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I just love Christmas.

I love the food.

I love the presents.

I love the films.

I love the fun.

I love spending time with my family.
Family…

This got me thinking.

I was born into a family 23 years ago and no matter what has happened, is happening, or will ever happen, I will always be a member of that family.

Each year at Christmas I get to spend more time with my family than at any other time in the year. Having moved away from my family home in 2004 to study at University, I have spent over 5 years away from that family home and return only a few times each year.

Christmas is the one time during the whole year when you can pretty much guarantee that my family will gather together under one roof. In one house.

In one home.

Then I got thinking about ‘home.’

What is ‘home?’

Where is ‘home?’

Is home a particular place or a singular building? Is it a particular group of people? Is it something to do with the atmosphere in a particular environment? Is it dependent upon certain things? Can it change or move?

Perhaps its a feeling?

I’ve heard it said that, ‘home is where the heart is.’

Is your idea of ‘home’ more to do with a particular feeling and less to do with circumstances or location?

These questions were all running through my mind as I travelled on Christmas Eve, accompanied by the song, “Driving Home for Christmas.”

The question that then surfaced in my mind went along the lines of,

“Am I really going home or am I leaving home?”

I had just left Bethel City Church Main Campus following an amazing night at our Christmas Eve Gathering and I was fully aware that I would be missing both of our Christmas Day gatherings at Main Campus and Campus:Cheadle to spend Christmas with my family.

I have lived and loved Stoke on Trent for over 5 years now and have well and truly moved away from my home town and yet it was there that I was travelling.

So there I was, in a car, thinking about going ‘home’ when all along it would’ve perhaps been more accurate to refer to it as leaving ‘home.’

It became clear to me that Home is more than a particular building or location.

Home is more than a particular set of people.

Home is more than a particular period of time or season.

Home is more than a feeling or emotion that one can feel.

Home is all of these and more.

Home is not restricted to one location or building. Home isn’t even dependent upon a particular set of people – perhaps our own family – all being there under one roof. On top of that, home is not as simple as ‘feeling at home’ or ‘making yourself at home.’

My musings led me to Psalm 84,

v2 – ‘I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord.With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God.’

v4 – ‘What joy for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises.’

v10 - ‘A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else!I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.’  

Jesus loved spending time in the Temple; the House of God.

There’s a story in Luke about Jesus as a twelve year old boy. He was iin Jerusalem celebrating the Passover Festival with his family. When the celebration finished, Jesus’ parents returned home to Nazareth accidentally forgetting to bring their twelve year old Son!

They found him in the Temple ‘sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions.’ (Luke 2:46)

Jesus loved the house of God.

His home was right there with God.

This resonates with me.

I have never felt so at home than in the House of God; than in the Church.

I have never felt so alive; so fulfilled; so loved; so inspired; so energised; so encouraged or so welcome than in the Church of Jesus Christ.

I would rather be nowhere else in the whole world than in the House of God.

Bethel City Church is the kind of church where you are made to feel most welcome, loved, inspired and made to feel so at home.

I would much rather be in God’s House than anywhere else.

There is no place that I would rather be than in Bethel City Church.

Right at home.

Right where I belong.

The same could be true for you.

Make yourself at home here at BCC.

The BIG One

I love rollercoasters.

I love the thrill.

I love the excitement.

I love the fear.

I love the height!

For me, the bigger the better! Like that one in Blackpool…

The Big One.

More commonly known as the Pepsi MAX. Or Oblivion or Nemesis at Alton Towers.

I don’t really like small rollercoasters; they don’t really do it for me.

I’m the same when it comes to Church.

I don’t think Church was ever designed to be small.

It certainly was not designed to be insignificant, ineffective and one of the best kept secrets.

Here at BCC, we keep returning to the Message translation of Matthew 16:18. It describes a church that is so expansive with energy that even the gates of hell will not be able to keep it out.

The guards at the gates of hell tremble in their boots at the thought of Church as it was originally designed to be. As an unstoppable, indestructible force.

