Word for 2016

Lead Where You Are

‘Follow me as I follow Christ’

1 Corinthians 11: 1

Defining Leadership

As I have been seeking the Lord with Dorcas and the leadership team of LNC for the theme for 2016 we have felt that God has put the word ‘Leadership’ into our hearts. What does leadership mean? Maxwell defines leadership as influence. Even the most introverted of us leads many people without even realising it. We are all an influence to someone. So whatever stage of life we are in we can lead. The question is will we be a good or bad leader? The world and the church desperately need revived, righteous, courageous, and godly leaders in these times of fear, purposelessness and moral decay.

Focus on Jesus

Paul is courageous when he says ‘follow me’. Leadership takes courage. Many seek to pull leaders down when they take a stand. But he is also wise when he adds, ‘as I follow Christ’ (1 Corinthians 11: 1). Paul knows that our focus must be on Christ (the anointed Messiah) if we are to successfully lead others. We must learn to be led by Christ; by both his example in life and his transforming love in his death. Also, on an ongoing basis we must be led by his resurrection power through the Spirit. When we are focused on Jesus (the author and perfecter of our faith) we are able to run the race well and reach his goals for us and see revival in his church (Hebrews 12: 2).

Lead Yourself Well

As we focus on Jesus this year we will know his love and power and be able to lead ourselves well wherever we are in life. We will throw off everything that hinders and the sin that easily entangles us and be able to run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Hebrews 12: 1). In which areas do you need to disentangle yourself this year? It might be a sin that  needs to be defeated by looking at Jesus and allowing him to break its hold from you or it may be other habits that simply hinder you?

‘If you want to manage somebody, manage yourself. Do that well and you’ll be ready to stop managing and start leading’ (Richard Kerr). Does God want you to get your relationship with money right this year; Get out of debt, start saving and giving? Does God want you to sort out your relationships this year – start forgiving and be courageous in intentionally loving and caring?

Lead Your Family Well

Does God want you to love your wife (in the way she receives love) or respect your husband intentionally this year? Does God want you to parent your children by nurturing, caring and disciplining them? No mother or father is insignificant – you are a leader and shepherd of the next generation.

Lead Well in the Market Place

Is God challenging you to get to places on time this year? Does God want you to be an excellent employee or employer; Start a business, publish your first book or just keep your word this year? How does God want you to serve your neighbourhood? How does God want you to be a witness to his Kingdom this year and who does he want you to lead to Jesus?

Lead Well in Your church

Where does God want you to serve in your church this year? When each part, plays its part, the body grows (Ephesians 4: 16). Where and with whom does God want to align you this year? Where does he want you to be accountable and show respect? We will need to practice the little self-disciplines that come from the Spirit. For the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal. 5: 23).

Walk in Freedom and lead others

Galatians 3:1 says that for freedom Christ has set us free. Until you know you are freed from sin, loved by God and have been given a destiny and purpose, you will never start to love yourself or others. Once you realise you are totally loved by God and free from guilt and shame in Christ you will be able to run the race that God has for you and attain your goal (Hebrews 9: 14; 10: 22; 12: 1-2). Also once you know you are free you can freely love others and lead them into freedom (Gal 5: 13). People don’t care how much you know till they know how much you care. When you are free your freedom will liberate others (Mandela).

Focus and Clarity - Choose One goal

No matter what situation you are in at the moment you can change as God works in you in this New Year. And your change will lead others to change. What is the most drastic thing that people will notice about you in this New Year? What is the most drastic thing that people will notice about your church in this New Year? Choose one goal for the year and work on that with God's helps. As you do God will give you victory. 'He stores up success for the upright, He is a shield for those who live with integrity' (Proverbs 2:7). As you win, you will cause others to win. They will see tangible success in your life (even if that is through the difficulties of life) and they will want to follow you as you are following Christ. Let’s go for it in 2016.

May God richly bless you!

