Barry King

It was my privilege last week both to hear Barry King and to speak for him at his Grace Baptist Partnership gathering. I heard him speak on Monday at the Westminster Fellowship on his favourite subject of church planting. I must have heard Barry on this more than once but he is always fresh and had again stimulating and challenging things to say on the subject. He spoke first on biblical principles and then on the practical outworking.

Then on the Saturday I joined the 15 to 20 who gather one Saturday a month at Wood Green for a training day. Nearly every face was new to me so it was good to get a taste of what goes on. I came via Kings Cross and so was shambolically late. I also failed to stay for the induction of Ryan King as I wanted to be back home for good reason though on reflection I should have stayed. There we are I did enjoy the opportunity to speak on Long pastorates - pitfalls and positives and enjoyed the interaction with the men. I see Barry's prayer letters with their long lists of place names and wonder how he can remember them all but, of course, once you put a face, indeed a real person, with each name it becomes much easier. Even he must forget where he is sometimes I'm sure. As many of you know he has just moved from Wood Green to Edlesborough near Eaton Bray. He is now in his 31st year of ministry and so is my senior by one year.

The Wiz, etc

The two middle boys (*) left from Euston today with friends for the CCIW Camp in West Wales. They will be joined by Rhodri and Sibyl and others from the church. They managed quite a quick turn around as they were camping on the Gower until Thursday with Sibyl's family. Eleri and my youngest had been meanwhile at the annual School rendezvous at the Urdd Centre in Llangrannog. That left just me and Gwion back here. I didn't get as much reading or tidying done as intended but made some progress. Wednesday was my busiest day with a long 'phone call; a short visit from my wife's brother-in-law Ian, who drives up here regularly; a good chat with Barry King about church planting in Wales, a quick visit to the pharmacist for a member plus the midweek meeting in the evening, looking at Jeremiah 18. Thursday evening we were all at the school to watch Gwion in the chorus of a production of The Wiz! It's not a great musical I guess but the kids did fine. One or two were amazing.

LTS End of year

What a joy last Saturday to be at the London Theological Seminary thanksgiving. In a packed Kensit Evangelical Church in Finchley we were chaired by Bill James from Leamington Spa and with the prayer, reading and hymns came the three traditional components of this annual event - report, interviews and sermon.

The report was given by the principal Robert Strivens and though very positive reflected the need for more UK students (the need is greater than the supply) and flagged up the continuing difficulties that bringing in visa students now involves. 

The interviews were conducted by Vice-principal David Green and were with the leaving students. There were only six this year as some have opted for the new third year course. Benjamin Mallari is from the Philippines and Uma Kanta Sharma from Nepal. Both are heading back home to carry on their ministries there. Brian Pe Kee may spend another year in Britian studying but will eventually return to Myanmar to carry on his work. Pascal Rivoire has a mixed background (Swiss, German, Argentine). he is planning to be involved in ministry in Germany. Both UK students (Darren Graham and George Platt) are unsure of the future but we pray that they will know God's leading. One interesting sidelight here was the role that Google played for students in locating the LTS in the first place.

Thirdly, there was the sermon and what a blessing it was to hear that. Taking the shortest verse in the Bible (John 11:35) Barry King of Grace Baptist Partnership warmly and winningly urged us to consider Christ's humanity, his humility and his victory. he especially applied it to those entering the ministry but it was a powerful sermon for all present. it was the sort of sermon I'd been longing for all week after the "almost there" character of the EMA.

All this was followed by tea on the lawn. Always very nice. I was dragged off at some point to record a snippet for a promotional video they are making about LTS.

GBA 2011 04

Last night we heard from Barry King on the Grace Baptist Partnership. His myth busting session was similar to what we find here. This morning he took us to Mary pouring out the perfume on Christ and called us to radical discipleship. He called for a disregard for sacrifice, a disregard for self and a disregard for scorn.

