Well Done Vine Trust

There is a wonderful post on my friend Albert's blog, celebrating 25 years of the Vine Trust. Read it here.

It is wonderful to think that the Lord has so powerfully used the energy and vision of Albert, the stick-at-it-ness and compassion of Willie and all the staff and volunteers to achieve so much in Peru over these years.

Give thanks for the Vine Trust and pray that God will lead this work into the next 25 years.

Email Those New MPs

I've just emailed my MP, Mr Russell Brown (Lab), Constituency of Dumfries and Galloway. This is part of an Open Doors Campaign to email MPs about religious liberty, human rights and the persecution of Christians around the world. You can find this on the Open Doors site here. Please join me in this campaign.

I've copied the email below. Let's stand together with our sisters and brothers who are suffering for their faith in the Lord Jesus.

Dear Mr Brown,

As one of your constituents I want to congratulate you on your election victory and appointment as member of Parliament for Dumfries and Galloway.

I recognise the importance of the task ahead of you and want to assure you of my prayers for you at this significant time and in a new political context.

I am deeply concerned about issues of religious liberty and human rights, and particularly the persecution of Christians around the world. I would be delighted to know if you will be able to take up specific issues of persecution in the coming months. I attach a short briefing paper on this topic which I hope will be of help and interest.

Mr Brown, I will look forward to contacting you in future as specific issues arise.
Once again please accept my warmest congratulations on your election as my MP.

Yours sincerely,
Rev Gordon Kennedy

Recommended Books

Over at Euangelion Joel Willitts has an interesting post, with a lot of comments, on the theme of 'A book every university student should read'. Well worth a look here.

So I was thinking, for ministers/pastors and preachers, what two books would you recommend?
I've picked my two:

1. Peter White The Effective Pastor
This is a great book by an experienced pastor and church leader. In four sections, covering a range of ministry tasks, this would be a valuable book for a calls of student, or a ministers reading group to work through and learn from.

2. Eugene Peterson Five Smooth Stone For Pastoral Work
I'm sure that Peterson has written a poor book, or a chapter that is less good, it's just that I haven't found it yet! This was my first Peterson book and is a classic.
Peterson works though key issues of pastoral work using the five Megalith texts: Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Ruth, Esther, Lamentations, using the themes of each of these books to guide his refelctions on an area of essential pastoral work. If you ever need a book to persuade you that you still have a lot to learn about pastoral work, this is it.

I've not offered any kind of review of these books as it's a while since I've read them. When I read them again I'll over more comments.

What books would you recommend to young minsiters, students or for a ministers reading group?

Robin Mark

A friend, Betty, has let me listen to her Robin Mark cds, and I've been enjoying them all week.

At the Kingdom Come Conference in Feb (see my posts here) Robin Mark was the main worship leader and that was the first time I'd heard Robin's music. Robin is a song writer and worship leader from Northern Ireland - visit his web site here.

Here is a youtube video presentation of one of Robin's songs Blessed Be Your Name. Enjoy.

Well Done World Mission

I've just finished the World Mission Council Report, well what do you read first in the morning?

I find it really encouraging to read such a strong call to the church to support and stand beside Christians in situations of persecution around the world, pages 7/2-7/16 in the volume of reports 2010.

Also good to see World Mission commending such agencies as:
Open Doors
Barnabas Fund
Release International
Interserve

All we need now is for Church and Society to join in and call the Church of Scotland to stand beside Christians being persecuted in the UK, for wearing a cross or preaching the gospel in public.

Biblefresh Scotland - Press Release

Here is the Biblefresh Scotland press release. Don't forget to come to one of the three launch events.

BIBLEFRESH LAUNCH IN SCOTLAND


Biblefresh is set to change the way people look at the bible. For many in our churches the Bible has become tedious and toxic, rather than treasured, trusted and true. Biblefresh will change this perception and is asking hundreds of churches, agencies, colleges, festivals and denominations to come on a one year journey in 2011 as together we seek to encourage, inspire and equip Christians across the UK to a greater confidence and appetite for the Word of God.

Biblefresh will be launched at the Church of Scotland’s General Assembly where well known theologian and broadcaster, Elaine Storkey will join with Krish Kandiah at Carrubbers Christian Centre in Edinburgh at 7.30 on Monday May 24th to introduce the four strands of Biblefresh - Reading the Bible, Bible training, Bible translation and Bible experiences.

A book inspiring Christians to reconnect with the Bible will be launched during these events on May 24th and 25th. The Biblefresh book is a collection of essays written by Christians from a variety of churches and organisations and is the key resource of the Biblefresh movement. The contributors’ main objective is to share their wisdom in order to help Christians to re-engage with the Bible in a practical way.

Krish Kandiah, Director of Churches in Mission at the Evangelical Alliance said: “This book is the indispensable guide to making the most of 2011 for promoting Bible reading. Packed full of practical advice and inspiring stories, make sure everyone in your church has a copy. Let’s see what God will do through the Bible in 2011 and beyond.”

Biblefresh also addresses the main challenges which surround Bible reading and offers valuable advice on how to confidently connect scriptures with everyday living. There are also tips on how to share the message in a creative way and how to reach different audiences. The Leaders Guide section addresses church leaders directly and challenges them to pledge to provide the opportunity for people to experience the Bible.

Reverend Gordon Kennedy, Minister at St Ninians Stranraer said: “Our imaginations for who we are, are shaped by so many things in our increasingly complex world and culture. Biblefresh brings a host of stunningly supportive resources into contact with that world. This book is a must read for anyone wanting the Bible to shape their imagination and identity in today’s world.”

Launch events take place on
May 24th at 12.30p.m. in Glasgow at Renfield St Stephen’s 260 Bath Street Glasgow G2 4JP


May 24th at 7.00 p.m. for 7.30p.m. At Carrubbers Christian Centre, 65, High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1SR


May 25th at 12.30p.m. At St Peter’s Free Church, 4, St Peter’s street, Dundee DD1 4JJ

heART&soul

Fiona is involved in a new project, a creative ministry called heART&soul.

Read her post here, and find the heART&soul website here.

Art and craft work has long been recognised as a valuable way to engage more than our minds in the things of God. And that is the key aim of this website and forum.

I'm learning that what we have called virtual communities are every bit as real and effective in offering support, encouragement and communion as what we may call 'face to face' communities.

Whether you are into crafting or not the site and forum are worth a look, and if you are why not join in.