Month: August 2020

Strange things are afoot!

• Supermarkets are filled with mask-wearers who are not attempting to rob the store.
• Meeting with another person for the first time is not marked by the shaking of hands; meeting with an old friend is not marked by a hug.
• Cafés and restaurants have oddly-spaced tables partitioned by Perspex screens.
• Summer holidays abroad are off the table, unless you are happy with an additional 2 weeks in quarantine on return.
• Sporting teams play to eerily empty stadiums.
• The cost of pedigree puppies has sky rocketed – one couple who ordered a Pomeranian online found that the dog on sale was a guinea pig!
• ‘Hatches, Matches & Dispatches’ are limited to 30 guests.
• Disrupted education + lack of exams taken = chaos for further education

All this oddness does not inspire me to engage with life: I am not motivated to ‘Do Life’, but rather to ‘Stay Inside’. I am less inclined to ‘Soar like an Eagle’ and more inclined to ‘Headplant like an Ostrich’, burying my head in the sand while trying to forget the troubles of an unwanted and uncomfortable global situation.

I do, however, find it easy to look after my own interests. What can I cope with today? What do I feel like doing today? What can I do this weekend to shut out the nasty reality of an unfamiliar new way of living? What can I treat myself to while my normal consumer pursuits are unavailable – apart from the sweet click of online shopping?

Then I remember that I serve a different master – a Loving King who faced a sickness far worse than Covid19. A faithful friend who tasted death to save my life (Hebrews 2:9). I’m very glad that Jesus didn’t bury His head in the sand when the world was in thick darkness.

In a previous article, I commented that the hallmarks of the virus are identical with those of the destroying deceiver called Satan (steal, kill and destroy) – Covid19 steals and doesn’t give, kills and doesn’t bring life, destroys and doesn’t heal. God’s heart is to gather and bless; Satan wants to scatter and curse.

As a leadership we aim to creatively and intentionally assist the church to connect and gather. More than ever, the world needs to see a visible demonstration of God’s community pulling together and being family. We need each Jubilee member to pray and find God’s voice in this crisis. God is a Caring Shepherd who gathers His people and a Loving Father who builds His family. How can we respond to His call of a gathered church when so many restrictions are in place?

As a church we face the next six months or so unable to gather in large numbers. This means that small really is beautiful! For those shielding and being extra careful we still have Zoom and other internet-based means of communication. For those of us not shielding, how can we gather physically in small groups to encourage each other and plan good works to bless the community? In what ways can we connect effectively in triplets (groups of 3) and pray for the lost and for miracles?

Firstly, I believe we need to understand God’s interests. The apostle Peter switched from his recognition of Jesus as the Messiah to focus on his own personal needs that wanted Jesus physically around. Jesus had to remind Peter:

 “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” Matthew 16:23 (NASB)

Secondly, I believe we need to catch God’s heart for the gathered church – to the point where we fight in every way possible to meet together in an effective and safe way under the governmental guidance.

“Therefore thus says the Lord God of Israel concerning the shepherds who are tending My people: ‘You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them; behold, I am about to attend to you for the evil of your deeds,’ declares the Lord. ‘Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and bring them back to their pasture, and they will be fruitful and multiply.'” Jeremiah 23:2-3 (NASB)

Commenting on the future realistically but not pessimistically, I fear that dark days are ahead for many around us. Although we have seen miraculous provision in the shape of new jobs and breakthroughs even during lockdown, elsewhere we are beginning to see waves of redundancies appear as the government furlough scheme comes to an end. As an economy we will of course bounce back and get through this, but the bounce may be a slow crawl rather than a speedy rebound. People around us are going to need support, an encouraging voice, and a helping hand.

Call to action

• Bring our interests to Jesus and set our minds on His interests, not our own (have you stopped thinking beyond yourself and your family).
• Call the virus out for what it is – a tool of Satan with all his hallmarks (resist the destructive impact of the virus in prayer).
• Don’t passively accept these circumstances lying down – FIGHT for God’s heart and God’s desire for His people to gather together (do not become scattered or isolated).
• As we return from the holiday season be intentional about meeting as home groups and for prayer.
• Join a prayer triplet.

