Be the change last week
Posted by John | February 4, 2012
Rach did a great job of getting us to think about the fruit that we are bearing in our lives last Sunday night.
Here is a summary from her of what happened:
“Last week’s Be the Change focused on Testimonies and Real Life stories of how people’s lives have been changed by knowing God and having a faith, in keeping with the Infectious Faith topic Be is currently looking at.
Cath opened for us with reading John 15:5-10, which focuses on how as Christians we are God’s vine and we need to live in him so that he can also live in us and highlights the concept of the fruit which Christians bear for God’s Kingdom in this world.
John then read a real life testimony from the book which Just Be are currently reading on Mondays and Tuesdays; Cris Rogers’ ‘Practising Resurection’. This was the story of a young man whose life changed on discovering God and how knowing God caused him to bear fruit in his life and community for God’s Kingdom.
We then discussed in small groups and then together what fruit we bear individually and as Be Church already, and what we could do individually and as a group to bear more of God’s fruit. People shared stories and the work that various Be members have been doing for the local Night Shelter, Street Pastors and the Sleep Easy Cath and Cathy participated in on Saturday night were all discussed as good works. Cath shared that she is looking to lauch her ‘Be Fit’ project through the YMCA if they are open to the idea and we discussed how Be as a group could get behind and support this venture. Everyone was left with some food for thought.
We closed in prayer.”
Creation on Feb 5th
Posted by Andy | January 30, 2012
On Feb 5th, we are moving back to Andy & Jo’s home and we will be watching Creation – the promo video is here.
In a snapshot the movie explores the following… “English naturalist Charles Darwin struggles to find a balance between his revolutionary theories on evolution and the relationship with religious wife, whose faith contradicts his work.”
The film will be followed by discussion and we will also be serving up some grub! Come along for a 7pm prompt start!
Character not comfort
Posted by Kit | January 23, 2012
Last night we watched one of Rob Bell’s Nooma videos, Rhythm. He asked some pretty challenging questions. We chatted about it and reckoned on a few things:
1. We spend too much time arguing about whether God exists instead of exploring what God is like. His character is the character that we’re trying to emulate, so let’s talk about love, hope, joy, compassion, sacrifice etc.
2. Everybody on the planet experiences these God-given characteristics, these signs. We don’t think that you have to be part of the church to experience something of God. He sustains a world of human beings in His image – we all have something of God within and anybody can live in tune with His character.
3. We should be claiming God’s presence in the world around us. When we see traits of God’s character we should point them out as such, no matter what the situation or root.
4. Too often Christians are more interested in keeping these God-given moments and character traits within their religion or faith. Instead we want to claim for God those moments visible in the world – just like Jesus did. He saw those God-traits with the woman at the well, the paralysed man, the tax collectors, the prostitutes…
5. We found that all this challenged our lifestyles. We shouldn’t be thanking God for a car parking space or a sale in a shop – what happens when there isn’t a space or the sale finishes? We should be thanking God for moments of His character displayed in our lives. God cares more about your character than your comfort.
be vision day
Posted by John | January 15, 2012
Well, we had a great time together today starting at the Frost’s for breakfast and a few thoughts from Andy on breathing in and out. He shared from Luke 5:16 amongst others which says “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” His point was that we need to breath in and spend time with God as well as doing all the things we do!
We then took on a pinada – Rach in action in the photo – before making our way to the Morden Brook pub, which was our home for the rest of the day.
We recapped a little of the be church “story so far” before spending the majority of our time looking ahead. We worked from the basis that along with the church at large our vision is to bring about the Kingdom of God on earth. So, we looked at the question of what is our part in that?
It was a wide discussion involving all the tough questions like what are our strengths? Weaknesses? Opportunities? And threats? Kit, Tom and Rach didn’t hold back on the threats!
We ate lunch together, remembered Jesus in the traditional way, took a stroll around Morden Park before finishing by taking a look at our day to day lives. How do you make time for God, for yourself and for others
All in all, a great day and an exciting year ahead!
Merton Winter Night Shelter
Posted by Cath Lyden | January 9, 2012
I met someone last week who inspired me. She was in her 30’s and walked into my ‘office’ with a happy, smiling face. She was fairly well presented considering it was a casual meeting; hair done well, make up on, dress and handbag. We chatted for about 30 minutes, she spoke eloquently, coherently and with thanksgiving in her voice. No bitterness or anger, just overwhelming thanks. She left and we arranged to see each other later than night…
No-one would have know that she had spent the night sleeping on buses as she was accustomed to, that she’d been squatting in a storage container and was desperate for somewhere to live. Our meeting was her assessment, and as a result she doesn’t need to worry, because for the next month, she has a home, with us, at the Merton Winter Night Shelter.
To follow the progress of the shelter check out the blog www.roominthiscommunity.org
To donate to this wonderful cause please see http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserPage.action?userUrl=MertonWinterNightShelter&pageUrl=2&isTeam=true
Be Vision Day 2012
Posted by Andy | January 5, 2012
The Be Vision Day is almost here! A few details are still being confirmed but here is the rough schedule. This is normally one of the highlights of the year as we set vision for the year ahead and explore what God is saying to us as a community. Make sure you are there!
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10.30 – Breakfast and worship at the Frosts
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12.00 – Andy opening the scriptures and setting the scene for the day
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13.15 – Kit looking at the be church vision/strategy for the next 5 years
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14.30 – Walk and Coffee
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15.30 – John and Jay with ‘what does that mean now for us as a church… the next steps’
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16.45 – Cath with be proactive looking at how we as individuals are proactive both inside and outside the be community
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18.00 – Finish with some pub grub!