Stop teaching christians

Here's a few excerpts from a blog someone pointed me in the direction of. I didn't really agree with the application described by the rest of the post but I think these bits are really good.

 

 

A compelling case can be made to support the fact that young Christians are walking away from Christianity in record numbers. What can we do about it? What can be done? Whenever people ask me this question, I always say the same thing. STOP TEACHING YOUNG CHRISTIANS. Just stop it. Whatever Christendom is doing in its effort to teach it’s young, the effort appears to largely be a failure.

 

We train when we know we are about to encounter a battle. Imagine for a moment that you are enrolled in an algebra class. If the teacher assured you that you would never, ever be required to take a test, and that you would pass the class regardless of your level of understanding, how hard do you think you would study?

 

The problem we have in the Church today is not that we lack good teachers. There are many excellent teachers in the Church. The problem is that none of these teachers are scheduling battles. Make no mistake about it, there are battles looming for each and every young Christian in the Church today, but church leaders are not involved in the scheduling of these battles. The battles are waiting for our sons and daughters when they get to University (or enter the secular workplace). The Church needs to be in the business of scheduling battles and training our young people for these battles. Teaching without a planned battle is little more than “blah, blah blah.” This is the problem with traditional Sunday School programs. They are often well-intended, informative and powerfully delivered. But they are impotent, because our young people have no sense of urgency or necessity. There is no planned battle looming on the horizon and the battle of University life is simply too far away to be palpable. It’s time to address the problem not with our classes but with our calendar. It’s time to start scheduling battles so our teaching becomes training.

 

 

SO.... How do we do it?

I know this article is talking about young Christians but surely the same is true of more mature Christians? If we don't have 'planned battles' how will we progress with our faith or will we just settle with what we know? As a musician I have to confess to not practicing or barely even thinking about playing unless I know I have an event to play for. This isn't just about seeking an audience and recognition of skill, it's about a purpose for which to do the activity. This God stuff is so much more important, I've been taught how to practice and rehearse pieces of music but I'm not so sure I know what I'm doing when it comes to learning about and connecting with God.

A post from Moo

Ok so this is Mandy - come to tell you all a story haha. My blog won't upload this the way I want it so I'm hosting it here and will link it elsewhere that way. Enjoy!

So what's the story of The Ring?

Firstly if you've read OUR STORY you'll know that Simeon's proposal wasn't something out of the blue. We had discussed marriage before we'd even allowed ourselves to be considered a 'couple' haha. We like to open our minds to each other... wander among each others thoughts.. marvel and wonder at the way each other's mind works... SO.. as a result of this - Simeon talked to me about his thoughts about a ring before he created it. I know for some women this wouldn't work - they like the surprise element.. I can understand that and actually I didn't ever see the ring ITSELF until it was offered to me as a sign of Simeon's promise to be joined in 'Holy Matrimony' etc etc ;o) But I did KNOW he was making the ring and I knew (and LOVED) the reasons behind it.

Since early on in our relationship there's been a kind of enduring THEME of salvage, restoration, making beauty from ashes. It's something that's always captured both of us seperately so in our coming together it wove it's way out of our individual identities and into our identity as a 'couple'. There are so many little ways this expresses itself. Often Simeon's romantic gestures (we call them 'sneakins' haha) are a display of this - This desire that we both have to recognise the beauty in things others have disguarded.

In me it's often meant WANTING the uglier toys... the tattier books.. and I don't mean just settling for them, there is something within me that really geuinely LONGS for the broken things.. I like them BEST because there's such reward in SEEKING the not-so-obvious beauty I think.

This is a donkey I found at a carbootsale when I was a teenager.. he was muddy and sad sitting next to a load of much happier cleaner toys. I paid 10p for him. I made him my friend. I love him. DEARLY

One of the first (and most touching) gifts I ever received from Simeon was this necklace... you've probably seen me wear it because it's one of my favourite pieces of jewellery.

