Potters House Christian Church Croydon

What would Jesus do?: The rise of a slogan

2011-12-09T02:17:00.000-08:00

What would Jesus do?: The rise of a slogan

The Occupy movement has become the latest to use the slogan "what would Jesus do?", something that has been questioned by the Archbishop of Canterbury. But where did the slogan come from and is there ever an answer to the question posed, asks Stephen Tomkins.

Like all the most enduring slogans, "what would Jesus do?" has inspired countless rewrites.

There has been everything from political parody - anti-war T-shirts asking "who would Jesus bomb?" - to the beyond parody such as the "what would Jesus eat?" biblical diet plan.

The original question "what would Jesus do?" has been taken seriously by millions of Christian teenagers who have worn it over the last 20 years as a reminder to live their life in the right way. But it's now been co-opted by protesters outside London's St Paul's Cathedral threatened with eviction.

Particularly in the US, but also elsewhere, it's on wristbands, mugs, T-shirts, bumper stickers, necklaces and earrings, though most of those seem rather to defeat the purpose of reminding the owner about anything.

Pastiche and parody

What would Jesus cut? - Washington Post headline on national debt debate
What Would Jesus Deconstruct? - a book of postmodern theology by John Caputo and Brian McLaren
What Would Audrey Do? - Hepburn-based style guide by Pamela Keogh
What Would Google Do? - book by Jeff Jarvis
Who Wants Jack Daniels? - T-shirt

Also available, if you know where to look, are WWJD? teddy bears, WWJD? lunch boxes, WWJD? underwear, and WWJD? baby bibs.

The question has a long history. In 1896 the Kansas Congregational minister Charles Sheldon published a novel called In His Steps: What would Jesus do? in which a town is revolutionised when Christians "pledge themselves, earnestly and honestly for an entire year, not to do anything without first asking the question, 'What would Jesus do?'".

Thanks to a mistake by its first publisher, the book was never covered by copyright, so it was sold cheaply by multiple publishers. As a result it has sold 30 million copies, putting it in the top 50 bestselling books ever.

One of its readers was Janie Tinklenberg, a youth leader at Calvary Reformed Church in Holland, Michigan. After re-reading it in 1989, she talked to her youth group about it.

She considered printing T-shirts for them bearing the slogan, but at the time friendship bracelets were all the rage, so she got a local company to print 300. She opted for the abbreviation WWJD. Tinklenberg asked the group to wear them for 30 days, they caught on locally, and more were needed.

Others with more of a commercial eye than Tinklenberg spotted the trend, made their own and took the marketing to the national level. By the time she attempted to register her trademark it was too late.

The use of WWJD? can be a simple signifier of faith

Today, tens of millions have been sold, and Tinklenberg and her church, like Sheldon, have not profited from their success, but are certainly just glad to have the word spread.

It is unusual for a slogan to take the form of a question. A few others come to mind: "It is. Are you?" from the Independent newspaper, "Where do you want to go today?" from Microsoft, and "Are you thinking what we're thinking?" from the Conservative Party's 2005 election campaign.

It seems paradoxical that this most popular question-slogan emerged from US evangelicalism, which critics and opponents would not necessarily connect with open-minded questioning.

Perhaps, like the popularity of the Alpha Course with its question mark logo, this shows that religion most connects with people when it raises questions rather than when it answers them.

The slogan has been much adapted over the years

The Archbishop of Canterbury took on this point this week, writing that WWJD?, while a good question, did not represent a simple path to the truth.

"Christians don't believe that Jesus is there just to give us a good example in every possible human situation," he noted.

For Conrad Gempf, a US evangelical who teaches the New Testament at the London School of Theology, as well-meaning as it is, WWJD? is the wrong question.

"When we look at what the early church did in the Bible," he says, "they didn't copy Jesus. They did what Jesus told them to do. Jesus spoke in parables, his disciples didn't - they preached about him and they told it straight. They didn't walk on water. Jesus didn't tell us to do what he did, he told us to do even greater things."

There are other potential problems with the simple-sounding question. Can we really know WJWD?

The life of a first century Judean carpenter, let alone messiah, is hard to compare to that lived by western teenagers today. "There was never a time when it was appropriate for Jesus to play the saxophone. But there may be a time when it's exactly the right thing for you to do. That bracelet will mislead you," Gempf suggests.

