Not so long ago western Christians had to travel to take the gospel to nations of the world. These days English is the international language of choice for commerce, IT, academics, politics and diplomacy. And the world comes to us. So Christians in English-speaking countries have amazing opportunities to reach the world for the gospel without having to move anywhere.
You may think that you live in a predominantly “white British” area. I live in a small London suburb that looks like that. But a local church ministry to internationals here has made contact with more than 30 different nationalities! How many nations could be reached on your doorstep, by your church, in your local community?
This week on the blog we're going to look at how we can encourage one another to get involved in ministry with the international community living near each of us.
What internationals might be living in your community?
The first step is to identify the communities near you. Perhaps there are international uni students here for three or more years. Or English-language students visiting for a few months. There will be asylum seekers, ex-pat workers, au pairs, migrants recruited to fill employment gaps, and those travelling the world. Look out for ethnic grocery stores; community noticeboards advertising English classes and interpreting services; non-English-speaking parents at the school gate.
Making contact with internationals
It’s not easy for internationals to make friends with British people. Some live here for years but never enter a British home or eat home-cooked British food. Brits tend to be polite but reserved, and many of us are anxious about talking to someone who has limited English or a heavy foreign accent. (If that’s you, look out for our upcoming article on “Crossing the language barrier” tomorrow.) If you befriend an international—welcome them into your home, share food and traditions with them, take an interest in their culture and custom—most will be delighted to get to know you.
Ideas to get you started:
We need to be biblical. We have to be clear. And every youth worker wants to be relevant. But does that mean including technology as part and parcel of our teaching? And if so, to what extent? When does a useful tool because a distracting burden? Or a trendy gimmick that helps no-one...
In this seminar first given at the Bible-centred Youthworker conference earlier this year, Jon Bradley looks at the role of technology in youth work.
Two organizations, both of which exist to push a particular belief system, have recently booked advertising space on London buses, promoting different ideas about the same thing. One’s on the side of buses. The other’s been banned.
Advert One
The first advert reads: Some people are gay. Get over it.
The first sentence is a statement about identity. Some people self-label themselves as “gay” because they experience and act on same-sex attraction, and see this as a core part of their identity. The last sentence is suggesting that some people have a problem with the first sentence, and shouldn’t do. In other words, it’s a statement of belief, a value judgment on anyone who thinks that being actively, physically homosexual is not right.
Advert Two
The second advert reads: Not gay! Ex-gay, post-gay and proud. Get over it.
The first two sentences are statements about identity. Some people self-label themselves as not gay, either because they have never experienced same-sex attraction, or because they used to but no longer do, or because they have decided there is something about who they are which is more important than their physical attractions, and so have taken the choice not to act on how they feel. The last sentence is suggesting that some people have a problem with the first two sentences, and shouldn’t do. It’s another statement of belief, a value judgment on anyone who thinks that the idea of someone moving beyond same-sex attraction, or choosing not to act on that attraction, or choosing to think that that attraction is not right, are themselves not right.
So both adverts are simply two different ways of looking at identity, and two different value judgments of other people’s beliefs. And, let’s face it, both actually suggest that others are wrong to hold the views they do.
The first advert has run. The second has been banned. London Mayor Boris Johnson decided that his own value judgment was more important than free speech, and stated strongly that the second ad shouldn’t run.
What it tells us
Why does this matter? Because it shows that we’re into a new phase of public discourse about homosexuality. It’s not that there are now two views, each opposing the other, jostling for a hearing and for support in the public arena. It’s that now, there is only one view allowed in the public arena. Stonewall—the pro-actively-gay lobby group who paid for the first ad—are allowed to make statements about identity and value judgments about those they consider wrong. Anglican Mainstream and Core Issues—the Christian groups who booked the second ad—are not.