Along with this necklace came a letter (we were living hundreds of miles apart at the time) I shall allow you a sneaky peak at an excerpt but shhh don't tell everyone how romantic and beautiful Simeon is.. he's got a rep to protect you know ;oP

A few months later came a flower :o) that wouldn't need water, that wouldn't die, that was created out of random 'used goods'

I see SO clearly in all of this a beautiful picture of the way God redeems/choses the broken but I can only assume that HE placed this thing in us to show it for His glory because our desire to do it was before we really understood it of Him (much as I'd like to claim some superior holiness and pretend otherwise haha) It does help me to understand (on a WAY tinier scale) why God would seek out the broken and call them treasure though.

Of course this also mirrors (for me) the way that God has used Simeon to redeem my experience of love and marriage. That a man who'd saved himself entirely for his perfect bride - would shun the 'prettier', less 'damaged' women and choose a battered, little, divorced, weirdo who was 'used goods' (not MY words.. but that was said about me to Simeon in an attempt to point out the weirdness of his choice) Simeon didn't choose me because he wanted to be charitable, he wasn't making a sacrifice in his eyes because to him I was the thing he saw as TREASURE.. I was the beauty he most desired. Simeon sees in me a beauty beyond anything I can understand, deeper than anything I could believe if I didn't SEE it so glaringly in his eyes whenever he looks at me. I'm not saying for a moment that I don't think I 'deserve' Simeon.. and I'm not marrying him because I think he's the only man who'd ever want me or ANYTHING like that haha. Maybe it doesn't make sense to you but I know what I mean :oP

Ah it's all such overwhelming stuff eh? anyway back to the story (I just think the significance will be lost without the detail sorry haha)

So understanding that we have a theme of re-using stuff others had cast off and that we find the broken things beautiful. Combine that with the recent burden on our hearts this past year about justice, ethical trading, eco friendly lifestyles. Add on top of THAT the dislike we both have of the monstrous WEDDING INDUSTRY and the MILLIONS poured into feeding it every year while others can't even afford to EAT! aaaaand add to that the fact that we really don't have much money - and with all that in mind it would simply not have made sense for us to go and blow thousands on a traditional diamond ring.

disclaimer: many of my friends have traditional diamond rings.. they're beautiful and they suit who they are.. I'm NOT judging OR turning my nose up.. I'm just being true to ME

So Simeon embarked on learning the craft of ringmaking. He had in his shed some old salvaged piano keys from a thrown out Sunday School piano and decided that give our enduring affinity with all things TREE related.. Ebony was the PERFECT material from which to make an engagement ring.

I won't go into the details of HOW he made the ring (though he does intend to.. watch this space) but an interesting detail is that unlike most Brides-to-Be I actually have TWO engagement rings. While hand crafting the original Simeon noticed a weakness in the wood and guessing that it might break.. he created a backup (he could just have given me the backup but he liked the thinner style)

I have since 'injured' the thinner ring and switched to the thicker one but the plan for the ring was never that it last for life. I will wear this ring until the day that Simeon and I make our vows in front of the people we love and he replaces this ring with a WEDDING RING (a WHOLE other story haha) I will probably at this point switch the engagement ring onto a necklace.

So... there you have it. THAT is why this particular engagement ring is SO DEEPLY personal and appropriate for me :o) I wear with inexplicable pride and honour and the knowledge that I am marrying a man who really 'gets' me.

*happy*

xxx

μου [pronounced Moo] meaning (of God) "My own".

The story of God's introduction...

Way back in November 2008 The Stanford-Le-Hope '24-7prayer' boiler room community hosted a UK network day for the 24-7 community. I went along to support and to see what happens and so did some strange (but lovely) women who were referred to as 'Wild Geese'.

May 2009 arrived and with it the return of 2 of the 3 'Geese' to Stanford for a retreat week in which they were to take time out from their normal activities and very intentionally spend time with God. These 2 Women were Catie Raikes (of Aberystwyth) and Mandy Williams (of Gateshead).

At this time I was unable to work due to a loose piece of bone floating around inside my knee, so I had become more involved in the day to day life of the community of boilerroomers shaped around 217 Southend road.

