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Church Magazine JULY/AUGUST 2008
Newsletter
Dear friends,
Over this summer period, I would like us all to consider our position over the command of Jesus to “Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples” (Matt 28: 19). This is just as much a command to us as it was to those first disciples. In a recent interview with a Nigerian bishop, visiting England, he was asked, “What is the main difference between Nigeria and England?” He replied, “In Nigeria we tell people about Jesus, in England you don’t seem to”. I don’t know about you but this reflection on spiritual life in this country really hurts because deep in my heart I know that it is true. As much as I would like to make excuses, at the end of the day, I would prefer to leave that dreaded activity of “evangelisation” to somebody else!
One of the best definitions for this activity derives from Archbishop William Temple. He was the Archbishop who is also quoted for saying “That the Church is the only organisation on earth that exists for its non-members.” So, about evangelism He says, “To evangelise is so to present Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit that mankind comes to put their faith in God through Him, accept Him as their Saviour and to serve Him as their King in the fellowship of His church.” This is evangelism plain and simple. It is a matter of the Christian community sharing good news of the Saviour with those who do not know Him yet. It’s not complicated, we do not need the latest gimmick or sophisticated public relations resource and yet it is the one, most crucial activity of the Church, which we all find so hard to do. Why is this?
Consider the early church. They had no conferences or training courses on the subject. They had no fixed statement of their beliefs. They had no code of conduct that was very different from the Judaism from which they sprang. They had no ceremonial. They had no church buildings, no priests, and no musical instruments. All they had was a rock solid belief that Jesus was the long awaited Deliverer. That He had risen from the dead, however hard that might be to believe, and that He was now in the place of power in the universe. So then, how did the early church take the message of Jesus out into the world? For me the answer is found in the book of Acts when Peter and John stood before the Sanhedrin, the same Jewish council that had condemned Jesus to death just weeks before. They had been ordered never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. Peter and John’s reply was emphatic “You yourselves judge which is right in God’s sight – to obey you or to obey God. For we cannot stop speaking of what we ourselves have seen and heard.” (Acts 4: 19 & 20). Their motivation for carrying out such work was based on several factors. 1) The love that God had shown in allowing His Son to die for our sin was almost beyond belief (John 3: 16 & 17). 2) They had been commanded to do this work as already shown. 3) They were driven on by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was given not to make them comfortable but to make them authentic witnesses (John 16: 7-11.) 4) They had been chosen for this task (Matthew 4: 19.) 5) They felt the responsibility to reconcile people to God (2 Cor. 5: 20.) 6) They were moved by the need of people (Ephesians 2: 1.) If this was their motivation, then how did they do it?
They were followers of Jesus and so they used the same approach that He used. As far as I can see Jesus always seemed to be doing two things: asking questions and telling stories. Sadly too many Christians today seem to be doing two other things: giving answers and “preaching.” Jesus seldom spoke to people without telling a story. In Matthew 13:34 we read, “Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable.” Jesus knew that they desperately needed to have personal knowledge of certain truths, and that parables were by far the most effective way to communicate these truths. For Him then, gospel telling and story telling were inextricably bound together. Why is this? The answer is simply that we all like hearing stories. It starts at a very early age with a book at bedtime. It progresses into adulthood with magazines. And which magazines are the most popular? People magazines. Which programmes are most popular on television? Soap operas? They are all stories about life and that’s what makes them interesting. Jesus told stories about people in real life situations, and because He was alert to the needs of others, these stories always held some particular truth for those He was talking to.
So then what can we learn from all this? It seems to me that we need to be communicating the good news of the gospel by means of story rather than by theological argument or by some so-called scientific proof. We need to tell God’s story, and our story, and show how the two intersect. God’s story is to be found in His word, and it is not that difficult to give a broad outline of the story from Genesis through to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. It’s by remembering the stories, whether it is Adam and the apple, or Noah and the flood, or David and Goliath, or Daniel in the lion’s den, that the outline of the big story comes together. Then, we need to be able to tell our story. I would suggest that our story should have four parts to it. 1) My life before I became a Christian. 2) How I realized that I needed Jesus. 3) How I committed my life to Jesus. 4) What that commitment means to me now.
The crucial part in this approach centres on step 2. Until people recognise that they need Jesus they will not seek to follow Him. According to Ephesians 2: 1, men and women without Jesus are dead – spiritually. Their sin cuts them off from the life of God as effectively as physical death cuts mankind off from the life of their friends. This spiritual deadness brings lack of purpose and meaning. According to Jesus’ own words and people’s own assessment, society has lost its way, and humans have an identity crisis. They do not know who they are, where they are going, or what there is to live for. Now Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19: 10). But people do not realize this. They think Christianity is all about rules, churchgoing and obligations. They have no idea that Jesus can meet their deepest needs and aspirations. We, however, know differently and this is why step 2 is so crucial.