He suggested that what prompted Mary was her gratefulness for what Christ had done in raising Lazarus not in the hope of some future blessing. What can wehope for? was the given title. There are many unknowns for us - will people be converted, will churches be planted? However, if God never does any such things we still have more than enough to give him thanks for. We serve not because of what we hope he will do but because of what he has done.

Final note: often those with that attitude receive more.

Grace Assembly 2011

The Grace Assembly begins today in Swanwick includes messages from Howard Sayers, Stuart Olyott, Barry King, Michael Harley and Gary Benfold.

Carey Conference 2011 04

Our first session today (Tuesday) was led by Barry King. It was my privilege to chair this session. It's always exciting when Barry shares what he's been doing.
We read from Colossians and Barry began by describing the ministry of Epaphras - an exemplary evangelist.

After describing his work briefly, he made the point that if today we could work at identifying training equipping supporting praying for and holding accountable people like Epaphras we might make more progress than we do. It is not true that such men no longer exist.

He then invited Daniel Shwe to join him on the platform as an example of one. Barry then explained how he came to London from America 9 years ago, chiefly at the beginning, as a better base for ministry in Europe. More and more, however, a burden has grown for London itself.

This involves working with others including Daniel who he introduced as the first person he baptised. Daniel is Karen and is from Burma. His grandparents came to know the Lord through the preaching of Judson. The Karen are 40% Christian but many are nominal as Daniel himself was until he came to faith. Most of his Karen acquaintance are unhappy about this.

At a certain point Daniel approached Barry about giving up his job and working full time as an evangelist. Some were sceptical about this but Barry felt that with his gifts and burden this was the way forward. He then gave examples of how Daniel's evangelism has gone forward. He had a great story of how five years ago at Christmas Daniel brought 52 (!) Chinese students along to church. Some 12 or 15 attended a course using Ultimate Questions and three were converted. The church was able to send a couple to China with these three when they returned. This little group has been growing and Daniel gives them a Bible study on skype every Sunday.

Other examples of great opportunity were given. Barry has a gift for telling his stories in a disparaging and God honouring way but clearly things are happening even in these dark and difficult days. The final story was of Daniel's work in North Watford to which he has now been set aside and where God is blessing.

So once again wonderful and amazing stuff.

Update

I've been rather busy this week taking a large wardrobe down the stairs and back up again, preparing sermons and writing an article amongst other things but I do want to report on last week.

Last Sunday I drove down to Pains Hill Chapel once again and had a nice day with the Averys (I was in college with Jonathan so it is always good to catch up). I preached from Titus 3 and Romans 8:28. They are  a small group of Reformed Baptists seeking to bear witness in the stockbroker belt. They are pretty conservative but make big efforts to reach out and are slowly making a little impact. A lady wandered in on Sunday Morning. She was of the Baha'i faith. It was gratifying to talk to someone who has really been appreciating my book on Song of Solomon, Heavenly Love.

Saturday morning I was over at the chapel putting gaffer tape on the floor at a clean up morning. Time after that was typically taken up with preparing for Sunday, including photocopying the notices in Swiss Cottage (my current supplier) where I usually have a quick coffee in Apostrophe in the O2 Centre and  a wander round Waterstones. I also bought some shoe laces in Sainsbury's. Eleri took the younger ones to see Harry Potter in the afternoon. The other two made their own way there. Also watched an hour of Harry Hill on TV.

Rhodri was around briefly Saturday having made a flying trip down to see a play (Blasted) at the Lyric, Hammersmith. We collected him from Euston late Friday night. Always good to see my eldest son. It was clubs before that (lost sheep and coin) and we had had a decent turn out at both though some were missing. We got the younger group back on track where we were having some behaviour problems.

Thursday was a church members meeting and a red letter one in that we agreed to welcome five new members including my sons Dylan and Dewi who are to be baptised this Sunday evening. Earlier in the day I spent some time taking our oldest member to the audiologist for a new hearing aid fit - all very interesting.

