Barnabas E-News June 2008

Midsummer already? It hardly seems possible. And June is also Barnabas month - in that St Barnabas' Day falls on the 11th. Barnabas was not only the great encourager, of course, but also, from the account of his welcome of Paul into the fellowship, someone who was prepared to take a risk as well as listen carefully to another's story.

Feature article

We think he is well chosen to represent our shared work with children as we listen to children and not just talk at them, and indeed in the way we, too, are concerned to explore creative ways to reach out to new children and families who haven't yet heard the story of Jesus. This month's feature article is also about reaching out. It's on prayer and is linked with the Hope 2008 theme of prayer for the community. How can we help our children to reach out in prayer for those who live in our neighbourhood? Martyn shares some thoughts and an idea, which the team itself used recently on one of its away days. Read more - With eyes wide open.

New ideas

There are, as ever, new ideas to inspire you. This month’s series of seven session outlines connects with The Barnabas Children’s Bible and explores the big Bible theme of lost and found. It would make a great series for a summer of all-age services perhaps or a theme for a special club during those months. This series is also connected to a big reflective story on the same theme, which uses jigsaw pieces. Do let us know if you find this approach helpful.

• A Runaway World - Adam and Eve are sent away
• A Runaway Maid - Sarai's maidservant
• A Runaway Hero - Earthquake, fire and whisper
• A Runaway Prophet - Jonah runs away
• A 'Runaway' Child - Lost in Jerusalem
• A Runaway Sheep - The good shepherd
• A Runaway Slave - The runaway slave

Also, have a look at Lost and Found - the big reflective story to accompany this series.

Out and about

The team is out and about in June in: Hexham and Red Row in Northumberland; Southampton, York, Ibstock and Lichfield; Leek and Salisbury; Birmingham Christian College; Southwell, Guilford, Hazelmere, Ely and Wells; Thatcham in Berkshire, Redhill, Abingdon, Wanstead in east London, Bedford, Slough, High Wycombe, Battersea and Chelmsford. Wow, it's a good job the team is growing to cover all this!

Of course, according to many scholars, another feature of Barnabas's ministry was his nurture and concern for young John Mark after the first missionary journey in Acts. Again, he is a great role model for us as we work with the children in our care. Mark, it seems, wasn't an easy customer (remember how annoyed Paul was when he turned back home once they arrived in Turkey) but I wonder whether the fact that Barnabas wasn't prepared to give up on him was one of the reasons why Mark did eventually turn out to be a leader of the church and writer of the Gospel. Hold on to that thought when you are praying about some of the more challenging members of your group, because who knows what God has in store for them in the future!

May the Lord bless you in your work this month.

The Barnabas Team

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