plenty of cool filtered water.

Surround yourself with positive people. Iron will then sharpen iron.

Damien Mooney, The Health Evangelist lives in Dublin and enjoys running Bible-based health seminars. You can contact him on damien@myhealthandfitness.ie.

DEC 12 - MAR 13 VOX

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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.

MEET BRIAN SORENSEN or over 40 years, Brian Sorensen has battled the daily reality of physical limitation. Yet he beams with happiness as he describes finding faith through his work at LifeFM in Cork. Here he shares his story with VOX.

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I’m 42 years old and I’ve been in a wheelchair all my life. I like playing pool, reading and watching TV. I have a dog called Rex and I like playing with him. He has a lot of energy. I don’t find it easy to keep up with him!

For a long time, I didn’t exactly know there was a God. My schooldays were particularly difficult. I didn’t mind school when the teacher was there but when the teacher went out I was afraid. The kids were always mocking me.

I left school when I was 18 and went to a training centre but I didn’t get on very well there either. I couldn’t handle the pace. Eventually, I stumbled across Life FM radio by mistake and I’m glad I did. I started listening and then began sending in text messages to the radio station. When I heard that they were looking for volunteers, I joined the team.

I got more than I bargained for! For ages, I believed that Jesus died on the cross and God raised Him from the dead but I didn’t really get whether there was more to life than that.

Now I am so happy that I find it hard to put my happiness into words. My faith means a lot to me. I pray a lot and I don’t know where I would be without prayer.

I read the Bible a lot too. Of course, sometimes I find it difficult to know what to read. My favourite chapter is Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd - He restores my drooping soul!”

Sometimes I feel that God has deserted me but behind it all I know that God is always there even though it doesn’t always feel like it. Sometimes I get angry [about my disability] and it gets me down but God reminds me, “I have given you this cross and there is no getting away from it.” God doesn’t expect me to have the answers to all the questions. I have always been slow at doing things. I would need people to be patient.

Sometimes I can be a bit shy asking for help and in some situations it’s hard to know who to ask for help. Yet I know we are all part of God’s family and we need each other.

Of course, Jesus wept in the garden of Gethsemane.

There is nothing wrong with tears - thank God for them.

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VOX DEC 12 - MAR 13

EVENTUALLY, I STUMBLED ACROSS LIFE FM RADIO BY MISTAKE AND I’M GLAD I DID.

MAGAZINE PHOTO COMPETITION 2013 At VOX, we love great photos.

This New Year we’re looking for photographers around Ireland who demonstrate skill, imagination and creativity.

We have three fabulous prizes for winning photos that express, explore and capture “Faith, Life & Reality” in 21st-Century Ireland.

Where do we see faith in action in our communities? And what does faith look like in real life? Our judges are looking for unique, unusual and unexpected interpretations of the theme.

THE RULES Maximum two images per photographer Images must be saved as high- resolution jpeg files and emailed to competition@vox.ie Each image must be accompanied with the full name, address, email and telephone number of the photographer and a caption (max 50 words).

You may not submit photos taken by another person The judges' decision is final Winners will be notified personally and the results will be announced in our Spring edition of VOX magazine.

VOX magazine retains the right to publish any photo submitted to the competition but will provide full credit to the relevant photographer.

Closing date: 28/2/13

THE PRIZES 1st prize: Vouchers to the value of €200 for large-scale photo printing and/or photographic equipment from www.pixcam.co.uk.

2nd prize: Vouchers to the value of €125 for one large-scale photo print or photographic equipment from www.pixcam.co.uk.

3rd prize: Vouchers to the value of €75 for one large-scale photo print or photographic equipment from www.pixcam.co.uk.

REALITY

“YOU’RE LIKE GHOSTBUSTERS - ONLY BETTER!” TAKING A WALK WITH CORK'S STREET PASTORS OX Editor Ruth Garvey-Williams chatted to Dave and Fiona Hoey about the work of the Street Pastors in Cork.

SO WHAT DO THE STREET PASTORS DO?

We have built good relationships with the club doormen and sometimes they call us if they are concerned for someone’s safety.

HOW DID STREET PASTORS IN CORK COME ABOUT? Each team has a phone and there In 2007, Fiona and I began going onto the streets is one back at base. We’ve given of Cork on Monday nights, inspired by the Mustard out lots of flyers and business cards Seed project in Dublin. We gave out soup and with our number as well as other sandwiches and chatted with homeless people. Alex helpline numbers like Samaritans, Gason joined us a year or so later, followed by a few Cork Sexual Violence Centre, mental friends from church. health services, addiction services, In 2011, we linked up with Ascension Trust in the Gay Information helpline and the London and four of us went over to work with a Street Women’s Domestic Violence Project.

Pastors team in London for a weekend. Then in April We carry bags containing small this year we held an information meeting. About 40 bottles of water, pairs of flip flops people turned up from 13 different churches in Cork. for the girls, a basic first-aid kit and That was a real encouragement for us. thermal blankets to keep people warm who have passed out on the street HOW DID YOU TURN THE VISION INTO REALITY? or if someone has been assaulted.

Ascension Trust have some basic ground rules Sometimes these can be important and they provided support from one of their senior to preserve someone's dignity. Often people. We contacted An Garda Síochána and Cork we pick up the pieces by supporting City Council. People were interested and one official those affected by a fight. At times, call asked if we could start within two weeks. At that stage an ambulance and care for the person we hadn’t even trained anyone! until it arrives.

Because Street Pastors is a We are there to Christian initiative, some were listen, to care and to concerned, but we helped them ANY OF THE PEOPLE WE MEET ON A SATURDAY NIGHT COULD BE ONE meet people’s needs. understand that this was about People regularly ask OF OUR OWN KIDS, A RELATIVE, FRIEND OR A NEIGHBOUR’S CHILD. people putting their faith into action us, “What’s a Street for the benefit of our community.

Pastor?” and then we Eighteen people completed explain what we are the comprehensive Street Pastors’ about. training and we launched on 14 July It’s good fun and remain available. At times, offering a 2012. We held a commissioning service in the Cork too we might end up dancing with bottle of water or even a lollipop can help Vision Centre at St.Peters and then headed out onto settle things down coupled with empathy revellers or singing along with some the streets. street musicians. The whole point is or a calm word.

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VOX DEC 12 - MAR 13

Essentially we help people who are vulnerable, in need of assistance or want to talk. Our uniform is a baseball cap and a jacket or fleece all marked with “Street Pastors” in luminous letters.

Each Saturday night, we meet at 10pm for prayer and worship. Then we go out onto the streets and stay out until between 4am and 5am depending on how many people are still about. A rota means each Street Pastor is on duty every three to four weeks. We never work alone and only wear our uniform when we are on duty.

We walk very slowly around the main nightclub, pub and restaurant district in Cork, engaging with people, wishing them a pleasant evening and reassuring them there are people on the street looking out for them if needed.

While we don’t get involved in aggressive situations, if we see things escalating we ring the base for prayer

VOX MAGAZINE

to be part of what is going on but very obviously apart from it. People just need to know that we are there for them.

WHY DO YOU DO IT?

Any of the people we meet on a Saturday night could be one of our own kids, a relative, friend or a neighbour’s child. To think that they might be in a vulnerable position with nobody there to help is very sad.

We believe the church should be out in the community, meeting people on their patch.

One of our street pastors said he had had more conversations about Jesus in eight weeks than in the last 11 years. Even though we are not out there to preach, we are definitely there to bring Jesus and His kingdom values to our city.

We don’t initiate conversations about faith or judge people by their lifestyle and we never give out religious literature, but we do give the reason why we do this and are happy to share our faith when asked.

We believe bringing heaven to earth is always relevant and people grasp it when they see it.

Of course, we’ve had our detractors too. Cork is a busy, cosmopolitan university city with lots of people willing to express their views and suggest a few other uses for the Street Pastors!

WHAT ABOUT THE PRAYER PASTORS?

We have 20 Prayer Pastors. Three or four are on duty each week. They sit in “The Haven” coffee shop and pray the whole time the Street Pastors are out in the city.

We phone in every 15 minutes with updates about what is going on (and to reassure them we are still alive).

