The second of two sessions prepared for the Gibraltar Archdeaconry Synod 2011.
LEADERSHIP AND MISSION
Yesterday, we looked at our relationships with God and with each other. We looked at the positive and negative influences we are subject to as leaders of expat church communities and some of the issues current in the Church of England as a whole. We looked at how we relate to God as the Good shepherd and how we might lead or shepherd our own ‘flocks’.
Today we are exploring our roles as leaders further. Growing together can be defined as growing closer together, it can also mean a body of people developing or growing together, in a journey of faith for example. This session explores both these approaches to the responsibility of leadership.
Sheep or wolves?
Wolves adopt a pack animal culture with an alpha male in charge; rivalry and jockeying for position are common. Sheep follow their shepherd unquestioningly, they are submissive and there is no competition between them. Use the continuum lines below to decide where you stand between the extremes of wolf and sheep. Mark where you feel you are with an X on each line.
In your relationship with God
------------------------------------------------------------------
In your relationships within church
------------------------------------------------------------------
In your relationships with outsiders
------------------------------------------------------------------
Bible Study
1 Peter 5.1-11
Also
o Matt 10.16 (sheep amongst wolves)
o Matt 25.31ff (Judgement parable, sheep and goats)
o Matt 28.18-20 (the Great Commission)
o John 10.16-17 (reaching others, one flock/one shepherd)
o + any other passage you consider relevant!
Discussion
Leadership
1. How can people in church leadership positions ensure that their motivation is pure? How easy is it to combine strength and humility?
2. Do you spend most of your time feeding and stroking sheep or seeking and rescuing sheep? Would you like to change this balance?
Mission
3. Bearing in mind the selection criteria, what can we do to ensure that members of our flock will be judged as sheep rather than goats?
4. Consider the Great Commission and our Lord’s priorities of seeking the lost and bringing in other sheep from outside the fold. How does this mission apply to us, in our peculiar position as the Church of England in Spain/Portugal? Are we excused from it?
5. Jesus sent the disciples out like sheep amongst wolves. Should we as Church leaders encourage our flock to take risks, or would that conflict with our pastoral role?
Meditation
What have you learned from these bible studies about your relationships with God and others as a follower or our Lord and as a leader of the church? How does this relate to the theme of ‘Growing Together’?
Prayer
Father, we thank you that you sent your son, Jesus Christ, as our shepherd. We want to follow him with all our hearts and we ask you to fill us with your Holy Spirit and help us and guide us in our spiritual journey. Help us to stay close to You at all times so that the burden of our leadership responsibilities doesn’t overwhelm us. We pray that our ‘flocks’ will flourish under your tender care. We pray that we may continue to grow together during this Synod, deepening our love and understanding of You. Amen.
Recommended reading
Alison, J. (1998) Knowing Jesus SPCK
(This new edition has a foreword by ++ Rowan Williams)
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Sheep and Shepherds 1
First of two studies prepared for the Gibraltar Archdeaconry Synod 2011.
RELATIONSHIPS OR DIVISIONS?
The theme of this synod is ‘Growing Together’. The way Christians grow together is as the sheep of the Good Shepherd. This is a theme that runs through the Bible form Genesis to Revelations, from Abel to Jesus.
Jesus thought it was very significant and used the analogy frequently. It is worth revisiting to help us think through the state of the church and the implications for leadership, discipleship and mission. Perhaps you may feel that this biblical material is especially relevant in the context of ‘expat’ churches. Is there a tendency, perhaps, for some congregations to put up barriers and try to exist as little bastions of England?
How do we view sheep?
Positive Negative
Cuddly Stupid
Cute... Silly
Bible Study
John 10: 1 – 18, 27 – 30.
The quotes come from Ezekiel 34: 11 – 16 where God criticises the leaders of his people and promises to come in person. John 10 shows how Jesus fulfils this promise.
Discussion
Our relationship with God
1. It’s not always easy to distinguish God’s voice. In our churches, what realistic ways can we help each other grow in the ability to listen to, recognise, trust and follow our good shepherd?
