Jacob's Jaunt

The sound of silence

2011-04-16T01:57:00.000-07:00

Recently I felt God prompt me about cultivating stillness amidst the silliness of busyness. This links with the theme of ‘soaking’ we have for this year which, if I’m honest, has ebbed and flowed at various points so I’m grateful for the opportunity to respond more fully to God’s word during this season of lent.

Ah, the sound of silence … well, not quite. Much of life seems non-conducive to stillness - trips to organise, deadlines to meet, papers to prepare, meetings to manage, rehearsals for a gig on Saturday night, preparations to preach on Sunday morning, three lively children, mmm not exactly tranquil! Maybe its just been a normal week and I’ve simply been more aware of the swirl of daily activity and of running just to stand still.

Amidst the silliness I’ve started to stop and have taken time to wander along willow walk, rest by the river and generally started to turn down the volume of my personal soundtrack which all too easily blocks out heaven’s song and tune in to God’s still small voice. Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said ‘let none expect from silence anything but a direct encounter with the Word of God’. I’m finding initially that the quietness is in a way disquieting as silence makes room for God to highlight patterns in life which need to change, exposes sin which needs to be confronted and released from and brings insight into who I really am.

Psalm 46 continues to be on my mind, amidst much shifting and shaking in our world God calls us to ‘be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth’. We live in a world which is dying for the rest of God and I have started to realise that stillness is really about trusting in God’s greater plans rather than busily working out our own schemes and in so doing recognising who really is God. Its about being still enough to think anew, to set our sights on the right horizon and hear him whisper words of life. Walter Lavage Sandor called solitude ‘an audience chamber with God’ and it is this I continue to seek in stillness.

Path finders

2011-03-05T11:54:00.001-08:00

Last weekend hundreds of gathered for our annual leaders conference in Oxford, the theme was 'into all the world'. We were hugely blessed and provoked through the ministry of Heidi Baker, Len Bartlotti and Malcolm Duncan. The themes we touched on were timely as from New Zealand to North Africa these are days of much shaking and shifting in the earth, nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall, the mountains are trembling, its a time for change.

Going 'into all the world' requires movement which will take us beyond our current borders into unknown places among unreached faces. Fresh opportunities are opening up for those who are willing to explore beyond our current boundaries, its time for the pioneer path finders to step forth.

At the conference, Andy Au, a gifted dancer, helped us to prophetically embody 'crossing over' the Jordan into the land of promise. This was a precious and profound moment for us as a College as we have carried these verses from the book of Joshua in our hearts on our travels for a number of years now. At times the waters have seemed impassable and the current circumstances overwhelming yet we continue to fix our eyes on the hope that lies ahead. At the moment it feels as though we have moved out and are standing in the river waiting for the miraculous. Having set foot in the Jordan, got our feet wet, we are seeking to stand firm until everyone has crossed over.

My prayer echoes the song of the psalmist: "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth". The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Explorations

2011-02-21T03:53:00.000-08:00

Having visited Ffald-y-Brenin (sheep fold of the king) in the autumn, this weekend some of us journeyed to L'Abri in search of shelter. Founded in Switzerland in 1955 by Francis and Edith Schaeffer to show forth by demonstration in life and work the existence of God, their legacy lives on in communities around the world who are committed to the truth that God is involved in every aspect of our day.

We joined in the daily rhythm of work and study, getting our hands dirty gardening providing a chance to reflect and enjoy God's creation, a visiting korean choir lifting our hearts in worship, and dinner table discussions engaging our heads in fresh ways of thinking. The community is comprised mainly of 'students' seeking answers to life's big questions in a context which believes that truth must be demonstrated as well as debated.

Some of us have been thinking about the importance of the environment in which we study theology and the warm welcome, conversation around the meal table and reading in front of a roaring fire provided a wonderful context in which to wrestle with life's questions.

A new era

2011-02-17T09:54:00.000-08:00

Renaming

2011-02-03T12:53:00.001-08:00

What’s in a name? In many cultures a name speak of the nature and character of a person, is informed by circumstances surrounding birth and express hopes, aspirations and expectations. Names inform us about the present and form future direction.

King’s Bible College (KBC) was birthed in 1983 to train men and women in the Word of God. Different people have been entrusted with this task on the ground but it has always been The King’s college and set apart for his purposes.

In 2001 the College moved to Oxford and with the addition of ‘Training Centre’ to the name we became KBCTC (try saying it really fast, it’s a bit of a tongue twister!). This marked a shift in the nature of the practical training we were offering, a marriage of theology and ministry, of ‘thinking theologically, living reflectively and making a difference in the world’.

