Michael Toogood

For many years I was quite closely involved in the work of the London Inreach Project and the planting of the churc in Soho. I have long thought that the first planter in the team, Michael Toogood, should write up his own story as it would be an encouragement, a model and a discussion point as well as a testimony to God's goodness. Well, it has recently happened and I have already had chance to read my copy (a freebie) and I am keen to commend it to all and sundry. Anyone seriously considering urban ministry ought to at least sit and read it.

The book doesn't pull any punches and is a frank description and assesment of the eighties and nineties when Michael and his wife pam were involved in the work. Michael has very definite ideas about church planting and many other matters and even where one would beg to differ you have to admire his thoroughly thought through and tenacious, not to say tender yet firm, approach. At points an iron fist in a velvet glove came to mind.

One thing that struck me was that a lot of what Michael considers to be ministry I would tend to think of as things interrupting the real ministry. He may well be right and I am wrong.

One minor point. I'm not sure how the decision was made to publish the book as it has been but several proofing errors and spelling mistakes inevitably detract. I fear that distribution will be poor too. Do make the effort though. 

TWTWTW

I must admit I'm half glad that the snow has come as I'm incredibly busy at present. It started last Monday with an evening committee meeting for the London Inreach Project in Covent Garden. Prior to that the day was fairly easy. Managed to go for a run round the park.

On Tuesday I was out all afternoon continuing to pursue the matter of where the Evangelical Library should move to. As reported, I spent Tuesday evening at Grove Chapel listening to jazz.

Wednesday was dominated by my regular visits to take services at Spring Court and Heath Grove Lodge (on Philippians 1 and Jonah 4). In between that I popped into central London to meet up with my good friend Chris Buckingham. In the evening it was our regular midweek meeting (looking at Deuteronomy 18).

In the midst of all this I found myself sheltering from the rain with my i-pod on. A live version of Sylvia (my all time favourite) came on and although I've listened to that song thousands of times it struck me once again how good it is. As I looked up there was the word Sylvia across the road in front to me (good job I'm not religious, eh?).

By Thursday I had so much to do I had to get up an hour earlier. I fitted most of it in, including writing a tract, preparing various other things and an afternoon Greek session at LTS on participles and the opening verses of the Sermon on the Mount. In the evening we had our bi-monthly church members meeting. It's always a good time but I wish we could have more present.

On Friday I was in Welwyn at the EMF lecturing on JWs and Mormons. I had some business at a bank near Goodge Street en route home plus a visit to Finchley to read from Lloyd-Jones' masterful Preachers and preaching with Richard Raven a student at LTS who is one of our mentoring students. (He preached for us yesterday and quite acceptably too). We celebrated Dylan's birthday in the evening with fahitas and krispy kreme doughnuts. Also that evening, of course, it was the clubs for children and young people where I spoke about this current ad on the buses suggesting there is no God and we had a quiz.

Saturday morning we were giving out tracts in Golders Green in the bitterly cold wind - not the best weather for it. In the afternoon most of the family went to Aldenham Country Park and had a nice time there despite the cold.

Sunday morning I preached in the Welsh church, as reported. The three older boys were in Childs Hill to hear Richard. We went for a walk in Kenwood in the afternoon. I took communion in the evening adn then Richard preached on Psalm 145.

London Inreach

It was good to be at the London Inreach Project meetings last Saturday. The initial meeting was held at the LCM's Cafe Eterno where the church regularly meets. I was not able to be at that as I was obliged to attend the meeting of the trustees of the Project who gather annually. I am not a trustee but attend with our treasurer Peter Jermyn as chairman of the management committee. I managed to get a cuppa at Cafe Eterno before heading then for the Chinese Church in Shaftesbury Avenue where I chaired our preaching meeting.

It was good to see about fifty or so present. Derek Sewell gave a balanced report on the work, which is still hard going but not without its challenges and encouragements. Andrew Murray then spoke for a while and introduced our new worker Roger Carter to us, the successor to Ben Thomas. Peter Jermyn had a word finally and then our preacher, Ray Evans of Bedford (fresh from a paintball fight that morning - don't ask) turned our attention very helpfully to Dr Luke's case notes on Simon the Pharisee and the woman who kissed Jesus's feet.

Most people then drifted off but some took opportunity to head across Shaftesbury Avenue once again to the Fair Trade shop that the church continue to run (at the local council's behest) in Berwick Street, Soho. (This is where I had started my afternoon with the committee in the basement).

This is wonderful work. Not easy at all but vital. Do find out more. Start here.

Evangelist sought

WANTED!
Are you: ► enthusiastic about evangelism?
► gifted for work with young people?
► keen to be involved in local church life?

The London Inreach Project, a Reformed Baptist church planting work, hopes to appoint someone to join their team in Covent Garden and Soho for 2 years from August 2008. This would be an excellent opportunity to gain experience of gospel work in a challenging environment.
To discuss the possibilities, please contact: Gary Brady (LIP Chairman)

Like a river

"People say I'm like a river - cos I'm never standing still". That's a line from an old ATF hit. No-one's ever said I'm like a river but I do feel like one sometimes. Life is so busy at times. Today (Thursday) hasn't been so bad but yesterday I had three meetings - two in old people's homes that I take fortnightly plus our regular midweek meeting in the church, where we looked at the first commandment from Deuteronomy 5. Work with old people is not easy especially the second lot where there is little sign of comprehension. There are some encouragements though. The other week a lady from Monserrat prayed beautifully when asked. Then this week a Jewish man asked why it is called Good Friday and I directed him to Isaiah 53 which he seemed not to know. In between the two meetings I was reading the Raymond Franz book I have mentioned. I saw two JWs on the corner so I showed them what I was reading - although they didn't want to know. Just then a Jewish lady turned up. She's always giving me things. She had a load of kosher soap in her car, which she said could be used in the church. I didn't even know soap could be kosher!