2. Jesus defines the good shepherd as one who lays down his life for the sheep. He also claims he and the Father are one. As clergy or Synod representatives we have a leadership role. As leaders (shepherds) in our churches, in what ways do we find these claims reassuring or challenging, in what sense are we required to lay down our lives?
Example: we see God in the person of Jesus Example: If Jesus shows his vulnerability, and he and God are one, does that change our view of God?
Our relationship with each other
3a. The Church of England is currently full of divisions and strife e.g. topics such as women bishops and homosexuality. What changes would you like to see in the way these debates are conducted?
3b. How does the teaching in John 10 apply to our relationships with other churches and denominations? What about collaboration with other faiths? What approach is best and why?
Sharing Ideas
As leaders, are there any special challenges within an ‘expat’ church? For ourselves? For our ‘flocks’? How can these be overcome?
A chance to briefly share problems and solutions within the whole group.
Prayer
Father, we pray in humility that through this Synod we may increase our understanding of how we can work together for your glory. We pray that we can stick together with other like sheep, even if we find that image challenging or unflattering. As we think through the different issues that we are discussing this week, please guide us by your Holy Spirit so that we may do your will, not ours. Amen
Recommended reading: Alison, J. (1998) Knowing Jesus SPCK (This new edition has a foreword by ++ Rowan Williams)
RELATIONSHIPS OR DIVISIONS?
The theme of this synod is ‘Growing Together’. The way Christians grow together is as the sheep of the Good Shepherd. This is a theme that runs through the Bible form Genesis to Revelations, from Abel to Jesus.
Jesus thought it was very significant and used the analogy frequently. It is worth revisiting to help us think through the state of the church and the implications for leadership, discipleship and mission. Perhaps you may feel that this biblical material is especially relevant in the context of ‘expat’ churches. Is there a tendency, perhaps, for some congregations to put up barriers and try to exist as little bastions of England?
How do we view sheep?
Positive Negative
Cuddly Stupid
Cute... Silly
Bible Study
John 10: 1 – 18, 27 – 30.
The quotes come from Ezekiel 34: 11 – 16 where God criticises the leaders of his people and promises to come in person. John 10 shows how Jesus fulfils this promise.
Discussion
Our relationship with God
1. It’s not always easy to distinguish God’s voice. In our churches, what realistic ways can we help each other grow in the ability to listen to, recognise, trust and follow our good shepherd?
2. Jesus defines the good shepherd as one who lays down his life for the sheep. He also claims he and the Father are one. As clergy or Synod representatives we have a leadership role. As leaders (shepherds) in our churches, in what ways do we find these claims reassuring or challenging, in what sense are we required to lay down our lives?
Example: we see God in the person of Jesus Example: If Jesus shows his vulnerability, and he and God are one, does that change our view of God?
Our relationship with each other
3a. The Church of England is currently full of divisions and strife e.g. topics such as women bishops and homosexuality. What changes would you like to see in the way these debates are conducted?
3b. How does the teaching in John 10 apply to our relationships with other churches and denominations? What about collaboration with other faiths? What approach is best and why?
Sharing Ideas
As leaders, are there any special challenges within an ‘expat’ church? For ourselves? For our ‘flocks’? How can these be overcome?
A chance to briefly share problems and solutions within the whole group.
Prayer
Father, we pray in humility that through this Synod we may increase our understanding of how we can work together for your glory. We pray that we can stick together with other like sheep, even if we find that image challenging or unflattering. As we think through the different issues that we are discussing this week, please guide us by your Holy Spirit so that we may do your will, not ours. Amen
Recommended reading: Alison, J. (1998) Knowing Jesus SPCK (This new edition has a foreword by ++ Rowan Williams)
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Christian Unity - Short Address on Acts 2.1-12
Acts 2.1-12 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2011
We usually read this passage at Pentecost and when it is read at a different time of year, there is an opportunity to notice different things.