In September 2011 KBCTC is being renamed as King’s Theological College (KTC) a moment to mark and recognise who we have become and to reflect our current emphasis … a distinctive 10 month immersion in both Word and Spirit leading to in-depth character formation in the context of a passionate worshipping community who are pursuing wisdom, transforming heads, hearts and hands, forming healthy habits and connecting theology with all of life. As we seek to live up to our name we’re excited about entering a new era, the journey continues!

Sing!

2011-01-29T03:41:00.001-08:00

"When we are normal we talk, when we are dying we whisper, but when there is more in us than we can contain, we sing!" (Eugene Peterson)

Jacob Generation

2011-01-22T03:41:00.000-08:00

The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by what is false. They will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God their Saviour. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob (Psalm 24).

Rise up Jacob generation!

Priests, prophets and pioneers

2011-01-16T12:02:00.000-08:00

It was great to meet up again with the Class of 2006/07 for a retreat at the ‘House of the Open Door’ and to spend time sharing the stories of our lives since being together at College.

Four years on this incredible group are as determined as ever to keep pressing on and we encouraged one another to keep putting one foot in front of the other in pursuit of new ground.

We celebrated some of the mountaintop experiences since leaving college (marriages, new jobs, churches planted, children born) and also God’s presence in the valleys amidst life’s pain, difficulties and challenges (the death of loved ones, divorce, unfulfilled dreams).

The testimony of many was that times of uncertainty and transition become places of transformation as we continue to wrestle with God and that he honours us in the struggle as we cling to him. I’m grateful that our lives remain intertwined and can’t imagine better companions for life’s journey of ups and downs.

Stepping Out

2010-12-09T04:41:00.000-08:00

“Not in goals, but in transitions are people great” (Emerson)

The bible records numerous key moments in the history of God’s people which mark a transition point. The book of Exodus records one such a miraculous moment when the sea parted as Moses raised his staff and stretched out his hand. The book of Joshua begins with another dramatic crossing over. In this instance a key difference was that Joshua told the priests when they reached the edge they had to take a step of faith and get their feet wet before they saw the miracle – this was at a time when the river was in full flood!

It is easy to have a passive ‘sit and see’ approach to life but God intends us to be a people on the move who follow him as those who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. It feels as though this is one such moment for courage in our journey as a College. God is increasing our trust in him as we choose to let go of the old in order to embrace the new and in so doing step from good to great.

New directions ...

2010-11-10T08:42:00.000-08:00

Our daily prayer pattern as a College includes the following: “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known. We thank you for heroes of the faith who have gone before us and who in this city, lit such a candle that has not been put out. Help us to walk these same streets with faith and courage, being salt and bringing light”.

One man who has gone before us in the city of Oxford is CS Lewis. To mark the 60th anniversary of the Chronicles of Narnia in partnership with Paternoster Press we are hosting a special CS Lewis conference on Saturday 27th November. Entitled New Directions with keynote speaker Michael Ward it promises to be a fascinating day as we explore CS Lewis' imagination and inspiration in writing the Chronicles of Narnia and launch Michael's new book which unlocks the secrets of Narnia. There will be activities for all the family so bring along children (0s-11s) for a fun-packed Narnia Day!

Visit www.kbctc.org/cslewis for more information and to book your place

Undefended leaders

2010-10-30T07:20:00.001-07:00

Distant valleys long remembered, grassy fields ploughed up and plundered,
Turbulent seas, foreboding skies, hills that beckon, a mountain to climb

Drawn into the Shepherd’s fold, inside warmth, outside cold
A table prepared, a place to dwell, heaven’s bread, time to fill

Unwrapped hearts, unpacked souls, lives are shared, stories told
Hidden heartbreak soon discovered, undisturbed now lies uncovered

Violent storm tugging deeply, tender words touching truly
Piercing pain, cleansing rain, landscapes shaped, windswept change

Plunged in darkness, coal black night, heaven's sun, breaking bright
Threat is foiled, foes are rattled, peace is found in communal chapel

Small steps made, giant leaps abound, long-held fears are swept aground
Outstretched hand, an unveiled place, safely known, met with grace

Undefended, redefined, fresh surrendered hope-filled life
Setting sail, free to fly, distant shores, horizon beckons

Searching for a thin place ... be bald!

