September, 2010
August, 2010
26 [CO]MISSION UK the [UP]DATE
18 There’s One Life, and One Hope.
June, 2010
25 The Champion’s Challenge. Will you be there?
May, 2010
05 [co]mission uk ...an open letter
April, 2010
16 UN|COVERED
February, 2010
18 Why a cross?
January, 2010
28 Grace Church, Bristol - Outpost Bath
27 Churches in Haiti are receiving help. Thank you.
17 Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund
08 Why should I do the Christianity Explored Course?
December, 2009
21 The Elves are back... and this time they're Welsh!
15 Christmas Elves
05 The Big 3
November, 2009
19 Keeping up to date…
September, 2009
21 Meet The Roderick!
08 STUDENTS 2009/2010...
August, 2009
28 Worship God 2009 - Loved it!
03 To Hamburg and back in 2 minutes
July, 2009
31 Goodbye to the GAP Team. Part Three.
26 Goodbye to the GAP Team. Part two.
23 Goodbye to the GAP Team
17 ESV Study Bible
03 International Dinners... an update
June, 2009
19 VJ - End of Year Review
05 AUSTRALIA & THE TAYLORS – THE STORY SO FAR…
May, 2009
07 Prayer Requests - May
02 No Scar?
April, 2009
03 Things to pray for in April
March, 2009
10 GAP TEAM... HALF-TIME INTERVIEW
04 Lord, let your kingdom come…
February, 2009
27 Goodbye Na, Hello Next!
17 OUTPOST CARDIFF... IT'S BACK!!
13 Be still my dancing feet
06 Biblical Parenting Conference
03 Generations opens its doors...
December, 2008
21 Aussie Elves
November, 2008
15 Christchurch Ladies Christmas Market
12 Did you miss out on the Mission Videos?
07 outpost:cardiff - launches 9th November
October, 2008
11 The Shack - Caveat Lector (Let the reader beware!)
09 GAP Team News : October '08
01 For Students & 18-25s: Offensive Roadshow: Newport
September, 2008
26 Hanging With Pete
August, 2008
11 The GAP Team – Closing In!
09 New Student Blog...it's live...
July, 2008
10 Missionaries Down Under!
May, 2008
29 SLAVA & ANYA - WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
23 MEET THE MC CANS - THE INTERVIEW
20 CAITLIN GAWEDA - KINDNESS IN THE STORM
15 'THE CHOICE' - What Happened?
09 Tiny Tunes - God's Amazing Grace
01 Postmodernism & Piper on You Tube
March, 2008
29 The Reason for God
18 Christianity Explored - the last 8 weeks
12 Outpost Cardiff - the story so far
January, 2008
31 Each one an evangelist
December, 2007
20 Germany
12 Students
10 Mothers & Toddlers
09 Fuse
08 Shockwave
07 Christianity Explored
06 Pete's Trip to Germany
November, 2007
21 Pub Talk
15 Welcome to our blog
[CO]MISSION UK the [UP]DATE
26-08-2010 | Christchurch Blog | Church | [co]mission uk »
“Unless the LORD builds the house, we are building it in vain…”
These were the words that closed [CO]MISSION UK. Listening were 120 men from different countries and of different ages and backgrounds, each united by a passion to see Gospel preaching churches planted not just in the UK, but elsewhere around the world. It was a timely reminder; this work is his, not ours. We build and grow for his fame, not our own - and ultimately unless the work is his, then the work is of no worth at all.
But in his grace, God has called us to build his house. He has called us to build for him a house where he would be known and through which the lost would find him. Church planting is a privilege and one that we are all called to play a part in, be it sending or going. One of the major joys of [CO]MISSION UK was being able to stand shoulder to shoulder with men who believe that God has called them to play a planting part in his great commission to his church.
What a great few days! God kindly visited us and not only stoked the corporate flame for church planting, but breathed oxygen on some individual lights, as you can see below;
“Our lives and our walk has been changed by the few days we spent with you all. I really found myself searching who I really am in Christ, do I really understand the seriousness of ministry, and am I cut out to lead any sort of church plant..?”
“I am so grateful to God for being shown more of the sin of my heart and having His grace applied to me through the preaching and fellowship…”
“The 3 days for us was one of encouragement, strengthening, and refreshment…
Thank you again! I pray that we truly may serve side-by-side (however this may take place) for the Gospel and to God's glory. Christchurch is in our prayers and we are thankful to God for all of you.”
But it would be wrong of me to write this without drawing attention to those of you that gave up your time, your energy and in some cases your spare rooms for the conference. Nearly every email we’ve received regarding [CO]MISSION UK made a reference to the way Christchurch joyfully served those attending. In many ways, you provided the hermeneutic of what was preached. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much for playing your part in God’s blessing to so many men.
For those of you who weren’t able to attend, you can catch all the messages online at comissionuk.org. Also, last week Pete gave a quick interview to CJ over on his blog regarding the conference. This can be found at http://wwws.us/ej69608.
Lewis Roderick
There’s One Life, and One Hope.
18-08-2010 | Christchurch Blog | Church | One Life »
There’s One Life, and One Hope. That was the message being shouted loud at the Christchurch Centre on July 30 as over a hundred young adults gathered to celebrate the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was such a good night. Our teens and 18-25’s group were joined by the youth from Arche Church Hamburg as well as those from churches up and down the M4. As we gathered we sang loud songs about our glorious gospel, rode rodeo bulls, swung demolition balls and then considered together the hope that that resides in Jesus’ resurrection.
We’re planning more One Life events, so keep your eyes open for the updates and feel free to let others know if you think they’d like to attend. More information can be found by emailing onelife@Christchurchnet.org. For now, you can find the message from the evening here.
Lewis Roderick
The Champion’s Challenge. Will you be there?
25-06-2010 | Christchurch Blog | Evangelism | Holiday Club »
It’s nearly a whole year since we donned Woodie’s Stetson, Charlie Chaplin’s bowler hat, Superman’s S and Terminator’s shades to run our holiday club - ‘Showstoppers’. The week was a mash-up of games, crafts, drama and lots of opportunities to share the gospel with kids from across the city. The week led up to a Friday night gospel presentation for all the kids and their parents.
What a week! The truth of the gospel heard and understood by children who would not otherwise have known about the only true Superstar that’s lived on this earth - God in skin who came to die in our place so that we could have a relationship with him again!
This year we’re going bigger and better! Already we’ve a team of over twenty-five people to help run this week, and we’ll be inviting children aged 5 to 9 years old from the local area to hear about Jesus once again, and we’d love Christchurch’s own children to bring their friends.
Our theme this year is the “Champion’s Challenge”! Expect plenty of sporty themed games and activities as well as competitions, singing, drama, crafts and more! Our aim is to give the kids a great experience, to help them make friends with others from around the city and to find out about who Jesus is and what he did in his life, death and resurrection. On Thursday we’ll be hosting a family night where everyone can come and see what the kids have been up to, play some more games and eat some free food!

Registration operates on a first come, first served basis and opens on the 20th June and closes on the 25th July. Places are limited so make sure you register early! You can pick up a registration form from the church building or download one here. Please send in/drop off your completed registration and consent form to the Christchurch Centre.
Lewis Roderick
[co]mission uk ...an open letter
05-05-2010 | Christchurch Blog | Church | [co]mission uk »
** View/download this letter as a PDF **
Dear brother in the gospel,
It’s my joy to write and inform you of Sovereign Grace Ministries’ church planting conference being held in Newport, South Wales this July. Please accept this invitation with my warmest regards and consider joining us for [CO]MISSION UK - three days of delighting in the gospel of God’s saving grace and his passion for the local church.
Sovereign Grace’s desire for the conference is to begin partnering with men who love their Saviour and long to see gospel centred churches planted throughout the UK. It is aimed at men currently in or considering pastoral ministry. As a planning team we’re particularly keen to see current students or recent graduates join us, and we would consider it a privilege should any decide to do so for the three days. The conference won’t be a launch of a new strategy or initiative to ‘take this country’ or to make a name for Sovereign Grace. Its simple aim is to play a part in the training, equipping, planting and supporting of local churches.
For your information, speaking at [CO]MISSION UK will be Dave Harvey and Pete Greasley. Dave is a husband, father, pastor, and author and has served as a member of the Sovereign Grace Ministries’ leadership team since 1995 and now is responsible for church care, church planting, and international expansion for Sovereign Grace Ministries. Pete has been involved in pastoral ministry for over 25 years - the past 15 of which have been as senior pastor of Christchurch, Newport. He is also responsible for international church planting and care on behalf of Sovereign Grace Ministries in Australia, Germany, Africa, India, Sri Lanka, and the UK.
For the sake of all attendees, and to make it as feasible as possible for all, we’ve deliberately sought to keep the price of the conference reasonable. For those who book before May 31 2010, the price is only £25 and afterwards only £35. But, so keen are we to see students join us for the conference, for any student desiring to attend there will be no charge at all.
More information can be found at comissionuk.org or through the office on 01633 822211. You’re also welcome to call me directly on 07815 096 501.
Please receive this letter with real affection and deep gratitude for your continued willingness to serve Jesus Christ and the gospel. It’s a joy to stand at your side in the King’s service.
Will you consider joining us at [CO]MISSION UK?
Serving at your side
Lewis Roderick
On behalf of Sovereign Grace UK
Lewis Roderick
UN|COVERED
16-04-2010 | Christchurch Blog | Evangelism | un|covered »
Equipped is hitting the road again.This time, taking up a 5 week residency at 10Feet Tall, on Church Street in Cardiff.
Why? To host UNCOVERED, a 5-part series that seeks to recover the most misunderstood man that ever walked the planet. More ink has been spilt over him, more words spoken about him, more images made of him and more songs sung about him than anyone else in all of history. He’s influenced everyone, but does anyone know the real Jesus?
Starting on April 25, we’ll seek to discover the answer.
So if you’re interested in knowing more about the carpenter’s son that changed history forever,consider yourself invited to join us at 10Feet Tall at 7pm on April25. Every week there’ll a be a talk based on 1st century eye witness accounts given, and you’ll have an opportunity to respond and ask any question you’d like, totally anonymously. The bar will be open,the food will be laid out - all you need to do is be there, and take part as much or as little as you want.
Be there on April 25 to recover the man who changed everything.
Lewis Roderick
Why a cross?
18-02-2010 | Christchurch Blog | Church | General »
It could have been a manger or crib. A clear reminder of Jesus’ birth, and the place where God became a man.
It could have been a fish. First century Romans used it as a secret symbol of belonging to Jesus in the midst of a hostile world.
It could have been a scroll or a dove or a candle or anything; and yet from not long after the days when Christianity was just a small Jewish sect in Jerusalem, its symbol has been The Cross – a dark, ugly, barbaric instrument of torture that everybody, Jews and Gentiles, were ashamed to even mention. The philosopher Cicero even said that the Greek word crux, which means cross, with all its associations is not even a word that should be uttered by a Roman. It’s no exaggeration to say that for a first century Roman, the word cross would provoke the same reaction for them, as finding a used syringe in the park would in us.
And yet, the cross is our symbol. How ridiculous! Whilst writing to a small church in Corinth, the Apostle Paul acknowledges that to many this seems dumb and stupid, and yet his boast is I’m not ashamed of it. In fact, he says elsewhere in the New Testament, ‘if I boast in anything, it’s going to be of the cross – I’m going to boast in the thing that others find so disgusting’.
Have you ever stopped to ask, ‘why?’ Why is the cross the centre?
Over the next few months we hope to unravel this mystery as we study John Stott’s classic The Cross of Christ. Once a month we’ll get together to chat through the implications and applications of this magnificent book.
I’m so excited about this new project. Quite simply, very few books have had the impact this book has had on me, and the wider church. Just a quick glance at the endorsements on the inside sleeve of the book tells me that the evangelical spectrum is united in its praise for this book.
These Saturday mornings promise to be a sweet time of gathering at the foot of our Saviour’s cross and learning to say together with Christians throughout history far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It’s not too late to sign up. You can find the dates below. If you’d like to join us and haven’t done so yet, drop Bob at line at bm@christchurchnet.org to book your place.
Feb 20th
Mar 20th
April 24th
May 22nd
June 19th
Lewis Roderick
Grace Church, Bristol - Outpost Bath
28-01-2010 | Christchurch Blog | Church | Outpost »
It was only seven years ago that Christchurch gulped for air, and nosed Grace Church Bristol out of the nest. It wasn’t a risk, we knew God was in it, but it did come at a joyful cost. Many friends and family left our church and joined Nathan, Pete & co. to start a witness for King Jesus in the heart of one the country’s most thriving cities.
Since that day in 2002, God has been good to bless Grace Church, and in turn us. We’ve seen the church grow and thrive on a regular diet of God’s lavish grace to sinners. There have been conversions, building changes, new staff members, whole families’ eternities changed forever. It really has been thrilling to watch as God ‘did something’ in Bristol.
And now it’s Bristol’s turn to birth new beginnings. Read this from their blog;
“Grace Church is pleased to announce that we are launching a new Sunday evening service in the city of Bath! OUTPOST: Bath will be a once-per-month gathering open to anybody who would like to join us. These informal services will be full of friendly people, contemporary, heartfelt, passionate worship, and solid biblical teaching, that could impact your life and family.
These one-hour services (6pm-7pm) will be in the heart of the city, and will be held at the Percy Community Centre, New King Street, Bath.Whether you have been around church your whole life or this is your first peek into it, guests of all ages are always welcome. Whatever your situation, please be assured that we will be glad to see you and aim to do whatever we can to make your visit one that you’ll want to repeat!”
For more information about OUTPOST: Bath you can visit sovgracebath.org. Of course, we’ll seek to keep you all updated with the developments as they happen. But in the meantime, join us in praying for this new season in the life of Grace Church Bristol.
Lewis Roderick
Churches in Haiti are receiving help. Thank you.
27-01-2010 | Christchurch Blog | Church | General »
Here's an update from Patrick Ennis,
Friends,
Thank you for joining us in helping the needy in Haiti! Since we activated our Disaster Relief fund on January 14, we’ve received more than $125,000 in donations. Every dollar of this fund will go to relief efforts in Haiti.
Last week, thanks to your generosity, we sent $25,000 to churches in the Dominican Republic who have medical clinics in Port-au-Prince and other areas of Haiti. These churches are already helping earthquake survivors, and your donations allow them to purchase much-needed medical supplies. While they provide medical care, these churches are bringing the hope of the gospel. In addition to these efforts, we’ve begun sending relief funds to a group of churches and orphanages based in Jacmel, with whom we’ve had ministry relationships for some time.
We’re also looking to the future. As the first stages of emergency relief are completed, we want pastors and churches in Haiti to have the tools they need to serve their communities. Most of all, we want to support their efforts to bring the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ to their neighbors. So we’re continuing to look for ways to support the Haitian churches we’re in contact with, not only for immediate relief, but also for long-term rebuilding efforts.
We want to serve churches. If you want to join us, you can donate to our Disaster Relief fund at our website or by calling 800.736.2202. On behalf of our friends in Haiti, thank you for considering this opportunity to help.
And whether or not you’re able to give now, please join us in praying that those affected by the earthquake would receive aid quickly, and that local churches in Haiti would be strengthened to the glory of God.
With appreciation,
Patrick Ennis
Executive Director
Sovereign Grace Ministries
Thank you to everyone who has been involved,
Lewis Roderick
Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund
17-01-2010 | Christchurch Blog | Church | General »
In response to the devastating earthquake that occurred in Haiti on Tuesday, Sovereign Grace Ministries has activated our Disaster Relief fund to help deliver food, medicine, and other needed aid there. We will distribute the funds we raise primarily through existing ministry contacts we have on the island—both in Haiti and the Dominican Republic—who are already involved in relief efforts.
If you want to join us in our support of these efforts, you can donate to the Disaster Relief fund from the Sovereign Grace Ministries website, here.
Regardless of your ability to give toward this cause, please join us in praying that those affected by the earthquake would receive aid quickly, and that despite these hardships the gospel would continue to go forward in that nation.
Lewis Roderick
Why should I do the Christianity Explored Course?
08-01-2010 | Christchurch Blog | Evangelism | Christianity Explored »
There is a word that we throw around a lot at Christchurch, its' the word 'Gospel'.
You'll see it practically everywhere on this website, and hear it in nearly every other sentence if you were to visit us on a Sunday morning.
But what exactly is it? What does it mean? Where did it come from?
We've prepared a short film (below) that takes us on a stroll through the sights, sounds and smells of Newport and ask that very same question; 'what is the gospel?'
So do you want to know more?
This month provides a great opportunity to do so. Starting on January 26, and running for 8 weeks, Christianity Explored is our intro course to Jesus, God, faith, church and the Bible. Here are three reasons why I love this course and would love you to consider joining us, or even bringing a friend along with you.
Christianity Explored is relaxed
No one’s going to ask you to read, or pray, or sing or even speak if you don’t want. One of the major strengths of CX is that it’s informal. Over coffee and doughnuts (or whatever else is on offer at Sainsbury’s that week) we chat and discuss a short presentation from the Bible given by one of the pastoral team at Christchurch. Sit and listen with your feet up, or ask the questions that have been bothering you for years, the choice is yours!
Christianity Explored is Informative
It doesn’t matter if you know nothing about Christianity, or if you’ve a PhD in Applied Theology, CX is for you. Every week we’ll tackle a new topic, from ‘Who is Jesus?’ to ‘How can someone really rise from the dead?’ and in later weeks ‘what is the church and what’s the point?’. The evening begins with a short talk from the Bible, and week after week, we’ll investigate as a group the major claims of Christianity. It doesn’t matter what your background is, or how much you know already, you’ll be surprised by what you learn.
Christianity Explored might just change you forever…
Well, not really. The course won’t change you, no course can. But the content of the course will. The most exciting thing about CX is its content - the message of Jesus Christ. Throughout history, people have been changed forever as they’ve been confronted with the gospel –God’s good news. There’s nothing flash about CX. It’s simply a new way of declaring and explaining the unchanging reality that God loves those he shouldn’t.
Year after year, as we’ve run this course, we’ve seen many peoples’ lives changed forever. Our church is made up of many people who first understood the message of Jesus whilst attending this course. They’re people from very different backgrounds, literally all walks of life, but all have encountered the message about Jesus, and discovered for themselves that this message is an incomparable treasure that can transform them forever.
And if this is true, then can it really be worth missing?
Click here for more information or email CX@christchurchnet.org. We can’t wait to have you with us!
Lewis Roderick
The Elves are back... and this time they're Welsh!
21-12-2009 | Christchurch Blog | Church | Christmas »
Over the last few years different elves from different places have provided us with book recommendations for the festive period. This year, however, we managed to get elvish twins!
Welsh elvish twins!
They have been working hard towards this moment for years. There has been competition but these two were selected to provide you with a fine selection of books from our wonderful bookshop.
Ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy Lewis and Edward aka LEDWARD!
