VOX October 2017

ISSUE 36 / OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2017

FREE

Equipped to Serve

GREAT TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR YOUR CHURCH

ETHICAL SHOPPING

ARE YOU PART OF THE PROBLEM OR THE SOLUTION?

LESSONS FROM RWANDA LEARNING ABOUT RECONCILIATION FROM THE RWANDANOCTCHURCH - DEC 2017 VOX 01

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EDITORIAL

Better Together ne of my favourite Irish words is “meitheal.” It describes the ancient tradition of people coming together to help each other; a sharing community where each person is concerned about their neighbour’s needs as well as their own.

I saw meitheal in action in my own community during the recent flooding, when dozens of families lost their homes and millions of euros of damage was done to roads, bridges, farms, businesses, parks and community facilities in the space of a few short hours. Neighbours came together to stack sandbags, provide for practical needs and help with clean up. This response (probably more common in rural Ireland than in our cities) was healing and beautiful after the destruction of the floods.

It got me thinking. For people who follow Jesus, meitheal should be as normal as breathing. The early church had “everything in common” and they helped out those in need. They understood what it meant to share resources and to support one another. They realised that each person had a unique part to play and they were willing to work together for a common purpose.

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IN OUR INDIVIDUALISTIC CULTURE, IT CAN BE SO EASY TO GO IT ALONE In our individualistic culture, it can be so easy to go it alone, to imagine that we do not need each other and to forget that our lives have an impact on those around us, for good or ill.

This summer, I’ve been struck again by the importance of mutuality within the global church. Our mission is enhanced when the people of God are equipped for works of service.

And across all human boundaries we can learn, and share, and support, and equip one another.

Free resources like “The Justice Sessions” can enhance our youth ministries (page 22), we can learn from the experiences of others in conflict resolution and reconciliation - “Lessons from Rwanda” (page 24) and we can make use of great new Irish resources as we seek to reach out with the Gospel - “NUA Film Series” (page 15).

From prayer to leadership training and from ethical shopping to godly relationships, this issue of VOX will give you a taste of what’s on offer. Together we are stronger! Together we can be equipped to serve!

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

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www.vox.ie

CONTENTS

OCT - DEC 2017 ISSUE 36 ISSN: 2009-2253

24 15 17 19 20 22 26 28 32 35 37 39 30

E DITOR Ruth Garvey-Williams editor@vox.ie

Lessons from Rwanda learning about reconciliation from the Rwandan church

L AYOUT, ADVE RTISIN G & PROMOTION Jonny Lindsay jonny@vox.ie

FEATURES AND INTERVIEWS The NUA Film Series comes highly recommended resources for outreach Equipping the Church to Transform Communities practical training for outreach

OPE RATION S Tara Byrne tara@vox.ie

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A Better Story - helping churches share God’s model for relationships

Image: Matt Kavanagh

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COVER STORIES Ethical Shopping - are you part of the problem or the solution?

Training Leaders to Make an Impact - “I have found Tempo to be a deep learning experience.”

The Justice Sessions - a free resource for youth groups to explore what it means to “act justly” My Story - meet professional musician Benjamin Becerra Creative Prayer Ideas - how to enrich personal and corporate prayer in your church

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A Time of Opportunity and Celebration - OM Ireland marks two special anniversaries

SUBSCRIPTIONS Ireland & UK: Min. €10 for four issues Overseas: Min. €20 for four issues Subscribe online at www. vox.ie. All cheques should be made payable to ‘VOX Magazine’.

VOX Ma g a z i n e Ulysses House 22 - 24 Foley Street Dublin 1 Tel: 01 443 4789 info@vox.ie www.vox.ie DISCL AIME R

Belfast Church Reaching the Business Community

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

Back to School African Style - A story of schoolbags, copybooks and a shoebox

PRIN T Ross Print, Greystones, Co. Wicklow

VOX VIEWS Adoption - time to reclaim it from the scrap-heap?

VOX magazine is a quarterly publication, brought to you by a passionate team of volunteers.

Creation Care and Mission part two - our series continues

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OUR PARTNERS:

06 08 10

REGULAR FEATURES VOX: Shorts VOX: World News Your VOX: Letters

18 21 41

The Soapboxer Confessions of a Feint Saint Music Reviews

43 44 46

Reviews Event Listing VOX: PS with Seán Mullan

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IRELAND

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with Share your Christmas This Year

CHRISTMAS SHOEBOX APPE AL Tel: (01) 294 0222

www.teamhope.ie

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VOX SHORTS

Home for Good moves to NI The UK adoption / fostering charity Home for Good has established a Northern Irish base. Melini Colville the leader for Northern Ireland explained, “Recently one social worker told us about a sibling group coming into care and not being able to find a home. Each of the siblings had to go to different homes. Imagine being split up from your brothers and sisters?

In Northern Ireland, about 300 children are in care at any one time. And they are short of 170 foster carers. In Home for Good,

we want to partner with churches to see individuals who will be willing to foster or adopt. We want to make up this shortfall.”

Home for Good is also exploring the possibility of working in the Republic of Ireland. The charity which organises “Adoption Sunday” every November also provides a range of resources to encourage churches to take the challenge of adoption and fostering seriously - check out www.homeforgood.co.uk.

STORYTELLERS TOUR

Irish development organisation Fields of Life is running a Storytellers Tour in Ireland and Northern Ireland during October and November. Twentyfive years ago, Rev Trevor Stevenson from Shankill, Dublin started Fields of Life. From humble beginnings, the organisation today has 117 schools in East Africa and over 53,000 children within their school network. But now the children who have come through these schools want to give back.

In 2016, the Fields of Life Alumni association in Uganda was set up by a group of former sponsored children who want to actively support the work. One of their first projects is to raise money to build a school in Karamoja, one of the poorest regions of Northern Uganda. So far, they have raised €70,000 towards this incredible goal.

During the Storytellers Tour, this group will share their stories about the extreme challenges they have faced in life but how the world is now their oyster. They will speak at business breakfasts, colleges and schools as well as a number of worship concerts also featuring Nathan Jess and Levixone who has been the Ugandan Gospel Artist of the Year for the past two years.

Levixone is one of the Fields of Life Alumni. From his early years in Kosovo Slum, Kampala to playing sell out venues for a living, he now gives back to the community from which he came and wants to help other African children realise their dreams.

NORTHERN IRELAND 3 November - St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh 7.30pm 4 November - Wellington Presbyterian, Ballymena 7.30pm 11 November - Newtownbreda Baptist Church, Belfast 7.30pm IRELAND 12 November - Christ Church, Bray 7pm 18 November - Cork School of Music, Union Quay 7.30pm To find out more or book tickets contact Helen Darcy (Northern Ireland) helen. darcy@fieldsoflife.org or Alex Gason (Ireland) alex.gason@fieldsoflife.org.

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Enjoy a few of our favourite tweets from the summer season “I would rather go down in flames doing what I feel God is telling me to do, than to risk nothing and do nothing.” - Frog Orr-Ewing speaking at #Sligo17 (@ newwineireland)

“You can wear the Christian label and miss the reality of a relationship with the living God.” - Bishop Rennis from Singapore speaking at #Sligo17 (@newwineireland).

“A passionate God calls us into relationship with Him and invites us to be part of His kingdom purposes” - Amy Orr-Ewing speaking at #Sligo17 (@ newwineireland).

“Glory is the beauty of God’s holiness made manifest.” Jago Wynne speaking at #NH2017 (@newhorizonni).

“Would the community in which God has placed you, miss your church if you closed your doors?” - Rev. Heather Morris speaking at #NH2017 (@newhorizonni).

“When our life with God is not sufficient to sustain our work for God, then we will struggle with integrity” - Jago Wynne speaking at #NH2017 (@newhorizonni).

VOX MAGAZINE

Three days of Paradoxology

For the fifth year running, a team of 19 provided a sacred space, prayer tent and tea hub at Electric Picnic - Ireland’s largest music and arts festival.

For three days and nights, the team created a safe space that encouraged community, conversation and introspection. Visitors could enjoy a free cup of tea or coffee and engage with five interactive installations - giving away an act of kindness as a “payment” for the tea and coffee, writing and wiping away regrets in the sand; writing and hanging a prayer or kind thought for someone who is struggling with their mental health, taking a picture of themselves with the polaroid camera then pinning it to the blackboard and writing a message that they think the world needs to hear right now.

But the real story was the impact on team members and visitors (names and identifiers removed to preserve confidentiality): “They were initially very skeptical about entering our tent…on their way out, 20 minutes later, they came over to me smiling and said, ‘Thank you. This is the best thing we’ve done all weekend!’ It’s great to see our tent bring so much joy to people.”

“She was surprised that we would still welcome her even though she had so many questions.”

“This was the first time I’ve felt loved by Christians in a conversation about my sexuality…”

“They found a place of belonging among strangers.”

“Sometimes what is not said is more powerful that what is said….”

At the end of the festival, one team member commented, “If you could guarantee me a good night’s sleep, I’d do this every day for the rest of my life.’

“It’s Time” Prayer Event

Movie about the Apostle Paul

Thousands gathered for a prayer event in Nutt’s Corner, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland on Saturday 9 September. Despite a forecast of rain, the clouds cleared and participants united from across denominations to pray for their nation, with worship from Robin Mark and South African speaker, Angus Buchan. The event, organised by a group of friends, was based on 2 Chronicles 7:14 - “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”

Hollywood is tackling the story of Paul in a new movie starring James Faulkner as Paul (Game of Thrones, Downton Abbey) and Jim Caviezel as Luke (Passion of the Christ).

Affirm Films Executive Vice President Rich Peluso said, “Paul wrote a vast swathe of the New Testament and travelled more than 10,000 miles by foot to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This gripping film dives deep into the final months before Paul’s execution under Nero as he reconciles his faith with his past persecution of the church.” The film is slated for a 2018 release.

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WORLD NEWS

“PRAY FOR THE CHURCH IN EGYPT TO SHINE”

This was the message given by Michael from Egypt (pseudonym used for security reasons) at Church in Chains’ annual conference in September. He described the persecution of Christians in Egypt as a “shaking” of the church but not a surprising thing as the church in Egypt has known many eras of persecution. He said that the main challenge for the church in the Middle East and in Egypt is to let its light shine in the midst of persecution. He quoted Matthew 5:13-16, “You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven.”

Michael challenged delegates to, “Pray for the Christians of Egypt and the Middle East to shine for Jesus. Do not pray for the attacks to end – God already knows.” He said, “The images and reports [of Egypt in the news] are not telling you the true story of the Egyptian church. It’s not only a story of pain; it’s a story of victory. Egyptian Christians are not broken and defeated, but victorious, because we worship and enjoy the companionship of the living God.” Michael talked about the attacks by Islamic State terrorists on churches in Egypt since December 2016, in which over 100 people have died. He showed a photo of coffins lined up at a funeral for 24 people, and a photo of a pile of shoes from Tanta.

He said, “The big question is: who is our true enemy? Is it ISIS

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or Islamists or Salafists? Who is our ultimate enemy?” and then quoted Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

Michael asked for volunteers to act out various persecution scenarios, using props to tie up, chain and veil three delegates.

Veiled women can’t go out without a man; they stay at home to cook and clean. If a Christian woman goes out in some parts of Egypt she will be harassed and called “infidel”. The veiled delegate said she would feel “terrified… it would be very hard for me to live that way… I admire these women for their inner strength to be able to live this way.” The chained delegate, asked to imagine that she was in prison for sharing her faith with a Muslim, said she would feel “Super-traumatised, lost, full of fear about me and my family. I’d be fearing the physical pain and torture.”