The House of God in Solomon’s day was described as nothing short of ‘Magnificent’; ‘famous and glorious throughout the world’ (1 Chron 22:5.)

The First Church in Acts reported that people were ‘added to’ the church every single day and that these were not just in their ones and twos; these were in their thousands!

Thousands of people were added to their church daily.

Isaiah 54:2 says, “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.”

In the Message, Ephesians 1:23 says, “The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.”

There is nothing ‘small’ or ‘insignificant’ about the House described in the above passages.

There is nothing ‘small’ about Bethel City Church.

With a rapid-growing, forward-moving and expansive church like BCC, it is important not to get isolated, lost or left behind.

Church is not a building we go to or a service we attend, rather Church is people. People who share their lives with one another.

You were not designed to live your life on your own.

Members of the first Church shared everything they had. They ate together, prayed together and lived together. They continually met together.

Here at BCC we don’t have ‘small groups.’

The terminology itself implies restrictions.

BCC has City Life Pods.

Every 2nd and 4th week of each month, the living stones of Bethel City Church gather together in homes, pubs and coffee shops all over the city!

Every month, new pods are launched to accommodate the rapid growth taking place at BCC.

City Life Pods are powerful clusters of Bethel City Church DNA, packed full of passionate people, committed to the house and to one another.

Pods gather together to pray; to eat; to study; to discuss; to read; and to ‘do life’ with one another.

They are a phenomenal way to get connected; to become part of the family; to build relationships; and to get the very best out of BCC and for BCC to get the very best out of you.

This week marks the return of student City Life Pods. Student pods take place right on your doorstep; inside your very own Students’ Union. They are purposely designed for you! You have our full, undivided attention because we actually WANT to get to know you!

I believe student pods are incredibly important. You were not designed to merely ‘attend’ church but to actually ‘be’ the church. Being part of a pod will cause you to make that transition.

A BIG church is not defined by the number of people attending its Sunday services.

A BIG church is defined by the number of people committed to the cause; who carry culture and DNA; and who follow leadership. A BIG church is made up of BIG people who do life with other BIG people, causing each other to become BIGGER.

That’s what City Life Pods are all about.
____________________________________

Diary Dates;

Staffs City Life Pod:
- Mon 25th Oct; Mon 8th Nov; Mon 22nd Nov; Mon 7th Dec.

Keele City Life Pod:
- Tues 26th Oct; Tues 9th Nov; Tues 23rd Nov; Mon 8th Oct.

Get Connected

I recently bought myself a Blackberry.

I think it’s just great! I’ve suddenly become so much more connected. My emails are sent directly to my phone; I can update my Twitter; check my Facebook; watch a YouTube video; surf the web and even make phonecalls! I can now do this anytime; anywhere!

It’s currently 3:15am and I’m in the back of a friend’s car. We’re outside Bethel City Church’s Meir Campus: Neos520. It’s our turn to watch the building overnight so that the building can remain secure.

In addition, I’ve just downloaded the latest WordPress App for my BlackBerry. I can now blog anytime; anywhere!

I’ve been reflecting on church and my heart for the house. I’m constantly reminded of my love for BCC.

Last week I flew out to Amsterdam for a conference. I was looking forward to Tweeting along the way. I wanted to share my experience with those back at home; those back at BCC. However, to my disappointment I discovered that my Blackberry did not work abroad. No Twitter; no emails; no SMS; no phonecalls!

Nothing

I had been disconnected from my world and I didn’t like it!

There is a longing deep within each of us to belong; to be part of something; to stay connected!

Something built deep within our DNA is a desire to belong. We were not designed to live in isolation. We were designed to live life shoulder-to-shoulder with other people.

Maybe that’s why we place so much importance on family and friends.

I moved to Stoke on Trent just over five years ago to study at Keele University. I left my mum and dad and my family and friends back at home.

A few weeks ago I returned home for a family celebration attended by my whole family. I observed a number of things…

Firstly, thing’s change! Cousins grow up; Grandparents forget your name; people get married; others leave home or go to university.

