Young, Rested and Reformed

Old, cold, proud and sad. Is that the Reformed Community of Pastors in the UK? The Banner takes many brickbats, and is the subject of so many caricatures. We’re not trendy, we’ve not the movers and shakers within current British Christianity, we’ve certainly made our mistakes. But we know that the Doctrines of Grace which have captured us can make this nation come alive, so we come together at the Banner Conference in Leicester to rejoice in the truth as it is in Jesus. I appreciate this opportunity to learn and be refreshed more and more as the years go on. As with all good Pastors’ Conferences there are three things which stand out.

Sermons which remind as well as stretch. The ministry this year had many familiar tones and themes, but we also had technical theology preached with skill and acumen. A sermon on the Sabbath from Iain D. Campbell was one of the most moving I’ve heard for months. Iain made the claim that Sabbath is the central theme of Biblical Theology. Certainly a bold claim, he more than defended his assertion, and showed us the beauty of the God who makes all things for His pleasure, and who calls us in Christ to enter into the Sabbath rest. We do this in trusting in Christ and and in resting and worshipping on the Lord’s Day, all in anticipation of the eternal rest of Heaven, in which we taste the delights of fellowship with the Godhead.

Friends who are there. What an absolute treat to hook up with old friends, to get to know the personalities which go with faces which are familiar from earlier conferences, and to meet new people. I can look at a map of the UK (and far beyond) with such pleasure as I think of the courageous, humble, godly Pastors I see every April, plugging away in Gospel service, often in very hard places. So many precious conversations, good jokes and lots of messing about will be nourishing memories for a long while yet.

Rest. A comfy bed in a quiet room, tremendous meals enjoyed with leisure, and barely a care or commitment for three days are so good for mind and heart. The roar of my children was never far away as I called home, and I’m in awe at Sarah’s kindness in so willingly releasing me for the conference, and shouldering the weight of parenting (and seeking to buy and sell properties) on her own. The biggest heart rest, of course, was in exploring the wonder of the Gospel, and appreciating the heights and depths of God’s purposes in Christ. I preach the Reformed Faith because I know that I can live by its truths. And the people I seek to serve can, too.

This morning I received an unexpected visit from a local lady I’ve spent time with before. Her life is full of difficulties, which I’ve tried to help her with. I think, by God’s grace, I put more effort this morning into listening to her, reading Scripture and praying with here, and I think I saw her go afterwards with more confidence in my heart that God’s grace really would go with her and meet her in her trials. Being refreshed so that we can bring refreshment to others - that’s why Pastors go to Conferences.

And so, to Leicester

She's come around again, the Big Beast of Pastors' Conferences.

Today I shall be off to Leicester for the Banner of Truth Ministers' Conference. There will be good food, solid preaching, great times of catching with old friends and an opportunity to make new ones.

Banner seems to be the Marmite of the Reformed and Evangelical gatherings - some try it once and never come again, others, like me, go back year on year. I have more than my suspicions as to why many of my friends just can't be tempted to Leicester each April, but I won't miss it. I need to be under serious preaching, because Reformed Christianity, I firmly believe, is food to my soul, and the hope of the world. I always come away humbled, refreshed, renewed, and with a big vision for pastoral ministry under the lordship of a majestic Christ. Please pray for all who gather, for safe travelling and for a really enjoyable and profitable time.

The Sun always shines on....

...Chiswicklife TV?

These kind people did an interview with me three weeks ago, which is live here.

The interviewer's from Hebden Bridge, just up the road from Huddersfield!

So, is the Bible Anti-Gay?

Jonathan Berry from the True Freedom Trust did a great job for us on Sunday night. He was faithful to Scripture, clear, logical, humble and kind. After his talk and refreshments he handled the questions which were put to him - nearly forty of them, and his responses were careful and thoughtful. It was a really good evening, appreciated by the good crowd who came, and the audio has already been listened to by a number who didn't attend. You can find the talk here and Q&A here.

Peace to the Brothers

This Sunday morning I'm finishing a series of sermons on Ephesians which began life in September of last year, preaching on 6.21-24. Amongst the number of commentaries I've enjoyed Charles Hodge's has really been a gem. Time and again his crisp, clear and spiritually warm sentences have been a guide and an inspiration. Try this comment on v. 21, 'Peace to the Brothers':

'This is the usual form of greeting or blessing. It is not concord, but all the fruits of the favour of God. And love with faith does not mean love together with faith, as though two distinct blessings were intended; but rather love united with faith, They had faith; Paul's prayer was that love might be connected with it. The love meant here must be brotherly love. These blessings were sought from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The Father and Son are united as objects of worship and the source of spiritual and saving blessing. The one from whom Paul sought these blessings is the one to whom, those who need them must look in order to obtain them.'

From Here to Huddersfield

My new church planting blog, From Here to Huddersfield, is now operational. It tells you (more than) all you need to know about our forthcoming move to West Yorkshire. Please do put the word about...

BTW the picture is of Castle Hill, well-known Huddersfield landmark. Windy is not the word!

The Next Stop's Penguin

My daughter Maisy (nearly 13) has just made her way into the world of publishing. OK, I don't want to overstate the case - it's a poem in an anthology of Middlesex and Surrey young writers; but I wouldn't understate her flair (says the doting parent). I think this poem's got really memorable phrases, a wonderful atmosphere and a super rhythm.

Atta girl!!

Happy Seasons

Yellow roses
Paddling pool
New sunglasses, really cool
Dreaming in a splash of sun
Holidays have just begun

Blue smarties
And friends forever
Curly locks and purple heather
Muddy wellies covered in grass
Childhoods don't have to pass

Red wrapping paper
Bright white snow
Twinkly lights which glitter and glow
Flying full tilt down a snow-covered hill
Stocking waiting on a window sill

Fresh green shoots
And skies so high
Sparrows singing as they fly
Scribbling a heart on the back of your hand
Running barefoot through the sand.