During a united service celebrating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, for example, you might be especially struck by the fact that the Holy Spirit came upon the Church WHEN THEY WERE ALL TOGETHER IN ONE PLACE. No doubt there were tensions and differences of opinion amongst the disciples, as there are between the Catholic and Anglican Churches today. But they didn’t let their differences stop them gathering together in one place, just as we are doing this evening.
Gathering together in one place sounds like a lovely idea, but in practice it is often uncomfortable and may be risky. It was certainly risky for the disciples, who were known associates of a criminal who had recently been executed for a crime against the state.
But for the disciples, their uncomfortable and risky togetherness was rewarded by an unprecedented outpouring of the presence of God, which reversed at a stroke the curse of the Tower of Babel. The Holy Spirit empowered these humble, scared and uneducated Galileans to communicate the mighty works of God in a way which made a nonsense of all the ways that human beings define and divide themselves.
Differences of race, tribe, territory and language all became nonsense when the Spirit of God was poured out. Since that day of course human beings have carefully rebuilt the dividing walls that God had torn down and have built lots of new ones too. In fact as human beings we spend a large percentage of our time building walls against others.
And yet Pentecost was not just a historical event but also a prophetic event, in preparation for the day when there will be one flock and one shepherd, one holy people gathered before the throne of the Lamb of God. The disciples did something amazing that day, in response to the Holy Spirit.
My prayer for us today is that our gathering together would not just be prophetic but also historical. That responding to the Holy Spirit we would begin to do something amazing together, making real here and now in Barcelona the Unity which is God’s gift through Jesus Christ.
We usually read this passage at Pentecost and when it is read at a different time of year, there is an opportunity to notice different things.
During a united service celebrating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, for example, you might be especially struck by the fact that the Holy Spirit came upon the Church WHEN THEY WERE ALL TOGETHER IN ONE PLACE. No doubt there were tensions and differences of opinion amongst the disciples, as there are between the Catholic and Anglican Churches today. But they didn’t let their differences stop them gathering together in one place, just as we are doing this evening.
Gathering together in one place sounds like a lovely idea, but in practice it is often uncomfortable and may be risky. It was certainly risky for the disciples, who were known associates of a criminal who had recently been executed for a crime against the state.
But for the disciples, their uncomfortable and risky togetherness was rewarded by an unprecedented outpouring of the presence of God, which reversed at a stroke the curse of the Tower of Babel. The Holy Spirit empowered these humble, scared and uneducated Galileans to communicate the mighty works of God in a way which made a nonsense of all the ways that human beings define and divide themselves.
Differences of race, tribe, territory and language all became nonsense when the Spirit of God was poured out. Since that day of course human beings have carefully rebuilt the dividing walls that God had torn down and have built lots of new ones too. In fact as human beings we spend a large percentage of our time building walls against others.
And yet Pentecost was not just a historical event but also a prophetic event, in preparation for the day when there will be one flock and one shepherd, one holy people gathered before the throne of the Lamb of God. The disciples did something amazing that day, in response to the Holy Spirit.
My prayer for us today is that our gathering together would not just be prophetic but also historical. That responding to the Holy Spirit we would begin to do something amazing together, making real here and now in Barcelona the Unity which is God’s gift through Jesus Christ.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Sermon John 1.29-42
Sermon John 1.29-42
What an extraordinary moment it must have been for Simon the fisherman. An ordinary working man from Bethsaida with little education or ambition other than to be a good Jew and provide for his family. Suddenly here he was, face to face with this new Rabbi his brother Andrew was excitedly insisting was the Messiah.
Well Andrew was a bit easily influenced and prone to follow the latest new teacher – last time it was that weird and scary Baptizer, John. And this bloke certainly didn’t look like the Messiah – the Anointed One to be sent by God who would surely end the Roman occupation and restore the fortunes of Israel.
But there was something intriguing about him, a deep integrity, a calm confidence and certainty as he looked Simon in the eye and said “You are Simon the son of John... but I’m going to call you Peter, “the Rock” – that’s who you are!
