A road map to a healthy church culture

One of my favourite authors Scot McKnight has a new book being published later this year that explores creating a "goodness culture" in our church families.

Our first instinct may be to think well that automatically exists in a local church! Tragically, in recent years, Christians have gotten used to revelations of abuses of many kinds in our most respected churches--from Willow Creek to Mars Hill. We are not immune to this in the UK. In the last couple of weeks, we have read of a well-know leader announce his resignation with trustees citing concerns around an unhealthy church culture and specifically a culture that led to racism.

I am sure that no Jesus follower who hears the call of God and sets off to dedicate their life to serve God by planting or leading a church, expects to arrive at a place where they have to resign and suffer the consequences.

However, it seems to be happening with too much regularity at this moment in time. Our behaviours, beliefs and practices contribute so much to the culture we create. Let's take a time out to ensure we are taking steps towards health rather than a disaster.

Scot gives lists 7 characteristics he has noted in unhealthy church culture and 7 that help create a healthy culture.

(Below are my paraphrase of what I heard on a webinar and not exactly what was said)

Characteristics of a toxic culture

1. Narcissism is allowed.
2. Fear is common.
3. Care for the institution can trump the care of people.
4. False narratives are formed (e.g. to protect the institution)
5. There is a large emphasis on loyalty.
6. Celebrities and hero leaders are common.
7. A greater emphasis on leadership than pastoring.

Characteristics of a healthy culture

1. A high degree of empathy for others.
2. Shaped by grace and nurtures grace.
3. People are put first.
4. The truth is told even when it's hard. (no spin)
5. Justice is nurtured (do the right thing even when it hurts)
6. A culture of service is built (particularly in leadership)
7. Christlikeness is developed and valued (Christoformity)

An extract from Scot's book - A Church called Tov

Toxic, flesh- driven cultures breed a lust for power, success,

celebrity, control through fear, an emphasis on authority, and

demands for loyalty. These values may not be explicitly stated,

or even outwardly recognized, but as they fester in the heart of a leader, they can’t help but bear bitter fruit, damaging the culture of the church and seeking to destroy anyone who gets in the way.

A Spirit- formed, Christlike culture, on the other hand, nurtures truth, offers healing for the wounded, seeks opportunities to

show redemptive grace and love, focuses on serving others (rather than on being served) and looks for ways to establish justice in the daily paths of life. A Christlike church culture always has its eyes on people because the mission of the church is all about God’s redemptive love for people.

A Fellowship of differents

The first European church began as a fellowship of differents. A wealthy fashionista named Lydia, an abused slave girl and an ex-praetorian guard, and his family, living out his retirement as a jailor in this outlying Roman colony. It would seem that Holy Spirit pulled together, as the founding church members in Philippi, a very diverse group of people.

Scot McKnight describes in his book "A fellowship of Differents" a typical house church in Rome.

Understand that these early Christians did not meet in churches and sit apart from one another in pews, and then when the music ended, get in their chariots and go home. No, their churches were small, and they met in homes or house churches. A recent study by a British scholar has concluded that if the Apostle Paul's house churches we composed of about thirty people, this would have been their approximate make-up:

• A craft worker in whose home they meet, along with his wife, children, a couple of male slaves, a female domestic slave, and a dependent relative.
• Some tenant, with families and slaves and dependents, also living in the same home in rented rooms.
• Some family members of a householder who himself does not participate in the house church.
• A  couple of slaves whose owners do not attend.
• Some freed slaves who do not participate in the church.
• A couple of homeless people.
• A few migrant workers renting small rooms in the home.

Add to this mix some Jewish folks and perhaps an enslaved prostitute and we see how many "different tastes" were in a typical house church in Rome.

Scot McKnight, A fellowship of differents, Ch 2

But Paul made it clear how these desperately different people would relate to each other. They were ONE. Not one because they managed to work out all their differences. But one IN Christ Jesus. 

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. - Galatians 3:28

Or as it is put in a literal translation of the Greek;

there is not here Jew or Greek, there is not here servant nor freeman, there is not here male and female, for all ye are one in Christ Jesus.

