Mission in Action

? How much to run a church these days??

We went to the twee-est of twee English villages on Saturday – Bakewell, of Bakewell pies fame.? It is impossibly beautiful and only twenty five minutes drive? from our place out in the Peaks National Park.? It has all the pre-requisites; cute stone houses, lovely pubs, rolling hills, and old church complete with centuries-old gravestones.(Check out photos below)

The sign on the church was asking for donations.? It said “It costs 175 pounds a day to run this church, we appreciate donations.”? 175 pounds?? The photo album inside indicated that very few people ever darken the doors come Sunday, yet on the Saturday we went in the underfloor heating was going full bore.? 175 pounds a day.? That’s 1225 pounds a week, and more than 5000 a month!? The argument here is that since the buildings have National Trust significance then the Trust should take them over.? And don’t think this is a one-off, there are literally thousands of other old churches draining resources the same way – many of them virtually empty.? ? History has not been kind.? Wonder how history will judge our edifices of worship??

written by Steve

Check out the photos of the Jazz cafe night.? It went really well.? Over sixty people there, a real mixture.? It gave people the opportunity to invite friends who don’t know Jesus to mix with friends who do.? People really did do it,so it just wasn’t filled with Christians.

One couple, Ian and Kathryn? invited some long-term friends along who I had a great time chatting with.? Kathryn has invited Jill and me over to their house for dinner along with their friends so that they can get to know another Christian couple.? Once again, not rocket science, but highly intentional.?

The cafe itself was well put together, the musicians exceptional, and apart from the 2 pound entry fee all lattes, mochas, teas, cakes, slices etc were free.? Not a Nescafe blend 43 tin or milk arrowroot biscuit in sight.

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written by Steve

FINALLY!? Finally we had some snow -not a lot, but enough where we were to make Sophie a pretty happy five-year-old-who-has-never-seen-snow.? Thanks to those budding meteorologists who sent in their reports of falls. There is the promise of more snow to come too.? Something about snow that makes us? go a bit giddy.

You’ll notice the change in design – thank you Darren – which is just? as well. My fat face was beginning to annoy even me!? ? To paraphrase? Smithers, “It looks like Steve McAlpine’s blog sir, only more dynamic and resourceful.”

We went to another household congregation last night – the one that meets in Crookes.? It was a great time.? About 20 or so adults and four or five children – which SOphie was delighted about.? There are a number of Chinese students/academics in the congregation – some Christian, some not.? One – who studied here, and now works at Sheffield Uni, said that he had NEVER heard of God at all before he came to the UK.? Now he and his wife are Christian. His brother has subsequently come to the Sheffield to study and is part of the congregation, though not Christian yet.? It is interesting being in such an intimate setting and sharing the bible with people who have little or no knowledge of it.? Rob, the leader, did a great job keeping it simple and keeping it real. He is going through meals in Luke’s gospel, and it’s moving to see the simplicity and complexity of Jesus stirring people up – especially if the stories are unfamiliar to them.? We’re onto something with this gospel – maybe we just need to recapture the wonder and not let familiarity breed contempt.

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written by Steve