Images: Graham Kenny

Obviously we phone in a request when incidents crop up so they can pray immediately.

We wouldn’t go out on the street without their support. It is essential for our protection. We know God’s power is behind us, right through to 5am if that’s what it takes. We told the city council and the gardaí we would not take to the streets without the prayer pastors, that they are our “backup” like a Garda radioing for reinforcements.

It is exciting to see instant answers to prayer. Recently there was a potentially dangerous situation outside one of the nightclubs. One Street Pastor saw the incident and phoned it into base. Within minutes the main protagonist just moved away and calmed down - exactly as the Prayer Pastors had requested.

On another occasion we found a guy who was very drunk and lying face down in his own vomit. We cleaned him up and tried unsuccessfully to use his phone to call a friend. Unfortunately the phone was locked and we couldn’t understand what he was saying when we asked for the pin. We rang the base and they prayed specifically about the pin. Suddenly the man told us the code, as clear as anything.

We contacted his friend and tended to him until the ambulance arrived.

WHAT IMPACT HAVE YOU MADE?

People have become aware that the churches care. Many times people open up about their personal situations. They just want to talk, to be respected and to feel safe. People are surprised that we are not out to condemn their behaviour. One doorman told us, “I’ve seen everything in my life but I’ve never seen anything like this.”

We help to make the city safer. We have removed over 1,500 glass bottles from the streets (that’s over 1,500 potential weapons!) and we sweep up broken glass to reduce the potential for cut feet (some girls go barefoot after the clubs close).

People come up to us on a Saturday night and say, “Thank you so much. You helped me last week.

I don’t remember, but my friend told me what you did.”

As someone was passing us they asked, “Who are these guys?” The response was, “Oh, they are like the ghostbusters - only better.”

A CARING HAND Speaking to VOX magazine, Superintendent Barry McPolin from An Garda Síochána in Cork City welcomed the Street Pastors and described their work as “a very positive development”.

“In this day and age, it is very humbling to see people who give of their own time and are helping people who are vulnerable as a result of overindulgence of alcohol or drugs,” Supt McPolin said. “From the start, we had some reservations. The concept was certainly unusual but we were willing to run with it and found that since the launch in July trust has been built.

“From a policing perspective, Saturday night is one of the busiest times with up to 20,000 people on the streets.

“These 18 volunteers, who live very Christian lives, give of their time to help people who are in distress. They often respond when someone just requires a caring hand and they fill that niche admirably. Their presence alone may help to prevent negative incidents.

“They were recently invited to the Joint Policing Committee and have been endorsed at the highest level by both Cork City Council and An Garda Síochána."

DEC 12 - MAR 13 VOX

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REALITY

TIME TO THINK SMALL EXPLORING THE FUTURE OF MISSION IN IRELAND

BY KEN BAKER

n recent years, the housing boom followed by the crash infested the entire nation with large glossy suburban villas in so-called “ghost estates”. These stand like uninvited guests at a wedding. Everyone sees them but it’s embarrassing to ask why they exist. They don’t belong. They are empty, badly equipped and almost useless.

Like “Church” as many understand it?

God has a heart for Ireland. I just don’t think that the word “Church” expresses that heart very well. It is inextricably linked with various scandals and even with foreign oppression.

Maybe big ideas have to go and be replaced by small ideas.

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WHAT IS GOD’S HEART FOR IRELAND?

It’s people-centred rather than project-centred.

It’s indigenous rather than foreign.

It is something “as small as a grain of mustard seed” that takes over in neglected corners with minimum supervision and maximum spread.

Think viral.

Jesus’ parting shot was that we should "go and make followers from every nation" (Matthew 28:19).

VOX MAGAZINE

In Cultivating a Life for God, Neil Cole believes that simplicity is the key to fulfilling the Great Commission. "The more complex the process, the greater

migratory flock from neighbouring in a guesthouse in North Mayo and we take a churches came pouring in. Their needs Wednesday in a private home in Longford. consumed the energies of the leaders of Last Christmas Day, we shared a meeting in a this young church. Their wants gradually friend’s house on the edge of County Roscommon set the agenda. The inertia and realised there were more Muslims there than of the traditions of these Christians. migrants engulfed this very Some of our group hosts are experienced I’D RATHER START VERY, VERY SMALL. YOU creative effort and shaped it Margaret used to run a Catholic Charismatic group accordingly. for 30 years - and others are just willing. Roy and START WITH AN IDEA AND LET IT RUN… The original vision Bridie are successful restauranteurs but happy to STEVE JOBS, APPLE CO-FOUNDER was over-weighted with open their doors. old baggage. And it simply When we gather, a major directive is to look at the giftedness needed to keep it going.” couldn’t fly. the local community through the eyes of Jesus.

We don’t need a businesslike Our main target has to be preorganisation requiring specialists. We Christians and new believers - and just THE BAND OF BROTHERS SYNDROME need ordinary people who are in love a few efficient labourers - and “God will I remember my father’s description of his with Jesus. make things grow”. wartime experiences as a young sergeant in the In a “Think Small” ethos, you can lay commandos. He described a connection to the down the burden of cluttering minutiae A JOY NOT A DUTY other men in the unit that was unlike anything such as buildings, programmes, rotas and It is crucial that meeting together he experienced since. During basic training these fundraising…. All gone. is an expression of the members' desire men came from all over, with different religious And that leaves time to pray. This has to build community together—not just backgrounds, different accents, different family to be a God-idea, rather than a good idea. a religious duty to add to already-busy traditions and different political views.

Gather a few like-minded people and lives. If gathering together is done around Often they disliked each other and even came begin to pray so that you can understand food and for the purpose of fellowship, it to blows in early training. But when called into what God thinks about your town. is more natural. combat, all differences were left to one side. They Taking time to pray gives God the Choose saw fellow opportunity to work in our hearts and times that are soldiers purify our motives. Something new can’t convenient getting be a reaction to something we don't like for everyone THIS HAS TO BE A GOD-IDEA, RATHER THAN A GOOD IDEA. wounded about what’s going on in the church involved. and killed, down the street! If so, it would be born Connect with and suddenly out of discord and criticism. It must each other everything begin with a God-given desire to reach via Facebook, changed. those who don't know Jesus.

Skype or email throughout the week.

Religion, politics, family background and Even texts still work! Building a family accents didn't mean anything anymore. Those STAY SLIM! is a big deal. It takes time. It cannot be barriers were broken down to the point that they It seems obvious to ask God for a a smaller-scale duplicate of a typical would risk their lives for one another. few mature believers to join you but, Sunday-morning meeting.

What made the difference? They had a shared like Ryanair, maintain a tight “baggage There are often four basic mission. allowance”. Be careful that old agendas do components: eating, meeting, small We too are in a war zone. Paul described lifenot dominate new situations. groups (discussion) and "the meeting or-death spiritual combat (Ephesians 6) where In his book Church Without Walls, Jim after the meeting." In the context of small eternity is at stake and we are in it together.

Petersen shares: groups, new believers open up about A friend was a part of a team that set their lives and learn to pray with others out to start a church. The congregation for the first time. was divided into house churches.

In most conventional churches, Centralised activities were kept at people are ready to go home right after a minimum for the sake of keeping the service. It’s different in these groups.

Ken and Val direct several missional people free to minister to their families We really are in it together. More people communities across the midlands of and unbelieving friends. The weekly seem to come to Christ when they’re Ireland. Ken’s books Evangelism in meetings were dynamic. I will never washing up together than in response to Acts and Evangelism as Encounter forget the first one I visited. People of an “altar call”. are available on Kindle Amazon. all sorts were there, from business suits But the ethos: the central factor to ponytails. Many were new believers. is mission. Staying simple, urgent and The Bible teaching was down to earth, flexible. aimed at people's needs. I loved it. So So, right now, we meet in a did most everyone else who visited. restaurant in County Cavan. We meet The word got around and soon the in a farm in Offaly. We share weekends DEC 12 - MAR 13 VOX

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LIFE

THE LITTLE EXTRAS CHALLENGE n our last edition, we laid down the challenge. Over the course of one week, keep a record of everything you spend on “little extras” and then give the same amount to a charity of your choice. Here’s how three people got on…

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Dublin but it is still a shock to realise that I spent almost €10 on coffee without even blinking!

