Fuzzy Faith

Fuzzy Faith is not a new term and has been around for some time.

The recently published results from Richard Dawkins’ research on social attitudes demonstrate once again this notion of fuzzy faith.

This is the link to research of Christian social attitudes just published.

http://c3414097.r97.cf0.rackcdn.com/IpsosMORI_RDFRS-UK_Survey_Topline_15-02-2012.pdf

One initial response has been from Steve Hollinghurst of the Church Army Research Centre based in Sheffield.  

http://sheffieldcentreresearch.wordpress.com/2012/02/16/what-does-the-dawkins-ipsosmori-poll-14th-feb-2012-tell-us-about-uk-christianity/

Once again Dawkins appears to trying to push ‘faith’ into the private sphere.  But even the briefest of looks at the Christian Bible will demonstrate that the Christian faith is not about a private faith or views but is very much about the public domain.

This is the legacy the Christian Church has picked up from the Jewish nation – the Book of Genesis which seems to give Dawkins grief states boldly, loudly and as clearly as possible, the God of the Hebrews, the God and Father of Jesus is involved in all of creation. The morality of the bedroom matters as much as the morality of the boardroom.

Above all what is the Lord’s Prayer all about – but an asking for God’s will to be done ‘on earth as in heaven.’

As Christians we look forward to the Day when God will come as judge of all and earth and heaven will be for ever conjoined.

Meanwhile we make our best attempts to live as though we are already living in the Kingdom of God upon earth.

What for me this survey demonstrates is that there is still a lot of very woolly thinking around about what it means to be a Christian, that the Christendom song may be finished but that the melody lingers on, especially by those who seek Christening and perhaps more importantly do not then spell out what that actually means.

It also demonstrates why there has been an increased call for discipleship courses.  We as Christian need to be ready to give an answer for anyone who asks us for the hope that we have, but this is to be done with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15

On my bedside table

I always have several books on the go at any one time - I just could not imagine life without reading! So, what I am reading at the moment?

Well I have just read 'The Kite Runner' Khaled Hosseini (Bloomsbury 2004). I never got around to seeing the film when it was out in the cinema so I was pleased to read this novel. However if the film picks up something of the book then it would be very difficult to watch, the horror described is awful. The British military continues to be engaged in Afghanistan with an ongoing haemorrhaging of life and we may be puzzled over why and how this situation came about. This book helps to put the situation into a historical context and brings to life a different kind of Afghanistan from the one we see on TV reports. At times I found I didn’t want to read any more yet felt compelled to do so such is the strength of the story being told.

Tom Wright continues to feature in several books I am reading and you might think I am about to go stalking him!

I am enjoying his latest book ‘Simply Jesus’ SPCK 2011. I am just about half way through and I love the almost scary way Wright presents Jesus, the Jesus of history and also the cosmic Christ, so much bigger, so much more to him than we might have ever considered. Just who is this figure (Jesus) what did he say and do – what did that mean at the time and what does he say today.  

I am also reading two of Wright’s ‘Everyone’ series – by the bed ‘Matthew for Everyone’ and on the breakfast table ‘Revelation for Everyone.’   I have worked through ‘Matthew’ before but ‘Revelation’ is a fairly new addition to the very fulsome library of books Wright has written.  Again Wright seeks first of all to understand the historical context into which the Letters were written. As difficult as it is we have to try initially to look though the eyes of a 1^st century Jew/Christian hearing these words. Perhaps one of the most helpful insights that Wright has brought with his musical background and interest is that we must ‘hear’ Revelation as a symphony, layers of music laid on top of layers of music. As written words they have to follow each other and we can then think we are reading something that is happening or is to happen sequentially. I also remember some years ago working through a Local Methodist Preachers Course looking at Revelation and we were encouraged to think of it as a Greek play with various Acts and Scenes, that again I found very helpful.  What I am picking up is the big picture of God allowing evil to have full rein for a period so that having being brought out in full view it can then be dealt with – finally! And then, very importantly heaven will come down to earth – note, not that we will go to heaven!