Secondly, perhaps the most significant change is ME! I have matured; I see things differently; I behave differently; and perhaps maybe I am a different person!

Thirdly, despite the changes, one thing remains; no matter what, I’m still part of the family!

Acts 2:5-6 says that, “All the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity.”

As a part of BCC, I’m beginning to understand what it was like to be part of the very first church.

They were ONE in heart and mind and they gave everything to the church. THEY were the church!

Church to them was never a particular building or service or restricted to a particular day of the week. They were the church!

The body

“This is the rock on which I will build my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.” (Matt. 16:18.)

I want to be part of that.

I want to give everything to something.

I want to be part of church that is so expansive with energy; a church that is an unstoppable force.

Here at BCC, we are one big family. We are expanding at a phenomenal rate and yet the house is getting stronger, more unified and knitted tightly together.

BCC is the kind of church that demands everything. It is certainly not for the faint-hearted or the uncommitted. Inevitably BCC demands your whole life; a sacrifice so that others may live.

BCC is not a church for an attendee. It cannot be watched from a distance. It requires commitment and it demands your heart.

You too could spend a night at Neos520; you too could spend hours at When… or working tirelessly for lovestoke.org; you too could get actively involved on a ministry team at BCC.

No longer do you just COME to church on a sunday or GO to a church building every week.

You ARE the church

It’s time that you got connected.

It’s time to make the transition from ‘guest’ or attendee to a fully committed member of the family; connected to the body and committed to the cause.

Bethel City Church needs you to be all you can be.

BCC needs you to BE the church!

www.bethelcitychurch.com

Welcome!

Here at Bethel City Church we just love our students. We think they are quite probably the best students in the whole wide world!

We absolutely love our city and are proud to say that it is home to two phenomenal Universities; Keele and Staffs. These University campuses are hugely significant for the city of Stoke on Trent and are key to the future economic success of this city.

Thousands of students from all over the globe invade our city every September to begin studying at Keele and Staffs. We want them all to know that Bethel City Church is here. We want them to know that there is a church out there that cares; a church that wants them to succeed; a church that believes in them, and a church that wants to get to know them.

You may have seen the flyers; the website; the Facebook; the Twitter; the adverts or the BCC stall at Freshers Fair. In addition – new for this year – we have our very own BCC Society set up on your campus. This is a phenomenal opportunity for you to make a significant difference on your campus. Watch this space.

If you are new to the area, we welcome you to the city of Stoke on Trent. If you are new to church, we welcome you to Bethel City Church. Please make yourself at home.

Put your feet up.

We are building a church that loves people for who they are and inspires them to be all they can be. Everything that we do here centers around that vision.

Please feel free to come as you are.

Be yourself.

Be you.

We’ll do whatever it takes to ensure that you get the very best out of your time at uni and that you settle into life as a student as quickly and easily as possible. Based on our many years of student experience, we recognise that the key to unlocking the very best in you during your studies is for you to be firmly planted in a great church, surrounded by great people. There are so many ways to get connected.

We have a team of dedicated Pastors, who are absolutely committed to ensuring that you are inspired to become all that you can be. With years of student experience themselves, our Student Pastors will help you excel in your studies, make lasting and healthy relationships, and cause your world to become bigger. Ask them nicely and they’ll even take you to the supermarket for the first time, invite you round for food, or give you a guided tour of the city.

We recognise that you are not here by any mistake or accident. It is no coincidence that you have arrived in this city at this time; during this phenomenal season that we are in as a Church. Whether Stoke was always your first choice or you came through clearing, you have most definitely been placed here for a purpose; to bring about change in your world.

Our Sunday morning City Gatherings are full to the brim of colourful and vibrant students, each possessing a heart for church, for God and for their campus and city. The City Gatherings start at 10:30am every Sunday at our Main Campus. We even run a return bus service from Keele Students’ Union (9:30am), Newcastle Bus Station (9:45am) and the Ashley Building car park on Leek Road (10:00am.) Tickets can be purchased from the BCC reception.