My other treats were a bag of Bombay Mix (shared with the family) for €2.15 and two bags of sweets totalling €1.56.

The grand total was €13.51. It might not seem very much, but over the course of a month that represents an average spend of over €50 on non-essentials - probably more when I’m travelling!

It’s certainly surprising how €1 here and 50c there can slip out of my purse without me giving it even a second thought.

Yvonne Fitzsimons took the “Little Extras” challenge on behalf of Compassion Ireland (www. compassion.ie). Here’s what she discovered!

I was so surprised to see that my “Little Extras” added up to more than €20 in one week: €22.92 to be exact. I’d think a coffee here and there and a bar of chocolate as I pay for my petrol would surely only add up to €5 or €6.

I definitely didn’t notice €22.92 slipping out of my wallet. And I’m sure I’ve forgotten one or two other Elaine took the “Little Extras” things I bought. When everything is so convenient challenge to support the work of and it’s always there in front of us, we don’t give a Tearfund Ireland (www.tearfund.ie).

I am now aware of all my little second thought to handing over €1 for a packet of luxuries and daily indulgences, which crisps.

Or 60c for a Macaroon bar (my amount to the hefty price of - can you believe favourite chocolate bar once upon a time) that I used to pay 10p for. How it? - about €34 per week!

I DEFINITELY DIDN’T NOTICE I am so delighted this times have changed and how prices have increased! It’s exactly the same experiment is going to a €22.92 SLIPPING OUT OF bar, the exact same size and with worthy cause. In light of MY WALLET. the fact that €12 a month exactly the same wrapper – I don’t understand it! can help lift a family out of Anyway, the point is I don’t even hunger in Uganda my €34 give it a second thought. When I stop and think about will go much further. it, that €1 for a packet of crisps costs the same amount We are so blessed here in the West to per day to sponsor a child who is living in extreme even have the luxury to treat ourselves poverty and probably has never even set eyes on a whenever we feel like it. I love my little packet of crisps. treats and that impulse buy, be it a nice In one week, I’m spending on little extras almost top, perhaps a nice piece of costume what it costs to provide food and education for a child jewellery or just a yummy cream cake. for a month (€30). What if I was to hold off on the But for some in the developing world, to indulge and have these what packet of crisps and put that €1 into a jar? we call “little treats” is a far away dream It’s been a challenging realisation that I need to be a lot more mindful of what I do with that extra change or fantasy. I am going to think about this the next time I complain that my pizza in my pocket. hasn't arrived on time!!!

From Monday to Friday last week at VOX editor Ruth Garvey-Williams is the Team work I ate a scone and bar of choc every Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal co-ordinator day that’s €1.42 for 5 days = €7.10. In for Inishowen in County Donegal so it seemed the addition, I bought one Dominos pizza for perfect opportunity to give a “little extra” to Team €12 and a top for €15. The total came to Hope (www.teamhope.ie) by taking the “Little Extras” challenge. €34.10 As I suspected, my biggest spend on “Little Extras” was for coffee - €9.80 for the week. Our coffees are Will you take the challenge? Write to much cheaper in Donegal than they would be in editor@vox.ie to tell us how you got on.

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FAITH

VOX MAGAZINE

INVITATION TO A JOURNEY PART FOUR: FINDING A RHYTHM FOR LIFE

BY ANA MULLAN

re you tired? Worn out? Burned out on breaking of bread take place is part of the religion? Come to me. Get away with me rhythm of a follower of Christ. and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how Rest: Most of us overload our to take a real rest. Walk with me and work calendars. Many activities are good with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms but not all are necessary. Work makes of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. us feel more like God because we feel Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and empowered and in control. For that lightly." - Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30, The Message). reason God gave us a day to rest. When I love music and dancing, but I am not an expert we stop the doing... surprise, surprise, the in either. Because I come from Argentina, people ask if world goes on.

I know how to dance a tango. Sadly Enjoying creation: the answer is, “No.” Make space to allow As a child, I enjoyed watching God to speak to you. people dancing the waltz in black Even if it is only for 10 OUR WORLD IS SO FAST; WE and white films, dressed in beautiful 15 minutes, include LOOK AT MANY THINGS BUT WE or clothing and moving in glorious some beauty in your SEE VERY LITTLE. harmony. Sometimes, at weddings, life. When God finished my patient husband tried to teach creating the world, He me to waltz. His instructions were stopped to enjoy what simple: “Count the steps and follow me; let me lead He had made. you.”

Observation: I am learning to be Life is like a dance; it needs rhythm and it needs to more observant by using my mobile be led by somebody who knows the dance. Most of us phone to take photos of things that I see. dance to different tunes but not all of them enable us Our world is so fast; we look at many to live the way God intended. things but we see very little.

How can I arrange my life so I can grow deeper in Solitude and Silence: If you are at my love for God, for others and His world around me? the stage in your life where it is possible, As we head towards 2013, some of us will make spend time in solitude and silence (they New Year's resolutions… resolutions we’ll probably usually go together). Initially, it might break by February, if not sooner. But what about feel like a shock. Our world is noisy so stopping and looking at our lives? How we can live in start with small periods. Community is a way that reflects the God we believe in? important, but sometimes to improve our relationships, we need to learn to WHAT RHYTHMS SHOULD SHAPE OUR LIVES? be alone.

We are all different so each of us will have to decide according to our own situation, personality and stage of life. Here are some suggestions.

Prayer and Scripture: We talked in previous issues about prayer and reading the Scriptures. For me these are the two most important ways to develop my relationship with God. These are nonnegotiable, the picture frame that supports the canvas of our lives. The methods we use may change as time goes by. We are not all the same and we are all at different stages in life. So, we look at our lives as they are now and consider what rhythm keeps us connected to Jesus.

Relationship: We have been created for community so being part of a community of faith where prayer, teaching and the

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Anam Cara (soul friend): Choose a companion (or companions) for the journey - someone who will ask you deep questions and keep you accountable.

Spiritual formation is not another project to tick off when we are finished. It is intended to create space so God can work in us.

A friend said: "I mark out times for prayer, for reading, for leisure, for the silence and solitude out of which creative work can issue. I find that when central needs are met, there is plenty of time for everything else."

Despite His busyness, Jesus knew His priority. He knew how to live life to the full and He modelled life as God intended - a life experiencing the shalom (the peace) that comes from knowing the Father.

Ana, originally from Argentina, is married to Sean and has three adult children. She loves to encourage others in creative ways of praying and reading the Scriptures.

DEC 12 - MAR 13 VOX

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A WOMAN’S PLACE?

WHAT YOU TOLD US ABOUT WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP

n our last edition, VOX magazine explored coming from the 26 - 35 age bracket and a further 10% of responses coming from leadership but we did not have sufficient space to do justice to one of the hottest those aged 18 - 25. debates among Christians on the island of Of these 29 people, one believed Ireland - the role of women in women should church leadership. not be in overall While there have been church leadership eloquent spokespeople on theological WE SHOULD NOT PICK AND CHOOSE WHAT (for both sides, we wanted to give reasons) and one WE WANT TO BELIEVE TO SUIT US. “voice” to those who don’t had a preference always speak out and to explore for male different perspectives. So leadership (but we launched a VOX readers’ no theological survey on the issue. reservations). The remaining 27 all Over 80 men and women aged between 18 and expressed strong support for women 60+ from across the nation and representing a wide in leadership and teaching roles in the spectrum of denomination and church backgrounds* church with many providing detailed took part. biblical arguments for their position.

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*(Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Assemblies of God, Independent Evangelical, Christian Fellowship and more!)

AND HERE’S WHAT YOU SAID…

Over 80% of those who responded supported women in leadership within the church with 9% opposed. 6% were ambivalent and 5% did not share their personal views.

The issue clearly resonated with the younger generation with the largest response (almost 27%)

DO WOMEN EVER PREACH / TEACH IN YOUR CHURCH?

YES OCCASIONALLY

NO

YES REGULARLY

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VOX DEC 12 - MAR 13

“I'm saddened that it's still an issue amongst a lot of churches. One of my main irks is that in a lot of churches women can do the opening prayers, lead the music, emcee, or teach Sunday School, but they just can't teach from the pulpit. They take Scripture “literally” [about women not teaching or taking authority] yet in these same churches you'll very rarely hear them praying for healing or shouting for joy to the Lord!"

