Rev.
Posted by Andy | November 20, 2011
Last week Dan led a great be fed as we watched BBC2s Rev. Rev is a comedy about an inner city vicar dealing with complexities of faith and life. In the first episode of the second series, he is accidentally hailed as hero and the programme explores the importance of integrity.
The discussion explored the Church and its PR issues (do we need more vicars to be seen as heroes?) and whether we should ever take credit where it is not really due, even if it helps a greater cause? We then moved on to look specifically at the issues around St Pauls Cathedral and the protestors! Lots of food for thought!
4th Dec – Special trip to Baghdad (well kind of… Guildford really)
Posted by Andy | November 14, 2011
On 4th Dec, we don’t have a meeting… So, we’re taking a roadtrip down to the guys at the Guildford Boiler Room as they have a special evening with Andrew White, the vicar of Baghdad. We’ll be jumping in cars and heading down the A3 from 4.15pm. Let Andy know if you need a lift!
Confession
Posted by Cath Lyden | November 6, 2011
When I speak to my non-Christian friends, a common accusation of the church is “they’re hypocrites; they pretend to be all holy and then it turns out they’re just as bad as everyone else”. To a certain degree, I agree with the statement. I am just as bad as everyone else. I screw up daily, get things wrong, don’t live the life I was intended to live, don’t treat people right, have values that are out of wack and relationships that are broken! I agree, I’m angry, I’m selfish, I want things my way all the time. But this is why I am in the church. I know I need God to mend my life, shape it, forgive it and help me.
Recently though, I’ve been challenged. Is this need for Christ and transparency about my life really what I walk on a daily basis?
Do I not walk around proud? Do I not cover up my failings and insecurities? Do I not justify my actions by making excuses for the way I am, the things the say and how I act? – “But she was nasty to me”, “He didn’t give me all the information that’s why the work isn’t done”, “It’s not my fault I was late, the train was delayed”. Do I not put on my pretentiousness every morning and walk out the house thinking – I better be good today and live this life perfectly or people will not think I’m a good Christian.
Church, by doing this we are not walking humbly and we are not relying on God to save us, we are in fact being our own saviour and saying “look at me, aren’t I good”. There is no need for God if I fail to admit everyday that I screw up and I need Him.
We’ve forgotten where we came from. I became a Christian because I was faced with the fact that I am not perfect, I am fallen, broken and need of hero to come down and save me. Since asking forgiveness that one night, I recognise that truly I am, “here but by the grace of God”. I’m here because God saved me and not because I’m ‘good’. I am fallen, I make mistakes, I do not live life the way I should because I’m human. I NEED Jesus.
When was the last time you confessed? When was the last time you said, yes I lied; I slept in and missed my train and that is why I am late, and I’m sorry. I did say unfair things about my friend, I was out of order and I’m sorry. I got angry at my wife, I drank too much at the weekend, I am envious of my colleague, I don’t love my neighbour, even though I know I’should’ and I’m selfish with my money. I’m sorry. When?
Church, we often walk around saying “I am perfect, look at me”, if not with our words, certainly with our actions. People outside of church can’t relate to that, they can’t relate to perfectness, because they are all too aware of their own falleness. If the church was more transparent and honest about just how much we fall short every single day, perhaps it really would be the place that everyone flocks to when they are faced with their own failings.
The church should be the one place that is the safest place to be. It should be the place that I can confess all my sins to my brothers and sisters and know that I won’t be judged or condemned. Is this true for you? Could you stand at the front and tell the rest of your church everything you did in your week and feel happy that they love you enough and are gracious enough to walk with you through forgiveness?
At be church last week, we took up this challenge. We each, honestly and humbly wrote down our sin. The sin that is at the heart of each one of us, the things that we hide from each other because we’re too scared we’ll look like bad Christians if we admit it. We wrote them down in black and white. We didn’t then put them in a fire or rip them up, we wanted to share them with each other. The sins where put in a pile and each of us took someone elses sin and read it out loud and clear. We confessed our sin verbally to one another, and what a powerful experience it was. The vulnerability in the room was incredible, the humility was present and the sense of the need for Christ was heavy. We owned, as a community each others sin and we confessed it together. Together we took bread and wine and together we seeked forgiveness. In response we then, as a community rejoiced in our saviour together.
Something happened last week at be that I can’t really put into words. But the effect? I now feel more able to share honestly and openly my sin, my deepest darkest sin with the people I fellowship with, safe in the knowledge they are in need of saviour just as much as me and we can walk this walk together.
Church, confess.
Christmas is coming ‘December dates!’
Posted by Andy | November 4, 2011
Okay, so its not quite Christmas yet but we thought it would be good to keep you all posted on be’s festive month of December. Here is what we have planned…
Dec 11th: My Raynes Park Family Carol Service @ Raynes Park Methodist Church with choir, brass band and guitars! Early evening – times TBC.
(We’ll be looking for some volunteers to dish out mince pies!)
Dec 17th: Cafod’s Nativity Run – Kit’s brainchild, so lets get running with tea towels on our heads. All the info is here.
Dec 20th: Tuesday Nite Carols in the Raynes Park Tavern with Mr Hoyes and his festive band. 7.30pm til late!
be the change & shopping!
Posted by Andy | November 4, 2011
Last week Cath led an excellent night exploring confession which was finished with a profound time of getting things right with God.
As we look to this Sunday, there is a challenge to go shopping! A couple of things to buy if you can!
1. Boxershorts
Bring a packet of medium sized boxer shorts from as a practical way of helping the Faith in Action homeless drop in shelter as they give away underwear each week and need more.
2. Some grub!
Additionally, a foodbank has just opened in Wimbledon to serve the whole of Merton. Attached is the suggested foodbank shopping list which I believe costs about £12 to get.
See you Sunday as we explore being the change!
Just Breathe
Posted by Jo | October 24, 2011
Last night we had a pretty chilled out night at be worship. Tom chefed-up a delicious spag bowl (ably assisted by Emma Z!).
Jo led mediative worship exploring breathing in God’s peace and presence, and breathing out God’s restoration and healing.
She used a lectio divina mediation of Isaiah 42, and walked us through some reflective worship exploring how we see ourselves and how we see the world around us. The two presentations can be found here and here. They are based on services found at engageworship.org
We made clay models, prayed and reflected. Like I said very chilled.
Tom Z closed us in prayer and we all enjoyed Banoffee pie! Good night!!!