Making Disciples in 2015

(Be One, Make One)

….Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them…..teaching them to observe all I commanded you... (Matthew 28: 18 – 20)

Jesus parting message to his disciples was ‘Go and make disciples of all nations’ – This was not only his parting message but his life’s message. He called disciples to be with him and then sent them out to preach and demonstrate the gospel of the kingdom so that others could also experience his deliverance and become his disciples (Mark 3: 13 – 15). His instructions here were both imperative (a command) and indicative (a description of what we should be doing as a lifestyle) – ‘as you go therefore be making disciples…’ (Matthew 28: 19A)

Making disciples intentionally in the face of opposition

‘Go’ – This year we are going to have to fight for what God wants. In the UK we have a secular mind-set that breaks the laws of God, we have whole generations that don’t know God or the Bible and do not understand that life works better with God; we have multiple ideas about the spiritual world. There is going to be opposition from the enemy – he hates Jesus message being spread and God’s will being done.  We see here Jesus heart was clearly for discipleship. Both the active making of disciples of all nations and the lifestyle of being and showing discipleship as we are going about our daily business are important.  Discipleship starts by coming alongside those in the world who don’t know God but continues in the building up of those who are already on the journey of faith so that they become established in the foundations and move on to maturity (Hebrews 6: 1-2). It involves us giving to others but also being disciples ourselves of Christ. Being a disciple is about experiencing God’s love, loving and following Jesus, learning from him and being loyal to Him and His purposes.

Being a disciple

Being a disciple also involves the denying of ourselves, taking up our cross and following Jesus desires (Luke 14: 27). We have to count the cost of following Jesus; there will be times of denial of our immediate desires and also opposition from others. We see this in the life of Jesus as he fulfilled His father’s mission:

2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

(Hebrews 12: 2 – 3 NIV)

Restoring the Walls of the church

During 2015 we will also be looking at Nehemiah building the walls of Jerusalem and restoring sincere worship in the temple. In LNC we will emphasise the importance of working together in unity to build up one another and protect the church from spiritual attack. The returning Babylonian exiles had been desolate but they had not been forsaken. It took leadership, it took prayer, it took people stationing themselves where the gaps were and working together and guarding and building the city God had given them as an inheritance in order to see success. They had to be willing to listen to God appointed prophetic leadership and the trumpet call to rally them to fight together when the enemy attacked. They also had to be wise enough not to listen to the enemies’ lies. The devil will always contradict God’s word and try and discourage God’s people from the vision and prophetic word God has spoken over them (Nehemiah 4).

LNC

In LNC this year we believe God is calling us to emphasise being disciples and making disciples. This involves being good followers and good leaders. Good followers need to be able to listen and submit to God’s word to them. They also need to be able to covenant to work together with those God has called them to be with and recognise the godly leadership God is placing among them too. This was so important for the early disciples and early church and was equally as important for the returning exiles in Nehemiah’s day.

We will all need to be willing to do the work of ministry and defend and fight for God’s house and Kingdom. We will need to have the sword of the Spirit in one hand and our building tools in the other (Nehemiah 4: 17). We need to know the Word of God in order to apply it against the enemy’s discouragements (Nehemiah 4: 14 & Ephesians 6: 11 & 17). We also need to skilfully use our spiritual gifts to build up the church and strengthen its walls (1 Peter 4: 10). Through our Bible studies (see ‘the Bible and Lunch’ on the last Sunday of each Month in the Calendar), our cell groups, our men and women’s mentoring, our various evangelism and discipleship training weeks and our prayer conference and missions we will be given the tools to build, defend and fight for God’s Kingdom purposes and see the Church built up.

Conclusion

Let’s pray that God’s kingdom comes in our lives, families, churches and nation(s) in 2015. My prayer for LNC is that we are stronger together as the family of God, that we are wiser together in our decision making and that we grow spiritually, relationally and numerically this year. London needs us because London needs Jesus. This is also my prayer for all God’s people. The world needs you. Go and make disciples. Be built up as a disciple, and then build up and reach out. Let’s join together in building a Kingdom family that reaches generations in 2015.

