Forum for Change (F4C) is an excellent initiative facilitated by the Evangelical Alliance (see www.eauk.org/forumforchange ) which is beginning to be expressed regionally, such as in Bristol, through gatherings like this.
The morning and lunch was held at Easton Christian Family Centre, in inner city Bristol, which is a good and welcoming venue. This was the fifth Forum for Change day in Bristol since March 2009, bringing together five or six key Christians from each of the six 'Change Drivers' of society in the Bristol region (Business, Politics, Education, Arts, Media and Sport) plus also some key prayer networkers, a total of about thirty in all.
See http://www.eauk.org/forumforchange/events.cfm
The idea was to encourage networking and dialogue both within each sphere and across the spheres, in order to spark fresh relationships, to encourage working together during the day, and action beyond.
The key note speaker was Tim Dobson, the leader Woodlands Church, who shared very helpful thoughts on the Kingdom of God and young people. He challenged us to spread the kingdom of God in all we are doing, since we are called to rule and reign. He quotedHoward Snyder: “In the Kingdom business, people are concerned with Kingdom activities, all human behaviour and everything that God has made, visible and invisible... Kingdom people work to see the church change the world”. He then talked about how churches are engaging with young people and families, including through working with the council, to help bring the kingdom to Bristol. See below for fuller notes from Tim's encouraging and challenging talk.
Clare Campion-Smith, Cabinet member for children and young people, Bristol council
was interviewed and shared about her work and faith.Tim Pemberton, Managing Editor of BBC Radio Bristol, shared his story andtalked about getting good news stories into the press.
Also interviewed was Grant Sheppard (World Sports Ministries), who updated us on More than Gold's plans for the 2012 Olympics in the South West and told us about his work across the region.
There was a lot of discussion on the best ways forward for F4C, with several people saying they were willing to help in moving F4C forward in the future. Plenty of opportunity was given to chat and network both within, and across, the different Change Drivers, as well as during breaks and lunch. A delicious lunch was provided.
Feedback from those who attended has been very encouraging. People were glad to hear about all the action resulting from the growing F4C relationships, saying the event was a “really positive experience to be able to meet each other and find out what is going on across the region” and that they “loved the richness of each story”. The Forum was “a great opportunity to stop doing and reflect”, “an interesting mix” and “inspiring”. It was a “good morning, with helpful networking. Carry on!” “A superb event. More please!”
Jesus was obsessed with “The Kingdom of God”. I was brought up in an evangelical church
obsessed with the gospel. Are they the same thing?
Genesis 1 we are commissioned by God to rule.
Revelation 22v5 we will be involved in reigning for ever.
Luke 12:32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.
Romans 14: 17 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of
righteous, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
Righteousness relationship with God Evangelism
Peace relationship with others Social Action
Joy relationship with self Pastoral Care
Howard Snyder observes in his book “Liberating the church”:
The church gets into trouble whenever it thinks it is in the church business rather than the
Kingdom business. In the church business people are concerned with
the church activities,
religious behaviour and spiritual things. In the Kingdom business, people are concerned
with Kingdom activities, all human behaviour and everything that God has made, visible and
invisible. Church people think about how to get people into the church, Kingdom people
think about how to get the church into the world. Church people worry that the world might
change the church, Kingdom people work to see the church change the world.
How does a young person mature?
Luke 2:52 “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man”.
Wisdom emotionally/intellectually
Stature physically
Favour with God spiritually
Favour with man socially
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