And as the Galatian believers were gathered together, not in rows facing the front, they're in someone's dining room and the centre of their activity really is the fellowship meal or the communal meal, Paul's letter was read aloud to them. Maybe there was a dramatic effect placed on the word HERE. Here at this table, we are all one because of Jesus. 

The Irresistible Community.....

A Christian fellowship lives and exists by the intercession of its members for one another, or it collapses. I can no longer condemn or hate a brother for whom I pray, no matter how much trouble he causes me. His face, that hitherto may have been strange and intolerable to me, is transformed in intercession into the countenance of a brother for whom Christ died, the face of a forgiven sinner. 

–DIETRICH BONHOEFFER

Let love be genuine. . . . Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. . . . Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. . . . Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. 

–PAUL THE APOSTLE

God’s key note!

To the early church fathers unity seems like a big deal:

And do ye, each and all, form yourselves into a chorus, that being harmonious in concord and taking the key note of God ye may in unison sing with one voice through Jesus Christ unto the Father, that He may both hear you and acknowledge you by your good deeds to be members of His Son. It is therefore profitable for you to be in blameless unity, that ye may also be partakers of God always.

 Ignatius to the Ephesian Church (4:2)

Wizards want to worship

This past Sunday I had the honour of preaching at Milton keynes Christian Centre. We are currently taking a fresh look at the nativity story and my task this week the Journey of the so called wise men. watch the message below...

The Journey - The Wise Men from MKCCpreaching on Vimeo.

Bigger than we think

This quote from J C Ryle reminded me that the church of Jesus Christ is so much more diverse and larger than my puny mind can comprehend!

"Here is a golden rule indeed, and one that human nature sorely needs, and has too often forgotten. Men of all branches of Christ's Church are apt to think that no good can be done in the world, unless it is done by their own party and denomination. They are so narrow minded, that they cannot conceive the possibility of working on any other pattern but that wi h they follow. They make an idol of their own peculiar ecclesiastical machinery, and can see no merit in any other."

When the church becomes obsolete?

The Telegraph recently ran an article with the following headline: Church of England considers Christmas-only parishes.

It discloses that about 2,000 churches – now have fewer than 10 regular worshippers. At the same time parishes collectively spend about £160 million a year on maintaining their buildings.

These rural churches have been hit by a general decline in  UK church attendance but the main reason would seem to be population shifts over the years leaving some once-thriving churches effectively marooned in the midst of fields.

I suspect that these church buildings, now obsolete, were celebrated wildly on their opening. Loyal Christians sacrificed and invested their hard earn cash to build a great building that would be used to worship Jesus and make his name famous in their locality.

But these buildings have not stood the test of time for the vision behind why they were built. (Although many of them still look amazing). They belong to a bygone era and don't really lend themselves to the requirements of the church today. Their maintenance bills are huge, uncomfortable and difficult to heat. And by enlarge because of advancement in travel and the move towards cities many of them don't even have many people living nearby. The building has become obsolete.

However the Church of Jesus Christ is not defined by bricks and mortar. His church is living and active through His people. Our buildings are useful but they are not the mission. People are the mission.

Let us use our buildings where ever possible to connect us with people, becoming the hub of our communities, while we have them, but in a 100 years they will likely be gone or as obsolete as these village parish churches that are scattered around the English countryside, looking incredible, but serving little or no purpose.

But let us invest our time, talent and treasure in people and in particular the next generation so they will grow up, take the baton, and see a glorious church built that will never become obsolete.

Equipping the Church

Yesterday, Milton Keynes Christian Centre, launched a brand new website: equip.mkcc.org.uk.

Our journey as a church over the years has taken us through many twists and turns, highs and lows. God shaped us by this unique journey and by the amazing people he has connected us to. We have made mistakes and learned lessons. We have been thankful for the many helping hands along the way. These include: Andrew Shearman & the G42 Leadership Academy, AOG UK, Hillsong, Saddleback Church, Willow Creek UK, LifeChurch.TV, Newspring Church, Tony Morgan & The Unstuck Group and many more.

