Author: colinmshaw

Small Towns Lead the Way

/ colinmshaw / 3 Comments

Jesus was born in the small town of Bethlehem. Small towns can play a significant role in the purposes of God!

Recently, Grace and I stayed in the mid-North Island town of Te Puke where Christians from a variety of churches gather every night of the week to pray for their town and wider region. This nightly prayer has been taking place non-stop for the last two years – truly a prayer meeting with the touch of God on it. On the night we attended we observed the ‘oneness’ of those present, the common love for Jesus and the commitment to steadfast prayer (maybe this is getting close to what Jonathan Edwards referred to when he talked about extraordinary prayer, visible unity and explicit agreement).

One of the three team leaders, Judy Abrahams, told us how there have been many answers to prayer, that every night is different and that this special prayer gathering has inspired Christians in other towns to start similar gatherings.

Alongside the above, local kiwi fruit growers (Te Puke being the hub for the kiwi fruit industry) have seen a remarkable turn around. Earlier this year, in the aftermath and disappointment of big crop losses due to PSA (bacterial kiwi fruit vine disease), local pastors and others gathered to pray with a good number of local kiwi fruit growers. They prayed for God’s blessing on the current harvest. The good news is that the 2014-2015 harvest has been the best ever for much of the kiwi fruit industry in NZ.

All this is ample evidence that God can well bring positive change in towns when Christians commit to oneness and steadfast prayer and together seek the wellbeing of their local community: evidence that small towns can play a significant role in the purposes of God!

The next blog will be from Nigel Irwin, pastor of Wanganui Central Baptist and the leader of the pastor’s network in Wanganui. It will be a great story on how he was led to start a significant prayer initiative.

God bless. Colin

Light in the City

/ colinmshaw / 1 Comment

Back in N.Z. after time out it is so encouraging to hear great stories of Christians being salt and light in their city or town.

After Jesus’ words in Matthew 5, known as the beatitudes, Jesus told those listening they were to be salt and light in their communities. He said:

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 MSG (Emphasis mine)

Proverbs 4:18 says ‘ the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day. ‘

Be encouraged, the light is getting brighter. Until next time. God bless. Colin

Together in Taupo

/ colinmshaw / 2 Comments

                      

 “The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, “Let us continue to go and pray before the Lord….” Zechariah 8:21

It was a joy to share, pray and worship in Taupo a few days ago with leaders from Taupo, Tepuke, Tauranga, Te Awamutu, Hamilton, Rotorua, Wanganui and Hawera. As each group shared something of what they saw God doing in their city or town, one story built on another. Stories of a rising tide of united prayer, combined church activities, Christians gathering to bless their city or town etc. At the same time leaders felt free to share some of their pressing needs as we worshipped and prayed for one another and the cities/towns they represented. It really was an awesome day for which we give praise to God.

Here is some of the feedback:

‘It was a great day on Thursday – everyone seemed fully engaged and appreciated all that went on’.

‘We had a wonderful time on Thursday. It was such a privilege to be among so many men and women of God who have a heart for their cities and actively doing something about that. The corporate worship was awesome and the prayer and prophecy that we received for our town was so encouraging’.

‘As far as ecumenical/inter-denominational endeavours go, last Thursday was a smash hit for me. Catholics, Baptists, AOG, Lutherans and Apostolics, all in a room worshiping and Kingdom-dreaming together… outstanding!’

‘Our tanks were filled with thanksgiving for the day. The takeaway for me, was simply the need to persevere with preserving the Unity of the Spirit. To hear of the progress in places, the practical ideas some have employed, and yet hear honestly of the obstacles that pastors particularly have, was actually heartening, in that it is common across the board.’

There is much to give thanks for currently in Aotearoa. God is at work in many different ways. My mind goes to Song of Solomon 2:13, from the Passion Translation, ‘Can you discern this new day of destiny breaking forth around you? The early signs of My purposes and plans are bursting forth all around you’.