Activating the Kingdom of God through the Power of the Tongue in 2014

Death and Life are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruit

Proverbs 18: 21

Have faith in God ...if anyone says to this mountain 'go throw yourself into the sea' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.

Make 11; 10 - 11

What we say is important. Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from trouble (Proverbs 21: 23). We will give an account for every word we speak (Matthew 12: 36). What we say can even effect our eternity (Romans 10: 8-10). What we say can be judgemental or bring life.

2013
2013 has been for us at LNC a serious time of growing in integrity. We have been challenged in our relationships and have come through some times of honest talking that have given deep understanding and a renewed purposeful team work. Marriages and friendships have been deepened. We have also been inspired as individuals to walk in honest and deep relationship with God. The fruit has been growth in relationship, marriages, numerical growth and great blessing on our finances. God has truly been faithful. As we look around the world we have also lost great men of integrity such as Mandela who learned to walk in forgiveness and reconciliation that changed a nation and the world. Also here at home in LNC we lost our dearly loved John Young at the age of 96. Another great man of integrity who kept a strong relationship with God while encouraging everyone he met to draw close to God. We will miss his fervent spirituality, prayers for revival and general encouragement to all.

2014
Anticipating a new year is always exciting and for 2014 we have been sensing God speaking about 'Activating His Kingdom through the Power of the Tongue'. Many of us love speaking, however it is so easy to use our words carelessly; they are great creators of encouragement or discouragement. They hold power both in our lives and others. God spoke and the world came into being. Jesus spoke and the Kingdom was activated and miracles took place.  'Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts, consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark (James 3: 5). So this year we want to use our tongues creatively to speak what God says and see the Kingdom manifested:

1) In our relationship with God - To Praise God - 'With it (the tongue) we bless our God and Father' (James 3: 9). Commit to praising God this year. Make it a daily and moment by moment habit. When you feel like moaning praise Him and give thanks (Psalm 147: 1 & 1 Thessalonians 5: 18).
2) In relation to ourselves - 'Let the redeemed of the Lord say so' (Psalm 107: 2). As we speak over our own lives who God says we are, e.g. a new creation (2 Corinthians 5: 17), righteous in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21), etc. then we activate the reality of God's Kingdom in our thinking, choices, actions and situations. We can change the spiritual atmosphere around us and even our circumstances through the commanding prayer of faith (Matthew 16: 19; Mark 11: 22-24). We must just keep our hearts full of love, faith and forgiveness (Mark 11: 25). Often God is looking for us to think, speak, act differently and change within ourselves in order to then shift things and change people around us.
3) In relationship to others - So often we put others down with our words or backbite and these things ought not to be (James 3: 8-9).We want to create a culture of honour where we are honouring one another and bringing the best out of each other by encouraging each other daily (Hebrews 3: 13). This can literally stop someone sinning, keep families and friends together and positively cause people to walk in their destiny. Parents words to their children can make a huge difference to their psychological and spiritual  health and their future. We also want to speak healing over people's lives and remove obstacles and see miracles (Mark 11: 23). This is the Jesus kind of stuff. It's powerful when we begin to meditate on God's Word and then align our words with what God says.
4) In resistance to the enemy - Our Submission to and praise of God defeats Satan's plans (Psalm 149). When we resist Satan's ways with our words, thoughts and actions then he flees from us (James 4: 7). There is power in the name of Jesus (John 14: 12-14).
5) In reconciling people to God - We know the gospel is the power of God for salvation to all who believe (Romans 1: 16) and we want to share what we believe about God with others who don't know Him this year and see their lives changed. One of my greatest joys has been to see many come into a real relationship with Jesus, some in their teens, some older, some on their death beds. The transformation that takes place in people's lives when they find the  life of God (zoe) through accepting what Jesus did for them on the cross always amazes and thrills me. For the Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).  Let's never forget that we can lead people to Jesus and see their lives on earth transformed and eternal destiny changed.