Just that – no explanation – and then a call to “follow”, to “come and see”…
Simon could have laughed it off and gone back to his boat, but somehow he was certain that this stranger was very close to God, that he knew Simon inside out and that Simon must drop everything and follow him wherever it might lead. He knew that he was anything but a Rock, a Peter, but perhaps he had potential no one else had seen and perhaps by following the stranger, this Jesus, he would develop into the person God intended him to be… A Follower of Jesus, this is what he must be!
One of my personal goals this year is to be more like the apostle Andrew. The first thing he did after meeting Jesus was to go and bring his brother to his own life changing meeting with the Lord. Later he brought the boy with 5 loaves and 2 fish to Jesus, later still it was some Greek enquirers... he was always introducing people to Jesus. And once they met Jesus their lives were changed forever.
Of course you have to think about how and when you introduce people to Jesus (some funny examples of getting it wrong…)
Follow me!
The call to follow Jesus was not just for Simon Peter, Andrew and the other apostles. The writer of the fourth gospel is clear that his purpose in writing is that others will believe in Jesus and will also become his followers, his disciples.
These have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
John 20.31
The call to believe in Jesus and follow him is repeatedly made in the first and last chapter of John and through the Apostles that call is directed to us, as individuals and as the Church – the new community which God is forming in His Son for the salvation of the whole world.
We are mainly going to be following Matthew’s gospel this year and we’ll find the same emphasis, the same purpose there.
So what do we do about it?
How does this translate to what we should actually do as the Christian community and as Christian individuals? How will the church and the individual Christian look and behave if they are serious about discipleship, about following Jesus ?
• Purpose This kind of Church will have a clear purpose and will communicate this clearly to all its members and to prospective members. The purpose will be closely allied to the great commission (to make disciples) and to the commandment to love God and neighbour. A Church that is serious about discipleship is more than a Sunday Club where nice people go and be nice to each other. It is more than a historical society where quaint old traditions are maintained. It is part of the rescue organisation through which God is saving the world in the sacrifice and the risen life of his Son.
• Flexibility On the other hand there will be flexibility in this purpose. The purpose mustn’t become like a straitjacket or a pair of blinkers a racehorse wears to keep it running in a straight line. The Church which is serious about discipleship will continually be reconsidering its purpose, humbly, prayerfully and with openness to being nudged in a different direction by the Holy Spirit. The purpose of a Church, especially a Church like St George’s which has a high turnover in membership, is not static. And its only through deep, committed prayer that we’ll be prepared for the changes of direction God wants us to make (24-7 Prayer event coming soon!)
• Process It is also understood that disciples are not born but made (Matt 28.19-20). The Church which is serious about discipleship focuses all its energy, its activities and its structures on the process which encourages non attenders to become attenders, attenders to become believing members, members to become ministers and missionaries. All the resources of scripture, preaching and teaching, prayer, praise and worship are consistently applied to support this process. Christians are helped to grow in maturity in the way they use their time, their money, their gifts and abilities.
• This leads on to the next point, that the Church which is serious about discipleship Trains and Empowers its members, enabling them to discover their unique vocation or SHAPE, and training them in the skills needed to apply this “shape” in discipleship. We are not all alike and do not all have the same gifts, abilities or opportunities. There are many ways that St George’s helps its members in these things. Think about joining a Home Group (or starting a new one in your area), having a SHAPE consultation or signing up for the next Roots1 or Routes2 course. And again there will be recognition that we don’t all stay the same SHAPE forever (like our bodies!) and our calling may have changed from what it was 5 or 10 years ago...
• Not stopping there, the Church which is serious about discipleship Deploys its Disciples in ministry and mission positions which they are suited to (like a jigsaw where every piece has a slightly different shape), creating completely new ministries where appropriate.
• And finally, it Provides a loving network of support and accountability for its disciples to work within.
I don’t know about you, but that’s the kind of Church I want to be a member of and to serve in. I believe it is a vision which is consistent with the Church of the New Testament and with God’s purposes today. It is a kind of Church which will attract new believers and which can be a powerful agent for change in society. It is a Church which is inclusive AND transforming (we don’t have to be just one or the other).
