Evangelism in a lazy river

On Tuesday I went to the Central Ministers Fellowship at Ararat, which was a good time of laughter and learning with other Baptist Ministers in the area. Jonathan from Bethel Whitchurch led some thoughts on methods of evangelism, starting by describing the work they did in May, prompted by an encounter with someone who had a serious fear of Friday the 13th as an unlucky date. Jonathan sat at a table giving out ‘free blessings for a bad day’, giving scriptures to people who stopped to chat. I heard a bit about this when I went to Bethel Whitchurch on the Sunday after they had done that. Others from the church also did surveys of people, asking questions about superstition.

We had discussion at the meeting about methods of meeting people where they are, and how much we need to go right through a process of leading people to faith, for instance working through a booklet, or a course, etc.

Some interesting comments, about how we are all on a journey, and there are people following Jesus (or at least moving in his direction) who haven’t yet ‘made a commitment’.

I do think that we should take as many opportunities as possible to simply be Jesus’ hands and feet as much as we can, ministering to people in whatever simple way we can. For instance, the Big Question project last year, and also the Christmas Blessings project where we took Christmas dinners to people.

As I was coming home from Ararat I was thinking about how the point is that we should just assist people in whatever way we can to follow Jesus, or start walking his way. Every little part is a gentle shove (which is probably not the right word! I suppose I mean a helping hand in the right direction…).

In searching for an illustration, I thought of the ‘lazy river’ you get at some swimming pools – a part of the pool where there is a current propelling you around a short loop. It works by having jets of water below the surface, pointing in the right direction. If you go round the ‘lazy river’ keeping to the wall, you feel the jets as you pass. And maybe what we do as Christians and as churches is to simply be the jets below the surface, giving people a ‘push’ that they can feel when they come into our sphere of influence, encouraging them to keep moving in the direction of following Jesus.

Bands and Ties

A fairly frivolous observation, although no doubt a symptom of something else:

I’ve been to 18 different churches so far during this sabbatical, and noticed a close connection between the worship being led by a band and the preacher not wearing a tie. (All the preachers have been men, by the way).

Not counting Solace or Gateway Café, where there was no music (and in each case the person leading did not wear a tie), here are the other results:

In four churches there was a tie and no band.

In eleven churches there was a band and no tie.

The only church that bucked the trend was Bethel Penyrheol, when Owen was preaching, was the solo musician did not wear a tie!

Café Church and Spree

Catching up! Sunday 26th I went to Caerphilly Independent Evangelical Church (Watford) in the morning, and Gateway’s Café Church at Funtastic in Caerphilly. Watford is pleasant, friendly and quite traditional, with very uncomfortable pews! The preacher was from Gabafa Baptist, and his theme was 1 Peter 1. He talked about ‘reverent fear’, referred to in verse 17, and how Jesus always told his followers not to be afraid. When he walked on the water, he said, “It’s OK, it’s me!” meaning that there was no need to fear because here was a person whom they trusted. So ‘reverent fear’ is never about being afraid of God, but is about treating him with honour, awe and respect.
The Café Church was very good – some video and discussion at the tables, with activities for the children. It’s good because it is in a non-threatening venue, which parents of young children are used to going to. The problem is that the building is like an aircraft hangar, with acoustics to match, and when the fans were one (it was a hot day), it was like there was a jet engine on test!
Finding new ways of ‘doing church’ is vital in this time, and it has been really good to see what goes on at Solace (Cardiff pub church) and Gateway’s Café Church. Both those ideas are full of potential for plenty of exciting development!

Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd July was Spree Wales camp in Llanelli. One dead minibus, but lovely weather, and an excellent weekend!