The Crowded House – Day 5

Had a bit of a sleep in.  Waited around to see if my wife would skype me.  Apparently not…

Then I met up with Andy, who introduced me to what felt like 98% of Sheffield, as we popped in at a couple of Kurdish barbers, and had some great roast chicken and chips for lunch at a Pakistani restaurant.  Made sure I had a few words about the T20 World Cup with the owner.  My official line – they cheated!

Andy works as an evangelist with the Crowded House, on both the Kurdish and British Asian Teams.  These teams effectively operate as separate gospel communities, whose aim is to reach specific groups of people.  Those who work on these two teams will gather together every few weeks to pray, read the Word and encourage one another.  They will also remain a functional part of the Edge network.

I had a great time with Andy, hearing his story, seeing his passion for the Kurdish and British Asian community, and talking about the Crowded House, methodology and theology with him.  Something I am really loving at the moment is that everyone owns it.   So even when there is some disagreement or difference in methodology or structure everyone feels like they can hold their view, contribute and disagree because this church is theirs and not some abstract group known as “the church”.

Later that day I went to Phil’s place, where we had dinner with a couple of teenage boys in his gospel community.  Phil has been working through the values and rhythms of TCH with them over a meal.  The aim is low-key, long-term and relationally helping them to understand, think through and live out what it is TCH is trying to do.  And get them thinking about how it is that they fit into all of this, because they too are a valid and functioning part of the community on mission.

After that went up to Micheal’s place for one of my favourite parts of any trip to the UK – the ales.  How can a country that cannot play rugby or cricket, cannot BBQ properly get something so right?  I love SA dearly but we have a shoddy record when it comes to beer!  Had a really good ale (forgot the name again – it was quite a funny one as I recall).  Managed to spare a thought for Colin whilst I savoured the taste…

Another great discussion about being the church, doing church planting in SA and what it means to be the church

~ by John on July 17, 2009.