The day before (Tuesday) had been quite busy too. I'd forgotten that I'd arranged to meet the LIP church planters down in Covent Garden. I remembered in time to get there late. We have a regular pastoral meeting where we can discuss things. Then in the evening we had a rather poorly attended Christianity Explored meeting and a better attended planning meeting for the Holiday Bible Club we hope to have in April.

The day before (Monday) I was down at the Evangelical Library to hear Professor Helm's talk on Packer's "Fundamentalism" and the Word of God. I discovered that I do have a copy but unread. It first came out in 1958 and I guess I was advised to get a copy (mine was printed in the USA in 1977) by someone in the previous generation. It is a stout defence of Reformed theology which was very much under attack at the time in connection with the Billy Graham meetings. Professor Helm felt that Packer probably hadn't shifted in his theology but certainly has in his tactics and approach. We had a decent number there. It's me next month on Baxter's Call to the unconverted. Anyway must dash, I'm taking a church member to hospital now. He's in for a day or two.

Last Weekend 03

After the trustees meeting under the chairmanship of Geoff Gobbett, it was time for tea. Always a lovely spread.

Several of the rest of the family joined me at this point. My two eldest sons were at the house of one of the deacons for an evangelistic event for older young people. I think about 30 came altogether, which is really great.

Back in Covent Garden between 40 and 50 gathered for the meeting to follow which I lead. Veteran evangelist John Blanchard preached on Romans 1:16. In passing he mentioned that it was my father-in-law Geoff Thomas who suggested to him leaving off the word 'the' in his Ultimate Questions. Their little joke is that it's Geoff's advice that has made it the huge seller it has been. Less is more, eh? (More on John Blanchard here).

Eleri enjoys being in Central London as it's a rare treat. We walked to Piccadilly Circus and caught the Number 13 home.

Last Weekend 02

After the Evangelical Library it was on to Covent Garden for the afternoon LIP meetings. It was good to see around 40 there.

I was not able to stay for the question adn answer session with John Blanchard but it was good to hear the reports on the Covent Garden adn Soho work from Derek Sewell and Ben Thomas.

I had to dash off then to an LIP trustees meeting over in the Swiss Church.

In the right hadn column of this blog you can see a button for John Blanchard's book Ultimate Questions.

Busy Days

It's been a busy few days, as ever.

Friday night: Our regular children and young people's work. Our best leader was back after a few weeks off to give a fine talk on adoption to about 20 kids. We had a quiz to follow. Then a similar number of older ones came for a talk followed by a session of 'Just a minute'.

Saturday: In the morning a few of us went out into Golders Green with a tract on 'The prodigal son'. We met all sorts - Polish labourers, an American Mormon, two JW ladies we know, a very nice Roman Catholic lady, Nigerian Catholics, Jews, some neighbours, etc, and a rather eccentric fellow, recently deported from Israel, with his own weird theories. He came along to church the next day but was very difficult to help.

In the afternoon I went along to Highbury Baptist church for the baptism of a lady called Debbie Smith who has been converted through the outreach of the Covent Garden and Soho church. Although brought up to go to church she rebelled and ended up in Soho in the late sixties involved in all sorts of things quite different to what she had been encouraged in as a girl. Without going into detail it was clear that she had sunk pretty low. Andrew Murray led the proceedings. We sang 'Amazing grace' and it seemed most appropriate. What a joy! More here.

Lord's Day: Back here I've painted myself into a corner slightly as I'm currently dealing with Ezekiel 25ff (am) and Exodus 35ff (pm) - not easy passages. The morning was okay (on judgement but with a gospel appeal at the end). I struggled more in the evening (on working and giving in the house of the Lord). A man new to the area came and two Muslims ladies who left just before we finished.

Monday morning: I was at a committee meeting arranging outreach in Trafalgar Square. We hope to be there again on November 17.

There's loads more on this week.

Nice day

It's towards the end of another busy day. I've just come in from chairing a committee down at Cafe Eterno, Covent Garden. We seek to support the church planting work there and in Soho through the London Inreach Project. There are many encouragements but some difficulties too in a slow and demanding work. It's pretty cold out.
Eleri's watching TV with our eldest (17) after a hard day's work around the house. He's been writing an essay on Shakespeare's Much ado about nothing. The next two are in bed about to go off (I hope). Number two (13) says he's aching all over after doing school rugby training down at Old Deer Park (the London Welsh ground) with ex-England players Brian Moore and Jeremy Guscott. (They won a BBC competition). He came back with a nice autographed ball and was on local TV. The two youngest are tucked up in bed. They had no school today as a tree has half come down in last week's winds and was being dealt with by a tree surgeon today. They had a friend round for most of the day and found plenty of fun things to do as well as homework. Number four (8) has been researching the London plague and fire of the 1660s and preparing a 'show and tell' on the baseball match we went to see last summer in the US.