Moreover, the Bible offers very little detail about Jesus's daily life when he wasn't preaching or performing miracles. And what little it does tell us defies all expectations - hanging around with prostitutes and trashing the temple. Is that the kind of behaviour church youth leaders want to encourage?

Sarah Wynter, editor of Youthwork magazine, suggests that the question isn't the whole point of the wristband anyway.

"Teenagers are looking for a way to demonstrate they belong to something," she says. "They might not feel comfortable talking about what they believe, they might still be working some of it out. But wearing a wristband is something they feel they can do to make some kind of a stand."

"What's good about it," says Gempf, "is that it does get people asking a question about what they're doing, looking at it from another perspective. Most people don't ever do that. But the right question is: what did God create me to do?"

The Process of Discipleship.

2011-11-19T02:21:00.000-08:00

Sounds familiar........

Atheism:

2011-10-22T12:52:00.000-07:00

Atheism:

The belief that there was nothing

and nothing happened to nothing

and then nothing magically

exploded for no reason, creating

everything and then a bunch of

everything magically rearranged

itself for no reason what so ever

into self replicating bits which

then turned into dinosaurs.

The fool hath said in his heart there is no God (Psalm 14:1 & 53:1)

2011-07-02T08:35:00.000-07:00

1^st July 11 Your Life is a Vapour.

Have you ever boiled a kettle? within a few seconds the kitchen is filled with vapour (steam) and then a flick of the switch and the steam disappears? Our lives can be just like that one minute you're here and the next minute you're gone!

Two events happened today, which have reminded me of the frailties of life. The first was attending the funeral of Michael Kweku Osei-Boadu (20.8.86 – 17.06.11) who passed into glory a couple of weeks ago after a long battle with illness. Kweku attended the church, of which I pastor, The Potters House Christian Church Croydon, some time ago. I remember him as being bright, well mannered and respectful. It was good to see so many family, friends and colleagues attend the service and that is a measure of our brother’s popularity. (Interestingly we give loved ones flowers when they can no longer smell them?).

The second event was as we were driving home from the funeral a lady was knocked off her bike by a car (which initially drove off before returning) along lower addiscombe road. The lady was passing in and out of unconsciousness and was bleeding heavily from her nose and mouth. Fortunately the ambulance service were on the scene within a few minutes and they stretchered her off to hospital.

Our best wishes and prayers go out to Kweku’s family and the lady cyclist, whom we pray makes a speedy recovery.

These two events remind of James 4:14 “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog--it's here a little while, then it's gone”. James reminds us, of the frailties and fragility of life here on this earth. Young's Literal Translation says it this way ”who do not know the thing of the morrow; for what is your life? for it is a vapour that is appearing for a little, and then is vanishing” Have you ever driven a car through the fog? Then after a few minutes the fog disappears? This is the imagery James is using to show us how easily our lives can pass away. In essence what this text is teaching us, is that life is too often and that we need to live our lives in light of eternity.

In one moment of time we can step from this world into the next world, where we will all stand before God and give an account for our lives. Hebrews 9:27 “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgement”. I thank God my brother Kweku is “Born again” (John 3:3), but what about you? What about the lady cyclist? If you were to die today, where would you go? Heaven or Hell? Have you made peace with friends? Family? Foes?, but most importantly, with our Father in heaven?

The following are a few scriptures to ponder and reflect on,

Job 7:17 Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath; my eyes will never see happiness again.

Psalm 39:5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath. Selah

Psalm 78:39 He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return

Psalm 102:3 For my days vanish like smoke; my bones burn like glowing embers.

Psalm 144:4 Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow.

Proverbs 27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

Isaiah 2:22 Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?

Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear god and keep his commandments, for this is mans all”.

Reflections on Australia

2011-04-27T02:58:00.001-07:00

I just arrived back (good Friday) from a 10 day preaching enagagement in Australia. Preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a GREAT privilige and responsibility, but travelling to the other side of the world is tiring! Having left the previous Monday, it took me a day and a half to get there, sitting in a seat two sizes too small for 23hours. However I must say the Quantas / BA staff were very helpful and made a very long journey easier.

