Friday Morning I headed for the Victoria and Albert museum, , it opened at 10 so to kill a bit of time I wondered down Kensington High street, just opposite Harrods I noticed Holy Trinity Brompton set back from the main road. Holy Trinity or HTB as It is commonly known is the Parish of the Reverend Nicky Gumbell the creator of the Alpha course.
The Alpha course has been an amazing success al the more so because the concept is incredibly simple, it is a tem week course that introduces Christianity in a non threatening way. It is a million miles away from the hate filled posturing and diatribe of Pastor Jones in Florida. It aims to build not burn bridges to resonate with a lost generation. The Alpha course is now available in churches up and down the country thousands of people are coming to know Jesus and I do a mean Nicky Gumbell impression.
Taking of impressions I made my way to the Victoria and Albert Museum, I am no stranger to this museum but this time I was going for one reason only. It seems the Pope is on his way to the UK to do a couple of gigs (or masses as he calls them) as a result of this the Raphael Tapestries that were originally commissioned to sit in the Sistine Chapel and now housed in the Vatican museums where brought over and reunited with the original ‘cartoons’ (drawings) that Raphael drew for the Belgium Tapestry makers. I got my ticket and made my way to the gallery the first Tapestry I saw depicted St Paul on Mars hill debating with the politicians of the day.
Strangely enough this story was in my thoughts all of the last few weeks having just completed an essay on it and having blogged on it last week. Paul had rolled up in Athens and been outraged by all the idolatry and worship of false Gods he had seen. However rather than get all angry with the Athenians he attempted to find common ground in order to convince them that the unknown god they worshipped was actually the one true and living God and he couldn’t be contained in Idols rather he held the whole world in his hands.
Some dismissed him, others ridiculed him but for others something resonated, it got hold of them and they became believers.
I recalled this story as I looked up at the fantastic artworks presented above me, I thought of the incredible missionary journey of the Apostle Paul, I thought of the fantastic ministry that was born out of Holy Trinity just a few doors up from where I was standing and I realised that Nicky Gumbell and Paul had something in common, both had first had experience that their actions affected the story of others
Advertisement
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
Wayne Gough is in love with Jesus and can't believe how good he has been to us
Wayne is on the Primary leadership team at the incredible bethel city church, Stoke on Trent
Wayne supports Wolves and has a reputation for corney and unfunny jokes.
For further details on Wayne, Bethel city church and all the great stuff we are involved with check out the links to the left or get in touch with us. You can e mail Wayne at Wayne@bethelcitychurch.org or phone the office on 01782 537079
Five stories: three museums: one statement Part THREE: Athens
15 09 2010Friday Morning I headed for the Victoria and Albert museum, , it opened at 10 so to kill a bit of time I wondered down Kensington High street, just opposite Harrods I noticed Holy Trinity Brompton set back from the main road. Holy Trinity or HTB as It is commonly known is the Parish of the Reverend Nicky Gumbell the creator of the Alpha course.
The Alpha course has been an amazing success al the more so because the concept is incredibly simple, it is a tem week course that introduces Christianity in a non threatening way. It is a million miles away from the hate filled posturing and diatribe of Pastor Jones in Florida. It aims to build not burn bridges to resonate with a lost generation. The Alpha course is now available in churches up and down the country thousands of people are coming to know Jesus and I do a mean Nicky Gumbell impression.
Taking of impressions I made my way to the Victoria and Albert Museum, I am no stranger to this museum but this time I was going for one reason only. It seems the Pope is on his way to the UK to do a couple of gigs (or masses as he calls them) as a result of this the Raphael Tapestries that were originally commissioned to sit in the Sistine Chapel and now housed in the Vatican museums where brought over and reunited with the original ‘cartoons’ (drawings) that Raphael drew for the Belgium Tapestry makers. I got my ticket and made my way to the gallery the first Tapestry I saw depicted St Paul on Mars hill debating with the politicians of the day.
Strangely enough this story was in my thoughts all of the last few weeks having just completed an essay on it and having blogged on it last week. Paul had rolled up in Athens and been outraged by all the idolatry and worship of false Gods he had seen. However rather than get all angry with the Athenians he attempted to find common ground in order to convince them that the unknown god they worshipped was actually the one true and living God and he couldn’t be contained in Idols rather he held the whole world in his hands.
Some dismissed him, others ridiculed him but for others something resonated, it got hold of them and they became believers.
I recalled this story as I looked up at the fantastic artworks presented above me, I thought of the incredible missionary journey of the Apostle Paul, I thought of the fantastic ministry that was born out of Holy Trinity just a few doors up from where I was standing and I realised that Nicky Gumbell and Paul had something in common, both had first had experience that their actions affected the story of others
Like this: