Net News November 09

Posted by Chris on 9 November 2009 | 0 Comments

THE NET
 
 
net news -
nov '09/1

In this issue:

  1. Tim's ramblings      
  2. Sector News
  3. Leaders Net
  4. GENnet news (including Kids' worker training and Kids weekend away 2010) 
  5. UCB news 
  6. Black Country Foodbank update
  7. Transform Work UK Conference in November  
  8. Loaves n Fishes request/news
  9. wolves street pastors news
  10. Salvation Army news
  11. WINGS
  12. JOBS 
 

Dearest Black Countryites,

I trust that you are well. Well, I trust that you are, but I hope that above this, you are challenged, facing trials and in some or another, discontent with the status quo. I just read James chapter one!

Being well is wonderful, and being comfortable can be lovely, but very few things in this world get improved by comfortable people. I have been reminded again recently that there are still things that need to be changed, improved or revolutionlized. Thanks to Dr Campolo, and others.
 
Take drugs, teenage prostitution and family breakdown for example. And what about the average person's view of Jesus, or The Church of Jesus Christ? Maybe you are happy to live in cloud-cuckoo land and think that Christianity is just about as good as it gets in Great Britain, and perhaps you are well content in the cocoon you exist in when most of your neighbours, family and friends are lost to The Father.
 
If you are reading this all smug that your social world is all Christian, get out more! None of us should ever surely be proud that we have won our worlds for Jesus when we are called to the nations, as well as the neighbours?
 
You may choose to read this from a negative angle and think that "people like him" are never content with anything. That's a great deflective excuse to justify your own attitudes, and what exactly are people like me like anyway?
 
I have just been challenged massively again to realize that The Kingdom is an invasive reality, not a passive theology, and I do not want to spend the latter half of my life perpetuating history when my children are growing up in a Godless and shallow culture. Salt changes things. Light always changes the level of darkness in a location. Period!
 
Will my kids will grow up into a "United Kingdom" or a "Great Britain"?? If things don't change, I doubt that either is possible is all honesty. Our world is rapidly spiralling into moral chaos and cultural hedonism, and we need to get the salt out of the cellar, and the lamp out from under a bowl.....didn't someone say something like this 2,000 years ago?
 
Who did Jesus say would be salt and light?   YOU!
 
He didn't say that this role would be delegated to some spiritual elite, and He never expected some religious organization or institution to fulfill this God-given role. He calls individuals into His footsteps, one by one. He asks you and I to FOLLOW HIM, very often alone and in spite of how we feel.
 
As we connect together, The Church is then released as an organic movement into our world as His Body, carrying the same ability, authority and compassion that He carried, and we can fulfill His great commission in exactly the same way that He did.......and in exactly the same way that He is still fulfilling this today, in and through people who understand and obey. Trust and obey, their is no other way!
 
Jesus meant what He said. You don't have to go to Bible School to do His will. Many of Jesus' heroes today have never even been to normal school. They are nameless, faceless individuals who just believe that Jesus meant what He said, and that He has called them in spite of their lack. They are discontent with their world, their community and their neighbourhoods, primarily because they do not see God's will being done in many quarters.....and after all, isn't this the very essence of what The Kingdom was meant to bring.
 
"Thy Kingdom come.....(how?)...Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven".
 
If you are convinced that Heaven will look something like your street, community or region, then relax, the job's over. Now it's time to be content. If not, listen to His heartbeat once more, and pick up the rythymns.
 
Someone once said, "You have to go to theology school to realize that Jesus didn't really mean what He said!". That's a bit naughty, but from my own experience, our theologians have largely influenced a Christian culture that has not fulfilled it's potential, and I want to see that change. I am not content with what our Christian culture is creating, and with how we are viewed by the world's culture that we are called by nature to alter.
 
And I must stop apolozing for that too, I am told!
 
One day, we will be able to look back and see exactly what we affected. I pray that this generation will do more than get rid of pews, hymn books and organs.
I trust that we will not be content with merely changing our name from "Church" to "Christian Centre". I hope that we will be able to pass on a baton to the next generation as they run past us, and that we will not hinder them in running THEIR race in any way, whether intentional or not.
 