However, others warned against what they described as “picking and choosing” of beliefs.

One woman wrote, “I believe women should not be elders or teachers from the pulpit. Paul has made this very clear in the New Testament. If we disregard what Paul says about women

“NO MALE OR FEMALE” (GALATIANS 3:28) MEANS NO RELIGIOUS PRIVILEGES IN THE KINGDOM APPLY ONLY TO ONE SEX. WE WANT TO BELIEVE TO SUIT US.

WHAT ROLES DO WOMEN PLAY IN CHURCH LEADERSHIP?

Interestingly, 93% said there are already women in leadership roles in their churches. However, when asked for details, less than half described roles such as elders, pastors or ministers. The remainder identified women leaders in Sunday School, youth work, women’s ministry, missionary work, prayer, pastoral care, administration or practical service.

One person commented, “I think there is considerable ambivalence about women in leadership. Quite a few churches theoretically support it but feel uncomfortable with it. In the older generation there is a deep-seated reluctance to embrace women in leadership. Often women teach only if a man is not available.”

Some expressed frustration at what they perceive as a “hypocritical” or unbalanced attitude towards teaching about women’s roles in the church.

in a preaching and eldership roles, then why not disregard other things that Paul has said? We should not pick and choose what we want to believe to suit us. It is not about degrading a women in the church or making her less important than a man. We don't have to be the same as men to have the same intrinsic value to God. I think that a women can be involved in leading worship and prayers during the Sunday morning but not preaching.”

WOMEN PREACHING

There were varying views and practices in church regarding women preaching. Less than a third (28%) reported that women preach regularly in their churches. 57% occasionally have a woman preaching and teaching, with only 15% saying women do not preach or teach in their churches.

Even among those who did not support women in church leadership,

VOX MAGAZINE

OTHER COMMENTS ADVOCATING EQUAL ROLES FOR MEN AND WOMEN Men and women were given the responsibility together to exercise authority over all creation. This was broken through the fall and is now restored through Christ.

The church is missing out by excluding women from leadership. It can also put pressure on men who aren't called or gifted in leadership to fill the gap, which doesn't end well for them or the church. Or it can end up scaring men away from roles such as Sunday school teaching because they are seen as women's roles (one boy in our church Sunday School asked why there were no men!).

Exclusion from leadership roles is a source of great pain for Christian women who feel called and gifted to serve but are limited in the roles they can inhabit.

Leadership and teaching are gifts from the Holy Spirit and do not need a Y chromosome to work. There is evidence of female leaders of God's people in both the Old and New Testament as well as early church history. I'm sick of people thinking that I can only support female leadership by ignoring the Bible.

Leadership should be about character, walk with Christ and accountability, not gender. Women in Ministry by Martin Scott is a great biblical perspective on women in leadership.

I am comfortable with an equally shared leadership but I am not a feminist and hate it when woman make a big deal of their “rights” as it often leads to more alienation.

Jesus challenged inequality in every interaction He had with women. To still be in a place where we as the church is declaring that “women should know their place” is not only damaging to the message of freedom we proclaim but is akin to an apartheid model of declaring some people superior to others.

I have been in leadership for over 10 years and throughout that time I have had to stand in the face of a maledominated ministry. Some men have told me I’m only in leadership because a man didn’t take up his calling so God looked for the “second-best option”. When we oppress and crush someone in the name of God, we don’t fully know the God whose name we use.

In my experience, the best leadership decisions have come when both male and female leadership is present.

I believe our men are answerable for how they have kept women in subordinate roles despite evident gifts. I do not understand how it can be right and acceptable that women can run our country and huge global organisations or have equal opportunities in society but not in church.

How can I explain this to my daughters and potential granddaughters?

ADVOCATING DIFFERENT ROLES FOR MEN AND WOMEN

I think the world is trying to emasculate men and the church needs to allow men to be in the role God put them in - as the head of the home.

The Trinity is the perfect example of leadership, equality, different roles, submission and authority. No Christian would call Jesus weak for submitting or accepting His place in the order of things.

there was support for women in teaching roles. Here the issue was “authority,” not whether or not a woman could ever preach.

“I believe in total equality between men and women. I also believe that God has given us different roles and in His perfect wisdom He decided that the authority of the local church rests with men; therefore, as long as authority is given, a woman can do anything in the church, including preaching/teaching. The obvious exception is that women cannot be elders.”

“THOSE” PASSAGES

From people on both sides of the issue, there were frequent references to Paul’s teaching, to Jesus’ attitude to women and to the sweep of Scripture. Yet there are considerable variations in the interpretation of “those” passages.

I believe that male leadership is clearly established in Scripture. Jesus broke all taboos yet did not pick any women in his first 12.

I believe that women are permitted to teach, preach and lead at any level of church leadership because of Paul's consistent endorsement of women in leadership positions (Junia, Priscilla, Phoebe and more).

WHEN WE OPPRESS AND CRUSH SOMEONE IN 1 Corinthians 14:33-35, THE NAME OF GOD, WE DON’T FULLY KNOW in context, is THE GOD WHOSE NAME WE USE.. forbidding women interrupting the service with questions, [and doesn’t relate to] speaking publicly.

I feel that this is always going to be a matter of contention or division in the church, and therefore, for the sake of peace and unity, the letter of the Scriptures should be adhered to.

1 Timothy 2:12, in context, is best reconciled with the rest of the body of Paul's works by seeing it as a localised injunction to correct specific errors in Ephesus. A blanket prohibition on women preaching is not scripturally tenable.

“No male or female” (Galatians 3:28) means no religious privileges in the kingdom apply only to one sex.

Without going into individual texts, I believe the sweep of Scripture points to the overall leadership in church and marriage belonging to men.

The research raises many questions - join “The Conversation” at www.theconversation.ie, email editor@vox.ie or write to Solas Publishing, Ulysses House, 22-24 Foley Street, Dublin 1.

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How can Christians find unity when diametrically opposite positions are both presented as “the” correct interpretation of Scripture?

If the survey is an accurate reflection of opinions within our churches, then why is the overwhelming support for women in leadership not reflected in practice?

What are the implications of the generation split on this issue? (With almost 95% of under 35s supportive of women in leadership) If the current practice continues within our churches, what are the implications for women with leadership gifts?

What are the implications for men in our churches, if women increasingly step into leadership roles?

How does this issue impact our witness to those outside the church?

DEC 12 - MAR 13 VOX

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[ WEBWATCH ]

My top five...

Web highlights from VOX readers www.willowcreek.org This is one of Tim’s favourite websites for Bill Hybels’ practical teaching from his church in Willow Creek. There are mp3 and video downloads. www.maninthemirror.org Excellent website for resources for men’s ministry, originally founded by Pat Morley, author of “Man in the Mirror,” an international Christian bestseller. www.aish.com We love this site, which often offers practical advice from the rabbis, as well as, at times, useful criticism of modern Christianity and history from a different perspective. www.egrc.net This is an ecumenical educational ministry aiming to help Christians grow in their understanding of the Bible within its cultural and historical context. It also has articles and books by authors such as David Bivin and Lois Tverberg. www.textkit.com A wonderful Greek and Latin learning website that offers grammars, readers and answer keys to download free of charge.

Tim and Kathy Nichols live in the west of Ireland.

Tim runs www.irishchristians.ie sharing Christian Events and the Irish Christian Directory of churches and organisations. Kathy is a new contributor to VOX - read her article on page 32.

Top Tweets from #communitasireland Communitas 2012 brought together church leaders from across the island of Ireland. VOX magazine was LIVE blogging the event and you can check out some of the great messages online at www.vox.ie. Here’s a taste of the best “tweets” from an intensive two days.

"Jesus never practised what He preached. He preached what He practised." Dr John Andrews, UK “The Gospel does not modify behaviour, it transforms lives.”