As a child of God you are a new creation and an ambassador who represents Him on the earth - Activate the Kingdom of God in your life and others this year. Plan in regular times with God, meditate on specific Scriptures, listen to Him and speak what He is speaking and so steer your life into the purposes of  God by faith. This will produce the righteousness, peace and joy of the Kingdom of God for you, your family and the nations. Let's build a kingdom family that reaches generations in 2014.

Growing in Integrity in 2013

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 1: 9 – 11

2012 was a great year for Britain in its celebration of the Queen's jubilee and in its hosting of the Olympics. People's efforts showed the best of British team work and excellence. In LNC we've been aiming for excellence together. Thinking and praying about 2013 God showed us that it is to be a year of growth in integrity. This is not just to be an internal thing but something that effects external change. Integrity is from the Latin word that means 'whole or complete'. It is about consistency of action; being honest to the convictions of our hearts. This takes faith and courage in a cynical world. Some of the words we have felt as we have prayed are:

Top Down & Inside Out

Integrity as Christians needs to begin as top down - Jesus is Lord and we need to make him our Lord and do things His way. As we confess Jesus as Lord (Romans 10: 9) He changes us on the inside and we need to live that life out obeying His Spirit within us (Romans 10: 17). The challenge is to be honest as Christians, to reflect externally what we are internally - followers of Christ. This means Christ is in our words and lifestyle. We will only truly be happy and fulfilled when we are being who God made us to be. Being a man or woman of integrity is about what we do when no ones looking. This should affect our mind, our money and our behaviour toward our families, friends and work. Are you earning all you can, giving all you can, saving all you can (Wesley)? Are you loving your wife as Christ loved the Church or respecting your husband as the church does Christ (Ephesians 5: 22 - 33)? Are you being honest with your friends (1 Peter 1: 22)? Respecting your leaders (Hebrews 13: 17)? Having a servant heart? Forgiving? We need to challenge ourselves this year to live higher.

Integrity in Spirit Soul and Body - being right, thinking right and living right.

Paul prayed that the God of peace sanctify us completely, that our whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5: 23). God is challenging us to not only have a born again spirit but also to then think right and make right choices. In other words to have a mind that is meditating on God's Word so that we are being transformed into His image. As we do this then we are going to live right. One of the things that struck me towards the end of 2012 was how joyous it was for those of us who served the homeless in the Night Shelter at our LNC building in December. Even though it was sacrificial and inconvenient it gave a very deep sense of joy. We are made to serve as sons and daughters of God and when we do we are truly being who God has made us to be - representatives of Christ (Philippians 2: 5 - 7).

At the beginning of 2013 ask God how He wants you to grow and where you are called to serve, because as you do you will be surprised by the sense of fulfilment and joy that will come from living out your true identity. Jesus knew who He was, where He had come from and where He was going and so was able to serve His Father's purpose (John 13: 3 - 4). He wasn't afraid of the challenge.

Being & Making Excellent Disciples

As we live with integrity (top down and inside out) we live excellently. People will be attracted to honest, purposeful and joyous lives. Another incident that was a blessing to me recently was when someone who was not normally among our church family attended a birthday celebration and commented on how amazing the relationships were. She was a professional lady who meets with many groups up and down the country but she said she was impacted by something extra special in our relationships that she had not seen elsewhere. As we live honest lives of love for God and others then those looking on will be attracted. Challenge yourself to reach out to others in 2013.  I believe God is talking to us about growth both internally and externally this year. Seeking to grow in our maturity in Christ will cause us to grow spiritually, relationally, numerically and financially (Matthew 6: 33).

Lets press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3: 14). If you challenge yourself others will be challenged. Have a great 2013 and may you be a kingdom disciple and make kingdom disciples.