I first preached a wednesday night to Sunday morning revival for Pastor Darryl and Sister Carol Munckton in Wollongong, 1 hr south of Sydney. Pastor Darryl has been pastoring this Church for a number of years now and the congregation numbers around eighty saints who were very welcoming and hospitable to me. I've known Darryl and Carol now since 1996, when our uk impact team visited them in Armadale and it was good sharing humorous fellowship about the english beating the aussies at Cricket, Rugby and football ;-) Darryl kindly took me to Sydney harbour to see the world famous Opera House, Bridge and street performers ;-)

After the Sunday AM service I was driven 3hours to Canberra the capital of Australia to preach for Pastor Craig & Raelene Holford and their adorable four children. Craig was also very kind to take time off work to take me to the Australian War memorial, which i must admit was an eye opener. I have visted the Haulocast Museum in Israel, War museum in Poland and of course the British war museum, yet I was very impressed (and enlighhtened) by the role of the ANZACs in various conflicts around the world. On another day we visted the Telecoms tower and the very impressive (and expensive AUD1.1 billion) Parliment House, which in many ways is very similar to our own English parliment. The revival meetings went well and on the last night, they had their highest attendance for a while (praise be to God).

I must say after preaching two revivals back to back I was missing family, Church, home, etc and was actually looking forward to the trip home. on the flight I got to have great conversations with the Christian Stewardess sitting opposite me (emergency exits seats..... thank you Jesus), the atheist, Ghandi loving ex Christian (very nice guy) and the GAY young guy sitting next to me who was a Christian until about 20yrs old (God you have a sense of humour).

Please keep the Muncktons and the Holfords in your prayers

BBC Worst place in the world for being GAY (Homosexual)

2011-02-17T02:50:00.000-08:00

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00yrt1c/The_Worlds_Worst_Place_to_Be_Gay/

Someone sent me the link and asked me to watch the above programme that was aired recently.

Firstly as a Christian and a Pastor, it was sad to see people being victimised and brutalised because of their sexuality, whether we agree theologically, socially or ethically with it or not! The way of Christ is to ‘love our neighbours’ for me the story of Stosh (sic) was very harrowing and will live long in the memory.

What was the purpose of going to Uganda? Well, Uganda was recently in the media following reports of anti homosexuality legislation and the recent death of a Ugandan Homosexual (though some reports say the attack had more to do with robbery than homophobia) seems to have promoted Uganda to the premier league of anti homosexuality. So with that in mind, Radio DJ Scott Mills, a Gay man travels to Uganda to see what life would be like as a Homosexual.

I actually found this programme to be quite racist and condescending. I suspect Scott Mills is not a serious Journalist, but he came across as quite ignorant and arrogant. You are surprised that huge sections of the world don’t agree with a lifestyle that (as you admit) was illegal in this country thirty to forty years ago. So the insinuation is we i.e. the UK have change our position on this issue, why haven’t you? The problem with a lot of Europeans is that they consider their worldview to be the most superior consciously or not. There is a sort of intellectual, social and elitist snobbery that exists. Do you notice that if you have views contrary to the pro homosexual movement how they use shame? How you are viewed as some backward stone age Neanderthal? Whilst I am happy that the Radio 1 DJ had an easy time coming out as a Homosexual in the UK (Portsmouth) that does not mean that everyone in the UK is supportive of the Homosexual lifestyle!

As he visits a slum with open sewers making comments such as ‘If you want to see what homophobia does’? What a class one, or should that be radio one idiot! He obviously has not spent much time in Asia, Africa and many other parts of the world? I suspect on his salary he does not do much visiting of third world countries? So being anti homosexual forces people into poverty in Africa eh? Scott Mills seems shocked that people have ‘Bars on the windows’ in Africa, has this guy never been to many of housing estates in Hackney, Peckham, Harlseden, Kilburn and many other places in London? Contrasting the quay in White middle (or is that upper?) class Portsmouth with the bustling market places of Uganda is not really a fair comparison is it?

