For those of you who missed it, we had a great weekend together looking at real change "Spot Changing for Leopards". Below are the audio files of the event. Enjoy.
Monday, 11 November 2013
Wednesday, 30 October 2013
Common Good
This is the rule of most perfect
Christianity, its most exact definition, its highest point, namely, the seeking
of the common good. For nothing can so make a person an imitator of Christ as
caring for their neighbours.
St.
John Chrysostom
I want to imitate Christ[i].
I don’t always get it right, but I try. I fell in love with Jesus because of
how tenderly and gently he appeals to the broken and the marginalised in the
gospel narratives. Somewhere in my journey I realised I was thoroughly broken
and in need of His tenderness.
Those in the New
Testament accounts that had culturally come to accept that they were outsiders, castaways, shunned and ignored sat and ate with the living
God. His words were warm, full of hope, acceptance and redemption.
Jesus spoke hard words too. Examine for yourself. You
will find however those predominately harsh words spoken out of the Lord’s
mouth were directed at the religious elite of the day. He criticised them for
being stuck in their theological trenches and enslaving the people into rules
and regulations that they themselves could not even keep.
Jesus ate dinner with prostitutes, thieves, con-men, the
sick and the culturally excluded.
We can choose today to be part of the religious elite,
arguing on our blogs and websites, tweets and Facebook about our theological
positions and enslave people into our rules and regulations, or we can sit down and eat with the worlds poor and
broken.
I want to imitate Christ
I don’t always get it right, but I try. I believe that the more we imitate
Christ, the more human - fully human we actually become. That is we reveal more
of the image of God that we were created in when we imitate him. As we bear His
image, reflect His nature maybe others will fall in love with Jesus as they
discover how tenderly and gently he appeals to the broken and the marginalised.
I want to seek the Common Good for our city and our
neighbours. John Chrysostom (347–407AD)
challenged the church to seek the common good and this should not be seen in
competition with ‘making disciples’ but part of it.
All too often our programmes, services and initiatives
are clean, nice and inoffensive, while eating with those the world rejects is
unpleasant and uncomfortable. I
want to imitate Christ I don’t always get it right, but I try.
At this very moment I’m working with several agencies planning our emergency winter night shelter. We’re thrilled to be able to extend this act of love to some of the most vulnerable people in Glasgow this winter. I hope that as we do this we are imitating Christ and caring for our neighbours, and in doing so we are becoming more fully human.
Please pray for the Glasgow Winter Night Shelter, maybe
your church would consider volunteering for this much needed service in the
city. We're also looking for staff that can work over the 12 weeks. Please have a look at our website for details, or email gwns@glasowcitymission.com if you'd like to volunteer.
Thursday, 10 October 2013
"Baby, It's Cold Outside"
I was walking though Glasgow last night and the temperature had really dropped from the morning when I'd left the house. I didn't have a jumper on, and as I pulled my jacket round tighter and tighter I had a quick and albeit short reminder of homelessness.
I was out in the cold only for an hour, the central heating would have kicked in by the time I got home. I was cold now, but that wouldn't be forever. I could knuckle down and cope until I got home.
We've had great weather over the summer and actually it's carried on into the autumn. We walk about in our summer clothes and our attitude becomes very carefree. It's great. However it got very cold last night, and I was caught out with only a few layers on. I got home and into the warm, and soon forgot about my quick paced walk to the railway station, how I'd pulled up my collar of my jacket and sunk my neck deeper and deeper down to keep warm - oh for a scarf. I was home now. Three children tucked snugly warm in bed, and an embrace from my wife as we talk on a comfy sofa about our days.
What if you don't have a home? What if you don't want to go back to your home because of abuse, violence, fear?
Today is World Homeless Day (10th October) and I'm reminded that while my story might be shared by a number of people, there are many who don't have somewhere warm and welcoming to go to at the end of the day. It isn't fiction, it isn't a movie that we can walk away from, it isn't a nightmare that we are going to wake up from. The reality is there are people in Scotland who are sleeping rough. There are people in Glasgow scared to go home because of the environment they'll encounter.
I'm currently working hard in preparation for the Glasgow Winter Night Shelter. Along with our partners there are many who care deeply about these issues, and give themselves tirelessly to help people in their immediate need as well as plan and campaign to change things for the future.
We're currently taking in all the harvest donations from churches and schools though out Glasgow, and I'm struck be peoples generosity and desire to help - Thank you.
I was out in the cold only for an hour, the central heating would have kicked in by the time I got home. I was cold now, but that wouldn't be forever. I could knuckle down and cope until I got home.