During their retreat I spent a few hours making friends with and getting to know the 'Geese' and as with most connections made by 24-7 related people it was obvious that these friendships were not just for the week but would become a bigger part of the networks we were creating of people around the world focused on kingdom building.

We continued to talk via the Internet and discuss plans, dreams, and the things that really excite us. I was planning a 10 week driving adventure to the Balkans and back, and they were coming to the end of the 'Wild Goose' year. I should point out at this time that Mandy and I had spent more time talking than Catie and I, probably because Catie likes to build deep friendships with everyone, but Mandy's preference is to grow deep friendships with people one by one.

So... I went off to Europe adventuring, and Mandy Williams finished her wild goose year, finished her job and sadly had to move out of her marital home in the lead up to a divorce. We continued to talk and pray for each other and plan a visit on my return to England (Mandy had suggested that her friend Ali Wah would be excellent wife potential, which I've since learned is a massive compliment due to the HUGE love Mandy has for Ali). I had been discussing 4 retreats in a year to various places with James the Gense Gensberg, and considering that Mandy had retreat experience and we didn't, we had asked her and Gareth to host us for our first time.

October 2009 James the Gense and I traveled to the wild Northeast to spend a week with Mandy and Catie (staying at Ellie Clarke's house) praying together, asking ourselves hard questions and digging deeper into some of God's plans. This was an amazing time in which God met us in some astonishing and ordinary ways, and we were able to find some of the roots of some issues in our lives. During part of this time, God hijacked the conversation and began to deal with some underlying and deep rooted things in Mandy's life and he chose to do so through me. After a couple of days of intense listening to God and firmly putting the focus continually on him the retreat was over and we travelled back to the sunny south kidnapping Mandy and bringing her with us because she could and it seemed like a good idea.

Since moving from her marital home Mandy had been on a long journey of releasing and letting go of a man she had loved but who didn't love her and of trusting God to be everything she needs.

Then over the next couple of months we spoke often and our thoughts began to shift... Initially we both backed away from the idea of attraction and possibility of 'relationship' but God continually brought it back and suggested that we should at least look at it. So just before Christmas Mandy again visited as part of a tour of friends around the UK and she tentatively broached the subject of feelings, potential and possibility. I'd decided that it was far too soon to open such a conversation so I allowed Mandy to spell out her thoughts before deciding to share my thoughts, which were quite vague and very non-committal.

I should say that I had not had any previous girlfriends and that my view of this type of relationship is that they should be focused on the question 'whether to marry or not?'. I wasn't prepared to commit anything until I was sure that I could actually live out the commitment.

So for the next few months we talked every day, prayed lots, spoke to friends about it, and allowed God to lead us on a journey neither of us could have planned. We visited, asked questions about each other, evaluated and re-evaluated and gradually our friendship with possibility had become something else...

Around the same time Mandy had chosen to change her surname, because to her it seemed right not to hold onto the name given by her ex husband so that if he re-married there wouldn't be 2 women with his name. She had been called Mandy Moo as a nick name for many years and some people had even assumed it was her surname so she decided to change to Mandy Moo officially by deed poll. Interestingly straight after the change, a good friend (Enola Stevenson) discovered the meaning of the biblically pronounced moo (see the blog title) this was taken to mean that Mandy no longer took her name from her Dad or her husband, but was complete and whole in God's family.

During this time God had spoken to Mandy about moving away from the north east and she explored the option of joining a community in Romford led by her good friends Phil and Emma Togwell. The outcome of this was that She could choose between staying in the north east, moving to Romford, or moving to Stanford. Again having prayed and talked to many good friends about these options she decided to move to Stanford and was welcomed by the community here, and given a space to live for the 1st few months with the community leaders Robb and Sally as the best place from which to really integrate with the community.