Equip.mkcc is our attempt to give others a helping hand. Not that we think we are experts in any way but we passionately believe in the local church and want to do all we can to help in any way we can other local churches.

Equip offers:

Free Resources

These presently include a few of our teaching series graphics and video packages, leadership resources and Children's Curriculum. We will be adding much more as we go. If its not there ask as may have something in the pipeline.

Conferences

These will have an emphasis on equipping, giving you tools to use and next steps to implement. Our first event is in November when we welcome author Dave Kraft for a seminar Mistakes Leaders Make.

Then in June 2016 we are excited to host our first Children's Ministry Conference, Elements: Connecting the components for change.

Lastly we will be offering a series of Coaching opportunities, workshops & planning events.

Check it out and please share with other churches who may be interested.

Equipping churches to bring people to Jesus and develop them to be fully devoted followers of Christ. Providing free resources as well as conferences & coaching

Defective Leaders

Reflections on Mark Driscoll and the Church from Desiring God on Vimeo.

John Piper hits it out of the park with a truly Jesus view on the problems faced when Christian's and christian leaders fail. In this video he is answering a specific question retaliated to people walking away from church because of the failures of well know leaders Mark Driscoll from Mars Hill, Seattle.

• There is no church that I like everything about..including my own.
• It (Mark Driscoll) is not a unique situation, in history or in our day, Christians are failing, lay people and pastors everyday and bringing reproach on the gospel.
• Who has not let Jesus down.
• Historically God has been willing to use people to speak Gospel truth who have motives that are defective.
• Gos is unbelievably merciful to use you and I to speak Gospel truth with our defects.
• You have to have a category for gospel faithfulness in defective containers.
• Don't throw the baby of truth out with the bathwater of sin.
• To walk away from Jesus because Jesus representatives are failures is to make an absurd choice, Jesus is our only hope.
• Jesus is the one person in the universe who has no defects, he has no failures.
• As I look over history God must be the kind of general who looks over his army that willing accepts tactical defeats for strategic victories.
• The general is not out of control!
• If you walk away from the church you are walking away from church.
• To say that I love Jesus and not submit to his word is a lie. Jesus founded the church I didn't
• The choice of Jesus over the church implies a choice of your opinion over the Bible...because the Jesus of the Bible is the Jesus of the church.

Very wise words from Rev Piper!

Who runs the church?

Who runs the church? ”I”, said the Pastor, “I am the master. l run the church”.

Who runs the Church? “I”, said the deacon, “Don’t think I’ll weaken. I run the church”.

Who runs the church? Said the man in the pew, “Let me tell you, I run the church”.

Who runs the church? All these are wrong.

This is the right: When Pastor and deacon And men in the pew Are simply just channels For God to flow through – GOD RUNS THE CHURCH.

From Aaron Linford

So leaders & attenders alike its time to get our hands off:)

12 ways a leader can kill his church

This post is a little bit a reaction. In no way do I think I have it all together and know that I have much to learn and these are purely my personal thoughts. I read an article today titled "Church Members, Here Are 10 Ways to KILL Your Church". Some of which may or may not be true. But it's my experience as a church leader that it is much more likely that "leaders" will cause the greatest damage to a church. So here are 12 ways a leader can harm or kill his church! (or at least encourage people to find another one)

1. Don't practice what you preach
   Tell your church to do something you aren't prepared to do yourself. Tell them to tithe when a check on your bank account would see you somewhat lacking. Integrity must be found in leadership otherwise people will vote with their feet.
   
2. Don't use the offerings for what you asked it for
   If you ask for a "Vision" offering. Make sure that you use the money for the specified actual vision. Every penny! If the price changes. Tell people. If you choose to go a different route. Tell people and offer them their money back. Be transparent!
   
3. Surround yourself with yes men / women
   Healthy conflict is good. Leaders need people that make them think. The temptation is to surround yourself with people that thinks the sun shines out of your bum. It may make life easier in the short term but its a sure fire way to help you make bad decisions. Look for people that are Godly, madly in love with the church and big enough to ask a question.
   