City Students is the phenomenal student ministry here at BCC, providing you with unique pastoral support, tailored specifically to you.

Besides loving and supporting you, we’ll champion, challenge and stretch you beyond your comfort zone and cause you to rise up and be all that God has designed you to be.

In addition we have an action-packed programme of events which will not only help you settle quickly during this new stage in your life but will develop you, sharpen your skills and gifts, and challenge you to reach out to the campus on which you live and study.

Get connected into Bethel City Church and get ready for the ride of your life! We hope that you’ll throw yourself fully into all things BCC and become part of the family. This church will cause you to become bigger and will catapult you into your future. We love our church and we hope that you will too!

For more information email our Student Pastor Ben@bethelcitychurch.com.

You can also follow @City_Students on Twitter or join the City Students Facebook group.

Resonate 09

Wednesday 29th – Friday 31st July 2009

We’re in for the hottest summer in history here in Stoke on Trent. There’s no need to check the weather forecast for this one because the sun is sure to be shining down on this awesome city. It’s time to apply that sun block, dig out those sunglasses and flip flops, and roll up those sleeves once again for what is set to be the biggest three day hug the city of Stoke on Trent has ever had.

Building upon the success that was Resonate08, Resonate09 will be working in partnership with other churches in the city and of course with our very own www.lovestoke.org, to host what is tipped to be the biggest event of the whole summer.

With the support of local media, City Council and local residents, the sound of Resonate09 will resonate right across the City as hundreds of passionate people join together and work tirelessly to make a difference and bring about change to the lives of the people in Stoke on Trent.

There will be numerous projects running over the course of this three day event in locations all over the city, each intentionally designed to make a loud and proud statement that we love this city. More than that, Resonate09 will not only say something to this city but will pro-actively demonstrate just how much we care, just how much the church cares, and just how much God cares for this city.

The schedule will be packed with great opportunities to get your hands dirty and do something positive. One thing’s for sure, the work will be long and hard yet incredibly rewarding and hilariously fun.

On the Friday night, we’re in for a special summer treat as City Nights will be hosting a phenomenal event with an awesome line-up. We’ll gather together to celebrate our God and rejoice in the sure success of Resonate09, whilst looking ahead to 2010.

If this event resonates with you, then please complete the attached application form and get ready to give this city the biggest hug it has ever had.

This is a great opportunity for students to get involved not only in the house, but also within the city.  Please consider your involvement.

Ben@bethelcitychurch.com

Week Beginning Monday 18th May

Monday 18th May

 CLP Staffs (pod)

6:45pm, Second floor, Students’ Union (above the Ember Lounge)

Watch an inspiring DVD, engage in some in-depth discussion and finish with a refreshing beverage and some quality time with some quality people.

Wednesday 20th May

David Shearman

7:30pm, BCC

A phenomenal opportunity for those on BCC ministry teams and those interested in leadership development. David Shearman is the author of ‘Born to Win’ and ‘the Unstoppable Church.’ He’s also a excellent communicator and a leader of the highest calibre. This will be one of those evenings that will change your life. He is that good.

Friday 22nd May

MAN ALIVE!

9pm – midnight, BCC

PLC: Prayer, Laughs and Curry

Saturday 23rd May

www.lovestoke.org

Time & Venue TBC

Roll up your sleeves for this month’s www.lovestoke.org project.

Sunday 24th May

City Gathering 10:30am, BCC

Keele, 9:30am, Students’ Union car park; Newcastle-Under-Lyme Bus Station, 9:45am; Staffs, 10am, Leek Road, Ashley Building car park.

£1 return ticket.

Student Lunch

1:30pm, Details to follow…

Student Lunch this Sunday…

Monday 11th May

CLP Keele & Staffs (city)

7pm, The ‘When…’ Distribution Centre

[Ogden Road, Joiners Square, Hanley]

An awesome opportunity for you to be generous with your time by sorting and packing goods to be distributed to those in need. In a joint CLP Staffs and CLP Keele venture, let’s seek to bless this awesome ministry with as much man power as physically possible.

