Preach the gospel always, use words amplified through a megaphone if you have to!

Obviously not the famous words ascribed to St. Francis of Assisi, but Philip Howard the (in)famous Oxford Street preacher, or at least he was until recently when he was ASBO'd and banned from uses his trusty megaphone.

In the face of such 'presecution' Philip seems to have picked up his megaphone and walked, actually he probably jumped on the Central line, anyway however he travelled he seems to think that the good folk of Stratford are either more tolerant or more in need of his declaratory 'encouragement' to be 'winners not sinners'!

With everyone around me smiling (or smirking?!) it was a nice surprise to hear him and to learn that Stratford is a place where freedom of speech/preach reigns supreme, but I'm less than convinced by his choosen method of 'evangelism'. I'm just not sure that megaphone-enhanced proclamation us the best way to share 'good news'. I think i might be with Mr Bell...

'Megaphone guy, I don't think its working.
All the yelling and the judgement and the condemnation,
I don't think its working.
I actually think its making things worse.
I don't think its what Jesus had in mind.'

Rob Bell, Bullhorn, NOOMA 9

Badges of honour?

It may just be me, but I've got a sneaky suspicion that church leaders are slightly prone to 'badges of honour' - things they don't mind mentioning (not too subtly) that they find edifying, usually self-edifying!

For most it's simple - it's numbers (A day in the life...of the numbers game) , but today as a group of local church leaders introduced themselves (and their churches) to our local MP I became aware, perhaps more accurately I was reminded, of another pervasive 'badge' - nationalities!

'A church of 150, we have 19 nationalities worshipping with us.'

'We usually have 60-70, with 10 countries present.'

'A church of 3-4,000 we regularly have over 40 nations with all five continents present.'

In for a penny, in for a pound; when in Rome etc... I introduced the Salvation Army in Stratford:

'We are a church of three with two nations represented.'

She seemed suitably impressed with our 'badge'(!) although I didn't get the impression she'd be rushing to canvas our 'congregation' when it comes to election time!

More from doubting Thomas...

Talking about seeing and believing, the other day I saw (actually I heard, but it has been widely corroborated!) something that I think any footballing doubting Thomas would have struggled to accept.

I 'saw' an England fan, who had presumably invested some hard-earned cash (although the chap in question is a student so the phrase 'hard-earned' is probably quite misplaced!) in a resplendent replica kit (the one with the one star(!) - we all know that once upon a time Bobby Come-over and his mates one won some match! But come on, it's not elephant polo! ).

Anyway, getting back to the misguided student, he's bought this kit and emblazoned on the back the name of his chosen England hero (presumably favourite, most inspiring player, the one he would most like to emulate?!) - HARGREAVES! I can confirm that it is not a mispirnt, the players name is Hargreaves! Who'd have thunk it?! This guy isn't even related to the Canadian German who obviously has some dirt on Sven. Bizarre, I mean the only injury worry most England fans had over Hargreaves in the build up to the World Cup was that he would be fit!

Not naming any names, the deluded student's brother is the author of Typing while my i-pod updates.

Seeing really is believing!

'The name's Thomas, doubting Thomas'

Some people just won't be told! And it seems that at times, I'm one of them!

A while back we were shopping at an ASDAs that had trolleys which claimed to have immobilisers! Obviously fed up of traipzing miles collecting up their property ASDA had supposedly devised a way of allowing the trolleys to be used within the confines of their car park, and no further - at least that's what they said!

I, being the doubter that I am, was less than convinced and doubted the veracity of the claim. Having vocally shared my disbelief with my wife (who no doubt shook her own head in disbelief...at my disbelief!) I marched off with my trolley before me to unmask this obvious falsehood! Anyone who has attempted to push an ASDA shopping trolley beyond its proscribed limits will know what happened next! Those who haven't - use your imagination!

Today, I was able (once again the hard way!) to verify another oft scoffed at claim. This time, it was 'anti-climb paint'. I mean, have you ever heard of anything so laugable - why wouldn't it dry?! For years I've confidently dismissed these empty threats as I've passed community building allegedly daubed in 'anti-climb paint'. Puh, as if?!

