Happy Birthday Abbie

15 years ago today Abbie Louise Ritchie ventured into the world. She and I didn't know what we were letting ourselves in for. Not really sure where the 15 years have gone but they certainly have passed in a flash.

Just come back from a meal with family and friends at the local Chinese. Very enjoyable.

Hope you have had a good birthday. Try to not loose the mobile this time!

Lessons from Apple

Read an article today about the unexpected success for Apple's venture into opening flagship stores in city centres and shopping malls. Most pundits predicted failure and Apple to be left with a pretty big bite out of it. Now after what must be classed as a resounding success other manufacturers are being tempted in. Sony has opened a number of stores.

The New York Times carried out a review of the 2 stores. Here are there findings:

They found Sony outlets virtually deserted except for inattentive salespeople and security personnel, while the Apple Store was packed with shoppers and friendly staff. The Sony stores, according to the "retail consultants" The Times later talked to, are merely "places of stuff," a condition which makes them not "shop-able," while the Apple outlets "extend an emotional connection."

Just made me think of our churches. Are they just sterile unwelcoming places that have just packaged our "product" in uninteresting bland ways that does not try to connect with people at there point of need.

The NY Times concluded was that Sony really needed a killer product. Well we have that! (Maybe killer is the wrong word) So why do the vast majority of people still think it isn't relevant to them.

Help us God to stay focused on the people that still need the worlds best product.

Joys of preaching

Preached yesterday in our 3 services. Still have not quite used to sharing the same thing 3 times. The emotional energy used really wipes me out. You would think it would get easier each time but actually I find it more difficult. I still visit the toilet as many times trying to deal with the nerves. Add to this the mind games that go on with: I know I have said this before but was it in this service or the last.

Trying to change things on the hoof that didn't go well last time or trying to remember a great point you made that was not in your notes.

The subject matter the last two times I have preached have been good ones. How serious is sexual sin really? and What make God sick? Challenging subjects but really worth investigating.

Even with all the nerves there is nothing I enjoy more than sharing God's word with people in a way that helps them.

I remember the fist time I ever preached. My pastor Roger Blackmore gave me the opportunity as a young lad to preach in a service just before him. It lasted about 3 minutes, I read it all from my notes, the subject matter was Matthew 12 v25, no one else in the world will remember.

But I was hooked for life.

Heading where I am looking

Church leadership very often seems to get very complicated with tensions tearing at your mind.

1. We are in the people business. But the more people you have the more opinions on how church should be you have.

2. Church is the hope of the world. But there are countless ideas and initiatives that all seem worthwhile. Its easy to become schizophenic.

3. We are called to equip God's family. But it sometimes keeps us away from our own family.

Don't get me wrong I love what I do. But I must realise that outside of my personal relationship with Jesus there are thre things I must do: focus, focus, focus.

The question is what to focus on. The following quote I read on Perry's blog today helped me.

"Left to itself an organization will always look inward–that is why LEADERSHIP with a heart for people is so important in the church."

I must not and will not forget that church exists for people that have YET to meet Jesus.