Enjoy.
Lewis Roderick
Christmas Elves
15-12-2009 | Christchurch Blog | Church | Christmas »
Everyfamily has its own Christmas traditions. For some it maybe watching the 'Queen's speech' or 'The Snowman' together, for others it may be decorating the tree, or Grandad's head after he falls asleep on Christmas afternoon. Christchurch is no exception... This family also has it's traditions, and for us that can mean only one thing - the 'Christmas Elves'.
This year is no exception and so this Sunday we'll be introducing you to Lewis and Edward, our Welsh Elves. It's going to be classic stuff and so I will be forced (wrong not to), to put this up on the blog next week. In the meantime though, I though tyou might like a bit of a reminisce. Maybe a watch of the 2005 and 2006 Russian Elves, or the Irish Elves of 2007. If you'd like something a little warmer then there's the Australian Elves of 2008... what ever next? Well... you'll see.. come along Sunday and find out!
Previous Elvish Visits...
2008 - Bruce & Mick - The Aussie Elves
2007 - Seamus & Sean - The Irish Elves
2006 - Eric & Derek - The Russian Elves
2005 - Part 2 - Eric & Derek - The Russian Elves
2005 - Part 1 - Eric & Derek - The Russian Elves
Dave Taylor
The Big 3
05-12-2009 | Christchurch Blog | Church | 18-25s »
The 18-25's ministry at Christchurch is called Equipped for a reason. The vision for the ministry is to equip the age range to glorify God by enjoying his grace in this unique season of life. Every life stage brings with it particular issues and questions, and the purpose of Equipped is to prepare us for some of them.
Ultimately, it is always the gospel that equips us for life. But how we apply the gospel differs from situation to situation. There's always a need to be asking 'how does the gospel speak into 'this'?'. And it's this that we're seeking to do at Equipped.
But now we've got to ask, what are the particular challenges that come with being in the Equipped age range? What are the issues that the 18-25's are grappling with?
A serious highlight of the past few months for me was Pete coming to Equipped to do a special talk on Election. I know for a lot of us it was so helpful because it was answering the questions we were asking. The evening put a thought in my head; what other questions are we asking? What are the topics we want discussing / questions we want answering? They could be biblical, cultural, philosophical… it could involve sex or Facebook or the rapture… if you could listen to a talk on one thing, what would it be?
And to answer these questions, we need your help.
Over the coming term, we’re planning on having three special meetings where you decide what we talk about. Drop me a quick email, and let me know the top three issues/questions/topics you want looked at at Equipped and we’ll go at it to prepare some talks on them. We’ll make the nights special – with food, and wine, table talk… but we need your input.
So what are the big 3? You decide. Email me at lr@christchurchnet.org with your top three topics and next term we'll seek to equip equipped.
Lewis Roderick
Keeping up to date…
19-11-2009 | Christchurch Blog | Australia | Updates »
As you’ll know (unless you’ve been snoozing during Gavin’s notices), Dave & Co. will be leaving for Australia in the New Year to lead Sovereign Grace Oz. To keep you updated with all the latest developments, in January I’ll be sitting down with Dave to record a special interview where he’ll be looking back over his time as part of Christchurch, and looking forward to the big move.
And here’s your chance to help out. Now’s the opportunity to ask Dave the questions you’ve been meaning to ask for years but have never had the guts to do so. Drop me an email at lr@christchurchnet.org and fire away that question you’ve always been meaning to ask our little executive Pastor.
So what would you ask Dave..?
"Dave; how did the whole Australian Adventure come about?”
“How are people reacting southside to the move?”
“is it true, you once killed a moose with your bare hands?”
“what do you bench press?”
“who’s you’re favourite member of staff..?”
It truly will be an open forum!
One thing that’s really surprised about the church plant, is the excitement it’s generated in Australia months before Dave’s even arrived on Antipodean soil. Traces of grace are seen daily as Dave opens emails filled with encouragement. There seems to be a buzz about Sydney, and it’s clear that people there are praying for Dave, the family, and us here, as the day of departure draws nearer.
So what’s behind all the excitement? Well, obviously, the grace of God. His particular kindness towards this initiative is clear for all to see. But on a human level, part of the buzz can be attributed directly to technology that God in his grace has given the 21st Century Church.
Dave has been able to keep those in Sydney in the loop through regular postings
on the website, Facebook group, and twitter feed. He’s even been able to talk face to face with Australian members of the church planting team through the online telephone service, Skype. I’m personally amazed at the stretch of this technology’s reach; from Romania to China, Washington to Korea, people are praying for Sovereign Grace Oz because of Twitter, Facebook and a simple blog!
Now of course it’s true that every time we log on to the internet, we plunge into potentially dangerous waters. Every time we surf on line we’re only one click from trouble, and daily we need grace to survive. But the web’s not all choppy waves. There are the occasional buoyancy aids of refreshment and encouragement! There are faithful men like Dave seeking to redeem the internet for God’s glory and use it in his service.
And it’s because we’ve seen others benefiting so much from this technology, that we don’t want Christchurch to miss out. From now on, you can keep on top of all matters Christchurch related through Facebook and Twitter. Click on the links below to join the community.
Christchurch on Facebook
Christchurch on TwitterAnd whilst we're at it, here are the Sovereign Grace Oz sites too.
Visit SovGraceOz.org
SovGraceOz on Facebook
SovGraceOz on TwitterLewis Roderick
Meet The Roderick!
21-09-2009 | Christchurch Blog | Church | General »
It was just over a year ago that we produced 'Meet the Mc Cans', and finally now with a new intern on board the time has come for the sequel, 'Meet the Roderick'. It has been so good to get to know Lewis over this past few months (along with Jenny Evans... no doubt about it, the verdict of the team is that this guy is marrying well!) He brings many gifts to this team, but to be honest that's not what defines him... the Gospel does. Lewis loves the Gospel and is amazed that God would save a guy like him.
In a desire for you to get to know him some more, I sat down and made this interview with him. Hope you enjoy it.
Dave Taylor
STUDENTS 2009/2010...
08-09-2009 | Christchurch Blog | Church | Students »
So another term has swung around faster than we imagined. I’ll bet that as you dropped your pen after your final exam in May, you never imagined that September would be upon us so quickly. Another year of uni has arrived, and can I say on behalf of everyone here at Christchurch, how thrilled we are to have you back?
We’re particularly excited if you’re one of the ten thousand freshers moving to Cardiff or Newport over the next few weeks. You’re about to begin the most influential 3 year period of your entire life, and everything will be new. Whilst you’re in this part of the world, please know that we would love to help you settle and serve you in any way possible throughout your stay. Feel free come along to any of meetings, outings or feedings, it really would be our pleasure to have you with us.
Christchurch is a busy church, with lots going on. Over the years our students have served in almost every part of church life. We’d love to see you get stuck in.
If you have any particular questions about the church or student life in general, why not drop me a line at lr@christchurchnet.org or through the church office on 01633 822 211? But for now, to help you get a feel for the church, you can find all the information you need about this terms’ activities on this site or our new student site www.christchurchstudents.co.uk . Why not take your time and have a nose around?
One more thing. If you want to get here, and don't know how - or just don't fancy strolling down the M4, have no fear! If you're in Newport, just fire over a quick email and we can arrange for someone to come and collect you. If you're in Cardiff, our bus can pick you up from one of five stops.
10:05 Llandaff Campus
10:10 North Road (Bus stop by Cathays High)
10:15 Cardiff University Students Union (Park Place)
10:25 Albany Road (Bus stop by Clinton Cards)
10:35 Cyncoed Campus
I’ve worked with students, both in Cardiff and London for about 5 years now. There’s nothing more exciting than seeing students getting to grips with the gospel of Jesus and watching them live their lives in the shadow of it. As a church, we’ve been praying for you this summer, and will continue to do so. Once again, if we can serve you in any way…
Lewis Roderick
Worship God 2009 - Loved it!
28-08-2009 | Christchurch Blog | Church | Conferences »
Worship God 09, our semiannual worship conference in Gaithersburg, US, just concluded. Two of our very own: Ben Greasley and Alan Gale were in attendance, sent over by Christchurch as an investment into our worship ministry, and quite clearly they loved it...
What a noise!! 2000 people, several different languages, some dread headed Aussie’s and two skinny Brits, all gathered together in the name of the Saviour!!
Having never been to the States before I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I knew they would have abnormal weather (though the rain did catch us up at one point to relieve any homesickness), talk funny and eat ridiculously portioned sized food. Thankfully I wasn’t disappointed, especially on the food front, and had the great joy of getting to know the warm heartedness of some of the locals, a busker who loved the accent being one of my favourites.
The conference itself was incredible and although it was some 3500 odd miles away from home, felt strangely familiar. Those gathered had done so to be equipped to serve their local church’s when they returned and with the gospel at the heart of it all, there was immense unity among such diversity.
For me, one of the highlights came straight off the bat, as John Piper was preaching the first two main sessions. Having been influenced by Dr Piper’s work (especially “Desiring God”) it was humbling to see the passion of someone who has followed the Lord for as long as he has.
With the truth of Christ being the only foundation of all authentic worship and, that we are to find our satisfaction in Him alone, the conference got rolling with its seminars. Everything you could think of was covered and taught on. I got to hang out in Bob Kauflin’s seminars on the second day and I think I may have learned as much from watching him as I have from what he actually said. His session on biblical expressiveness when worshipping would be a benefit to anyone who struggles and all who don’t.
One of my other highlights was Shai Linne, a Christian hip hop artist with a reformed theological understanding. Not only was he brilliant, but it was hilarious watching the majority of the white middle class congregation awkwardly doing the Christian two step! (I did try to bounce, but got funny looks, and this from Americans!!)
Jeff Purswell and Thabiti Anyabwile gave, for me, the most impacting talks of the conference. The awesomeness of our God and the importance of the local church resounded heavily. We truly are privileged when we gather together to enter the presence of the God of the universe, who the angels, whom we are petrified of when they appear, have to cover their faces in light of His glory!!!! All the messages from the conference are available on the Sovereign Grace Ministries website and I would recommend them highly to all.
From a musical side of things, there were a lot of different approaches to the performance of each band that played. From a regular Sunday morning band that came from New Orleans to a heavier band that included a large strings section, there was a lot to feast on from a creative perspective (though to quote Bob Kauflin “creativity is the way we do something, its not what we do” we come to praise God!) However for me, the moment that most sticks in my mind, was a 150 person choir singing the line “how great you are!” (From the song “We Sing”). It will stick in my memory for all my days and I look forward to joining those 150 and all of the redeemed proclaiming that truth to the King!
WG09 was a means of grace in increasing my passion for the local church, to the point that coming home was my favourite bit, so that all I learnt can be put into practice in my own life and the things God has called me too.
It was also a real treat to share the time and deepen my friendship with Ben (or Strongbow, as he was known the entire time we were there) What a joy it was to see him leading worship last week and implement so quickly some of the things God had imparted to us at the conference.
Speak to me, ask me questions if you see me, I would be happy to go into greater detail about what has been a faith increasing and heart changing experience.
“He has saved us, called us blameless, guides us now and will sustain us, oh how wonderful the Fathers Love”
Alan Gale
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I went to WG09 with a pretty open mind about what I was going to learn. I knew who was speaking and roughly the seminars that were happening but other than that I had kept a pretty clean canvas. Some of the highlights for the conference were in the speaking in the main sessions.
John Pipers messages were excellent and again highlighted to me the character of the God we worship, why we worship and that our worship is to start in the heart and spill out from there. There were messages by Jeff Perswell addressing the need for the church and why we gather. And others looking at why we are to love the local church and how much it should affect our lives.
Bob Kauflin and CJ took an interview session where they discussed how a senior pastor and worship leader work together and their experiences in doing so, which was really helpful practical application.
We also had a whole load of more practical hands-on seminars that fitted in between the main sessions. These ranged from song writing where people got up, played their song infront of the room (30-40 people) and Steve Cook, Mark Altrogge and Keith Getty, and then would get feed back and some constructive criticism. Me and Alan hadn't come prepaired with any songs, as technically we weren't supposed to be in that particular seminar, but it was very very helpful to get advice from these guys as to the process and thoughts they go through while writing. Me and Alan then split up for most of the other seminars to get the broadest teaching between us. I went to practical sessions on musical styles. Looking at ways to get a very contemporary sound while not alienating the older generations in a church, new ways of using instruments, other peoples experience of using gear like in ear fold back, stage arrangements, electric guitar setups for churches. And real drums versus electric drums.
But the conference itself was only about 50% of what I came back with from this trip. The other 50% was the people we met. From the get go we started meeting new people, from the point where we couldn't get our hire car and a guy called Nathan had to drive to the airport to pick us up. All the way to having lunch on the last day with Paul the event administrator. The only Brit besides us who works for Sov Grace, where we ended up discussing the Americans inability to make tea. We got to know a load of the musicians who play weekly at CLC which culminated with an epic jam session in Dave and Jacob Campbell's recording studio/basement. We spent time with the Grovemans. And we got to meet a load of Australians from Sydney too. Jon Baldwin and gang were a great bunch to have around, and we all ended up discussing a really broad range of issues that we each had in our different churches.
I came away from the conference with a greater understanding of the God we worship, why we worship, and practical application that will help me serve the church better. It was a great trip.
Ben Greasley
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If you'd like to taste some of what these guys had at the conference, then you can download all the general sessions for free at the main Sovereign Grace Ministries website. You’ll find:
• John Piper on “The God of Worship” and “The Heart of Worship”
• Jeff Purswell on “The Leaders of Worship”
• Thabiti Anyabwile on “The Church of Worship”
• an interview with C.J. Mahaney and Bob Kauflin on pastoring and worship leading
• Bob Kauflin on “The Future of Worship”
The plan is to post audio from the conference seminars in the coming weeks... Keep an eye on Bob Kauflin’s blog, WorshipMatters, for more details.
Enjoy!
Dave Taylor
To Hamburg and back in 2 minutes
03-08-2009 | Christchurch Blog | Church | 18-25s »
I kept on having this recurring dream; that we’d arrive back from Hamburg, tired and hungry after driving for two days solid, and realise only then, as we pulled into Christchurch’s car park, that we’d left someone in a service station near Bath on the outward journey.
It was a real fear. I didn’t know anyone that was coming, how could I? I’d started work at 9am on July 1st, only to board a bus bound for Hamburg eight hours later. I called two registers before we left the car park. It was becoming evident that the trip’s intrepid and fearless leader was less intrepid and fearless than first thought.
I stalled the van.
And then we were off.
And for 70 minutes, everything was going swimmingly. And then came the phone call;
“Haia Lewis, it’s Rob…
(Rob’s driving the other bus)
…we’ve hit a spot of bother. The engine’s stopped working. We’re stranded at the side of the M4 waiting for the AA”.
Thing is, it wasn’t as if we had a lot of time to play with. There were ferries to catch (apparently they don’t wait for you). As our half of the convoy pulled up at Membury services to consider our options; the other were taken in relay to Canterbury via the waiting area of the Swindon Marriott. It would be another 72 hours and 500 miles before we would be properly reunited at the E-tap hotel in Dortmund.
So,why all the trouble?
Let’s start at the beginning. For a little while now, Christchurch has been serving Arche Church in Hamburg in any way we can as they seek to know more about Sovereign Grace Ministries. The relationship has been mutually beneficial and mutually encouraging. As the friendship grew, it’s a near guarantee that we’ve learnt more from them than they could have from us.
On the ground, this relationship [rep] has meant that Pete, alongside others have been visiting the church to counsel and advise and teach and serve. From previous posts you can see that he’s learned much from the warmth and affection Arche has for the gospel.
It’s been the deepest delight to spend time with Andy and Christian, two of Arche’s pastors as they’ve joined us over here. In many ways, our two week road trip to Hamburg was simply an extension to this ministry. Two minibuses arrived in Hamburg after 2 days of driving and instantly friendships were made. Not this time between pastor and pastor, but between youth and youth.
Over the course of the two weeks there, our thirty joined with their eighty. They welcomed us warmly, inviting us not just into their church building, but into their lives. Many hours were spent hanging out on the sofas in Arche’s youth room, ‘the lighthouse’, and playing football at the riverside. We opened Scripture together, and sang songs about Jesus together. Once language barriers are crossed, we learned that we’re essentially the same; same worries, same desires, same struggles, and same hope in a risen Saviour whose resurrection means that these are friendships that are started over two weeks in July 2009, but will continue throughout eternity.
And it is this eternal perspective that seems to be the most striking thing about the trip for me personally. Early in the trip, we all gathered around Revelation 7. It’s here that the reader is given John’s first glimpse of the eternal congregation of Jesus worshipers. There’s too many to count, and they’re finally enjoying the life free from sin and death that they’d been longing for so long. They’re singing about Jesus - Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb! – to him be the glory! - finally and definitively aware that without him they simply would not be there.
And notice the makeup of this congregation; people from every tribe, and peoples, and languages. The multifaceted glory of God is being sang about by a multinational, multicultural, multilingual army of praise givers.
The following morning, we gathered for worship at Arche, and God gave us a taste of what that would be like. We stood amidst a congregation, and sang songs about Jesus. Some sang German, some in English; to my left stood a German man of Togolese origin, to my right an Australian. In front of us was a Chinese family that had moved to Germany some years ago, behind me, I could here the southern drawl of an American singing about her King.
Guys, it was such a joy; not just in terms of getting to know the Germans, but personally for me in getting to know our own young people. Thank you all for being part of it, whether you travelled with us, supported us in prayer or paid for us to get there. As the newbie on staff, I can’t think of a better way of getting to know my new family.
Can we go back, please?
Lewis Roderick
Goodbye to the GAP Team. Part Three.
31-07-2009 | Christchurch Blog | Evangelism | GAP Team »
This is our final instalment of GAP Team reflections. Today we hear from Janelle Leach and Taige McMahon. Before you read their highlights let me take just a moment to thank you all for the way you have served the team as examples, hosts, and friends. And thanks for the way that you have given generously. Without your kind giving we would never have been able to get the Gappers here! I know that the those of the team who are moving on will miss you all greatly. And we as a pastoral team understand why!