2010-10-23T11:39:00.000-07:00

This week our leadership team is off to Ffald-y-Brenin, a house of prayer in west Wales where there are some wonderful things happening under an ‘open heaven’. Early Celtic Christians described places where heaven and earth intensely intersect and interact as ‘thin places’, witnessing that there are locations or events in life where the dividing line between the holy and the ordinary blurs to the point that the ordinary becomes holy and the holy becomes ordinary.

God’s intention has always been to make his presence known within the sphere of earth, to dwell among his people and for us to dwell with him. There are countless biblical references to this: Jacob saw angels going to and fro on a ladder between heaven and earth; Moses took off his sandals when he discovered he was standing on holy ground. Indeed, a considerable part of the Exodus story is devoted to the description of the tabernacle, a holy tent where God dwelt in the middle of his people. The main focus of Israelite belief in the overlap of heaven and earth became the temple in Jerusalem, the place where God dwelt. The Apostle John gained a glimpse into heaven through an open door and described the sense of overlap between heaven and earth ultimately expressed in God sending his Son, fully divine and fully human, who tabernacled among us and who now indwells his people, a living temple, by his Holy Spirit.

The question for us today is not ‘where is God’? but rather ‘where isn’t he’? God is not confined to tents, houses or temples, the whole earth is full of his glory and in humility he makes himself wholly available to humanity. We can meet God anytime, anyplace, anywhere. And yet busyness, countless meaningless distractions and the noise levels of modern life make it difficult to dwell. We become limited by our sameness and our schedules, yet there are no limits with God! As a group of ordinary people gather to eat, drink, pray, laugh and learn together I’m expecting to encounter some extraordinary things ‘on earth as it is in heaven’.

2010-10-20T00:50:00.000-07:00

Off the beaten track ...

2010-10-18T10:51:00.000-07:00

Our 10th year in Oxford is now well underway and we are finding our rhythm together with a fantastic group of new students. In many ways there is a warm familiarity to the pattern of the College year although each year-group proves to be very distinct, people whom God has gathered to walk together for a period of formation. Amidst the familiar routine God has been speaking about the need for us to explore the unfamiliar.

One of the key recurring images God has spoken about in recent years is that of a mountain climb. At times the journey has been tiring, painful and has seemed relentless but we can't expect a mountaintop experience without being prepared to put in the work required to get to the summit.

At the beginning of the academic year God spoke again about the same mountain but encouraged us that there were different aspects to explore through taking a different track, the narrow way, and that we should be prepared to encounter some rugged terrain which was off the map leading to us discovering something new.

I'm excited and invigourated by the process of exploration and when content to settle for what is I'm grateful to be following God who has vision for his people to find more expansive places in him and faithfully leads us there - here's to pressing on ...

Farewell

2010-07-14T13:52:00.000-07:00

We have recently said farewell to our current crop of students culminating in an amazing commissioning service on Saturday catapulting them into God’s purposes.

In the lead up to this we spent a significant amount of time preparing to say goodbye, secure in the knowledge that someone else has gone before us and prepared the way. John 15-17 records Jesus talking about the leaving process as he took time to prepare himself and his followers for his farewell. The common theme uniting these chapters is prayer. Jesus prays. Firstly for himself, then his disciples, then all believers. Done well, endings complete and provide a firm foundation for moving on.

The student’s leaving process mirrors our own walk with God as we approach a new chapter in the life of KBCTC. In September we will be offering a fully validated Certificate course in Theology and Ministry which represents a significant step change in the life of the College. We’re spending this summer prayerfully seeking God’s presence in different ways in readiness for this change which is both exciting and daunting. We’re also taking time to remember and rehearse our story, which is really the story of God’s goodness, faithfulness, leadership and guidance of KBCTC over the last 25 years.

This is our ‘crossing over’ moment as we take a step into the gap between the promise of the future and the reality of the here and now. How do we know we’re on track? Joshua 3:4 sums it up pretty well - you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before, more adventures await us!

Today a reader, tomorrow a leader

2009-12-24T05:57:00.000-08:00

"Books to the ceiling, books to the sky, my pile of books are a mile high. How I love them! How I need them! I'll have a long beard by the time I read them" (Arnold Lobel, American Author)

This describes the scene in our library as this week we received the perfect Christmas gift from a gracious friend - around 500 new books! We instill in our children the importance of reading yet it is perhaps a bit of a lost art among some adults. Many of us live in an instant access throwaway culture where we are bombarded by vast amounts of information through a variety of media. However, there is something about a book which invites you beyond its surface cover to savour its pages and dwell on thoughts, thus allowing time and space to absorb and assimilate ideas and form convictions which is essential to the learning process. We all need to cultivate the discipline of reading which enriches our thoughts and awakens our imaginations.

