Heaven is important but it's not the end of the world

My copy of Tom Wright's new book, "Surprised by Hope" has arrived and gone to the top of "waiting-to-be-read" pile. This has encouraged me to revisit some of NTW's other work in "Simply Christian" and elsewhere. Wright challenges the contemporary gnosticism that the world is inherently evil and the task of Christians is to escape the world and take as many people with us as possible.

Listening to NTW speaking about "Simply Christian" I am reminded that Jesus' Kingdom project was about the the kingdom coming "on earth as it is heaven", that in the person of Jesus heaven and earth overlap."

NTW's assertion that "Jesus is Lord and therefore Caesar isn't" challenges all competing world views.

These are themes I have looked at before but I find that now I spend a lot of time preaching on the Kingdom that I need to return to them, and as I reflect on other aspects of our ministry here in Failsworth, God is teaching me new things about His purposes.

Exclusion and Embrace: Distance and Belonging

Wolf helpfully illustrates his points on identity, distance and belonging by using the example of Abraham:

"If [Abraham] is to be a blessing he cannot stay; he must depart, cutting the ties that so profoundly defined him...

The courage to break his cultural and familial ties and abandon the gods of his ancestors (Joshua 24:2) out of allegiance to a God of all families and all cultures was the original Abrahamic revolution. Departure from his native soil, no less than the trust that God will give him an heir, made Abraham the ancestor of us all." (Wolf, Miroslav, Exclusion and Embrace, Abingdon Press, 1996: 38-39)

Wolf emphasises the importance of stepping out of "inherited culture" on the basis of faith in one God with one message that transcends human ethnicity and culture.

- Those who have been called to leave the familiar can find some comfort in this. (And I do!)
- Those who are called to stay among the familiar are challenged to break out of what defines them at the expense of the exclusion of others.
- Isn't "stepping out of inherited culture" the opposite of what some people call "incarnational ministry?"

Wolf is helpful but challenging reading. When I need a break from him the cover photo of a sculpture entitled, "Abraham's farewell to Ishmael" is very thought-provoking. Here is exclusion in action, but exclusion through which God works His sovereign purposes. However, the image of excluded Hagar turning her back on Sarah is very chilling. Exclusion AND Embrace all in the same artwork...

...but I guess that's why they put it on the cover of the book!

Mission - Facilitators and Inhibitors

I was privileged to be part of a team today discussing things that facilitate and inhibit mission. It's easy to put the blame on other people, processes or paperwork for being mission inhibitors. It's also easy to wait for others to be mission facilitators: when we have the right people, the right processes, the right level of spirituality/discipleship/commitment...

However, preparing for a funeral tomorrow I am drawn to Matthew 6:25-34 and verse 33 in particular: "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness."

The command to put the concerns of the Kingdom first doesn't depend on anyone else - it's a command from Jesus to all His disciples.

We should have facilitators to assist and encourage. We should resist inhibitors. But on the basis that you can choose your attitude even if you can't choose your circumstances, we can all keep our eyes on the prize...

I want to go on seeking the Kingdom.