Seeing is Believing?

Last week we were fortunate enough to have Bill Johnson and Randy Clarke speaking at the Global Awakening Conference at Central Hall. Held over four days it was sold out with 800 delegates every day coming from all over Europe.

Over the four days there were hundreds of healings and some excellent teaching...

But in some eighteen sessions of teaching it was only two things that really grabbed me over the time that they were with us. Firstly it was good to see Central Hall full. I am completely believing that we will see Central Hall full again for our Sunday services. What was a City Centred Church of 500 people meeting at Central Hall has become a Network of Church Communities all around the city and region with almost 1000 people meeting in eight different gatherings.

God has been good and New Community is flourishing but Central Hall can seat 800 easily and on a Sunday morning we have around 220 - 240 attendees with 70-80 of those being under 11. I would love to see the building full once more and people queuing up to get in!

I was able to see a glimpse of the possibility last week. People were queuing from 8am to get the best seats for the 9am start, the building was full and God's Spirit was at work. Wouldn't that be great on a Sunday morning. I put myself in the middle of the Main Auditorium and looked at all the people and asked God to let it happen.

I already believed it, but now I've seen it...

The other thing I picked up was about our theology or understanding versus our expectation. Biblically we believe in healing but we don't expect it to happen every time we meet someone in need and we pray. That has to change. We need to increase our faith to see what we know is possible become a reality. I want physical healing to become a standard part of our Church Community, that as people go about their normal business that God's Spirit will invade their lives and healings will happen in our city on a regular basis.

I don't want to chase the manifestation of God (I get a little annoyed by those that do!), I want to chase God himself and as I worship him, put him in his rightful place, get my life working to his rhythm then there will be an outpouring of his Spirit at every level of our society.

So, I have seen the possibilities, and like Thomas, now I believe it more than ever...

Seeing may not be believing, in and of itself, but it helps!

Time to get Fit?

Last Tuesday I had an eye opening day. At lunchtime a colleague kindly rubbed my belly and asked me if I was putting on weight, I laughed it off and thanked them for their ministry of encouragement. That afternoon a church member popped into the office and laughing heartily rubbed my belly and asked the same question! I laughed along but this time a little more nervously - and more importantly why did everyone think it was ok to touch my belly? If I was under 16 I would have reported them!

Anyway convinced that it was all in their heads and I was super fit and fine - I went home to ask my always supportive and encouraging wife what she thought of these ridiculous claims. Her words to me were "I wasn't going to say anything, but..." - OKAY STOP!!! maybe I needed to do something about it...

Next morning I went for a 30 minute run which almost finished me off, especially as we live on a hill and the last bit was a killer! Friday I did 45 minutes and started to enjoy the run, but Saturday everything ached. On Sunday a member of the Church came to see me after the service and said that they were a Personal Trainer and they wanted to "sow into my life" so could they offer me some one to one training?

hmmm, maybe God is saying something??

Recently God has been speaking to me about getting Spiritually Fit. I study for my preaching and study academically for my theology course but where was my personal development time? Leaders are great at leading others, but the biggest struggle is leading yourself. So many Leaders fail and damage the trust others hold in them because of failing to lead themselves, somehow they exclude themselves from the standards they set for others.

I used to make the excuse to God that I had four kids and a busy life doing good things and working for Him and that my time was always His time. But that's not true - my time is my time and I need to make a commitment to use my time effectively for Him, not just assume it to be so.

So for just over a week I have been getting up an hour earlier and using the time to get myself prepared for the day before the day takes care of me. Part of the reason for blogging again has been to reflect on my week ahead but reflection is becoming a daily exercise. The stakes are getting higher and I believe that God is preparing me and challenging me for all that is ahead.

Watch this space as the Super Fit (spiritually and physically!) Sim appears...

maybe I should do before and after shots? :o)

The Art of the Long Meal

Yesterday Billy spoke on the importance of eating together as a way of creating and building community. For the Jewish home the table is the centre of worship, the place where they celebrate and remember what God has done. Jesus often did miracles around food and ate with people symbolising his acceptance of those perceived to be outcasts of society.

A couple of years ago I spoke about Jesus and his disciples having breakfast on the beach - I remember the talk well as I cooked bacon sandwiches while people listened (and enjoyed the smell!). For me the Last Supper is often remembered as a a very important meal (and it is and was) but we have turned what was a meal with friends into a tokenistic sip of blackcurrant juice and a cracker.

If given the choice between eating the Last Supper with Jesus (and Judas!) or having breakfast on a beach with the boys and the risen Lord Jesus, I think I would go for the latter every time.

Apparently most homes in the UK do NOT have a table that the family can eat round and if they do then I guess a lot don't use them. We had 11 for lunch yesterday (not including Jemimah) and we didn't really finish eating until around 5 and then started making tea! A great time with great friends.

Life is busy and I want to make good use of the time God has given me and so often skip lunch to get more done - but I am challenged this week to spend more time with friends and family over food...

Lunch anyone?

Sim the Blogger is back?

Having not blogged for over 6 months, I am now considering a return! Life has got busy and I have got loads of excuses why I have not blogged.