We've had great weather over the summer and actually it's carried on into the autumn. We walk about in our summer clothes and our attitude becomes very carefree. It's great. However it got very cold last night, and I was caught out with only a few layers on. I got home and into the warm, and soon forgot about my quick paced walk to the railway station, how I'd pulled up my collar of my jacket and sunk my neck deeper and deeper down to keep warm - oh for a scarf. I was home now. Three children tucked snugly warm in bed, and an embrace from my wife as we talk on a comfy sofa about our days.
What if you don't have a home? What if you don't want to go back to your home because of abuse, violence, fear?
I'm currently working hard in preparation for the Glasgow Winter Night Shelter. Along with our partners there are many who care deeply about these issues, and give themselves tirelessly to help people in their immediate need as well as plan and campaign to change things for the future.
We're currently taking in all the harvest donations from churches and schools though out Glasgow, and I'm struck be peoples generosity and desire to help - Thank you.
Wednesday, 4 September 2013
Hope and Disappointment
In 2008 the US presidential campaign became one of the most
intriguing in recent years. A moderate republican and the democrats looking at
either the first ever female president or the first ever black president. There
was a significant sense of anticipation in the States and around the world.
Barack Obama ran a very memorably campaign with the mantra of ‘yes we can’ following his every move. Maybe
things would be different this time.
In our own islands we saw the 1997 general election swing to
Labour and huge anticipation of a nation looking for real change and things to
be different. Only in 2010 did we see
another opportunity for renewed hope with the first coalition government since
the Second World War. Maybe things would be different this time.
Politicians of all
flavours seem to promise more than they can ever deliver, and I think that is
where some of our scepticism comes from. Political leaders (and religious
leaders) seem to inspire hope only to see people knocked off their pedestal.
We’re tired of hypocrisy and genuinely seek change. No matter how often history
seems to repeat itself there is a hope deep inside us longer for something
more, something better. “Maybe things
would be different this time.”
Maybe our expectations are too great, do we actually look to
our political and religious leaders to bring about the change that is so
desperately needed in our world? We see things that are wrong in the world and
we ask ‘who’s in charge, they should fix
this.’ We can identify the things
that are broken and wrong, but who’s responsible and who has the power and
authority to deal with it.
However I don’t think that our expectations are unrealistic;
it’s just that we often put our faith in the wrong places. For real ‘Change we can believe in’ Firstly I
need to recognise that I need to change,
and secondly I need to recognise that I
need the power of God to change me. This is the kind of change that doesn't
disappoint.
We've being talking at Glasgow City Mission about Change in
the people we serve. A hope that the power of God will have a significant
effect on their lives. This is not a vain hope for change is core to the
Christian message. It’s about sinners becoming saints, broken becoming whole,
lost becoming found, warmonger becoming peacemaker, and the dead becoming
alive.
Glasgow City Mission is having an evening of celebration and storytelling. It’s open to all and will
include stories from our clients, an opportunity to hear from Bethany Christian Trust and their award winning ‘Passing the Baton’ programme,
as well as a time for worship and prayer for the city.
Come and hear how you
could be part of change.
Sunday September 15th 6.30pm at St Silas Church Glasgow.
Further Details are on www.glasgowcitymission.com
Friday, 2 August 2013
Spot Changing for Leopards
The well known phrase ‘A leopard can’t change its spots’[i]
has its origins in the 6th century BCE in Jeremiah’s warning to the
people of Israel. It was a call for a change, yet acknowledging that change was
unlikely with their current track record.
However surely the gospel has shown to us
that even the most dramatic change and transformation is possible through the
work of God in our lives.
I can fall into the trap all too easily and
join in the chorus of ‘That’s just the
way they are, they’re never going to change.’ The truth is that attitude is
totally counter to the message of Jesus of Nazareth.
When thinking about the change Jesus can
make in our lives, we often jump to the Saul/Paul account. We can see really
clearly a dramatic transformation from a violent enemy zealot, to a dynamic Christian
leader. However even though this fascinating encounter with God lends itself to
storytellers, this type of instant transformation, while miraculous is no more
miraculous than transformation that takes place over decades.
If our understanding of change is only
caught up in a picture of the immediate, then we are in danger of living a life
of disappointment, with a few stories of joy, but with many frustrating
encounters. Yet were we to grasp that not only can change be instantaneous it
is more often a lengthy journey of pleasure and pain, of mountains and valleys.
The long view requires patience, determination, friends
who are loyal, reliable, and dependable - it is tiring and many quit.
We often compare Peter and Paul, and while Peter is in Jesus inner circle we tend to connect more with Paul and his writtings. Peter seems to take one step forward and
two steps back. He is the one who acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah[ii], then promptly reprimands
Christ.[iii] Peter is the one who
boldly declares his allegiance unto death[iv], then promptly denies he
even knows Jesus[v].