Teen Girls- LIFE, Bettws, and VJ
A highlight that has streamed consistently throughout this entire year has been the privilege to work with young teenage girls. Whether it was chatting over coffee with my LIFE girls, days dedicated to doing make-up and hair, or a day out in Cardiff; teaching in Bettws High School building relationships and learning names; or at VJ or VJ Extra meeting friends of those I already knew, or seeing new faces to catch up with throughout the months, I see God pursuing and wooing the hearts of young girls in the Newport and Cardiff areas. What hope and joy fills my heart as I see Jesus’ commitment to His Bride, The Church! His faithfulness to shed light in darkness, reveal sin, bestow lavish grace, and save souls…I count it a tremendous honour to watch up close as He does His work. Praying for difficulties with “friend situations” at school, conversations with LIFE girls about the gift our moms are to us, or how to answer a difficult question about God’s sovereignty to an unbelieving friend- have been woven throughout the year. These remind me of the blessings that are countless in my life (my mom being at the top of the list!), that God’s promises to us seem sweeter during trials- no matter what they are, and that God’s love displayed at Calvary answers all questions we may have about His love and goodness. I have been sobered by how easy my life has been as I hear from girls at VJ extra what is going on at home and the extent to which their family is broken. In these moments, I take comfort knowing that Jesus heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds. No hurt or pain is beyond His reach. It is through the means of these precious souls that God has chosen to reveal Himself more wonderfully to me. He has increased my love for Him and my amazement at the Gospel. I see His blessings more in number and more ill deserved. It is then that I take refuge in Christ’s righteousness and rejoice that He has not yet finished His work in me!
Church life and families
Flying over the ocean on August 25, 2008, the number one thing I was excited about was YOU. Christchurch. I was eager to meet he families and singles and children that composed this local church in Newport, Wales. The first listeners of the “In it to win it” series—I couldn’t wait to see and hear how those messages impacted you and what changes were made in your life as a result! Impact and change that I knew I desperately needed in my own life. I was thrilled that the word “evangelism” was surely going to take on a whole new meaning for me this year. And it has; oh, it has. I have loved every moment of being in your homes- enjoying tea (whether that’s the drink or the meal!), watching your children, or simply hanging out for an afternoon. Lingering after Sunday’s service to swap stories about our week or discuss the message; Home Groups that were full of laughter, encouragement, and challenges…you have been a gift. I dare say, the thing I’m most excited about as I enter this next year with you all, is getting to know you better in a more “normal” season of life. I am eager to pioneer with you for the sake of the Gospel amidst the mundane. I’m excited to meet your un-believing co-workers and neighbours and maybe see them go through “Starting Point.” I can’t wait to cheer as people are baptized…people who have been challenged by your example and changed forever by the Good News you’ve shared with them. Thank you for your example, for your friendship, for your love for the Gospel and the way you proclaim it to the world around you. I am learning so much from you!
As I look back on the last 11 months I am in awe of all the ways God has worked in Christchurch, the GAP Team, and in my life personally. There really are innumerable highlights and blessings that would take pages to articulate. I will however try and describe a few of my biggest highlights of the last year: The first for me would most definitely be Christchurch Students. As I was considering the GAP Team last year, God had really placed students and that aspect of the GAP Team on my heart, and though I was excited about the other areas of the team, my main desire was to see the student ministry grow and be strengthened. It’s been so great over the past year to see how, by the grace of God, Christchurch students has transformed from a disconnected group of students to a close-knit group of friends who partake in life, church, and pursue Godliness together. I have been so encouraged by the students that God has brought to Christchurch and their heart to pursue and glorify him in their lives. They are to be commended for the way they have pursued discipleship, sought to bring the Gospel to their unbelieving friends, and desired God’s glory to be displayed in their lives. I have also been overwhelmed by the friendship that these students have extended to me, and I’m extremely grateful for the way they have taken me in as their friend. It will be the hardest thing I do to say goodbye to all these people I can so wonderfully call true friends.
Another huge highlight of the GAP Team has been the ability to be involved once a week in Bettws High School on Thursday mornings to do assemblies and put on workshops for the kids. It blows my mind that we have been able to explicitly share the Gospel to the year 7 children every week for around eight months. It’s been such a privilege to be able to take the glorious light of the gospel to the dark places in Bettws. I praise God for the observable fruit that He’s produced in the children over the past year in confessions of faith in Jesus to a general affinity and friendship between the GAP Team and the students and teachers from Bettws. This is only the fruit that we can see over a year, but it is encouraging to think that God will use Christchurch to continue to produce fruit and bring his Gospel forward in Bettws, and I can’t wait till the day when we won’t see in part, but we will see all that God has done in Bettws.
Finally, I am so grateful to Christchurch for the way the way you guys have accepted, cared for, and served the GAP Team and I. It’s been such a privilege to be a part of a church that so willingly and joyfully serves others. I couldn’t recount all the ways that I’ve been blessed by people who have offered their possessions, time, and care to me while I’ve been here in Wales. I’m so grateful for all the friends I’ve made in this church from young to old. Thank you all for the way you’ve made me feel welcome and have cared for me in so many ways. Thank you for giving of your time and serving me in various ways throughout my time here. Thank you for your financial giving so we as a GAP Team could have the privilege of serving such a wonderful church. I really feel like Christchurch has become my home and it is with great sorrow that I turn to head back to the States. Thank you for being such a great example of Godliness.
Dan Gaweda
Goodbye to the GAP Team. Part two.
26-07-2009 | Christchurch Blog | Evangelism | GAP Team »
Today we hear more highlights from Peter Benson, Kat Dixon and Australian Dave Elsing. More great testimonies of God’s grace!
The Senior teens. I love those guys. I've spent loads of time with them this year, either golfing, playing PS3, poker, Risk, or hanging in town, but also having lots of good conversations and just living life together. Home group at Gavin Smith's house is always excellent. I go twice a month with the rest of the senior teens. It's pretty casual conversation ranging from dating non-Christians, to marriage, the future, and exhortation to develop and understand their convictions on things. I am encouraged by what the guys have to share and their openness with one another. It is very faith building. These young men love God and display a confident faith in Christ. Their love for the church is evident through their sacrifices and priorities. I’ve been so blessed by their friendships, and I'm realizing how majorly it’s going to stink when I leave.
Then there was my last VJ. I spent time connecting with kids I’ve gotten to know, watching them light up around us, drawing them out, buying them a candy bar if they were all alone, and asking them what they thought about God. I love the mayhem of 220+ sugar-crazed kids running around on inflatables, playing games, and having the time of their life. It can be a bit challenging, then, to get them to listen to the 30 minute message that we break for in the middle of the evening’s fun. All the VJ workers disperse among the kids to try and keep them quite. I’ve had to kick kids out before.
But, through all that, some kids do hear the Gospel, and are changed forever by it. One boy told me he used to think you became a Christian by being christened, but that now he didn’t because of what we’d taught him. That’s huge! If nothing else, we want these kids to understand what the Gospel really is! It’s not about works! We can’t stop smiling when we talk about them. God is doing a work in Wales; it’s been really exciting to be a part of it.
At the last Family Meeting, I was freshly aware how much I’ve grown to love this church. Sitting in my chair I laughed hard along with everyone else, grew excited with them, and at points felt the bittersweet joy of Gospel-change along with them. Unlike half a year ago at the last meeting, I felt at home, bonded together with a group of people I look to as family. These past eleven months have significantly altered my understanding of God, myself, and the church. They have found me surrounded by new, dear friends, and not wanting to leave this home I’ve found. Yet, I’m excited by what I’ve learned, compelled by example to go forward, into whatever community God places me, with the good news that’s become even more amazing to me this year.
The GAP Team has been filled with many highlights for me over the past year. Three top ones that I believe will continue to remain with me as I head home are: sharing the gospel in Bettws High School/VJ, seeing the Christchurch Student group grow, and building lasting friendships with the Senior Teen girls in the church.
Being in Bettws High School every Thursday and Teens every Friday night has provided many sweet opportunities for me to share the gospel and witness the gospel fruit spring up in many hearts over the year. It is an amazing thing to see a hostile or lukewarm teen become hungry for God’s word, start attending church and evangelizing friends.
Another highlight has been seeing God grow the Christchurch Students by both adding newcomers and strengthening the Student Team Leaders. For the Students to go from a few to around fifty, scattered at different campuses to unified in fellowship, and on the fringe of church life to diving into serving and homegroups... these are evidence of God's hand greatly at work in building His church.
Lastly, some of the most meaningful moments of the year have been the deep friendships I have in the Senior Teen Girls. What a joy it is to walk out the Christian faith alongside good friends and see the gospel save, the gospel sanctify, and the gospel get big in these girls lives. I have seen so much lasting fruit over the past year and have loved our quality time spent at Gav and Emma's, dinner and sleepovers, movie nights, the Germany trip, etc... I can't wait to hear all the ways God continues to use them in Christchurch and the world in the coming years.
Church Life
Christchurch is the biggest church I have been a part of, and at first I thought it would be a place where I would be overwhelmed and disconnected. This was not the case at all, the close fellowship and warmth that has been shown to me since arriving has been amazing. Getting involved with the various ministries at Christchurch has been a source of encouragement and growth for me. Being able to see the gospel proclaimed through endeavours like VJ, Christianity Explored and Outpost Cardiff has been encouraging and given me some great ideas for the future. Seeing disciples being made in the teens ‘Life’ ministry and the student ‘Equipped’ ministry has been a privilege and a joy, and I am excited to continue to be a part of this process with the help of God. Seeing families come together to worship and hear from God’s word on a Sunday has been refreshing. Observing the way in which people strive to live lives worthy of the gospel, and seeking to trust God, the giver of grace means that I count it a blessing from God that I get to spend another year with you all here at Christchurch.
Pastor’s Conference
Spending one week with the Christchurch pastoral team and thousands of pastors and elders from all over Sovereign Grace has definitely been the highlight of my year. Hearing from some of God’s trustworthy teachers was a delight and privilege. Getting to spend time learning about becoming a better pastor, and training for ministry was provoking and helpful. The way that Sovereign Grace served the attendees was generous, kind and thoughtful. This was definitely an example to learn from. Knowing how Jesus the chief shepherd is looking after his under-shepherds for the care of the flock and his glory gave me a clear picture of the high calling of ministry and one that is not to be taken lightly.
Seeing people respond to God.
During my short time here in Wales there has not been a month that went past without people coming to respond to the gospel of Christ. This has been a reflection on the churches commitment to gospel preaching - Christ crucified, and risen for the salvation of those who would believe. The repentance and declaration of faith from high school & university students, young families and older folks has been astonishing to me. God’s kindness and power has really been on display in the lives of people in our community. The church’s example in loving people and sharing the gospel with them has been fantastic. May we always be in it to win it.
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More to follow...
Dan Gaweda
Goodbye to the GAP Team
23-07-2009 | Christchurch Blog | Evangelism | GAP Team »
This past Sunday we as a church prayed for and thanked the GAP Team as they were all together for the last time. It has been a wonderful year of watching these seven young men and women go out into our communities to spread the gospel as well as investing in our own teens and young people.
Over the last ten months they have worked in nine primary schools and three high schools. They have worked in LIFE, VJ, VJ Xtra, Senior Teens, Outpost and Equipped. They have gone out into the communities with questionnaires, set up for and taken down after church events, decorated kids rooms and a host of other things!
To give you more of an insight into their year we asked them to tell us about some of their highlights. Over the next few days you’ll be able to read about how God has used them and impacted them. You’ll hear how the gospel has gone forward and how they have grown in their love for their Saviour and for you, Christchurch. Today we hear from our Brit, Dave Toms and the wonderful Ivy Gillette. Enjoy!
Student Ministry
In past years, the Christchurch student group consisted of a few random stragglers from a couple of universities. In the last two years it has flourished into a core group of around 50 students with a growing desire to make Jesus known on their campuses. One massive highlight for me this year is the growth of this student group - not just numerically, but also spiritually. This year I have observed students growing in what it means to serve in a local church, taking responsibility and ownership within the church, and using their varying gifts for the glory of God. I have been encouraged greatly to see students prioritising the church events amidst a busy schedule in the week, and building friendships with them has been a massive privilege. I believe the Lord has much in store for the student group as we head into the next academic year and I am excited at the potential for further growth.
Bettws High School
Another highlight for me this year was our time in Bettws High School. From the very first few weeks, I think we all had a good idea that it would be really hard work in the school as we dealt with misbehaving kids and tough situations without any prior teaching experience! However, the Lord granted much grace, and over time we have really seen fruit for our labours there. The relationships we now have with the teachers is nothing short of amazing – by the end of our time there, they were allowing us to have lunchtime Bible studies with the pupils and were showing real interest in how our work was going. The number of Bettws pupils now connected to the church is really encouraging. We have seen large numbers to VJ nights, small numbers to church, and even a couple of girls towards the end professing Christ. This is really exciting for the church, as Bettws is a local community that is slowly being won over to the news of the gospel!
New Partners in the Gospel
In some ways the biggest highlight for me this year has been the friendships I have built with the other GAP Team members. I really feel that I have learnt much from them and have been challenged by their personal walks with God and their pursuit of holiness. Serving alongside them and leading them day-to-day on the ground has been a pleasure and I am thankful for all the ways that they have helped me grow this year. I certainly hope to meet them again this side of glory and share in long-term friendships in the future. Thanks guys!
As I look back over this year I can see God's faithfulness so clearly as I have been away from home and living life in Wales. Coming over I was expecting to be growing through struggles and challenges that come with being away from home and thrown into a different culture. My motto for preparing myself for this year was "Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable." In God's kindness, I have become more aware of my need to depend on God's strength amidst my weakness. Thankfully He has allowed a gentle transition from Charlotte to Newport.
Christchurch's care for us has been overwhelming! Through relationships built in homegroup, the 18-25's, teens, the pastors and their families, and other interaction with the church, I have experienced genuine care through folks going out of their way to serve and include me. My homegroup has gone above and beyond looking out for me! There isn't a home I haven't been to for an amazing meal! Being able to see how each person lives the gospel day in and day out, and observing commitments to be "In it to win it" has challenged me in how to care for my non-Christian friends. They excel at leading by example! At the beginning of the year, Alan and Heather Woods were asked to look out for us girls. Not only have they looked after us but lavished us with a surprise trip to London, a night out in Cardiff Bay, and sweet, encouraging fellowship! Seeing the Pastors and the rest of the Gap Team daily has been eye opening. Even in the midst of lame Dingo jokes, avoiding contact with Taige's nails, or hearing the constant drone of Dave Taylor's singing in the office, surprisingly they make living the Gospel look good!
There are endless instances where God has shown His mercy this year. I am so grateful for the way that He has chosen to make a situation that could have been uncomfortable, comfortable. I can see His mercy through bringing joys rather than pains to remind me yet again of the bigger picture of the mercy He has shown me on the cross!
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More to follow.
Dan Gaweda
ESV Study Bible
17-07-2009 | Christchurch Blog | Books | Recommendations »
Reading the introduction to a bible seems a tad redundant at least for a Christian who would rather meditate on the words of God than those of man, but in the case of the ESV Study Bible, it really is the best place to begin. Here is a sampling from page 1:
“The ESV Study Bible was created to help people understand the Bible in a deeper way—that is, to encounter the timeless truth of God's Word as a powerful, compelling, life-changing reality. To accomplish this purpose, the ESV Study Bible combines the best and most recent evangelical scholarship with the ESV Bible text, which, as an “essentially literal” translation, is especially suited for Bible study. The result is the most comprehensive study Bible ever published—with completely new notes, maps, illustrations, charts, timelines, articles, and other features. Created by an exceptional team of 95 evangelical Christian scholars and teachers, the ESV Study Bible contains more than 2 million words of Bible text and insightful explanation and teaching—equivalent to a 20-volume Bible resource library. The purpose and vision of the ESV Study Bible, then, is first and foremost to honor the Lord: (1) in terms of the excellence, beauty, and accuracy of its content and design, and (2) in terms of helping people come to a deeper understanding of the Bible, of the gospel, and of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior”.
There are 20,000 in-depth notes, 200 full colour maps and 40 drawings of the temple and the city of Jerusalem etc.
Some of us still use the first bible we ever procured as a Christian but many of us have gone through numerous versions, which now occupy rarely touched shelf space. I was spoon-fed on the NIV and later tried chewing through the NKJV, largely ignorant of the differing translations until someone mentioned the English Standard Version back in 2004. I instantly liked it but lamented the fact that it had no study notes. So I resorted to frequently dusting off the other study bibles I owned in search of clarity and illumination that much of the time is peculiarly limited to the minds and research work of great scholars. But no more! Thanks to the 2009 printing, I have the best of both worlds – a translation I love accompanied by study notes for almost every verse in the bible. I love it! It has become my cherished friend in the morning when my brain cells need all the help they can get. It also comes with 160 additional pages of great articles on Biblical doctrine and ethics as well as an overview of the Canon, reliability of manuscripts and original languages. Oh, and last but not least, when you purchase a copy, it grants you free and unlimited access to an on-line version so you can have the bible at your fingertips through your phone or computer!
Buy one! It is a significant investment but one you will treasure for the rest of your life.
Bob.
Bob Mc Can
International Dinners... an update
03-07-2009 | Christchurch Blog | Church | International Dinners »
What feels like a lifetime ago last September, Dave asked what I thought about organising a couple of international meals, say six in a year and see how it goes. Now the word's “on time” and “organised” are not the first things that come to mind when you hear the name Yamba, my wife Yangi will be happy to confirm this should you require a second opinion. But after that initial discussion things became clearer to me that this was one of the areas we as a local church could really serve people in Newport, reaching out to and building relationships with internationals now living in the area.
After a few sleepless nights we finally had the first meal last December. Being the first one and not knowing what to expect we went all out and served lamb curry, vegetarian 3 bean curry, chilli, pizza, home made bread, fruit and desert! We had over 40 people crammed into J26, every continent except Antarctica was represented. Amazingly and by Grace alone the meal itself went without a hitch, everybody was fed with leftovers to spare and the whole event ran like clockwork.
Since then I am pleased to advise things have calmed down a notch! We have had four more dinners since and as well as the regulars from the church we have had a steady flow of visitors coming in, giving us great opportunities to welcome and get to know them.
The food has been amazing, with food from different parts of the world. Just to name a few Christina gave us a continental German theme with a rich & creamy beef soup. Then we went Eastern European with Maria's goulash, Zimbabwe with Mandy's Salad and Tracey was kind enough to make us some desserts from Australia.
Over the months we have had visitors from Belgium, Australia, India, Romania, Nigeria and Germany, many of whom I have now come to know personally and have been enriched by their company.
Looking back it has become clear the meals provide an opportunity for both locals and internationals within the Church to interact in ways that were previously not possible or available. We have seen friendships grow stronger within the group, which has been good. We have also had several visitors who off the back of these events and other initiatives like Reason for God, have now become familiar faces who we now look forward to seeing every Sunday morning. Dave once preached on “Doing life together for the sake of the Gospel” and I didn't quite get how it worked until having a casual conversation with a visitor during one of the meals. He was from a different religious background and made an observation that while they had worship and a sermon it ended there and they went home. In his words he said "we don't have this, you all care for each other". That statement brought home many Gospel truths and I was humbled and grateful we were able to serve in this way.
Looking forward our next meal is on 19/07/09 and weather permitting we will have a flavour packed barbecue. I would encourage you to look around you to see if God has placed anyone in your path that would be interested in coming and bring them along. It’s a great excuse to come in on a Sunday morning, and if they would rather not, we would be happy if the just came along for the meal.