Lord of the Breakthrough in 2012

The Lord has been speaking to us about breakthrough this year. Some of you have already been experiencing it. Praise God for all the things He has been doing with us as LNC in our finances, the new Norwood congregation who now have their own meeting place (and are now known as LNC House of Prayer for All Nations), for the South’s move into the home and for new family and friends who are attending, for the new ones that have been saved and come into the church and for those preparing to be baptised. Thank God for the missions to Kenya and to the homeless. We also praise God for all the testimonies of God’s goodness. There are so many testimonies this year of people feeling revived spiritually, having breakthroughs in their families, finance, in business and in cells and mentoring groups. Praise God for the strength that is coming to the men from the High Climber quads, from the Women of Worth groups, for those being added in the House of Prayer congregation and that they have had up to 16 people on a Sunday.

Consider Your Ways
We were all challenged in May by Louis & Edna’s visit to us. The women were challenged in the Dare to Dream Conference to walk closely with God and each other and to dream dreams and align themselves to reach their goals. The men, core leaders and whole church were challenged by Louis from Haggai 1 to consider our ways.

It is always good to pause and take time to consider before God whether the things we have been doing are still the things we should be doing. If they are still right then to consider whether we are doing them in the way God wants us to do them and with the right heart attitude to God and others.

Go up the Mountain
One of the ways we were challenged was to go up the mountain and take time to be with God. Yet, we were challenged to not only experience God but spend long enough to hear from God and know exactly how he wants us to be now and what He wants us to do. In this way we will exactly obey His instructions for our lives and be the most fruitful.

I was personally challenged to forgive spiritual fathers and leaders of the past in order to be open to spiritual fathers and God the Father for the future. As a leadership we took space over the summer to listen to God and spend time together to hear and be refreshed in what God has called us to as a church so that we can approach the vision in new confidence and faith and see His success.

Breakthrough by the obedience of faith
If you are still believing for breakthrough then let’s remember that God is our vindicator (Ps. 54:1). We are not to look for it in our own strength or schemes. That’s called walking in the flesh but we are to walk in radical obedience to God’s will and word to us (Romans 8: 12 - 14). That is the obedience of faith (Romans 1: 5).  Fast, pray and ask what God is saying to you, your family and your cell group and church. How does God want me to align my life with my brothers and sisters and spiritual leaders?  As you hear and obey you will enter by faith into grace in which you will stand and rejoice (Romans 5: 2). David found this in difficult situations. He would not take things into his own hands and slay Saul but he waited for God and was obedient to Him. King Saul was told by the prophet Samuel that obedience is better than sacrifice. Don’t trespass and then try and cover it up by making great sacrifices, just be an obedient faith-filled son of Abraham.

Breakthrough through divine order
God wants you to walk in breakthrough, revival, and favour, but it comes through divine order; choosing God’s ways not our own.  We need to choose to alignment ourselves with God.  Hear God’s voice to you today. Is He speaking to you about tithing or giving generously of your money, time or talent (Malachi 3: 10 – 11 & 2 Corinthians 9: 6 - 11)? Is He speaking to you about the way you treat your husband or wife, listen so that your prayers may not be hindered (1 Peter 3: 1-4, 7). Is He speaking to you about honouring your parents or your spiritual mums and dads in the house of God?  Is God speaking to you about ministering to the needy (Is 58: 6 - 8). Breakthrough comes that way – may it come to you.

Breakthrough through Prayer
Let’s remember to be praying for the Holloways in their new situation. And remember the Owens in France, the Dzvenes in Derby, the Nothnagels and Van-der-Merwes in South Africa. Keep praying for Mary Young and Lovette at this time for complete health. And take time over the Christmas holidays to hear God’s voice to you. He is Lord of the breakthrough.