Wednesday had been a full day with my visits to Spring Court and Heathgrove Lodge both falling on the same day this time. There was also the midweek meeting looking at Titus on avoiding arguments and divisive people.

Tuesday it was my great joy to be at the John Owen Centre for Hebrew with David Green. We were looking at Psalm 104 and two other psalms. Very stimulating.

Monday we had the lunch time lecture from Barry King on Sutcliff and the call to prayer at the Evangelical Library. I'd hoped there'd be more but we were in double figures at least. It was good to be reminded of revival and the importance of prayer. In the evening I made my way over to Hounslow where we had the first official meeting of the new Cranford Support Trust in connection with Robin Asgher's work in Cranford. That went well but we are in great need of God's help.

Church Planting

It's been pretty busy, as ever. Last week I was chairing a new committee to oversee the church planting work in Cranford, West London, led by Robin Asgher. Until recently the FIEC has dealt with paying Robin and similar details but that has to change and soon the work will be under a new trust. Meanwhile the opportunities abound for work among Asians in that part of London.

At the end of last week I was chairing a public meeting in connection with the London Inreach Project, led by Andrew Murray and Derek Sewell in Soho and Covent Garden. I had to be at the trustees committee first and was then present at the early afternoon meeting where Andrew spoke along with Barry King, our evening preacher. Barry, always a compelling speaker, spoke about the Grace Baptist Partnership in the first afternoon meeting and then preached on small things from Proverbs 30 in the later meeting. Around 50 must have gathered through the day. Church planting is far from easy work but it is inching along and in some cases doing something more than that.

The LIP meeting was in Orange Street behind Trafalgar Square. I was also at a meeting yesterday in connection with the outreach in Trafalgar Square. I am trying to stand back from this a little at present due to too many other commitments, there is to be preaching in the square on October 2, however, so do come along if you can.

Evangelical Library Lectures

The Library website is here

Grace Assembly 2010 08

So on our final morning there was another opportunity to hear the inimitable Barry King. I did think at one point this may be ordinary but a ever it was searching and powerful and well worth hearing.
His subject was the sovereignty of God and he spoke chiefly from 1 Chronicles 29. As an assembly we confess to a belief in this but do we really believe it in practice?
After a number of introductory remarks about how to go about the subject, Barry gave us this definition:
God because he is God has the right as well as the might to do whatever he purposes to do whether he chooses to discover the nature of these purposes to us or not
An examination of David's prayer reveals David's view of God -
Who is he? The eternally exalted King of heaven and earth. Who God is - this is something we must see and hold on to.
What does he have? He has greatness and glory, etc.
What can he do? He can do anything (that is morally and logically possible). However, God does only that which he has purposed and decreed. Our problem is usually not with what God can do but what he in fact he does do.
David lists seven things God can do
1. God can give riches and honour to men
God can do this but we are perplexed when he gives it to others and not to his people
2. God can give greatness and strength to men
Similarly we wonder why we do not enjoy more of it
3. God can provide for all his works
"God's work done in God's way will not lack God's provision" (Hudson Taylor). We believe that yet we are perplexed at times at the lack of provision for the Lord's work.
We wonder at our wonder, bewildered at our bewilderment and so we turn inward and nurse our doubts and fears.
4. God can test men's hearts
What about religious charlatans then? Why are we led into ways that are not good for us?
5. God can keep his purposes in the hearts of his people
So why then are so many led astray and why do his people fail so often?
6. God can direct hearts to him
So why does it seem at times that our hearts are going in every other direction
He slipped in that Vance Havner quote
“The church is so subnormal that if it ever got back to the New Testament normal it would seem to people to be abnormal.”
7. God can give our children all they need to obey his statutes and commandments Though God can do everything, he sometimes does not do what he can do. Mother Teresa when asked what would you say to God replied "You have a lot of explaining to do". Are we going to be like her? This is something that the Book of Job deals with. Job is not about "why do the righteous suffer?" If so, it does not answer the question. Rather, it deals with the question of "why the righteous serve?".
Barry then gave a powerful closing illustration of a faithful pastor who had seen no visible fruit yet still loved and served the Lord. The final call was to a full orbed acceptance of God's sovereignty.
He closed in prayer.
Powerful stuff.