4. Have no real local accountability
   Local churches should have local leaders. There is a fad which is seeing leaders appoint fellow leaders from other churches in another part of the country or even another country as trustees or directors of the charity. This is not accountability it is trying to avoid accountability. It is also a sign of a weak leader. Rather than having to do some heavy lifting and actually talk, debate and convince people who know and love the church, they get their mate to tick the box.
   
5. Assume that volunteers who don't show up can't be bothered.
   Not asking the question to find out what is going on in their life. What difficulties are they facing. Assuming the worst about people is a sure fire way to have them walk down the road to a church that appreciates them.
   
6. Never release others into real leadership
   Call people leaders but constantly micro manage them. Criticise rather than coach when they make a mistake. Control them by ensuring they have to come back to you for almost every decision. Not allowing them to experiment and do things their way and insisting its your way or the highway.
   
7. Beat up your congregation instead of building them up
   People already feel bad enough about themselves they don't need you to pile the pressure on. Inspire don't injure.
   
8. Not making the local church God has placed you in your focus.
   You will always be the hero as a visiting speaker at another church so your ego will be fed. Jump off the band waggon of i will preach and your church and you speak at mine (with reciprocating monetary gifts). God has given you a flock and a city or town that he thinks needs you, give them and him your all.
   
9. Thinking the congregation are there to serve you rather that you serving the congregation.
   As shepherds of God's people our example is the good shepherd. We are forever wedded to the bowl and towel of our master. No matter how many leadership books we devour with new techniques we are drawn back and confronted with a serving saviour. If we want people to serve us it maybe time to step out of leadership.
   
10. Never personally tell another person about Jesus.
    Even worse shout at your congregation for their lack of evangelistic zeal when you can't actually remember the last person you invited to church, let alone they actually accepted and came and sat along side you.
    
11. Keep hopping on and off the latest trend in church growth ideas.
    By enlarge your congregation don't care about, purpose driven, G12, attractonal v missional. (nothing wrong with any of them) They want a place where they are known, accepted as they are and inspired to change don't rob them of that with the latest fad.
    
12. Forcing your vision through efficiently instead of winning people effectively.
    Not taking the time to win people is a sure fire way to empty the church. There will always be a few who won't go with you but the vast majority just want a compelling enough reason to change. God may have captured your heart now take the time to help others jump on board. Take time - people matter.
    
    The Holy Spirit has put you in charge of these people—God’s people they are—to guard and protect them. God himself thought they were worth dying for. - Acts 20:28 (Message)

Judgement

Recently a Christian who had gained some profile because he was a member of UKIP, became front page news when he made a statement about God Judging Britain.

This judgement took the form of floods around the country because our parliament had passed a law about same sex marriage. I happened to mention it on my facebook page and the comments started.

Now God can do anything he chooses so I am not here tell him what he can and cannot do. But just a few thoughts that go through my head:

• It concerns me that much of the rhetoric I hear from from us Christians is full of satisfaction and anger. God's Judgement coming on people does not really cause me to celebrate. Maybe because I realise how wicked I am, how much I deserve God's wrath yet God diverted it to His Son instead of me. I fail to see how as a recipient of God's grace can gain satisfaction and joy from another person who doesn't.
• We seem to forget the heart of God is expressed in what is possibly the most famous verse in the Bible. "God so LOVED the WORLD that he gave his one and only son...". 
• Jesus was "the friend of sinners" he was talked about because he spent time with the worst in society and even went to their houses for meals. On one occasion when faced with someone caught in a sexual sin, the area where we in the church today lose our minds, he chose not to condemn. He REFUSED to throw the stone. He would not carry out the punishment.

Then today I am reading through the story of the early church and come to a place where we would seem to see the judgement of God in action.

A couple decided to pretend that they were entering in to the latest vision offering in their church. They said that they would sell some land and give the money to the cause. Well the day came the land sold but they hatched a plan to keep back some of the money. Then they fell down dead! Judged?