Bill Johnson said a few years ago, "One man's ceiling is another man's floor". We must leave our kids with more than we had. We cannot be content with seeing them have to contend for things that we should have possessed for them. An inheritance is something you get for nothing, that cost someone else everything.
 
Come on Black Countryites, lift up your eyes. See ahead.....see beyond......see above.
 
What God can do in a region and in a generation when His Body is truly ONE is within reach, and we can ensure that is much closer for the generation rising now.
 
To paraphrase the prophet, "Come on Lord, I have heard all the stories of what you did in the past, and I have read about the amazing stuff you can do, BUT I WANT TO SEE IT WITH MY OWN EYES, and I DESIRE MY CHILDREN TO BE WITNESSES TOO". (or "I am not content just to recount history or sing about the last revival.....I am not comfortable with that in light of the revelation I have received).
 
So, there you go. Have a nice day! I now trust that you are well ready for more...........

As "The Net", we are committed to continue to network, support, release, equip, encourage and plan for our Church into the longer-term as we genuinely believe that God has great plans for our region, indeed, any region that will AGREE to come TOGETHER for the sake of the lost. Together, we are much stronger than we would ever be alone, but we are emerging out of a Christian culture largely designated by individualism and independence.

Please pray that The Lord will guide us all into our destiny. It is crucial that we grasp the days that we have been born into, and learn to read the signs of the times. Now is not a time to go it alone, but to hear what The Spirit is saying to the church and respond in the only Biblically acceptable manner---OBEDIENCE!

We're here to serve you in any way we can, so please communicate in whatever way you desire, and keep your ears and eyes wide open to all that God has in store for us all.......we may be here for a while yet!!

Much love,

 Tim

For YOUR NETwork of Black Country Christians

Sector Christmas evening

Our Christmas Bash is almost upon us, on the EVENING (yes, evening) of 2nd December, and we only have around 20 places left now......please don’t leave it to the last minute or just turn up on the night as we have a hotel room restriction of 100 seats, and 80 have already gone!!

Our after-dinner speaker is someone we have seen with us before, someone who is both inspiring and challenging, the very passionate advocate Andrea Minichiello-Williams, as below; (you may have seen her on the main BBC news this week)

http://www.christianlegalcentre.com/images/m_amw.jpg

Andrea Minichiello Williams is a barrister and the Director of the Christian Legal Centre. Andrea is closely involved with cases where Christians are defending their right to speak biblical truth in the public sphere. Initially specialising in Criminal and Family law, she has for many years been involved in the public arena seeking to influence Government Policy for Christian values. Andrea continues to focus on policy matters and Christian Interest cases, specifically freedom for Christians to speak truth in the public sphere, and to live according to biblical standards.

Andrea is also a co-founder of Christian Concern For Our Nation (CCFON), which has over 25,000 supporters. CCFON is committed to enabling Christians to stand for biblical truth in the public arena. For more information please visit www.ccfon.org.

 Please get in there now, and please also understand that reserving your seats must be quickly followed up with payment due to the nature of this evening. Bookings for this are via tim@thenet.org.uk , and payment can be done in two ways; 1) send us a cheque payable to THE NET for £15 each, or use the PAYPAL facility on www.thenet.org.uk (please add £1 per ticket if you use this).

SECTORS EMERGING.....

                         LAW               EDUCATION               SOCIAL ENTERPRISE                     MEDIA/ARTS             BUSINESS                   POLITICS                    HEALTH

 

WHAT IS THE "SECTOR THING" ANYWAY??

 

      LAW               EDUCATION               SOCIAL ENTERPRISE                     MEDIA/ARTS             BUSINESS                   POLITICS                    HEALTH

 

 --Do you have a heart for any of these sectors, themes and spheres??

 --Do you work in these fields?

 --Do you know people who do??

 --Do you know what God wants us to do in these vital societal areas??

 We are again CALLING OUT people who may want to be a part of what God will do in our region as His purposes unfold, but we need to prepare NOW for what is coming.

 There are hundreds and thousands of Christians who work, rest or play in these sectors, yet in many cases we do not have a great presence as The Church of The Black Country, or as The Body of Christ in general. We sense that The Lord is calling us to occupy these spheres; to re-possess territory that The Church once pioneered, served into, and even created.