Michael showed a picture of the wall of a church that had been burnt. Immediately afterwards, the Christians sprayed slogans on the wall: “God is love.” “We forgive you.”

Such expressions of forgiveness have made a huge impact on Egyptian society.

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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 ur r favo voucher for ou u!

It could be yo

A Clarion Call The moving letter to the editor (VOX Jul - Sep 2017) from former residents of Protestant-ethos institutions is a clarion call to Christians in Ireland to lament, confess and repent.

The 20th century brought stories of profound neglect in these homes, often expressed through sectarianism and State collusion. The expected February 2018 announcement of the findings of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Inquiry will be yet another landmark moment in the telling of the story of our care for the most vulnerable.

While there are limited existing governance relationships with the various homes referred to in the letter, there are significant lines of continuity in mission and memory. This makes the relative silence from various churches, individuals and organisations all the more bizarre. If the testimonies of former residents, many of

whom are now elderly, and the presence of the unmarked graves of hundreds of children were insufficient to break this silence then one wonders what can.

As a leader of an organisation that stands somewhat in the same tradition of the faith-based organisation supporting those most vulnerable, I join the call of the former residents for the government, churches and the broader society to take seriously the cases of these homes.

This is not a question of ‘credibility’ or ‘integrity’, with all the trappings and limitations those words generate in our age. Rather it is a question of allegiance to and imitation of Christ who weeps and prophetically declares His justice for those who bravely are a voice for the voiceless.

RICHARD CARSON ACET IRELAND

WRITING COMPETITION - DEADLINE EXTENDED I am getting excited about it. Only a few months to work on ’Something Special’ - a poem, a song (not that I am going to sing), short story - fictional or true, a blog, a play or a journalistic opinion piece. Phew! The choice is wide. I must get working on an entry for Celebrating the Gift of Life Writing

Competition (closing date 31/01/18).

It is promoted by Evangelical Alliance Ireland and the Irish Christian Writers’ Fellowship.

It is a unique opportunity to let people know what I think on the ‘value of a human life’. No matter what age, skin colour, ethnic status, physical or mental

development, it touches my heart. Details of the competition are online at www. writingcompetition.org, or post to Irish Christian Writers’ Fellowship. 2 C Iveagh Trust, Kevin Street, Dublin 8, DO8 8CAF. JOAN BRADLEY DUBLIN

SEND YOUR LETTERS TO EDITOR@VOX.IE OR YOUR VOX, ULYSSES HOUSE, 22-24 FOLEY STREET, DUBLIN 1

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with Tearfund Ireland Featuring Barry – Loraine e g d Ju y Celebrit ‘Dancing with the Stars’,r s ance from RTE’ allroom D ampion B World Ch

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Northwood Park, Santry Demesne, Dublin 9 Date: Sunday 29th October 2017 Time: Doors, 7:15pm. Show Starts, 8:00pm Ticket price – €20. Seating is unreserved.

Raising funds to help lift people out of poverty for good where the need is greatest.

Tickets are available from the Tearfund Ireland office, please call 01 878 3200 Tearfund Ireland Registered Charity No. CHY 8600. Photos: Ivan Kmit/Leigh Prather/AdobeStock

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REALITY

ETHICAL

SHOPPING RESEARCHED AND COMPILED BY GEMMA KELLY (TEARFUND IRELAND) AND RUTH GARVEY-WILLIAMS (VOX MAGAZINE).

THE SOBERING TRUTH

Slavery and Trafficking Human trafficking is the fastest growing crime in the world. The “industry” is worth 150 billion dollars. People who have been trafficked are involved in the sex trade but also forced labour, domestic servitude, the drugs trade and even the removal of organs.

The average age for a trafficking victim is 11 - 14 years and 1.2 million children are trafficked every year. Estimates for the number of people living in slavery today range between 28 and 45 million people.

Child Labour

In West Africa alone, an estimated 2.1 million children are employed on cocoa plantations, performing the backbreaking and hazardous job of harvesting cocoa beans that are used to make our chocolate products! (Source: Stop the Traffick)

“It is so much easier to snap up a bargain rather than ask the painful questions about why it is being offered to us so cheaply.”

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very person in Ireland has probably worn, eaten, touched or used something that is the product of people trafficking, slavery or exploitation. Our chocolate bars, our morning coffee, our clothes and our mobile phones… there is a strong probability that at some point, somebody involved in producing these “essentials” of modern life was forced to work as a slave and /or subjected to horrific working conditions. And it is the poorest and the most vulnerable people who suffer most from our consumer-driven lifestyles.

ARE YOU SITTING UNCOMFORTABLY?

At this point many people will be tempted to turn the page and choose a nice “feel good” article. Unfortunately, turning the page won’t change the harsh realities, so stick with us as we begin to unpack what it means to shop ethically.

If, like us, you have to count your pennies and cents, let alone your euros and pounds… you’ll know how hard it can be to make ends meet. It is so much easier to snap up a bargain rather than ask the painful questions about why it is being offered to us so cheaply.

But for those of us who follow Jesus, burying our head in the sand is not an option.

The Bible makes it clear that we cannot please God with our worship and fasting while we are exploiting our workers (Isaiah 58). And while it is unlikely that we are personally mistreating people, whenever we buy these products, we are benefitting from and helping to perpetuate the misery.

Sharing at this year’s New Wine Ireland conference in Sligo, Gemma Kelly said, “At Tearfund Ireland, we believe that every human being is made in the image and likeness of God and we believe they should be free from poverty, injustice, violence and the horror that is human trafficking.

Trafficking goes against the core of us as human beings and as Christians.”

It would be easy to become overwhelmed with the scale of the problem but individually and as churches, denominations or groups of churches across Ireland, we can take practical steps to ensure we are pursuing righteousness and justice. It will mean adjusting our

attitudes, changing the way we shop and being willing to campaign for what is right.

So here are some changes you can make (if you haven’t done so already). You won’t be able to do everything all at once, but commit to making changes. And choose one thing that you can do right away!

ADJUST YOUR ATTITUDE

The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute documentary, produced in the US in 2007, which gives a thought-provoking overview of the impact of consumerism - it is well worth a watch (visit www.storyofstuff.org).

What is your relationship with “stuff ”?

Have you become caught up in the consumerism and materialism of our society?

So often the influence of our culture creeps unseen into our lives and our churches. We opt for convenience and comfort (even luxury) and we are unconcerned about the impact on others. Ask God to search your heart, to show you areas of greed and compromise and to adjust your attitudes.

FIND OUT THE TRUTH

In law, not knowing is no excuse but when it comes to matters of justice, righteousness and morality (God’s law) why do we prefer blissful ignorance? Information about exploitation, slavery and human trafficking is widely available and although it is not always easy, we can also find out which corporations are open and above board and which ones are operating in secrecy about their supply chains.

Start by contacting your favourite store and asking them specific questions about the sourcing of their products - you can write, email or even tweet your questions. And the more people who contact them, the more likely they are to change or improve!

LOOK FOR THE MARK

While certainly not perfect, certification marks such as Fair Trade, UTZ (available in Lidl and Aldi) and Rainforest Alliance do mean that the products you are buying are more ethical and haven’t been produced as a result of slave labour or at the expense of environmental damage. These products

VOX MAGAZINE

ARE YOU PART OF THE PROBLEM OR PART OF THE S O L U T IO N ?

The Transparency Index

Here’s how some familiar brands fared - the higher the percentage the better the transparency in terms of policy and practice.

41 - 50% are now easily available. There really is no reason not to shop ethically when it comes to chocolate and cocoa products, tea, coffee, bananas, sugar and more… Check for the mark in your church, youth club, school, workplace and at home!

And if your favourite brand is not certified… write to them and ask why?

JOIN THE FASHION REVOLUTION

The collapse of the Rana Plaza clothing factory in Bangladesh in 2013 with the deaths of over 1,100 workers was a wake up call for the fashion industry. If we buy a T-shirt for €5, somebody, somewhere is paying for it whether through long working hours, poor wages, poor conditions or worse.

Fashion Revolution (www. fashionrevolution.org) was formed in response to the Bangladesh tragedy with the aim of changing the way the fashion industry operates. Each April, the #whomademyclothes campaign is forcing major brands to become more transparent and accountable about their supply chain and manufacturing practices. People are encouraged to contact shops and businesses to ask who made their clothes.

The annual Fashion Transparency index measures the world’s leading brands according to what information they make available across a range of issues from policy and governance to traceability and assessment of their supply chain (including working conditions, wages, etc.). Of 100 major brands surveyed, none scored over 50% and only eight scored over 40%.

This unwillingness to tell consumers about issues like working conditions in their supply chains sends up red flags but it also provides us with an opportunity to lobby for change. The more we demand to know this type of information, the more global corporations will start to take note, especially when we choose to shop (or not to shop) according to the information we receive!

Tearfund New Zealand has conducted a similar evaluation and you can download their Ethical Fashion Guide from their

website www.tearfund.org.nz. Tearfund Ireland also has hard copies of the guide… contact them if you’d like to receive one (www.tearfund.ie).

CONSIDER ETHICAL ALTERNATIVES

While it is important to campaign for change in all suppliers and brands, there are now a number of companies that seek to operate their entire business on ethical principles. Here are two that we can recommend.

Visible Clothing (www.visible.clothing) Set up by two friends in response to the Bangladesh disaster, this company offers a high level of transparency about who is making their clothes and about the true cost. The average cost of one of their T-shirts is €15 with shirts from €30.

Fairphone (www.fairphone.com) Guaranteeing fair materials, good working conditions and a long-lasting design, the Fairphone aims to tackle poor practice in the phone industry with strong ethical principles across its entire business. All this comes at a price (€530) but these phones are built to last and are designed to be repaired easily (no built-in obsolescence here).

DITCH THE EXCUSES

“Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.” Ezekiel 16:49

21 - 30%

0 - 10%

(Source: Fashion Revolution Transparency Index)

Exploitation and violence

The minerals cobalt and coltan are used in majority of modern mobile phones. These are being mined in the Congo in rebel-held areas where child labour and forced labour are used. Reports show that children as young as seven are working in perilous conditions. And the profits are fuelling armed conflict.

I didn’t know It costs too much I’m not hurting anybody It’s inconvenient Certification marks are not perfect It doesn’t taste as good But I want…

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FAITH

VOX MAGAZINE

THE NUA FILM SERIES ...COMES HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Launched earlier this year, the NUA film series has met with widespread approval by youth leaders around Ireland. This Irish resource explores questions about Jesus, the Bible and what it means to be a Christian through a series of eight 15-minute films that are ideal for youth groups, church groups and in educational settings. Here’s what three reviewers had to say:

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n Wilson’s Hospital School, we have been using the NUA series as part of a Transition Year module. The resource has been a refreshing break for the TYs and gives them a chance to reflect on the big questions NUA poses, and to feedback in smaller discussion groups. Since the NUA material begins from a position of scepticism, and slowly builds a case for the Christian faith, pupils have felt free to share authentically about their hopes and fears, doubts and beliefs. It certainly helps that the production value of the videos is so high. Every episode is beautiful to look at! The TYs are using the NUA journals to collect their thoughts from this module.

For any teacher who struggles to put shape on their “non-exam” RE classes, I couldn’t recommend NUA more highly!

