Tim Abbott

Shane Claiborne in Esquire magazine

Esquire magazine asks Shane Claiborne to address those who don't believe.

He begins by apologising:

"To all my nonbelieving, sort-of-believing, and used-to-be-believing friends: I feel like I should begin with a confession. I am sorry that so often the biggest obstacle to God has been Christians. Forgive us for the embarrassing things we have done in the name of God."

Then he moves onto the good news:

"I want to invite you to consider that maybe the televangelists and street preachers are wrong — and that God really is love. Maybe the fruits of the Spirit really are beautiful things like peace, patience, kindness, joy, love, goodness, and not the ugly things that have come to characterize religion, or politics, for that matter.
The Bible that I read says that God did not send Jesus to condemn the world but to save it... it was because "God so loved the world." That is the God I know, and I long for others to know."

h/t: Banksy

Crash

Last night I was part of a simple but profound encounter. Eight people, some of them Christian, gathered round a meal to discuss faith, doubt and the possibility, or otherwise, of God. “Crash” is the brainchild of my friend Joe who says,

“It is called ‘Crash’ because so often in life two opposing views come crashing together and we try to salvage answers from among the wreckage.  Crash seeks to be different and looks to enable different views to come together in such a way that enriches us all rather than tearing us apart.”

Wisely, Joe established a few simple rules to ensure the playing field was reasonably level. Everyone is encouraged to get involved in the discussion and conversations. No-one is allowed to dominate the evening and conversations. And because the evening encourages various belief systems and world views to engage with each other there should be no aggression.

After a short introductory talk around the subject of the incarnation and the point of Christ and Christmas to provide fuel for potential discussion, dinner was served and conversation began. Predictably, to start with we chatted about all sorts of things. But quite soon conversation gravitated towards our respective beliefs and doubts in a natural flow of speaking and listening that included everyone and judged no one. Our discussions around the meal permitted a degree of honesty and reality about faith and doubt that I have not experienced in any other context. It was painful to hear how damaging some people in churches have been to some of those present. Is it any wonder that people give up on God when God’s people behave like pharisees? But there was also a confident hope expressed in Christ in a way that was confessional and gentle, respecting the beliefs and feelings of all in keeping with Joe’s vision for the evening.

In some ways, Crash seems pretty obvious. There may well be similar things happening all over the country. It left me wondering. There are lots of people who, faithwise, live in something of a cloud of unknowing. I wonder where they go to discuss their ideas, to hear stories of the Christian life, to chat about life’s big issues without feeling, rightly or wrongly, ‘evangelised’? Where do people go who have been hurt by church to stay connected to some expression of Christian community?

‘Crash’ is simple and, as an unpressured place to talk about eternal matters, very effective.

Big thanks to Joe & Sarah for hosting and to everyone else who took part.

We’ll probably do it again in January.

Chaplaincy

Helpful thoughts about chaplaincy from Sarah Brush, inspired by Bishop Alan, and particularly the idea of a chaplain being a "spiritual interpreter".

Prayer rooms in schools - Orison

Last week I met up with Phil and Rachel to discuss the developments taking place in prayer rooms in schools. There seems to be a God inspired movement taking place across the UK and we're looking at ways of encouraging, resourcing and sharing expertise with others who are doing this or are inspired to try something themselves. It's a work in progress, but the best way to keep up is by checking the 24-7 Payer web site for latest news, especially once the autumn term kicks in.

Anyway, as part of our meeting Rachel shared the latest on Orison, a prayer room for primary and secondary schools that she is heading up. Orison is already helping loads of young people a taste of what prayer is all about and the excellent web site is full of info and has some video clips as well. I have to say, Orison looks beautiful and the results and quotes from young people speak for themselves.

Rachel's team is available to help set up an Orison prayer room in schools all over the UK. If you're at New Wine or Soul Survivor this summer you will also be able to try out Orison for yourself.

I once was a Buddhist nun

Esther Baker grew up in a home hostile to Christianity and the church. A passionate seeker after the truth, she followed a passing interest in several faiths and worldviews, before finally arriving at Buddhism. Her journey took her to various parts of Asia leading her eventually to ordination as a Buddhist nun in an English monastery.  It was there that God started to make himself known to Esther, stirring her spirit to seek him.

It was Good Friday, and suddenly, for the first time in my life, I really wanted to know what had happened to Jesus that day. It wasn’t rational; I can’t explain why I suddenly wanted to know.

God continued to bring people across her path who, each in their own small way, nudged Esther towards him. An encounter with some Christians protesting outside an inter-faith gathering at Canterbury Cathedral began to sow seeds of doubt about whether Buddhism was really the truth. She started helping an elderly Anglican nun who lived in the village. A visitor spoke enthusiastically about a programme she had seen on TV in which a lady called Jackie Pullinger prayed for drug addicts in the name of Jesus and saw them released from addiction. One night, the abbott of the monastery showed a video of this programme. The impact on Esther was almost overwhelming and all the more remarkable in that no one else in the monastery seemed to have been moved by it. She felt devastated and confused with a battle going on in her soul.