Look at the clubs and activities that we have running and that you are involved in. These are really starting to take off with more and more visitors coming along. There are bound to be lots of opportunities there and best of all the ice is already broken with these folk and so maybe this is another thing they can get involved in.
With all that said, please pray for us. I am so aware of our need for Grace in
this and without Him we can do nothing. Thanks for taking the time to read this and I hope to see you at the next one!
Thanks
Yamba
Yamba, thank you so much for your example. These things are only possible because of the hardwork that folk like you put in, and we so appreciate you for it my friend!
Dave Taylor
Dave Taylor
VJ - End of Year Review
19-06-2009 | Christchurch Blog | Church | Vintage Jesus »
The first friday of every month is VJ Night at Christchurch, an evening for teenagers to come and have some serious fun, as well as hear all about Jesus and the glorious gospel! This has been another great year for us, with so much to give thanks for…
Firstly a big thank you to all the VJ workers who have served this year in making VJ a huge success. This year we have seen the number of young people attending triple with us averaging over 225 every month. VJ has the grace of God all over it, although we have had large numbers, He has provided numerous opportunities for VJ staff to interact with the young people about the gospel and real life issues on a monthly basis. Many relationships are being cultivated with the young people and we are starting to see God's work in young people's hearts as they hear and discuss the gospel.
This month I had a brilliant conversation with a young lad who was trying to get his head around the gospel and the incredible truth that people can actually be truly forgiven of all their sin through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. I had a great opportunity to pray with him and care for him as he was walking through a difficult season. It is wonderful to get a front row seat and observe God at work in the lives of the young people attending. With this in mind I have asked Janelle to share her VJ experience, enjoy the read...
'VJ has been an exceptional tool to engage teenagers from the surrounding areas in Newport in conversations with eternal weight. I have been astounded by the opportunities the Lord provides as I sit on couches interacting with teens over a can and some penny sweets. Just last Friday, Ivy and I were chatting to a few girls from Bettws High School about the Ten Commandments in the foyer. With music blaring in the background, inflatables and rodeo bulls and hyper, sugar-stuffed teenagers screaming across the room to each other, we sat on a couch in the corner and told at least 10 lost souls the good news about Jesus. After the VJ message last Friday I asked two girls what they thought of the message. They mentioned Lewis' comment that no one knows when they're going to die, and it could be sooner than they think. Amazingly by God's grace, this conversation resulted in both of them praying and putting their faith in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour… a great moment. Immediately they had questions about the Bible. We pulled chairs up to a table and sat around as they marveled over the Truth: reading aloud, asking what different words meant; I was in disbelief. They were eager to come to church on Sunday. I consider it a privilege to be involved in VJ. To have a front row seat to the Holy Spirit at work in the teens in the area. Whether they're being saved, asking questions, or even just coming... we are watching God pursue the hearts of these young people.' Janelle- GAP TEAM
Thank you again to all the VJ staff who serve to make this project possible. I also want to honor and thank those who serve in the clear up team on a Saturday morning after VJ. You guys have served brilliantly to make sure that everything is set up and ready for Sunday morning, getting those chairs striaght is no easy task. I also want to thank those parents who have encouraged their children to attend VJ over this year.
I know parents make trips ferrying their teens and mates to the church building for this event, we really appreciate all the effort and investment you are making into your teens. Please continue to pray for the young people who have attended VJ and particularly for the young people who have recently put their faith in Jesus. For everyone involved, enjoy the summer off, I am looking forward to next year already!
Gavin
Gavin
AUSTRALIA & THE TAYLORS – THE STORY SO FAR…
05-06-2009 | Christchurch Blog | Australia | The Taylor's Journey »
Even as a write, I still wonder if this is going to turn out to be some sort of very elaborate April fool that is being played on me. Is this for real? Are we really heading to Australia? Is Sovereign Grace really ok and encouraging about this... seriously?
Well incredibly enough this all seems to be for a real, and even though Emma and I often look at each other and wonder, it really does seem that from early 2010 we are going to be relocating to Australia. For at least 3-5 years as a minimum we are going to be doing all we can to launch the first Sovereign Grace church plant in this new nation, and to be honest, even as a write, I can’t believe we get to do this. But how did we get here you may wonder? Well, let me explain...
At the beginning of July last year I had the privilege of accompanying Pete Greasley on an exploratory trip to Sydney. Over a number of years Sovereign Grace has had an increasing amount of contact from Sydney. Folks buying up Sovereign Grace materials and CD’s, and increasing numbers enquiring after a Sovereign Grace church plant. Mike Pasalich (a Sydney born Australian) was one of the guys leading the line in this, and having just completed a year at the Pastors College he also joined us on this trip, and what a time we had! It was clear that God was calling Sovereign Grace to Australia. We had so many good meetings with people, and God knitted our hearts with so many… something was clearly going to happen! Little did I know...
I returned from this trip refreshed and enthused for all that it seemed God was going to be doing in Australia. And that’s where it stayed. I was devoted to helping them in this church plant, and felt privileged to do so, but doing anything beyond helping others to do it hadn’t even come into my mind.
December 2008 then became a very significant month in my life, and the lives of my family. In talking to Mike Pasalich and encouraging him in all that God was doing in his life, it was clear from him and others that he wasn’t going to be ready to take on the proposed church plant into Australia. No one was clearer on this than Mike himself, and yet with great enthusiasm and humility he continued to apply himself and pray for others. I so respect him and look forward to doing life with Mike in Oz. Then came the arrival of Dave Harvey. Dave was over to spend some time with Christchurch, and on the Saturday morning of his weekend we gathered together our homegroup leaders so that they could hear Dave preach a message entitled, ‘Ambition’. The thrust of Dave’s message was actually to do with contentment, posing the question to us all of ‘By now I should have been ….’ – What’s your blank? And I was pleasantly surprised. I had no blank. I love my wife, and have always been amazed that in a moment of insanity she said “yes”. I love my children, even with endless bike-rides, ice-creams, football games, etc, etc… I love it. And I love Christchurch. My life is just one absolute scandal of grace, and so fill in the blank… I don’t have one… happy days! As the message went on I therefore began to slowly congratulate myself, until Dave randomly in a throw away comment quoted William Carey, ‘Attempt great things for God, expect great things from God’.
At these words a bell resounded in my heart. I had arrived to this message on contentment seriously content, and yet now I found myself strangely uneasy… how did that happen? I didn’t know what the Lord was up to at that point and yet I knew something was taking place in my heart, and so I began to chew things over.
On the Monday my wife and I were then enjoying a quality BHS breakfast before the Christmas shop (it’s the only way I can get through it to be honest!), and Emma began to ask lots of questions about the Australia church plant. It was a fun talk, speaking of the passion of the folk over there that we had met, and considering what God may be up to in it all. She then asked me what type of experienced leader would be needed to bring the church plant about. I replied and at the end of my little talk she simply said these words, “I think I know a guy that is like that… you”.
We laughed about the possibility, but it was a nervous laugh, because the truth is that in that moment the Lord put very clear seeds in our hearts, seeds of faith, that this may well be the path that he was leading us on. It was out the blue for both of us, and yet over the next week we began to pray about it and talk some more about it, and by the following week, I needed some counsel. After all, maybe there was something in the BHS sausage that was causing our focus to be out… this was certainly strange! And so I sat with Pete Greasley on the Tuesday morning, and knowing that this was going to be a shock I ensured we were both sitting before I started. Pete was excellent. He listened intently and asked questions. Having been discipled by Pete for over fourteen years he knows me well, and so this was just another rich moment in our history, a moment I don’t think I’ll ever forget. It concluded with one simple answer from Pete, “I don’t think so Dave, but leave it with me and I’ll keep chewing it over”. To be honest, I was really happy with this. I really trust Pete and knew that he would care for Emma and I in this process, albeit that it seemed that there may have something in that BHS sausage after all!
Although we had received a ‘probably not’, an answer that we were content with, our hearts continued to stir for Australia. Even when we tried to put it out of our minds something would take place that put it right back in there again: emails, cards, conversations, it was an interesting time. And so when the conversation continued with Pete some two months later, we were ready for it to do so. We had just decided on the Monday not to go back to Pete and re-spark the conversation. We needed to know for ourselves that God was at work beyond us and so we held off. It was so good then on the Tuesday when Pete came back to me and re-opened the conversation. Pete had been considering things and he too now also felt the Lord was really in this for us, and so after many questions and tears together, the process began.
After several Sovereign Grace assessments and conversations of real care with Dave Harvey and Jeff Purswell, it became official at the start of May that God willing we would be heading out to Australia in early 2010 to launch the church plant. At one point Dave Harvey thanked Pete and I for all that is taking place and said it seemed to be ‘grievously exciting’. How true that is. It is so exciting to consider that God has revealed a path to us that involves a church plant in Australia – for the furtherance of the Gospel this is so incredibly exciting! As a family we are so humbled that God would have us do this, and for me, my story of scandalous grace continues… absolutely scandalous. And yet, this move is also grieving. We love this pastoral team & this local church and to move away from you, and from our families is filled with so many emotions for us… tougher than I could have ever thought.
And so at the end of it all I so covet your prayers for me, for my family, and for Sovereign Grace Australia. In particular here’s some things that if you get a moment you could pray for...
1. Visas – There is no guarantee with this and so please pray that God works this out for us as Sovereign Grace Australia is set-up.
2. People – There are folk already gathering on the ground in Australia waiting for the plant to start, please pray for them that God would give them grace for patience as plans are made.
3. Wisdom – With so many decisions to make, and my brain being so limited, please pray that God clearly guides our path in this venture in the many questions that come with planting into a new country.
If you have actually read to here then thanks! God bless you for that. Folks you don’t have to move to Australia to attempt great things for God, far from it, we can all passionately live for God wherever we live, and what a privilege we have to do so! And yet as it looks like our story may be moving us to somewhere new, we covet your prayers.
With great affection,
Dave Taylor
Dave Taylor
Prayer Requests - May
07-05-2009 | Christchurch Blog | Prayer Requests | Christchurch »
E.M.Bounds said:
"The ministry of prayer has been the peculiar distinction of all of God's saints".
In fact it is also the great privilege of all God's children who know Him as Abba, Father. In the exercise of prayer we are freshly reminded of our neediness and His all-sufficiency. We become acutely aware of our woeful inability and His staggering omnipotence. Something happens besides the utterance of words when we pray. We are engaging with faith in the realm of divine providence, whereupon God promises to accomplish His purposes as we pray according to his will. The Creator of the universe, the one who redeemed us invites us to join in the glorious work of advancing His Kingdom through speaking to Him. This is staggering! Paul writes in Ephesians 3:20 that He is able to do more abundantly than all that we ask or think...
That should inform our prayers as we look to Him to empower us in evangelism, in serving, in caring and in seeing souls saved for the Glory of God. Thank you for engaging in this peculiar distinction! We are evidencing fruit all over that can only be attributed to the astounding grace of God. Please continue to pray for the following:
• Christianity Explored - the new course begins May 12th
• Outpost Cardiff - Next meeting takes place on May 17th
• Mothers and Toddlers
• Christianity Explored Bettws
• International Dinners - next dinner is on May 31st
• Legacy
Bob Mc Can
No Scar?
02-05-2009 | Christchurch Blog | Gospel | Sunday Morning »
NO SCAR?
Hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land;
I hear them hail thy bright, ascendant star.
Hast thou no scar?
Hast thou no wound?
Yet I was wounded by the archers; spent,
Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent
By ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned.
Hast thou no wound?
No wound? No scar?
Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,
And piercèd are the feet that follow Me.
But thine are whole; can he have followed far,
Who hast no wound or scar?
BY AMY CARMICHAEL,
IRISH MISSIONARY TO INDIA FOR 55 YEARS
Pete Greasley
Things to pray for in April
03-04-2009 | Christchurch Blog | Prayer Requests | Christchurch »
After a wonderful month in March, with God showing us great favour in all that we prayed for... Teens, Christianity Explored (info to follow on this), Outpost Cardiff and Mothers & Toddlers... April has arrived! With so much going on here are some thoughts on what we can be praying for this month when we're by ourselves, and as we meet together in homegroups;
1. Easter Sunday
Sunday April 12th, can you believe it's that time already? Please pray that God opens up many doors for us to be able to invite folk to this visitor orientated Sunday and that they say 'yes'. The sung worship and message will be gospel focused and so what an opportunity this is to bring folk along.... there's even going to be free easter eggs for the children. So please pray for Pete and I as we prepare, and for all those who will be with us as guests.
2. Sunday Club
Every Sunday morning some seventy plus children, some belonging to Christchurch folk and some not, meet upstairs in Sunday club for a cracking time of singing, activities and teaching. Please pray that God blesses them and opens their eyes to the glories of the Gospel, even at this young age (4 - 11), and please pray for all those that teach in this most important role.
3. Students
One of the highlights of this year has been to see our student ministry really take-off, it's just scandalous grace what is happening here! Please pray for them all as they now head into exams, and the joys for some of figuring out what God would have them do next year. They are all in need of much grace and so would our prayers be a meaningful blessing to them.
4. Legacy
Month by month the legacy group meets for activities and food, and quite clearly they are a growing clan as more and more guests come along. Please pray that God continues to open up conversations with all of their guests and that our Legacy group would be ever bolder in talking to folk about the Gospel. Praise God for this group I say, I just hope I'm like you guys when I grow up.
Folks thanks so much for carrying these things in your hearts and as we pray, would we be quick to come back and give thanks for all that He is clearly already doing.
For His Glory,
Dave
Dave Taylor
GAP TEAM... HALF-TIME INTERVIEW
10-03-2009 | Christchurch Blog | Evangelism | GAP Team »
Just a few weeks ago I blew the half-time whistle on the GAP Team, gathered them together in Greasley's office and asked them some questions. The result was this video! As you will soon find out Peter (I want to have a laugh with the editing) Benson has had a bit of fun with the start and end, but in between that there's thirty minutes of really encouraging talk about how the first six months has looked for these Gappers.
There is no question in my mind that we are so blessed as a local church to have these Gappers here, and what a difference they are making. So settle back with a coffee, press play and enjoy listening to what God is doing through this team.... their highlights, their involvement in the student ministry, and their appreciation for Christchurch...... enjoy!
Play video
Dave Taylor
Lord, let your kingdom come…
04-03-2009 | Christchurch Blog | Prayer Requests | Christchurch »
One of the unique and amazing privileges of every Christian is the invitation to beseech our Heavenly Father through our saviour Jesus Christ anytime, anywhere. Some of you may have been aware that every Sunday morning before the meeting began, a small group of folk were faithfully doing just this and we are so thankful for their hearts in this crucial area. In a desire to raise the profile of the importance and priority of prayer, we have decided to extend this ministry to all our Homegroups. The truth is, without grace we can do nothing! We so need the generous hand of God in all we do and although we 'anticipate' grace we don't want to 'presume' on grace. So please, lets all join together in spending increased time in prayer, both within the groups, within our families and privately. My plan is to blog the requests for any given month, and so here's the story for March...
1. Christianity Explored
We presently have two CX groups in action, one in a home in Bettws and one in the Christchurch Centre, each presenting about eight searching folk. Please pray that God would open the eyes of the folk who are coming along... We can talk but it is God alone who saves. The early signs for the groups are excellent with great questions and emotions visible, and so as we press now into these final weeks, let's pray for saving grace.
2. Teen "LIFE' Nights
Starting on March 13th, Dan Gaweda and Mike Pasalich are going to be taking on the new look teens evenings, namely 'LIFE' nights. With food, worship, teaching and discussion the 11-16's are in for an absolute blast, and so please pray that they encounter God in specific ways during these evenings and that the Lord of the gospel becomes ever more amazing to them through these events. These new evenings will run fortnightly.
3. Outpost Cardiff
The last Outpost went great! With copious amounts of curry and bags of questions the evening was a blast. Please pray that the same happens when we gather again on 22nd March for more of the same. Pray also for our own 18-25's that God would show them much favour as they seek to invite their friends along to these times.
4. Mothers & Toddlers
Last month saw our first lady get saved having started her journey through Mothers & Toddlers. From M & T's, to friendship, to church, to Christianity Explored, to baptism.... it doesn't get any sweeter than this, particularly when we baptise her husband at the same time! Folks let's pray for much more of the same. The ladies that serve in this do a grand job and so please keep praying for them that God would give them fresh courage and boldness to turn conversations towards gospel opportunities, and by His grace would many more ladies come to know Jesus as Lord and Saviour as a result.
It so excites me to know that the whole of Christchurch is going to be praying for these things, this is just great, and to Him then go ALL the glory!
In His Grace,
Dave
Dave Taylor
Goodbye Na, Hello Next!
27-02-2009 | Christchurch Blog | Church | Conferences »
Over the past ten years a whole load of us have enjoyed the delights of the New Attitude conference. Year on year the worship has been exhilarating, the preaching passionate, and the fellowship an ongoing highlight. With a conference room packed to the rafters with young enthusiastic christians and a speaker list that alone is worth the airfare.... all I can say is if you can get there, then do, you'll have an absolute blast!!
Here are the plans for this year, including a name change, as told by the Next admin team...
"Dear friends,
After ten years, we're giving New Attitude a new name. New Attitude—that is, the name—is over. This year we're launching Next:
May 23-26, Baltimore, Maryland
thisisnext.org
We talked to Josh Harris about why the conference has been renamed Next. Here’s what he told us:
Why change the name?
Josh: The name New Attitude was a holdover from a magazine I published many years ago, but it really has no connection with what the conference is about. The name Next better captures the vision that’s always been at the core of this event.
What is the vision of Next?
Josh: So much of the heart and mission of this event will be the same. The vision of Next is to gather worshipers of Jesus Christ who burn with a passion to see the gospel transferred to the next generation.
Are there any common misconceptions about the name "Next"?
Josh: Some might think the name Next is preoccupied with what is new, the latest, or the "next thing." Or even the idea that the "next generation" is more exciting because young is better than old. Actually, it’s just the opposite. We’re not concerned with what is new. We’re not here to innovate. We want to proclaim, understand, and faithfully transmit truth from God’s Word that never changes—truth that is solid and sound and old. And we’re not fascinated with the next generation because it’s better. We just love Jesus and we want whoever is coming behind us to know him, love him, and worship him with us.
Who should come to this conference?
Josh: Over the years New Attitude has come to be thought of as a "singles conference" or a "college event." But Next recognizes that transferring the gospel is not limited to an age group or a marital status. I view it as an opportunity to introduce attendees to the faithful pastors and theologians who have most deeply affected my life. There’s no generation gap. There’s only rapt attention and joy in the glorious gospel that transcends all cultures and ages.
We hope to see you in Baltimore!
-Next"
Dave Taylor
OUTPOST CARDIFF... IT'S BACK!!
