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Sunday, 25 May 2008
Pray for Killyleagh
This morning I preached in Second Killyleagh, (a vacant congregation of which I am convener). Tomorrow Commissions of the Presbytery of Down meet to discuss plans for a way forward for ministry in Killyleagh. Please pray with me that the Commissions will have great wisdom and that the congregations will be able to move forward to calling a new minister.
Thursday, 22 May 2008
Wednesday, 14 May 2008
Being Transformed and Transforming
I found this interesting article by Dick Staub. Could he be right?
"BEING transformed is more important than transforming culture…
I hear a lot of Christians talking about cultural transformation, Lord knows our culture needs to be transformed….And I want to contribute to that transformation…Like any child of the 1960s, there was a time when I wanted to change the world; now, I am content to simply ask God to change me.
As a young follower of Jesus, I was taught that Jesus commanded his disciples to go into the world and make disciples.
It is true. He did.
However, I've noticed that many mission-driven, transform-the-world types are passionate about making a difference in the world and in effecting change in other people’s lives, but often fail to invest the same energy in transforming their own life.
When we operate this way we become missional workaholics who often fail to experience the loving, transforming presence of God. We become more focused on our activities done on behalf of God--than on God Himself.
The late Rich Mullins was once singing at a citywide youth rally and one of the pastors said…"We need to tell these kids about Jesus so that they'll stop getting pregnant, stop doing drugs and doing all these bad things."
Rich's immediate thought was…."Wow…we need to tell these kids about Jesus
Because Jesus wants them to know him
And experience his love…It has nothing to do with changing their conduct…It has to do with God desperately wanting us to know
That He loves us…"
Rich knew God cared about the way teens are wasting their lives in riotous living…But he also knew that it is God's loving presence that brings transformation…In this "us versus them age," Christians want to change the world…It is really important to recognize that God's first priority is changing us!
In my own life I've realized that I've spent more time and energy focusing on my desire to do something grandiose for God than on my own inner transformation.
Hear me clearly…I am NOT saying we should pursue God more deeply so we can become more effective culture-changers…I am saying we should pursue God.
Period.
God is not a means to some end…God IS the end…Only people who set aside their ambitions for serving God will pursue God deeply…and only those who pursue deeply will be useful in service for God…Americans are very comfortable with doing…measurable goals, strategies, plans and action….these are our comfort zones…Jesus spent more time BEING than DOING…
And most of his teaching focused on his disciple's relationship with God than on what they could DO for God….
The Culturally Savvy Christian knows that BEING transformed PERSONALLY is more Important than transforming culture…
Paul compares this transformation to metamorphosis,the process by which a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. It involves offering our bodies as a living sacrifice-renewing our minds-avoiding conformity to the world. Pursuing God will make all the difference in the worldbecause pursuing God will make us different…" Dick Staub.
"BEING transformed is more important than transforming culture…
I hear a lot of Christians talking about cultural transformation, Lord knows our culture needs to be transformed….And I want to contribute to that transformation…Like any child of the 1960s, there was a time when I wanted to change the world; now, I am content to simply ask God to change me.
As a young follower of Jesus, I was taught that Jesus commanded his disciples to go into the world and make disciples.
It is true. He did.
However, I've noticed that many mission-driven, transform-the-world types are passionate about making a difference in the world and in effecting change in other people’s lives, but often fail to invest the same energy in transforming their own life.
When we operate this way we become missional workaholics who often fail to experience the loving, transforming presence of God. We become more focused on our activities done on behalf of God--than on God Himself.
The late Rich Mullins was once singing at a citywide youth rally and one of the pastors said…"We need to tell these kids about Jesus so that they'll stop getting pregnant, stop doing drugs and doing all these bad things."
Rich's immediate thought was…."Wow…we need to tell these kids about Jesus
Because Jesus wants them to know him
And experience his love…It has nothing to do with changing their conduct…It has to do with God desperately wanting us to know
That He loves us…"
Rich knew God cared about the way teens are wasting their lives in riotous living…But he also knew that it is God's loving presence that brings transformation…In this "us versus them age," Christians want to change the world…It is really important to recognize that God's first priority is changing us!
In my own life I've realized that I've spent more time and energy focusing on my desire to do something grandiose for God than on my own inner transformation.
Hear me clearly…I am NOT saying we should pursue God more deeply so we can become more effective culture-changers…I am saying we should pursue God.
Period.
God is not a means to some end…God IS the end…Only people who set aside their ambitions for serving God will pursue God deeply…and only those who pursue deeply will be useful in service for God…Americans are very comfortable with doing…measurable goals, strategies, plans and action….these are our comfort zones…Jesus spent more time BEING than DOING…
And most of his teaching focused on his disciple's relationship with God than on what they could DO for God….
The Culturally Savvy Christian knows that BEING transformed PERSONALLY is more Important than transforming culture…
Paul compares this transformation to metamorphosis,the process by which a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. It involves offering our bodies as a living sacrifice-renewing our minds-avoiding conformity to the world. Pursuing God will make all the difference in the worldbecause pursuing God will make us different…" Dick Staub.
Monday, 12 May 2008
This is Keith Green at his best. He is one of my favourite writers and singers. His music was the first I learned on the guitar, and this song one of the first I learned to play. King David wrote these words in Psalm 51 when God had opened his eyes, through Nathan the prophet, to his sin and rebellion, his realisation that life is nothing without a relationship with the Father.
It was jack's birthday today. A big 8!! He had a fantastic weekend with a party on Saturday afternoon with his mates from school and a BBQ today with the family. You are growing up fast Jack and we pray that God will help you to grow to know Him more and more each day.
Day 1
Well this is my first venture into the world of blogging. I hope that this will be an opportunity for you to keep up to date with what is happening in my life, family and ministry here in First Presbyterian Church Saintfield. Please feel free to comment on any of the entries and let me know what you think!
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