Yesterday was the first in a series of sermons looking at how the apostle Paul was shaped. No, nothing to do with BMI or anything like that – SHAPE is an acronym for Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality and Experience. But before kicking off with Paul’s Spiritual Gifts, I thought it would be good to be reminded of his conversion on the road to Damascus. Acts chapter 9 therefore held centre stage. But in setting the scene, Acts 8:1-4 played a bit-part role. And it was these verses that reminded me of a train of thought triggered by an article I’d read a couple of months ago.
The article describes the Roman system of roads as “the cutting edge technology of the day”. It points out that the first generation of Christians appeared reluctant to use this technology even though it would have enabled them to travel the Empire in speed and relative safety. It took “official steps to close them down” and drive them out of Jerusalem and propel them along Roman roads to share the Good News with a pre-Christian world.
The article’s authors draw parallels with today. And if they had known me, they could have used me as an example of what they were getting at! When I began my new ministry in Worle at the beginning of February, I had absolutely no intention of becoming familiar with Facebook (though I did have an account which I hardly ever used) and Twitter, Instagram etc. etc. were non-starters. I had used YouTube to see how to put up vertical blinds, but that was about it!
And then came Lockdown. And I was forced out of my comfort zone, propelled at an uncomfortable rate along the internet highways, and in the process reaching people I would never otherwise have reached. First it was Facebook Live, then Zoom and then YouTube (and video editing software). I now have my own YouTube channel, as does Worle Baptist Church. How Paul was SHAPEd will be spoken by me to a camera. But at the same time, Lockdown has shaped me (and is shaping me) and the church in ways I could never have entertained as I and the church turned a new page in life and ministry on 1 February 2020.
Yes, I am longing for a live congregation in front of me once again. And I hope that Boris is right and that we’ll be able to do Christmas properly. But something has now been added that can’t be taken away! And that can only be Good News.
(If you want to read the article for yourself, check out https://www.cpas.org.uk/download/3591/everybody-welcome-online
And in other news … Helen is keeping reasonably well with only moderate side effects from her treatment. Her lymphoedema, however, continues to be an issue. Her next scan is at the end of August.
And this made be chuckle – a sign outside a Lutheran Church in America reads
“Thou Shalt Wear A Mask” (Hygenesis 20:20)
Alan Bailyes 
Alan,
It was your very well thought out course named SHAPE that enabled me to believe that I (yes, even me!) could be used by God for His kingdom purposes. It led me to believe that the poor & somewhat ungodly life I’d lived for 20 years since turning away from my childhood christian faith would not be wasted by a loving Father God. As a newly returned prodigal I relished the teaching about my potential Spiritual Gifts, learnt that my Heart longed for people to know of our Saviour, came to the conclusion that I wasn’t useless – indeed I possessed certain abilities that were actually useful & that my Personality as a Christian was developing. The one thing that flawed me was my Experience. Believe me, it was because of that experience, not in spite of it, that I became interested in the setting up of Street Pastors in Exeter. The rest as they say is history (His Story) & a very blessed time serving in this capacity.
This course has a lot to answer for! I pray for everyone to engage, trust & be guided as you seek renewal in your faith together at WBC.
LikeLike
Mentioning Christmas in July – Alan; times sure are a changing you not only through technology!
Love to you and Helen. God Bless you heaps.
LikeLike
😆😆
LikeLike