October Update - 2022

Welcome to my Romans 15:8 blog for October.

I hope and pray that this blog finds you in a ‘good place’. I would like to especially welcome any new members of the Romans 15:8 blog this month.

With kind regards and shalom,

Alex

Teaching Reflection of the month

For this month’s reflection I direct you towards my interview with Canon J.John. This interview was part of the ongoing interviews in the ‘Facing the Canon’ series. The interview was shown on several Christian TV channels worldwide and has been available via YouTube since last month.

The interview which lasts for 30 mins covers a range of issues relating to the history, theology, and current mission work of CMJ. Feedback from a range of viewers has been very encouraging. Can I therefore encourage you to watch this interview and to share links to it as widely as possible via your Church and social media contacts.

There is a full transcript of the interview on the YouTube link. So far just over 2000 people have watched this interview via YouTube and it would be good to increase this in the months ahead as it is a unique ‘communication tool’ for CMJ.

Ministry News Update

Lots of ministry events have taken place recently, including my visits to the CMJ international Conference in Jerusalem and the Lausanne Consultation on Jewish Evangelism (LCJE) in Haslev, Denmark. It was especially good to meet up with ministry colleagues at both events as many of us have not met in person since the Covid protocols meant a series of meetings had to be postponed in 2020-2021. At the CMJ International Conference I presented my report - Navigating the Next Steps Forward - a strategy paper for future expansion of the international ministry of CMJ. The report was generally well received, and it is now to be discussed by the CMJ Israel Board prior to any amendments and possible implementation by the various CMJ national groups. Eight CMJ national groups took part in the conference, namely, Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, Israel, South Africa, United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

Before my visit to Jerusalem, the CMJ UK council/trustees met, and we agreed a budget for 2023. Part of this includes the appointment of a new Community Based Evangelist. The interviews for this role are set for November 15th. Do please pray for all involved in this process.

Finally, this month sees the broadcasting of the CMJ UK Winter Bible Week. Tickets are available via Eventbrite. I will be doing the teaching on this occasion, and I will be basing my teaching over 3 sessions (29th & 30th November and 1st December at 7.30pm) on Luke 2:22-52 (Getting Started), Luke 15 (Jesus, the Greatest Teacher) and Luke 24:13-35(One Step Beyond). I hope to see many from the Romans 15:8 network online.

Book Review 

GOD SHINES FORTH - How the Nature of God Shapes and Drives the Mission of the Church. Daniel Hames & Michael Reeves (Crossways, 2022).

This book carefully explores our motivations and desires relating to mission and evangelism. It helps to shine a light on what Thomas Cranmer called the “devices and desires of our own hearts.”

The book draws upon extensive Biblical material along with some helpful references to the early Church Fathers and key Reformers. However, I think some more ‘contemporary’ quotes and references would have been desirable.

I found the book offers a clear and helpful thesis - namely that the wellspring of healthy happy mission is God Himself, and that happy mission presupposes happy Christians. There is much in this book which will challenge and delight many. For me, I am currently preparing for my teaching session in the updated CMJ Jewish Evangelism Training (JET) course and reading this book has led me to adjust and add to several key points in my teaching script.

I would hope that this book should be on many reading lists, especially as much has been written on the pragmatics of mission and evangelism strategy, but very little on the theological and spiritual underpinning of what is such a primary calling for the Church.

Finally, many of us within CMJ will know one of the authors, namely Daniel Hames. Daniel has spoken at several CMJ events over the years and is the son of two current CMJ UK staff members, Paul and Janey Hames.

Monthly Memory Verse

“I and the Father are one” (John 10:30) Messianic Jewish Family Bible- Tree of Life Version