It would seem that where Jesus would not "Judge" the adulteress in the street he did "Judge" the person who lies in His Church.

It would seem that Judgement took place IN His church.

That's why I really don't want to shout and scream about God's Judgement. Not because the world isn't wicked but that I am wicked and I deserve it.

Choose to Struggle not Criticise

It would seem that too many people who are part of the called out people of God - His Church seem to rejoice it taking a swipe at the Church be it the global or local expression.

Paul gave us such a different example. He chose to struggle for the Church rather than criticise the church. In fact his struggle for the church meant suffering for the church.

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church..... 28 Him (Jesus) we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. 1.For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you. - Col 1:24,28 & 3:1

It is even easy for a local church pastor to criticise some of the people God has entrusted to him and equipped him for, to complain about a lack of maturity in them.

Paul chose to use his voice to PROCLAIM, WARN & TEACH EVERYONE rather than CRITICISE & COMPLAIN about EVERYONE.

He chose to STRUGGLE with all GOD'S energy that had been given to him for the CHURCH.

It's just to easy to choose to CRITICISE but to STRUGGLE we would rather not.

Those who have no grace in their hearts despise the church of God. Those who have only a little grace have but slight sympathy with her condition. Those who have great grace and are conscious of having received much mercy from God have great sympathy with the church of God, and a deep regard for her. - Charles H Spurgeon

Mega: It doesn't need to be a dirty word when it comes to church

Below is part of an infographic that is doing the rounds at the moment. I have no way of knowing of all the facts and figures mentioned in it are correct. Certainly it doesn't show some Pastors in the most favourable light.

But I think I will choose to focus on some great examples that seem to handle the "fame" and "fortune" in a great way.

Not only does LifeChurch.TV give their resources away for free but they invest big time in youversion and the Bible App and give it away free.

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.

Kindling

Seth Godin recently wrote an article titled "Wasted Kindling", here is a paragraph:

"It's hard to imagine a bigger waste than cooking an entire meal using nothing but kindling. It burns fast and bright, but it doesn't last. You might be able to cook something, but then there's be nothing left for the next guy. No, the useful technique is to have some bigger logs standing by, and to use as little kindling as possible."

Most churches that are growing are seeking out ways to make the experience of attending church a great experience. Nothing wrong with that. My early experience of church would not have come under that category. So one of my passions in life is to ensure that the church of today is different.

But we need to ensure that we are going way beyond the initial "Kindling" that gives a great impression to substantial fire that is built out of the "logs" of reality.

A smile and a handshake on the way in from the car park is great but always remember that every single person needs deep relationship. To know and be known.

Great music that takes us on a journey of corporate worship of Jesus stimulates the heart and the emotions but will not satisfy unless it transitions into a life sold out in day to day moment by moment acts of worship when the music and emotions have faded.

Biblical preaching, communicated in a stimulating and enlightening way is a springboard to a journey of life of adventure based on God's principles. However unless the Word forms part of everyday life and we can encourage people to devour it for themselves the journey will become a cul de sac and a stay in the familiar.

To watch a video & hear about the Holy Spirit has moved by miraculous power in some one else's life brings tears of emotion and joy to our eyes. But God wants us to be participators with the Holy Spirit not spectators of the Holy Spirit in our every day lives.

Lets not mistake the speedy combustion of kindling, which without doubt is vitally important, with the long hard work of obedience of building a huge consuming fire in our lives and churches that is not over before it began.

Disappointed with your church?

A word of advice from Dietrich Bonhoeffer when your local church is not all that it should be....

If we do not give thanks daily for the Christian fellowship in which we have been placed, even where there is no great experience, no discoverable riches, but much weakness, small faith, and difficulty; if on the contrary, we only keep complaining to God that everything is so paltry and petty, so far from what we expected, then we hinder God from letting our fellowship grow according to the measure and riches which are there for us all in Jesus Christ.

This applies in a special way to the complaints often heard from pastors and zealous members about their congregations. A pastor should never complain about his congregation, certainly never to other people, but also not to God. A congregation has not been entrusted to him in order that he should become its accuser before God and men.