One sleepless night, in desperation, I called out to God. “God, if you are real, please come.” And God came! After I had prayed I felt a sense of peace and well-being flooding my heart and body. This was the first time I had invited God to touch my own life, invited him in and asked for his help. I knew he had answered my prayer.

Over a period of several months, during which time she was able to spend more time with Christians, Esther’s inner turmoil resolved to a new commitment to Christ, and the knowledge that she needed to disrobe as a nun and leave Buddhism. In time God led her to work with Jackie Pullinger in Hong Kong, ministering in exactly the same way that she had first seen on the video in the monastery. She now works in Thailand, a country steeped in Buddhism, where she is involved in a ministry of healing and discipleship helping to build the church and, in her own words, “helping to make the bride of Christ more beautiful and more ready for him.”

Esther writes in a straightforward and very readable style, her own story effectively interwoven with clear teaching about Theravada Buddhism and Christianity. This is a book about the impact that these two faiths have had on one person’s life - the testimony of a journey and a search for truth. It is as honest about the Buddhism that she abandoned as the Christianity that she embraced and I would have no hesitation in recommending it to someone who was dabbling in Buddhism but still searching, or, for that matter, anyone interested to know whether God is real.

I once was a Buddhist nun - Esther Baker: IVP

Sanctum - Gilberd School, day 5

It has been a most wonderful week. Students have made just over 700 visits to Sanctum during lessons, break times and lunch times and we have been humbled daily by their openness and honesty as the various activities give them an opportunity to reflect on their lives. They, in turn, have been so grateful for Sanctum. As I have previously noted, many have dealt with thing from their past and have spoken of a sense of release and of moving on. Our prayer is that these brief spiritual moments will inspire a lasting difference in their lives.

In the lessons one of our concluding challenges to them has been to take their experiences at Sanctum and try to integrate them into their daily lives. So, for example:

The quiet tent - try to find somewhere where you can take just a few minutes a day to be still and peaceful.
“Letting go” (of worries) - don’t let worries rule your life. Write them down and ‘park’ them so that you’re in charge of how you feel.
Forgiveness - be prepared to let go of the hurts done to you by others.
Sorry - be honest about the things you do wrong and the people you need to say sorry to.
...and so on. We also explained how God is involved in these things for us as Christians.

So, for one last time, here are a few things our visitors had to say today, and below that some of my favourite images of the day.

• It is good to encourage youngsters to think about spiritual things. (A teacher)
• Thank you. I can let go.

And the last comment in the book:

• I really enjoyed coming here. It made me realise that anyone can be special. I’m so glad that Sanctum came to our school. Thanks.

 Reflecting on a hope and a future... or maybe just hair!

Prayer Wall contemplations

God, speaking to a whole generation, says, "You have a hope and a future."

"Be still and know that I am God."

[All photos taken with permission of the school]

Sanctum - Gilberd School, day 4

Today has been a quieter day, not least because there were no lessons so the only times students could visit were break and lunch time.

With two hours to break time we started the day listening to a Rob Bell podcast on forgiveness (The unforgiving servant) and then took plenty of time to go round the room praying at each of the stations/activities. Other preparations each day include cutting out articles from the day’s newspapers for the ‘prayer for world events’ activity and putting all the MP3 players back in their requisite places and plugging the Mac Mini in for the “Stories” station. We take these small easily removable items home each night because, well... they are small and easily removable and we don’t want anyone to be tempted to remove them.

As before, break time was busy, up to the capacity of the room, but fairly calm. Some students are coming back to do some of the activities again, including the highly popular ‘holy space’ or quiet tent but they are also bringing friends who haven’t yet experienced Sanctum. Lunch time was very similar, with a mixture of familiar and new faces. We’ve found that Thursdays are often quieter as the novelty of Sanctum has worn off a bit. Some flit from one station to another, as if checking they haven’t missed anything. Others repeat activities in a way that is noticeably slower, deeper and more thoughtful. I chatted to a girl who was doing the forgiveness activity for a second time. She said that the first time she hadn’t really been able to think of any experience that related to it, but that thinking about it since then had inspired her to repeat the activity and that it had been really meaningful the second time. This is heartening because it shows that, for some at least, Sanctum is an experience that makes a lasting impact and inspires a degree of spiritual initiative.

While we were buying some lunch, one of the deputy head teachers bounced up to us with the school year planner in his hand and said, “Same time next year?” So Sanctum is booked to return to the school in July 2010, our first booking of the new school year!

I continue to be amazed and humbled by the impact that Sanctum has been having on many of the students who visit. Here’s what just some of them had to say today:

• Sanctum makes me feel better. When I first came in I was really sad about what was happening around me. Sanctum helped me.
• This has really helped me forgive people.
• Helped me get rid of the pain inside me.
• I love it. I thought it would be rubbish but it’s not! Thank you sooooooo much! x x

Sanctum - Gilberd School, day 3

Whatever else is happening, one of our prayers is being answered hour by hour as young people come through Sanctum. There is healing for the soul in this place.

