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Lincoln and Grimsby District Mission Network Email Group
In case you are interested in mission but not part of the Lincoln and Grimsby mission network egroup (which you can join by clicking the link and following instructions) It will bring you up to date.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LandGmissionnetwork/
There is a new Fresh Expressions DVD out and it features two Lincolnshire initiatives - one of them Methodist - Side Door Youth and Community Church in Grimsby.
If you'd like to borrow a copy then join the Mission Resources Library and for £1 + postage you can do so.
The Library list of resources is available from me (along with a registration form) at elizachilds@tiscli.co.uk
There are a number of resources for mission including Alpha, Y Course, Disciple, Emmaus; resources for alternative worship including CDs, DVDs and video clips.
Liz Childs
The “God Pod”, a new initiative of the Methodist Church in the North of Lincoln, is to be launched this week.
The God Pod is part of the “Church2yoU” project, designed to enable local Christians to engage with local people.
The God Pod is a MOBILE CHURCH.
A converted minibus kitted out with tea/coffee facilities, comfortable seating, resources, video playback equipment. Much like one might visit an ice-cream van or a mobile butcher, people would be encouraged to come and share refreshments, conversation with a team member, find out more about the Christian faith, request prayer and be given resources. This is networking within communities.
Revd Ian Brown, the Methodist Minister responsible for this project said:
“Many people view the Church as an irrelevant, outdated and dying institution. The thought of going to Church on a Sunday never crosses the mind for the majority of the people living within our communities. This project is about trying to dispel some of the misunderstandings about the Church that exist by providing an opportunity for local Christians to meet local people.
Society has changed considerably over the past few decades; the Church needs to find new forms of expression in order to relate to people today. “The Pod” is just one of many new kinds of initiatives that churches across the UK are implementing, in order to connect with the people they exist to serve."
People of all ages are welcome on board.
What can you expect to find on the God Pod?-
a friendly face
- opportunity for conversation
- a comfortable place to sit and have a drink
- support and advice
- information about local churches, groups & activities
- someone who will happily pray for your concerns
- a safe place to ask questions of faith
- music to listen to
- dvds to watch
- literature and resources to take away
- people who genuinely care
The first stops for the God Pod:
Cherry Willingham Parade (by the CoOp) Wednesdays 9.30-11.15 (starting 18th October)
St Gile’s Estate, Thursday evenings (starting 19th October)
Lincoln City Centre Friday & Saturday Evenings (starting November)
More information may be found at www.church2you.co.uk
Contact: Revd Ian Brown, Lincoln 874146
Email
rev.brown@ntlworld.com
Christian Outreach at Lincoln Body, Mind & Spirit Fair – June 2006
Last June (2005) I was convicted by the Holy Spirit to approach the organisers of the local Body, Mind & Spirit Fair (MBS) to ask them if they had any objections if local Christians had a stall to offer healing prayer this year. I was pleasantly surprised by their openness and Angie (the organiser) said, providing we didn't mind paying for a stall, then she'd be happy to book us in. The Lord was generous to us. The Bishop of Lincoln helped us from his mission fund and through the help of local churches and individual Christians all costs were covered. So we were ready to go in.
On the weekend of 3rd-4th June, after having assembled an inter-denominational team the Lord mobilised us! What a time we had! With reassurances of His protecting presence and prayer cover lead by a couple from New Life, Lincoln through from the Friday evening before and right through to the Sunday evening at Nettleham Methodist Church, 2 teams of 3 people staffed a Christian stall entitled ‘Journey into Wholeness' on both the Saturday and Sunday from 10am through to 5pm. On-site at the Lincolnshire Showground where the MBS was we had a caravan, which the team of evangelists assembled at prior to deployment for prayer and encouragement. It was also a ‘safe space' to retire to for further prayer and to share Holy Communion before going off-duty.
As you will see from the photos a great deal of prayerful thought went into the appearance of our stand and I'm so grateful to God for those involved in using their artistic skills for the Lord. Even the organisers complimented the team on the professional look. God's favour was undoubtedly with us!
Using free Gospel literature and pictures painted by a local Christian artist we were helped to share the love of Christ with many people. The result was that several came to Christ on the Saturday and many people were prayed with during the 2 days. In fact on several occasions we had a small queue of people awaiting healing prayer!
We really felt that we were in the right place at the right time. All those involved were wonderfully encouraged and empowered as we sought to obediently follow the leading of the Holy Spirit
I don't know who'll be reading this article, but I would strongly advise you to gather your evangelists, artists, administrators and intercessors and get on board whilst we have the opportunity of sharing the Gospel with the most spiritually-open people group in the UK. We also hope to do a similar thing at local car-boot sales on a Sunday morning as we seek to get on with the Great Commission. Angie's invited us back to the next MBS in November as well as next year's event. The fields are indeed white for harvest and we pray that the labourers will be mobilised not only in Lincolnshire, but across this nation, as long as the door remains open.
Rev Mark Lawrence
Team Leader & local Methodist Minister
Lincoln North Circuit
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