Teaching Zambia Pastors

I have just come back from teaching a Langham Seminar in Zambia.  It is a great privilege to be involved in this great ministry set up to honour John Stott’s worldwide preaching ministry.

I tend to keep a daily diary of my travels which you may read by clicking here www.simonvibert.com.  After a week in Ndola (in the north) I spent the weekend at the beautiful Victoria Falls in Livingstone, flying out of Lusaka (28th April).

Simon

Did Bob Quick need to resign?

When assistant police commissioner Bob Quick arrived at 10 Downing street for a briefing about counter-terrorism last week he was photographed clutching papers which had details of imminent raids of suspected terrorists in North West England ahead of an Easter terror threat.

Because photographers have such amazing telephoto lenses on their cameras they were able to blow up the offending document and publish it, thus compromising the intergrity of the police operation and accelerating the need for the police raids which resulted in the arrest of 12 terror suspects.  Expressing deep regret over this lapse in judgement Bob Quick was quick and resigned the following day.

But did he do the right thing?  For sure, he was not clever.  Such documents should be concealed from public view.  But should he resign?  Surely we should not sacrifice a competent police officer and looe his services at such a critical time?  Moreover, am I alone in noting tabloid hypocrisy here?  If newspapers had chosen NOT to blow up sensitive material and make it public then such information would not be in the public domain?  Plus, the tabloid papers are also the ones who have exploited not only the initial incident but the subsequent resignation in order to sell papers.

We expect high standards of our politicians, and rightly so.  But I don’t expect them to be perfect.  When they make a mistake, if they are duly contrite, should they not continue in office (obviously, dependent on the offence)?  And who made the media judge and jury over these things? Are they above reproach themselves?

Yes we could say “be sure your sins will find you out”  (Leviticus 4:3) and leaders will be judged more severely (Romans 13;  James 3:1).  But perhaps we should also retort with Jesus’ word: “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone…” (John 8:7).

For sure, judgement and justice are important in this day and age.  But the self-superiority which we feel when one of our politicians disgraces themself is surely not good and an unhealthy sign of our own pride.

Big Issue London to Paris Ride July 23-26th

Why am I taking part in the London to Paris Sponsored Ride?

Like many people I have made a habit of buying the Big Issue Magazine.  The idea of getting Vendors to sell the magazine in order to gain some financial independence and eventually get off the streets is a great one.

But, this is small change.  I would like to do more.

From the beginning of April to the end of July I am on study leave from my ‘day job’ of being Vice Principal at Wycliffe Hall.  I have a number of academic goals: to update lectures in Homiletics and Hermeneutics; to finish off my book on John’s Gospel entitled Lives Jesus Changed and to start writing a new book The Power of Persuasive Speech.

I also have two short trips: teaching Pastors in Zambia, and teaching and networking in Sydney.

But, I am delighted to combine a physical goal (to undertake a serious physical challenge and get in shape) alongside a Charity event which resonates with my genuine desire to do something for those who, for all sorts of reasons, have been made homeless.

As a Christian, I believe that this is something which God feels strongly about and would Christian’s to be involved in:

For example in the Old Testament we read:

“If any of your Israelite relatives fall into poverty and cannot support themselves, support them as you would a resident foreigner and allow them to live with you. Do not demand an advance or charge interest on the money you lend them. Instead, show your fear of God by letting them live with you as your relatives” (Leviticus 25:35-36 ).

Jesus said: “Then the King will say to those on the right, `Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ Then these righteous ones will reply, `Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?’ And the King will tell them, `I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’” (Matthew 25:34-40).

This is quite a big undertaking for me.  I have Asthma and some ongoing lung related issues.  However, I believe I can do it!

Please click on this link and pledge your donation!

If I can give you any more information please drop me a line

Thanks!

Simon

Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans launched

UK LAUNCH OF FELLOWSHIP OF CONFESSING ANGLICANS JULY 6, 2009, WESTMINSTER CENTRAL HALL, LONDON

THE launch in the UK and Ireland of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (FCA), an orthodox Anglican movement for mission at global and local level, is to take place on July 6 in London.

The Fellowship is the outworking of last year’s GAFCON conference in Jerusalem, at which 1200 delegates signed up to the Jerusalem Statement. Those attending Gafcon 2008 represented some 40 million Anglicans world-wide, 70% of the total active membership of 55 million.

The launch event, entitled ‘Be Faithful! – Confessing Anglicans in Global and Local Mission’ will be held at Westminster Central Hall from 10.30am-5.30pm. The aim is to encourage and envision Anglicans who are committed to the orthodox teachings of the Anglican Church and who are passionate about global and local mission.

It will be the first of regular ‘fellowship’ events both in the UK and across the world. Speakers at the July 6 gathering, where around 2,300 bishops, clergy and laity are expected, will include contributors from across the Anglican Communion, including Bishops Keith Ackerman (President of Forward in Faith North America), Wallace Benn (Bishop of Lewes), John Broadhurst (Chairman of Forward in Faith UK) and Michael Nazir-Ali, Dr Chik Kaw Tan plus Archbishop Peter Jensen (secretary of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans www.fca.net).

They, and others yet to be announced, will also lead gatherings in London churches on Sunday July 5th. the day before the launch.

Regional meetings, in the run up to the London event will also be held on:- * May 14, St Batholomew’s,Bath

* May 15, Christ Church, Virginia Water

* May 18, Holy Trinity, Platt, Manchester

* May 19, St Andrew’s, Newcastle-under-Lyme

* May 20, Christ Church, Fulwood, Sheffield

The Revd Paul Perkin, vicar of St Mark’s, Battersea Rise, London, and Chairman of the event planning team, said: “The fellowship is just that, a spiritual movement of brothers and sisters across the nation and the world. It is not a separatist party, nor is it an organisation, but a spiritual fellowship issuing from a concern for truth and unity. It is a renewal of our confessing Anglican roots and convictions, and will be forward-looking in gospel mission locally, and in solidarity globally with Anglicans throughout the world, especially those suffering through poverty or discrimination”.

For further information about the event, email befaithfulanglicans@gmail.com, or book on-line here For further information: Revd Paul Perkin, Be Faithful, Event Chairman: 020 7326 9412 Canon Dr Chris Sugden (Anglican Mainstream): 01865 883388