Church

People I Admire

Posted on December 1, 2012 by Pieter Stok

This is the first in an occasional series entitled, “People I Admire”.

My friends, a married couple who have seen more than five  decades race past, have not always had it easy. On a number of occasions they have been traumatised by events in the church, yet serve the Lord assiduously. His Kingdom, the needs of the less fortunate and the care of friends are not just on their minds but, more importantly, part of their daily actions. My friends’ faith is a positive constant challenge to my life before the Lord.

Up to this point, their children, on the whole, are indifferent, though not antagonistic about faith despite the example their parents. In the midst of this my friends resolutely honour God with their lives. They take God’s commands seriously and live the gospel to their grandchildren, taking every opportunity bring to life the covenant injunction to teach our children and grandchildren. My hope, prayer and trust is that God will bless that faithfulness in time.

Cornwall_157

Somewhere on this beach in Cornwall my friends are engaged in their fetish of collecting rocks.

Over the years their extended family has grown through unusual circumstances. Step relatives have been added to the family tree in droves. Some of these people have incredible physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Yet that has become another opportunity to live for, and reflect, Christ. I am constantly humbled by their grace.

They have impacted our life, as a family, to the extent that our children see them as aunty and uncle. They have supported us deeply over many years with practical, emotional and spiritual support. I could go on about the many, many lives they touch in their daily walk – because they are legion, but I wont.

I admire these friends because Jesus shapes their lives. They are not perfect, they are still this side of heaven, but every time I see them I have a glimpse of what Jesus is like.

The true treasures of life are relationships: family and friends. These friends are true treasures who reveal what it means to live a life of Christian thankfulness!

Categories: christian, Christianity, Church, Devotional, Faith, Family, people i admire, Reflections | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

The Church, The Industrial Revolution and The Family

Posted on November 17, 2012 by Pieter Stok

What do the three things above have to do with each other? A lot it seems.

Have you noticed that the body of Christ in many, particularly larger churches, has morphed into a series of “departments”: children’s, youth, men’s, women’s, singles and etc. Sadly this is also, too often, reflected in worship services. Children have their own “Children’s Church”, youth have theirs and so on.

I am told that many modern parents don’t want to be annoyed by their children in church.

To be honest, this is a tragic state of affairs and the church can only be poorer for it. The church should be the epitome of an integrated, mutually dependent body, functioning for each other’s good and promoting the Kingdom as one in the world – not a loose connection of independent limbs.

Charlie Chaplin in Modern Times

The industrial model may work well on assembly lines but not the church. The older members need to be reminded of the calling they have to nurture the young through word and example. The young remind the older members of the wonder and naïveté of faith. We need each other. We weren’t meant to be separated – just as a family is not meant to be compartmentalised.

Of course there are times when separate activities are sound and worthwhile, but this shouldn’t characterise the church. To have integrated worship services and activities can be difficult. It requires us to think carefully about the needs of each member and their relationship to the whole. But isn’t that the very challenge that makes it worthwhile! And finally, how many Sunday Schools, Youth services, and specialist departments can you find in the New Testament. I could only find one, the Deacons.

Categories: christian, Christianity, Church, Devotional, Faith, Family, Reflections, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , | 4 Comments

Gwennap Pit

Posted on November 15, 2012 by Pieter Stok

Two friends in Gwennap Pit in 2006

Just imagine crowds numbering into thousands in this pit with John Wesley at the centre declaring the gospel; Tin miners and their families gathering to taste the Word of God!

Gwennap Pit, in Cornwall, was created by mine subsidence in the mid C18th. It was then used as an amphitheatre by people such as John Wesley during the revival at that time – sometimes called the Methodist revival.

The pit is a visual reminder of how Dissenters had to use any suitable place to preach, such as a field, barn or mine subsidence, because churches were closed to them.

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If Only Time Travel Were Real

Posted on November 14, 2012 by Pieter Stok

If you enjoy history you must have had the desire to go back to a particular time or place in the past. After watching “Dr. Who” or “Back to the Future”, there is that desire to see history as it was happening; naturally with out the plague, guillotine or other deadly problem!

Fountains Abbey

Two places that always rekindle that desire are the Cistercian abbeys of Rievaulx and Fountains. Both are in sublime locations in North Yorkshire, UK. and enough remains (despite the efforts of King Henry VIIIth) to give us big clues as to their daily life and activities. But in the end we can only make well considered deductions from the ruins, archaeology and historical documents.

How great it would be if you could go back to these places when they were at their peak!

We tend to look at history through the lens of our culture and its values. We weigh things up with our 21st century mindset. Wouldn’t it be interesting if we could ask the monks what their hopes, fears, dreams, motivations and aspirations were. What was it really like living in these remote and secluded places? How did they see God and His impact on their lives? What did they hope to achieve and … what was it like to pray for hours on end in a frozen Yorkshire winter?

