London Journal #5

Another great day (even though it was a rainy and overcast day)! This morning I completed first, the lectures on theology vs. mission. Using my book Complete Evangelism: The Luke-Acts Model (http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Evangelism-Luke-Acts-Pedrito-Maynard-Reid/dp/0836190459), I highlighted what a wholistic biblical model of missions should look like – it should have equally a strong component of social concern and justice, as well as the traditional personal component. I was amazed how it was well received by all, including the President of the SDA Church in Great Britain (Union President). Incidentally he was my student many decades ago in Jamaica, and was a bass in my special choir. For the next session I spoke more about worship. First, I argued that there are only 4 constants, universally and always biblical unchangebles in worship: gathering together to experience the numinous in relationship with one another; the presentation of the Word; prayer; and the celebration of what God has done and the sacraments. I then went on to illustrate, using Caribbean and African American worship, how our African cultural roots has influenced the mechanics of our worship; and/or how we have suppressed those roots in favor of more western norms. In the afternoon the President of the Conference and me fielded questions. Many of the questions and comments related to my presentations, but there were a number of questions regarding offshoot movements here.

Tonight I was back at Stoke for their evening meeting with Pastor Dyson from the States preaching.. This time I had only 15 minutes to talk about worship. I focused on Psa. 150. But as I did at the other meeting, I pointed out that the emphasis in on “praising the Lord” and not on the instruments. But any instrument can praise the Lord, and any instrument can be profane. The two little brothers at the piano and drums did a great job. The pianist has only done 2 years of formal training.

After the meeting we headed for the Jamaican restaurant and got some dinner, but also bought some hard dough bread and tamarind balls. Pastor Brooks earlier bought 2 spice buns to send for Vie! Now it is after midnight, and I’m waiting for my stomach to settle. The wait and the bottle of ginger beer that I’m nursing are doing the trick!