Sheep Dogs

Yesterday, one of our members preached on Jesus being the Shepherd and challenged us to who we really follow. After the sermon we have started a time of response from the congregation, this week 4 people responded (a fifth text the word 'woof') and we got onto a discussion during the service of are we sheep or sheep dogs that respond to the masters calls. Like any analogy the image is limited, but it was interesting to think of us not as sheep (who are dumb, not individual, and have no dialogue with the shepherd) but as sheep dogs who listen carefully to what the Shepherd is saying. Both the image of sheep and sheep dog works well in different ways of how we understand our self in the presence of Jesus. Well done Horfield for a great discussion.

Easter over?

If you go to the churches twitter feed @horfieldbc you will see some images of the visuals we used for our Easter services. In response to the answer the title poses, I don't think Easter can ever be over. We constantly live with the resurrection and Easter message at the forefront of our faith.
If Easter is over, then we have to ask the question as to what our faith is based on. I know the date of Easter ends, but Easter itself must live on.
Today I experienced both the joy and pain of church life. Easter is about joy and pain and understanding our faith in the light of what Christ has done for us. He is risen

Maundy Thursday

Tonight we shared in a lovely time, around 20 of us reflected on the meal that Jesus had with his disciples before the unfolding story of the next few life changing days. We reflect on how this meal was the kairos moment, an important moment, that changed their lives forever. This meal was the start of the sending out into the world and starting to understand their ministry in the light of Jesus. This was the meal that changed everything. I find Easter hard, we know the bigger story, but it is good to stop and remember each part, the joy of Easter Sunday needs to be balanced with the darkness of Thursday and Friday. How would the disciple have reacted or what did they think to what Jesus did on Thursday or the cross on the Friday, it is a question I have asked alot recently. Sleep well tonight, but tomorrow will bring a hard day, don't let the cross be sterile, but let the pain of it enable you to reflect on such perfect love.

Hunger Games

Mrs Tim and I went to the cinema the other night for our anniversary. We watched Hunger Games, a brilliant tale about a future trying to forge peace in a post armageddon society (don't know if post armageddon is possible...anyway). I would really recommend it, yes, take it out of context and it is about children killing children, but the background is so well told that you can actually believe why they have got to this point.
Some great clips for use in church or a small group when it comes out DVD and great discussion points as well. Might think about putting a few evenings on to show the film and discuss it.

The danger of gathered worship

Why do we gather to worship?
I imagine we could all give some really great answers that speak of getting closer to God and learning more.
My concern, and the reason for writing these thoughts is that worship, sometimes, can become self indulgent. It is safe and we feel comfortable when each week we sit in our regular seat. But, the point of gathered worship is to scatter, to send us out equipped into the world God has created and to see what we learn when gathered helps and equips us when scattered.
So let's not spend hours upon hours in our services, singing 100 songs 100 times, and preaching for 4 hours, but gather, equip and mobilise.


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