Emma Rothwell Chaplain, Wilson’s Hospital School Multyfarnham, Co. Westmeath

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very journey starts with one step and the NUA Film Series invites young people to put one foot in front of the other as they explore faith from a new perspective. I’ve been running the series in both a school setting and with a small youth group and the level of engagement has been great.

What I love about NUA is its relaxed exploratory tone that sets young people at ease, the language is inclusive and engaging, and the visuals are stunning. It deals with the big macro questions in life, whilst getting personal and asking “What’s Jesus got to do with me?” The series creates a unique opportunity for young people to re-examine faith and to journal their experience as they go. The accompanying leader’s manual provides more than just instruction, with some tips and ideas for creating the right environment for conversation to thrive making it super easy for anyone to deliver.

Jonny and the team at Scripture Union have done an awesome job.

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he series presents authentic faith well and asks real questions with honesty and integrity. It doesn’t shy away from the hurt and destruction that seems to accompany ‘religion’ at its worst, and being willing to open up a conversation about this area is vital for an Irish context reeling from the broken trust of institutional religious organisations that did a poor job of sharing God’s love.

NUA is an excellent, cringe free but straightforward presentation of ‘the reason for the hope we have in Jesus’, presented in an accessible, engaging way.

I believe this series, if used thoughtfully, will enable more young people to respond to Jesus and reflect back God’s love for them in relationship with Him. We should never be afraid of offering people that choice. I can’t wait for ‘NUA 2’!

Matt Gould Youth Leader Carrigrohane Union of Parishes

Simon Marriott Youth for Christ Ireland

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FAITH

VOX MAGAZINE

EQUIPPING THE CHURCH TO TRANSFORM COMMUNITIES im Keller, theologian, author and pastor of New York’s Redeemer Presbyterian Church, once tweeted the question, “If you and your church were to disappear off the face of the earth tomorrow, would anyone in the community around you notice you were gone?”

I would go a step further and ask, “If the community around you were to disappear off the face of the earth tomorrow, would anyone in your church notice that it had gone?”

According to Jesus, God’s intention is for the Church to be the salt and light of the world – transforming communities to become the places that God always meant them to be. So why is it that so many of our communities still look so, well, so untransformed? Has the salt really lost its savour?

Or perhaps the Church is genuinely willing to help but just needs a bit of help to be pointed in the right direction?

Part of Evangelical Alliance Ireland’s vision is to help equip the Church – so the EAI National Forum for 2017 is focussing on transformation.

Seasoned practitioners will be converging on Dublin in November to help provide resources for local churches and Christian believers that want to make a difference.

In one track of seminars, Tearfund, Christian Aid and Thrive will help delegates explore what it looks like for Christians to respond to the needs of their community in a way that is loving, respectful and Christ-like.

Simultaneously, there will be a range of single issue workshops addressing homelessness, abortion,

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caring for God’s creation, the persecuted church, immigration, racial discrimination and Street Pastors. Among others, David Turner of Church in Chains, Sharan Kelly of Tearfund and Peter McVerry will be demonstrating how ordinary people can produce extraordinary transformation.

There will also be plenty of opportunity to interact with speakers, workshop leaders, and other delegates. The idea is that every Christian who attends, whether they are in church leadership or not, will discover practical ways to become God’s agents for change.

The National Forum will run from 9.30am until 5pm on Saturday 4 November, and the venue is Betania Pentecostal Church, Damastown Road, Dublin 15. The conference fee is €28, which includes lunch. There are discounts available for group bookings. Full information is available at www.evangelical.ie and on EAI’s Facebook page.

Nick Park is the Executive Director of the Evangelical Alliance Ireland.

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R E X O B P THE SOA

BY DR KEN BAKER

YOU ARE THE EQUIPMENT: RE-SOURCING THE CHURCH Take, for example, the resource of a building. It is looked up the word “resources” in an online really handy to have a place of your own to meet, and it dictionary and it gave me a couple of choices. beats having to cart microphones all over town and cajole It means “1. A source of supply, support, or aid, “volunteers” into setting up from 7am in the morning. On especially one that can be readily drawn upon when the other hand, the building quickly sucks up money for needed. 2.The collective wealth of a country or its means of maintenance, time and emotions of pride sneak in, and producing wealth.” words like “excellence” come to mean fancy carpets and Is that either/or, do you think? we get signs saying “No biscuits in the sanctuary.” Other The thing is, the first explanation suggests people and buildings may be a cross between a museum and a fridge the second suggests prosperity. When you need “support or … but that’s the point isn’t it? Good or bad, hot or cold, the aid” or something vitally necessary you might either think of building can become an end in itself. people who can help or of your “collective wealth.”

For the first few centuries of Christianity, believers met in Who you gonna call? private homes. We hear of Lydia’s house (Acts 16), Priscilla In The Message (Matthew 10:9-10), Jesus offers some and Aquila’s house (Romans 16; 1 Cor 16), Nympha’s house in counsel before sending his disciples out on the road: “Don’t Laodicea (Colossians 4) and Archippa’s house (Philemon 2). think you have to put on a fund-raising campaign before And in China today, the house church has been one of the you start. You don’t need a lot of equipment. You are the ways God used to multiply the number of Chinese disciples equipment, and all you need to keep that going is three from a few thousand in the 1930s to, by some estimates, meals a day. Travel light.” more than 80 million believers today.

The phrase “travel light” always makes me think of those If the tagline is true, that “you budget airline policies that insist are the equipment” then it’s worth that every passenger rid themselves thinking down this track. It is a of a growing list of “inessentials” biblical model. It’s based on a before boarding the plane. It’s DO WE MAKE NICE BUILDINGS AND HOPE PEOPLE family ethos rather than a business a powerful parable about all the clutter that we inadvertently allow VISIT OR BUILD NICE PEOPLE WHO GO VISITING? ethos. People more easily get to know one another in a small in our lives. Chuck out all the stuff group. Smaller groups can lead to you don’t need. Get back to the essentials. increased accountability to each But what are they? Well, it’s you. other. Everyone participates and You’re the equipment. A mouth ready to speak. Feet ready to ministers so people grow in using their spiritual gifts. Highly go. A heart on fire for Jesus. How much more do you need? trained (and expensive) pastors are not required in order to lead large numbers of people. And there’s no need for huge, People are always more important than projects. costly projects.

I remember receiving a Prayer Request for a projected You are the equipment. mission trip with an appended PDF file of all the sound Money can go towards evangelism, community service, equipment necessary. The cost ran into thousands. or mutual support instead of being sucked into building I don’t want to sound whingy or critical. Things have maintenance and expansion. And carpets. And, as they have to be paid for, and many reputable mission organisations discovered in China, house churches are low profile and thus, encourage their people to fundraise their way forward to better able to withstand persecution and oppression. enable their own participation. But… There’s a whole paradigm-shift involved here: Do we (Incidentally, I’m beginning to wonder if Eugene Peterson, make nice buildings and hope people visit or build nice who wrote The Message had had one of those prayer people who go visiting? It’s time to re-source the church. circulars too).

YOU are the equipment.

But, it’s just a question of balance, isn’t it? How much is . too much? What is my gameplan for what “church” should look like?

Ken Baker is a writer and And second, it’s a question of priority. The people always pastor living in Bandon, come first, before all the stuff.

County Cork.

And third, it’s a question of simplicity. The more you load yourself up with that stuff, the slower you move, and the less mobile and urgent you become.

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LIFE

VOX MAGAZINE

A BETTER STORY

HAS THE CHURCH LOST HER VOICE? THIS AUTUMN, LOVE FOR LIFE WILL PRESENT A SERIES OF SEMINARS IN BELFAST BIBLE COLLEGE EXPLORING GOD’S MODEL FOR RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE AIM OF EQUIPPING CHRISTIANS TO SHARE “A BETTER STORY.”

BY GRAHAM HARE

hen did you last hear some good news? Maybe you regularly hear encouraging updates or have reason to celebrate but all too often, it seems that we are listening to and sharing negative news and difficult stories. When it comes to our relationships, our attitudes toward marriage, sex and parenting, we can be quick to become despondent, disheartened and discouraged.

Is there a better story? Culture today is presenting us with so many mixed messages. It can be confusing. Sex and relationships have become something we consume … if it feels good…if no one is getting hurt…why not?

I wonder if we have lost our confidence? It seems that the church has gone quiet or might even have lost her voice on these important issues. As Christians, surely we have something to say, something hopeful to share?

Love for Life is an independent Christian organisation with a vision to help young people value themselves, relationships and sex. We work with over 40,000 young people annually in schools and youth settings and tirelessly pursue our vision of young people understanding their value and worth, and making choices in relationships, which reflect this.

We believe that God’s ways are best and that God’s model for our relationships and sexuality is the best. It is our heart to equip Christians to dig deep into scripture and have the opportunity to share by learning from gifted people who are passionate about this particular area of discipleship.

Imagine if the church rediscovered its confidence in the scriptures and was courageous in sharing a better story as an alternative to the often confusing and sad news that culture presents regarding relationships and sexuality.

We would love you to join us as we learn together, share together and stand together to understand, appreciate and share God’s model for our relationships.

Gathering over four nights in Belfast Bible College, starting at 7.30pm each evening, we will take time to hear from the contributors, there will be an opportunity to discuss the input and ask questions of the speakers too.

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Wednesday 11 October A Better Story: God, sex and human flourishing Glynn Harrison Wednesday 25 October A Better Story for Marriage Dr. Olwyn Mark Wednesday 8 November A Better Story for Mother and Baby Both lives matter Wednesday 22 November A Better Story for Church - leadership, society and our young people Rt. Rev Ken Good, Peter Lynas and Wilson Beare There has never been a more timely need for the church to understand, celebrate and share God’s model for relationships.

To book your place for these seminars visit: www.abetterstory. eventbrite.co.uk.

Graham Hare is General Manager of Love for Life, an independent Christian charity which dreams of a society where people value themselves, relationships and sex. Graham is passionate about the local church talking about the tough issues and wants to see Christians equipped to share God’s better story about relationships and sex.

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FAITH

TRAINING LEADERS TO MAKE AN

I M PA C T

o you want to impact your local community? Would you love to see something happen in your church or community but aren’t sure where to start? Do you want to learn and put into practice the skills that will help your ministry be more effective? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then the Tempo Leadership Course from Innovista Ireland is for you.

Running for the last seven years in Ireland, Innovista’s Tempo Leadership Course is designed to help you and your team to get clear on what you are doing, improve your teamwork and lead with confidence.

Tempo is aimed at people who are part of a team in a local church or ministry organisation, those leading a team or pioneers launching new mission initiatives or churches. It is ideal for people who want to become more effective as servant leaders.

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WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE?

Eight Individual Training Days (with 5-6 weeks between each one, and the final one six months later) - Each workshop combines biblical insight, practical training, useful tools and time to apply what you’ve learned. You’ll finish each workshop day with an action plan for your team that will help develop your ministry.

On-going Support - In between the one-day workshops, we will support you to implement your action plan.

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Experienced Trainers - Workshops are facilitated by experienced leaders who are also expert trainers. They will get to know you and your situation so they can help you move forward Learning Together - The course usually comprises several church or ministry teams from a town or region, although individual pioneers are also welcome. You’ll learn from others who will challenge and support you as you pursue your calling.

Brian Hickey, Urban Junction, Dublin shares his experience: I began my internship with Urban Junction in September 2016. I was so excited. Having studied in the Irish Bible Institute, I had such grand ideas for what I could bring to the church and the ministry I would be involved with.

