Living on the Devil's Doorstep

Living on the Devil’s Doorstep

By Floyd McClung 

Living on the Devil’s Doorstep was an absolutely amazing book. After finishing the book I wished I, as the reader, would have received more of the story. The issues dealt with in this book get even more challenging as the book goes on. This goes along with the McClung story, to which Floyd admits that if what happens first, second, third, etc., in their story they as a family would never have been able survive the places God called them too. 

This book is the story of the McClung family story. Floyd and his wife start their ministry in Kabul, Afghanistan, then move to the Red Light District of Amsterdam. God really challenged this couple, from people they met, where they lived, and having children while living in the Red Light District. 

The first thing that really touched me in this book was looking at just how much God will provide for the furthering of His Kingdom. The McClung family really learned to trust God financially through their time in Kabul and in Amsterdam. At one point they wanted to pay for a building that cost about 475,000 guilders. The McClung family/ministry had no money, they didn’t even know where the next meal was going to come from. But God wanted that building. Floyd some how met the owner of the local bank who was supportive of the local Christian community work and gave Floyd 400,000 guilders. How does that happen? God provides, you need to put your faith and fear in Him and not in earthly things. 

Money has been one thing I have been struggling with recently. Being that I am on my internship and running out of money very quickly. I am learning to budget and make decisions on what I really need. Also, not buying thing because of saving money for other expenses. I must say this is a very good lesson I am learning considering I am graduating in May and will have to really start paying bill and such. This book has really taught me to put all of those worries into prayer to God. 

Another thing that has really been placed on my heart is saying to God, “Where do you want me?” Straight forward, and listening, taking the answer and acting on it. To tell you the truth is scares the crap out of me to just say God okay no matter what, no matter where you want to send me, or what you want me to do I’ll do it. This is something I have been taught to do my whole life as a Christian. He wants us to just jump in the water and have faith that He will keep us a float, but I think I am still hanging onto the side of the pool kicking. So I’m in the water, but am I really IN the water? This book has just blown my mind. The McClung family agreed to do the things that God had called them to. This family was called to the oddest places, at one point the family lives on a boat with 100 other people. God used them to make the strangest places, a place of God. Another places was a building adjoining a Satanist temple. I can’t even imagine the scary places, and events this family experienced. But God stood by them and they had the chance to meet amazing people, some joined the ministry and started leading along side the McClung family. 

When I finished this book I felt like God wanted me to pass it on, I have not done it yet, but I will be praying about the right person to pass it one to. I got this book almost a year ago from an old SFG leader, I didn’t read it till jut now and I wish I had read it a year ago. 

The last thing I want to share is one of my favorite parts of this book. John, a man in the ministry with Floyd, was in a bar. “John sensed that the man over in the far corner was the person God wanted him to speak to. He hesitated, as the man seemed withdrawn and unwelcoming…[he decided that] he should simply go over, sit down, and tell the man that God loved him and wanted to forgive him. John reasoned to himself that the music was so loud the man probably wouldn’t be able to hear anyway. ‘If this really is what You want me to do, Lord, then You are going to have to do something about all this noise,’ he whispered. A few moments later the music stopped in mid-song. The disco equipment had broken down!…[John went over to the man and said that God loved and forgave him]. The man seemed genuinely astonished by John’s comments. ‘Do you know who I am?’ the man said. When John said he did not, the man went on to explain that he was the high priest of the Satanist temple…” 

UK Census

I will officially be in the UK Census this year! Woot! haha

Liquid Church

Liquid Church 

by Pete Ward

I didn’t really like this book, but I think that had to do with the author’s style of writing. Although it did seem like the author only focused on two peoples ideas toward this idea of Liquid church. 

