I’m seriously impressed by UCCF’s Free campaign to get the gospel out amongst universities in Britain. There was nothing like this when I was at university, five years ago now! They have beautifully presented Mark’s gospel with 8 different cover designs for people to read and encounter the Word of God. I would love a resource like this to get our youth reading their Bibles more.
This last week I been in Huddersfield to do some design research with good mate & graphic designer Viv to produce a logo and promotional material for the Newfrontiers Huddersfield Church plant (The Ark) that will stepping up a gear in the coming months.
We felt as well as getting a tour of the place our research needed to included interviewing the multi ethnic population about what they felt about the town, the wider area and the general sense of community. We endeavoured to talk to as much a wide mix of people as we could including students, graduates, market workers, pub frequenters, council staff, families and even tourists.
Huddersfield is a unique blend of rural and urban due to the industrial revolution of the late 18th and 19th centuries. Large cotton mill architecture is still very prominent along with towering chimneys. Today shops and the up and coming university are the main magnets. The cities Leeds and Manchester are easily accessible from the town making Huddersfield an ideal place to live if you like the Yorkshire country side and are willing to commute to work.
The older people desire to hold on to past history which frequently comes into conflict with seeing something new come out of the area. Although the university does keep old mill architecture, there does to appear to be a struggle for visual identity in Huddersfield. Despite some valuing the cosmopolitan vibe the community is divided down ethnic lines. A Church that gathers the various ethnicity’s and ages together in Huddersfield will be so vital in bringing visible transformation to the area.
The favourite place of most people we asked was the landmark “Castle Hill”, a tower built on an old iron age fort situated just outside Huddersfield Town overlooking the area. This tower was constructed to mark Queen Victoria’s 60th Jubilee Year and in its opening attracted thousands of people.
A big thank you to the friendly Pape and Bunce families for showing us round, we couldn’t have done it without you! Thinking of joining this loverly bunch? Ill let Steve Hurd have the final word.
Steve Hurd. Huddersfield from Box-head* on Vimeo.
Personally I’m not keen on a lot of Christian/worship/gospel music, much of this is down to my own taste. Sometimes its just a language barrier, so singing in old english becomes an academic exercise and ruins my freedom in praising God. People leading worship have a tough job especially if they are in a good church group that is made up of different cultures, ages and lingo. They have my respect, and if your a song writer I take my hat of to you. Despite worshiping differences there seems to be two commonalities. Firstly – the person we worship, Jesus. Secondly – our attitude in praising him.
The Psalms are all about, personal “on my heart” prayers of repentance, thankfulness and seeking. Singing songs about God is great but it can put him at an arms length in peoples minds. Looking at the songs that bring me closer and experience joy in God they tend to have lyrics that speak to Jesus personally. It’s been suggested we need a good diet of “About” and “To” songs.
Recently I was put on to a song sung by Whitney Houston called “I Look to You” written by R. Kelly. Though published through popular culture I can just imagine King David singing it, the lyrics are just so honest and can be used to honor God.
Newfrontiers, The family of Churches I’m apart of has decided to put on a conference that talks about engaging with our culture call the Everything Conference. Site designed by We Are Boxhead. If you know me you will know that web, design and impacting culture is one of my BIG passions. Keen on coming? Let me know. Cost is only £12.00.
The Everything conference aims to equip Christians to make a difference and to transform culture. With seminar tracks on work, community, the mind and the arts, this will be an exciting event not to be missed.
I just want to say a BIG thank you to all who provided feedback on how to run Grill a Christian events. The advice and tips are really helpful as we look to putting on this type of shindig in the future, and there is still loads of time to send me your own experiences If you have not done so already. At some stage I will compile a guide to running this kind of event and publish it over at grillachristian.com, but first I would like to put one on. With that end in mind I have started building a website with a feature set that will compliment question asking at these events. Watch THIS space.
Sometimes to switch off I design, its a way I can be in my element without pressure or demands. Over the past months on and off I have been designing three t-shirts for our youth group level-x. I thought I would post them here and get some feedback. Eventually the plan is that they will be made into stencils and the youth can bring their own coloured tees and print off their favorite design.
So what is the 24/7 Prayer movement, how did it start? Do people really pray for 24 hours straight?! This documentary on 24/7 Prayer was originally made as part of a university dissertation and reveals how it is impacting people world wide since it’s humble beginnings (filmed in 2006).
There is a story behind the filming of the documentary. One of the student film makers producing the documentary found himself so impacted by the prayer room goings-on (combined with ‘Alpha’ and a little book called Purpose Driven Life bought by Jim) he decided to become a Christian, pretty much while on shoot. The last two scenes you see are of the moment Tom becomes a Christian, and the wonderful aftermath… Booyakasha!
I have seen for myself the outcomes of 12/7 Prayer in a Church community. It’s fantastic to see people who want to spend time with God and who want others to know about how awesome He is. Conversing, listening and loving God (prayer) really does rock socks as it helps us be who we were made to be, worshipers of Christ! To be totally honest a church without prayer is like a hamburger without the meat. It’s also possible that prayer without a truth guzzling Church becomes very wishy washy with no firm hunky holding.
In the UK alone 75% of the population apparently admit to praying at least once – many of whom don’t consider them selves followers of Jesus.
This Christmas many people are going to feel like this girl in the video, empty, alone, no identity, imperfect and depressed.
The Perfect Human from pixeljuggler on Vimeo.
Read more about worldwide suicide rates at the World Health Organization (WHO).
Really there is only one prevention program for suicide, his name is Jesus. As the above video demonstrates, GOD is interested in YOU. He has the power change your life, give you a clean eternal start, to give you peace and joy, and also talk to you personally. He is just longing to talk to His people. In order for Suicide to decrease it is the responsibility of those who follow Jesus to share how amazing He is and how he fills our empty lives with purpose and LOVE.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)
I don’t personally relate well to old Christian hyms and Christmas carols as I tend to get lost with the mish mash of old English, though I’m certain that the lyrics were great in their revealing and gathered many to the understanding of what Jesus come into the world to do.
I do think carol services are enjoyable sing songs but for many younger people their focus is switched and it ends up being a cultural struggle. So for those who seeking a more culturally relevant and clear gospel blend of Christian music I introduce you Sojurn Advent Songs which are as described “New songs for modern missional worship, rich in Christian teaching and contextualized in modern culture.” Click the cover and have a listen below. Found via Emily on the Unfurling Flower Blog. Thanks!
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