17-02-2009 | Christchurch Blog | Church | Outpost Cardiff »
Outpost Cardiff is back this coming Sunday night, 22nd Feb, and it's back with fog horns on!! This Sunday we'll be having a totally revamped outpost format, with a focus on our new AAA (Ask Absolutely Anything) panel...
I'm going to be kicking things off with a short 20 minute media inclusive talk, based on Christianity: Boring, Untrue, Irrelevant? This will be followed by a free all you can eat curry, with plenty of time for drinks and the brewing of questions. We'll then unleash the questions onto the panel.... happy days!
As we've been saying for weeks, if you are 18-25 then please see this as a great opportunity to bring your friends along. It's going to be different from when we did it before, with no worship and no long messages... We really think that we've learnt a few things having run this for six weeks last year and so now, by choosing more engaging topics that attract unbelievers, and by focusing more on the panel and the relationships built around a meal together, we're really excited about this outpost 09 relaunch!
Please, please invite your mates... this is your opportunity and your ball to run with, and who knows, they may even say yes! So please ask your friends to come, as well as any other randoms you might meet in the street... let's just spread the rumour guys and seek to do all we can to win people to the glorious truth of the gospel. That after all, is what it's all about... and there is no better news we can ever bring to those we call friends.
For more info please check out... www.outpostcardiff.com and if you need any more invites then just give me a shout and I'll get them out to you! Got some pretty cool Outpost Cardiff 'Beer Mat Invites' coming in soon.... watch this space for that, in the meantime please utilise the flyers that we handed out last time.
Have a great week spreading the word,
Dave
PS. Newport folks, we'll be running a minibus for you and your mates, the timetable is as follows...
Pick up @ Christchurch Centre: 6:30 PM
Chepstow Road (Bus stop opp Albert Avenue): 6:40 PM
Caerleon Road (Bus stop by Spar): 6:50 PM
Caerleon Campus: 7:00 PM
Arrive @ Koko Gorillaz: 7:30 PM
Drop off @ Leave Koko Gorillaz @: 10:00 PM
Caerleon Campus: 10:25 PM
Caerleon Road (Bus stop by Spar): 10:35 PM
Chepstow Road (Bus stop opp Albert Avenue): 10:45 PM
Christchurch Centre: 10:50 PM
Dave Taylor
Be still my dancing feet
13-02-2009 | Christchurch Blog | Church | General »
Just a few weeks ago I was taking a nose at the blog of Grace Church Bristol, seeing how things are going for them and just generally seeing what we can beg, borrow or steal (I told you I didn't have any original thoughts!) It was during that sortie mission that I came across the following, and oh how disturbed I was! It was just a few years ago that Peter Bowley was serving faithfully as a well respected pastor on the Christchurch team, but it would seem that since he's gone over the bridge he's begun to utilise otherwise unspotted talents.... talents that should have probably remained hidden. Oh my, take a seat, a deep breath, and check this out...
Dave Taylor
Biblical Parenting Conference
06-02-2009 | Christchurch Blog | Church | Parenting »
Are you a parent or about to become a parent?
Then perhaps you should consider setting Saturday, March 21st 2009 aside from your normal routine and driving the short hop to Bradley Stoke Community School in Bristol.
Why on earth would I do that?
Well here are five good reasons why:
1. Tedd Tripp will be in attendance and he is worth the trip (no pun intended). This man is a gifted communicator and a seasoned parent, pastor and counselor.
2. His teaching encompasses the values we hold dearest because they are Biblically based and gospel focused. Tedd will help you get to the heart of parenting and as well as provide you with practical quidelines.
3. You will be freshly encouraged and equipped for one of life’s most challenging but rewarding responsibilities.
4. Husbands: you would ordinarily have to travel to the US to hear Tedd in person, but now you could take some of that money and treat your wives to a nice dinner after the conference.
5. You will never regret sacrificing one Saturday out of your year for this conference – this is such a small investment of your time but potentially could result in impacting your parenting for years and generations to come.
If you sign up now, you can take advantage of the extended ‘earlybird’ registration. For all the details of this conference please follow this link: http://www.teddtripp.org/
Bob Mc Can
Generations opens its doors...
03-02-2009 | Christchurch Blog | Evangelism | Generations »
For some time now, we have been looking to broaden the scope of our Children’s ministry by seeking to incorporate others who don’t normally attend church. Well, now that time is here! Generations is now open to folks who don’t attend Christchurch and will in many ways take over from where Shockwave left off. We are going to promote our existing ministry to families who have children aged 3-11, calling it Generations Sunday Club. We even have a page on our website which features a downloadable registration and consent form. You can access that by clicking here.
In many ways, things won’t look any different around here. We will be featuring the same curriculum and striving to faithfully pass the gospel onto the next generation. But now your children will be able to extend an invitation to their friends to come along any Sunday and not just to “Visitor Sundays”. We are aware that there are non church attendees in Wales who would like their children to receive some form of Christian instruction and we want to make that as accessible as possible to them. If you know someone who would like their children to come on Sundays, then please invite them and even bring them! All we ask of parents is that they be willing to accompany their children one Sunday a month. From this Sunday onwards, we will have leaflets available at the Info Corner and at the Generations Registration table in the foyer.
This we believe is another opportunity to extend the gospel and let people see that Christchurch is a place where Christ is central and serving others flows through people who have been transformed by His amazing love.
Bob Mc Can
Aussie Elves
21-12-2008 | Christchurch Blog | Books | Recommendations »
Still got presents to buy? Sick of walking around shops? Confused.com when it comes to what to get?
In the space of the next five minutes all your questions could be answered thanks to this years Aussie Elves. For the past few years we have managed to get two of Santa's little helpers over to Christchurch to spread the rumour on what's hot and what's not in the book world, and this year is no exception. Dazzled by the Russian elves in 2005 and 2006... particularly by the one with a face like a balloon, and amazed by the quality of the dancing displayed by the Irish elves in 2007, this was a hard act to follow. However our Aussie elves have come up trumps.... enjoy!!
PS. Anyone fancy being an intern next year?
2008 - Bruce & Mick - The Aussie Elves
2007 - Seamus & Sean - The Irish Elves
2006 - Eric & Derek - The Russian Elves
2005 - Part 2 - Eric & Derek - The Russian Elves
2005 - Part 1 - Eric & Derek - The Russian Elves
Dave Taylor
Christchurch Ladies Christmas Market
15-11-2008 | Christchurch Blog | Evangelism | Events »
One of the things I love about Christchurch is the way folk with creative gifts and ideas help to take us forward and be all the more 'In it 2 win it'! The Ladies Christmas Market was an example of this at work, and so sit back and enjoy the journey...
It all started as a vague idea, which turned into a conversation with some of the ladies at Mums-to-Mums, which got emailed to Dave Taylor... and before I knew it I was in the throes of organising Christchurch’s first ever Christmas Market. It’s been a hectic couple of months, but I hope you all agree that it was worth the effort! For those who couldn’t make it (all men in the church except Mike Parker, who had lots of important jobs to do during the evening, and Gav, who, um, turned up) here’s a taste of what happened:
On Wednesday night, Christmas came early to Christchurch as those coming into the building were greeted by fairy lights, decorations, Christmas music and the wonderful aroma of mulled wine coming from the kitchen. The hall was packed with 39 stalls selling crafts, Christmas decorations and cards, smellies, books, toys, chocolates, jewellery, jams and chutneys, wine and cider, scarves and pashminas, clothes, and Christmas nibbles. Sharon Gregory did a fantastic job of organising the refreshments: mulled wine, mince pies, teas and coffees and biscuits (I bullied her into it – she’s my sister-in-law! Thanks a million, Sharon!)
Apart from 50 or so people manning the stalls (only 4 of which were run by Christchurch members), over 300 people came in to shop. Before we even opened the doors at 7.30pm, the front foyer was packed out with eager bargain-hunters, sending official greeter Janet Strachen into a frenzy making sure they all got their free raffle tickets! We had coffee tables set up and these were filled all night as ladies took the chance to chill out and socialise. Some of the stalls got pretty hectic too – I heard that the scarves were going like hot cakes, and that stall took the most at over £400. 10% of all takings were donated to “Operation Christmas Child,” and we made a total of £600+ for this charity.
As I stood on the stage to draw the raffle I looked out over the hall, filled with people, many of whom had never visited Christchurch before. Many of the stallholders had commented on how wonderful the facilities were and how there must be lots going on at Christchurch. Jennifer, a student from Cardiff, invited her six housemates, and to her delight they all came, giving her opportunities to talk about the church and her faith, and to invite them to “Outpost Cardiff.” As they left, everyone who came was given a candy cane with an invitation to the Christmas Carol Service tied to it with lovely gold ribbon (thanks Sarah Pasalich and her posse of girls for making those.)
Thank you so much to all ladies who supported this evening, especially as it seemed everybody brought friends and family along, which was such a thrill to me. I hope this was an “ice-breaker” and that having now been to the building, many of these ladies may consider coming to other events where they may hear the gospel; also that church members will now have further opportunities to talk about the church and their faith.
Finally, massive thank-yous must also go to all those who helped towards this evening, serving up-front or behind the scenes. I am so grateful to God for how smoothly it all went and how quickly everything was cleared away at the end. I continue to be amazed at the generous servant-heartedness and humble attitudes of the members of Christchurch. And since many stallholders have asked to come back and do it all again next year, as a reward for being so efficient you can all help again!
One stallholder even asked if we’d consider doing a summer fayre too… Any volunteers to organise that one?!
Thanks again,
Julia Davage.
Praise God folks... as Julia has said thank you so much to everyone who got involved with this, and Julia...thank you!
Dave Taylor
Did you miss out on the Mission Videos?
12-11-2008 | Christchurch Blog | Mission | Sovereign Grace »
Each year, Sovereign Grace Ministries produce a collection of short films featuring ministry activities among our family of churches. The highlight is the annual Mission Presentation, which now consists of three separate films which we recently showed during the last three weeks of October.
These films showcase three aspects of our mission together:
“Building in Germany”
Featuring Wolfgang and Christian Wegert of Arche Church in Hamburg
“Covenant Life Church”
In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
“Transferring the Gospel To The Next Generation”
An interview with CJ Mahaney and Josh Harris.
If you did happen to miss these videos, then click here to view them.
Bob Mc Can
outpost:cardiff - launches 9th November
07-11-2008 | Christchurch Blog | Evangelism | Outpost Cardiff »
Well folks, it's finally here. Outpost Cardiff starts this Sunday night at 7.30pm in Koko Gorillaz (on the corner of Miskin Street and Salisbury Road)! Look forward to a night of music and teaching followed by the chance to grab a pint and discuss what you've heard afterwards. Everyone is welcome to come along regardless of what you believe. Come along to check it out and say hello to us or just observe anonymously to see what you think.
Christchurch students, let's make sure we're all there ready to go! We're doing this so that non-Christian mates can come along and check out just what this Jesus character is all about. I'd love to see you all there! If transport is an issue just give me a heads up at students@christchurchnet.org and we'll get you there.
Please pray that God uses even this first week to show people what he has done through Jesus!
See you later. Mine's a Guinness by the way.
Dan Gaweda
The Shack - Caveat Lector (Let the reader beware!)
11-10-2008 | Christchurch Blog | Books | Reviews »
Folks, there's a new "Christian" novel out that is gaining wide readership. It's called "The Shack" and some people are raving about it.
It has remained on the New York Times Best Seller list for 17 consecutive weeks, selling 500,000 copies in the first 11 months. Atop the list of endorsements is Eugene Peterson, Professor Emeritus Of Spiritual Theology, Regent College, Vancouver, B.C. He writes:
"When the imagination of a writer and the passion of a theologian cross-fertilize the result is a novel on the order of The Shack. This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress did for his. It's that good!"
And Michael W. Smith says, "The Shack will leave you craving for the presence of God."
In our opinion, this book is littered with serious heretical ideas. So I wanted to both warn you and also give you some links to reviews that will help in your discernment.
In April, Dr. Albert Mohler dedicated a radio program to presenting his review of the book. He closed the radio program with these words:
"...Whenever you have an issue in which you are dealing in a narrative-fictional context with theology, you need to be really, really careful. It's dangerous enough to write theology. But when you try to put it in the form of 'theological fiction,' or 'Christian fiction,' it gets all the more dangerous because you are inventing dialogue and inventing characters. And this is one of the grave, grave problems I have with this book [The Shack]. If you put God in some kind of character format-in this case as an African-American woman-you're going to be creative and create a fictional character. Now, is it responsible to do that with the God of the Bible? I have grave concerns about that, but the concerns grow more grave when you look at the dialogue imbedded within the book and the fact that this simply, by any measure, falls far short of biblical Christianity. There is very little in this book about salvation, but there is absolutely nothing in this book that would help you to understand how one comes to be made right with God through the atonement achieved by Jesus Christ, the Son. My main issue is not with the particulars of the story-in some sense a story is a story. My problem is with what is imbedded in the story and this is a danger regardless of whether the story is presented as Christian fiction or something else. Remember, everyone has a purpose in writing a story. In this case, regardless of intention (I cannot read the man's heart), I can tell you the effect of this book is deeply subversive of the Christian faith and I think inherently seductive as well."
Dr. Albert Mohler, Radio Program: "A Look at 'The Shack'" (aired 4/11/08). Excerpt taken from the 35:14-37:07 markers.
Listen to, or download, the full radio program, click here.
Also, Tim Challies, blogger and author of The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment, has written a 17-page review of The Shack. You can download the entire review as a PDF by clicking here.
Pete Greasley
GAP Team News : October '08
09-10-2008 | Christchurch Blog | Evangelism | GAP Team »
The GAP team have landed and have hit the ground running!! It has now been over a month since the team landed on the sunny shores of South Wales… and boy what a month it has been! Over the past month the guys and gals from the America’s (bar one) have done everything from consuming Guinness in the rugged, yet beautiful old West Wales fishing town of Fishguard, learning to play football with a bunch of over zealous, fanatical Brits, to spending a weekend away with a bunch of year 7’s from Bettws high in the English country side! It has been non-stop action coupled with some divinely appointed gospel sharing opportunities!
GAP stands for GROW and PROCLAIM and thus far this gospel inspired adventure has lived up to its name! Over the past month, this godly and passionate young team have already experienced many opportunities to grow and proclaim! Leaving family, friends and familiar surroundings behind and diving head first into a foreign culture, with different attitudes and values is no easy thing! As one can appreciate, such a move provides for many fresh opportunities to rely and trust in the grace that God provides freely and abundantly for all who choose to pick up their cross and follow the Saviour! In the short month that the team have been on British soil, they have already had to adapt to many changes in lifestyle and thinking, which they have all embraced with much faith and joy!
Along with many opportunities to grow the team have also graciously been given several opportunities to directly share the awesome news of a crucified saviour! Currently the team are involved with 5 schools in the local community. These include: Bettws high, Mount Pleasant primary, Millbrook primary, Glan Usk primary and Monnow primary. Although some of what the team have been doing in these schools does not always involve direct gospel proclamation, the Lord has still been kind to provide some opportunities! One of the Gappers had an opportunity to share the good news with 6 students in a local school who just happened to be reading through a passage of scripture from Mathew in preparation for a 9/11 memorial service. Another Gapper was able to share the gospel with a teacher in one of the schools who claimed to be a church-goer but did not grasp the gospel.
On Monday 22nd September I attended the UWIC freshers fayre where myself and two other Christchurch students spoke to a handful of freshers about attending the church and we handed out over 700 Christchurch wall calendars to students. Over the past month myself and the GAP team have also enjoyed several student socials which have included an aussie style sausage sizzle and a trip to Rest Bay where we were able to spend some quality time getting to know the students of Christchurch. The team are also pumped about being heavily involved in outpost Cardiff, which is kicking off on Sunday evenings in little over a months time @ Koko Gorillaz in Cardiff!!
Please continue to pray for the GAP team! Please pray that the Lord would continue to give them grace to adapt to life here in the UK and that the Lord might continue to provide them with opportunities to proclaim the good news of a crucified and risen Saviour! Thank you Christchurch for your generosity that has made this work possible!!
Mike Pasalich
For Students & 18-25s: Offensive Roadshow: Newport
01-10-2008 | Christchurch Blog | Evangelism | Events »
Hey guys, this is just a reminder about the Offensive Roadshow that DaiHankey is organising and is being hosted by Christchurch. Having knownDai for about 9 years I can honestly say that I haven't yet met anyonewith as much zeal and gifting for telling people about Jesus. While wemay not feel as gifted as Dai in evangelism we are still called to beevangelists and so I really want to encourage as many of you aspossible to come for the Offensive day. The day is designed to helpyoung people in reaching out to your campuses, schools, friends,families - in fact anyone who doesn't know Jesus! You'll be reallyserved in practical ways as well as hearing about God's passion to seehis wonderful gospel go forward in a lost and dying world.
Theday is on Saturday 25th October and starts at 9am and finishes at8pm. There'll be a mix of teaching, sung worship, panel discussionsand free time to chill. Food will be provided and we will arrange topick you up if you want to come. The cost for Christchurch studentsand 18-25s is only £5 - we've managed to get a little deal done!
Again guys, I really want to encourage you all to come and I'm sure you'llreally benefit. For more info vist http://www.igniteme.org/offensive/index.asp
To book your place email me at students@christchurchnet.org
Cheers
Dan Gaweda
Hanging With Pete
26-09-2008 | Christchurch Blog | Mission | Pastoral Team »
Hanging with Pete is always full of unanticipated and unexpected moments. You never know when he might injure himself next or suddenly break into his latest favourite song. If you're feeling ill, you never know what he might prescribe for you from his carry-around first aid kit, or what he may diagnose you with. You also never know what craziness may have happened to him in the days since you last saw him... Moments of madness that you'll now get to re-live with him again - moments like falling off a boat, pulling his radiator off the wall whilst fixing the roof, and the most recent edition - the moment when he superglued his jeans to his leg. One things for sure, there's a big unpredictability about hanging with Pete.
However there's also something very consistent, anticipated and expected about hanging with Pete and that is the moment when Pete's love and passion for the gospel comes into view. It's always there somewhere in the conversation and as a local church we have been on the receiving end of Pete's passion for the gospel and gospel-centered leadership for nearly thirteen years. What a gift he has been to us in that time, and what a gift he continues to be, and what a thrill it also is now for us to see Pete's passion being utilised both internationally and locally as part of Sovereign Grace Ministries. What we have received from Pete for years others are now getting to share in as Pete cares for them and strategically helps them, folk both at home and abroad, and with that in mind I thought I'd let you know about one recent 'home' moment that Pete's been involved in with the guys from 'theprognosis.org'.
A few weeks ago a number of young, reformed and restless fellas turned up with a video camera, a smile and a whole bunch of questions for Pete. Some of these men are pastors, with others of them feeling a real call to ministry, but the one thing they all have in common as they do life and run their blog together, is a love for the gospel and a growing respect for what we as a local church and as a family of churches are all about. Guys like this are just some of the men that Pete has been seeing over the past few months, men that are seeking Pete out (of which he is the most suprised!) but I thought you'd enjoy hearing of this story and also hearing what he says to them... enjoy!