The Power of God in 2012

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses……… Acts 1: 8 (NIV)

As we look back at 2011 we can see through the good times and the struggles that God was causing us to be more dependent on Him. Like the disciples at the beginning of the book of Acts we can be in a place where we feel weak, confused and not sure of the future. However Jesus is saying He is there in His resurrection power to show us that He is real and has a Kingdom purpose for us. This is going to be fulfilled through His power.

As we (elders, core leaders and others) have prayed and sought the Lord over the Christmas period some of the words have indicated breakthrough, revival and a tsunami of God’s power and love washing over us in this New Year. There were still challenges for the disciples after the resurrection and Pentecost but they had a new strength to combat them. Let’s be filled with the Spirit as we enter this New Year so that we can walk in breakthrough through everything we face in life. If God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8: 31)? We are more than conquerors through Christ who loved us (Romans 8: 37).

We thank God for all that He will do this year. Praise God for Christian and Kara as they continue their equipping journey in South Africa; for Jason and Joelle as they continue to touch the lives of those in Normandy; for Kennedy & Sylvia as they plant their new cell congregation in Norwood; for all the creative outreaches that will take place through the newly reformed cells this year; for Women of Worth and High Climbers for the men; for our Refreshment Days as we spend time drawing close to God; for our outreaches to the community – Parenting, Jubilee lunch, Marriage weekend, ministry to the homeless, etc. Also for the missions that will take place into Kenya through Brian and Margaret and Roger this year. And for everything else that has not been mentioned. God is a good God and as He filled the disciples, so He will fill you with the power of His Holy Spirit for breakthrough this year. Happy New Year!

Wow, what an August!

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes....Romans 1: 16

During the month of August we saw the riots in the streets of London and other major cities in the UK. My reaction was both anger and sadness. How could our country have come to this?  At first it was thought to be just young teens but after thousands of arrests it is clear that it was people from every background and age group.

Our Response as a society

Our response needs to be similar to God’s. In his fatherhood he brings both wrath/justice and grace/mercy. It is right that there is punishment but it is more than a justice situation, it also needs a social change. Every member of society touching the lives of each other including young people with grace and truth. Fathering a future generation so that they understand they are loved through the example of discipline and nurture. What some might call ‘tough-love’. 

Our Response as a church

As Jesus’ church we can show his love for those who are isolated and caught up in anger, rejection and sin. For example, as we demonstrate the good news of the Kingdom through our care of young people down our street or in our neighbourhood it will give them a sense that we care and that therefore our God must care. We can meet the social need. Yet it is not just a justice and social issue, it is also a moral and spiritual issue. The only true way change will come is by a change of heart.

The gospel is the answer

Whatever background or generation the good news of Jesus can deliver people from within through the mercy and power of God. We need to bring that message to the world because in it is deliverance (that’s literally what salvation means). Through faith in Jesus, God’s righteous nature is also revealed in us (Romans 1: 17).  We are changed from the inside out.

As we live as a Kingdom family we will reach generations.

Other News about August

•          We thank God for the mission to Kenya this August. Brian, Margaret and Anne caught up with our friends and contacts.  They also conducted a ‘People Helpers Course’ and there was a very positive response to this basic counselling training.

•          Pray for Roger who is in Kisumu, Kenya at the moment building the new orphanage. Natasha Greene is visiting him with a friend at the moment.

•          We thank God for Jason & Joelle and family. The Afriyie’s went to see them this summer. They are encouraged and have been ministering to people in their home and have a vision to bring transformation to the area around them. They also want to use their home as a hospitality base for those visiting Normandy. 

•          Thank God for the Birmingham mission where the young people were encouraged in their faith. As a result of the mission Rachel has run a youth event which raised £57 for charity and saw three make a commitment to Christ and many more ministered to.

•          Christian and Kara are continuing to be challenged and encouraged in South Africa on their year of equipping. They have just been on poverty week where they have had to live as the homeless and survive on very little for a week. Keep praying for them as God equips them for His purposes.