Within such a Church, the individual Christian can grow to be a dedicated follower of Jesus, living a life which pleases God and fulfils the purpose for which it was created.
Where do you fit in?
I want you to think about this. I’m not just trying to make you feel guilty so that you will “do more”. I am asking you to pray and sincerely ask God to lead you…
Its about who you are; where you fit in; where God wants to take you. You may already be following Jesus with confidence and in the best way you can.
Or maybe you are more like Simon the fisherman, living in the village you were born in, stuck in a rut, doing the same work your father did. Could it be that Jesus has a new name for you and a new purpose for your life, within the big picture of his plans for the world?
What an extraordinary moment it must have been for Simon the fisherman. An ordinary working man from Bethsaida with little education or ambition other than to be a good Jew and provide for his family. Suddenly here he was, face to face with this new Rabbi his brother Andrew was excitedly insisting was the Messiah.
Well Andrew was a bit easily influenced and prone to follow the latest new teacher – last time it was that weird and scary Baptizer, John. And this bloke certainly didn’t look like the Messiah – the Anointed One to be sent by God who would surely end the Roman occupation and restore the fortunes of Israel.
But there was something intriguing about him, a deep integrity, a calm confidence and certainty as he looked Simon in the eye and said “You are Simon the son of John... but I’m going to call you Peter, “the Rock” – that’s who you are!
Just that – no explanation – and then a call to “follow”, to “come and see”…
Simon could have laughed it off and gone back to his boat, but somehow he was certain that this stranger was very close to God, that he knew Simon inside out and that Simon must drop everything and follow him wherever it might lead. He knew that he was anything but a Rock, a Peter, but perhaps he had potential no one else had seen and perhaps by following the stranger, this Jesus, he would develop into the person God intended him to be… A Follower of Jesus, this is what he must be!
One of my personal goals this year is to be more like the apostle Andrew. The first thing he did after meeting Jesus was to go and bring his brother to his own life changing meeting with the Lord. Later he brought the boy with 5 loaves and 2 fish to Jesus, later still it was some Greek enquirers... he was always introducing people to Jesus. And once they met Jesus their lives were changed forever.
Of course you have to think about how and when you introduce people to Jesus (some funny examples of getting it wrong…)
Follow me!
The call to follow Jesus was not just for Simon Peter, Andrew and the other apostles. The writer of the fourth gospel is clear that his purpose in writing is that others will believe in Jesus and will also become his followers, his disciples.
These have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
John 20.31
The call to believe in Jesus and follow him is repeatedly made in the first and last chapter of John and through the Apostles that call is directed to us, as individuals and as the Church – the new community which God is forming in His Son for the salvation of the whole world.
We are mainly going to be following Matthew’s gospel this year and we’ll find the same emphasis, the same purpose there.
So what do we do about it?
How does this translate to what we should actually do as the Christian community and as Christian individuals? How will the church and the individual Christian look and behave if they are serious about discipleship, about following Jesus ?
• Purpose This kind of Church will have a clear purpose and will communicate this clearly to all its members and to prospective members. The purpose will be closely allied to the great commission (to make disciples) and to the commandment to love God and neighbour. A Church that is serious about discipleship is more than a Sunday Club where nice people go and be nice to each other. It is more than a historical society where quaint old traditions are maintained. It is part of the rescue organisation through which God is saving the world in the sacrifice and the risen life of his Son.
• Flexibility On the other hand there will be flexibility in this purpose. The purpose mustn’t become like a straitjacket or a pair of blinkers a racehorse wears to keep it running in a straight line. The Church which is serious about discipleship will continually be reconsidering its purpose, humbly, prayerfully and with openness to being nudged in a different direction by the Holy Spirit. The purpose of a Church, especially a Church like St George’s which has a high turnover in membership, is not static. And its only through deep, committed prayer that we’ll be prepared for the changes of direction God wants us to make (24-7 Prayer event coming soon!)