I met with my church leader and was informed I would be doing a leadership course. Needless to say, I wasn’t too excited about it. I thought - rather naively - that I had more than enough knowledge about leadership. I went into Tempo thinking I had it sussed and that this course was merely going to be a refresher. How wrong I was.

I have found Tempo to be a deep learning experience. It was helpful when

working along side my ministry, I would go into a Tempo and take everything out of it, and implement it into my ministry.

Tempo was refreshing. It kept us on our toes. I was learning stuff and implementing it in my ministry. This was new, it was innovative and untested by me. I didn’t know what would happen. I learned, by doing. I feel the ministry I am involved in has improved dramatically as a result of working with Tempo.

Tempo gave me the opportunity to think through what had been learned, and having the chance to discuss it with others made the processing easier. Being able to communicate my thoughts on different leadership topics was, in itself, leadership shaping.

Words do not do it justice. The quality [of training] that was provided, the insightful work, the stripping back of what leadership is, right at its core was so helpful to me, and I have been blessed as a result.

For more information about the Tempo Leadership Course go to www.innovista. ie/tempo or contact Sam Moore on 0857613550 or sam.moore@innovista.org.

CONFESSIONS OF A FEINT SAINT

VOX MAGAZINE

Wonderfully made ?

By Annmarie Miles

s I write, I am in my pyjamas and dressing gown.

Surrounded by tissues, medicines, inhalers and an array of liquid refreshments, I am at the, “tell my family I love them” stage of a head cold.

I get a cold at least three times a year; and not just a sniffle.

My colds are the real deal. Sneezing like it’s an Olympic sport, coughing that sounds like I smoke 60 Woodbines a day, and to top it off, a voice that sounds like Ronnie Drew; with a cold!

Man-flu regularly comes to this house – but it is I, and not the man of the house, who catches it. I think himself has been ill about three times since we met.

You know the way some people are not good patients?

Folk who don’t like being waited on and hate having meals and medicines administered to them? Well, that’s not me. I’m a GREAT patient. You can pat my head, heat me some soup, look at me like I’m a wounded puppy and plump my pillows. I will respond with a grateful whimper, the weakest of smiles and a heavy sigh.

I read Psalm 139 today and verse 14 says, ‘I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.’

At the moment, I don’t feel wonderfully made. I’m aching all over. My throat is sore. My nose is sore. Even my hair hurts! These symptoms though, are actually for my good.

(Ok so I’m not sure about the hair thing…) They tell me, there is something wrong, and that I, or someone in a less weakened state than I, need to do something about it.

Our bodies are made in such a way that when our temperature goes up, we know about it. If that went unchecked, it could be potentially dangerous. But, we take medicine to bring it back down. Do you know our noses run for a reason? The inside of our noses work over time when we have a cold, to wash away germs and so protect us from infection.

As uncomfortable as coughing can be, it’s a reflex of the body to keep our lungs clear, so we can breathe.

I’m no medical expert and I confess these are very simplistic and general explanations of how our bodies deal with sickness.

Even in the sorry state I’m in, I can see evidence that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. And though praising God for my cold might not be easy, I can praise His creative wonder.

I must sign off now. I need to preserve my strength. I have to reach past the throat lozenges for another tissue and they are right at the other end of the sofa!

I’m not well you know! Sigh...

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“You can pat my head, heat me some soup, look at me like I’m a wounded puppy and plump my pillows.”

Annmarie Miles is originally from Tallaght, now living in her husband Richard’s homeland, Wales.

If you’d like to read more between VOX Magazines, her blog is called Just Another Christian Woman Talking Through Her Hat. The Long & the Short of it, her first collection of short stories, can be found at www. annmariemiles.com/books, or you can pick it up in Footprints bookshops in Dublin.

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REALITY

THEJUSTICESESSIONS

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dynamic partnership between me. They are doing justice work because they want International Justice Mission and the to see people set free. They want to see everybody Church of Ireland Youth Department has flourishing. I have been in Northern Ireland for 16 produced “The Justice Sessions” - a five-week series years, and this impacted me. Can I really say that I of interactive Bible studies for youth groups. At the am in love with the people of Northern Ireland so launch of the new resource at Summer Madness, IJM’s that I want to see them flourish?

Chloe Fulton, CIYD Youth Officer Simon Henry and We have a choice and an obligation to do Brent van der Linde, Assistant Minister at Stormont something. It is not just about listening and Presbyterian Church shared more. accepting what is happening. From my perspective Chloe: International Justice Mission is the as a minister, we want to make ourselves feel world’s largest anti-slavery organisation, which uncomfortable! It is biblical. God requires it of us. was started 20 years ago. I stumbled across IJM Simon: The very least we can do is to pray, not while I was at university studying law and I fell in just for our own churches but for the work of IJM. love! We are passionate about seeing people set We have everything we want at hand. These guys free from violence and we are passionate about are up against it. seeing the local church fighting for justice and Chloe: We don’t want “The Justice Sessions” freedom. Today we are working across the world to be an exclusive resource for those who have tackling sex trafficking in places a passion for these things. like Bolivia, Guatemala and We want everyone to know Cambodia, fighting cases of Micah 6:8 and to do justice, land-grabbing in Uganda and love mercy and walk humbly.

“THAT WEEK IN freeing people from forced For a lot of people that verse BANGALORE, GOD labour and slavery in places is overwhelming. What does like Ghana, Thailand and India. that mean in the 21st century?

TWISTED MY ENTIRE We want to help answer that Simon: When the for young people. It opportunity came up to go to LIFE AND MY THINKING.” question is not an added extra but a call India and to see what the IJM that God has placed on our team is doing there, I thought, lives.

“This will be great, I’ll go In the Bible justice and righteousness appear there for that week and we’ll create a resource for youth leaders.” Sometimes, even for me as a youth together. To do justice is to put the wrongs right - to make sure that those who have suffered worker, justice was a side issue but actually if you look at the Bible and how Jesus looked at people injustice are in a place of safety and that those you see that God is a God of justice. who perpetuate injustice are held accountable.

That week in Bangalore, God twisted my entire Righteousness creates a safe place so that the injustices do not occur. life and my thinking. We met 40 staff members. It We want to set the scene. What does justice is so hard to describe how important their work is. mean? The five youth group sessions look into the It blew me away. These are guys who have two or biblical definition and there are some challenges three degrees to their names but because of their about putting that into action. Each session amazing faith in Jesus, they have decided to work finishes with prayer points and stories from IJM. in this environment. They are working to free There is an optional 24-hour justice people from slave labour and from trafficking. experience. This is a cool resource with different Usually, I’m in my wee Church of Ireland bubble. Their passion challenged me as a Christian activities hour-by-hour and practical things that can be done within your own community. worker. Slavery was made illegal in India in 1970 in India but it still happens on a massive scale.

They are working against the caste system. Every day they get together between 9am and 10am to GETTING “THE JUSTICE SESSIONS” FOR YOUR YOUTH GROUP pray. You can see God moving.

The Justice Sessions is designed as a study guide to be used by In our own churches and towns we can make a youth leaders, so we are offering 1-2 free copies per youth group. difference by prayer. I saw that in Bangalore - their If possible (depending on availability and geographical region) whole world revolves around prayer. I took that IJM speakers are willing to lead one of these sessions with home with me. If you are up against a wall as a the youth group. Youth leaders can get their copy from Chloe Christian that makes you dig deeper. We are not (chloe.fulton@ijmuk.prg) or from the CIYD office (admin@ really persecuted here - we’re just a little bit upset ciyd.org). Find out more about International Justice Mission at at times. They are really up against it and they have www.ijmuk.org or through their social media accounts. to dig deep into God. Brent: Lots of things about the trip touched

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REALITY

THINKING BIBLICALLY ABOUT RECONCILIATION A new facilitated resource from Thrive Ireland helps churches to learn from the Rwandan church in how to approach forgiveness, justice and reconciliation in areas of conflict. While designed as a resource for the Northern Irish church, Thrive Ireland sees the potential for this to be used across Ireland to help churches struggling with issues of conflict and broken relationships, whether within the church, between churches or in the wider society.

BY DIANE HOLT

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t was clear from my first trip to Rwanda that we had so much to learn from them in the area of reconciliation. I’m the director of Thrive Ireland, which was birthed out of Tearfund, and I also work for Tearfund UK with a project called “Inspired Individuals”.

Often we think we have something to give to developing countries but there is a huge amount we can learn.

Rwanda was decimated by the genocide in 1994. Around 1 million people there were killed in 100 days. The impact was huge. The Troubles in Northern Ireland saw less than 4,000 people killed in 40 years and yet that was traumatising.

When the Government of National Unity was formed following the Rwanda genocide, law enforcement had completely broken down and the justice system had come to a standstill. Inflation was 65% and most economic activity had ceased. There was chaos! The GNU constituted by a coalition of five political parties, repatriated and resettled 3.5 million refugees, restored public trust in the legal system and tried to avoid revenge.

A local system of justice “gacaca” was re-established. They used a restorative justice approach. Our justice system is all about saying, “You are guilty.” Restorative justice is about speaking the truth, acknowledging wrongdoing and making restitution, sometimes in the community and sometimes in prison. The communities trusted this system because it took a bottom-up approach.

The church had an enormously important role because there was a spiritual dimension to the transformation of Rwanda.

We visited a church to listen to the stories of genocide survivors. It was a humbling and painful experience. Many of them wanted desperately to tell their story.

Each year, there are 100 days of remembering the genocide. This is not about remembering to wallow in that remembering.

There are banners everywhere and posters, which say, “remember, unite, renew.” It is about coming together and thinking about their renewal as a country.

It was clear from what the victims and survivors were saying that talking and being heard was an important part of the healing process. There is no healing without public grief because it is heard as legitimate and affirmed as true.

Sadly in Northern Ireland, dealing with the trauma of the past doesn’t seem to be a priority. A lid is put on the past. The University of Ulster conducted research and found that 30% of the population suffers from mental health problems and more than half of these issues are directly related to the Troubles. There are high levels of untreated post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of decades of violence.

Outwardly, Northern Ireland looks

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good. People may be evil. The churches did not challenge able to shop together the historical divisions that poisoned now but we’ve settled for relationships. tolerance, and tolerance There can be so many issues of is not enough. We’ve conflict within the church and because done the superficial stuff people don’t like conflict, they avoid it. but we haven’t dealt with That causes rifts and splits. If you don’t relationships and with have a church leadership that is able to people’s hearts and minds. Issues spill over deal with conflict, then churches fall apart. into the Republic of Ireland too, evident as At worst, these divisions end up in the news tensions in the border counties or as apathy headlines. Conflict eats up the church to the and indifference in Dublin and further south. point that it is paralysed.