Until next time. God Bless. Colin

Prayer, Cities and Prayer Summits

/ colinmshaw / 3 Comments

“What would it take to see a move of God initiated and sustained in a geographic area?” This is the question posed by Dr. Joe Aldrich who initiated the Prayer Summit movement. After meeting Joe and others I was trained by them to carry on this ministry, particularly in South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand and have now been facilitating prayer summits over the last 20 years. What a great privilege it has been to have seen leaders from different traditions and denominations within the Body of Christ come together. In these times God has melted hearts, reconciled, and directed leaders as they commit to a worshipful, prayerful environment seeking God. Most often it is pastors who attend these summits but over recent years there has been a growing trend for other key ministry people and market place leaders to attend also. This has allowed for a better representation of leaders in the Body of Christ in one locality to pray together. Hence the term ‘leaders prayer summits’.

The key component to these summits is setting our hearts to worship Jesus – with sensitivity to the various worship traditions represented. As leaders stay focused on Jesus, humbly seeking His face, not His hand, (which means leaving aside our prayer requests for the meantime) there comes a greater awareness of God and a greater sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Times of worship can then lead to times of meditating on the Word of God together, often on those scriptures that highlight the greatness of God, who He is and what He has done for us. It may lead to praying for one another or praying for the city or some alone time. All as seems right at the time. As the summit progresses there comes a greater clarity as to the reality of where things are really at and how leaders might better go forward together as they seek to continue in unity and serve their communities.

In the last short while I have facilitated two of these summits as well as having been involved with other prayer gatherings. it is very encouraging to see the number of places where Christians are gathering regularly to worship and pray for their city or town. This coming together to pray and seek God in worship and prayer is a vital component to the wellbeing of the places where God has located us. We need to remember that only God can bring the changes we desire for our cities and towns.

How have you been impacted by prayer summits? I’d encourage you to include your thoughts in the comments so that others can be encouraged by your experiences.

Until next time, God bless.

Colin.

My Neighbour’s Point of View

/ colinmshaw / 1 Comment

Can you remember having a chance encounter or conversation that turned out to be a life defining moment? Meeting our new neighbour for the first time one Saturday morning was one such moment for me. Talking on the path outside our two properties, our conversation turned to our respective occupations. Hearing that I was a local pastor, he, not being a church-goer, spoke quietly and sincerely of how he saw the church as an outsider looking on. He said that when he drove through our city and witnessed the wide range of church titles and somewhat similar programs being promoted it spoke to him of rivalry and competition. He saw nothing that he wanted to be part of. As I listened I was momentarily stunned. I felt like I had taken a punch in the stomach. I was saddened as I recalled Jesus’ prayer for unity in John 17.

Following this discussion I wondered how long it would be before the cities in which we lived saw a visible expression of Christ’s love through His body in each place. Today I think back to what Charles Colson (the founder of Prison Fellowship) said:

‘Non-christians aren’t looking so much at our tracts and rallies and telecasts and books as they are looking at us and how we behave. When they fail to see the unity of Jesus’ followers – the church – they fail to see the validation that Christ is indeed the son of the living God.’

That conversation with our then neighbour took place twenty years ago. What would people around me see now if I were to have a similar discussion with them? Has there been any change? From my perspective – “yes, change is taking place”. I thank God that in a number of places, in a variety of ways, churches are working together to help meet the physical and spiritual needs of the wider community.

I need to only look to at some cities and towns in NZ to see that change is occurring. Here are a few examples:

  • In one city 50 churches joined together for one week to bless their city through acts of kindness under the banner of ‘Servolution’.
  • In another churches combined to launch a ‘Neighbourhood Project’. Christians across the city were encouraged to share post earthquake stories and offer support to their neighbours. All with a piece of cake!
  • In another Christians combined for a day to ‘Bless the City’.
  • In another ten churches combined to offer a series of messages entitled ‘Ten Proven Ways to Live life Well’.

The list goes on. The rivalry and competition that my neighbour saw are being replaced with camaraderie and cooperation. All signs that God is at work causing His Church, as The Message puts it in Matthew 5:14 ‘…to be the light, bringing out the God-colors in the world’.

Until next time. God Bless.

Colin

Why City by City?

/ colinmshaw / 5 Comments

For many years the sense of being called to a city was not part of my rationale. As a pastor, I had only a vague comprehension of any accountability beyond that of caring for my congregation. Like many others, this was the paradigm I had been taught and mentored in. Around 1990 I began to see things a little differently. There came the realisation that I had been first called to a city and then to pastor a congregation in that city or town. I began to see that I was called not just to pastor a congregation but to also join with other pastors in that locality and seek the welfare of the wider community. God wanted me to identify with His heart for the city. I thank God for enabling me to understand this and those who helped me in this process.