As we near the end of one decade and anticipate the next, our recent acquisition has caused me to reflect on how the college has grown and developed since we moved to Oxford at the beginning of the new Millennium. I remember the days when the entire contents of our library fitted into a cupboard sized room which formed part of our make-shift premises located above a car-rental firm. This lack of space certainly facilitated a 'close reading of the text' ... humble beginnings indeed!

As we enter a new decade we find ourselves at a key moment in the life of the College as we cross into new territory. Such moments of transition bring things into sharp focus as we gaze intently upon that which is important and of eternal value and that which is less so fades into the background. It is during these times that we discover who we really are and what we are really living for. I'm grateful for the seed of faith that has been planted through this recent gift. As we take steps towards validation and all that entails, our library is going to have to grow substantially in the coming years to fuel the learning of many students. Books can serve as doorways to new places and I'm excited as I think about the priests, prophets and pioneers God is going to entrust to us to train as part of their journey and the adventures God has in store for them as life-long learners.

What makes leadership less of a drag?

2009-10-14T13:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday during our early morning prayer time Rach had a picture of a flock of geese migrating in a flying V formation which is a great image when thinking about teamwork and leadership …

According to an article in Science, when flying in a V formation all birds experience approximately the same amount of benefit from their neighbours, even the leader at the tip of the formation benefits from the wind currents produced by the birds directly behind it. Researchers have discovered that a flock of 25 birds in formation can fly 70 percent further than a single bird using the same amount of energy. Many Canadian Geese fly thousands of miles between their Mexico wintering spots to their summer homes in Canada and Alaska. They can reach up to 60mph during their flights and can reach an altitude of 8,000 feet. Apparently Geese are very loyal birds, a family group will stay together even within the flock. The V formation gives the geese the ability to watch out for one another and communicate about landing locations – they regularly honk to each other while they fly! The same bird does not always fly in front. When the leader tires, it falls back and another bird takes its position. This happens on a regular basis. So the first goose is not necessarily the flock's strongest or most dominant, it's just that bird's turn to take a lead.

As we seek to develop new courses and work towards validation I’m grateful for the mix of gifted leaders God has brought to KBCTC who are taking us places! We’re looking to develop leadership which is loyal and has longevity, soaring together, travelling great distances together, keeping an eye out for each other, speaking up when we need to be heard, being courageous in taking the lead when its our turn and being humbly prepared to slip back when its not, let's fly!

The journey continues ...

2009-09-14T08:38:00.000-07:00

Reflections on our 2009 'transform' weekend ... praise, paint, prayer, healing, hope, holy ground, breakfast, bacon, sacrifice, singing, scripture, stories, silence, soaking, sunshine, surprises, tears, laughter, butterflies, picnic, footy, ancient, future, rest, reflection, tiredness, curry, ‘kbctc’s got talent’, awakening, open doors, open eyes, open hearts, open homes, neighbourhoods, bbq … life springs forth from unexpected places!

Walk on ...

2009-09-03T13:48:00.001-07:00

My heart was ‘strangely warmed’ this summer by the sound of 90,000 voices joined in unison at Wembley stadium during U2’s 360 tour. At the end of the 1980s Bono boldly declared “its time to go away and dream it all up again’’. This led to the rebirth of the band and after more than 30 years together, Bono’s desire to break down the barrier between the band and their audience continues to drive them to pioneer new approaches to making music which keeps them a cut above the best of the rest. Surrounding themselves with creative designers who are unafraid to think outside the box and who dare go beyond what they’ve seen, architect Mark Fisher and long-term techie Willie Williams designed ‘the claw’, a revolutionary stage design, the result of collective collaboration, inspiration, innovation and perspiration!

Its easy to lean back and rely on the safe, tried and tested ways of doing things but the things that worked yesterday won’t necessarily work today or tomorrow. As we kick-start a new year at KBCTC there’s a sense in which we still haven’t found what we’re looking for. The search goes on looking for God’s blueprint for this unique group of students, trying new shapes, imagining new possibilities, finding new ways of training people … its time to dream it all up again!

Town and gown

2009-08-20T15:20:00.000-07:00

Some really productive chats with Russ and Rich this week planning a week for Uni students and continuing conversations about a joined up training strategy for S&L respectively. ‘Think, live, make … deeper sense of God at Uni’ aimed at equipping university students is taking shape for 12th – 16th April 2010. In a way we’re all still students: “take the attitude of a student, never be too big to ask questions, never know too much to learn something new” (Og Mandino).