Dr John Andrews, UK "The Holy Spirit’s gifts are not toys; they are tools to get the job done." Priscilla Reid, Belfast "God's not interested in trends but in people." Lucy Hill, Dublin “People's problems are too big to offer them a small God!” Priscilla Reid, Belfast “For what we can understand, He’s given us our minds. For what we can’t, He’s given us the Spirit.” Tom Burke, Cork “We grow church by giving it away.” Sean Booth, Co Kildare “Maybe we should stop calling it mission and call it living; maybe we should stop calling it worship and call it being.”

Greg Fromholz, Dublin “The church has to be real in order to be relevant. Real never goes out of fashion.” Sean Booth, Co Kildare Thanks to Nick Park, Andrew McCourt, New Wine Ireland, Greg Fromholz and VOX_ie for the tweets!

FAITH

VOX MAGAZINE

WHAT RECESSION? IBI’S INNER-CITY MIRACLE

IT SEEMED FOOLISH TO TRY TO RAISE A MILLION EURO IN THE MIDDLE OF A RECESSION BUT WE HAD FEW OTHER OPTIONS.

I

n October, the Irish Bible Institute purchased the building it has been leasing in inner-city Dublin. IBI Principal Jacob Reynolds writes:

It seemed foolish to try to raise a million Euro in the middle of a recession but we had few other options. Seven months ago, we were struggling to pay the lease and had no idea how we would meet our commitments of €3.8 million (originally due at the end of the decade).

Then, came an opportunity to pay off all our debts in one go.

Today, the Irish Bible Institute owns the entire premises in the heart of Dublin and we are debt-free! This is truly a miracle!

It has been hard work but we are amazed at how God has brought this about. At times I still can’t believe that €960,000 was raised in a few short months! Over 300 new donors have given, some of whom we did not even know beforehand.

In these difficult economic times, 55% of the funds came from the island of Ireland. We are humbled and encouraged to see the level of support that IBI has among churches and individuals here.

All around the country, we have met people who are praying for IBI and we are convinced God has done this amazing thing in response to their prayers.

We are now free to focus on training students to serve and lead churches across Ireland. We are delighted to have Tearfund moving into the other unit on the second floor. And we look forward to building a hub of Christian ministries where we can work together to serve God’s kingdom.

We cannot say it clear enough, loud enough, or often enough: THANK YOU to all who helped, gave, prayed, advocated and stood with us through this amazing journey.

And THANK YOU to our great God who continues to do more than we could ever think or imagine – HE IS AMAZING! DEC 12 - MAR 13 VOX

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REALITY

A MINISTRY OF Reconciliation?

BY PAUL GUILDEA

s a public speaker, I have the privilege to tease out topics with groups of people. I love it and will of course speak for money, mocha or M & M's depending on the constraints of the organisation or church... However, last night I spoke with a group of teens and mid 20's about the Christian's mission of reconWE WERE CALLED TO MAKE ciliation. This is something we have failed in, quite specA DIFFERENCE, NOT A POINT tacularly, in the past.

Reconciliation is only ever built on common ground, on a base that both parties can see as a stable foundation. For example, a husband and wife going through a difficult patch cannot discuss a contentious issue until a solid platform can be found, a joint launch pad, no matter how deeply buried, even if it is just the fact that both of them love their kids. Then as they are joined in one arena of agreement, the elephant in the corner can be tackled. (Not a real one of course… now guys, stay with me.)

Christian speakers have been guilty of displaying a particular stand or viewpoint as a way to reach the world, promoting one cause or another with great passion and tackling it 'head on'.

This is not reconciliation; it is confrontation.

We were called to make a difference, not a point, and only by engaging with those who feel alienated by the Christian viewpoint and reconciling on a common ground can we start to make that difference.

The Bible says we all have one Father, which is a pretty strong piece of common ground.

Recently, I encountered someone from a certain international organisation. They felt it necessary to “explain” why their policies of Pro-Choice and Anti-Death Penalty were so correct for the world and to point out that I had an issue with these policies. (I might add that I never said I had an issue; he assumed I had.)

I didn’t state my opinion one way or another, but as I talked with this guy, we found common ground on his love for humanity. We started to reconcile and even bond as he laid out his policies. And I listened (an often forgotten concept for Christians) and examined his policies. He started to find he was unravelling his own viewpoint quite rapidly.

He walked away with something to ponder that had come out of his own mind and mouth. I walked away having had, eventually, a jovial conversation and a reconciling with a fellow human being.

My job is not to sort you out - or anyone else - but to reconcile.

P.S. They have to be peanut M & M's.

A

Paul Guildea lives in Donore, Co Meath with his family of three kids and wife Diane. He serves as a minister on the leadership team of GF Church Dundalk.

DEC 12 - MAR 13 VOX

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FAITH

STRIKING GOLD

PUTTING WISDOM ON OUR WISH LIST

BY KATHY NICHOLS

were taught how to act with justice in every circumstance.

Wisdom in the book of Proverbs is largely about actions and behaviour.

Actions performed in wisdom by a good ruler brought about harmony, peace and justice, and made for happy citizens.

However, without desiring wisdom, he ancient Greek story Jason and the the king would not be motivated to Golden Fleece has entertained crowds implement its great benefits. for around 3,000 years. In the story, The first use of the word wisdom in Jason must undergo a series of labours the New Testament is in connection and voyages to obtain the Golden Fleece, in order with Jesus and builds on the picture in to reclaim his father’s Proverbs. kingdom from usurpers.

Mathew No place was too far to 11:19 “The travel. No labour was too JUST AS A PROSPECTOR RELENTLESSLY PURSUES son of man difficult to endure. Jason came eating GOLD, WE OUGHT TO HANKER AFTER WISDOM, doesn’t give up the quest and drinking, for the fleece until he and they obtains it. say, ‘See, a For several years the gluttonous man and drunkard, a friend price of gold in the world has soared. Its enduring of publicans and sinners.’ But wisdom value beckons investors to pursue it, in the hope of bringing some stability to shaky markets. Anyone who is justified by her children,” (in other words, her actions). finds gold naturally responds with great joy at the prospect of wealth.

Proverbs 16:16 says how much better than fine gold is the acquisition of wisdom and the acquisition of understanding is choicer than silver!

Scripture likens the intense desire for gold to desiring and obtaining wisdom. Just as a prospector relentlessly pursues gold, we ought to hanker after wisdom, look for it, ask for it, and find out where it is, what it is and why it remains important to God. We shouldn’t misunderstand what is implied by “wisdom” in Proverbs, where we mostly read of the value of such a search. Ancient Near Eastern kings and rulers were trained in wisdom. This meant they

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Of course, lies were levelled against Jesus but His wise and caring actions towards people actually “justified” Him. They were actions of concern and respect as well as speaking truth.

Wisdom’s actions speak louder than any words we utter, and will, in the end, defy any reviling lies. Wise actions become the authenticity the world waits to witness from us as Christians.

Wisdom is like gold, yet is much more precious. Nothing we desire can compare with her since she is the reflection of God Himself. Let’s aim to strike gold!

Kathy Nichols was a missionary for many years. Now living in the west of Ireland with her husband Tim, they have three children. Kathy enjoys studying the Scriptures in the original Biblical languages.

REALITY

PLAYING THE GAME SportQuest engages with Irish communities through sport

VOX MAGAZINE

themselves. In small steps, we bring in aspects of the Gospel and talk about Jesus.”

“Young people can think that religion is for ‘nutters’. But when they see that this guy plays sport and he is pretty normal, then Christianity is not just some crazy talk.”

Godknows (also known as G) is originally from Zimbabwe but has spent most of his life in Shannon. He is a basketball coach with SportQuest Ireland.

He shared, “I went to the camps “SPORT IS A WONDERFUL WAY OF BRINGING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER. before I became a coach. I noticed that when these people missed the ball they did not use any bad language.

While we rejoice in our national success, there They were always nice, always smiling. I is also unease at doping scandals and moral failures remember thinking, ‘He must be tired so involving sporting heroes. In an increasingly why does he still want to talk to me?’” materialistic sports culture, players “sell out” to the “If you want to coach you have to highest bidder and loyalty seems a thing of the past. have a great heart. You cannot teach these Amid these mixed messages, SportQuest Ireland things if you don’t know them yourself. seeks to bring high standards of skill, sportsmanship We want people to see us living the and integrity to the grassroots of sport in Ireland.

