On the Banksy Exhibition

So finally I went to the Banksy exhibition yesterday in Bristol. I have to say I love the guy, I have a book of the stuff he's done in Bristol and its just all so good. I love his sense of humour, his playful anti-establishment messages and comments on everything from poverty to socialism. However, when you read interviews with him he doesn't seem to want people to take him too seriously. This seems ironic when his subject matter is deliberately controversial.

The polemics continue in my mind after attending the exhibition. Set in the beautiful but somewhat classical Bristol Museum just yards from my own department Banksy has overtaken the entire bottom floor and evidence of his tinkering are over all 3 floors.  But what of the location? As pointed out to me by my friend Leigh who recently completed his Masters thesis on Bristol street art and hung out with people such as the PRSC it is ironic that the work is set in Clifton when it was born in Stokes Croft/Easton. There are obvious ironies (that word again) in having it in Bristol's 'prestigious' museum but why not fill an empty warehouse in Stokes Croft and allow the pulling power of Banksy to attract tourists in and no doubt help the local economy. Perhaps because Banksy is indeed a divisive character amongst street artists in the very area he learnt his trade. There is an argument that he has sold out and commercialised himself - weakly defended by citing his anonymity - whereas there is an equally strong argument to say that due to his worldwide success the other artists in the area have had their work profiled much higher than would otherwise be expected.

So the location - an ironic playful anti-establishment poke in the eyes to the council? A chance to further promote himself and develop his commercial product? A gift to the people of Bristol? The safe option? Probably all of these.

But what of the work. Well, of course its simply brilliant. From swimming fish fingers to phallic stalagmites to the more poignant comments on child poverty and British politics it is an enjoyable experience from start to finish.

However, what caught my eye was his graffiti tag in pink (not stencil) put in a cage against a grey background - probably for most one of the more forgettable pieces. Oh to understand how this is to be interpreted! Is it a comment on being caged in? Or being put on show? Or both? Is it a metaphor for the very exhibition? Or is it just a bit of fun?

My advice, go and go again! Its free and runs till August. I'll be back...

On "The Master Plan of Evangelism" - a book that has changed my life.

Its too easy to say that something 'changes your life', but this book really has. Fairly old school and written by Robert Coleman I have been blown away this year as I have studied it. The Master Plan of Evangelism was first published in 1963 but rings more true today than anything else I have read. 

I started to study it with Ben Evans from Agape and looked to incorporate its teachings into my own life. At the crux of it is the fact that Jesus when on this Earth choose to impact 12 normal people and entrust them the world rather than spending his time with the crowds. The book encourages us to do the same and reproduce Him in one or two people. As I have met up with two guys every week this year and been part of their journeys I am blown away by the effect this methodology has.

My advice... read it and let it change the way you do discipleship and evangelism. Here is a few words from it to inspire you...

Here finally is where we must all evaluate the contribution that our life and witness is making to the supreme purpose of him who is the Saviour of the world. Are those who have followed us to Christ now leading others to him and teaching them to make disciples like ourselves? Note, it is not enough to rescue the perishing, though this is imperative; nor is it sufficient to build up newborn babes in the faith of Christ, although this, too, is necessary if the firstfruit is to endure; in fact, it is not sufficient just to get them out winning souls, as commendable as this work may be. What really counts in the ultimate perpetuation of our work is the faithfulness with which our converts go and make leaders out of their converts, not simply more followers. Surely we want to win our generation for Christ, and to do it now, but this is not enough. Our work is never finished until it has assured its continuation in the lives of those redeemed by the Evangel.

...

This is the new evangelism we need. It is not better methods, but better men and women who know their Redeemer from personal experience - men and women who see his vision and feel his passion for the world - men and women who are willing to be nothing so that he might be everything - men and women who want only for Christ to produce his life in and through them according to his own good pleasure. This finally is the way the Master planned for his objective to be realised on the earth, and when it is carried through by his strategy, the gates of hell cannot prevail against the evangelisation of the world.

On Newcastle going down.

So in the end my beloved Sheffield Wednesday will be playing the mighty Toon next year after a long long season. To be completely honest I am more disappointed to see West Brom and Middlesbrough drop out of the Premier League than the famous Newcastle United. 

This is principally because I am fed up of the attitudes of 'big team fans' who think they have a divine right to stay in the top flight. Personally I do hope they bounce straight back because a city the size of Newcastle deserves a Premier League team although there are plenty of big cities - notably Leeds, Sheffield and Bristol - that are not represented. However, unless they sort out their finances (and if they fail to come back up straight away) then the words Leeds United, Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest will be ringing in their ears.

However, I am also pleased Newcastle will be joining us in the Championship because it will continue to raise the profile of perhaps one of the most exciting leagues in the world. More people come to watch it than Serie A, and Hillsborough (currently the largest stadium in the league) will be absolutely dwarfed by the 50+ thousand St. James' Park. I hope that this does not play into oppositions hands who may treat it like a day out at Wembley. When we were promoted in 04/05 are away form was better than our home because teams such as Torquay(!) would raise their game in front of such a large crowd.

One final thought: my beloved team has won 4 top flight league championships - the same as The Mighty Toon. Stick that 'big boys'.

P.S. Come on Burnley today! Let us have the pleasure of taking another 6 points from the Blades next year!

Worship overflow

Spent this morning watching a Carl Medearis video and a bit of some of favourite Hillsong YouTube clips. Having now happily settling into the British charismatic church for a few years I wonder does our exuberant worship overflow onto the streets? Does it make us love our enemies and change this broken world as suggested by Carl? Sometimes I look at my own life and doubt it. But then looking at my own church and recent initiatives with running the 10k, a single parents fair and the ever popular Noise projects I think there is hope! Hope for my church to let our worship change us, but as an individual...? What does that look like?