Derek Poole, researcher for the Lessons It is all about broken relationships, from Rwanda resource says, “Having a peace whether that is with God or with each other. process is not the same as having made peace If we do not have reconciliation at the heart with one another.” of our ministry as churches it means we are Derek was struck by the example of one not really dealing honestly with the harsh Rwandan woman who was able to identify realities of life. the man who had killed all of her family The truth is, there are massive divides including her husband, children and parents. in Ireland and Northern Ireland; not just She said, “I want to forgive because Christ between Catholic and Protestant or between tells me to forgive my Loyalist and Nationalist but also enemies. I want to between rich and poor, middle The hardest part of forgive so that I can live class and working class. There are reconciliation is our again.” divisions between new churches ability not only to For the leadership and “mainstream” churches and grieve for our own of many churches in between nationals and immigrants. wounds but also to Rwanda, engaging in Often it is to do with a lack of acknowledge the the rebuilding of their understanding of the “other” wounds of our enemy fractured country because of lack of relationship. and empathise with was essential. There The problems in Ireland are their hurt. Furthermore has been a spiritual not unique but it is often easier to a test of true Christian dimension to the understand our own issues when reconciliation is country’s healing. we explore them from another that the initiative for The government perspective. In Rwanda, there reconciliation begins appointed church is a spiritual dimension to the with the victim. It is leaders in positions of transformation and healing that God who is in Christ authority in peace and has taken place. Churches and reconciling a world that reconciliation. In the church leaders have been directly has rebelled. Jesus, the poorest communities, involved in addressing the wounds people now say, “We of sectarianism and tribalism, and truly innocent victim, are neither Hutu in rebuilding a new future together. becomes the vehicle nor Tutsi, we are The idea of whole-life mission for the reconciliation Rwandan.” And the takes on a whole new sense when of the guilty party.” churches are taking the you understand that your faith David Porter, Dreams lead. needs to touch everything you are and Visions (an ECONI Too often our involved in and every part of your resource). remembrance leads life. This includes every area of to deeper divisions conflict and broken relationship. and we do not unite. In Northern Ireland, Speaking at the launch of the new we mostly live in different communities and resource Bishop Harold Miller (Down and are educated separately. If we cannot build Dromore) said, “I don’t know how God gives authentic, vulnerable relationships among the grace to someone, who has seen a baby churches, how can we encourage others to do murdered or their family wiped out in tribal the same? violence, to come to the place where they can Lessons from Rwanda is a facilitated be released from the bitterness in their hearts Bible study in four sessions which looks at - forgiveness means release. I don’t know how the church as a community of forgiveness, that happens because I haven’t been there. justice, reconciliation and repentance.

But when people get to that point, it seems to The church in Rwanda that morally be transformational in their own lives and it failed its people during the genocide is seems to give them a freedom that they didn’t now modelling forgiveness. The Rwandan have before.”

Christians teach that Christ has reconciled If you are interested in using the Lessons us to God but has also abolished the from Rwanda resource or in becoming a walls between us. They acknowledge that facilitator for it, you can contact Diane by Christians were complicit in the genocide email at info@thriveireland.org. and failed to speak up or act against the OCT - DEC 2017 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 BENJAMIN BECERRA

Bass player Benjamin Becerra came to Ireland from his native Venezuela in 2014. Now as a member of the successful international band - Baile an Salsa - he has the opportunity to play at major folk festivals. The 32-year-old shared his story with VOX editor Ruth Garvey-Williams.

ELL US ABOUT YOURSELF

of three brothers and my oldest brother I come from Venezuela in Central America, taught me how to play the flute. Then which has a tropical climate so a lot of people ask, my parents bought me a cuatro (that is a “Why did you come to Ireland?” I came to learn English. At traditional four-stringed instrument that the time, things were not going is typical in Venezuela which well economically in Venezuela is similar to a Ukelele). It is and after I left, things became easy to play so a lot of children start with a cuatro. even worse, with people My middle brother was learning to play the guitar FOR ME, IT IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT and when he took a break, I took the guitar and demonstrating against the government. So I can say I left started to play as well. Eventually he told me, “I TO BE PROFESSIONAL IN CHURCH at the right time. want to have a band and you are going to play the BECAUSE I AM WORSHIPPING GOD. bass.” I said, “The what?” My brother told me, “It is HOW DID YOU FIND FAITH? similar to the guitar but you just have to play single I grew up in a Christian notes.” I liked it! So I taught myself [to play] and family. I remember going to improved by listening to music. church, watching people singing and playing instruments. When I was five years old, my dad HOW DID YOU COME TO GET INVOLVED WITH BAILE AN SALSA? asked me if I wanted to ask Jesus to come into my life. I had TELL US A BIT ABOUT THE BAND. learnt all the stories in Sunday School so when my dad told me, Baile an Salsa started in Galway city in 2012. It is a ten-piece “You can invite Jesus to live in your life”, I said “Yes” to Jesus. band combining a love for Irish Traditional Music with Latin He has been my friend ever since. I learnt that I can talk to Jesus Rhythms to create a fusion that they call Salsa-Trad. I first saw whenever and wherever I am. Children run into the arms of them on Facebook and I started to listen to them. The fusion their father. I feel like that all the time - I see God as my Father, seems weird but it is really good - it makes sense! I used to gig my dad. with one of the percussion players. So when the band needed a new bass player, he got me an audition in December 2016. I WHEN DID YOU START PLAYING BASS? arrived with the band at a good time because they were lined to When I was eight or nine, my mum taught me the basic play at the Folk Alive Festival in Kansas city in February. theory of music, how to read all the notes. I’m the youngest

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IT SOUNDS LIKE THE BAND IS GOING FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH. TELL US ABOUT SOME OF YOUR RECENT SUCCESSES.

We got to play at the Philadelphia Folk Fest in August. We performed on the Celtic Stage and later on we got to play on the festival Main Stage. That was an incredible experience.

This last weekend, we spent four days in the Grouse Lodge Recording Studio recording six songs for our next album. It’s one of Ireland’s top music studios and apparently even Michael Jackson recorded there! Our album is being produced by Walter

DO YOU EVER GET TO PLAY IN A CHURCH? HOW DOES THAT COMPARE WITH GIGGING AS A PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN?

I’m a member of Dublin Vineyard and if I’m not away with the band, I play with the worship band at church. I have learnt that I have to be professional whenever I play. For me, it is even more important to be professional in church because I am worshipping God. Everything that I have learnt is because of God so I’m really grateful. Every time I play in church it is amazing because I’m worshipping Him.

PHOTO: TERRI TAYLOR TATTAN

WHAT IS IT LIKE BEING A CHRISTIAN IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?

I WANT TO BE MYSELF AND HOPE THAT MY FRIENDS WILL SEE THE DIFFERENCE IN MY LIFE.

Flores, a top music producer who also works with one of the biggest Salsa singers in South America. He helped us a lot and has some really good ideas. The album should be ready by the beginning of next year.

I have a lot of musician friends who are not Christians.

Sometimes they make jokes. I just try to be myself. I don’t want to be one person with the band and then a different person on a Sunday. I want to be myself and hope that my friends will see the difference in my life. I need to do the thing that I love but at the same time, I want to be strong in my faith. I love Jesus and I love music. Everything I play is because of God! You can find out more about Baile an Salsa on their Facebook page.

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FAITH

Whether you are creating a 24/7 prayer room, finding focus for personal prayer, enriching your church prayer meeting or exploring ways to use prayer as an outreach in your local community, these tried-and-tested creative prayer ideas can be adapted to different situations. Write to editor@vox.ie if you would like printable versions of the descriptions.

Creative Prayer Ideas BURDENS

Bible verse: Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28

As you lay down your rock, ask Him to set aside the unnecessary burdens that are dragging you down and especially the “sin that so often entangles.” If your burden is something that you need to carry, ask for His help and strength to share the weight.

TASTE AND SEE

Bible verse: “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.” Psalm 34: 8

the display of fruit. Each one has a different colour, flavour and texture. If you would like to, choose a piece of fruit and eat it slowly.

Really take notice of the taste. Enjoy it! Feel free to take another piece - there is plenty to go around. Now take a few moments to reflect on who God is. Think about the different aspects of His character. Do you know Him? Ask God to reveal Himself to you. Enjoy His presence.

BROKEN AND RESTORED

Bible verse: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

Romans 12: 18 Resources: A large sheet of paper with a simple outline of something beautiful (e.g. a heart or flower or butterfly) - if possible mounted on a board - plus pieces of different coloured tissue paper and glue sticks.

Resources: Large stones or rocks.

Description: Choose one of the stones in front of you. Pick it up and feel the weight in your hands. Each of us carries burdens through life - things from our past, responsibilities in our present and concerns for the future - these things can weigh us down and wear us out. Maybe you feel regret, guilt or shame for something that you have done. Take time to think about the burdens you carry. They may be invisible to everyone else, but you know what they are.

Tell Jesus about them. If necessary, ask for His forgiveness and cleansing.

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Resources: A selection of fruits on a platter - some whole and some in bite-sized pieces.

Description: In the busy-ness of life, there is a danger that time with God can seem like another burden, another demand or requirement. God invites us to spend time in His presence - not out of duty but because He is our source of peace and refuge. Look at

VOX MAGAZINE

Description: Relationships are so important in our lives but, so easily, our relationships become marred or broken.

Take a piece of coloured paper and tear it in two. As you do so, think about a relationship that is broken… It may be a relationship you have with a loved one, friend or colleague… or it may be the relationship of people you care about… parents, children, relatives or friends. Broken relationships cause so much hurt and pain. Talk to God about those broken relationships.

Now take your pieces of paper and add them to the collage. Some relationships can be restored, with time and patient care.

Ask God to show you if there is something you can do. Despite our best efforts, some relationships cannot be mended but God can still bring healing and restoration to the broken places in our lives. Ask Him to make something beautiful in you and in the lives of those you love.

the tree are leaves. Use them to write down prayers for healing - whether for yourself or someone you love.

THANKFULNESS

Bible verse: “Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5: 16 - 17

in poorer countries who need water (girls carrying water jars on their heads, the joy of a new well for a village, etc.). You may also want to add some facts and figures about the need for clean water.

Description: Sit by the water for a while and enjoy the sound it makes. Close your eyes and listen. There is a jug of water and glasses. Take a drink. Take as much as you like to quench your thirst and refresh you.

Ask Jesus to quench your spiritual thirst and provide fulfillment. Think about how that water can overflow to those around you.

Now take a few moments to think of those for whom water means survival, people who struggle every day to find enough water to drink or who become ill through contaminated water supplies.

Pray for them. Consider how you can help provide clean water for the poorest people of the world maybe through an organisation like Fields of Life.

TREE OF HEALING

Bible verses: “By His wounds we are

healed…” Isaiah 53:5 Resources: A small tree or bare branch.

Paper cut in the shape of leaves. If possible, punch a hole in one end and tie a string or ribbon onto each leaf. Coloured pens.

Description: Our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health and wellbeing have a huge impact on our lives. God is concerned about our sickness and pain.

The Scriptures show us that Jesus had compassion on individuals who were suffering and healed many during His ministry. At times God heals instantly while at times healing comes more slowly through medicine and rest. We also know that sometimes healing doesn’t happen but even then, Jesus, who suffered on the cross for our sake, meets us in the midst of our suffering to provide comfort and strength. Beside

Resources: Small squares of black card with a hole cut out of the centre. Pieces of coloured tissue paper or coloured cellophane. Scissors and glue sticks. If you are facilitating group prayer, it is good to create an example. Permanent marker pens.

Description: Have you ever noticed what happens when someone is grumbling and complaining? It can seem as if a cloud has passed in front of the sun and suddenly the day grows darker. Gratitude and thankfulness, on the other hand, brighten our day and bring colour and life to those around us! No wonder St. Paul urges us to “give thanks in all circumstances.” On the table in front of you, you will find materials for you to create a small “stained-glass window” like the examples provided. As you create, take time to reflect on all that is good and positive in your life. Give thanks to God. You may want to add words or drawings to your “window” as you consider different things for which you are thankful.

LIVING WATER

Bible verse: Jesus said, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” John 7: 37 - 38 Resources: An indoor water fountain (if possible) or search for a YouTube video or sound recording of waves on a beach. A jug of water and some glasses. Images of people

FRAGRANCE

Bible verse: “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.” 2 Corinthians 2 14.