Did you notice the repeated attacks on ‘Pastors’, and ‘Preachers’? (I actually thought the pastor was not as bad as the DJ tried to make him out to be! In fact the pastor seemed quite tactile with the DJ, hmmm maybe not that homophobic eh?) let me guess Scott Mills, you’re not a devout Christian? Possibly atheist? Agnostic? Give me a break just who the heck does this guy think he is? A white, well paid middle class guy, who has lived an easy life, much of it spent in nightclubs treated like a VIP, travelling to the other side of the world to criticise and critique other peoples culture??!! Does being a Gay (or straight) radio 1 DJ qualify you to do that? I must say the Homosexual movement is clever and pervasive in the media, did you notice the dramatic changes in background music (watch it again) and crouching down in the back of the minibus to try and convey a dangerous mood?

I must say the visit to the witch doctor was hilarious – I suspect they saw him coming and thought to themselves ‘there’s one born every minute’. Also the look on the politicians face when he found out that Scott Mills was Gay was hilarious.

Having said all of the above, there is a serious issue at hand and that is how those with a Christian worldview engage with a world that is ‘sin sick’. We are called to love those in the world but not be like those in the world. I think that as Christians we should state our theological position in a clear and loving manner. God bless ALL.

Book Review 'Son of Hamas'.

2011-02-08T03:57:00.000-08:00

Just finished reading an 'incredible' book called 'Son of Hamas', written as the title suggests by Mosab Hassan Yousef, the eldest son of one of the founders of Hamas. It is a gripping read from someone who was raised in Hamas. The book is also up to date in that many of the events spoken about happened in the last 10-15 years. This book gives you an insiders perspective to all the stories we read and saw in the media at that time. If you want to quickly try and understand some of the struggles of the middle east, this book will help! God bless.

2010-12-12T14:53:00.000-08:00

What a wondersful Sunday we recently had, as we witnessed the joining together in marriage Ashley & Sarah. The groom was smooth, and the the bride beautiful. It was a packed house with many visitors who thoroughly enjoyed the day. Please keep Ashley and Sarah in your prayers.

Wow!! I just got sent a picture of my grandmother, I estimate this picture is 40-50yrs old??

Oh my dayzz, I actually remember this picture! Guess which one is me? Obviously I'm the cute one in my dads arms ;-) along with my two older brothers Peter, John and my beautiful and stylish mum.

This picture was taken circa 1974-5 (I'm 2-3 yrs old)and i remember the car, it was a peugot 504, seven seater, back then this was the lick!

Myself, alonside Jad and Nana from 'Nightwatch' a local homeless charity that we support.

Best Sunday of the year so far?

2010-07-26T09:54:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a Sunday (25th July 2010) we have just had!! Just coming off the back of an outstanding Sunday-Friday revival with Evangelist Marty (mighty) Carnegie, followed by saturday outreach. I wasn't sure how tired the Church would be on Sunday? but once against the Croydon saints showed a tremendous energy for the things of God. In the morning I preached a sermon 'those who wont hear must feel' about the calamities that befalll those who reject Godly advice, using Rehoboam's harsh answer towards Jeroboam (1st Kings 12:1-13). In the evening I started a new 3 week preaching series entitled the 3I's of discipleship, preaching on the need for christians to be Involved in their Local Church and beyond. Already I have had many people say they were very convicted and want to get more involved in the church. We also baptised 12 people, including 1 brother from our Harlesden Church and another brother from our Merton Church. It was also Tinashe & Femi's last service as they leave to pioneer a work for God in Kilburn, NW London. To cap it all off we started a 3 day (water only) fast.

Phew..... I feel tired just writing it ;-)

Big thank you to everyone for their faithfull attendance.

Evolution theory or fact?

2010-07-13T09:03:00.000-07:00

In my time witnessing and evangelism I often meet people who claim to believe in 'Darwinian' evolution. Now there is much that I can say regard the lack of missing links in the fossil records and so on, but the point I want to make is the difference between micro evolution and macro evolution. Whenever I ask an evolutionist to explain the difference 98% of the time they are baffled ;-)

Micro evolution is adaptation within a particular species, we have all seen different breeds of dogs for example pit bulls and great Danes. These are mutations within a species but macro evolution is the idea of one species transitioning to another species or spontaneous combustion of a particular species.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNLvXllvvsA&feature=channel

Food for thought ;-)

C of E may appoint a Homosexual Bishop who is in a civil partnership!

2010-07-07T01:34:00.000-07:00

Please see below a letter sent to the PM, Mr David Cameron.