Barry King at LTS

It is always refreshing to hear Barry King, pastor of Wood Green Baptist Church, North London, and church planter. It was good to be present with about 50 workers, students and others with an interest in church planting at LTS yesterday.

With a great mix of

Illustration from local church history (eg Belvedere, Bexleyheath, Thamesmead and Miles and Proud at Ilston)

Personal anecdote (eg planting his first church with three octogenarians and the great success of recent months in Thamesmead)

Scripture (Acts 17:1-4 and Romans 15:14ff)

Debunking (you don't necessarily need a building, 50 people, £50K and 5 full time workers?)

Alliteration (church planting requires a sower, the right soil, the seed and suffering. Romans 15 reveals Paul's Desire (Rome) Dream (Spain) and Duty (Jerusalem))

An emphasis on preaching (reasoning, explaining, proving, proclaiming, persuading) an emphasis on the sufficiency of Scripture.
Very positive but always realistic his definition of church planting was "Going to a place where they don't want you to be and staying until they don't want you to leave" which is basically the story of the church in Ephesus. Great to be there.

It was good to hear Robert Strivens plugging the seminary too. A website for Grace Baptist Partnership is forthcoming here.

Grace Assembly 09 7

This Wednesday afternoon we had our second news session. Simon Calvert spoke again recapping on various issues that have taken up the interest of the Christian Institute since last year. He spoke about the human embryology bill, which thankfully did not include a further liberalising of abortion laws. Other victories include the one over Google regarding advertising and the case of Pilgrim Homes in Brighton who were under pressure from the local authority over the promotion of 'gay' values. In other cases there was less encouragement including some reversals. Other cases are ongoing - the lady who fosters children and saw a child of a Muslim background converted and so was not allowed to continue, the couple in Cornwall who have policy of no double rooms for the unmarried and the pressure they are under from the homosexual lobby, etc, etc. Equality and diversity is the big thing at the moment. The question of churches needing to prove they give public benefit in order to hold charity status was raised. This should not be a problem for most but something like Jews for Jesus may have problems. More here. Ferris Lindsay spoke about the work of the Tyndale Academy. Ferris is a great enthusiast and it is always fascinating to hear him speak about his changing work among children in Newham, East London. The opportunities among Sikhs, Muslims, etc, are great. Barry King is another fascinating and gifted individual, who spoke with simplicity and power on church planting. You need a sower, some seed and some soil and most importantly God's Spirit. It also takes suffering - not an optional extra. The work spoken of last year has continued in Wood Green, the Angel and North Watford. He was able to speak of conversions (in double figures) and believers joining too. He has also been able to be involved in a replant in Halstead, Essex and another new work in Eton Bray, Bedfordshire. He has also begun to be involved in a replant in Runcorn, which begins in June. Chelmondiston and Albert Street, Oxford, are also in his sights - not to mention the growing work in Gillingham. A nice element here was that another group elsewhere in Gillingham has been started and it is planned that these two groups can be joined together and act as an independent local church. Brian Ellis spoke next on the work in the Philippines. He chose to focus not on CCM or street work but the Grace Ministerial Academy and ancillary work. He must have spoken of a score of churches being pastored by graduates and others. It is amazing what is being done. He also mentioned Carey Outreach Ministries. What opportunities there are. We briefly rounded off with John MacDonald (GBM) on China, Brazil and Kenya and Martin Leech (EMF) on Palma, Mallorca concerns over accreditation for the Bible School and the matter of persecution. Great session. Very stimulating.