Resources: A selection of perfume and / or scented lotions.

Description: In front of you are some scents and scented lotions. Choose one and pour out a small amount onto your hand.

Breathe deeply. What is the fragrance of your life? Even a small amount can make a huge difference. What effect do you have on those around you? Is it a pleasant smell? St. Paul says that through us, God spreads the “sweet scent” of the knowledge of Christ.

As you go out from this place, may you go with a sense of peace, taking with you something of the fragrance of God’s presence to those you meet!

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REALITY

VOX VIEWS

ADOPTION TIME TO RECLAIM IT FROM THE SCRAP-HEAP?

BY RUTH FOLEY

Have you met anyone who has adopted an Irish baby in the last, say, 20 years? No? That’s not surprising. It rarely happens nowadays.

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VOX MAGAZINE

ne aspect that is often neglected in discussing pro-life matters is the question: what is a pregnant mother to do if she feels she is not in a position to care for her unborn child? As many women, and their children, find themselves in this difficult scenario, how can individual Christians, Christian churches and communities in Ireland respond to their needs with practical compassion? This article reflects on how adoption fits into the options for crisis pregnancies, why it has become so neglected, and what may be done.

When the media comments on adoption, it is usually about practices in decades past, when thousands of natural mothers were under pressure from others, including church authorities, and had no contact with their child after the adoption.

These practices left mothers traumatised and living with the uncertainty of thinking about their child being “out there” but not knowing how they were or whether they would ever meet again. The legacy of deep damage to mothers and children is a large part of why adoption is now viewed so negatively.

Many people are unaware that adoption practices have changed. Most importantly, in contrast to closed adoptions of the past, open adoptions are now encouraged with either face-to-face or “postbox” contact between children and natural parents.

Open adoptions are complex relationships between natural parents, adoptive parents and most importantly the child, and every family is unique - but overall, moving away from closed adoption has been a positive change.

Still, for many if not most pregnant mothers, adoption is difficult to contemplate. As well as living with the long and deep grief of giving birth to a child and then losing him/her, she may be concerned the adopted child will feel rejected as he or she grows up, or about family or other people judging her as ‘hard and unfeeling’ – there now seems to be more stigma over adoption than over abortion.

All this may help explain why pregnant women are often reluctant to consider adoption, and why they often perceive abortion as a less difficult way to deal with their situation, for their own sake, and even for their child.

And so the pendulum has swung to our current situation, where domestic infant adoptions are few and far between: an average of seven each year between 2012 and 2015. Yet every year, there are over three thousand unborn Irish children whose parent(s) are unable or unwilling to care for them, and tragically most of them die by abortion in the UK.

O

Ireland is heading towards discarding the practice of infant adoption as a historical anomaly. In the reaction against the obvious wrongs of the past, another wrong is going unnoticed in the present: lost opportunities for children who are being aborted to have a chance to live and to grow up in the care of adoptive families.

That’s why, difficult as this area is, I am convinced it needs to be addressed. These

IN THE REACTION AGAINST THE OBVIOUS WRONGS OF THE PAST, ANOTHER WRONG IS GOING UNNOTICED. trends are only likely to get worse in coming years, unless something changes and unless people who care take action.

WHAT CAN BE DONE, WHAT IS NEEDED?

It should be said here that separating a child from his or her parents is never ideal - but even with help and support, it doesn’t always work out for a child to grow up with his or her natural parents. Adoption can sometimes then be the best plan for a child, and staff or volunteers working through this difficult process (now overseen by Tusla) need to do so with great care and sensitivity towards everyone involved.

There are some (not enough) lifeaffirming crisis pregnancy agencies in Ireland (e.g. Gianna Care, Women’s Counselling Network) working with women struggling to see a way forward for themselves and their unborn child. For some of these women, this may be parenting with the dedicated and compassionate support of volunteers, or if that’s not possible, adoption.

Parents thinking about adoption may also find support from crisis pregnancy agencies, depending on the agency’s approach (or lack of it) to discussing adoption as a genuine option.

But is it surprising that many Irish women, who have heard so much in recent years about adoption as an evil to be avoided (and about abortion as a ‘positive option’), are reluctant to look into adoption?

That’s why, in Canada, pro-life activists are making efforts to address the general public perception of adoption, through,

for example, radio advertisements telling one person’s positive story of adoption.

A Canadian website (adoptionincanada. ca) asks questions like: Is adoption abandonment? Is it deception? Is it unbearable pain? Their research has found that adoption is perceived in those terms - and so they address the realities behind these perceptions. In Ireland, the dominant narrative about adoption is negative and voices presenting it in a more positive light are few and far between. This vacuum cries out to be filled.

Every child has, of course, a father as well as a mother - a father who may struggle to know how to respond in a crisis pregnancy situation, and may find either abortion or adoption on the agenda against his wishes or even without his knowledge. Ministry with men in this area includes godly role models encouraging men to be fathers who protect and provide for their children, not only in or after crisis but as they grow up.

There are opportunities for churches to use their resources and gifts in many other ways. For example, the UK charity Home for Good (now also with a base in Northern Ireland) runs information evenings in churches about adoption, facilitates connecting potential adoptive parents with others with experience, and organises an annual Adoption Sunday.

One group of children who, more than most, are dying by abortion are children diagnosed before birth with a disability.

Could churches find ways to support parents who make themselves available to offer them adoption, foster care or respite care?

Star Trek actress Kate Mulgrew (who played Captain Kathryn Janeway) gave up her daughter for adoption after birth.

“I believe it was God’s will,” Mulgrew has said. “I wouldn’t trade the experience. I also wouldn’t repeat it. Though I’m always going to feel the hurt, at least I know my child is alive and that she is happy somewhere and growing up surrounded by love.”

Our God is one who redeems and restores damaged and hopeless situations, relationships and most importantly, people.

May His kingdom come and His will be done in our country, and may we be ready and willing to stand up and do what He calls us to do.

Dr. Ruth Foley is a mother, science researcher and pro-life campaigner.

She lives in Clondalkin, Dublin with her husband James and two sons and attends Open Arms Church in Newbridge, Co. Kildare.

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FAITH

A TIME OF OPPORTUNITY AND CELEBRATION OM IRELAND MARKS TWO SIGNIFICANT ANNIVERSARIES

BY HANNAH RUEBER

rom the heart of one man, George Verwer, came the dream, the challenge and the invitation to young people to tackle a huge task: to go anywhere and everywhere in the world and to do whatever it takes to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

From the conviction that “everyone must hear the gospel at least once,” Operation Mobilisation (OM) has become a global outreach bringing Good News to the people of the world… no place too far away and no idea too crazy to try.

F

For 60 years, through the ministry of OM, God has been transforming lives and presenting Himself to millions of people. Now based in over 110 countries, tens of thousands of people have joined in this mission with OM to see “vibrant communities of Jesus followers among the least reached.” Hundreds of millions of 32

VOX OCT - DEC 2017

60th & 15th

people have heard the Gospel already but as OM celebrates 60 years as well as OM the work is far from over.

Ireland’s 15 years of ministry. Save the date For the past 15 years, OM Ireland, based and plan to join us on Saturday 21 October in Co. Roscommon, has been reaching out through kids’ clubs and in schools, on-board a red doubleIT IS A GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE CHURCH TO HAVE decker bus, through a GAP A TEAM TRULY DEDICATED TO REACHING OUR COMMUNITY. year programme, through short-term missions and by placing long-term workers with churches.

OM Ireland Director and Co. Donegal at Swords Baptist Church for an encouraging native Alastair Kerr says, “It’s evening with George. Hear first-hand about been a privilege to see how George’s passion for the Gospel and for OM has played a small but seeing people mobilised into missions. significant part in encouraging You are also invited to Crinken Church and resourcing Irish churches in Bray on Sunday 22 October (morning) to proclaim the Gospel. Being for a final message from George, as well as a from Ireland, I appreciate the time of praise and worship. This celebration encouragement that we provide. weekend will give a clearer picture of the It’s quite exciting.” overall ministry of OM, both here in Ireland After hosting a short term and around the world. team this summer, Pastor George will also officially launch OM Paul from Cootehill in Co. Ireland’s new Dublin office, which is based Cavan wrote, “It is a great next to the Irish Bible Institute. “There’s encouragement to the church lots of growth in Dublin,” said Ab van Aalst (Dublin mobilising officer). “This office to have a team truly dedicated location will provide the opportunity to to reaching our community. mobilise, to serve the church and to help This week is such a big event in reach the city with the Gospel.” Ab hopes our church calendar. We are so that through this new office, OM Ireland can thankful that there are people interested in volunteering a couple weeks of their summer be a blessing by coming alongside churches and other organisations. for outreach.”

Understanding that the local church is A WEEKEND OF CELEBRATION the key to establishing vibrant communities OM Ireland is honoured to welcome of Jesus followers, OM seeks to partner with OM-founder, George Verwer back to Ireland churches in the hope of seeing workers sent to encourage, challenge and share with us out. “I love the opportunity to encourage

VOX MAGAZINE

OM Ireland Director Alastair Kerr

people in their personal relationship with Jesus, and from that [solid] foundation to motivate them into missions,” Ab explained.

CREATED FOR MISSION

The mission field is not just for pastors or the evangelists. Within OM, we believe that everyone was created for the purposes of God. God made us with different passions and skills for a reason. The mission field needs journalists and mechanics just as much as it needs street evangelists.

Irene Roor (OM Ireland Mobilising Director)

OM Founder, George Verwer with current International Director Lawrence Tong

emphasises, “There are lots of people who have no clue their skills can be used in missions. Often, people have the desire to share the Gospel and there is an opportunity for everyone in missions. God can use you to build His kingdom.” Even if you aren’t serving on the mission field, you can be praying and supporting missionaries around the world.

Maybe you’re not quite ready to jump into missions for “the rest of your life.” If you want to start small, there are one and twoweek opportunities throughout the year.

Recently four people from Ireland went to Serbia to serve refugees for a few weeks.

Yulin who took part in the team wrote, “At the camp we were not allowed to talk about the Bible at all, except when people asked and then we could share our testimony.

Our job was simple: serving tea and setting the table for

them. We had such a great chance to talk with them and play card games with them.

Some had an interest in what we were doing and why we were there. One of the friends from the camp asked about Christianity and Jesus. So I could share the Gospel with him. It was pretty sad and broke our hearts to see their situation. Most of the refugees have lost or left their family. Many have been there [in the camp] over a year. Food, clothes and hygiene (their basic essential stuff) are insufficient. It was a huge privilege to be there. Even in the crazy situation, God is working and using that. God is big and amazing and full of grace. Just indescribable.”

God can use anyone anywhere. He puts no limit on skill level, distance, length of commitment, or age. The work of His kingdom is ongoing and He will use you.

Visit the OM Ireland website www.om.org or email us at info.ie@om.org or call 090 662 3964 for more information.

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MA Applied Theology MA Tranformational Leadership reflection

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www.IBI.ie

FAITH

CREATION CARE AND MISSION

PART TWO

VOX MAGAZINE

BY MATT WILLIAMS AND JONNY HANSON

In the second of our four-part series, Matt Williams and Jonny Hanson explore the connection between creation care and discipleship. lthough all Christians must be prepared to witness, ‘proclamation’ is not everyone’s main calling. All, however, are called to discipleship and making disciples is also a core aspect of mission (Matthew 28:16-20). Discipleship involves obeying all that Jesus taught, starting with genuine knowledge of God. This knowledge of God shapes all that we do, as the Bible emphasises.

