Amped Society Stewards for God's sake

Last evening the Society Stewards and I spent some quality time discussing the hospitality of our little church. We each have a copy of Robert Schnase’s book ‘Five practices of fruitful congregations’ and we were engaging with the first chapter on radical hospitality. It is always a joy to be a part of a group that is generative in nature and exudes life beyond itself. It is a group that is not settled in perpetuating a habitual Christian faith but is impressed by the Spirit to challenge the norm and grow in grace and knowledge. Conflict is and will remain a necessary part of a generative group dynamic but it will be as Tim Keller says, done with ‘graceful disagreement.’ May we continue to work with purpose and with love to make this church a place that welcomes all but most importantly the stranger.

Bringing heaven to earth - Ross Olivier

We enjoyed the company of Ross Olivier, the President of Seth Mokitimi Seminary in PMB on Sunday evening. He spoke about Mission and the local church and used his experience in the church at Galloway United Methodist in Jackson, Mississippi.
If you want some encouragement in your local setting of vision and down to earth thinking then Ross is your guy. What I took away for myself was to bring Hilton Methodist Church’s vision closer to the members of the church. To be encouraged to continue working to bring this vision into effect in every ministry of our church.
I loved his personal vision and now the vision of the Galloway church – to bring heaven to earth.

Shoal of Christ

Thoughts have swum around in isolated fashion each flashing a side of light and brilliance. The vision is the shoal of fast moving collective thoughts, this way and that. Watching them twitch together is miraculous as if they are all connected with one string. The shoal bursts to the left and then to the right, the last and first in symphony. A synergy that defies logical determinism. A run that shines glorious when hearts in worship talk mission. The shoal of Christ in unison.