Rievaulx Abbey

Nobody will ever wonder about our generation. We have written, blogged and videoed all our angsts and desires – ad nauseum. But these people can only be seen through the fogs and shadows of time. We can know them – but only just.

In the meantime, for me, these old abbeys exude a mystery and allure that keeps me fascinated.

Categories: christian, Christianity, Church, History, Reflections | Tags: , , , | 6 Comments

To Hear You Again

Posted on November 4, 2012 by Pieter Stok
Another morning awakes,
and my soul leaps
for another word
from You.
Another reminder
of love and place,
of family and eternity.
 
 Creation bows before You,
each day anew.
Birds sing and warble 
their praises.
Flowers and trees bow to You.
 
Lord, thank you for
my undeserved place before you
and hearing  my prayer
and loving me!
 
My place with you
is greater
more blessed
and life giving
than any trifle the world
can offer.
 
My reflections on the, far more beautiful, Psalm 84
Categories: Christianity, Church, Devotional, Faith, Poem, poetry, Prayer, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Christian History Institute

Posted on November 1, 2012 by Pieter Stok

While reflecting on Reformation day and the contribution of Martin Luther I was reminded of the fantastic resource that the Christian History Institute is. Over the years I have used their resources in my teaching, both in churches and schools. One of my favourite resources has been their “Reformation Overview” which uses clips from films to look at key players in the Reformation.

If you have not explored their material I encourage you to do so. They have a wealth of valuable information on the history of the church – people and events. Their website has links to magazines, articles and films from the apostles to current times.

For example: this is an article on Luther’s early years. http://www.chinstitute.org/index.php/chm/sixteenth-century/early-luther/

There is material for all ages. In an age when we have tended to lose sight of those who have gone before us CHI keeps alive the marvelous work done by the saints who have paved the way.

Categories: christian, Christianity, Church, History, Luther, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , | 3 Comments

Reformation Day – Five Years to the 500th Anniversary

Posted on October 31, 2012 by Pieter Stok

The Luther Monument in Worms on a wet day

Categories: 95 Theses, christian, Christianity, Church, Luther, Reformation | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

From: A Meal With Jesus

Posted on October 9, 2012 by Pieter Stok

The following comes from the fabulous book, A Meal With Jesus.

What are the Christian community’s meals for? They achieve many things. They express so much of God’s grace. They provide a glimpse of what it’s like to live under God’s reign. They express and reinforce the community that Christ has created through the cross. They’re a foretaste of the new creation. They’re a great context in which to invite unbelievers so they encounter the reality of God among us. But they’re not “for” any of these things. It’s a trick question. Everything else—creation, redemption, mission—is “for” this: that we might eat together in the presence of God. God created the world so we might eat with him. The food we consume, the table around which we sit, and the companions gathered with us have as their end our communion with one another and with God. The Israelites were redeemed to eat with God on the mountain, and we’re redeemed for the great messianic banquet that we anticipate when we eat together as a Christian community. We proclaim Christ in mission so that others might hear the invitation to join the feast.

Chester, Tim  A Meal with Jesus: Discovering Grace, Community, and Mission around the Table, Good News Publishers/Crossway Books. Kindle Edition.

Categories: christian, Christianity, Church, Devotional, Faith | Tags: , , , | 2 Comments

Obituary of Gabriel Antoine Vahanian

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Pieter Stok

The name in the title may not ring a bell but for those who are my age and older the debate he and his colleagues started will. In 1961 he wrote The Death of God: The Culture of Our Post-Christian Era. This started, the poorly named, “God is dead debate”. We may not have always liked the answers but many of the questions he and his colleagues raised are still important and in a real sense were a portent of the era in which we now live.

The following is his obituary from the NY Times (via The Age):

Gabriel Antoine Vahanian 1927-2012.

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The Un World

Posted on September 5, 2012 by Pieter Stok
Disparate souls
wandering.
Hearts seeking
relationship.
Beings made
to relate and join and
celebrate community,
un-warmed,
un-connected,
un- celebrated
 
Connections bound
by rigid rules,
by unconsidered traditions,
and lifeless patterns.
“Insanity” it is said,
“Is doing the same thing
Over and over again.
Expecting different results.”
 
The spark of God,
the frisson of Spirit
and life enhancing
bonds
ached for
so that soul meets soul,
spirit, spirit
and being, being.
 
Hence the Divine
may shine
brighter
clearer
and eternally
for the un- generation.
Categories: christian, Christianity, Church, Faith, Poem, poetry, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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