Making the Message of Mark Matter

This post by Steve and Ruth Lancaster was originally published at Life in the Lancs Lane

The Monduli conference – the heart of
Masai land

We’re now midway through our conference season and preparing for our fourth event, this time in the wilds of Magambua (23^rd-25^th Sept), a 3 hour drive from the nearest tarred road. So far the IBM events have gone really well, with 90 pastors (and wives) in attendance. During the 3 day course we journey together through the gospel of Mark, although with only ten teaching sessions we’re only scraping the surface of some of the major events. Here’s the breakdown, with a few added comments:

1: Intro to Mark. A man who was possibly a failed missionary but was given a second chance by Barnabas, and who later became very useful to both Paul and Peter.

2: The Parable of the Sower. A session that promotes more discussion than any other, quite possibly because many of our pastors are also subsistence farmers!?

3: Jesus calming the storm. A key lesson for me this term, as I keep trying to apply the truth that Jesus is in the boat with me as I face the waves.

4: The feeding of the 5000. Jesus doesn’t actually need the five loaves and two fish to do his work, but he chooses to use the small amount the little boy can offer to feed thousands!

5. Peter’s confession of Christ. If Jesus really is who he says he is, then we must deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow him.

6: The donkey-riding King! King of the Universe – yet he comes in humility and gentleness.

7: The authority of Jesus and the rumble in the temple! What do we need to remove from the courtyards of our lives in order to give room for more reverence and worship to God?

8: Anointing the anointed. The deep devotion of one woman who was prepared to give something of immense worth to Christ.

9: The power of the cross. Jesus (who didn’t deserve to die) was crucified, whilst Barabbas (who deserved to die) was freed. Our middle name is Barabbas!

10: He has risen! Some of the most important words ever uttered by an angel!

Steve’s just relieved he didn’t get
the jacket!

At the three conferences so far, the day that stands out from the rest is the third day of teaching. From a teaching/preaching perspective it has felt as though there has been an extra ‘uummpphhh’ to sessions 9 and 10. Swahili utterance has felt more fluid and there’s been a real feeling of the message hitting home. The singing that follows these sessions has borne testimony to the fact that hearts and minds have been challenged and blessed, as we’ve considered the awesome power of the cross and the empty tomb. It’s our hope that the teaching the pastors receive will enable and inspire them personally, but that they might also be mobilised to pass on what they’ve learned to their congregations.

The Long Goodbye! At each conference so far the closing minutes have involved a farewell presentation to us from the pastors and their wives, even though we haven’t shouted from the rooftops about our departure home to the UK! I’d rather pop out the back door once the conference has finished! A lengthy speech is normally followed by a procession of swaying gift-givers who parade to the front and wrap us up with tribal blankets! At the Monduli event we were robed in Masai gear, followed up by the longest of photo-calls!

At the Monduli seminar – clearly the couple on the
right didn’t get the joke!

At the Pwani event, in an attempt to get us to rethink our exit strategy, pastor Reuben quoted from Acts 18:20 where the Ephesians pleaded with Paul to stay: “They asked him to spend more time with them”. I politely quoted the end of the verse which says, “but he declined”! Such farewells are indeed a blessing and enable us to realise that the work God has given us to do has not been in vain. Such farewells also help us to finish well and give us the platform to say good goodbyes! It also gives me the opportunity, in my closing speech, to lift up my Enabler in all of this. 1 Peter 4:11 says “whoever preaches must preach God’s messages; whoever serves must serve with the strength God gives, so that in all things praise may be given to God through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs glory and power for ever.” In a season which has seen a few struggles, I am so aware that it is He who has given us the strength to do our work here, and therefore the glory belongs to Him.