Digging a well

A few years back (it seams very strange to write a few years ago but it has actually been that long) I was involved with a group called "The Well" In Sutton. [I know it sounds very much like one of these hipster christian groups (and maybe it was a bit) but please forgive that.]

I left almost 2 years ago to start teaching English in a foreign country and hopefully continue in the apostolic vibe of the group. Perhaps either setting up a "Well", finding a similar group, or something else.

It was great to see that Nat Gillet put up this picture about the values of the Well and it made me reflect on my time here in Dnipropetrovsk

I was thinking that it is such a shame that I haven't found a group like the well or set one up. But it's not actually true.

I have been translated and told my testimony at events, I have been with groups of people and told my testimony, I have gone to orphanages with other people and played guitar and played with the kids, I've hosted regular meals with people and had unexpected guests stay over, I've prayed: in churches, in my flat, with people and on my own, for God's kingdom in my school and in Dnipropetrovsk. 

I am part of a community of Christians who want to see God's kingdom come. It may not have an official name, website, meeting or even notice sheet (the way you signify that it is an official Christian group of course) but it is a community and it is a well. 

I don't want this to appear as though it is a "look at how great I am." I certainly could have done much more in every area of this chart, but rather just that if we do view the church as the people and not the building then I have been part of a well and not even realised it. 

Project Gutenberg

Yesterday I remembered the Values of the Christian community I was, and to some degree still am, involved with in Sutton called The Well.

One of these is Teachability and as such I thought I'd link to a great resources for learning. Project Gutenberg.

The idea of Project Gutenberg is to provide e-book copies of books who's copy write has expired and as such are now legal to be distributed by anyone.

There are many secular books and also some spiritual ones and as such is a great resource for holistic learning. I would certainly recommend checking it out and considering downloading a book to read.

Personally it is a bit of a shame not to have a paper copy of a book and sometimes staring at a screen for a long time can start to strain my eyes but still having the option to read these books that I wouldn't normally makes it worth it.

A few Christian blog post I have been enjoying

Two of my friends have written some quite thought provoking post on the church, people in the church and [as much as it pains me to use the term] post modernism Christianity. [it should be noted that we were all involved with the well Christian community in Sutton over the last few year and hence our connection to each other.]

The first is from Andrew Brims, he is a Christian who currently lives in Malaga Spain . I have been referring to him as a missionary out there how I was recently reminded that actually every Christian is in fact actually a missionary in their own location. As such although this title is correct so is simply Christian.
His Post is on the modern church service format, it's intended outcomes and unintended outcomes (the good and bad). He then looks at what might possibly the alternative.

The second is by Nat Gillet where he has started about three real people (with different aliases) who will probably never go to church and may well never meet Jesus. It's an interesting read as there are many people i've met during the course of my life who have and probably will never go to church or be part of a Christian community. At the same time there have been moments when I've been truly amazed at the people who have been welcomed in by churches and become truly integrated there.

anyway I recommended them to the house.