But where is Jesus’ teaching on environmental care? It is not explicit – the pre-industrial global population of 300 million of Jesus’ time lived well within the carrying capacity of the planet. However, there’s still plenty under the surface of the Gospels relating to creation.

The first thing is “loving our neighbours as ourselves” (Mark 12:30-31). Given that we have seven billion neighbours (and counting) on one small planet, it’s clear that we can’t accomplish this mandate without caring for the creation that sustains us all: rich and poor, young and old alike. We see this increasingly with climate change: the West’s historic and current overuse of fossil fuels is driving extreme weather patterns that hurt the most vulnerable communities the hardest. To truly love our neighbours as ourselves we also have to share creation fairly, something that we’ll explore more in the fourth article in this series.

Jesus’ prioritising of ‘love our neighbour’ was not new teaching. It was rooted in Judaism and ultimately in the Hebrew Bible

A

(our Old Testament). Debate continues over how exactly Christian discipleship relates to the 39 books before Matthew but none would argue that the basic mandate governing human life has been erased (e.g.

Matthew 19:1-9). The application is equally important for care of creation. We cannot enforce the agricultural law of Leviticus,

THE WEST’S HISTORIC AND CURRENT OVERUSE OF FOSSIL FUELS IS DRIVING EXTREME WEATHER PATTERNS THAT HURT THE MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES THE HARDEST. for example, but there is no justification whatsoever for rejecting its principles of stewardship, sustainability and fairness in our contemporary food system.

Another key aspect of Jesus’ teaching and example is that disciples must live by God’s Word. Put simply, we must not do something just because it is immediately accessible or feels good, but because we know it is right. This is especially relevant to Western Christians; we know that we should care for creation and we know that people suffer when we abuse it. Yet it feels more convenient to have all the comfort of easy food, easy travel and the technology that makes our wish its command. But isn’t this life by the flesh rather than the Spirit (Romans 8:1-6)?

The fourth dimension of discipleship that relates to creation is wonder. Jesus didn’t just use the lilies of the field and the sparrows of the sky as handy sermon illustrations (Matthew 6:26, 10:27; Luke 12:27-28).

He noticed them, delighted in them and called attention to God’s involvement in their sustenance and splendour. Whether we wonder at the stars in the heavens above or at the flowers beneath our feet, creation’s mere existence reminds us of a God who is there, and a God who cares for all that He has made.

Discipleship means becoming more and more like Jesus Christ. Becoming more and more like Jesus Christ means engaging with the world around us through the medium of His birth, life, death, resurrection and return. In terms of how we relate to the rest of creation, this means loving our neighbours as ourselves; reaffirming the equity and stewardship ethics of the Old Testament; living by God’s Word; and wondering at God’s world. Making disciples of all nations also means loving all of God’s creation.

Matt Williams and Jonny Hanson are two of the co-founders of Jubilee, an Antrim-based interdenominational Christian environmental and agricultural organisation launched in August 2017.

OCT - DEC 2017 VOX

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FAITH

VOX MAGAZINE

BELFAST CHURCH REACHING THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY t is difficult to fathom what would bring successful business people to an area in Belfast where some would fear to walk at night. And yet, New Life City Church is doing just that.

The church is situated right next to the 70-foot-high Peace Walls that divide the Shankill (Protestant community) and the Falls Road (Catholic community).

From here it has been reaching across both communities that witnessed some terrible atrocities, often inflicted by the ‘other side’ during the dark days of The Troubles.

Pastor McKee who received an MBE this year for his valuable work in the area said, “Many times I felt like I could have run a million miles! During my years as a soldier serving in Northern Ireland’s conflict, I expected death threats and assassination attempts, but not as a Pastor! Neither did I expect to be leading young men to faith in Christ, only to have to bury some who were brutally murdered by terrorists from both sides of the divided community. Yet running away has never really been an option, because the best place to be; the

I

most exciting place to be and the safest place to be, is right where God has placed you, which is why I stay where I am”.

He went on to say, “One day I was sitting in our New Life Centre’s Wholly Ground Coffee House and as I looked around with the buzz and the activity from all different types of people having lunch and enjoying each other’s company, it was like God awakened within me a new direction. I had noticed a mum and dad with two kids sitting eating, two nurses having their lunch, four men who once would have killed each other now drawing the best out of each other over coffee. Chara who runs the extremely successful Giving Life Opportunities to Women (GLOW) was having a business meeting with her team around a coffee table. There was the smell of fresh food and the noise of life and then in the midst of what I was seeing, God awakened me to look around with His eyes… they were no expensive suits! In an instant, He brought a reality to me, not only did Jesus die for the poor or the working-class person but He also died for the rich. Now the problem is, how do we reach a person who has

everything this world can give in wealth?

“God had already gone ahead of us and had plans in place, we just needed to follow His direction. I sat with our leadership team and shared that we would have a business event, inviting business people from across the country. The next day we met with Maurice Wylie from Maurice Wylie Media and shared the idea and asked could their event management team help.”

Maurice just smiled and said, “God has already given us the key-speaker for your event, we just need to confirm it with him!”

What took place in the next few days only convinced us more how much God was in this. A multi- millionaire international speaker and world champion sales person Josh Liske (USA), was booked to come and share at the business lunch event. It will be a spectacular event, with key people from across our society, government leaders and business people in attendance.

If you’re a business owner wishing to attend ‘You’re a Star!’ on 24 November please forward your details to events@ NewLifeBelfast.org. (See advert opposite for more details.)

OCT - DEC 2017 VOX

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RUBICON CONFERENCE

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Holy Trinity

12pm | Rathmines

Lost & Found 7pm | Coleraine

KID’S PASTOR Would you like to be part of a 1000 strong Spirit filled Church Community based in the heart of Cork City Centre?

Would you enjoy serving God by establishing & envisioning a dynamic Kids Church of up to 200 primary school aged children?

Would it excite you to be part of the Ministry Leadership Team in a vibrant growing Church?

Grace Christian Church is offering a full time permanent position of Kids Pastor, with a competitive salary, along with gaining experience from serving in both an Irish and Multicultural Church.

We are looking for a committed Christian with experience in Children's Ministry, who with a team of Volunteers can inspire and passionately lead Kids.

For further information and a detailed job description please contact denise@graceireland.com

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VOX OCT - DEC 2017

LIFE

VOX MAGAZINE

story of school BACK TO SCHOOL, Abags, copybooks AFRICAN STYLE and a shoebox any parents here in Ireland have just lived through the annual trauma of going back to school! There is the panic of buying all the stuff before term starts (not to mention the cost), leaving the little ones on the first day, wondering if they will eat what you gave them for lunch, finding they lost their brand new pencil case and all its contents. Then hoping that when you get home, you’ll have a few minutes to put your feet up and read your copy of VOX magazine (until you realise how much homework you have to help them with!)

In Africa, it’s even more traumatic.

Many of the children that Team Hope help have to get up really early, and walk (often barefoot) to school, many kilometres away. By the time they leave home, they’ve already done a few hours of housework in the oneroomed house shared with the whole family, been to the river to get water or helped Mum make breakfast.

The family may have had to forego a meal to find the money to buy a pen, pencil or copybook (because you can’t get enrolled in school without one). Your schoolbag is a plastic bag. Sometimes school is outside under a tree with no blackboard, chalk, whiteboard, chairs or desks just teacher and a class of up to 100 children.

Now, just imagine the difference a Team Hope School Pack, or the contents of a Team Hope Christmas shoebox would make!

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Beatrice had dropped out of school because she had no copybooks.

CONFIRMING HOPE

Earlier this year, Team Hope’s Confirming Hope (a project by children making their confirmation here in Ireland) gave school bags and supplies to children in one of the poorest parts of Malawi.

Thanks to children in Ireland who

gave away some of their confirmation money, eleven-year-old Beatrice received a Team Hope School Pack.

Her big smile told us that it was the first time she ever had a school bag (in fact, it was the first gift she had ever received). But more importantly, she knew that maybe now she would be able to fulfil her dream of becoming a teacher.

Beatrice had dropped out of school because she had no copybooks but now, thanks to her Team Hope school pack and her Christmas Shoebox, she was able to go back. She loved her shoebox – particularly the toothpaste, the toothbrush, the doll, crayons and clothes, but most of all the copybooks.

CHRISTMAS SHOEBOX APPEAL

Last year over a quarter of a million vulnerable children like Beatrice received a shoebox full of gifts from someone in Ireland through Team Hope’s Christmas Shoebox Appeal.

In St. Theresa’s Primary School, Manzini, Swaziland the atmosphere was electric with anticipation. Then the 500 waiting, madly-excited girls opened their shoebox gifts – wild with joy, excitement and laughter.

Every one of the 254,218 children who received a shoebox gift from last year’s appeal have their own story to tell but for each one of them (just like the girls in St. Theresa’s) they were so excited, so happy and felt really special. It really is the whole of Christmas wrapped up in a shoebox.

Team Hope knows that God’s love is good news!

Team Hope has just launched this year’s Christmas Shoebox Appeal. Get all the details on their website www. teamhope.ie or give them a call on (01) 294 0222. They would love to hear from you.

OCT - DEC 2017 VOX

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DUBLIN

Care, Listen & Help

The mission of Street Pastors is to engage, train and mobilise Christian volunteers from different churches in public life, as salt and light addressing issues of vulnerability and social exclusion through the principles of caring, listening and helping people. They work together with other partners in the night-time economy to make communities safer.

Interested? Find out more: dublin@streetpastors.org | 085 1092708 // Next training starts in October //

Come and celebrate with us!

60 years of OM International & 15 years of OM Ireland

OM’s founder George Verwer is coming

21st October 22nd October Saturday 7:30pm

Swords Baptist Church

Sunday 11am

Crinken Church www.crinken.ie

swordsbaptistchurch.com

Pray

Give

Go

Lacken House, Rahara, Co. Roscommon Tel: (090) 662-3964 Email: info.ie@om.org www.om.org 40

VOX OCT - DEC 2017

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In addition to the usual cover (property etc.) this very comprehensive policy also covers: Pastoral Care Indemnity Public Liability Insurance – which does not excluded claims arising from sexual abuse  Employers Liability (including volunteers)  Charity Trustee Insurance  Legal Expenses  

Whether you are a large or small congregation, operate from a private home, rent space or own your own building we can protect you by providing advice and solutions for your insurance needs.

YOU CAN FIND US AT: 7c Church Terrace, Bray, Co Wicklow Helen +353 (0)86 861 5128 / Carmel +353 (0)87 912 4364 email: sozo@bethelsozo.ie www.bethelsozo.ie

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For your quotation please contact Rodney Croly at: Email: Rodney@croly insurance.com Phone 01-2989166 | www.crolyinsurance.com R J Croly & Co Ltd is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland Registered in Ireland no. 108865. Registered office 4 Finsbury Park Dundrum Dublin 14 Directors Rodney Croly QFA FLIA , Sylvia Croly QFA

R.J. CROLY & Co.

LTD The specialist for the Christian and charity community.

REVIEWS

Wonder

Hillsong United

It took a long time before I could say that I liked Hillsong.

In the early years, I found their brand sound repetitious and formulaic. Then a couple of years ago something changed. There has been a distinctly edgier and more innovative and creative feel to the “new” Hillsong.

Their latest album, Wonder, is quite simply brilliant. The vocals are crystal clear, the production is superb and the melodies are memorable. The first four tracks, Wonder, Shadow step, Future marches in, and So will I, are worth the price of this album alone. Wonder is a veritable feast of quality Christian music.