Today, as I waited for Lisa to come out of one of the local schools, as I lazily leaned against the railings enjoying the afternoon sun, contemplating England's chances in their next World Cup encounter - I discovered that, wouldn't you know it, it doesn't dry! If fact it does a very good impression of being very wet! And if you don't belief me - try it! You can even touch the still wet paint on my hands and side!

Seeing is believing!

A day in the life...of the numbers game

Today Lisa was asked into a new school to talk about her faith, why she does what she does and to talk about a (typical?!) day in the life of a church planting Salvation Army officer. A great opportunity, everything was going well until the four 'representative Christian leaders' were asked how 'big' their respective churches are.

Church leader one: '150, and there were 18 when I arrived three years ago.'

Church leader two: '900 - there were 5 of us 10 years ago.'

Church leader three: '6,000, and there were 6 of us when we started 10 years ago.'

Lisa: '3.'

(I'm led to believe there was a suitably impressed response to the first three answers while disbelief at Lisa's response gave way to unabashed amusement!)

Thankfully, there seems to be enough 'evidence' to suggest that God doesn't necessarily measure success in terms of size - I mean, David wasn't selected to fight Goliath becasue of his height; mustard seeds aren't very big; and Jesus' own answer to the question would most likely have been '12'. I think we're more interested in developing influence rather than numbers. Mind you (little plug coming!) if a few like minded people came our way and wanted to share the ride we certainly wouldn't object, but we're not really into the numbers game. If I was into numbers I'd mention that we had an 'all-time high' 30 at Little Acorns this morning (which we only started 7 weeks ago!), but I'm not so I won't (doh!).

What's wrong with a drought anyway?!

Mr Noah built an ark,
The people thought it such a lark.
Mr Noah pleaded so,
But into the ark they would not go.

And the rain came down in torrents,
And the rain came down in torrents,
And the rain came down in torrents,
And only eight were saved.

Until yesterday, this was just a song we'd used in assemblies, but yesterday the chorus became an annoying reality!

The rain came down in torrents, the roof couldn't cope and the parts of our blossoming hall were well and truly flooded! I can confirm there was no ark and it certainly wasn't a lark!

What was also nice was the fact that our 'friendly' plasterer who was working in the hall at the time didn't think to tell us what was happening as he watched the water flowing down the walls! He just mentioned (in passing!) as he packed up for the night! Maybe he thought there was likely to be more work in it for him?!

Who invented flat rooks anyway? And why?!

Changing aspirations?!

Maybe I’ve just been living in the city too long, but I drove through Basildon at the weekend… and it looked quite nice!

(I think it was the trees!)

Wanted: an away weekend for our 'brigade'

For a while now we've had a selection of books, magzines, suitable reading material etc. in our toilet for those who prefer to linger while 'attending to business' (there really is no need to rush!). While recent reads have included parenting 'manuals', architectural treatises and introductory guides to Islam, things have taken a bizarre turn - thanks to my wife!

Rather worringly Lisa is now 'carefully studying and observing' (as all Officers are encouraged to!) 'Orders and Regulations for Corps Officers'. Which means that at regular intervals (for she is pretty regular!) I am offered useful insights into the role and responsibilities of those engaged in our 'line of work'.

For instance, long aware of Songster Brigades, through Lisa's committed study we've recently learned of the possibility of a 'Drink and Drugs' Brigade (Ch.XX, Section 3, paragraph 1 - for those minded to check!).

Armed with this recent revelation we're looking for other Drink and Drugs Brigades looking to do an exchange weekend - we'd even be open to the possibility of suitable tour!

Maybe reading in the toilet isn't such a good idea after all?!

One for our Zambian friends...

Joshua says 'thanks for my t-shirt'.

It's good to talk!

Today, as with many days, has been full of incredibly varied conversations. I'm often saying that one of the reasons I love what we do is that 'we're paid to talk to people' - ultimately its pretty hard to build relationships without talking (obviously listening helps too!). But today its been particularly 'good to talk'.

It was good to talk with Victoria about starting a community-focused prayer group.

It was good to talk with Karen about how we might address the various local health issues.

It was good to talk with Helen (one of our mums from Little Acorns) about her determination to qualify as an accountant.

It was good to talk with Benjamin (our street-cleaner) and to introduce him to Mary (one of our neighbours).

It was good to talk with Mary and to show her Little Acorns in full swing.