Click on link to listen to interview.

http://www.ccfon.org/mediacentre.php?avid=327&avap=1

Dear Prime Minister,

Firstly let me congratulate you on your appointment as PM. Though traditionally a Labour supporter, I felt you to be a more conservative voice to the increasing liberal shouting of our day.

Which leads me to my reason for writing to you regarding the apparent selection of C of E bishop Dr John Jeffrey.

As I am sure you appreciate Britain is a historically Christian country and the majority of British (& global) citizens believe that marriage is between a man and a woman, as defined in law.

Choosing a homosexual bishop who is in a civil partnership, I believe will be hugely damaging and add to the moral confusion of a 'broken Britain' you pledged to repair. Surely repairing Britain, requires returning to Christian morals and teachings?

Forcing the equalities agenda onto a church whose members overwhelmingly subscribe to orthodox Christian morality is placing political agenda above religious conscience?

I urge you to decline this appointment

2010-07-05T03:32:00.001-07:00

Reflections on South Africa and Namibia 29th June – 3rd July 2010.

I just recently returned from a whirlwind eleven days of travelling to South Africa and Namibia. I flew to Johannesburg (Jo’burg), then on to Port Elisabeth (PE) to see England secure their first (and only) win of the 2010 World cup and totally outplay Slovenia. The flight to PE had the potential to turn into a riot because the plane we were meant to fly on developed ‘an engine fault’ and we had to wait for two hours for a replacement plane! Fortunately we had a very laid back Mr Patrick Vieira (Arsenal and French football legend, now at Man City) on board with us to keep us distracted ;-) we made the match we 45 mins to spare!!

Along with a group of family friends (Yussufs and Kennedys) we enjoyed good food, fellowship and spent the night in PE. The next day we had a pleasant 3hr drive to Queenstown, via a very nice bakery (Abdul where’s my cakes??!!). I preached for the Queenstown Church that night a message entitled ‘don’t worry be happy’ from Matt 6. The message seemed to be well received and there was a great turnout for a midweek service (about 80+).

The next morning (4.30am) we drove to East London airport, where I flew to Cape Town (CT) and met up with some old and dear friends that use to be a part of the Croydon Church, Mr & Mrs Kakoma (Beryl & her husband) and Preston Plaatjes. It was very encouraging to see Beryl & Preston after so many years (4 or 5). After good food and fellowship I had to rush off to catch my next flight to Windhoek (vin – took) Namibia, where I preached a revival for Pastor Setson and sister Mary.

I must say I found Namibia to be an amazing county, very pleasant, peaceful and modern. Our church there is a thriving work of God with over 500 in attendance Sun (am) and 300 out every night. I felt a real connection with the Church and felt that the folks were really ministered to by God’s word. Pastor Setson and sister Mary took very good care of me and I look forward to my next trip to that wonderful nation.

I caught a plane back to Jo’burg and spent 3hrs trawling through book stores whilst waiting for my flight, only to realise that I had not adjusted my watch by the 1 hr time difference and ended up missing my flight by 15mins ;-( so after finding my suitcase and finding a place to stay, a very frustrated traveller who was so looking forward to seeing his wife and daughters spent an extra night in SA! Ah well worse thing happen at sea! As I was moaning to brother Abdul, I was reminded of my sermon ‘don’t worry be happy’……… now where are those vuvuzela’s ;-)

God bless.

2010-07-05T03:20:00.000-07:00

Me in Cape Town, with Table top mountain in background.

Fathers Day - Book review 'where are you really from?'

2010-06-20T23:26:00.000-07:00

Just finished reading an amazing book by Tim Brannigan ‘where are you really from?'. The book is about his life growing up in Belfast during the ‘troubles’ fighting between republicans (IRA) and loyalists.

In his book, Tim Brannigan tells of his difficulties growing up,trying to fit in and always being aware he was different to everyone else. Growing up he was influenced by the IRA Sinn Fein and actually went to prison for a few years for allowing IRA activists to hide weapons in his mother’s car.

What makes this story all the more amazing and the reason why it is called ‘where are you really from’? is because Tim Brannigan is black! which in Belfast 40yrs ago was unheard of!

His mother whilst married met a Ghanaian doctor and had an affair with him in Belfast in the 60’s and as a result fell pregnant and the book speaks about the cover up and how his mum cleverly adopted her own son.