Alisa Turner

I had never heard of Alisa Turner before I came across her really quite brilliant Christian cover versions on YouTube in mid August. Two days later, I was contacted by Integrity Music with a copy of her EP, which I played over and over again for about a week. The EP is a most beautiful introduction to a singer and worship leader that we are going to hear a lot of in the future. It contains just six tracks born out of a life that has known more than its share of pain, suffering and grief. Alisa had to contend with the loss

VOX MAGAZINE

of her dad to a massive heart attack and she was then struck by Lyme disease and spent the next six years confined to bed.

When recovery finally came and she was settling into married life, she became pregnant with a son and carried the baby to full term despite knowing there was a defect that allowed him to live for a mere 71 minutes in her arms after he was born.

The songs on this short album reflect the highs and lows of Alisa’s life. In My Prayer For You, in spite her own pain, Alisa prays for those who tread a path of suffering: “May God give you eyes to see He is still greater, courage to rise and believe He is able.

May God be your peace in the fire you are walking through. This is my prayer now, this is my prayer for you.” This is a truly beautiful album.

Saved by Grace Chris Sayburn

Chris Sayburn lives in Salford, Manchester where he serves as curate.

He is also the Head of Worship for New Wine in England as well as a gifted songwriter. The Christian music praise and worship charts have in recent years been dominated by songs that work really well in a concert setting but are a big challenge for congregational singing. Thankfully at long last, the new wave of worship

JESUS CULTURE - Love has a name

songwriters are writing songs within the vocal range of mere mortals, with lyrics that are both meaningful and scripturally sound. Chris Sayburn’s debut album Saved

by Grace is a prime example. The songs are richly melodic. There is a wealth of theology contained in the lyrics, and I have no doubt that many of the songs on this album will enrich our worship on Sundays.

This is a must have praise and worship album. We’ll be hearing a lot more from Chris Sayburn in the future.

Sandra McCracken Steadfast Live

I must admit that I am a fan of “real” country music. I love the way that good country songs tell real stories about real life situations.

Sandra McCracken’s latest album is called Steadfast Live, and it is sublime. Recorded at a small cosy venue with a small audience, her beautiful piano playing and gorgeous voice, she draws the listener into a sense of intimacy that I have rarely if ever experienced before while listening to a recording. The sixteen tracks on this album flow seamlessly. If you like good country music you will love this.

Albums reviewed by UCB Ireland Radio producer/presenter Vincent Hughes. Listen to UCB Ireland Radio on Virgin Media Channel 918, on Sky Channel 0214 or on your smartphone with our new Android app free from all app stores, and on your iPhone with the app free from the Apple store. UCB Ireland Radio: www.ucbireland.com.

Three words that come to mind when I think Jesus Culture, Big, Power, and Energy. There is no sitting on the fence when it comes to liking or disliking them, you simply either love them or you hate them. As a radio producer/presenter, I must admit that I have paid little attention to them because most of their songs are not radio friendly. However, when I witnessed at first hand the power and spiritual high that these songs induced among Christian music festival goers, I took notice. Their new album is big - a whopping one hour and

43 minutes. They have rolled out all the big names for this one with singers such as Chris Quilala, Kim Walker Smith, Brian and Katie Torwalt, Chris McClarney, Derek Johnson, Ruthie Ridley and Jon Egan. So, do I love them or hate them? Well, I’m not saying. I am enjoying this listening experience and while I may be getting too old for the front row experience, I have to admit that Jesus Culture are good at what they do.

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EVENTS

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Events Calendar What’s happening where and when

October Sozo Basic Training 20 & 21 October The Well, Bray, Co. Wicklow www.bethelsozo.ie/training

Rubicon Conference 21 & 22 October The Sugar Club / Rathmines / Coleraine www.wearerubicon.com

November EAI National Forum 4 November, 9am Damastown, Dublin 15 www.evangelical.ie

OM Ireland Anniversary Celebration 21 October, 7:30pm The Riasc Centre, Swords, Co. Dublin www.om.org

Switchfoot Concert 27 October, 7:30pm The Academy, Dublin 1 www.ticketmaster.ie

Soul Survivor Night 25 November, 7pm The Exchange, Dublin 1 See Facebook

Strictly - with Tearfund Ireland 29 October, 8pm Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dublin 9 www.tearfund.ie

Visit www.vox.ie/events for a more up-to-date event listing.

(You can also inform us about your upcoming event there.)

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church Sunday 19 November

Join churches all over Ireland in taking time to pray for Christians in Iran – especially those serving long prison sentences (like those pictured above).

Order resources for your church now Bookmark with Prayer Points for every person in church Information Sheet for those who are leading prayer PowerPoint two minute slide presentation

CHURCH IN CHAINS PO Box 10447, Glenageary, Co. Dublin T 01-282 5393 E info@churchinchains.ie W www.churchinchains.ie

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REVIEWS

VOX MAGAZINE

PENSION PLANNING No matter what age you are, planning for your retirement or making sure your pension is on the right track should be a priority.

Your pension aims to help you ensure that your retirement years are spent doing the things you always wanted to, not regretting the opportunities you missed.

So whether you’re taking out a pension now, or have been investing in your pension for many years, contact us for expert advice.

Rodney Croly QFA FLIA has over 30 years experience in financial planning.

Contact us today to discuss your options.

Email: Rodney@croly insurance.com Phone 01-2989166 | www.crolyinsurance.com We are a Christian financial brokerage and our business is based upon building lifetime relations with our clients through providing impartial professional advice.

We do not charge a fee for the first exploratory meeting.

R J Croly & Co Ltd is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland Registered in Ireland no. 108865. Registered office 4 Finsbury Park Dundrum Dublin 14 Directors Rodney Croly QFA FLIA , Sylvia Croly QFA

R.J. CROLY & Co.

LTD The specialist for the Christian and charity community.

Bride’s Glen Farmhouse Shankill, Co. Dublin

Bed and Breakfast

www.bridesglenhouse.com Convenient for visiting Dublin city and County Wicklow

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Self-catering accommodation and conference centre for small retreat groups. www.bethanyatbridesglen.com Residential and Non-Residential

These facilities can be booked together or separately.

Contact us and we will do our best to accommodate you.

DAILY PRAYER WITH THE CORRYMEELA COMMUNITY

BY PÁDRAIG Ó TUAMA Pádraig Ó Tuama is perhaps best known for his poetry. He famously wrote a poem called Shaking Hands about the historic meeting between the Queen and Martin McGuinness, and the handshake that took place between them. Originally from Co. Cork, Pádraig is the leader of the Corrymeela community in Co. Antrim.

Corrymeela was set up in 1965 by a group of university students at a time when troubles were brewing. People were frightened and divided. As Pádraig writes, “There was a need for a place of friendship, a soft place for hard conversations, a meeting place where hostilities could be explored within the context of hospitality.” In late August, Pádraig’s 4th book was published.

This short book is based on the prayers used within the community. Each day has a short gospel text, with a corresponding prayer which reflects on the text. There are prayers suitable for morning, midday and evening and prayers suitable for times of division. This is a book which will most certainly enrich your prayer time.

THE HARBINGER

BY JONATHAN CAHN In contrast to the above, this novel couldn’t be more different. It was written in 2011, and fast became a New York Times bestseller. Its author is a Messianic Jew, and is known for his teachings containing prophetic significance. The story of The Harbinger is a work of fiction but the author holds its premise to be factual and he weaves a narrative around it. He believes that a particular bible passage, namely Isaiah 9:10, which although written as a warning to Israel, is actually a prophetic message to America, and that the terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre on September 11 2001, and the stock market crash seven years later are all direct links to the prophecy.

It’s one of those books that leaves you wondering if the author is reading far too much into this, or if he’s really on to something. You cannot but admire the amount of research he has done, and his arguments are convincing.

Whether you agree or not, at the heart of the novel is the issue that if a country or an individual has turned its back on God, they need to return or face judgement.

Book reviews by Richard Ryan, owner of the Bookwell Christian bookstore, Belfast www.thebookwell.co.uk. Richard’s reviews are featured weekly on the Christian radio station UCB Ireland.

Betty Stevenson | 01-2822510 |bettystevenson2014@outlook.com OCT - DEC 2017 VOX

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VOX PS

IN PRAISE OF imPERFECTION

BY SEÁN MULLAN

ave you met iPhone X yet? It’s Apple’s newest offering. By the way you must say “iPhone Ten” not “X.” So why the …? I know let’s not go there! My reason for introducing the tech geniuses of Cupertino is to think about the underrated topic of imperfection.

Over the coming months millions of people will retire their well-designed fully functioning iPhone 7 and spend a lot of money to get their hands on the iPhone X.

H

Why? Because of the longing for the better or, even, for the best. How can you resist a phone that can distinguish your pretty little face from the seven billion other faces on the planet?

Technology is an ongoing search for perfection. If everyone was happy to settle for adequate there would be no Apple, no iPhone and you would still be making calls 46

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on a Nokia with buttons and reading a paper newspaper. And it’s not just in technology that we search for perfection. Sports, business, fashion, music, food – each have their heroes who have made it closer to perfection than the rest of us. We put prices on their heads, pay them inordinate amounts of money, celebrate their success and dream of being like them. But in a perfectionhungry world, may I add a few lines in praise of imperfection?

What got me thinking was a funeral service I attended recently. The service was a celebration of a life well lived.

When news of this man’s illness got out, dozens and dozens of people had written to him expressing thanks for the huge difference he had made in their lives. There were so many of these messages that they could not all be read out. What we heard was a line or two from just some of the messages; and even at that it was overwhelming.

Several lines said simply “You saved my life.”

But what was also mentioned quite openly in the service was that this man was an alcoholic. Truth was that it was half a lifetime since he’d had a drink so it could justifiably have been passed over. But he clearly wanted it known.

After decades of sobriety, a friend who had only met him recently told me that he introduced himself to her as an alcoholic.

In the service, the accolades and the admission belonged together.

Another phrase that came up again and again in the messages was “you never judged me.” His capacity for helping others in this manner hadn’t dropped from the sky. It was rooted in his knowledge of his own imperfections. It’s much harder to sit in judgement of others when you know your own imperfections well.

Leonard Cohen, who knew a thing or two about imperfection explained it in his poem/song called Anthem. The chorus goes:

Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.

We live in a world where the words “genius” and “flawed” fit easily together.

Great people have great defects. Many artists suffer mental torment or illness or addiction or character flaws. What makes a Van Gogh painting so gripping if not the knowledge of the pain that produced such extraordinary work? It is beautiful but in some paintings the beauty screams. What would Vincent have painted if he’d had no pain? Would we have ever seen his work or ever known his name?

My son’s first attempt at stand-up comedy was at his mother’s sixtieth birthday party – you can imagine where he got most of his material! But the guests who heard him loved my wife more, not less, by the end of the evening. And I did too. In a society that is addicted to heroic perfection, to the new and most powerful and most efficient, we might benefit from a few more “crack parties” – celebrations of people’s flaws.

In a culture where “sin” is about the only unacceptable curse word and where focusing on your faults is seen as negative thinking, I join with the monk and poet Kilian McDonnell who writes: As certain as the rain will make you wet Perfection will do you in There’s always a better way but it’s not the way of perfectionism. Thank God for the cracks, and the light that comes through them.

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

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OPEN ARMS DUBLIN LED BY SEAN & GILLIAN BOOTH A

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