Click here to visit 'The Prognosis' website
In His Amazing Grace,
Dave Taylor
The GAP Team – Closing In!
11-08-2008 | Christchurch Blog | Evangelism | GAP Team »
The GAP Team is at this moment assembling itself from three continents – North America, Europe and Australia - to arrive Tuesday 26th August. Some of them are leaving a continental plate and the homes, lives, families, friends and churches on it to be with us here in Christchurch. Others are leaving somewhat warmer climes to come to damp Wales (Cornwall is generally a warmer place!) All of them are sacrificing in order to serve God and his glorious gospel with us here in South Wales.
The work that the team will be involved with covers three areas: schools, universities and youth. Briefly here’s an idea of what’s ahead...
1) Schools: Through God’s kindness he has given us favour with a number of different schools within the city of Newport. We will be working very closely with Bettws High School – the team will be in Year 7 classes all day every Thursday for the whole year! We will also be running skills based ‘academies’ in Monnow, Millbrook, Mount Pleasant and Glan Usk (previously Durham Road) primary schools each week while serving anumber of other schools around the city by doing assemblies.
2) Universities: The GAP Team will be heavily involved in our student work. They will carry the brunt of responsibility for the set up and running of Outpost Cardiff due to start in the second week of November in Coco Gorrilas. They’ll be running activities for the students and assisting the student team in different outreach initiatives.
3) Youth: The team will be involved with Shockwave, FUSE and our Teens ministry. They’ll be befriending kids from all over the city and our own church kids, looking to impact them with the gospel.
The team will also be trained during the year in their personal spiritual and theological growth.
As with any team, the GAP Team needs a good backroom staff –and in their case this is you! Please pray for the team that they may all get here safely, quickly feel at home and prosper in their work for the Gospel. To give you a bit of an idea of the kinds of characters that the team consists of I’ve included some profiles below of them all.
Favourite food: Roast dinner.
Favourite film: Bourne Supremacy.
Favourite sport: Football.
Favourite place in the world: I’ve only ever been to Switzerland and that was pretty awesome!
Favourite weather: Snow when we get it!
Favourite music artist: NOFX
Favourite Bible verse: Proverbs 3:5-6
First cuddly toy’s name: Ed: Allegedly David never had a cuddly toy! I’m not sure I believe him!
Pet hate: Slow drivers.
What animal would you be? A sloth (I need to repent of this though!).
Scariest thing ever done: Walking through ¼ mile of pitchblack tunnel without being able to see the end.
What are you looking forward to this year? I’m really looking forward to meeting and getting to know people from two other continents and uniting in Christ to share the message of the gospel with the lost.
Favourite film: All sorts!
Favourite sport: Numerous!
Favourite place in the world: USA
Favourite music: Varied...
Favourite Bible verse: Isaiah 53
Pet hate: People popping their joints and knuckles.
Favourite holiday? 4th July (I’ll be celebrating it this year too!)
Thing you promised your parents: Not to lose my southern accent!
What are you looking forward to this year? Getting to know British culture, the fellow Gappers, and Christchurch!
Favorite food: Cheeseburgers.
Favorite film: Cheaper by the Dozen.
Favorite place in the World: Metro Life Church in Casselberry, FL
Favorite weather: Sunny but not too hot.
Favorite music artist: Kyle Davis.
Favorite Bible verse: these change depending on what season of life I'm in - momentarily its Galatians 6:7-10
First cuddly toy’s name: "Banki"...a blanket.
What animal would you be? After watching 'Bee Movie', I'd choose to be a bee.
Scariest thing ever done: Skydiving. Not really scary. But TONNES of adrenaline.
What are you looking forward to this year? I'm looking forward to learning and growing this year.
Favourite food: Dark chocolate.
Favourite film: This is very hard. Please don't ask me to pick just one!
Favourite sport: How fast i can run from my car to the mall! Haven't picked up a racket in over a year but i used to play tennis for fun. Currently... i just work out in the gym and am learning how to run!
Favourite place in the world: Beach. Mountains. Any place with a good friend.
Favourite weather: Windy and brisk.
Favourite music artist: Again very hard! Very eclectic: from Imogen Heap to Billie Holiday to Brahms.
Favourite Bible verse: Hebrews 12:1-2
First cuddly toy’s name: "Magic pillow" (Yes it was a pillow. And yes it did work magic. You can ask my mom!)
Pet hate: Fluorescent overhead lighting... ambiance is everything!
What animal would you be? Definitely a cat.
Scariest thing ever done: Work as the only female on an all-male team for 2yrs.
What are you looking forward to this year? Ordering my first lager in a British pub!
Favourite food: My grandma's cinnamon rolls.
Favourite film: Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events.
Favourite sport: Football (not American football)
Favourite place in the world: Virginia Beach.
Favourite weather: Moderate rain with slightly cool to warm temperatures.
Favourite music artist: Jon Foreman
Favourite Bible verse: 1 Peter 1:6,7
First cuddly toy’s name: I had a stuffed bear that was as big as me, but I don't think I ever named it…
Pet hate: People spitting their gum on the street.
What animal would you be? A liger- it's like a lion and a tiger mixed, bred for its skills in magic.
Scariest thing ever done: Pssh. Men don't get scared. The scariest thing I've done (to someone else): I crawled under my cousin's car when she came over one night and grabbed her foot when she stepped out- she practically woke up the entire neighbourhood.
What are you looking forward to this year? Looking foolish in a different culture, expanding my view of God, growing, tea and crumpets.
Favourite food: Steak.
Favourite film: Band of Brothers.
Favourite sport: Whitewater kayaking & skiing.
Favourite place in the world: I haven't been many places out side the US, but I'd have to say the mountains of Colorado and Outer Banks of NC.
Favourite weather: fall and spring at around 74 degrees (Fahrenheit – 23 degrees C) and sunny.
Favourite music artist: Dave Mathews
Favourite Bible verse: Isaiah 43:1-7
First cuddly toy’s name: I don't quite remember? Cuddly toys really weren't my thing... I preferred weapons and what not...
Pet hate: Well cat's obviously...but I actually do love cats, they taste just like chicken (Ed: Taige now understands what a ‘pet hate’ is but his answer to this deserved to go in!)
What animal would you be? Probably a puma or something...
Scariest thing ever done: Knocked myself out while mountain biking?
What are you looking forward to this year? I'm really looking forward to helping reach the university students with the gospel as well as experiencing a different culture while living in another country.
Favourite food: Anything as long as you are cooking.
Favourite film: Band of Brothers.
Favourite sport: Mixed netball (ha!) (Ed – the ridiculousness of this suggestion has been made clear to David!), cricket, soccer.
Favourite place in the world: The Swan River in Perth.
Favourite weather: First rain after a hot Australian summer.
Favourite music artist: Jurassic 5 – anything Hip Hop.
Favourite Bible verse: Romans 5:8
First cuddly toy's name: Black Ted.
Pet hate: People dumping shopping trolleys on my street!
What animal would you be? Grizzly Bear.
Scariest thing ever done: Jumping off bridges into rivers – I love that stuff!
What are you looking forward to this year? Encouraging andbuilding people up.
Dan Gaweda
New Student Blog...it's live...
09-08-2008 | Christchurch Blog | Church | General »
One of the things that the student team have been busy working away on over the past few weeks, is our all new 'Student Blog'. Packed with information on what's going on, how to get involved, contacts & faq's I'm thinking that this is going to be a really great resource and so nice one guys!
If you're a student.... take a nose.... enjoy!!
Click here to go to the Student Blog
Dave Taylor
Missionaries Down Under!
10-07-2008 | Christchurch Blog | Church | Updates »
In 1770, James Cook sailed along and mapped the east coast of Australia, which he named New South Wales and claimed for Great Britain. The expedition's discoveries provided impetus for the establishment of a prison colony there.
On July 8th, 2008, Pete Greasley and Dave Taylor flew 10,670 miles to the same spot, specifically the city of Sydney with a radically different aim – to see a church established there where the Gospel can be proclaimed and souls set free through Christ and for Christ, thereby establishing a community that glorifies God.
How amazing that God would provide this opportunity for us to explore ways of advancing the Gospel in a country far from home. Pete and Dave are on a mission to explore the potential that exists to establish a Sovereign Grace Church plant in Sydney in the near future. They will be joining up with Mike Pasalich (a 2008 Pastors College graduate who hails from Sydney) along with his wife Sarah and meeting some key Aussie folk to determine the way forward. This is a strategic preparation time as well as an opportunity to establish connections and friendships that will be vital in establishing the church plant.
Here’s where we come in: Pete and Dave need our prayers. We have the privilege and opportunity to serve in the expansion of the Gospel by praying for this venture as well as praying for wisdom and discernment for Pete and Dave. Please pray that this time will be extremely fruitful and that God will extend grace and favour for all aspects of this trip. Please also pray for their wives and families as this is the farthest these two “Pommies” have been away from home.
We can anticipate that as well as experiencing true Aussie hospitality, numerous ‘barbies’, “G’Day” salutations and kangaroo steak, they will experience the grace of God over this mission.
Goodonyermates!!
Bob Mc Can
SLAVA & ANYA - WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
29-05-2008 | Christchurch Blog | Church | General »
Several years ago now we had a wonderful Russian intern Slava Izugrafov, along with his lovely wife Anya, in Christchurch for one year. And what a year that was! Slava (aka Eric the Russian Elf) won our hearts and affections for life and so recently I contacted Slava on your behalf for a bit of an update on how things are going in Canada for him, serving the Russians there, and this is what he said....Hi Dave,
I would be delighted to give an update on what is happening here in British Columbia with the Russian Speaking ministry and about God's kindness towards Anya and myself. I hope it will encourage Christchurch to see what God is doing among emigrants from Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and other former Soviet Republics.
As much as we love Wales and are missing all our dear friends at Christchurch, Anya and I feel very much at home here in the beautiful British Columbia.
I have been officially on staff at Crossway since last year and Anya is working as a secretary serving the 5 pastors who, believe me, keep her very busy here at Crossway office. My primary responsibilities are leading the Russian Speaking ministry as well as caring for 3 care group leaders and overseeing the Set up/Take down ministry at Crossway. I also enjoy organizing different events such as all church BBQs, picnics, etc.
Our Russian Speaking ministry has grown in the last 6 months. We have 36 adults and 14 children regularly attending Russian Speaking Ministry at Crossway. Just a couple of months ago 5 Russian Speaking people became members of Crossway. I lead two Russian Speaking care groups in two different locations. We also meet for Bible lessons twice a month on Sundays. You would be jealous to see how well we eat before the lessons. I have a suspicion that Ukrainian sausage, perogies, and cabbage rolls are more appealing to my Russian Speaking brothers and sisters than my teaching.
Since more young families are coming to British Columbia with construction work, we are seeking God's wisdom in possibly having our meetings every Sunday. We don't know yet if in the future we will progress into becoming a Russian Speaking church within Crossway. Meanwhile, by God’s grace I am trying to raise care group leaders for our Russian Speaking Ministry.
We are experiencing much joy in our Russian Evangelistic meetings such as picnics, Russian traditional celebrations, etc. that attract many people. This year we had about 100 Russians at the Christmas banquet. Non-Christian emigrants here in British Columbia are missing the Russian culture and many are open to hearing the Gospel in Russian at our Evangelistic meetings. They even don't mind singing Christian Songs and hymns with us.
Anya and I are privileged to see how God through his Gospel saves ‘Russians’ here at Crossway. Just yesterday at the Care Group one man prayed with us asking God to save him and forgive him of his sins. Such things inspire Anya and myself enormously.
Dave, please give our best regards to all who know us at Christchurch, the pastoral team and especially to Emma.
Many blessings to you, my friend!
Slava
How wonderful it is to hear how well things are going for Slava.... what a glorious and kind God we serve!
Dave Taylor
MEET THE MC CANS - THE INTERVIEW
23-05-2008 | Christchurch Blog | Church | General »
Just over two years ago now I met Bob Mc Can for the first time. Introduced to me as the Irish guy who is considering church planting in Ireland. I shook his hand, enjoyed the accent and wondered in my mind as to how it could be possible for someone's hair to be so thick, but little did I know then that in God's kindness the man that I was meeting in this moment would be a man that I would co-labour with at home in Christchurch for the long term. And now knowing this - I couldn't be happier!
Getting to know Bob, Annemarie and the family over this past ten months has been an absolute thrill (or 'trill' as Bob would say), and it has been very easy to, not only because of the type of people they are, but because I see Bob everyday at work and the family regularly as they are in our homegroup. I'm aware though that you haven't had this same access, and so eager that you get to truly 'Meet the Mc Cans' I thought I'd capture their story so far for you on film... enjoy!!
From how they met, to staying at Christchurch... here's the story...
Dave Taylor
CAITLIN GAWEDA - KINDNESS IN THE STORM
20-05-2008 | Christchurch Blog | Church | General »
The morning of the 12th April was all worked as far as our pastoral intern, Dan Gaweda was concerned. He woke up, had a quality american hotel breakfast, and then joined us as a pastoral team as we began to prepare for the coming 'Together for the Gospel' conference. But by the afternoon, it was clear that God had different plans for Dan. Four thousand miles away from home, Dan received a text and then a call, letting him know that his baby girl had been taken seriously ill and was now in hospital with serious breathing issues. Caitlin was suffering from a heart problem which would need immediate surgical intervention, and so Dan's nice planned out day all changed, replaced instead with a journey of God's kindness, as he headed home.
This is a great story of the kindness & faithfulness of God, and of two parents who stood with courage and rest in the face of their storm. What a thrill we have to 'do life' with folks like this...
Dave Taylor
'THE CHOICE' - What Happened?
15-05-2008 | Christchurch Blog | Church | The Choice »
Just over two weeks ago now, some sixty of us from Christchurch, Grace Church Bristol & Sovereign Grace Merthyr packed our bags and headed off to Cefn Lea for a weekend of worship, fellowship & teaching, and what a blast we had! Nathan kicked this 16-25's weekend off with a message called 'The Cost of Following Jesus', which really laid out for us a vision of what it would mean for us to 'all out' follow Jesus as Lord - a message which was hard-hitting and inspiring at the same time. I then had the privilege of taking the second session, covering 'The Joy of Following Jesus', examining the disciples joy and answering the simple question - why?
Then on the Saturday night (after various afternoon activities ranging from football that nearly killed me, to fairground trips, to food fights... don't ask!), Gareth took the session and spoke on 'Following Jesus in a Post-Modern World'. His message was typically outstanding & insightful, and with it being finished off with a 'question and answer time' it really allowed our whole team to 'scratch where it was itching' for so many and we ended up having a quality extended time together, covering loads of ground, which we as a team simply found inspiring as we saw these youngsters wrestling with big issues in a considered and passionate way. Pete then closed the weekend off with a message about the choice we have to follow Jesus, called 'Rebel, Respectable, Radical'. He finished this with a call & exhortation for us to be 'radicals' for Jesus.... an inspired message & a great to way for us to be sent out as we headed off home.
This was just one of those weekends that you feel privileged to have been a part of, and with the young folk still buzzing from it, here's what some of them had to say....
David Toms, Student from UWIC writes....
The Choice' is the kind of weekend designed to challenge and change individuals in their walk with Christ, and it certainly did that! The main highlight for me (besides beating the kids at football) was the quality of teaching received from the pastors. A particular highlight was the first message on saturday morning by Nathan entitled 'The Cost of following Jesus'. Speaking from Luke 9, Nathan did a great job of highlighting our need to take up our cross DAILY and follow Jesus. The challenge to deny ourselves is certainly not easy in todays post-modern world, but knowing we have a faithful Saviour who remains true to His promises gives us great joy. Dave Taylor's Bourne Ultimatum illustration has stuck with me since that weekend to remind us that we cannot do things in our own strength, and that we must trust the master at work in our lives. The call to avoid lukewarm Christianity and to live radical lives for Jesus was a great way to cap off an awesome weekend. The fellowship with some of the Bristol and Merthyr guys was great as well and we had one great evening chilling to the musical talents of the greasley's and co!! Thanks to all who helped put on such an awesome weekend free of charge!!
Sarah Rogers, Student from UWCN writes....
For me the weekend away made me realise once again that without God’s help we are nothing, and that it is truly amazing that everyone who went on that weekend away has been specifically chosen by God for a reason and a purpose. It made me realise that although we are not worthy he still chose us by name, and that it is our responsibility as disciples of Christ, to shine the light for those who do not know him yet. The main message that nailed my heart was that in order for people to see the light of Christ shine through us, we must first deny ourselves, be rid of the thing’s of this world and pick up our cross daily in order that we might see his kingdom on this earth. The fact that Pete said that it might cost us our lives to live for Christ made me realise how much following Christ costs. However it then made me realise that Christ already died for my salvation and that’s what gives me the passion to follow him.
Over the weekend I prayed that the passion that others and I have for him will not fade and that we will remain to be part of this world but not of it. Also one final point Gareth Lloyd made about the key three points regarding making a difference without losing our differences - the importance of knowing our culture, self and the Gospel - this still sticks very much with me. It helps me in times when I wonder why I sometimes don’t quite fit into some situations in this world.
The fact that the weekend away was called “The choice” made it very clear that in this world we cannot serve two masters and that it is time to decide what our decision is. I pray that the weekend challenged people, (because it challenged me). I pray that God spoke to those who were at a crossroads and encouraged those to continually live to serve father God.
Rhian Hall, Cardiff University graduate writes....
"'The Choice' weekend away was a means of getting the young people from Christchurch, Grace Church and Sovereign Grace Merthyr, hearing excellent sermons from Pete, Dave, Nathan and Gareth, culminating in a challenge to make the choice to live personally and passionately, for God.
There were many highlights during the weekend, from the endless supply of Easter eggs to the impromptu, early-hour jamming sessions of all Christian worship songs known to man. However, I particularly enjoyed the question and answer session presided over by the expert panel of Pete, Dave, Nathan and Gareth and the opportunity to hang out with lots of wonderful people, both young and old, from these three churches. All in all it was a great success and I hope that everyone benefited from the weekend as much as I did!"
Gerrard van der Westhuyzen from UWIC writes....
The Choice was a monumental weekend! I found the opportunity to meet and hang out with fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord, an incredible joy! Being able to instantly relate to new people because of your combined faith in the Lord is a fantastic blessing. Personally, I found the teaching from the weekend has really affected my walk with the Lord and challenged me to walk closer with Him. Although, all were excellent, I found Pete's talk (Rebel, Respectable, Radical) a personal highlight. Having recently ensured a time of fairly intense personal change, the call to be "radical" resounded deeply within me. A particular phrase struck me: "What can I give away, to gain what I cannot lose?" Meaning, what is hampering my walk with the Lord that I need to get rid of in order to rightly honour Him as my Lord and Saviour? Certainly, food for thought!