The author, Pete Ward, first talked about what solid church was. One idea is that something that is solid cannot change form. If the church is that way, how do we expect to reach those people who are looking for something a bit different? Is church supposed to be one size fits all? Just because that is where “everyone” goes doesn’t mean it is the best place for you. People learn in different ways. One reason for going to church is to learn about Christ and God’s kingdom. Why would everyone go to the same church if they all learn a different way? Are they just going because they want to be seen going? That is another thing the author brought up. That if you are not seen at church speculation will arise. When I first read that I though no thats not true, maybe if you were gone for a few weeks. Then as I am writing this I realized that  when I go to my home church and my parents are not there for one week everyone asks me how are your parents is everything okay. My parents go to church every weekend, and are usually involved in something going on during the service. I suppose people are just so used to them being there they get worried when they are not. 

One major topic the author talked about in the second chapter was identity, where we find our identity. He talks about how where we find out identity has changed over the years, what we get out identity from. “People are reflexive because they continually review their sense of self in relation to the increasing number of choices available in society” (p23). It is no longer class and gender that define who you are. There are now millions of choices available to choose from. You no longer have only the fork in the road, but now its a high way will a million exits to choose from. Zygmunt Bauman, who the author refers to often in this book, notes that although there is a increase of choices there is still little guidance and directions for people. With the onset of liquid church Bauman believes that people will/are looking for a sense of community in these three places: peg, cloakroom or carnival. “Peg communities offer the chance for individuals to gather for a moment around a “nail” on which they can peg their individual fears. Cloakroom communities allow individuals to dress for an event, leave their coats at the door, and enjoy a temporary spectacle. A carnival is similarly a gathering of individuals around an event that offers a brief distraction from the demands and fears of a fluid, unsettled search for identity and meaning” (p24). It is like people are searching for some sort of illusion to get away from what is happening around them.

Why do people go to church? One reason Ward gives is historical. “Far from being a turn-off, for some people the weekly visit to church is attractive precisely because it offers a slice of living history” (p27). The church is valued because of the traditions the church has kept over the years. It is historical because it has stayed true to itself. “For those attending worship, keeping the heritage site going is much like any other historical preservation society” (p27). I’m not so sure it is like this in the states, but here in the England there are 600 year old churches. Granted I’ve never thought about people going to church for the historical side of it. I have never thought going to church was a historical experience. However, there are some friends back home that I believe only went to church because their parents thought that was what you did, their parents weren’t practicing Christians but would go because that is what you do, that is what their parents did. In that way it might be that they go to church because of tradition. 

I thought chapter six, Shaping the Liquid Church, was a great chapter to think about. Especially since just going though the Week of E, meeting tons of students and hearing their thoughts about religion. The author quotes G. K. Chesterton here, “The Problem is that when people stop believing in God, they start to believe in anything” (p51). I think one thing this book pushes is that everyone is searching for something, they want to believe in something, even when they stop believing in God. The author here talks about how people don’t like the “solid church” so they leave and search for something else, and this is where the “liquid church” comes into play. The “liquid church” takes from contemporary ideas about spirituality and reforms the church in a way that reaches the people. 

I think my favorite chapter in this book was chapter ten, the last chapter; And no not because it was the last. In this chapter the author made the most sense to me. He listed off six dreams, each describing what a “liquid church” would look like. Dream one is The Network. In this dream Ward talks about how people are connected in the church, through internet, gatherings, bible studies, book clubs. They are connected though different activities through out the churches, suitable for everyone. Dream two is community. This dream is really connected with communication. Being able to be connected with those in your community to be able to be there for them. One example is the use of cell phones, or mobiles. If something happens you can inform a lot of people in a very short amount of time. Dream three is communities of choice. In this dream there are multiple different communities in the church, as well as multiple different ways to worship. Allowing this choice in community might bring in very diverse people. Dream four, leadership from example. Instead of leaders just being ordained, leaders are people who have been examples in the community. Others have seen these people living out spiritual disciplines, and so they become leaders int he community. Also being spiritually experienced or trained. Dream five is events and imagination. Here you can only be held back by your imagination, go big or go home mentality. Your not just tied down to your church building, but go out into the community and effect the people where they are. Dream six is worship in a liquid church. Worship at a church can be any size shape or color. The author points out that worship doesn’t have to be tied down to the congregational dynamic, but that some churches, only focus on worship together as a congregation on holidays like Easter. 