Then after several months of praying lots, talking lots, and including friends in the journey we decided it was time to go official, so facebook was told and with that we had to begin using the titles 'boyfriend' and 'girlfriend'. We'd decided way back near the beginning of our discussions not to kiss and not to say 'I love you' because those things are very powerful and need redeeming from the casual world of low commitment dating. Somewhere along the journey of discussing EVERYTHING we talked again about these things and eventually made the decision to express ourselves with these things. It was so powerful to say for the first time with absolute certainty in it's truth 'Mandy, I love you' and to hear her say something similar knowing that it was definitely true.

I think it was probably around this time that we began to discuss time frames and thoughts about marriage, because for us to commit to each other openly in this way meant that we were deliberately heading toward marriage.

The last few months have been spent enjoying each other's company, learning how to understand and communicate better, adjusting and balancing life with another person in such a prominent position, and on my part making a ring.

Amsterdam

So this is out of order and I should have written this before the last, but I've been working on it slowly and it's been tough.

The Dam, the actual Amsterdam, the famous tulip growing capital of the low land of windmills that is The Netherlands.

Friday night we turn up, having found a campsite on the web and not really sure what we were gonna do for the next few days except be in the Amster of Dam. Set up tent and got things a little bit sorted, then in to town to find dinner and check out the YWAM base cos it might be cheaper to stay there the next couple of nights.

That's when we realise that again we're just walking in the footsteps of the big guy going ahead, this isn't an unplanned quick visit to see what's happening, we have a purpose and a reason for being here. This weekend is Mission Amsterdam. a colaboration of christians from across Holland, Germany, America and England coming together to reach the lost of this city.

First night: We're holding a Dance party in a Massive old Church just inside the red light. gonna give out some invitations and try to chat with a few people.

Second night: up in North town, over the river, a party in the park with a stage out the back of a lorry from England, a Latvian funk group and still a bunch of crazy christians handing out invitations and desperately praying for doorways into people's lives.

Third night: Going west to the Islamic part of town, a similar style to the night before, this time on the square and with maybe a few more people.

boom. Amsterdam has been missionised for the next year. yea?

No. there's a prayer room in the red light and dedicated believers who reach out, there's local churches and mission focused communities in north town and out in the west a young guy supported by his tired church seeks to plant new church with life into islam centred community.

Well the first two nights I get involved and observe and chat to other people on the teams. Then Sunday night. the local set up team can't make it so I step back into action man sound guy mode. Setting up the stage, connecting wires, speakers, lights and just loving every bit of it, I hang around and talk to the sound guy about which model of desk he prefers and chat to the lighting guy about how he's set up the moving heads. Two hours later I'm sitting at the techy base running things cos the other two have gone for dinner, they get back and the lighting guy decides to take the night off, so I'm on. Out on the streets not speaking Dutch and not really knowing how to start a conversation with someone I probably have nothing in common with I feel lost. But in techy mode and back where I've been so many times, I'm at home and totally loving it.

So to sum up my time in the Amsterdam, I have to say that it is the most beautiful city I've been to. absolutely, no questions. but it's done something to me, I can't think of the city without tears welling in my eyes and incredible sadness flooding through me. We walked through the red light district a few times. We'd heard stories and knew a bit of what to expect but... nothing can prepare you and no explaination can give a true picture. Rows and rows of windows with only one thing for sale and then the broken shadows of men searching for a good time.

So we must pray.

Pray for the Broken lives going through that city.

Pray for the Lives of those in the City.

And Pray for the workers, those giving their lives to bring love and change to the most beautiful of cities.

Home

Well here we are.

Sailing in to Dover, seeing the white cliffs and knowing that English Soil will soon be back under foot is a lovely feeling. The last few days in Amsterdam, Utrecht and then to Dunkerque have been strange, a curious mix of excitment to go home, wanting to make the most of the last few days and then the inevitable questions about what to do when I get back.

And now, We've been back a few days. Having kept it on the down low that we were coming home early it's been nice to have some space to get stuff done, see a few friends and not be overwhelmed by having to tell and re tell the stories to masses of people. Yesterday was one of the best days I've had this summer and although I've had some amazing times and seen some amazing things, just hanging out, loafing around watching youtube videos, getting breakfast, playing poker, chatting and then curry was so nice with that particular bunch of people.