 PLEASE PRAY INTO THIS AND LET US KNOW IF YOU WANT TO COME AND JOIN WITH PEOPLE FROM THESE FIELDS ON WEDNESDAY 1ST AUGUST.

 We need CHAMPIONS in each of these themes, and those prepared to serve as we seek to see people released to pioneer, network, gather and equip in each of these sectors....to release The Church into every part of our society and see The Kingdom extended.

 Our team's challenge to you....

 If you have a heart for your sector, and if you committed to our unfolding vision, please accept our challenge to invite others from your sector to join us at next month's session .

 We need you to step up now guys, as the success of what God is calling us to in these seven sectors cannot  be seriously achieved by one or two people, but only as EACH OF US rises up to the place where we take responsibility for others.......and we all step up together.

 So, please invite others to join you next month as we gather together again, but this time to really pray into this, and to strategize in our sector groups. Some sectors are well represented, and some are not, so whilst we obviously want you to connect into where your heart is, please also help others to possess their land also.

       We can do more together than we would ever dream.

 We would love you to call/text/e-mail people personally, and then let us know who's coming with you as early as possible....this is really important guys.

 Hope you catch our hearts in this, and that you will rise to the challenge with us.

 Love,

The SectorNet Team.

 

      LAW               EDUCATION               SOCIAL ENTERPRISE                     MEDIA/ARTS             BUSINESS                   POLITICS                    HEALTH

 

 

leaders' net

Next leaders' gathering is happening on Tuesday 8th December 2009 at All Nations Christian Centre in Wolverhampton from 9.30am.

 

Final details will be out very soon (due to Malcolm Duncan's having to pull out due to unforseen circumstances).


GEN NET 

Hi Everyone,

Hope your ok?

Please see below for some great events, and also some opportunities for you to connect with others,

Love Cookie

On Behalf of the GENnet Team

 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

 NEXT GEN NIGHT –

 Thursday 12th November, 8pm at the Chapel, Sedgley

 ALL are welcome, please let me know if you need any directions

 Last DATE for this year!!  – same time & venue as above!!

 Dec 10th

.......................................................................................

GENnet Kids Training Morning for Children’s Workers:

Saturday 14th November 2009 at Amblecote Christian Centre 9.30am-1pm.

Please e-mail heatherdbarton@yahoo.co.uk for more details

GENnet Kids Weekend 2010:

Fri 17th – Sunday 19th September 2010 at Quinta, Oswestry for children in years 3-6 (in school year 2009-2010).

More details coming soon- please e-mail philmiles@junction10.com for more information.

 


UCB goes national on DAB digital radio (News release)

United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) has confirmed it will begin broadcasting nationally on DAB digital radio from Dec 1.      

The Christian media organisation which had previously been broadcasting to most major cities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on DAB, has now signed contracts and been granted Ofcom approval,  to broadcast nationally across the UK (inc Northern Ireland).

“This is an extraordinary dream come true”, said Ian Mackie, CEO and founder of UCB UK.   “We have had a 23-year old dream and vision to broadcast nationally across the UK and it’s an overwhelming and humbling day to finally see that dream come to fruition”.

For more information, pictures or interviews, please contact Paula Cummings on 01782 654741

Notes to editor

1.   United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) has five radio stations, two of which broadcast on DAB digital radio – UCB UK will broadcast nationally from Dec 1, 2009.     UCB Inspirational will continue to broadcast across large areas of England and Wales on DAB digital radio.  Other UCB stations and UCB TV are available on Sky, Virgin Media and the internet at ucbmedia.co.uk

 

2.      UCB provides thought-provoking, life-changing resources to churches, Christians and people seeking a better understanding of the

Christian faith, currently reaching more than a million people across the UK and Ireland.

David L'Herroux
C.O.O.

 United Christian Broadcasters Ltd
 Broadcast Centre
 Hanchurch Lane
 Stoke-on-Trent
 ST4 8RY
 UK.

 
Ed- great news from David who lives in The Black Country!!
 