Maisy Allen (12) The Green School, Isleworth

Is the Bible Anti-Gay?

That’s the question which Jonathan Berry, Director of True Freedom Trust, will be addressing this Sunday night at Gunnersbury at 6.30pm.

We’ve been praying hard for this event, and are anticipating a very important night when people can hear for themselves what the Bible actually says about same-sex attraction and the Gospel. We’re praying for open hearts and listening ears, and for careful and clear Gospel proclamation. After the talk we’ll break for refreshments and people can submit written questions which Jonathan will then reply to in a Q&A session.

Our Evangelist Laurence Truett has emailed all of the Gay and Lesbian groups he can find details of in the London area, and we’re expecting a mixed and attentive (and noisy?) crowd in. If you’re free do come along. And please pray for us.

Here and There

The Allens spent some days last week in North and West Yorkshire and then nipped down to Monmouthshire for three days. When we were in the North Sarah and I put time into looking for a house in Huddersfield – unsuccessfully, so far. We also dropped in on a residential conference of the Yorkshire School of Christian Ministry, a great training initiative, where I’ve been invited to be a part of the leadership.

Our time in Wales was terrific, staying with a friend in a wonderful large house with views over the Severn estuary. The weather was terrific, and we spent the days playing tennis, walking, fishing and lazing around – as much as a family of five kids ever does. Unsurprisingly I got little reading done, but did enjoy Kevin De Young’s Why we love the Church. It was great to be reminded that lasting churches are solidly doctrinal in their foundations, and are invariably led by untrendy Pastors. My 11 year old son jumped on my motorbike with me and took me on a clothes shopping trip the other day, but not even my new cool T-shirts (or motorbike) will convince anyone here or in Huddersfield that I’m a groovy Pastor. What a relief I don’t have to be.

Now back in the different saddle of ministry I’m steering into the last three months of my London Pastorate. Finishing a Pastorate is not a gentle coasting to neutral, but a gear-shifting rush of additional issues and responsibilities. Please pray that I finish safely and well, and that I’ll also have enough head and heart space in order to do the appropriate planning for our new work in Huddersfield.

That's MY Reformer!

Like all Reformed folk, I'm tired of detractors of Calvin. Equally, I'm tired of people who accuse Reformed people ('Calvinists', as we're sometimes called, or call ourselves) of a slavish devotion to Calvin. This happened to me recently, from a good friend. 'Rubbish!', I wanted to retort, but found something more careful by way of reply. Calvin would be horrified to hear anyone following his system of thought to the letter, as if subscription to it equalled salvation. He would recoil no less at learning that his name was identified with a series of convictions. Calvin strove to be a student of the Word, and he put his considerable gifts into interpreting it and laying out as clearly as he could its truths. I say 'amen' to those truths as I see them reflected in his Institutes and other works. I'm very happily Reformed.

Anyway, this is just a preface (an overly long one, anyway) to a gem I found at Tony Reinke's Miscellanies. Many know Marilynne Robinson's wonderful novels Gilead and Home, and many know too her Christian faith. Read her exchange with Mike Horton below. So perceptive of her, and so true. So call me a Calvinist - that's MY Reformer!

Michael Horton: “What moves you most about Calvin’s thought?”

Marilynne Robinson: “I think what moves me most about it is that he has such an incredibly high sense of what human beings are. It [the Institutes of the Christian Religion] is the most profoundly humanistic articulation of Christianity that I have ever encountered.”

No Fool like a Consistent Fool

How was your morning, this Fools' Day? The Allens had a busy one. Jemimah is 7 today. At 6.30am I could hear her siblings furtively wrapping her presents. I also listened to the noisy preparations of April Fools' tricks - and then the recriminations from various children as they were soaked with water, struggled with soapy door handles, or found banana skins rubbed into their duvets. Throw in a birthday breakfast and I was relieved to get out of the house, even if it was to go and share the Easter Message with hundreds of Infant and Junior school kids.

The last day of school term, and Easter weekend is almost here. Holiday weekend to many, Family weekend as well, DIY weekend. A time to escape to the country, to domestic bliss, or to escape the diet! A good time to indulge in a little foolishness, perhaps? To the non-Christian world around, the fuss that believers make over Easter weekend seems to be just that.

For those of us who are Christians this weekend defines who we are. We are not just escaping the realities of life for four days of holiday centring on some religious activities; instead, wherever we spend our time away from work, we're embracing reality again, the reality of a crucified and risen Saviour and Lord of all. He is the One we need. We need to come back to His Cross, to see sin punished and atoned for, and to taste again the joy of our salvation from the Risen Lord. This is what this weekend centres on, and what our lives centre on.

All of this, of course, is foolishness to the world. The world refuses to believe its need of a blood-soaked Saviour, and sneers at the message of an empty tomb. As I led two assemblies this morning I was struck again by the sheer enormity - and apparent folly - of Christ crucified and raised. But the events we mark this weekend aren't the stuff of tradition or superstition, or both. We believe in a God who works in history, supremely in the events of that great Weekend. We are confident that what this God did, He left a perfect and totally trustworthy witness to in the New Testament record. It is no foolishness to hold firm to the message of the Cross and Empty Tomb. The Risen Saviour is our confidence before God the Father. Fools we may seem for this life, but by grace alone friends of God we are, and shall be forever through Christ. God give us grace to keep believing and rejoicing in this message.

Happy Easter!