Christian life - it has to be the real thing.”

For eight years, founder Elton Good partnered with SportQuest International to bring coaches and BACK TO THE GRASSROOTS athletes to Ireland before launching the Irish branch “Sport is a wonderful way of bringing in 2010. Now the Irish group has its own coaches, communities together. It can break interns and volunteers but also continues to partner down racial barriers and help to integrate with SportQuest International, the Fellowship of people,” Elton explained.

Christian Athletes and skateboard ministry SG3 to “Too often, at the highest level, sport organise sports camps throughout the year. it is no longer about the game but about “We run coaching and camps in football, the money. A lot of sportspeople don’t basketball, golf and baseball. And this year we even want to be involved at the grassroots. had skateboarding,” explained Elton, who lives in Shannon, Co Clare. “We work alongside churches and They ask, ‘Why should I stand out in a pitch in the middle of the winter and youth groups helping them to engage with their local catch the flu working with a group of community through sport.” snotty-nose 12 years olds? What’s in it High-quality sports coaching and skills training for me?’ are combined with learning the “Five Cs” of “What blows people away is that we Character, Confidence, Competition, Commitment bring a level of excellence working at the and Coachability. grassroots. We’re not going to get media “95% of the kids who come to our camps are not going to end up being high-end athletes,” Elton explained. “It is about leaving them with a legacy CHURCHES IN IRELAND ARE STRUGGLING TO ENGAGE MEN. of more than just the sport WHAT BETTER WAY TO ENGAGE MEN THAN THROUGH SPORT? they play. Your character will last long after you can no longer play.” coverage or money from this. We see ourselves as a counterbalance to the way NOT FOR NUTTERS sports culture is sliding.”

While all the coaches are committed Christians, “If we don’t have some voices of SportQuest camps are not about “Bible bashing”. integrity and truth in sport, it is no Sven, originally from Germany, has lived in Ennis, longer going to be a positive factor in our Co Clare for 15 years. He is a football coach with society. We can be part of turning that SportQuest Ireland. around.”

“You don’t want to force anything onto the kids,” Sven said. “We encourage them to play fair and ENGAGING WITH COMMUNITY we teach them to play for their team more than for port is a huge part of Irish culture. We need to understand that this is a great way to engage our society and our community.”

Sport is never far from the headlines in Ireland. Gaelic and golf, basketball and boxing, rugby and riding - we celebrate the victories and groan in national mourning when our favourite teams lose.

This summer’s Olympic Games saw national euphoria reach dizzying heights when Katie Taylor took gold in the boxing. And we swelled with pride at the accomplishments of our incredible Special Olympics Team.

S

LIFE-CHANGING Athiei Ajuong told VOX about the impact a SportQuest camp had on his life.

When I was 13, in the summer of 2005, I went to a SportQuest camp in Shannon. This was perfect for me because I love sport. In the afternoons, we had basketball coaching. We got the chance to hear the Christian message over the course of the week.

On the Saturday, after camp was technically over, we had a youth event in one of the big cathedrals on the edge of town.

I remember Elton Good challenged us to respond to the message. I knew I couldn’t mooch off my parents’ Christian faith anymore (and never should have done so in the first place). I decided I had to accept Christ for myself. I went up and was prayed for but I didn’t leave it there.

When I got home I prayed alone and had a time with God. I remember feeling so relieved and thankful to God for taking my sins from me. I felt Jesus deserved more than I was giving Him. Ever since then, I have tried to live a life that pleases Him. I’m thankful to God for how He used the thing that I loved most - my sport!

For veteran coach Todd, seeing SportQuest Ireland flourishing is “a dream”. A basketball coach from America, Todd has lived in Ireland for 32 years. He has worked tirelessly to encourage churches to engage with their communities through sport.

Todd has often found there is a lack of understanding about the important role sport can play in breaking down barriers and connecting with people.

Elton Good has the last word. “It comes down to having a servant heart.

It is a way we serve our community.

Churches in Ireland are struggling to engage men. What better way to engage men than through sport? A lot of times, churches are not involved in the things that men are interested in. Jesus was a man’s man. A church football team can transform the attitude of men to church.”

Find out more from SportQuest Ireland on 086 300 9450 or visit www.sportquestireland.com.

DEC 12 - MAR 13 VOX

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VOX DEC 12 - MAR 13

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LIFE

VOX MAGAZINE

WHAT’S IN A NAME? CAPTURING THE PASSION OF THE ALBANIAN SOUL IN KOSOVO ine years ago Primrose (Prim) Avila from County Kildare moved to Kosovo. A member of Carlow Presbyterian Church, Prim began working among the predominantly Albanian Muslim in a country devastated by war after the collapse of the former Yugoslavia in the late 1990s. Five years ago Prim married Dan Avila (from the USA) and they are now living and working in Kamenica, a town in Eastern Kosovo, where they know of only one other Christian family.

The Avilas work with European Christian Mission (ECM), which seeks to plant and develop churches across Europe. Here Prim shares a landmark moment for their work in Kamenica.

N

The name came to us one evening as we drank the 6th or maybe the 7th glass of Russian tea with some dear friends. We were sharing in the anticipation of the weeks ahead. Together we dreamed. We talked excitedly, sometimes talking over one another in our desire to share our ideas. We had prayed for so long for this moment.

Then we started talking about the name. And that’s when the 10-year-old Rilind asked who our new church would belong to.

Ultimately it would belong to God but in a sense it would belong to all of us - to me, to him. It would be Rilind’s church. “Rilind” means “to revive, to be reborn.”

We looked at each other and we knew we had the name on our lips. A slight variation of “Rilind” gave us “Rilindja” – revival, rebirth.

IN A SENSE IT WOULD The church in Kamenica was named while we sat there in that living room. Rilindja (ReBELONG TO ALL OF US lind-ia) captures the passion of the Albanian soul. It recalls a bygone age of renaissance and cultural revival among the Albanian people.

And for a different reason, it tells exactly why we’re here in Kamenica. It explains what we long to see happening in this town of 35,000 people: spiritual rebirth.

For a small group of people meeting in a 100m ² room, October 21, 2012, marked new beginning. It was the official celebration to launch Rilindja Church.

Local government leaders and members of other churches in Kosova were invited. It was a chance to share God’s offer of rebirth for all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and a chance to rejoice in our new family!

For more information about the work of ECM visit www. ecmireland.org

DEC 12 - MAR 13 VOX

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L IAFIET H F

JOURNEYING INTO GOD’S KINGDOM

NEVER A DULL MOMENT FOR BLUETREE’S AARON BOYD

BY ALEX ROUSSEAU

aron Boyd isn’t your typical rock star. Far from it. He isn’t even your typical Christian rock star! Grounded in his home city in Belfast, with a heart for the church and people, Aaron exudes confidence in where his priorities lie.

UCB Ireland Radio’s Alex Rousseau spoke with Aaron about Bluetree’s latest album, Kingdom, a collection of songs that seek to capture the beauty, energy and unity of God’s Kingdom.

A

HOW’S LIFE FOR YOU AT THE MOMENT?

can’t sit down and write a song - songs are born!

For instance, on the new record, Rest came out of a prayer meeting – everything was hard, and it was a time Jesus was teaching us to rest on His promises. Those moments are how I write.

SPEAKING OF GOD OF THIS CITY, WHEN THAT ALBUM BECAME A HUGE SUCCESS, WHAT WAS IT LIKE?

I’m the associate pastor of a church in Belfast, which started four years ago, so it’s that whole thing of trying to figure out life as a body of believers – keeping people inspired and I DON’T WANT TO BE THE ROCK STAR, I GENUINELY DON’T. running after a vision. Then you tag onto that all the band stuff – there’s never a dull moment!!

YOUR SONGS SEEM TO REFLECT THINGS YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT.

Absolutely. God of this City is obviously the most famous one and it was written in a brothel in Thailand.

All my songs are pretty much done the same way. I

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Absolutely mental. I was a window cleaner running around Belfast, just loving it. I always knew it was a call on my life to get involved in music.

Our vision for Bluetree is Worship,

Music and Justice. And when we first had this vision it was...ok...how do we actually rescue kids from the sex industry?