The "extra" discussion regarding predestination was incredibly helpful. I found through this the Lord granted me a renewed assurance of faith - something which I certainly did not have, in regard to this topic - prior to the weekend. Pete explained predestination as simply as he could saying - "You would not have been able to choose Christ, had Christ not have chosen you first!" God did not need to choose us, as sinners we did not deserve His Grace - rather we deserved His eternal wrath and judgement. Living in the light of God having chosen me, a filthy rotten sinner, certainly turns my world upside down! I can now rely on a Saviour who promises to never leave or forsake me! Whilst, I must endeavour to live for Him, the pressure is taken off my shoulders. God holds onto me - God holds me in His Hands - God will never let me go!
Many thanks again for a fantastic weekend!
If you unfortunately missed this weekend - maybe too young or old to attend? Then the good news for you is that you can now download all these messages from our 'media library'.. enjoy! Thanks again to everyone who came, it was an absolute blast to be with you all, and by God's grace, role on 2009.... bring it on!!
Dave Taylor
Tiny Tunes - God's Amazing Grace
09-05-2008 | Christchurch Blog | Evangelism | Tiny Tunes »
As a pastor I receive a lot of emails and letters. Some trying to sell me things, some telling me of challenges and concerns that need immediate decisions, and some that are more report based. My favourites though are the ones that cause your soul to jump as you consider the goodness of God behind the words that you're reading, and just recently I received a letter from Amanda Nicholson that did just that! You see just a few months ago Amanda shared with me her growing desire to see something of a befriending evangelistic nature taking place where she lives, in Rhiwbina, Cardiff. At that time it was unclear what might work but after many conversations between Amanda and her friends, Tiny Tunes was chosen as the new initiative, to take place in Beaulah Hall every friday morning. This initiative was to be a music-based mother and toddlers, where young children could come and play, and the mums could come and chat over tea and coffee, giving our helpers a chance not only to serve these ladies with the morning, but to befriend them with a keen desire to 'do life' with them and over time, 'share the gospel' with them.
Well we're a few weeks in to 'Tiny Tunes' now and it's with that in mind that Amanda writes....
'The group has met twice so far and God really has blessed us in so many ways already. The first Friday we met we had 23 children and 21 adults. The morning ran so smoothly and we received very positive feedback and were able to share with several folk that our local church in Newport was funding the whole thing and explain why.
With the numbers being so high, Margaret Collins (the secretary at Beulah) then rang me to discuss her concern about health and safety issues regarding the 'parking lot' of buggies left in the entrance hall. By the kindness of God her suggestion to resolve the buggies blocking access in the corridor was to let us have the larger main hall for 'Tiny Tunes' and the original smaller room we originally rented to store all the buggies and strollers. This meant two rooms for more than one hour for the same price! I stand amazed when people comment that getting a room at Beulah is like finding a pot of treasure at the end of a rainbow - very unlikely. A very popular venue, because it is so central and accessible, and yet God has blessed us with it, at an incredibly low cost.
The numbers then the second week mushroomed again (as you might expect) and we had 40 children and 37 adults. We had to improvise on the morning because the numbers had grown so much... but isn't God good!'
Amanda, this is great news! Thank you so much, along with the whole Tiny Tunes team, for making this happen. Your keen desire to see the gospel go out to folk in your community is a joy to see, and by God's grace would He bring glorious fruit to the labours of you hands... what wonderful news this really is, and so thank you for the letter!
Dave Taylor
Postmodernism & Piper on You Tube
01-05-2008 | Christchurch Blog | Gospel | In the media »
There’s a lot of serious rubbish on You Tube...but sometimes you come across something that’s worth watching! Here are two videos that are well worth taking a look at.
John Piper is our friend and we love the courageous and bold way he tells it as it is. The first video is his take on the ‘prosperity’ teaching that is so contrary to the gospel and so prevalent today.
Also, the second video is a clip from the TV series ER and is just outstanding! What people need is truth and answers; and never more than when they are facing the possibility of imminent death. This short clip gets to the heart of the post-modern idea that truth is relative and ‘so long as you feel it’s right, then that’s all that’s needed!’ Not for this guy....
Video 1 - John Piper:
Video 2 - ER Clip:
Enjoy...
Pete Greasley
The Reason for God
29-03-2008 | Christchurch Blog | Books | Reviews »
OK, OK…I know I’m always recommending books! There’s a standing joke in Christchurch about me always saying that some new book will “change your life!”
That’s because some books can; some books do!Every now and then a book comes along that I just can’t shut up about. “The Reason for God” is one such book. It’s written by Tim Keller, the pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, New York; a thriving, gospel-centered church with a growing congregation of over 6,000 folk.
The essence of the book is what it says on the cover: The Reason for God; Belief in an Age of Scepticism. Keller is dealing with young, professional, post-modern sceptics all day long and he’s written this book to help try to answer intelligent questions with intelligent answers for these very people. Does he succeed? In my opinion…Yes; brilliantly!
The book is split into two halves. The first half is entitled ‘The leap of doubt’ where he answers a good few of the difficult questions and objections that many thinking people have towards Christianity and belief in God. Chapters on such topics as ‘How could a good God allow suffering?’ and ‘How can a loving God send people to Hell?’ and ‘There can’t be just One true religion’ are just three amongst a number of questions he tackles head on and gives outstanding, understandable and biblical answers.
The second part of the book is entitled ‘The reasons for faith’ where he handles topics relating to the problem of sin and the true story of the cross together with many other chapters that point the reader wisely and winsomely towards the person and finished work of Jesus Christ as the only answer for all of life’s questions and desires.
This book is just the finest I’ve ever read for someone who wants to intelligently get answers to some of the toughest questions people have about the existence of God and the person of Jesus Christ. What I particularly love about it is the fact that he doesn’t leave gaps where the really hard questions come; he seems to anticipate every genuine objection and answer it with truth and much grace. He approaches many questions from a philosophical viewpoint; it is saturated with C.S. Lewis quotes. It’s almost as if he’s taken the essence of much of Lewis’ thought and condensed it and applied it to a post-modern mindset…together with a good dose of Jonathan Edwards helping out! That was bound to win me; these men are two of my favourite authors. But in saying that, he’s not trying to put forward a watertight apologetic in some ‘Finney-esque’ way believing that is all that’s needed. He ultimately isn’t trying to ‘prove’ God or just bring the reader to an intellectual acceptance, he recognises that repentance and faith are absolute necessities; and he certainly helps the reader on the road towards this.
If you’re looking for a book that you could give to someone who thinks deeply about the big questions of life but hasn’t as yet found the answers in Jesus Christ, or if you want to help answer some of those doubts and struggles that you may have yourself as a Christian, or if you just want to be equipped and encouraged in your own faith; then BUY THIS BOOK! It could, honestly, really, change your life or someone else’s through the power of the gospel for all eternity.
We’ve bought all the ones we could get from Amazon and wherever else in the UK we could find them and have ordered more from the USA. They’re available in the bookshop at Christchurch at cost price from this Sunday.
Enjoy!
Pete Greasley
Christianity Explored - the last 8 weeks
18-03-2008 | Christchurch Blog | Evangelism | Christianity Explored »
What has changed in your life in the past 8 weeks? If you are like me, you may not even remember yesterday, let alone the last 8 weeks. Time whizzes by, the calendar is hectic, you have been juggling many plates and you have hardly had 5 minutes to sit peacefully and take stock of what has happened over these last 8 weeks, let alone measure any significant change! Well, not so for three folk who just completed our recent Christianity Explored course. For them, eight weeks ago, they were enemies of God, subject to his wrath, living life as they pleased and oblivious of the judgment that awaited them because of their sin. BUT NOW, Thanks be to God through Christ Jesus, they have been reconciled to God, their sins have been forgiven and they are embarking on a new journey as believers! You see, sometime over these past eight weeks, God opened their eyes to the gospel and revealed Himself and their lives will never be the same again.It is such a privilege to be able to share the gospel with others. Are you not constantly amazed by the truth that God saves undeserving sinners? For me, the opportunity to talk about Jesus freshly reminds me of what He has done in my life and it staggers me as much today as it did the day I first believed. And what joy to see others come to know our Saviour! This last course was populated with people whom you have invited. The reason they now know Jesus is because you have reached out to them, related to them and befriended them. One man came because of “Monday night football” and he brought his girlfriend along! Another came because a church member took the time every Tuesday night to drive him to and from the course and chat with him afterwards. Thank you for letting the gospel shine in your lives so that others would see the light. Thank you for going out on a limb and making new friendships and investing your time and resources in Kingdom work – To God be the glory.
Amidst the numerous evangelism initiatives and opportunities already happening, we will be offering another “Christianity Explored” course beginning April 22nd. Coinciding with this, “Legacy”, our 55s and over ministry will be offering a day-time course also beginning on April 22nd at 11am. Please keep these dates in mind and begin praying and thinking about who you can invite along. Let us not look back in 8 weeks time and regret that we have let the busyness of life hinder us from pursuing relationships and opportunities that can result in more changed lives. Let’s continue to expect great things from God as we sow seeds and watch Him reap a great harvest for His glory.
Bob Mc Can
Outpost Cardiff - the story so far
12-03-2008 | Christchurch Blog | Church | Outpost Cardiff »
If Jesus were physically present on the earth right now I’m beginning to think that his drink of choice would have probably been Guinness and there is no better place to get a pint of the dark stuff than the little O’Neills pub on the aptly named Trinity Street in Cardiff! So, with this clear divine approval, Outpost Cardiff has been meeting in an upper room in O’Neills each Tuesday night since 12th February.
The atmosphere is laid back and there are a very diverse bunch of students who have been coming along each week. They are diverse in courses studied – from ecology, business studies, occupational therapy and a heap of other ones whose titles are far too long to write down! They are also diverse in music taste – classical, rock, heavy metal, and a heap of other genres whose names are far too long to write down! And, wonderfully, they are diverse in their backgrounds and worldviews – agnostic, atheist, post-modern, universalist and a heap of other worldviews whose names are far too long to write down!
Each week, after catching up with how dissertations are going – or not, we watch a video from Mark Driscoll’s Vintage Jesus series. So far we’ve listened to how Jesus claimed to be both fully God and fully man; what he actually achieved on the cross and what that looked like and at the last Outpost we looked at the evidence to support his resurrection. Afterwards we chat through what we have heard and discuss any questions that people might have. Some of the questions that have arisen for example are: how can God exist if there is so much evil? Why did God bother to create the world if he knew it was going to turn out so bad? How did Jesus get angry without sinning? Can we trust the evidence we’ve heard? Why is just doing your best not good enough for God? And there have been many more excellent questions like these.
Needless to say the conversations have been dynamic and have given countless opportunities to share the wonderful gospel of Jesus Christ with these young, intelligent, thoughtful people. For some of these folk it is the first time they have heard the news that a holy, perfect God pursued sinners who turned their back on him in rebellion by sending his Son Jesus to pay the price for their defiance and sin so that now they can be united with him in relationship if they place their trust and faith in Jesus and have a truly fulfilled life! It has been wonderful to see how as we have discussed their questions God has presented himself time after time as Saviour, and for several weeks running we’ve had to shut the questions down as time heads on past 11.15pm. These students are certainly hungry for this stuff!
Please continue to pray for the students who for some reason keep coming back! Pray that God would meet them where they’re at. That their questions would ultimately lead them to ask, “What must we do to be saved?” Pray for the Christian friends and myself that chat with these people each week – that God would give us wisdom and clarity in seeking to answer questions by asking them back!
If you are reading this and you are between 18-25 or are a student in Cardiff then please feel free to come down to O’Neills each Tuesday from 8pm. There’s space for everyone and if you come as a result of this blog then come and speak to me! There’ll be a pint in it for you!
Dan Gaweda
Each one an evangelist
31-01-2008 | Christchurch Blog | Evangelism | Personal Evangelism »
Well, I suppose it’s time to write a new post on the blog! I knew sooner or later the continued pressure from my friends and colleagues would force me to write something this year…and they’ve suggested I don’t wait until December to do it!I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to us spending this year in John’s Gospel. I remember the two years we spent walking through Mark’s Gospel and the effect that had on us all; I’m anticipating the same joy as we meet together every Sunday and have another glimpse of the Saviour and His glorious work for us as seen through John’s eyes.
But with all our anticipation for this, we wanted to start the year encouraging us all to be stirred again in our calling to reach out to friends, family, neighbours, workmates and ‘anyone who will listen’. We have so many initiatives going to make friends and present the gospel to them. All these are needful and helpful, but the initiatives by themselves aren’t enough! The only real way ahead for us is to be overwhelmed by the gospel and truly passionate about sharing it with everyone we can. That’s why we started the year looking at the apostle Paul in Athens…what a great provocation for us! I’ve never considered myself an evangelist, but have a growing desire to tell the good news to whomever, wherever and whenever I can.
I want to use this post to remind us of a few points that we looked at from Acts 17. If you’re like me…and you are…then you know how easy it is for our passion in this area to dissipate; but it’s my resolve to keep this at the forefront of my life this year, and by God’s grace; every year ‘til I go to be with him.
So here’s a reminder; and may God give us grace to live this in a way that brings him Glory and causes the gospel to make great progress this year.
Seeing the city
Paul was affected by what he saw in Athens. Although the kind of idols they were worshipping were different from what we experience, as we really ‘look’ at the folk around us we will see that they still substitute true joy in God for those things that promise identity, security and purpose, but never deliver…and never will. We did exactly the same ourselves. Paul was so moved by this, he could do nothing but go downtown and preach the gospel. May we open our eyes to the ‘cities’ in which we live; not just geographically, but in every situation in which we find ourselves. There is no substitute for compassion…Jesus will give us that compassion as we seek Him for it and as we open our eyes to the worlds in which we live.
Reaching out near and far
Paul was passionate about reaching people who were like him. There were folk he knew he could relate to; that’s why he went to the synagogues. These were people who were like he was; who would have a similar background and understanding. This is what we’ve been majoring on for the past 12 months. Where can we go, who can we hang out with, what can we be involved with that will allow us to build friendships with others who are like us…who have the same backgrounds, who enjoy the same things as we do, who are in a similar stage of life etc? What a joy it’s been to see so many of us involved in a multitude of situations in a way we weren’t before! Whether it’s serving all the mums and kids in the weekday mornings or going mountain biking, or drinking real ale (put me down for that!) or playing football (keep me away from that!) or just getting involved with local schools etc. The list goes on and on! It’s been such an encouragement to see so much initiative taking place in this way. Please keep on doing this; and look for new ways and new opportunities to get involved with people and build friendships.
But Paul was not a ‘one trick pony’.
As well as going to the synagogue, he also went to the marketplace! He was happy to reach out to those like him; but also would reach out to ‘those who happened to be there’ (Acts 17:17) This is vital for us to grasp if we are to really ‘do the work of an evangelist’. I want to be quick to show kindness, make friends and tell the good news to anyone, whether they’re like me or not…there are few like me anyway, so this is a must!
In the late summer of 1980, I was a 20 year old idiot (I’m now a 47 nearly 48 year old idiot). I found myself one Sunday morning somehow in a Baptist church trying to get some food out of an old mate who’d turned religious on us.
What a week that turned out to be!
I was treated with kindness, even though we ate all the bread and drank the (disgusting, alcohol-free) wine that was being passed around the church that morning! I was invited to someone’s home and fed. I was asked about my life and someone had the nerve (or boldness, depending on your perspective) to ask me if I knew Jesus as my Lord and Saviour, and if that wasn’t enough, they then proceeded to tell me the gospel!
I left thinking these were the weirdest bunch of dudes I’d ever met and wanted nothing to do with these Jesus freaks or anyone like them!
That was Sunday.
Wednesday I was driving home from work and I exploded…not literally of course (that came much later), but emotionally. In an instant, I became aware of my sin. I knew that I was a sinner and that I had no hope or future. In the next instant, I became suddenly aware of how God viewed my sin, and the fearful judgement that awaited me. At the same time, I realised…really realised…that Jesus Christ had died on the cross for sinners like me; I could almost see him there. Then I knew; He had died for me! Within the space of a few moments my whole life was completely turned around. He loved me; He died for me; He was mine…and from that moment, I was His. I was made alive; I think I wept for three months solid (I still tend to blubber a lot when I think of what He’s done for me).
Charles Wesley’s Hymn was my reality:
“Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night.
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth and followed Thee”
(And can it be? Charles Wesley)
Why am I telling you this?
Because it only took three days from hearing the gospel to regeneration!
I’m a Calvinist…not only in my theology, but also in my experience. In Acts 18 God tells Paul “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent…for I have many in this city who are my people” (Acts 18: 9-10)
I believe in the Sovereignty of God. I believe that God elects people to salvation and that they are just needing to hear the gospel in order to be saved. I don’t believe they are seeking God…I wasn’t. I believe they are enemies of God running in the opposite direction! However, I absolutely believe that the gospel is “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Rom 1:16). Thank God, the people who told me the good news of Jesus Christ didn’t have the idea that they had to spend five years “getting to know me” before they could say anything! They didn’t concern themselves with the fact that I was disinterested and antagonistic. They weren’t fearful of my rejection…they weren’t even trying to be cool! I was there, I was weird, I was a sinner. They cared for me, they had the gospel, I was going to hear it, end of story! Or, more accurately, Beginning of Story, for me at least.
This is how I’m approaching this year: Everyone I meet, everyone I befriend, anyone I ‘bump into’, each waitress, waiter, shopkeeper, till girl, airplane passenger, acquaintance, family member, friend or enemy; I want to speak to them as if they were me those 28 years ago. Who knows if they have been called by God to salvation? Is it too much to believe that each person I meet has been placed there by a Sovereign Hand so that I may pass on good news? I don’t think so…do you?
You know, I think we’re overly concerned with being labelled a “bible basher”, or I am at least. I’m not saying we should be obnoxious. I’m also not saying that we shouldn’t be wise in our approach and winsome in how we are with folk, but I do think we need to be ‘quicker’ in getting to the point! Maybe this person doesn’t have five years to wait to hear, or three, or even six months? To ‘evangelise’ is to bring the good news; if we don’t tell them the news, even if we are with them continuously, then we haven’t begun to evangelise as the bible defines it.
I ask you to join me this year in taking the gospel forward. What a privilege we have in this…what a joy to tell the greatest news on earth. I really don’t want to get to December struggling to remember if/when I talked one on one to people about Jesus through this year. I have a real desire to look back on a year of countless ‘divine appointments’…appointments that I recognised and embraced. I can’t save anyone, only God can do that; but I can speak… I will speak!
Next time, if I can get back to the computer before Christmas, I’ll chat about a couple of other points from that message that may help us continue in this.