It was good to talk with Annette about the possibility of addressing the blight of unemployment through future job-creation projects.

It was good to talk with three different churches about how we are looking to use our building to serve the community.

It was good to talk to Lisa's new friend Sue and to meet her year-old son, and Joshua's new friend, George.

It was good to talk with Terry and to be able to help them as they seek to care for Elisabeth (one our elderly neighbours).

It was good to talk with Nadine and to hear of her passion for working with children.

It was good to talk with Margaret about how we can better resource our families work.

It was good to talk with Shirley about the need for something for teenagers to do locally, the challenges involved, and incontinence pads!

It was good to talk to Viv about her role as a carer for the elderly.

It was good to talk with Paul and to hear he was still up for eating and studying the Bible together.

It was great to talk with my mate Richard (of Charlie Chikankata fame )and to hear how things are going in Zambia.

It was good to talk!

Blessed buildings!

'Any church that cannot get by without buildings, finances and paid experts is not fully being church' Andrew Jones

We certainly agree with Mr Jones, but as we seek to create and encourage a developing sense of community we readily recognise that in our context, a space which people can enter and explore together the connections that exist between them(a building) is a useful thing to have.

If, like us, you are keen to realise the potential of your buildings, it may be worth having a look at a Strong City .

Who's responsible?

I’ve been to court today. It was my first day in court since leaving a law degree two years early. It was my first time at Stratford Magistrates. You may (or may not?!) be glad to know I wasn’t the one in the dock, it was my friend Paul.

My friend Paul, who has been in and out of prison for the majority of his adult life - this was not his first visit to Stratford Magistrates.

My friend Paul, who since his release from prison last year has done his best to make a fresh start.

My friend Paul, who has been off the drugs for two and half years and works voluntarily with disaffected youngsters through the Community Drugs Team.

My friend Paul, who has little or no hope of getting a job because of his violent past.

My friend Paul, who is caught in a benefit trap that means if ever did swing a job he’d lose his house.

My friend Paul, who rarely has anything to eat or drink unless we give him it.

My friend Paul who bravely resists the temptation to make money the only way he knows.

My friend Paul who desperately wants to give back to society, to make a difference and help others benefit from the mistakes in his past – he was in the dock. But I’m not sure he should’ve been.

Don’t get me wrong, he’d definitely done it, he admitted it, he pleaded guilty. While cycling down Green Street he’d been hit by a bus and knocked flying. His split-second response was to punch the windscreen causing it to shatter and £400 damage.

I’m not condoning what Paul had done, but I’m not sure it should’ve been Paul in the dock. I’m not sure he was solely to blame for what happened. I think we as a society have much to answer for.

A society whose lazy response to crime is a depressingly futile reliance on custodial sentences.

A society whose concern for punishment is often revenge-driven.

A society that thinks that any talk of rehabilitation is soft.

A society with an incredibly narrow understanding of justice.

A society only too happy to write the likes of Paul off.

One to watch - KiDULTHOOD

Last night, as we celebrated our quartet of married years we decided to have a nice romantic evening watching a DVD: but not for us some slushy, happy-ever-after rom-com. No, we watched KiDULTHOOD – a ‘powerful, moving and unforgettable - kicks the door off the hinges’ film! Convincing in parts, unintentionally funny in others, although not in the same league as 'City of God' it's still one to watch, but certainly not an easy one!

I warily recommend it while reiterating how shocking it is. If you’re anything like us you’ll…

…be shocked at the messy, even chaotic lives that are depicted and you’ll worry about what really goes on in schools these days!

…be shocked that this film is only rated just 15 (is that a sign of age?!).

…be shocked at the state of the English language (now I really am sounding like my dad!):

‘if you eye ‘em, ding me cos am goin' to mash ‘em up. You get me – blood!’ (Lisa would not have complained if I’d put the subtitles on!)

A depressingly challenging film, if it accurately portrays the lives being lived by even a handful of teenagers we (as a society) are in trouble. As the blurb on the box makes clear ‘in a world where sex is currency, drugs are easy, and violence is a way of life, trouble can never be too far around the corner’.

As I spent some time this afternoon with Danny, Bradley, Reece and Andreas (some of the teenagers from our estate) I couldn’t help wondering what lay around the corner for them.