The Provocative Church

Graham Tomlin writes about how a friend walked into his local church to go to the Bible study one evening.
people were sitting in a circle, he didn't recognise them, and then quickly realised, as he checked his watch, that it was the wrong day! He had actually walked into the local meeting of AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) but the meeting had started. He listened as people opened themselves up, explaining the sort of week they had just had, how they had managed to avoid "it". He mumbled apologies and left. Yet the meeting had a profound affect on him.
he had encountered honesty, admission of failure, celebration of success and mutual encouragement in a common struggle that he had rarely encountered at the Bible Study. The people he encountered were desperate and wanted to change. He found himself wishing the church was a bit more like that,
Hmmm food for thought

Covenant prayer

As we enter a new year the Covenant prayer below will be said by many Methodists this Sunday. With such doom and gloom being predicted for 2009, perhaps the words will be more challenging for us to speak? My prayer is that we mean these words as we say them, that they are more than simply words ..... because it is such a powerful prayer. Where I lead worship tomorrow these words will appear on the screen one line at a time - we will not rush through them - we will reflect on each line as we speak it ....

I am no longer my own but yours.

Your will, not mine, be done in all things,

wherever you may place me, in all that I do and in all that I may endure;

when there is work for me and when there is none;

when I am troubled and when I am at peace.

Your will be done when I am valued and when I am disregarded;

When I find fulfilment and when it is lacking;

When I have all things and when I have nothing.

I willingly offer all I have and am to serve you, as and where you choose.

Glorious and blessed God,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

you are mine and I am yours.

May it be so for ever.

Let this covenant now made on earth be fulfilled in heaven. Amen.