I have also recently read Stephen Kuhrt’s book ‘Tom Wright for Everyone.’  Stephen is a vicar in New Malden and has ‘allowed’ Wright’s theology to inform and influence their church life in very practical ways. It was great to hear of how Wright’s theology can shape pastoral practise and mission.

And for balance because reading all of the above I am in serious danger of becoming ‘narrow’ I have a Christmass present book ready for holiday reading (holiday in February) ‘The Etymologicon’  by Mark Forsyth. This is a random reading on the origins of words beginning with one word that then leads into the explanation of another and so on and so forth and so on and so forth - you get the idea!  I have always loved words and discovering their origins.  For example just the other day whilst shopping with Jane in Sainsbury’s I looked at the oranges and wondered which came first – the fruit or the name!  And whichever came first just where did the word orange come from – and orange is of course one of the few words for which there is no other word that rhymes. 

Now, do you think Tabitha and Jane might just strangle me before the end of the holiday!

Oh and if you are interested Forsyth has a blog – http://blog.inkyfool.com/

Journey with Church Army this Lent

 Church Army

This year we've put together a simple Lent resource to help you reflect and to pray for our projects. Busy lives often mean we have to snatch five minutes here or there for our prayers and this year's resource can provide focus to these times. The weekly content of the resource will be posted on this webpage, so why not bookmark it now!

http://www.churcharmy.org.uk/lent?dm_i=JNF,OGVG,393OLR,1Z3VN,1

Download our simple, two-sided, Lent resource.  One side describes the issues faced by people involved in our projects; the other side gives an inspiring story of a life transformed.

For more details and to download/order resources follow this link...

http://www.churcharmy.org.uk/lent?dm_i=JNF,OGVG,393OLR,1Z3VN,1

You can also use the resource alongside a Church Army money box to collect for us throughout Lent. Just £1, £2 or £3 per week can make a real difference to the lives of those who are marginalised.

If you are part of a Lent study group, why not use one of our money boxes and support us together? You could each give 50p a week for your cup of tea or donate the money you would have spent on buying biscuits.

To order call 0300 123 2113 to speak to one of our fundraising team

Direct link to CA donations page...
http://www.churcharmy.org.uk/pub/support/YourSupport/Donatenow.aspx 

And don't forget you can also give ongoing support to my Caravan Ministry that is financed through Church Army - I have a dedicated Evangelist Support Scheme (ESS) to which you can make direct donations. If you send anything to Church Army ensure it is marked clearly 1986GBA(1040) Caravan Ministry.   Plus I also produce a very simple monthly News and Prayer Letter -  if you like to be put on my list do drop me an email gordon.banks@diochi.org.uk

Silly Week Ahead!

Fellowship of Parish Evangelist

Church Army

Arthur Rank Centre


A very silly week ahead...

Monday I will be travelling to Swanwick (Derby) for the Annual Conference of the Fellowship of Parish Evangelists. I am ducking out just a tad early on Wednesday to travel to The Wilson Carlile Centre in Sheffield for a Church Army Cluster Coordinators gathering. We will be hearing more about the role of Clusters in the development of the Church Army as an Acknowledged Mission Community. On the way back I am calling off to visit Simon in Coventry to catch up on the Rural Evangelism Module I am drawing up for the Arthur Rank Centre.

On Thursday it is off to London to meet up with Rural Officers. Again I am working with ARC  helping to write up a theological reflection on rural evangelism for Rural Officers and Agricultural Chaplains.

Friday  Off Duty.

Sunday - Keeping with the rural theme I am attending the Plough Sunday Service at Chichester Cathedral 3.30pm

 

Soul By The Sea & Brighton Passion ~ Easter Festival

SOUL BY THE SEA & BRIGHTON PASSION

In 2010 Soul By The Sea brought a Beach Festival to the Brighton Seafront.

And in 2011 the first Brighton Passion Play was held on Brighton sea front on Easter Sunday to a crowd of thousands. They had a great cast with James Burk-Dunsmore playing Jesus, James is well known for the Wintershall and the Trafalgar Square Passion Plays.

These two ‘events’ have now converged and Soul By The Sea and Brighton Passion are working towards an Easter Festival 2012.

This will run over Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday and be on the beach just a step down towards the Marina away from the Palace Pier.