I don’t want to be the rock star; I genuinely don’t. I have no interest in doing that. All I want to do is help people live so their entire life is about worshipping God in whatever they do.

I did feel I got lost at one stage in the whole music industry thing.

Eighteen months ago I decided to make it simple. I’ve learned a lot.

Now, I’m someone whose priority is their family and their church. But yeah, it’s been a crazy journey.

YOU MENTION GETTING A BIT “LOST” WITH THE DEMANDS OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY. WHEN DID YOU REALISE YOU NEEDED TO READJUST YOUR PRIORITIES?

I was actually in a car park in Nashville, in the middle of a 9-week tour, and my wife was on the phone

VOX MAGAZINE

to me and said, “Aaron, I don’t think this is healthy.” I’ve met lots of bands on the road who haven’t been to their church in over a year. That really concerns me.

My heart is just to see people and families stay together. I’ve seen crazy stuff happen. I never want to see anyone go down a path where marriages break up or where careers become more important than having a relationship with Jesus.

TELL US ABOUT THE NEW ALBUM, KINGDOM, AND THE INSPIRATION BEHIND IT...

I’m a firm believer that you need to walk through journeys and the songs come out of those moments where you’re struggling or you’re loving life.

Jesus Healer, our first single, was part of a bigger journey for me. On the last album there was a song called Each Day, which was written when I found out my daughter had cystic fibrosis and Jesus Healer is the next step along that journey.

It’s saying to Jesus, I believe that you’re a healer and I believe you died on a cross to provide healing. So all the songs are journeys: some are celebrations, some are more reflective.

genuinely believe that to be true? It’s all about the simple truths of who God is. Let’s walk in the truths of God.

AND YOU DON’T JUST SING ABOUT IT, YOU DO MISSION TOO...

Ireland is basically the gateway for sex trafficking into the whole of Europe. They come up through Ireland, get on boats in Belfast, then head over to the UK and the rest of Europe.

We’ve also got a non-profit charity called Stand Out International. They go into schools and challenge kids to be different. Teams have gone out to Cambodia. I’ve even been smuggled into Burma, where I got to tell a guy who murdered Christians about Jesus. We almost got killed even!

But that sort of stuff is right up my street. I really love mission and there’s so many things you can do.

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE SIMPLE TRUTHS OF WHO GOD IS.

THE ALBUM FELT LIKE A RALLYING CALL TO THE CHURCH...

We don’t fully understand who we are in the kingdom of God. On the album, some of themes are, “I’m healed, I’m restored, I’m forgiven.” Do we

Alex Rousseau is the Head of News and Features at UCB Ireland Radio, which you can catch on satellite, Internet, or on your smartphone, as well as on DAB and DAB+ in the greater Dublin area. Go to ucb.ie for more details.

DEC 12 - MAR 13 VOX

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VOX DEC 12 - MAR 13

LIFE

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS… Ireland spends more on Christmas than any other country in Europe. The Deloitte consumer survey of Christmas spending predicts an average spend per household of €943. Yet according to research in 2009, on average every Irish person receives at least one unwanted Christmas gift. That’s in the region of 4 million unwanted gifts purchased every year! Florence Mutesasira from Christian Aid suggests an alternative.

Giving and receiving gifts at Christmas is a delight. Most of us love to see our loved ones' faces light up when they unwrap our present. But for many, that’s not reality. Many can’t afford to buy gifts. Some buy gifts because we feel it is expected and we don’t want to offend. Or, and we are keeping it real here, a few of us buy gifts to get gifts.

At the end of the Christmas season there are so many people unnecessarily out of pocket, in debt or finding themselves with gifts they neither need nor like.

Here’s a great idea for those who are looking for alternative ways to handle Christmas shopping. It costs less, has minimum shopping hassle and will make a profound difference. Consider buying a charity gift for a loved one that will also be a gift for someone with very little.

Technically you are buying a Christmas gift for someone else on behalf of your loved one!

Prices range from €5 to €100 or more. They include food, shelter, livestock, tools, education, health facilities and basic survival resources.

Why not select something that conjures a special meaning or funny memory for your loved one? Why not find amusing ways to present your gift? Check out some of these alternative gifts and charities you can support. You’ll be amazed at the interesting options of alternative Christmas gifts you can chose from: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

www.barnardos.ie www.barretstown.org/christmascards www.compassion.ie www.concerngifts.org www.giveandbuy.ie www.leprosymission.ie www.oxfamirelandunwrapped.com www.presentaid.ie www.simon.ie www.svp.ie www.teamhope.ie/thb www.tearfund.ie/christmaslivinggifts www.trocaire.org/gifts Florence Mutesasira has worked in the public relations sector in Ireland since 2003. She is currently media and communications officer for overseas development agency, Christian Aid Ireland.

The Amazing Grace Festival 2013 celebrates the dramatic story of John Newton’s arrival in Buncrana on the shores of Lough Swilly, Co Donegal in 1748 and the 240th anniversary of Newton's most famous hymn - "Amazing Grace".

Featuring the internationally-acclaimed Belfast Community Gospel Choir in concert on Saturday 6th April, the festival includes a weekend of events for all the family (4 - 8 April 2013) Find out more on www.amazinggrace.ie or visit Amazing Grace Country on Facebook.

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VOX DEC 12 - MAR 13

BOOK REVIEW

VOX MAGAZINE

A YEAR OF BIBLICAL WOMANHOOD

HOW A LIBERATED WOMAN FOUND HERSELF SITTING ON HER ROOF, COVERING HER HEAD AND CALLING HER HUSBAND “MASTER” BY RACHEL HELD EVANS REVIEWED BY MELANIE CLARK PULLEN

hen Rachel Held Evans started her journey investigating everything the Bible had to say about women, she didn’t think it would lead to growing her hair, looking after a computerized baby and spending her period camped out in the front garden. Popular blogger Rachel Held Evans’ memoir Evolving in Monkeytown chronicled a crisis of faith that led her to

W

a “gentle and quiet spirit”. They proved quite a task for a self-confessed independent, domestically-challenged career woman.

Each month, she focused on a different aspect of womanhood, engaging in conversations and friendships with Orthodox Jews, Amish women, etiquette coaches, Quiverfull families and also Bolivian women and children supported by international NGO World Vision.

THIS IS AN AFFIRMING BOOK FOR WOMEN WHO WANT TO LIVE GODLY LIVES BUT FEEL CONFUSED BY THE CONFLICTING MESSAGES THEY RECEIVE

question her fundamentalist upbringing and ultimately deepened her belief in Jesus.

For her new book, she took references to women in the Old and New Testaments and attempted to live them out literally. Intrigued by the idea of ‘biblical womanhood’ and the popularity of movements like Proverbs 31 Ministries and the Council for Biblical Man and Womanhood (in the United States), she followed ten commandments throughout the year.

These included submission to her husband’s will, devoting herself to domestic work, modesty and nurturing

She writes with humour and compassion, chronicling her failures as well as her successes as she attempts to figure out what it means to use a compilation of books and letters written thousands of years ago in cultures vastly different to our own as a guidebook for gender roles.

This is an affirming book for women who want to live godly lives but feel confused by the conflicting messages they receive and unable to live up to the interpretation of what it means to be female in a biblical way. After all, she points out, it is biblical for a woman to be sold by her father (Exodus 21:7) and biblical for her to be forced to marry her rapist (Deuteronomy 22:28 –29).

Each chapter opens with a profile of a biblical woman, some of whom I had never heard of, which was enough to send me back to my Bible to look for them.

But by far the most empowering theme is the term eshet chayil (the opening of the poem recorded in

Proverbs 31) which she translates as “Woman of Valour”. She uses her book to honour all the roles that women occupy, both in the home and beyond, and challenges us to acknowledge that “women are not the problem; women are the solution” to many of the difficulties we face in the world right now.

Rachel Held Evans is an important champion for women in the Body of Christ and she has a voice that is both challenging and graceful. With this book, she proves that it is possible to uphold the Scriptures as life-giving and God-inspired while at the same time being free to be all that God has called us to be.

