Some like it Upham

After looking at the Ordnance Survey maps of the local area, it was a joy to find a circular country walk with wide footpaths and good passing places. Saturday's walk was perfect on a glorious May day, though it was a little too warm for Liz at times. The bright sunny weather brought much happiness. It is a blessing to live near such a lovely landscape, to breathe such fresh air and look out across fine farmland. I love the lanes, the paths by well cultivated crops and ancient trees.

Out at Compton, or away from Compton, that's Compton in Hampshire

Today I headed for Compton Lock on the Itchen Navigation.

We parked near Twyford Parish Church in the lane by the footpath to the river and lock; it was crowded with large SUVs and cars. The parking by some drivers was not good, and at times it was rather inept. We had wisely parked away from the madding crowd in Church Lane, a few hundred yards down the lane by a farm.

Nobody seem to take any notice of the sign, to avoid using the private footbridge but to use the public  footpath, which we did.

Along the footpaths we passed several folk, some of whom were friendly and smiled, but most looked grumpy and a few looked positively snooty and distant.  Some reminded me of the high and haughty of Hampstead and Highgate, particularly on the Twyford side of the Itchen.

One or two had that smug arrogance which comes and goes with an inflated sense of their self importance, wealth and status. ( I have come across this snobby attitude before, not only in  London NW3 and N6, but at Chilworth in the 1960s.  I understand that it is still evident there today, but I cannot say for sure.)

God opposes the proud and arrogant, but gives grace to the humble. He hates the haughty, arrogant look. James 4:6. Proverbs 21:4.

When we saw the crowded banks of the Itchen by Compton Lock, we turned a sharp right to Hockley Meadows, a lovely nature reserve area and magnificent mesopotamia, as beautiful as the one at Oxford.

And these three photographs were taken early one morning when very few people were out and about at Compton.

On the Pilgrims' trail: Bishop's Waltham

In the third Saturday of the merry month of May
We walked along the splendid Pilgrims' Way.

It was an ancient, well known Pilgrim Trial
And later folk came here by Southern Rail

Today we had a very pleasant country walk
 By a clear stream filtered by the chalk.

Rick Warren, part 2: fishy theology?

Rick Warren has been praised and applauded for his books, sermons, conferences, study materials that have, without doubt, led to church growth, conversions, spiritual development and theological initiatives. I understand that doctorates and  other degrees have been based on his ministry at Saddleback Community Church in California. I have met many people who have been helped by his life and work. RW is regarded as one of the most prominent Protestant pastors on the planet.

Nevertheless there are serious concerns about aspects of his theology and understanding of evangelism.

One of the concerns or criticisms of Rick Warren's theology is his approach, which has been called market driven based on a sort of consumer capitalism or American corporate business meta-narrative. RW has admitted that he has been profoundly influenced by Peter Drucker, the secular management guru. Drucker's philosophy is based on business management and administration. 

It has been argued the Drucker's influence on Evangelical leaders, such as Bill Hybels, RW and another high profile minister, has seriously corrupted the preaching of the Gospel in the USA and beyond.  What should be a God centred and biblically based enterprise has become a business and market driven, seeker sensitive approach, which is built around human needs, development and secular success, or success that is perceived as such by secular society. Growth, in terms of numerical increase, financial contributions from members, higher levels of participation in programmes and greater commitment to various projects, can be measured and verified empirically.  Therefore American business methods, objectives and smart ways of working, shape the church,  its procedures and practice.  Car parking, seating, music, location, merchandizing and communications are given much thought and analysis in order to run a successful enterprise. The Saddleback church or community fellowship may, therefore, be running along  the lines of a business model that competes for customers/members in a market driven consumer society.

Another criticism is that this market driven philosophy is weak in preaching the authentic Gospel of genuine repentance, rejection of sinful ways and true conversion by the work of the Holy Spirit, resulting in salvation by divinely given grace through faith in Christ Jesus. Conversion by course participation, ticking boxes in study notes and enrolment in church programmes is not true Christianity. Without repentance there is no Christian life but the serious danger of a false sense of eternal security. Someone could, it is argued, erroneously believe that they are safe and secure without genuine repentance and a regenerated heart.