Chrysalis

2009-08-18T01:24:00.000-07:00

In June one of our daughters was given an innovative birthday present by her aunt. With it came instructions to call a phone number resulting in a number of caterpillars being delivered by post which we dutifully popped into their new habitat. After the initial excitement began a long period of waiting … and waiting … and waiting … and wondering if anything was going to happen (or whether we would have to break the sad news to our three year old that they had died!). Then suddenly, without warning, one morning butterflies began to emerge. Colour, life and movement replaced dull, lifeless inactivity.

After months of frustration and seeming inactivity today we received two new applications along with our long awaited accreditation award. Among other things, recognition as an educational provider for Further and Higher Education by the British Accreditation Council means we can sponsor international students to enter the UK under the new Border Agency rules.

The things of God often take time to form, grow and emerge. Much is happening under the surface in unseen places even when we don’t perceive it and transformation awaits if we remain patient and embrace times of transition. A metamorphosis is taking place in the life of the College … its time to spread our wings!

Tales of transformation

2009-07-28T15:17:00.001-07:00

I spent the evening immersed in the 08/09 student yearbook. The before and after shots are a great reminder that God is weaving together countless precious individual journeys which intertwine to form something beautiful …

This year has formed me from a boy to a man
Once in the shadows, now in the light
It was about what I said, now its about who I am
I thought I was my own man but it is God who owns me
Before: self hatred and guilt
After: found freedom in Christ
Before: searching for purpose
After: his gift of breath and life makes me serve him with pure joy
Before: insecure about the opinions of others
After: secure in God’s love and Fatherhood
Before: lacking in confidence and questioning my ability
After: knowing the authority in leadership that I have in Christ
Before: I can’t, I can’t, I can’t
After: Erm, actually … I can!
I’ve learned to learn
Searching … found in the arms of my Father
God has challenged my pride and perspective and grown my heart
I’ve learnt who God is, who I am and if I put God first, everything else follows
Challenged not to be closed-minded; envisioned for community
Before: withdrawn, frustrated and dispirited
After: vulnerable, at peace and ready to go
I now know the meaning of life more fully; what it means to be human!
Before: lukewarm, uncommitted and indifferent
After: ruined by God’s goodness, indifference isn’t an option
Before I wanted maturity and heart knowledge of God. I have found both and also my calling – to be David preparing for Solomon to build the temple
Before: hard hearted, unloved, no purpose in life
After: enlarged heart with passion of Christ
Before: self sufficient
After: broken, but growing strong through dependence on God
I was trapped, now I am free. I’m God’s daughter.
I was searching, but now the searching is over
I didn’t know God as a Father, now I do
I used to be driven by fear, now I am driven by joy
God unwound me and taught me about resting in him
Before: aging 80s rocker, a loose cannon
After: ten years younger, full of peace, calm with a zest for life
Before: held back by fear and insecurity whilst trying to do everything in my own strength
After: secure in my identity in Christ, with a renewed trust in a faithful God who is strong in my weakness and whose perfect love casts out all fear

We walk on holy ground.

No line on the horizon

2009-07-27T11:30:00.000-07:00

Enjoyed catching up with Tim and Gra today together with a surprise appearance from Nikki! I'm grateful for friends who show us the way and always appreciate having horizons broadened from spending time with them as God continues to give us glimpses into his global purposes. 'You can accomplish anything in life provided that you do not mind who gets the credit’ (Harry S Truman). This quote seems to sum up the heart of working together and offers ongoing challenge as God continues to sift our motives so that all we are and all we do is all about his glory in all the earth.

Crossing over

2009-07-24T05:38:00.000-07:00

Last weekend students and staff took on 10 tors to raise 10 grand for the development of the College. As we were trudging across deepest darkest Dartmoor through ferocious wind and torrential rain (true British summer weather!) it struck me how much of our experience reflected the ups and downs of KBCTC’s journey over the last 25 years. Exhilarated and exhausted a few of us left Devon walking with a limp but we’re in good company, its all a part of breaking new ground.

The dog and pony show

2009-07-24T04:44:00.000-07:00

Sparks of creativity are flying around KBCTC this week as we are thinking about the coming year and Rach is in design mode ... we’re planning on taking KBCTC on the road! Look out for the 'Encounter Tour’ 2009/10 (or ‘the dog and pony show' as Dave is affectionately referring to it!!!) coming to a church near you. For more info: http://www.kbctc.org/