However the last few chapters speak about Tim Brannigan, who now in his 40’s seeks to find out who his dad is. This is fraught with complication’s and he ask’s himself why is he looking for his father? ‘I was shocked that a situation I thought I had under control could get me so angry. Who needs a father anyway? I was a 40 year old man now – what was in it for me? What does it mean to have a Father? A role model? I had my mum for that.

He does some research, finds out he has 5 Ghanaian half brothers and sisters. He makes contact with them and even travels to Ghana to meet his biological father, Dr Micheal Ekue.

What this book (for me) shows is the influence fathers can have wether they are present or absent. Wether we realise it or not fathers provide an immense sense of identity for their children.

As we celebrate Fathers day we are acutely aware that just as Tim Brannigan was looking for his Father, Society is also looking for Fathers, Men, Good men of character, integrity and morality to have impact in their Families lives.

Church host's political hustings.

2010-04-27T03:08:00.000-07:00

On Sunday the 18th of April 2010, The Potters House Christian Church Croydon hosted a Hustings with Croydon North local candidates.Now I must admit up until a few weeks ago I had no idea what a 'Hustings' was! One definition says a 'Hustings' is a platform where candidates in an election campaign give speeches. To that end we had candidates from the three main parties Jason Hadden(Conservatives) Gerry Jerome (Liberal Democrats) and Malcolm Wicks (Labour).

We had a good turnout from our congregation with 150+ members of the church present. The candidates answered (eventually) tough questions on DNA records, crime levels and what their vision for Croydon is. The event lasted just over an hour and the candidates had one to one conversations with individual congregation members afterwards.

As a Pastor I believe Christians should get engaged in the political process. Churches are a tremendous force for good and social action in our communities. Often we are the bedrock of communities. Also because of the high concentration of people in Churches (especially afro carribean) churches can (potentially) have a loud voice, and what better way to use that voice that in the General election?

All in all the event was a thought provoking experience, with some people making a decision at the end of who they would vote for.

Recently we know that MP's have taken a 'bashing' over the expenses scandal and a lot of trust has been lost. Its hard to follow leaders if you dont trust them? As a Church we need to pray for all of our leaders, wether political, educational or religous (Rom 13), and as leaders we must lives with integrity and character.

2010-04-06T02:24:00.001-07:00

Reflections on Russia March 28th – April 3rd 2010

I recently had the pleasure of travelling to Russia to preach at our conference there. We have 25 churches in Russia and several overseas in Mongolia and Cuba to name a few.

Getting to Russia proved very problematic in the sense that I had to apply for my visa 3 times?! Having visited 20% of the nations of the world and never having had a problem obtaining a visa, I thought this very strange and sensed some demonic opposition to my visit. Added to that problem, BA was on strike and all short haul prices shot up I was reminded of Ephesians 6:12 say’s that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. When on the 3rd attempt I was granted my visited I felt an overwhelming sense of ‘spiritual relief’.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from my trip but as always to expect the unexpected. I was amazed at how different Russia is from the UK, considering it’s only 3hrs 50mins away by plane, it seemed years away in many senses. Russia was very similar to a lot of Eastern European nations I have visited like Romania, Poland and the Czech Republic. It has many contrasts, poverty and wealth intermingled, dilapidated buildings alongside modern construction.

After arriving at Moscow airport I was through immigration and had collected my bags within 30mins (Heathrow take note!). I was met by one of our Russian pastors who took me by Metro (underground trains) to ‘Red Square’, which has been for centuries, the heart, and soul of Russia. There I saw the Kazan Cathedral, GUM and the Lenin Mausoleum. I must say I was greatly impressed with some of the ‘architecture’ in Red square and also in the Metro, though some of its trains were quite dated. We also witnessed the ‘changing of the guard’ nearby. It was only as we re entered the Metro, as thousands of people were squashed trying to exit did we become aware of a suicide bomb attack just a few minutes earlier, wow what a start to my trip!!

We made our way to Vologda and along with Evangelist Steve Bowman had a great week of ministry. I ministered five times (Growth through preaching, 5 qualities of a disciple, The Christian’s Kryptonite, Pigs or People and Going the extra mile). It was good to connect with and fellowship with our Russian friends. I think I was a bit of a novelty as one of only two black people I saw the whole time I was in Russia. I think I had my picture taken about fifty times I found the Russian people to be very friendly and despite their struggles happy (Westerners take note!) and doing their best to survive. Russia I believe is a ‘sleeping giant’ and should it awake spiritually could change the world.