• Process It is also understood that disciples are not born but made (Matt 28.19-20). The Church which is serious about discipleship focuses all its energy, its activities and its structures on the process which encourages non attenders to become attenders, attenders to become believing members, members to become ministers and missionaries. All the resources of scripture, preaching and teaching, prayer, praise and worship are consistently applied to support this process. Christians are helped to grow in maturity in the way they use their time, their money, their gifts and abilities.
• This leads on to the next point, that the Church which is serious about discipleship Trains and Empowers its members, enabling them to discover their unique vocation or SHAPE, and training them in the skills needed to apply this “shape” in discipleship. We are not all alike and do not all have the same gifts, abilities or opportunities. There are many ways that St George’s helps its members in these things. Think about joining a Home Group (or starting a new one in your area), having a SHAPE consultation or signing up for the next Roots1 or Routes2 course. And again there will be recognition that we don’t all stay the same SHAPE forever (like our bodies!) and our calling may have changed from what it was 5 or 10 years ago...
• Not stopping there, the Church which is serious about discipleship Deploys its Disciples in ministry and mission positions which they are suited to (like a jigsaw where every piece has a slightly different shape), creating completely new ministries where appropriate.
• And finally, it Provides a loving network of support and accountability for its disciples to work within.
I don’t know about you, but that’s the kind of Church I want to be a member of and to serve in. I believe it is a vision which is consistent with the Church of the New Testament and with God’s purposes today. It is a kind of Church which will attract new believers and which can be a powerful agent for change in society. It is a Church which is inclusive AND transforming (we don’t have to be just one or the other).
Within such a Church, the individual Christian can grow to be a dedicated follower of Jesus, living a life which pleases God and fulfils the purpose for which it was created.
Where do you fit in?
I want you to think about this. I’m not just trying to make you feel guilty so that you will “do more”. I am asking you to pray and sincerely ask God to lead you…
Its about who you are; where you fit in; where God wants to take you. You may already be following Jesus with confidence and in the best way you can.
Or maybe you are more like Simon the fisherman, living in the village you were born in, stuck in a rut, doing the same work your father did. Could it be that Jesus has a new name for you and a new purpose for your life, within the big picture of his plans for the world?
Building for God; Nehemiah 1 to 6
Building for God, Prayer and Opposition in Nehemiah chapters 1 to 6
1. Nehemiah prayed
Have a look at the following prayers of Nehemiah. In each case consider 3 questions:-
Why did he pray?
In what way did he pray?
How was his prayer answered?
1.4-11
2.4
4.4-5
4.9
5.19
6.9
6.14
2. Opposition to God’s work
Now let’s look at the opposition to Nehemiah’s work of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. In each case let’s think about:-
Why and from what source does the opposition come?
How do Nehemiah and the Jewish people respond?
In what ways is the opposition developing as the story progresses?
2.10
2.19
4.1-3
5.1
6.1-2
6.5-7
6.10
The outcome of all this prayer and opposition is shown in 6.15-16, but there were still problems for Nehemiah in Jerusalem (6.17-19) and the rest of the book is also well worth studying, especially the amazing prayer of confession/summary of Israel’s history in ch 9.
3. Application
Finally, think about what you have learned from Nehemiah’s example and how you personally and your church can apply this teaching in practice.
1. Nehemiah prayed
Have a look at the following prayers of Nehemiah. In each case consider 3 questions:-
Why did he pray?
In what way did he pray?
How was his prayer answered?
1.4-11
2.4
4.4-5
4.9
5.19
6.9
6.14
2. Opposition to God’s work
Now let’s look at the opposition to Nehemiah’s work of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. In each case let’s think about:-
Why and from what source does the opposition come?
How do Nehemiah and the Jewish people respond?
In what ways is the opposition developing as the story progresses?
2.10
2.19
4.1-3
5.1
6.1-2
6.5-7
6.10
The outcome of all this prayer and opposition is shown in 6.15-16, but there were still problems for Nehemiah in Jerusalem (6.17-19) and the rest of the book is also well worth studying, especially the amazing prayer of confession/summary of Israel’s history in ch 9.
3. Application
Finally, think about what you have learned from Nehemiah’s example and how you personally and your church can apply this teaching in practice.
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