Thanks for reading…
Pete Greasley
Germany
20-12-2007 | Christchurch Blog | Church | General »
Thanks so much to all who prayed for my time away in Germany with my dear friends Dave Harvey and Jeff Purswell. It was another wonderful time with Wolfgang Wegert at the Arche church in Hamburg.Wolfgang has pastored this church for 47 years! He also has a TV ministry that goes out to all the German speaking world every Sunday morning, where he teaches timeless truths centered around the glorious gospel and the doctrines of grace. Most of our time was spent speaking at a conference for leaders both from within the church and from other churches with whom Wolfgang has a close relationship.
Wolfgang himself is a man of great joy and charisma. He’s such a pleasure to be around as are all the men on his team. Christian Wegert, Wolfgang’s son, returned from the pastors college for the week to attend the conference. The PC is clearly benefiting him greatly and Jeff is so thrilled at Christian’s character and dedication to learn; I’m sure Christian will be a real asset to the Arche church when he returns home from Gaithersburg to Germany next summer.
What a great privilege it is for us to be able to continue to grow in our partnership with this outstanding team of men and this church. In many ways it feels just like being at home, except for the fact that my German is almost non-existent! Although I have managed to master “Drie bier bitte”! (is that how you spell it?)
I think we have much to learn from this relationship and I hope we are able to serve them in some small way also. We are already talking about the next time we can be together and what that may look like. It really seems as though God is joining us together for purpose; and what a relief it is to be able to get on a plane from Heathrow and be there in just over an hour! Grace upon grace!
So all that’s left for me now is to start to learn German…that should be an interesting process!
Auf Wiedersehen!
Pete Greasley
Students
12-12-2007 | Christchurch Blog | Church | 07 Review »
Where to begin? First of all a big thanks to Dan Clemo for the work that he has done over the last two years serving the students so well! We now have a group of over twenty students and 18-25s who have been gathering regularly over the last few months: mainly (no surprise) to consume food! They come from UWIC, UWN and Cardiff and are now seeking to be more involved in church life. They’ve come from all over the country from places as exotic as Yorkshire, The Midlands, the South Coast, Cornwall and even South Africa (I saw many of the Welsh members of our church family congratulating him on the Sunday morning after the World Cup Final – thanks a bunch!).They are a great group with a real heart to reach out to their non-Christian friends and campuses with the gospel, and come the New Year our hope is to mobilise these students as a group to do just that. We have now lined up a weekly venue in a Cardiff pub for these guys and their non-Christian friends to come along to and go through the Mars Hill VJ series. The point of this is not to just hang out, but to offer these unbelievers an insight into what the true gospel is really all about in an
At the same time, those who have decided to make Christchurch their home have been allocated homegroups to get involved with in the New Year, in both Newport and Cardiff. So many of them are so keen to get more involved with us and what a great opportunity these groups have to help train, support and care for the next generation of believers!
The work with the local CUs has also gone really well. Here’s a taste of what we’ve been able to be involved in over the last few months: we took a small team to the UWIC Freshers’ Fayre handing out hundreds of Christchurch wall-planners (with the gospel message included in each one) as well as bags of books; we took another team to the ‘Search for a Church’ event hosted by Cardiff CU again to hand out our literature and resources; we were able to attend a meeting between local church leaders and all of the different Cardiff CUs and UCCF to pray for them more specifically; we’ve been able to meet up with all of the presidents and committees of the various CUs and give them further resources for their own spiritual growth; Dave and I have recently had the privilege of speaking at two UWIC CU evangelistic events and heard encouraging reports from our guys of how they have had positive conversations with their unbelieving friends afterwards; we’ve been able to provide Newport CU the minibus for their weekend away and provide a very large meal for one of their Alpha nights; we’ve also been able to provide UCCF with the minibus in order to take a group of students to a strategic conference on evangelism.
We’ve also had very encouraging friendships develop with the UCCF staff workers who are based here. This is so important because as a local church we are limited to a degree in how much we can do on campus in ‘Student World’ and it is UCCF, a body committed to the importance of the gospel and the local church, that assists students in campuses all over the country to take the gospel forwards. It also happens that the team leader for UCCF Wales happens to be one of my old university friends! God is good.
All of this has helped us to start gaining the trust and friendship of these local student bodies. And the only reason we have been able to do all of this is because of your faithful giving and prayer! We could have done none of this without you! Especially our amazing host families who have cooked numerous curries, pasta dishes and so on for the students each month!
What a privilege we have as a church to go and, “make disciples of all nations,” as we reach out to the student world with all of the different nationalities and backgrounds represented there! Please pray for the local CUs and UCCF, that they would experience God’s grace as they reach out to a huge student population in the Cardiff/Newport area. And please continue to pray, as you do so well, that God would continue to bring students into Christchurch. Not just those already saved, but those who are right now headed to a life of destruction… pray that they too come to know Jesus Christ as their Saviour, because as a student group that really is our passion. Thank you so much!
Dan Gaweda
Mothers & Toddlers
10-12-2007 | Christchurch Blog | Church | 07 Review »
For a number of years now one of our best 'In it 2 win it' initiatives has been our Mothers & Toddlers groups. Every week, on a Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, Lobby Room 1 becomes filled with mothers and toddlers from the local area & they are served and befriended by a group of ladies from Christchurch. Recently I asked Sue Rees (our Mothers & Toddlers Co-ordinator) if she could write a review for our blog to let you all know how things are going for these groups. She kindly said yes, so here goes.....This year saw the Mums and Toddlers increase to three groups, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. In total 43 ladies regularly attend the groups plus the Mums from our church that serve in each group. God has been so gracious to us in sending along such lovely Mums from the surrounding area.
The highlights have been:
How Tuesday’s group has really nurtured the new relationships that are being built with the Mums; in the group setting, in each others homes and Crafty.
Thursday group has such an ease of friendship between all the ladies and the Mums have really made the group their own. Again friendships are being built outside the Mums and Toddlers setting; coffee, netball, Christmas meal, picnics
Friday continues to be busy due to Mums returning with new babes. The group is now drawing in from extended families, so Grandmothers, Mothers and Aunties come together which creates such opportunity to reach out to the whole family unit. Relationships are continuing to be built with the Mums and also the Grandmothers which is where the older church ladies that serve on a Friday have come into their own.
A number of events have been run this year;
Easter Egg Hunt, Trip to Noah’s Ark farm, Bath Christmas Shopping Trip, and Christmas Crafty Night. All have been well supported and have helped to build relational links between the church and families in the local community.
The Summer Fun Day was well attended by the Mums and extended family, and the Christchurch Christmas Carols is eagerly anticipated by all, one lady is even taking a day off work so that she can bring her family along. The overwhelming comments are appreciation for the Church’s kindness and generosity towards them through these events, and they just love coming back.
There have been opportunities to share the Gospel on a one to one basis and to offer prayer for different situations. We trust that in this coming year these opportunities will increase as relationships continue to grow and God’s salvation would be revealed to the Mums and their families.
By Sue Rees
Ladies.... thank you so much for the way you serve in this. We so appreciate all that you do and we pray that God would continue to bless these groups by giving us all increasing opportunities to share the gospel with these ladies in 2008. In Gods grace, would 2008 be all about reaping that which you have so faithfully sown.... for He is good.
Dave Taylor
Fuse
09-12-2007 | Christchurch Blog | Church | 07 Review »
FUSE started in September as the new look version of our old Phase 2 youth group. Gavin Smith and others had spent months investing into this crazy bunch of young people from the Bettws, Duffryn, Pill and Alway areas of Newport. These guys had previously been helpers with Kidz Klub but with FUSE we gave them a group of their own, on a more frequent basis. We started the year doing various trips and activities such as visiting the Millennium Stadium, going down the Big Pit, taking part in a DJ workshop as well as the normal manic Saturday morning club!The young people are aged between 11 and 16 and have come to be real friends with one another. This is quite unusual as kids from these estates would normally only have friends from school or their street. As the weeks have gone by the FUSE workers have done a good job of seeking to earn the young people’s trust and friendship. For example, one girl thought that I was ‘a bit strange’ (thanks!) at the beginning, but now sees me as a friend!
One of the highlights of the year was when our good friend Dai Hankey came down to give a DJ workshop. We had an excellent opportunity after he had given his testimony to chat with the kids about their own lives and struggles and how really the only answer to all of their problems was Jesus! Each week we are being given more opportunities to talk about real life situations and the gospel as we engage with these young folk. They don’t get on with each other all of the time which, despite being challenging to group dynamics, gives a great window to talk about reconciliation and how Christ reconciled us to God!
Perhaps the most exciting development was when the FUSE group started to attend the VJ nights. Not only are we able to bless these twenty plus kids with a fun night out but they are also exposed to gospel truths in a clear way. At the last VJ Dave Taylor and Dai Hankey both did a great job of explaining the problem of sin, the holiness of God, his mercy and the solution found in the gospel. Afterwards was a rich time as we spoke to some of the guys and gals. Some of them are starting to have a sense of guilt for what they are beginning to recognise as sin. How encouraging that over the coming weeks and months we will be able to tell them again and again how Christ died to remove that guilt! While there is a long way to go yet it is encouraging to see these kids coming back each week and seeing the work that God is doing in their hearts.
The job I have always serves to remind me of how thankful I should be for the wonderful family he has given me in Christchurch. We could do none of what we do and plan to do with the FUSE kids if it were not for the way that you give so generously! Let’s pray that FUSE, and our other youth outreach work continues to run so effectively, so that by God’s Grace these young people, “May believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing [they] may have life in his name.” (John 20:31).
Dan Gaweda
Shockwave
08-12-2007 | Christchurch Blog | Church | 07 Review »
Shockwave started with a bang on the 8th September! Over the last few months dozens of children have entered the building and enjoyed the fast paced madness that awaits them. Many of these children had come to Kidz Klub, Shockwave’s predecessor. But what they found when they arrived at Christchurch this year was very different! Kidz Klub served as a wonderful vehicle to take the gospel to these children but what we found was that there were not many opportunities to talk individually to the children. So we needed a format where our workers could interact freely with the kids without having to worry about telling them to sit down all the time!So, Shockwave is much more manic in many ways! Gone is the big stage show, and instead we have rodeo bulls, bungee runs, gladiator jousting, a craft corner, tables and chairs to sit at, a snack bar, football, coconut shy’s, computer games...the list goes on! The difference is, as these kids are waiting to go on a ride or are sitting at a table or making a Christmas card our workers are there, befriending them, asking them how school has been, which ride is their favourite and so on. We have about twenty fantastic, dedicated, energetic workers who engage with the kids each month. It is a real joy to be able to watch the kids enjoy themselves, but even more of a joy to see these workers seeking to care for these kids in a way that demonstrates Christ’s love.
On the last bus trip home one of the girls who comes regularly was very upset at the idea that I was the only worker who got paid to do Shockwave. She was adamant that the others should receive pay for all of the energy and effort that they put into the morning. How wonderful it was to hear these same (exhausted!) workers reply that they wouldn’t accept any pay even if it were offered! They told her that getting the chance to tell her what Jesus had done for them and what he could do for her was the only pay they needed! Many of these children come from homes with little money, so what kind of difference does that kind of testimony make? To hear that money is not the most important thing in life, but Jesus is?
Despite all the hectic activity, the children also hear the glorious gospel, how Jesus Christ came as a man to die on the cross to make a way for sinners to be forgiven. We are making our way through Christianity Explored for kids, Shockwave style – pre-recorded sketches penned by Chris Jenkins have provided a way of relating the truths of who God is, why Jesus came and what that means in a dynamic, fun way! And this is when Shockwave works so well! Whether it be on the bus on the way home, while giving a child a Fruit Shoot at the snack bar or while they’re wanging a ball as hard as they can at a coconut, we get to ask them questions about what they thought. So we have the example of a lad asking me about his anger, and whether that was something Jesus died for! How amazing!
Thank you so much for the way that you give! It is because of your faithful and joyful giving that we at Shockwave are able to bless these kids and tell them about our wonderful Saviour! The meaning behind the Shockwave name is the hope that as the gospel is proclaimed to these kids it would affect their lives more and more. So, in the midst of the mayhem, the gospel goes forward.
Dan Gaweda
Christianity Explored
07-12-2007 | Christchurch Blog | Church | 07 Review »
On Tuesday Dec 4th, we finished out the latest ‘Christianity Explored’ course. Throughout the previous 8 weeks, we had the privilege of sharing the Gospel with a group of about 10 folks who came out consistently to hear various talks on the person and work of Jesus Christ. As the course was drawing to a close, one man made this comment: “My Tuesday nights won’t be the same without coming here”. It’s amazing how in such a short time, our hearts had become knit together as we shared our stories and revealed where we were on the journey of faith. We began as strangers and ended as friends.From my perspective, it was an immense joy to see God at work in the lives of these people. One lady shared how she became a Christian on the course, and to the amazement of her co-workers, put other agendas aside to make sure she attended every Tuesday night! She came to find out what Christianity was all about and now is determined to publicly declare Jesus as Lord and Saviour by being baptized on Jan 6th.
Another man shared how he had attended church with his wife for a number of years and thought of himself as a ‘good person’. As the course progressed, he came to realize the error of that perspective and became aware of his own need for a saviour. God was at work in his heart, and one week he came and shared excitedly how he had raised his hands during worship the previous Sunday. Salvation had become real for him as he shared with us in his own words: “Yes! I now believe Jesus died for me”.
Everybody seemed to benefit from the course. Two other people who came as believers have made the decision to get baptized. It was clear as we engaged in dialogue that everyone else was wrestling with these great truths and although not believers yet, we entrust them to the work of the Holy Spirit who alone can open the eyes of their hearts. Let us pray that the seeds that were sown would someday bear fruit.
My friends, there is no greater joy in this life than knowing our salvation is real and that it is assured because of the finished work of Christ on our behalf. But that joy is experienced by more than us. In Luke’s gospel, Jesus declared: “Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). I share these testimonies so that you likewise can rejoice in the redeeming work of God in our midst. Thank you for reaching out and inviting and praying for those people who came on this course. A special thank you also to those of you who accompanied someone on the course who doesn’t know Jesus. Let us continue to share the gospel with those around us so that God indeed may receive all the glory due his name.
The next ‘Christianity Explored’ course begins on January 15th, 2008. Please use the next few weeks strategically to invite people to come. Let us not tire of telling the old, old story, anticipating that God will reap a harvest in our midst.
Bob Mc Can
Pete's Trip to Germany
06-12-2007 | Christchurch Blog | Prayer Requests | Sovereign Grace »
With Pete having now headed off on another Sovereign Grace adventure I have decided to use a post to enlist your prayers for him. From Tuesday 4th - Sunday 9th Pete is going to be joining with Dave Harvey and Jeff Purswell in serving a man named Wolfgang Wegert along with thirty other pastors in Hamburg, Germany. Wolfgang is the orchestrator of the conference and with his growing connections and affection for Sovereign Grace Ministries he was eager to expose the pastors that he knows to Pete and the guys and so after many months of planning, the conference has finally arrived.Please pray that Pete, Dave and Jeff are used by the Lord to refresh and aid Wolfgang and these pastors. Pete himself is going to be preaching on a number of occasions and has several other commitments and meetings with some of these men whilst he is over there and so please pray for those times. And please pray for their travel..... you know what he's like!
Pete is a wonderful gift from God to us as a local Church and so what a great privilege we have in praying for him in this, and what a difference those prayers make, for God is good! Thanks guys.
Dave Taylor
Pub Talk
21-11-2007 | Christchurch Blog | Church | General »
Thanks to everyone who attended the family meeting last week. It was so good to see so many of you take the time to come out and hear about what God has been doing amongst us and the shape of things to come. There are so many encouraging initiatives taking place with us taking the gospel out to the worlds in which we live; thanks for all you’re doing in giving yourself to these.It seems we’ve been able to secure the back part of the Tredegar Arms for the first Sunday night of every month. The pub can be found at the top of Forge Road (take junction 28 north and the pub is at the top of the road by Bassaleg High School). We hope this will be a really fruitful venture. We realised that there are many folk who would enjoy being able to ask questions about what we believe and why, but may not want to come to a Christianity Explored evening in a church…especially guys! For many men, the thought of coming to a church evening to drink coffee and eat cakes is their worst nightmare; many women would feel the same way too!
The plan is to produce an invitation card on the back of a beer mat (how cool is that!) and the other side will be for any questions to be written down. I’ll be there, together with most of the pastoral team ready to be grilled by whomever, on whatever topic (within reason!)
Let’s start thinking now who we could invite to these evenings. Nobody will be asked to contribute; and folk can just sit around and listen in without having to ask any questions if they prefer. The pub has always been the focal point of friendship, community and conversation in Wales, and we are called to “go” with the gospel; where else would it be better to go therefore, than to the local for a chat and a pint?
The first evening will start on February 3rd and the intention is to meet every month. For those who enjoy their beer, it’s worth noting that the Tredegar Arms is also one of the finest Real Ale pubs in South Wales; so at the least you’ll be able to get a decent pint! I look forward to seeing you there.
Pete Greasley
Welcome to our blog
15-11-2007 | Christchurch Blog | Church | General »
Well folks, welcome to Christchurch’s new blog!If you’re anything like me, you may be thinking ‘who needs another blog with so many excellent ones out there?’ Good question! We certainly aren’t putting this site together because we think we have more to say than is already being said; and neither do we think that this site will be oozing pearls of wisdom on a daily basis that will change everyone’s life. The reason for it is simply to be able to serve the good members of Christchurch through discussion and comment and have opportunity to communicate more effectively what’s going on and what’s being thought and talked about. It’s an added bonus for us if folk from outside the church find the site useful and we welcome their involvement and comments.
One of the main functions of the site will be to continue discussion and application of the Sunday morning messages. There’s rarely a Sunday goes by when I’ve been preaching that I don’t think afterwards ‘I wish I’d said…” or “I need to clarify that point more effectively” etc.
I know some blogs tend to centre round the musings and goings on of the writers; this won’t be happening so much on this site, as the writers (primarily myself and the pastoral team) don’t consider our musings or opinions to be of any particular import and at times are just plain boring! Also, there’s not that much going on in our lives that we think would be particularly interesting to anyone except our closest friends and family (and even they struggle to look engaged with us at times). If we do though come across interesting people and conversations we will of course let you know and if there are any travel stories or stupid incidents that make us look foolish they will be posted immediately for your edification and enjoyment. Oh…one further thing: I will also work hard to ensure that there are absolutely NO posts on sport of any kind (save for the Ryder Cup) as it bores me witless.
We would really encourage you to add your comments, although we need to let you know up front that all the comments will be vetted before they are posted. If they’re stupid, we won’t post them; if they’re offensive, we won’t post them; and if they make me look bad, we definitely won’t post them! Please also post any questions you may have that relate into the church or any of the teaching; if we think the questions will serve others, we’ll put them up…provided we can answer them of course (don’t hold your breath!)
So…welcome again and keep logging in to see what’s happening in Christchurch.
Have a great day…
Pete Greasley