Lets keep the fellowship and its leaders in prayers, and to those who prayed for me ‘Spacebo’ (thank you in Russian).

Clement Okusi.

Book review Bruce Mawhinney ‘Preaching With Freshness’

2010-03-27T08:51:00.000-07:00

Book review Bruce Mawhinney ‘Preaching With Freshness’
Recently I have been thinking about the pressure and challenges many of our Pastors face on a weekly basis in preparing and presenting three sermons per week (many of who also work a full time job) to the same congregation, year in and year out. One hundred and fifty sermons of forty minutes each, is it itself a full time job!

Preaching God’s word is certainly one of thee (if not thee) highest callings for a Christian and there is so much that must happen in a sermon. It must be Engaging, Educational, Edifying and full of Exhortations to name but a few alliterative objectives. The problem is many sermons fail to ‘hit the target’ and achieve what God’s word set out to do (Isa 55:11). So to this end it is critical that those of us who involved in this highest of callings give ourselves to this task more than any other (Acts 6:1-7). This is why I recommend ‘Preaching with Freshness’. Whilst it is a book written by an academic, it is not written in an academic way but in the form of a novel. The book has a very engaging story line and contains many ‘nuggets’ of applicable truth.

Once I picked it up I couldn’t put it down and finished the book in less than two weeks, which for me, given my other reading is very good. We often say when recommending books ‘chew the meat and spit out the bones’, well this book has a lot of ‘chewable’ meat. This book requires not just one reading, but to be re read every couple of years. This is a book that has been on my bookshelf for a while and after finally reading it wish I had read it sooner. This book is certainly not the only book you should read on preaching, but certainly one of the books you should read, pray it helps.

Clement Okusi

Preaching in Walthamstow

2010-03-11T10:54:00.000-08:00

Just finished a weekend of preaching in the Walthamstow congregation. Went with the whole family and it was good to catch up with some of the 'older' folks as well as meeting lots of new folks. Some of the saints have faithfully attended the Church for over 20 years and truly are pillars and good examples.

There was a tangible touch of the Holy Spirit in the services and several people prayed to receive Jesus (amen). I preached in the AM 'don't worry be happy' (Matt 6:25-34) and in the PM I preached on 'the Love of the father' (Rom 8:15-17). I used a short video clip in each sermon and really felt people were helped during both services.

Then on Monday we had a 'powerful' Men's Discipleship class, where I preached on having 'Holy Ambitions' (Luke 22:24-27). In essence I was challenging the men to not only be ambitious but to be kingdom minded in their ambitions. The Q&A session at the end was very good with lots of interesting questions and comments. It was a good turn out of men (about 150) which is always a blessing to see.

Lets keep Walthamstow in our prayers.

Church Planting

2010-02-26T03:13:00.000-08:00

Very excited about this Sunday 28th February as we get ready to 'launch out' Trevor & Joanna to the borough of Brent NW10 to start a Church there as we seek to do our part in fulfilling the 'Great Commission' of going into all the world to make disciples of Jesus Christ...Matt 28:18-20

As a someone who has 'pioneered' a Church of over 400 people & planted 5 Churches (so far) evangelism is close to my heart and theres few things that excite as people getting 'saved' Luke 19:10 and whilst its very true that we can 'save' anyone ourselves, we can lead people to the one who does, John 1:41-46. Our 3 R's vision statement is to Reach people, Raise disciples and Release ministry.

Starting a Church in the 21st Century in the UK is not an easy task and requires much though, prayer, support and favour.

I read somewhere that the amount of people calling themselves 'Christian' in this country has decreased from 70% + to 50%+ which in a way does not suprise me, in fact I'm pretty suprised that over half the Country see themselves as 'Christian' which in itself is a term that has many different meanings to many different people.

It seems that evangelism and missions is not something that should 'only' take place 'over there' ie in another Country (though that is still critical), but actually it is something that is also needed 'right here' and 'right now'.

I believe that every Christian / Church should be 'an agent' of this Great Commision.