GETTING BACK TO BASIC PRICIPLES…. 

My father was an engineer. He was also an argumentative wotsit! He could argue about anything and loved the verbal jousting involved. He loved arguing so much that he would shift his position 180 degrees if needed to keep the discussion going. I was wise to his tactics often and so would bring him back to where he started, calling out his manoeuvres!

But there was one phrase he would use that always wound me up.

“Let’s get back to basic principles…”

He was a trained engineer and that systematic approach was inherent in his thinking. He needed to understand something and so would demand to get back to the purpose and workings of any problem.

It took me years to realise that he was right!

It struck me that currently I am juggling three things that require “getting back to basic principles”.

Firstly, I have started meeting with colleagues about the role of Area Dean and the future of the Deanery. Many have asked me “what do you want to do with the Deanery?” and my honest answer has been “I don’t know!” My approach is to ask clergy colleagues, lay leaders and in time Deanery reps from the churches. Determining the future programme from the middle so to speak.

I’ve asked a couple of questions – What is Deanery for? And What would make Synod/Chapter unmissable?

Back to basic principles – because if we don’t know what something is for then how can we determine what it should look like?

A second is the work being done by Standing Committee on the Parish profile which will soon come out to all members to comment. And those basic principles come into play here too. “Where is God leading us? Where are we? What sort of leader do we need to get there under their leadership?”

Theses are basic principles questions – what are we about?

The last example that comes to mind is the new services that start this Sunday. The basic principles question is “what is Spirit filled worship?” How does our worship support the vision of the church – “Making Passionate Disciples for Christ”?

Well Jesus’ words help us here.

²³ Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. ²⁴ God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24)

Jesus is speaking to the Samaritan woman he meets at the well. There is some discussion about where worship should take place. And about the focus and purpose of that worship. Yet Jesus goes back to basic principles.
The where doesn’t matter.
The who doesn’t matter either.
But the intent does. The content too.
Spirit and truth.

David Watson once said this :
“ "All Word and no Spirit, you dry up.
All Spirit and no Word, you blow up.
Both Word and Spirit, you grow up."

Therefore, Spirit filled worship is a balance.

Firstly,  between the intellectual knowledge element that comes from exploring God’s Word. The sermon is the classic monologue way of sharing wisdom. However, dialogue and discussion can also be an effective way for the body of Christ to all grow together. And the sermon itself is about getting a balance between teaching (imparting knowledge and providing tools for further study) and preaching (proclamation of Good News).

Secondly, about making room for the Spirit to move. For encounter – being filled, receiving healing, receiving and utilising spiritual gifts. For the Spirit to minister, to strengthen, to bring peace, for believers to experience God’s abundant love, to hear God’s voice and to be built up for service.

The services may begin looking like they used to – a sermon with a few more songs! But with intentionality to press in then these services can develop in both Word and Spirit!

When developing this idea discussions were informed by three basic principles shared at the New Wine Leaders conference last year:

• The Holy Spirit is my pastor
• Presence of God is transformational
• God is the most important person in the room

Added to which was the idea that in any conversation with someone seeking faith is the principle that “I could tell you about Jesus or you could meet him for yourself”

I commend this approach to you – to be part of something I believe God is calling Christ Church into. Many are excited for what this could mean going forward. Some are wary.

Bring yourselves ready to offer your sacrifice of praise to the “audience of one”.

May you find many blessings and be a blessing in turn to others.

Your brother in Christ

Doug

Vicar@christchurchpurley.org.uk

PLEASE LISTEN TO THE FOLLOWING SAFETY ANOUNCEMENT…