I trust that we will all consider this vital work afresh in the weeks that lay ahead and be challenged to tell someone about our Saviour and Lord.
Your friend and Minister,
Derek.
Vision for Life
This month we are asked to think about evangelism. Talking about our personal faith is not something many Christians do naturally, without preparation and encouragement. Often people don’t talk to one another in depth about their close human relationships unless there is a problem, and in the same way many church people hesitate to talk of their personal relationship with Jesus Christ. However, Romans 10: 14-17 makes it quite clear that if salvation is to come to all the world then we need to play our part in proclaiming the message. I have tried to define evangelism in my newsletter article.
In order to canvass the greatest number of people, I have devised the following questionnaire. It will only be of use, however, if you are prepared to fill it in and return it to me in the box provided.
All replies will be kept confidential. Derek.
Evangelism How do you rate your answers where 1 is poor/no and 5 is good/yes.
Would you agree that we all should be engaged in evangelism? 1 2 3 4 5
If your answer to the question above was no, who do you think should be engaged in evangelism?
The Minister? 1 2 3 4 5 The Elders? 1 2 3 4 5 An appointed evangelist? 1 2 3 4 5
Do you find evangelism hard? 1 2 3 4 5
Have you ever brought someone to the point where they have made a commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ? 1 2 3 4 5
Could you explain in simple terms what it is to be a Christian? 1 2 3 4 5
Could you explain in simple terms how you became a Christian? 1 2 3 4 5
Would you like help in explaining your faith journey? 1 2 3 4 5
Name: ………………………
HERTFEST 2008
An update on what is happening from Sunday 27th July to Sunday 3rd August in Hertford Town
Hopefully you have signed up as a volunteer for the Hertfest week and have received your lanyard/ name badge and briefing pack. There will also be a chance to buy a “Herfest T-shirt” later in July.
Volunteer Base: Our church will be available all week as a base and resting place for volunteers. We are running this as a church and as many volunteers as possible are needed to help, serve tea, coffee and cakes. As project leader, Fran Spence will be organising a rota as at least two people will be needed for each shift, there will also be other volunteers to help from other churches to help us. Also if you could help with the supply of cakes, that would be excellent too.
24-7 Prayer Room: There will be a prayer room (the crèche room) in use throughout the whole week, day and night, when at least one person will be praying for Hertfest and for Hertford town. This is done in 1-hourly sessions. If you could help with this please speak to Fran – if possible as a church, we want to be able to fill the 10 am – 12 noon slots each day as well.
Launch Service Sunday 27th July 3pm–4.30 pm at URC. Please try to come along. Our Minister Derek will be the speaker. The church will actually be open from 1pm until 5.30pm on this day with a registration/ information desk and T-shirt sale.
Morning Services: A morning service will take place every day during the week at 8am – 9am (Saturday 9am – 10am) led by different churches each morning.
Events during the week
Hertfest Fiesta - Cross Links a summer party for adults with learning disabilities. Saturday 26th at Baptist Church.
Commotion on the Common - From Monday to Friday teens aged 11-19 are invited to Hartham Common for a wide range of attractions. There are also craft activities for younger children.
Evening Events for Young People – organised by Young Life – Monday, Wednesday & Friday.
Youth Band Event at the Marquee Club in Hertford, Thursday evening.
Future Hope Bus will be on Hartham Common from Monday to Friday 2-4pm
Litter Picking various areas of Hertford. Monday to Friday 9.30–11.30am & after Fun Day & Church Outdoors
Oasis Café – at the Methodist church building community through food and fellowship – daily except Thursday
Champions Challenge Holiday Club – Pinehurst for 5-8 year olds 10.30am–12.30pm and for 9-11 years 2.00pm – 4.00pm for 5 days 29th – 2nd Aug.
Superheroes Holiday Club – St. Andrews School Hertford – for 5-11 year olds Mon 28th – Thurs 31st 10-12
Pinehurst entertainment for the elderly – Run by the Community Church
Bingo evening for the elderly – also at Pinehurst
Gardening/DIY teams - details to be arranged.
Prayer Ministry – a prayer tent will be available every day on Hartham Common
RE:ACT FUN DAY - Thursday 31st July Teams of young people, evangelists and bands are being trained and made available to towns & cities in the UK by Urban Saints & DNA. The Fun-Day will start at 2 pm on Hartham Common including a free barbecue and outdoor café. Following on from this people are invited to stay on for the Church Outdoors starting at 5.30 pm.
