Monday, April 29, 2013

In Christ - Prayer

Had the opportunity to close off our latest teaching series at Milton Keynes Christian Centre Church - In Christ. We have been going through the book of Colossians.

This message was on Col 4:2:

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."


In Christ - Prayer from MKCCpreaching on Vimeo.

Can't see the video click here

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

The Birth of Friendship: What you too?


The other day I came across the post below by Seth Godin on the "Loneliness Epidemic" at the same time as seeing the above photo with a quote from C S Lewis.
"The next time you feel lonely, disconnected or unappreciated, consider that unlike many other maladies, this one hits everyone. And unlike other challenges, this one is easily overcome by realising that you can cure the problem by connecting, appreciating and leading." 
"The minute we realise that the person sitting next to us needs us (and our tribe, our forward motion and the value we create), we're able to extinguish their aloneness as well as ours." 
"When you shine a light, both of you can see better."
It continues to amaze me that so many people born into this community called the family of God choose to remain in isolation.

As a local church pastor I have lost count of the people who have left one church and joined another with the reason attached to their lack of community.

The words vary but the underlying sentiment is the same:

  • There is no love in that church.
  • That church is full of cliques.
  • The people are so unfriendly.
  • The church is too big.
  • The pastors don't care.

The list goes on. And yes, any or all of these can be true. However in 99% of cases I don't believe the answer is found in just changing local church family.

I firmly believe that a combination of selfishness and insecurity keeps us from unearthing beautiful community.

Selfishness, because building friendship is all about sacrifice or should I say investment. Investing your time in someone else's life. An invite for a meal in your home, a coffee at lunch, writing a card of thanks, a phone call out of the blue, remembering a special occasion, a gift for no reason.

Insecurity, because we are all so often scared or rejection. The sooner we all realise that the vast majority of us, if not all, are afflicted with this disease of unworthiness the sooner we can all help each other recover. That person that walks past with eyes fixed to the floor is not being ignorant, the chances are that they too are feeling alone and too scared to connect because they live in fear of their insecurities being confirmed.

Community is assured through our relationship with Jesus lets start to bring his prayer to fruition. Let us blow through selfishness and insecurity and start to love. We might be a little surprised at what will happen.

Monday, April 22, 2013

Catalyst: Leadership Book & London Conference 2014


I found out two new things that brought a smile to my face.

Number 1

Catalyst Europe is happening in London in November 2014.

I have had the awesome privilege to attend Catalyst Conference in Atlanta twice. I really had no idea what to expect and on attending the pre-conference for the first time already had a notebook full of hastily written notes of wisdom from crazy talented leaders. I was looking forward to more of the same over the next few days.

But nothing prepared me for the crazy roller coaster of emotions that was going to be Catalyst. The laughter started outside the arena at 6 am the next day as we waited to join 12,000 leaders in the arena.

Laughter changed to intent concentration as speaker after speaker dropped out practical pearls of leadership wisdom and on into tears as we heard incredible stories of sacrifice for God's Kingdom that were met with God's compassion.

So although I am heading their again in October with a bunch of leaders from our church. November 2014 will be unmissable for Catalytic leaders here is the UK. Make sure you subscribe for more information as it is released. Here....

Number 2

The book Catalyst Leader has been released.

Brad Lomenick leader of Catalyst has pulled together great wisdom from many of the leaders who have graced the Catalyst stage.
"Are you a high-octane, energising leader with big ideas and the skills to back them up? Do you help shape the hearts and minds of those you lead? In short, are you a Catalyst leader?"
"The reality is that most of us want to be good leaders, but we’re not sure how to build those elements in a way that will deliver the most impact in our leadership."
 "The Catalyst Leader lays out the key elements and defines what it means to be a Catalyst and reveals the path for developing these elements in your own leadership skill set."
Get a free chapter here.