Once I have found my copy of RW's book, The Purpose Driven Church, with my annotations, then I will conclude this post.  

Van der Valk 2020

Oh dear, this new series is woefully boring. The central character played by Marc Warren is a smart alec who lacks charisma and charm. His wisecracks are annoying. This is a third division performance that makes the original 1972 actor, Barry Foster, look brilliant. Another series would be a waste. Perhaps the current one should help people suffering from insomnia.

Rick Warren, fisher of men and fishy theology? Part 1

Rick Warren (born 1954) is one of the most well known pastors in the USA and the whole world. His books, particularly The Purpose Driven Life , have sold millions of copies worldwide. He now ministers at Saddleback Community Church, which has about 25,000 members, in Southern California. There are satellite fellowships in many states and Warren's literature and programmes are used in many countries.

Rick Warren's non-denominational church growth teaching has been adopted by evangelical groups, churches and fellowships to train and equip disciples. I remember a number of Baptist churches in the Eastern Baptist Association, particularly in Essex, promoted by the late Reverend David Beer, used Purpose Driven Church study materials to help members and potential members to go through a process of membership, ministry, maturity and mission. It was originally designed for participants to establishment their church commitment, develop and discover a ministry, become spiritually mature and eventually engage in mission and delivering the course to others. By the end of the course they were expected to be ready to train new participants and reach the wider community.

David Beer was a fully accredited Baptist minister in the Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB), who sat on ministerial recognition/selection committees. He held conferences and study days to convince pastors, fellowship leaders and clergymen that the Purpose Driven approach would bring church growth and draw people in from well outside the church.

Among Baptist churches various problems began to emerge. Course participants who had successfully completed the membership component would expect to be recognized as church members, with full voting rights etc. The course, it seemed, conferred membership, provided the course participants agree to the terms and conditions clearly outlined in the course process. Giving, regular attendance and willingness to participate in church activities were obligatory. This novel       arrangement went completely against Baptist practice, principles and procedures. I will deal with Rick's theology, rather than his church planting teaching in Part 2.

Baptist churches, according to the BUGB, maintain that it is for the church membership to decide who becomes a member, subject to a vote at a church members' meeting. No course, membership process or study programme can, therefore, permit or grant membership without the direct and final decision of the church membership, who must vote on the candidacy at a meeting. It is usual practise for membership candidates to apply for membership by contacting the appropriate church officer and then be interviewed by two appointed church members authorized by the church meeting. Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Church course bypasses the church meeting and interview process, and it ultimately undermines the authority of the church meeting.  The scrutiny of church members is regarded as a good and necessary check and balance; it can bring to light moral, financial, social, doctrinal and lifestyle issues which may reveal that the candidate is unsuitable for full membership.
This should prevent a criminal or dishonest character joining a Purpose Driven membership course and after completion,  having covered up their crimes and misdemeanours, demanding membership because they have successfully met course requirements and ticked all the boxes. The interview process and subsequent report by the two members to the meeting would usually reveal any unsuitability for membership. Not all crimes and misdemeanours are known, and even Baptist ministers can cloak and dissemble their wrongdoings, such as fraud, domestic violence, dishonesty and corruption.

Hope beyond the storm of Covid-19

Many of us are battered but not beaten down, knocked down but not knocked out, winded but winning the battle against the corona virus, Covid-19. Many have died and the death toll is a daily devastating defeat for our friends, family, fellowship and fellow travellers, comrades, colleagues, country men and women.

Where there is life, there is hope, love and faith to face the future. Hope does not disappoint us ultimately if it is well placed, on a firm foundation, sure and secure in.......Hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6: 19.

Perhaps you know what I am saying in these dark and difficult days.

The Lord gives... new life. The Lord takes away ...in death. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.

We may not understand it in these trying and testing times. But be assured, one day, and I mean beyond this time therefore in eternity we will have a greater understanding... as to why?

I cannot explain or give a good reason why some lovely people who had so much to give have gone.
But I know that in everything, in all things, God works for good and according to His sovereign  purposes. Romans 8:28 is often helpful, and in knowing that He rules and reigns, supreme over all.

He has the victory. No one else does. He will see us through to heavenly happiness, eternal life, life abundant with eternal quality.