We had a fourth child in September (Jemimah Anne Promise) and I started my MA in Theology and Christian Leadership as well as taking on responsibility for the morning congregation here at Central Hall. Three weeks ago Lotties Dad suddenly died and we have been busy arranging funerals and sorting his stuff out.

I have also got sucked into the world of Facebook and even more recently Twitter, the world has gone communication mad, just not sure what we are communicating.

I guess I am so aware of how busy life can be (and when you have 4 kids under 10 it is mega crazy but sooooooo much fun) and I amtrying to find ways to manage my time and be more effective. I have piles of books to read, some for my course (reading up on Richard Branson at the moment for a Leadership module), some for pleasure, some for personal spiritual development and some to keep up to speed with Church and Leadership around the world.

So my plan is to blog once a week on a Monday morning - you are welcome to tune in, but to be honest it will be for my benefit as much as yours. I want to reflect on my week before I launch headfirst into it.

This week I have a bunch of one on one meetings with Small Group Leaders and some key staff members as well as the dreaded budget meeting on Wednesday. On Thursday I am off to Letchworth for the Pioneer Conference to say "Goodbye Gerald Coates" and "Hello Billy and Caroline" who will be taking on the leadership. Friday my son Zak is 10 and so I need to be back to have a family meal and make sure he has his present of a PINK Nintendo DS.

oh on Sunday I am speaking at the start of a new teaching series on the Cross and so need to find some time to prep that - Church is going great, maybe I will blog that another time.

For now lets see if I get past one posting and whether I can keep up my plan to blog on Monday mornings - maybe I will see you next week?

GOING BACK

Over the last 2 weeks I have been back to two different places that I used to live before moving to Southampton. Two weeks ago I spoke at a Spurgeons Conference at Wickbourne Centre in Littlehampton talking about developing the relationship between local Churches and local Government Agencies and then last week I preached at The Life Church in Maidstone.

Bizarrely I moved to Maidstone when I was 11, Littlehampton at 22 and Southampton at 33!!

Going back is a strange mix of emotions. It's great to see friends and catch up on all that's been happening, but it was sad to see things that had changed and not always for the better (don't get me wrong there are loads of great things happening as well...). To hear various stories of damaged relationships and to see things that once were great not have the life and energy that once existed is hard to understand.

I know that we have to move on and life is a journey and we shouldn't look back, but naively I thought that when God had his hand on something that it would go from strength to strength and the only way is up!!! I know that I am one of those annoyingly positive people who thinks anything is possible and that you can do anything you want (whether you should is another matter!) but seeing how something is now that used be so different plays with your head...

I want to develop great church and do something today that isn't just great for a season but provides foundations that provide a platform for future generations to do even greater things - as a preacher once said " are you willing to plant an acorn today that will provide the shade of an oak tree that you will never benefit from?"

I guess looking over your shoulder is good to do from time to time as long as it doesn't have a negative effect on what God has put in front of you...

GOOD FRIENDS AND GOODBYES

Sorry it's been so long since I last posted anything. Although I finished work last Thursday it has been non-stop since. Last week there was a whole bunch of leaving meals - Monday lunch was the formal one with the Church Leaders at the Oystercatcher (not good food!), Tuesday lunch was at the new over-designed seaside Cafe fondly known locally as "The Turd" (although Steak Sandwich was excellent), Wednesday evening was my highlight with all the staff that I work with at Wickbourne, Sure Start and the Church. We had a buffet at the local Indian Monsoon which was superb. At the end of the meal a number of staff made speeches and provided me with certificates for different achievements I had made (some serious and some humorous!). Sally & Wendy from the kitchen wrote a poem and Sonia had 3 pages that had me on the verge of tears! Around 25 of the team turned up and it was a great night - what a privilege to be part of such a great group of people. Thursday was my last day and Sure Start had laid on a surprise buffet and Sally had made a goodbye cake (with Fire Engine).

What an incredible week - it has been so good to work with so many amazing people, they will be missed...

HERE'S A THOUGHT...

Question: How often are you busy working and never think about what you have done or achieved? Often I get home and my wife Lottie says to me "What did you do today?" and I have no idea!

Last September I started a Degree in Community Development with Sussex University. Part of my course is all about keeping a reflective journal to keep track of my learning journey (I wonder if this blog could be submitted?) and enable me to think about how and what I am learning. Which is great, but why don't we do that in other parts of our life, especially work. Probably because we're too busy - that's why! Doing what? Don't know - but my diary is full - WHAT!?

I am presently reading 360 degree Leadership by John Maxwell which gives examples of exemplary leaders who spend 10 minutes at the beginning and end of each day to plan and then reflect which is probably why they are top leaders! The idea is good but have I got the time???

James 1 talks about the man that looks in the mirror, goes away and then forgets what he has seen. I know that can be true for me, which is why I have to look three times in the mirror - honestly not vain just forgetful!!!

I spoke to my staff team on Monday about this and we all recognised that we are too busy doing to even consider reflecting on what we do. Surely reflecting on our busy lives is important - if we want to make a difference to those around us.

Or as Edith Wharton said:

"There are ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it."