Black Country Foodbank - update
 
Whoo Hoo!
We've Moved!
 At last, the Lord has provided us with warehouse space! 2000ft2

As of Monday 2nd November 2009 our address for the offices and warehouse will be:
Black Country Food Bank
 The Storehouse
(Nb.new name as there's a HUB facility nearby)
2, Little Cornbow
Halesowen
B63 3AJ
'fraid the landline's not been installed yet but we'll keep you updated on that.
You have our mobile no.: 07531 508839 for the time being.
At the moment The Storehouse will be open:
Mon - Fri 10 - 2.

We would ask that this address is not given to clients, they will still get their food from a distribution point, and on that note......

A reminder of the opening hours:
Brierley Hill Project is open for Food Bank; Mon-Fri 10 - 4
Halesowen @ the Manna Cafe is open; Tues 1-3pm & 7 - 9pm, Fri 1-3pm
Netherton @ the Community Ironing Shop is now open; Mon, Wed, Fri 10 - 2
Stourbridge @ St.John's remains; Mon, Wed, Fri 10 - 12 (not 2pm as last email)

We would prefer all donations to be dropped off at The Storehouse but if this is inconvenient please make your drop-offs at your nearest distribution point and we'll pick-up as we deliver their stock.

If voucher holders need to collect food on behalf of clients could you please use The Storehouse where possible. This is where you can also access: clothing,small household items and more toiletries - as well as having a chat with our wonderful volunteers, who are going to miss you all and the clients at the distribution points.

Thank you all so much for your ongoing superb support, please pass on our thanks to all those you're in touch with.

We have a lot of letters of thanks to write for all the schools that have donated their harvest offerings to food bank this year, the pupils, staff and parents have been amazing!

Wendy &
The Food Bank Team
                               Replenish @ St.John's, Stourbridge: Distribution
01384  57 22 27  Brierley Hill Project: Distribution
01384  23 83 13  C.A.T. Shop (The Ironing Centre), Netherton: Distribution
0121 501 3542    Manna Cafe @ Zion, Halesowen: Distribution
07531 50 88 39   The Storehouse: Warehouse & Admin
 
 

Transform Work UK

Here is the link to the conference: http://www.transformworkuk.org.uk/Publisher/Article.aspx?ID=155969
 
Details: National Conference run by Transform Work UK "Inspiring Christians to transform the workplace and the nation".
 
"Does God Work Here?"
A conference to energise Christian impact at work
Saturday 14th November 2009


Loaves n Fishes request/news
Hi to all you ladies out there, could you spare three hours a week/ month
 
Loaves n fishes, from the end of November, will be openeing up a clothing ministry.
 
We were contacted by St. Giles who have run one for many years and supported hundreds with giving them clothes, for free. They have had to close due to no funding and asked us to continue the work.
 
As you can imagine a woman, for example, fleeing domestic violence; will sometimes literally have no time to pack and turn up at the refuge with what she is wearing and owning nothing else, that includes the children.
 
It will be running on two mornings/afternoons a week,(to suit), on a referral basis on alternative days to the usual opening times.
 
It needs, one to manage and one to assist, more to give hand would be great but two most definately.
 
All details will be given to those who have it in their hearts to want to help.

Yours in Him
 
Anna
07881421739.
 

WOLVERHAMPTON STREET PASTORS

OPEN MONTHLY PRAYER MEETINGS

To help increase the prayer support for the ongoing work of Wolverhampton Street Pastors you are invited to attend our open monthly prayer meetings held on:

 The First Friday of Each Month

At

St John’s-in-the-Square

St John’s Square

Wolverhampton

WV2 4AS

Between

2200 – 2300 (10 –11 pm)

 

Read more and watch video

 

 
Salvation Army news
 
All the following at
The Salvation Army
Field St
Willenhall
WV13 2NY
 
DEC 6th   at 6pm Carols & Christingle
DEC 20th at 5pm Carols & Nativity Play
DEC 24th at 11.30pm Carols for Christmas Eve
DEC 25th at 10am Family Service
 
Any more info wanted please contact Les westwood on westwoodlb@btinternet.com
 
 

 
WINGS
 
Calling all ladies in leadership.
 
The next WINGS meeting is 11 November at 7.30
at Church at Junction 10
 
The speaker is Janet Whitehead from Zion CC Halesowen
 
Come and be inspired.
 

 

To book a place phone 01922 639277

or e.mail info@junction10.com

 

Jobs

Jobs
 

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