. . . let [the pastor or zealous member] nevertheless guard against ever becoming an accuser of the congregation before God. Let him rather accuse himself for his unbelief. Let him pray God for an understanding of his own failure and his particular sin, and pray that he may not wrong his brethren. Let him, in the consciousness of his own guilt, make intercession for his brethren. Let him do what he is committed to do, and thank God.

HT Desiring God

Quit putting God in the box

Each Sunday morning Christians gather in church buildings all over the UK. Unfortunately it would seem for their spiritual fix for the week or at least till Wednesday when they visit a smaller box called a housegroup for an extra jab.

This is not an appeal to do away with these gatherings. I love them. I love worshipping and fellowshiping with other believers. I love the teaching of God's word. But too many of us forget to take God out of the box with us into our every day life.

Here are some questions I ask myself about my spiritual activity outside of a Sunday or Small Group Service to ensure I haven't boxed God in:

• Have I read God's Word today
• Have I spent time talking to him today
• Have I spent time listening to him
• When was the last time remembered Jesus in the act of communion with another believer?
• When was the last time I laid hands on someone to pray for their healing? (after asking permission:))
• When was the last time I heard God prompting me?
• When was the last time I told someone about Jesus who wasn't a Christian?
• When did I give away something I own to bless someone else?
• When did I last study God's Word?
• When did I last invite someone for a mean or coffee and encourage them?
• What is God teaching me today?
• Who was that last person I cared for in an act of kindness?
• When was the last time I asked God for wisdom when faced with a difficult situation at work?
• When was that last time I sat and talked with another believer about Jesus?

If the answer to most is so long ago I can't remember then maybe its time to let God out of the box.

Yes we can do any or all of these when we meet in our church events whatever shape they take. The problem is not with the event. The problem is that God is boxed and marginalised.

Outlove Everyone

Seth Godin wrote a short blog post:

Instead of out thinking the competition...it's worth trying to outlove them. Everyone is working hard on the thinking part, but few of your competitors worry about the art and generosity and caring part.

There are more and more books written on church leadership, church growth, church strategy etc. Then we have a countless blogs and websites telling us how we should be doing it. Not only do we have numerous conferences on our doorstep, easy travel has meant we can visit other countries and see for ourselves and then to cap things off we can now stream preaching, teaching & conferences right to our fingertips without leaving home.

This way, that way, a new way on and on the voices speak.

It all gets so complicated but maybe just maybe it is a little simpler.

Maybe we just need to galvanise everyone in our church to OUTLOVE people.

Maybe we should focus a little more on the "generosity and caring part".

JESUS IS Easter

• Huge day at Milton Keynes Christian Centre
• Initial numbers suggest 1023 people attended MKCC today
• Band were off the charts. Shout out to Emily, Sonia, Peter, Andy, Ed, Lavern & Nick. You guys were amazing.
• Bev & the welcome team made sure we were all on chocolate overdose.
• Maybe the atmosphere all we create on Easter Sunday should be what we carry with us each and every time the church comes together. Jesus is ALWAYS alive and ALWAYS risen. Just sayin!
• George Ridley preached up a storm. A great gift to the church. A true Evangelist.
• First service 25 people said yes to Jesus. Many in the second service but don't have count yet. Just amazing!
• GRR Quote of the day: "Where there's a will there's a waiting relative."
• I have to pinch myself from time to time because I am living my dream.
• Home to watch Man Utd & Man City battle it out in their respective matches.
• Fergie marches on.
• Two players summed up the two teams: The CLASS of Paul Scholes & the ANTICS of Mario Balotelli.

• A drink with the fabulous Nicola Ritchie.
• Now chilling out watching the Masters.
• PS This picture brought me to tears today. Stuart Watt and his family launched a brand new church in NE Scotland today. Mintlaw Community Church. I've been down in England for so many years but I'm just a North East Boy (Old Man) at heart so I just love to see the church advancing up there. Keep praying for Stuart!