FormWoodbridge Blog

Hey Guys, 

Happy Christmas to all of those who log on to read the FORM Blog.

I love Christmas! It’s one of those seasons where Christians feels comfortable to invite friends, family and the gold fish to church. It’s one of those seasons where Christians openly go out onto the streets and sing about God. It’s one of those seasons where cultural tradition meets Christian belief. I love Christmas!

So why don’t we do this all year round? Not carols or Christmas but openly discuss, worship, shout out our love for the AWESOME GOD?

I believe it’s because Christmas is such a success in terms of getting people into church (which is not the end product of discipleship but a clear demonstration that society are still interested). However, unlike Christmas many evangelistic events end in disappointment. Laurence Singlehurst writes, (1998, p. 9):

‘the experience of many churches looks like this. They put a great deal of effort into coming up with an idea for outreach into the community. They, as it were, climb a mountain (carry through the idea). But at the end of all their hard work climbing, they plunge into a valley of disappointment because their expectations were just not met.’

So often we are looking for the convert before we have even engaged in a person’s life. Sowing and reaping is mentioned in John 4. Christians often look for the reaping before the sowing has even taken shape.

Singlehurst offers many strategies and ideas for evangelism. I would recommend purchasing his book and seeing what you think: –

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sowing-Reaping-Keeping-People-sensitive-Evangelism/dp/1856840522/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1229443265&sr=8-1

Why not ask a friend what they think about God this Christmas. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity. But don’t let it be the only time you mention God.

Happy Christmas guys

Love,

Ben 

After a great days teaching from Dave Gardner on Luke the FORM team take an opportunity to chill in God’s creation. Check out the red sky!

As the winter chill approaches the FORM trainees have been learning about God’s Word in the warmth of the Old Vicarage.

During this past month we have had the privilege to welcome Professor Ted Evans discussing God and Science, John Finlinson walking through Romans and Dave Gardner bringing the 5 fold ministry to life. So a busy and fantastic month. Thanks to all those that have contributed to FORM so far.

December looks extremely busy for our trainees and me! We have a number of events to organise and serve at. So please do come along to the events below and get to know Sylvan and Lizzy. They’re amazing people of faith and are always willing to serve God’s church and God’s world.

Events and dates:

Thursday 18th Dec 2:00pm - 4:00pm: FORM trainees present a book of the Bible (Old Vicarage)

Sunday 21st Dec - 4pm and 7pm Carol Services and St John’s Church Woodbridge, IP12 1HS

Sunday 28th Dec - ‘The Lounge’ - Jazz, drinks, chill and chat. 5pm to 7pm at Costa Coffee in woodbridge town centre. Check out the advert:  lounge-ad-28-dec 

Love to all and I hope the christmas shopping is going well!

Ben

In the last 4 years of salvation i cannot remember when I last had just even 3hours of my time just quiet and specifically to listen from my creator God.
On this retreat i was restored to the habit of listening, which i had lost to my busy life.
You may not believe what it took to be restored to this.

It all started with our form leader Ben who told us that we where not alowed to talk to him or each other for almost 12hours, i first took it as a joke as proberbly your thinking right now. But for 12hours we never talked to each other.

In that time I left the house where we were and went to its extension part closer to the fields and in that room I laid on the floor facedown started praying, before long i was praying in togues and certainly sweated in this cold room without the heating system. After this there was a presence of peace that i cannot explain, it was as though my mind had never been troubled and my heart like a blank pad to be written on.

There i kept silence for over an hour and during that time i was like a servant being instructed by his master, an army officer instructed by his commander or a child by his father, and there my call was resounded again - It is a time i long to have again and again.

A challenge to you my reader - do you secure time to listen both to God and to other people or you are carried away in the tide of work and your ocean of wards?
Please listen.

These are just some photos to give you a taste of our silence and solitude retreat in early October. Sylvan will be blogging soon to share his story and observations from this retreat - watch this space!

Lizzy studies the word

Keeping the silence!