Note: There has been some push-back from those within the conservative evangelical community who have not liked the book. For links and responses see Rachel Held Evans’ blog www. rachelheldevans.com/blog (ranked 16 in the top 200 church blogs list on www.churchrelevance. com)

DEC 12 - MAR 13 VOX

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EVENTS

VOX MAGAZINE

Events Calendar What’s happening where and when

DECEMBER Acet 20th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service Sunday, 2 December, 7:30pm CORE, Thomas St., Dublin 8 www.facebook.com/ACETIreland Prayer Day for Ireland 12/12/12 Wednesday, 12 December, 6pm Christ Apostolic Church, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 networking@evangelical.ie (Other times and loactions too)

JANUARY AGI Engage Leadership Conference 25 & 26 January St. Mark's Church, Dublin 1 aogi@eircom.net FEBRUARY Living Faith Conference Friday, 8 February, 2pm The Exchange, Dublin 1 www.tearfund.ie Living Faith Conference Saturday, 16 February, 12 noon Ardfallen Methodist Church, Cork www.tearfund.ie

Forum on Abortion Saturday, 23 February Dublin office@evangelical.ie MARCH WakeUP Ireland Interational Youth Conference 8 - 10 March Inchicore, Dublin www.facebook.com/WakeUP-Ireland

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VOX DEC 12 - MAR 13

REVIEWS

VOX MAGAZINE

Kingdom Come, Soul Survivor Reviewed by Amy O’Byrne

There has always been a distinct sound coming out of Soul Survivor, notably the legacy of worship leaders like Matt Redman, Tim Hughes and Martyn Layzell. Kingdom Come is no different. But what differentiates this live release is the variety of artists, including Rend Collective Experiment, Sam Bailey, Beth Croft and Tom Field.

Kingdom Come is a double release with CD1 recorded at the Soul Survivor festival, capturing 30,000 young people worshipping together. CD2 was recorded at Momentum, a festival attracting a slightly older crowd.

The first CD starts off with Giving You My All, penned by Tom Field. This song is clearly influenced by Matt Redman and Tim Hughes. Its simplicity and catchy melody will be a sure winner for congregations all over - worship teams take note.

The title track, Kingdom Come, written and performed by Beth Croft, captures something special. It is a prayer of this generation; 30,000 young people declaring, “Father let Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth” and generates hope: “We won’t give up the fight; surely You are holding on.”

There is then the renewed version of Be Thou My Vision performed by Rend Collective Experiment. In all honesty, why not just keep the original words?

Maybe there’s a little bit of a traditionalist in me that believes things like

that do not need to be changed. That said, it’s a great version and good to hear the song included again in live worship events.

The album also features a few Hillsongs tracks, which seem to lack some of the fervour of the original versions.

CD2 only features five tracks, the strongest being Waiting Here For You, written by Martin Smith, and You Bled, written and performed by Rend Collective Experiment, which I can’t help but compare to Mumford and Sons.

The album is good but I’m not sure whether it captures the feel of the actual festival. When you compare it to live releases from Jesus Culture, it doesn’t seem to carry the same level of rawness.

It’s a completely different sound and Jesus Culture will undoubtedly cover some of these tracks and do it in their own way. For me, Kingdom Come needed to be raw, fresher and not so toned down.

VOX Rating: «««

Into 2013 with music and film Watch out for the new acoustic album from Casting Crowns set for release in January.

February’s lineup includes releases from Sanctus Real, Red and the debut solo album from Jenny Simmons from Addison Road.

At the cinema, filmmakers seem to be playing it safe with a lineup of prequels, sequels and remakes. Escaping reality seems a key theme with an abundance of super-heroes, fantasy and sci-fi adventures. Iron Man, Star Trek, yet-another Superman, Kick Ass and Thor are just a few of the offerings competing for box office success.

After the phenomenal success of The Hunger Games (the highestgrossing non-sequel opening in history), its sequel, Catching Fire is likely to be one of the biggest films of 2013 (set for release next November).

DEC 12 - MAR 13 VOX

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VOX PS

SCUMBAGS AND MAGGOTS

BY SEÁN MULLAN

CHRISTMAS EVE IN THE DRUNK-TANK WITH LOST SOULS LAMENTING LOST LIVES AND LOST LOVE GETS CLOSER TO THE HEART OF WHAT CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT. ou know it’s that time of year again when you hear Noddy Holder and Slade tell you that it’s “Merry Christmas, everybody’s having fun” and to “look to the future now, it’s only just begun.” Were I not such a good-natured soul, I would long ago have shaved Mr Holder’s curly locks and used them as a means of permanently damaging his singing career. Of course the dear man is probably long ago retired and has naturally shed his curly locks anyway. He may even loathe his Christmas song as much as I do.

If you have no idea what I’m on about then you clearly never go shopping in Ireland between midNovember and Christmas Eve. For the last 30 years Noddy’s dulcet vocals have been standard fare on the muzak menu in the country’s shopping centres.

When it comes to Christmas songs, I much prefer Shane MacGowan’s “Fairytale of New York” than most of the regular Christmas ditties. Lyrics like “You scumbag, you maggot, you cheap lousy faggot, Happy Christmas your arse I pray God it’s our last” are not the usual Christmas carol sentiments. But in my view they sit a lot closer to the Christmas story than Noddy Holder hanging up his stockings on the wall.

The original Christmas records recount a scandalous pregnancy outside marriage, forced repatriation for the sake of imperial bureaucracy, a newborn baby sleeping in an animal feeding trough, the slaughter of children by a despot to protect his power base and a rural carpenter and his teenage fiancée with their newborn baby becoming refugees for their own safety.

How we got from that to tinsel, mulled wine and glass balls on fir trees is a tough one to work out.

But I’m contending that Shane MacGowan’s lyrics of Christmas Eve in the drunk tank with lost souls lamenting lost lives and lost love gets closer to the heart of what Christmas is about. Imagine Shane focussing his creative skills on the real Christmas story. I can see his ballad running something along these lines: Verse 1 – You got pregnant how? I can’t see the local clergy believing that one!

Y

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VOX DEC 12 - MAR 13

Verse 2 – You want us to go to where? For a census? What about postal registration?

Verse 3 – Where’s the midwife?

Who’ll perform the episiotomy?

Verse 4 – Time to move again– the government wants to murder our baby.

It’s probably not destined to be a Christmas Number 1. But that’s the point. There was nothing sweet, popular, sentimental or Hallmark-like about what happened. It was shocking, mean, frightening and ultimately viciously violent. It was more war than peace, more ill-will than good-will, more terror than joy.

Christmas is about the worst that we can be, the worst that life can throw up and, inexplicably, God making himself present in the middle of it all; present not as an observer or an adjudicator – but as a participant. Participating in the mess, in the danger, in the terrifying and rotten

experience that human life can become.

We may not be spending Christmas Eve in the drunk tank calling each other scumbags and maggots. We may not be murdering babies or fleeing from those who do. But if we miss or ignore the reality of these experiences and conditions, we also miss the wonder of “God with us” that is the heart of the Christmas story. And we also close ourselves to the possibility that this same God might be present and participating in our lives too, whatever kind of mess we might be in.

Seán Mullan has been working in church leadership for many years. He has developed a new project in Dublin City Centre called “Third Space”.

for a child living in deSperate poverty By the time she was just 10 years old, Elisabeth Ovalle from Guatemala was the sole caregiver for her family, including her disabled father. But her story changed forever when a student, also called Elisabeth, sponsored her.

Now little Elisabeth is discovering a new story, full of opportunity, hope and love.

We believe God is calling us to change the stories for more children who, like Elisabeth, have known only hunger, disease, neglect and the terrible disadvantages caused by poverty and we need your help.

Will you sponsor a child today and change their story forever?

For just ₏1 a day, you can ensure a child has access to healthcare, education, food, clothing, social care and the opportunity to know Jesus Christ. You’ll be changing a child’s story from one of desperate need into one of incredible hope.

Registered Charity Number CHY 19426

800146

Sponsor a child today by visiting www.compassion.ie or calling 01 5133719

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Surprise your loved ones with a living gift this Christmas

A â‚Ź35 Living Gift provides a poor family with two pigs and five chickens that can be bred for food and income.

For the full range of Living Gifts – visit www.tearfund.ie/livinggifts or call 01 878 3200 for a catalogue