It is hard to maintain a positive godly view when circumstances are so beyond our control, so strange, and so far from normal. I encourage us to look up to where Christ is seated in heavenly places, hear His voice, and follow our King into victory.

We have all been turned upside down by the events of the last six months. Straightforward things like haircuts, shopping and grabbing a coffee have become expeditions to a slightly strange world of face masks to protect, floor stickers to distance, and pre-booking to limit numbers.

Hazel and I returned from our sabbatical in March never dreaming that we would be unable to meet physically with our church family possibly for the remainder of the year. Every so often we come across someone in the town who smiles and says, ‘this is the first time I have seen you face to face since December 2019!’ Strange times!

So is church finished? Has the gathered people of Christ had its day? Has a tiny virus managed to shut down the Father’s gift of transformation and life to the world after 2000 years of flourishing success and growth?

Last Monday we met as a Staff Team for our weekly morning meeting. Often we catch up, talk over the previous week, and look at the week ahead. This time was different: this time we put on our armour and went to war! Here are some of our thoughts and prayers…

The rocks cry out

As Christians our lives are forever changed. Jesus has found us and saved us – we cannot stay silent. How can we contemplate meeting together as the people of God and not sing? I would physically burst if I stayed quiet about my Saviour’s love – I have to sing praises and thanks to my Heavenly Father who has saved me.

Luke 19:37-40 ‘As soon as He was approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen, shouting: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!”

Characteristics of the devil

There are some people we are naturally drawn to because of their welcoming smile and their radiance of life. There are others we want to steer away from because of their wrong behaviour and unpleasant speech. 

We know the devil comes to ‘kill, steal and destroy’ and see his handiwork across the world. What are the characteristics of the Covid19 virus? So far, it has killed thousands; stolen loved ones, time, freedoms, and normality; brought destruction to jobs, businesses, and some communities. We must recognise the handiwork of the devil appeal to our Almighty Maker and Lord of the heavens and the earth, and make a stand against the works and tool of Satan. 

Have we become passive? Have we retreated to a Covid19 mental bunker of resignation? Or do we take a stand and resist with the armour of God supplied by the resources of heaven? 

A Gathered People

Wherever Jesus went, people gathered. Jesus builds and bonds relationships and community. This current situation has directly attacked our ability to gather as the ekklesia, the ‘called out ones’, the chosen body of Christ. 

It is vital and essential that we are responsible and safe in our behaviour and lifestyle during this time of potential resurgence in the Covid19 virus – our choices can save lives. Those vulnerable and at risk must protect and shield themselves.

However, it is also vital that we find ways in which the body of Christ can gather in Jesus’ name. Matthew 18:20 encourages us, ‘For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.’

Something dynamic occurs when we gather together. We are encouraged, we are reminded of who we are, faith is released, miracles take place, individuals are inspired, fading coals become bright again – all in the presence of Jesus Christ.

We thank God for zoom and connections made possible by the internet, but we have all found there is no substitute for gathering physically together.

Have we become passive? Are we sitting back and allowing circumstances to dictate our lifestyle? Are we willing to fight for our core values and beliefs?

For a few hours the room in which the staff team meeting took place that morning lit up with prayers of warfare and authority – requesting of the head of the church that the people of God should flourish and grow, and resisting the onslaught of the devil using this foul virus. 

As a church leadership we are looking at how we can be church effectively during the next period of time as the virus and its associated restrictions remain in place. The Bible gives a way forward while keeping safe and acting responsibly – gather together in small groups.

Prayer Triplets

During August we are building up to the launch of prayer triplets in September. We will meet weekly for a period of around 8 weeks to pray for specific things. Consider who could be in your triplet? There is such power when we meet in Jesus’ name to pray for others.

I have also written to one of our local Members of Parliament asking for advice on two things: how can we meet as a church safely with singing? And how can we meet safely as small groups in homes with autumn approaching?