Although getting home and seeing folks is great I feel a bit distanced from things, there's so much that's happening without me and so many new things and people to hear about that I feel completely out of it. and really I don't feel like making the effort to catch up on what I've missed. maybe it's just cos I've got quite a lot of things to sort out and plan and maybe it's just part of getting home after a prolonged absence but I'd love to just keep the friends I had when I went, get back in to an easy routine and plod along for a bit.

Instead here I am trying to end a blog of endings, trying think and dream of new beginnings and not actually getting anywhere with any of the things I've got on my list of things to do.

Thoughts

Time for a bit of mixed muddledness.

Here we are sitting at another campsite, in Jeff cos it’s too windy on the bonnet, listening to a few tunes and I’m just pondering. We’ve just been to Denmark to a few days, I’ve ticked of my 19th country ever and it’s nearly time to go home.

What have I learnt? And have I actually learnt it? Have I made the most of this summer or have I just spent nearly £3000 on a good time? Of course I’ve also been thinking and talking about what happens next, what will I do when I get home and how will the rest of my life pan out?

Really, and I think Steve would agree. We’ve learnt about relationships, that to give time and energy to a person. To listen, to care for, to receive from and to share life is a majorly important way to change lives. We’ve learnt about giving the best (just this morning we read in proverbs about giving the first fruits). We’ve learnt so much and met so many people that to even begin to sum up seems impossible.

And then that ever recurring question... ‘What comes next?’
“you’re 22 you should get some direction, discipline and responsibility in your life”, “you’re young and can do whatever you put your mind to”, “God’s got great plans for you just keep following him” are just a few bits of advice I’ve been given. How do I live a radical God centred life living each day as it comes, being the chess piece I’ve been made to be, plan for the next few years, choose what I’d like to do etc....?

I just get lost with so much advise and choice. Yea I see the validity of most of the points people are making but... that doesn’t help with the day to day of what do I do?

So I’ve got a few ideas and I’ll keep praying, listening and trying to follow that still small voice, but If it doesn’t look like you think my life should go, then, hey, it’s my life and I pray most of all that If I’ve got it wrong God would be shouting super loud in my direction.

What is the Greatest Need?

Here we are in Herrnhut (a tiny village which could be called the birthplace of the modern missions movement), worshiping, praying, chatting and sharing stories with the locals and the permanent guests. We’ve seen so many different places and met so many people that to isolate one bit of learning and experience to one place isn’t possible. We’ve seen how simply being friends is more important than anything and that a place of community and shared life can only work if it then shares life with the community.

So, back in Herrnhut and on the continual journey of seeking God’s path and direction Steve and I go for a walk up the hill. We found a bench just outside God’s acre (the grave yard) and watched the end of the sunset while talking about what direction our lives are going and where God is calling us to work. We pondered some thoughts and quoted from Shane Claiborne’s ‘The Irresistible Revolution’, and remembered that he didn’t look around for where he might be most effective but saw a need and went to sort it out.

To use someone else’s words is often quite useful, so as I have the opportunity to use words re-used by someone else and then to re quote, it’s quite satisfying.
In the film ‘Coach Carter’ this is said: ‘Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness which frightens us. Your playing small doesn't serve the world there is nothing enlightening about shrinking so other people don’t feel insecure around you. We were all meant to shine as children do it's not just in some of us it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.’’

So if this in mind we turned our thoughts to Corringham and Stanford and Steve asked ‘when you think of the needs of that area, what is the first that comes to your head?’ maybe it’s the kids hanging around town smoking and drinking, maybe it’s the old lady next door who needs some shopping, maybe it’s the drug dealer down the street, maybe it’s the man up the road needing help with his building project.

When you look at your town/neighbourhood what is the first need that comes into your head? Then ask yourself, what am I going to do about it?

No, you’re not gonna get an answer from me here. Tho I did give an answer and yes I’ve added it to the continual ponderings and influences in the melting pot of muddledness in my strange mind.