Bike Clinic – Health assessment of your bike, fixing basic problems, punctures, adjusting brake gears etc. Thursday, Hartham Common 2-5pm.
Saturday 2nd Aug – Picnic and Games on Hartham Common. All are welcome to bring a picnic and join in some family games. Evening event at Cafe Nero aimed at 20s & 30s.
Sunday 3rd August – Hertfest Service: 3pm at URC – a time to all come together and respond to what God has been doing throughout the week.
This is a very brief outline of what is happening – a fuller version is available and will be handed out to volunteers as they sign up
The Cameo Club for senior citizens organised by Hertford Baptist Church is being held after Hertfest on 19th & 20th August. As we did last year, the URC are helping to provide and serve the tea in the afternoons. Shirley Sloan is organising volunteers and request for cakes. Shirley will be at the Cameo Club on 19th July and Fran on the 20th, please speak to Shirley if you can help serve and provide some cakes.
Accommodation Required
CAN YOU OFFER BED AND BREAKFAST TO A TEAM MEMBER OF RE:ACT ON WEDNESDAY 30TH JULY
They will arrive in Hertford around 10,30 pm and will need collecting and accommodating overnight, returning them to Hartham the following morning.
Lunch and evening meal will be provided at central locations.
Friendship Circle
On 12th June we all had a very enjoyable lunch at the “White Lion” in Bengeo. Our next outing is to Waltham Abbey and includes a short talk by either Brian or Ian who are Abbey Guides. Afterwards we will walk across the green to have tea at Phillpotts. Beryl and I can recommend the coffee cake!
Please note the date 3rd July and the departure time of 2 o’clock
Phyllis
HERTS. & BEDS. HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUST Sponsored Cycle Ride Saturday 13th September
Once again our church will be open to receive walkers and cyclists and to offer refreshments.
Cheryl Jackson will be grateful to receive names of all those who can help on the day. One wet and windy Bank Holiday Mrs. Wynifred Judd wrote this poem
“THE DANCING TREES”
The dance of the trees begins, Through the window I watch, It’s raining, pouring fast, Running in rivulets, along the road. The trees are fantastic, they seem to be, Dancing to the music from the radio, in the house.
The tall Oaks start, Shake, shake your boughs, Say hello to the little ones, Shake to the left, and to the right, Great, the little ones join in. That’s right, wave your boughs in time with us. Shake, shake, to the left and to the right. Altogether now, what a sight! The rain is still falling, we don’t care! Dance, dance little ones.
The stately Oaks, the Hawthorne and Wild Rose, They are all dancing, With the wind still blowing, It’s a beautiful sight to watch. One this wet and windy day, The dance of the trees cheers one up. Dance, dance, wave, wave, rain, rain, We don’t care! Shake, shake, all together now, It’s music in motion of “The Dancing Trees”.
Active Retirement Group
The next outing will be to Mulberry House on Wednesday 9th July for a Lunch and musical entertainment, please meet promptly at Mulberry House at 12.15 pm.
The August meeting will be a visit to Rye House Treatment Plant, Rye Road and we will meet there at 2.00 pm. Speak to Don Richardson for more information.
A very big
THANK YOU!
to everyone who sponsored me for this year’s SWIMATHON.
I completed 5 kilometres (200 lengths) in 2 hours and 32 minutes. (which was 7 minutes faster than 2007!) Money raised this year will go to help the Marie Curie Cancer Care and my final total was £233. Emma
An Invitation
We warmly invite all our friends to the very special occasion of
Emma’s Baptismal Service
To be held on
Saturday 6th September 2008 3pm at
Hertford Baptist Church(who are kindly letting us use their Baptismal pool)
This will be Emma’s own public witness of her personal faith in Jesus Christ.
Please come and help us celebrate God’s blessing!
With love from Paul, Wendy & Emma
Bibles - made in China!
30 years ago the Bible was banned in
China, but now China has one of the biggest Bible factories in the
world. And a new, expanded printing facility is soon to make China's
ancient capital, Nanjing, the Bible centre of the world. The Amity
Printing Company - a joint venture with the Bible Societies - will be
producing 23 Bibles every minute to keep up with growing demand for the
Bible in China. In 2007 it printed six million Bibles. Since the new
press opened in May, that will About 55,000 churches distribute the Bibles that come off Amity's production lines. Some are free and all are made affordable. A pocket edition of the Bible costs about 68p and Chinese Christians can receive the full-size Bible at a subsidised cost of £1.16. Bible Society plays a key role. 'We feel really supported by faithful people who've raised funds to buy paper here,' Peter explained. 'If you want to help place a Bible in China, then giving money to buy paper is the best thing to do. 'More details from: www.biblesociety.org.uk/china or call 0845 9272120
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