We will let you know of the response. Please pray for the church around the world, that we actively pursue Christ and resist the devil; and that we have wisdom how to be church effectively during this time.

The church is NOT finished and Jesus will return to an overcoming and glorious bride.

I, like so many of us, was very affected with the images coming across the Atlantic of the disturbing acts of violence towards George Floyd, the enormous outflow of lawful protest and expression of public opinion that cries ‘ENOUGH!’ and the uglier side of the resulting riots.

So many of us want to be part of the solution and ‘do’ something– but where do we start?

Throughout history we are familiar with the images of toppling statues that come with a change of regime – Saddam Hussein, Lenin, Ceaucescu… We have recently witnessed the outpouring of people’s anger on the streets of the UK in the pulling down of the statues of various notable people with links with the slave trade or British colonialism.

I fully agree with the challenging of evil actions in our past, but the question I ask myself is ‘where can we focus our energies to bring about a long-lasting change TODAY?’

We cannot change the past. We may review history and learn from our mistakes; we may revise history and insert the stories of overlooked men and women and peoples whose important contributions were left out of the narrative.

I have many heroes and love to read their stories, although I have learned not to expect perfection of even my greatest heroes – because every great man or woman has their dark shadows. We can find questionable decisions or character flaws in all great leaders throughout history: Winston Churchill, King David, Florence Nightingale, Martin Luther King, Margaret Thatcher, Peter the Apostle.

The answer to my question of ‘where do we start?’ surely has to land much closer to home – my dark shadows. 

Firstly we need some statue maintenance. We all have in our lives a statue that never should have been raised: the statue of fallen Adam. Fallen Adam represents pride, shame, insecurity, hidden actions, discrimination, violence against others, selfishness – the dark stains of dishonour casting shadows on our lives that we want to forget.

We need to raise a new statue in our lives. 1 Corinthians 15:47 tells us we need a new statue – a second Adam. The first (fallen) Adam is earthy, the second Adam (Jesus) is from heaven. Rather than pouring out my hate and anger on the uncomfortable reading of the lives of others, surely I should be attending to my own statue. Let me topple the statue of fallen Adam in my life. Let me examine my attitudes, my selfishness and the uncomfortable reading of my own history, raising instead a new statue of the Risen Jesus: a statue of grace and forgiveness, of second chances, of understanding, of love, compassion and redemption.

Please, let us not waste energy on rewriting history that cannot be changed. Instead can I learn from the past of others, change my present and rewrite the future for our children, so that they do not have to replay the same sad story of mankind?

Secondly we need to choose our battles and our battle language carefully. Proverbs 4:23 instructs us to look after our hearts, ‘Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.’ The heart is a symbol of our emotions and our ‘inner us’. It can refer to our will, our mind, our consciousness, and understanding. Just because we feel the pressure to adopt a certain slogan, or strongly pushed to agree with a certain movement, or display a certain picture or logo, doesn’t mean it is right for us to. What does that movement represent and what is its motivation? Is there a part we can support but other parts we cannot? 

If we are not to remain silent then what do we say? It is sad to see how good messages from good people have been twisted or misrepresented or misunderstood, often when anger and bitterness reigns rather than grace and forgiveness. 

We have all witnessed the trolling of others who say the wrong thing or express an opinion not in line with the current popular message. The venom we see unleashed, especially on social media, adds to the hurt and division rather than addressing the real issue of our hearts. 

We must be careful to whom we speak out, and what platforms we choose to add our voice – guard our hearts so that others do not trample on it or bully us unnecessarily. John 2:24,25 tells us that Jesus, when He was lauded and popular with the people for doing miracles, ‘was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.’ If Jesus guarded His heart so should we.

Let us topple the proud and selfish statues in our lives. We must not keep silent. Speak up when we hear others express racist, discriminatory views, and fight for our children in school if they experience cultures of discrimination and bullying. Choose our battles carefully and express ourselves wisely. Guard our hearts and make sure we express our feelings and agenda, not someone else’s. Be true to ourselves and the values Jesus has placed in our hearts.

Neil Pattison