This for me creates a bit of a dilemma. Personally I think the Faith Community ought to hold firm and fast to a correct passage through these climatic days in the earthly life of our Lord. However for the vast majority of people who hold no such allegiance it is simply all of a piece – it is Easter Weekend, with no recognition that Easter begins on Easter Sunday or for some with the First Mass on Easter Eve, i.e. the Saturday. Therefore as an Evangelist I want to promote and encourage engagement with people, who are not yet part of the Faith Community, yet personally I want to travel the journey though the Last Supper, Good Friday, Holy Saturday as a place of utter dereliction, lost hopes and dreams and then the joy of resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Wherever you stand on this I hope you will get behind this great initiative that seeks to bring the message of the Gospel out into the public arena. If you are walking a familiar path within your Faith Community then carry those engaged in this venture in your thoughts and prayers. And if you are able to ‘sit light’ to the traditional Journey of Jesus’ Passion and Resurrection then sign up and get involved. There’s room for everyone of whatever persuasion!

These links below will give you more direct information or hover the sub heading above.

2012 Brighton's Easter Festival Soul by the Sea,’ featuring The Passion Play.

The Passion Play was a great success in 2011 with thousands watching
Plans are being made to make it even bigger and better for 2012
And you can get involved now…
Check out the Soul by the Sea F.B. page;

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Soul-By-The-Sea/164898273594831

And watch the new promotion video;
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150372639400747&set=vb.164898273594831&type=2&theater

The week beginning 16th January

Another busy week ahead starting with a day at Church House on Monday catching up on emails and general admin stuff, very busy promoting the London Games 2012. And Monday night we have a South of England Show meeting which is also picking up the London Games 2012 theme.

Tuesday and it off to Lambeth Palace for the Launch of Back to Church Sunday 2012. Better tidy myself up if I am going into the bosses gaff!www.backtochurch.co.uk

Wednesday sees me back in Church for a Mission & renewal house team meeting, a time to catch up with each other. In the evening over to St George’s Kemp Town for their Mission Committee.

Linking in with St George’s we have another meeting at Church House on Thursday making plans for the visit of The Boat to Brighton Marina. This is part of the Cultural Olympiad and we are arranging a special Service and Blessing of The Boat as it sets sail on the 27th May 2012.http://www.theboatproject.com

Friday – time to relax as I am Off Duty. I usually find I am so tired I just want to wander around, have a long lingering coffee and then go back home to read or even doze some more!

Saturday and along with my colleague Peter Scofield we are running an Angels Morning for Christ the Lord Broadfield. Angels mornings are part of the Growing Healthy Churches programme from Robert Warren. So no long run for me this Saturday and I might not even get to listen to much of Sounds of the Sixties on Radio Two!

Sunday and I am in my home church of St John the Baptist Hove as I am assisting with the Chalice, Eucharistic Ministry to give it a posh name!

And as of this morning I am nursing a bruised shoulder and ribs having fallen over whilst running. This happens to us all from time.

A sunny Saturday by the sea-side

A glorious if chilly day and not out of bed as early as I would have liked but after a quick bowl of porridge I was out onto the sea front. With headphones linked into my Sony Walkman Radio (remember them) and tuned into Radio Two for Sounds of the Sixties I first headed up to Hove Lagoon. From there it then a straight plod along passed the Marina along the clif top, passing a group of wakers who looked kitted out for Ben Nevis rather than a Brighton cliff top walk! Dropping back down on to the Under Cliff walk back past the Marina, the Palace Pier, the Peace Statue and finally home, 2 hours and 20 minutes, so that would be around 14 miles. By then Graham Norton was keeping me company.

Today is also Founders Day, when the Church Army celebrates the birthday of its founder Wilson Carlile in 1847. I had hope to gather as we did last year for a celebratory meal with some other Church Army Officers but we never managed to arrange it for this year sad to say.

Lots of stuff happening in 'work' as all kinds of things are needing attention by way of preparation. This is a very 'full on' year with the Queen's Jubilee, the London 2012 Games that including a visit by a special Boat to Brighton Marina, check out my Games blogspot for details.