When Jesus commissioned the eleven disciples He charged them with discipling nations. For these disciples and those who who eventually joined them, notably Paul, their target then became cities. Changed cities (and towns) change nations. The book of Acts, like the book of Joshua, is a city by city story. With the Holy Spirit’s guidance and empowerment cities became the key to reaching nations.

Despite persecution the early church continued to be light and salt to the nations. According to Prof. Rodney Stark in his book The Rise of Christianity, the gospel had brought radical change to the 30 major cities of the Roman Empire, prior to Constantine’s reign.

Today the ‘city’ message is being heard around the world. There are an increasing number of books, websites and conferences all with a Christ-centred city focus. For example, in October 2014 a gathering with a citywide – church transformation focus was held in New York under the banner of Movement Day. 300 cities from the U.S. and around the world were represented. Every city or town is loved and cared for by God.

It is a joy to interact with leaders and others who are identifying with God’s heart for their city or town. To all the many of you who are now joining with others to pray, to be light and salt in your city or town – ‘go for it!’ Despite the many challenges ahead, the best is yet to come, all by Jesus, for whom and through whom are all things.

Until next time.

God Bless,
Colin

An Introduction

/ colinmshaw / 1 Comment

Welcome to the first CitybyCity blog. My name is Colin Shaw and here is the first of what I hope will be words of encouragement to all those who are looking to God for an increase in unity, prayer, His manifest presence and transformation,  in towns, cities and the nation. That will be the focus of this blog site. Here is a brief word about Grace and myself.

Family wise we have four children and nine grandchildren. Most of our forty years of ministry has taken place overseas in Thailand, Philippines, Canada and Australia. Now we are back in the land of our birth. Being back in NZ after so many years abroad was not something we envisioned up to four years ago. Then in the midst of an amazing set of circumstances we had a clear word to relocate and did so three years ago. Prior to this though I, and Grace at times, had been in and out of NZ for several years sharing on unity and prayer, facilitating pastors prayer-summits and roundtable gatherings for leaders.

Obviously the land of one’s birth holds a special place in one’s heart. Along with this goes a vision I received 45+ years ago – of a heavenly fire sweeping across NZ. This has remained vivid over the years. To be back in NZ having some part to play in preparing the way for this fire and the fulfilment of God’s great plans for our nation is a great privilege.

Since being back in NZ we have, among other things, served as interim pastors for three months, facilitated leaders prayer summits, been invited to locate in three cities (about three weeks in each) in order to encourage and connect pastors. In 2014 being the bi-centennial year we located in Auckland in order to support, as much as were able, Glyn Carpenter and the work of New Zealand Christian Network. We honour Glyn and NZCN in its unique role, connecting and resourcing the Body of Christ in Aotearoa. Now with my picking up the reins for CitybyCity – we would appreciate your prayers.

There is so much to say but that’s for another day. I intend to keep these blogs short and to the point. I have just returned from a quick catch up with leaders in TeAwamutu, Tauranga, Gisborne, Napier and Taupo. A highlight was attending the ‘Blessing the City’ day in Te Awamutu. The story is now in the CitybyCity EBook. If you click ABOUT at the top of this blog you will find the link. Its well worth a look.

A final word:
In John 13 -17, it’s hard to escape the emphasis that Jesus placed on togetherness. Jesus made it clear that, ‘by this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another’. His prayer in the garden is centred in a passionate cry, ‘Father make them one even as we are one’. Over in the book of Acts the emphasis continues. The early church was careful to be ‘of one accord’.

Is this emphasis continuing today? What does God require of His people in order to bring a Psalm 133 blessing on our towns and cities?

I thought that Seth Fawcet’s comment regarding the Great Commandment in a recent email was very relevant and well worth sharing here:

“One of the ways we as local leaders and groups of leaders can be involved in extending the Kingdom is placing a priority on this commandment. In particular ‘loving our neighbour as ourselves’. This means that our neighbouring churches and congregations of believers will have a major place in our individual and congregational planning and commitments.”

Until next time. God Bless.
Colin