What the author described in the last chapter I can see happening much more today. There are many different styles of churches in the states now. Some focusing on those who are already in the church community and other that focus on seekers, or unbelievers. Parts of this book also remind me of Organic Church, with the whole idea of being where the people are. However this book doesn’t focus on starting churches physically where the people are but having churches that are mentally, dynamically, and stylistic in a way that reaches them. 

Ending March

Time is flying by. I realized I have not blogged in a while.
The weather has been absolutely wonderful here, it really feels like spring. It has been in the low 60's here. The sun was shining and birds chirping. The Daffodils are all opening up, their yellow is everywhere.
Today the weather wasn't as good, bit cold and windy, but back to warm and sunny tomorrow. It actually hasn't really rained here since I came 2.5 months ago, it would rain for about 5 min. then stop. Some say they are calling it a drought. It looked like rain today, but none came.
A lot has been happening. The students did a fundraiser last weekend for Japan. They raised 500 pounds, which is about $800. They planned the whole thing, and did posters, baked things, had a tambola (raffle for Items), one student even made cranes to sell. [pictures to follow] Emily and I also started a small group with some students on the Book of Esther, we have 5 students coming.
Right now I am doing a mural with some students. The mural will be in 5 pieces (poster boards) Each student is doing one. When put together they will tell the Easter story. When finished these will be shown at the next Unchained, a youth event.
I am about 30 pages from finishing my next book. Living on the Devil's Doorstep. It is amazing and I am reading great things about God's work in Europe. Reflection coming soon.
The Point is going strong. It is a Q&A time to ask about Christianity at my mentors home. We have about 25 students coming regularly. Many of the students are unchurched. We have great conversations about suffering, relationships and service work.
I can hardly believe I come home in 6 weeks. I feel like that is no time at all. Especially after this next week will be the week we have the next Unchained [10th] and the month will basically be half way over.

March 13th

The month is almost half way gone!
This past week was really busy with the Week of E people here. It was great having them here, but it will be nice to get back to a normal schedule. I have lots of reading to get done. My host doesn't have wireless, so I wont be on the computer as much which is a good thing. Hopefully, I will get more reading done.
Time change in America happened today, so there is only a 5 hour difference for the week. Time changes here next weekend. I has been nice and bright here at 6:30 in the morning, but it will be nice for it to be lighter out later. Especially since I live farther away from everything now.
The other intern and I will be starting a 5 week talk on the book of Esther this week which I am excited about, looking at how God used a woman to save a whole people group. We are also leading The Point this week.
I have been working my way though the book of Matthew, and been focusing on Psalm 62 over the past weeks. I just read the part of Matthew 6 that talks about not worrying, something I always need a good reminding of.

moved

So I moved into a new host's home. I have stayed with her before so its great getting to stay with her again. I don't have internet access like i did before though so I will not be blogging as much as I was.
The Lincoln team is here now. I feel like I am on week of E again. It is great to see them all though. It is my half way point now. I have 2 months from today left here in England. Which is exciting and sad. Time is going by really fast now. I don't know where this past week has gone. But  guess I need to make the best out of the time I have left.

March

I cannot believe it is already March. The week of E team gets here on Saturday, but I think they arrive in the country on Friday. I am so excited for them to get here, it will be nice to have some people who are familiar here for a little bit.
I had a cold this weekend, and it is finally starting to go away. My host was sick along with my mentors daughter, I am really glad I didn't get it as bad as they did. I am trying to keep up with taking my vitamin C vitamins (thats redundant). I have also been sleeping a lot this weekend because of it. My foot is also doing a ton better, I am no longer using crutches.
Here are some photos of Derbyshire, where I went last week.