Peter is the one who receives a vision[vi] leading the way for
gentiles/non-Jews to hear the message, then is rebuked by Paul for creating a
‘them and us’ culture by reversing this position[vii]
Peter’s transformation is just as miraculous as Paul’s,
maybe we need to value the long journey of change more and be prepared for the
long haul as we help others on that Journey.
Glasgow City Mission is
having an evening of celebration
and storytelling. It’s open to all and will include stories from our clients,
an opportunity to hear from Bethany
Christian Trust and their award winning ‘Passing the Baton’ programme, as
well as a time for worship and prayer for the city.
Come and hear how you could be part of change.
Sunday
September 15th 6.30pm at St Silas Church Glasgow.
Monday, 8 July 2013
The Andy Murray Factor
Why as a Scot do I walk around with the thought that as a
sporting nation we manage to “snatch
defeat out of the jaws of victory”. I’m laughing at myself as there were hints
of superstition seeping into my psyche as I nervously listened to the media
hype up Andy Murray’s chances of becoming the first British Wimbledon Champion
since Fred Perry, only for him to succeed. Well done!
Andy has considerable desire, and a grueling routine and it
must take an enormous amount of focus and determination to keep going. He is however
part of a significant team of professionally all helping him reach his personal
goal.
He’s got one coach, Ivan Lendl, two fitness trainers,
Jez Green and Matt Little, his hitting partner Danny Vallverdu, physio Andy
Ireland, and Matt Gentry from Simon Fuller’s XIX Entertainment (his management
team). Andy admits that to begin with he took some stick for having a big
entourage, but says it’s crucial to his performance at this level.[1]
That’s seven dedicated people all working together
determined to make the future dream of one a reality.
Sometime we need that level of support, particularly when we
face significant challenges. There are stories of loners who manager against
all the odds to pull through exceptionally difficult circumstances, but most of
us need others around us – loving, caring, supporting, challenging,
encouraging.
How many people do
you think are required to help someone get free from a substance addiction,
build new positive relationships, settle into a new house and community, participate
in further education and secure a sustainable job? Answer – lots. It takes time too, just ask Andy Murray!
We don’t have Team Murray, but we do have Team GCM. We’re
grateful for all the staff and volunteers, who believe passionately that with
God all things are possible.
Our prayer is often the same as the author of Hebrews:
Now may the God of peace—
who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great Shepherd of the sheep,
and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—
may he equip you with all you need
for doing his will.
May he produce in you,
through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to him.
All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.[i]
who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great Shepherd of the sheep,
and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—
may he equip you with all you need
for doing his will.
May he produce in you,
through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to him.
All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.[i]
[i]
Hebrews 13:20f
Friday, 28 June 2013
Hide & Seek
When I was a teenager I’m pretty sure I was hard work for my
parents (sorry). I remember that on a few occasions when struggling to cope
with an emotional situation I hid in my room. I also remember being so mad with
my parents that I was determined to run away from home... I got as far as the
top of the stairs!
Many families are loving, caring and safe places for
children to grow up in, and the misunderstandings and adolescent behaviour can
be worked through and resolved. However some home environments are far from
positive. They can sometimes be toxic, abusive and claustrophobic. As a child,
young or mature adult, where do you retreat to when faced with these
circumstances?
About 327,000 people are reported missing to the authorities
in the UK every year.[i]
People run away for a number of reasons, traumatic experiences, feeling unable
to cope, trapped or powerless.
Hiding can often be a short term coping strategy. When we’re
unable to face a particular event, person or group we retreat from it and find
shelter elsewhere. If that which is causing you distress is your home
environment then people go missing, leaving their homes behind and often
heading for the main cities to hide in anonymity.
Sometimes the people we see at Glasgow City Mission are
hiding. They’ve left behind traumatic situations that are too difficult for
them to deal with at this stage. They are vulnerable and need love and care. As
much as we’d like to, it’s too cheap and awkward a leap to draw parallels with
Jesus’ story of the prodigal son.[ii]
For the prodigal doesn’t leave out of the pressure of broken environment, he
left a loving and safe environment out of rebellion and selfishness.
So while those that go missing are not the prodigal, we can respond
like the ‘father’ in the story. How we treat people on their return matters.
The son in the narrative fears rebuke and chastisement on his return, yet the
father extends love, mercy, grace and honour to the son.
A recent study by Glasgow and Dundee Universities revealed
that statistically people were far less likely to go missing again if they were
treated sympathetically when they return.[iii]
Not all environments are safe to return to, however it is a
challenge to us when we think of the reasons that people end up on the streets
or in hostels in Glasgow. Who will welcome them back into community? We’re
passionate about creating a welcoming, safe and loving environment here at
Glasgow City Mission. We’re also delighted to have three qualified counsellors
helping our guest work through traumas. For some, Glasgow City Mission has
become their new family.
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