Tuesday 12th May

Prayer and Fasting

BCC Main Campus open 6 – 8am | 12 – 2pm | 6 – 8pm for prayer.

www.ei168.com

Wednesday 13th May

Prayer and Fasting

BCC Main Campus open 6 – 8am | 12 – 2pm | 6 – 8pm for prayer.

www.ei168.com

Thursday 14th May

Accelerate

7:3opm, BCC

Today AND everyday!

www.ei168.com

Register NOW, join this phenomenal online prayer revolution and become a new breed of prayer warrior.

Sign up online for hourly prayer slots, log on and post your prayers on the ei168 message board.

021 She

Nooma Rob Bell 021 She

Question

What images do you conjure up when you think of a mother?

Do these images help with your understanding and perception of God?

Read

“Who is the mother of the ice? Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens?” (Job 38:29 NLT)

Question

Do you think of God as male or female? Why do you think of God in that way?

Read

“So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27 NLT)

Genesis 2:18-23

Question

How does your view of women affect your view of God?

How does your view of God affect your view of women?

Read

“In Christ’s family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ…” (Galatians 3:28.)

Think

In the past, have we confused equality with difference?

Have you ever viewed women as somehow less than men?

Read

“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.” (Isaiah 66:13.)

Question

When difficult times come, do you trust God to comfort you?

Have you ever considered God to be like a mother?

Quote

“When you see a mother doing her mother thing, when a mother’s heart breaks for her children, she is tapping into the very nature of who God is and what God is like and that is  a gift. That is grace, that is divine.” (Rob Bell.)

Think

“Her pain for your life.”

Do you see any similarities between the pain and suffering that a mother goes through in order to give birth to a new life, with the pain and suffering endured by God so that we could have life in all its fullness?

Just something to think about.

Pray

“May you embrace the God who’s bigger than any of our language. May you celebrate all of the images and pictures and metaphors that help us better understand who God is and what God is like. And may you be comforted as a mother comforts a child.” (Rob Bell)

www.ei168.com

Some things to look forward to…

Today AND everyday!

www.ei168.com

Register NOW, join this phenomenal online prayer revolution and become a new breed of prayer warrior.

Sign up online for hourly prayer slots, log on and post your prayers on the ei168 message board.

Sunday 3rd May

City Gathering 10:30am, BCC

Keele, 9:30am, Students’ Union car park; Newcastle-Under-Lyme Bus Station, 9:45am; Staffs, 10am, Leek Road, Ashley Building car park.

£1 return ticket.

Monday 4th May

CLP Keele

7pm, Shoby’s place (directions to follow)

 Enjoy Shoby’s hospitality and some tasty food for this City Life Pod special. Sit back, watch an inspiring DVD and get ready for some quality discussion.

Tuesday 5th May

MAN ALIVE!

7:30pm, Bengal Indian Restaurant, Trentham, ST4 4RF.
For the blokes! Bring a friend or two for a curry with the men of the Church.

Email Ben@bethelcitychurch.com to book your place.

Thursday 7th May

City Nights presents BLUETREE

7:30pm, BCC, Tickets £5

The band, made famous by their song ‘God of this City’ will be playing at Bethel City Church on Thursday 7th May, fresh off their tour of America.

Email Ben@bethelcitychurch.com to book your tickets.

Saturday 9th May

Carboot Sale

9am, BCC

Bring all of your unwanted items and raise some funds for City Students.

Sunday 10th May

City Gathering Bring a Friend!

10:30am, BCC

Keele, 9:30am, Students’ Union car park; Newcastle-Under-Lyme Bus Station, 9:45am; Staffs, 10am, Leek Road, Ashley Building car park.

£1 return ticket.

Student Lunch: Bring and share

1:30pm, Lindsay Social Space, Keele University

Following this morning’s City Gathering we’ll head over to Lindsay Hall, Keele,  for a bring and share lunch hosted by Vanessa. This will also be your chance to meet the NEW student team.