Here’s what Stonewall said of the decision to ban people who hold different views to theirs: “We are delighted by TfL’s clear commitment to diversity [diversity that isn’t actually diverse enough to include people who disagree with us]. It is fantastic that no adverts will be promoting voodoo, gay-cure therapy [can you imagine what would happen if a group holding the opposite view used such loaded words as “voodoo”?].”
Aggressively pushing a belief; using extreme words to describe others' views; refusing to accept that some people's experience might not fit in with your view of the world; and opposing the right of those who don’t agree with you even to have their voice heard. But that's all fine, because they're not Christians…
It might be that the Easter break couldn't come soon enough! The work/life/family/friends/church/rest balance has got out of hand. The Busy Christians Guide to Busyness is a brilliant book to help you get a godly attitude to time and commitments. It's a highly recommended read!!
'Tim Chester gets to the heart of why we are too busy, and unmasks the deceptions that drive our behaviours. This helpful book offers many practical time-saving tips and a biblical treatment of the busyness disease afflicting so many of us.'
Paul Valler, former Finance and Operations Director, Hewlett-Packard Ltd
For the next 72 hours you can get it for 25% off with the code 'chestertime' at checkout. Offer expires 16/04/12.
Tim Tebow tells Texas worshippers: 'It's OK to be outspoken about your faith'
A society that persecutes Christ is heading for terrible trouble
The Church of England needs its own rebirth
The American separation of church and state is a myth – just ask Barack Obama
Rowan Williams warns of downgrading of religious education
Masters winner Bubba Watson tells how his adopted son and his faith mean more than the game
I have always loved God’s creation of seasons, and His promise that they’ll continue as long as this world does (Genesis 8 v 22). There’s so much variety – especially living in the UK. I even have two seasons in my flat – summer at the front, winter at the back (which is why I’m wearing fingerless gloves to type!). But my favourite thing about seasons is that it means we get Christmas every year, and Pentecost, and Advent, and… Easter.
Many of the children’s and youth workers I know have been running Easter clubs and events. It’s a fantastic opportunity to focus on the cross. I find that children, unlike some adults, have no problem with the concept of sin. They’re used to being in trouble; they know they mess up; they recognise their need for forgiveness. So the death of Jesus for their sins makes sense (if I can put it that way) for many of them. As does the fact that the resurrection shows that God accepted Jesus’ payment in full.
But I know that many of these children come to holiday club and not much else, which can mean the message of the cross is once-a-year. And while it’s great that the seasons give us this annual focus on the Easter events, I find myself wanting to home in on the cross all year round. Which is why I’m so pleased with many of our supermarkets. The Easter eggs have all gone – but something remains. Have you noticed that hot cross buns are now an all-year phenomenon? That’s great if we like them, but even better when we’re looking for visual aids. How about giving an “Easter talk” at a completely different time of year; then giving everyone a hot cross bun afterwards? The cross isn’t just for Easter – it’s for life.
PS That’s the reason this year’s children’s “Easter tract” doesn’t look Easterish. The message of the cross is for any and all seasons, and I’m hoping the tract can be used that way too.
58 years ago to the day, the world experienced its most boring day - April 11th 1954 was very dull.
Apparently, it’s official. I heard it on a QI rerun last night and then checked it on Google, so I guess it must be right…! Nothing of interest happened. No really famous people were born or died. No wars or acts of terror were committed. No celebrity weddings occurred. Nothing. A whole 24 hour period where there were no note-worthy headlines or jaw-dropping incidents of any description.
Or so the media would have us believe.
The gospel reality, however, is that no day can ever be truly boring. Every day is full of exceptional acts of grace. And if you would like to take a moment to ponder, you might find yourself smiling at just how extraordinary every day really is:
And then there’s the miracle of new life – each baby knit together by God himself. The fact that our every thought is known by the loving and holy ruler of the universe. The wonder that God is tender enough to lead mere humans like us through each day of our lives until he calls us home.
Incredible truths (from Colossians 1 and Psalm 139). Extraordinary privilege. All stemming from an awesome God.
Boring? Never!
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
(1 Peter 1 v 3-5)