Long walks with God

Words, Pictures and Scripture from God

So close to home but felt so far from home

I am SO excited about next months School of Theology!

Melody Briggs will be coming down to discuss ‘Social Action and Evangelism’ with us here at School of Theology. It’s going to be a great day of teaching but also a time to network and encourage one another as we seek God’s Kingdom here on earth.

If you don’t know what School of Theology is please read Sophie’s report within this blog (17th Sep 08).

SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY - Social Action and Evangelism 

Date: Monday 3rd November, 9:00am - 3:30pm

Where: St Johns Church, St John’s Hill, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 1HS 

Cost: £15 for the day (includes a buffet lunch)

Book: Please book asap - email: form@stjohnswoodbridge.org.uk

Melody Briggs - School of Theology Guest Speaker

Last week was mission week at St John’s. 6 Ugandan’s also came over to get involved with the work we would be doing. I was involved with the prayer visiting, where we went out in twos and knocked on people’s doors and offered to pray for them. We had a mixture of responses, however we did get to pray with two people which was really good, and i was amazed how open people were about what was going on in their lives. We also got involved in the Besem project that Jon and Ivan were a part of, we helped to paint some comunity centres in ipswich, which was fun and ment i walked round Ipswich looking like a chav in my trackies but it was all worth it. As a result of that Jon and Ivan were able to get future projects to help with, which was good. On the friday I was also lucky to go out street pastoring, with a team of about 20 others. We walked around Woodbridge praying for the people that were out and for the people in their houses. I enjoyed this, but it got very cold!

I learnt a lot from this week, as I was pretty scared at the thought of offering to pray with people but God gave me the confidence and the words to say. I also learnt to trust in him and not go out in my own strength. First blog complete :]

Twice a term FORM WOODBRIDGE hosts the School of Theology.

Last Monday (8th Sep) we welcomed Dr Richard Briggs to our community. Dr Briggs is Director of Biblical Studies and Hermeneutics, at Cranmer Hall, Durham University. The theme for the day was ‘An Introduction to the Old Testament’. Below is a report written by one of the attendees of the School of Theology, Sophie Charlton. 

FORM WOODBRIDGE – SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

REPORT ON :

“INTRODUCTION TO THE OLD TESTATMENT”

SPEAKER: DR RICHARD BRIGGS

HELD AT ST JOHNS CHURCH, WOODBRIDGE, SUFFOLK

ON THE 8TH SEPTEMBER 2008

Personally, I have never had the opportunity of going to a Theological Study day, so when I saw the advert in the church programme of events I was keen to attend.

I have been a committed Christian for the last three years but have to admit my study of the Bible is far from comprehensive, so I was particularly motivated by the title “Introduction to the Old Testament” - which I have struggled with, but I also hoped I would not be out of my depth!

I received a warm welcome on my arrival and enjoyed prayers and worship.

Dr Briggs was then introduced to us and he welcomed us to the Old Testament.

Dr Richard Briggs

We looked at the Old Testament in three different contexts:

·     A Literary Context: The Old Testament Story

·     A Historical Context: The Old Testament as History

·     A Theological Context: The Old Testament Canon

I found myself encouraged to read the Old Testament through new eyes by examining the Biblical text and asking literary, historical and theological questions when I failed to understand passages or was missing the real meaning.

It helped me to realise more clearly what the text was truly saying rather than getting side-tracked by possible translation or historical issues.

I became far more aware of the great richness of the Old Testament, of its depth and beauty and its wisdom – I felt enlightened.

Each session was delivered at a level that could be appreciated and understood by all – I was made to feel at ease and able to enjoy the whole day.

I felt blessed at having this opportunity to develop my knowledge and understanding of the Bible so locally and by such a distinguished speaker.

I look forward to the next event in November and would encourage people to come along.  It was a relaxed and informative day for everyone where ever you may be on your spiritual journey.

Thank you to all at FORM WOODBRIDGE!!

SOPHIE CHARLTON

Please check out our School of Theology blog page (see index - to the right of this message!)