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve heard students describe their sense of freedom and release from worries, unforgiveness and guilt. Two new stations which I created at the weekend, “Letting go” and “Stories” (four video testimonies) are making a significant impact on some of the young people. Several today, in two different classes, spoke of real breakthroughs in their sense of self image, to the extent that they were confident to share this with the whole class. One girl shared with us how she had finally been able to forgive her father for leaving her when he moved to another country. Several teachers have been deeply moved by the level of openness and honesty in many of the students’ written contributions. Also, we’re praying that this room will be a place where people recognise God’s presence and we’re beginning to hear visitors referring to this in their own way.

Today had peace written all over it. Following yesterday’s onslaught we decided to remove one activity which was creating too much demand and quite a major diversion (laminated prayer cards). We also welcomed people personally and individually at the door, asking them whether they had been before and then explaining Sanctum to them. This allowed us to emphasise the quiet nature of the room and slowed down the numbers entering. As a result we never had more than 30 in the room at any one time (our target number) and, although still joyfully busy and not quite as quiet as we might have hoped, there was a real peace about all that was happening.

Here’s what the young people had to say today, from the Visitor Book:

• This is a place to think about things you don’t have time to think about. It is emotional and really opened up my feelings.
• Great, it’s a very relaxing place. I forgot about all my troubles. Thank you.
• This is a great place full of spiritual meaning. Very relaxing, all my worries have gone. Thanks.
• Great place. Feel a lot better now.
• It helped me realise that not all hope is lost.
• You made me feel confident to admit what makes me sit alone in my room and cry!! Thank you!
• It made me realise that there is someone to talk to.

Sanctum - Gilberd School, day 2

Although not entirely unexpected, the lessons yesterday and today are proving to offer the most meaningful time for students at Sanctum. We had a lovely Year 8 group today (our only lesson of the day) who, although they only had half an hour, really engaged well with the activities and as a result got a lot out of it. In the feedback time at the end one boy volunteered that he thought he wouldn’t like it because it’s ‘not his sort of thing’ but that actually he had really appreciated the activities he’d done and had changed his mind. Another girl spoke about the powerful and affirming  impact the mirrors activity had had on her and others spoke of the sense of release from past hurts.

Break time was busy, with some returning for a second visit and lots of students who were new to Sanctum. Lunchtime, however, was harder work. In spite of our best laid plans, we ended up with too many in the room. To their credit, many of these young people were engaging with the activities and making the most of the opportunity. But others were a bit hyper and we had to ask several groups to leave the quiet tent on a number of occasions.

One of the difficulties with something that is as novel, intriguing and also accepting as Sanctum is that it can become a magnet for the mildly ADHD students who find it difficult to concentrate for any length of time, especially while their friends are around them. We know from experience that they can engage with Sanctum and often experience a depth of peace and self awareness that surprises them and draws them back again. But this is never guaranteed. We ask some people to leave, but don't want to appear to be policing things too harshly. It’s a difficult task to ‘filter’ people at the door, welcoming some and denying others based simply on a hunch about how they might behave. I don’t want to run Sanctum just for the ‘nice kids’, the ‘quiet ones’, the already ‘spiritually sensitive’ students. This is a school that caters for a wide range of abilities, backgrounds and behaviours and does it spectacularly well and I believe Sanctum should also reflect this.

We’ll be trying a few new things tomorrow. I’ll let you know how it goes!

Today I spent some of a free lesson praying over the contributions to the Prayer Wall. I’ve photographed a few of them and ask that you join with us in echoing the prayers of these young people.

I was particularly struck by the number of students who are concerned about their parents smoking:

Sanctum - Gilberd School, day 1

We've got space!

Sanctum at The Gilberd School is based in the most wonderful small hall which is right in the middle of school life. Setting up, with help from Richard & Katy Smith of the Colchester Boiler Room Community, took just three hours which meant we really were ready for our first visitors at 10:05. This was a Year 8 class who were with us for just half and hour before another Year 8 class came in.

At break time we were inundated with about 80 students in the 20 minutes, which caught us off guard a bit as we hadn't expected such a big response from day 1. The situation was complicated by the room having an outside door which students are used to using as a short cut. This meant that quite a few came in as a means of getting to the dining hall but got caught up in Sanctum on the way. Amazingly, in spite of the numbers, lots of students got really involved in the activities with others just taking in the atmosphere of the room.

We quickly changed the use of the outside door to "exit only" in time for lunch when about 55 students came through. This time there was a much greater peace about the room, even though it was quite full. Most people spent real time on each activity and, as on previous occasions, we were humbled by so many of their contributions.

A delegation of staff popped in briefly (including the Head Teacher) and were wowed by the room and so encouraging about us being there.

But the best word about the day belongs to the young people. Here is just some of what they have said about their experiences today:

• Sanctum was amazing! It made me feel like I was the only person in the room. It also made me let all my hurt, worry and fear go away. Thank you so much!!!
• I loved it and you don't have to be religious. Thank you. It helped me look inside myself.
• A real eye opener. Really helped me feel that there is another person caring for us.