New Life Church Ministries

Can you believe the Winter of 2010/11? It felt like the cold and extreme conditions were never going to come to an end. But here we are in February and the positively balmy temperatures of 10-12 degrees C! The doubter in me tends to believe that Winter will still have more to say before Spring truly gets a grip. February always seems to be an uncertain month, never quite sure what to expect. Life can be like that too. Uncertainty can be,at best, a life long 'next door neighbour.' For some, it has become a 'lodger'. Consider this, though. Even in a potentially bleak and 'time in transition' month like February, in the middle of it, 'Love' is celebrated. Valentine's Day! An opportunity to express love, welcome love and enjoy love. Loving and being loved! If life is harsh and stressful, like an endless Winter, take heart, God's love can still break through and bring warmth and affirming comfort. Here it comes, especially for you, a surprise greeting from heaven itself - 'I Love You - always!'

I wonder how many times you have said these words or had them spoken to you in the last few days. I guess if happiness depended on the amount of good will spoken and shown then it is most certainly guaranteed. We all know, however, that in life , ‘stuff happens’, outside of our control often, usually outside of our expectations. None of us know what the year ahead has in store for us. We are told by politicians, and news headline makers to expect a difficult year. The Unions tell us that our streets will again be filled with outraged protestors. A Happy New Year?  This is when it is good to have a perspective that is not governed by day -to -day happenings. Allow the One who is beyond the restraints of time and circumstances to be the ultimate authority in your life. I see 2011 not as just the beginning of a new year but as the outset of a new decade. If I can trust God for each day, then He is trustworthy for the whole year, the decade beyond and my whole life.

‘May the decade we face be filled with God’s Favour and Grace,’
A Happy New Decade!

'In the bleak mid winter..'  Well, never has the song been more appropriate. The region has been hit with record breaking low temperatures, snow fall, travel and work disruptions - all so bleak!  Sadly, some of the national news has been equally disheartening and shocking. However, it's Christmas! The annual escape festival! Time to be self indulgent even self obsessed. For many though,  the thought of buying the unaffordable to satisfy the cravings of the undeserved is also bleak. For some too, it will be just another day of living out in the cold or trying to ration the increasing fuel cost by skimping on heating. It will be very bleak for many of the vulnerable, elderly and homeless in our society.  Perhaps, this year, we can be an extension of Christmas love, to bring care and friendship to those in need. Keep your eyes and hearts open. It is a time for giving. What can you give? Give yourself!  Make a difference and have a truly happy Christmas.

I'm glad God doesn't take summer holidays. It's that time of year when the sun lotion is optimistically packed along with the special clothes only worn on holiday. At least, that is an abiding childhood memory, being told that I can't wear those sandals because, 'they are for your holiday!' We need holidays. Times to reflect, be refreshed - sit in traffic jams, be delayed at airports! Seriously, it is good to get away, out of the normal routine and get some change of scenery. If you are bracing yourself for the annual holiday romp, remember, God doesn't take a holiday. He is still 'on call' for all who need him. He is great at emergencies. He is also a reliable 'friend' for those who chose to walk closely to Him. Wherever you go this summer, He has promised to watch over you 'even to the ends of the earth', which I guess includes Mablethorpe! I'm glad about that because I am writing this from Singapore, nearly 10,000 miles away from home, though sadly not on holiday!

Forgive the delay in posting this for July. You see, I’m not one of those who is regularly on ‘facebook’, ‘twitter’ and the other networking sites that abound today. Email is about the limit of my internet skills, and that is enough for me. Having said that, some of the things we are living, seeing and experiencing in our church today deserves to be networked far and wide. When every week someone comes with a testimony of healing, leg injuries miraculously cured, blood test results that amaze doctors, long-term pain suddenly going, backs being straightened, this calls for celebration. And, when week after week, people of all ages are finding Jesus Christ to be their saviour and lord and coming to faith in him, the ultimate ‘miracle’, even i might start ‘twittering!’

Trust me, Jesus is alive and active in the world today and even in Sleaford! Come and see for yourself.

Since I last wrote I have been half way around the world to Asia, been to a Leona Lewis concert, got soaked and frozen with thousands of Christians at a music festival in Leicestershire, survived a week with the grandchildren and....well, time flies by, doesn't it? It is half way through the year too, already! The future seems to rush at us at the pace of lightening! That's why it is important to value the moment, to make the most of every opportunity, to savour every breath we take. Life is not a rehearsal. This is the real thing. We should make sure every day is filled with love and kindness, showing care and valuing one another. We cannot change yesterday but we can impact today with good choices. In the midst of the rush of life, find a place of stillness and quietness - 'Be still, and know God...'

Pastor Chris

Isn't the birth of a new baby a wonderful thing! After almost 9 months of confinement, this life bursts into the world, never to be the same again. Sorry to go all paternal on you but our family has just welcomed a baby boy, our first grandson, and we are, as they say, 'over the moon!' I was reminded as I held him for the first time, looking out of the hospital waiting room window, of that emotional 'Del Boy' moment on 'Only Fools and Horses.' Del held his new born son whilst gazing into the moon light and started to express things that can only be spoken and understood by new father's. Well, I became Del Boy! I started speaking about my grandson's future, his potential, the journey that was ahead for him; I promised to be a good granddad, a good example, to love him unconditionally, to be there for him.

There's a 'new birth' available for all of us! One that will release us into the purposes and promises of our heavenly Father. Today, everyone who reads these words can start a 'new life' simply by entrusting your whole life to a Saviour who is able to 'make all things new!' There's nothing more wonderful than the 'birth' of a 'new believer.'

Pastor Chris

Pastor Chris & Lesley Bowater

The beginning of March! The promise of Spring! Creation awakens after the dark & bleak months of winter and prepares to adorn the land in multi-coloured carpets of snow drops, crocuses and daffodils. Something deep inside me too is stirring. It is a profound anticipation of the revealing of the marvelous ways and wonders of God. Easter is in view. ‘Sacrificial love’ will be the theme on our lips. ‘Newness of life’ found only in a risen Saviour is our song! Jesus is Alive! He lives today in a countless throng of forgiven hearts. He lives today as the Church arises, shines and reveals a God in action. Today, Jesus still heals the sick, still restores broken lives and still is able to turn ‘our mourning into dancing!’ Excited? O yes!

Chris Bowater

‘Love is a many splendored thing..’ Isn’t it strange how, in the bleak month of February, shines the day of LURVE….!! It’s Valentine’s Day, the chance for lovers to woo, husbands and wives to rekindle romance and for younger ones to be caught up in the mystery of the secret admirer. That unsigned card…that cryptic message…who could it be? Chocolates, flowers, special candle lit meals. Lets do it! There is enough hurt, pain and tragedy in the world, so even a bit of romantic escapism can’t be bad. But let me blow wide open the greatest love secret of all. God loves you, because, that’s what He does best. My three year old granddaughter is singing all the time at the moment ‘I know Jesus loves me and He loves you too.’ Now there’s a great piece of news for a chill February day. His love is unconditional too! Enjoy!

Chris Bowater

As well as being a church that desires to move forward, anticipating the new and as yet un-revealed wonders and ways of God, we are also prepared to experience a Sovereign Lord who is committed to accomplishing what He has already promised, fulfilling all that He has begun, who honours the love, work and sacrifices of generations past. The God of tomorrow is also the God who revisits yesterday. He revisits broken lives and restores the years that have been wasted. He revisits broken down ‘wells’ and causes a new spring of inspiration and hope to flow out of what has been a place of frustration, defeat or disillusionment. He revisits the sowing of a faithful generation and promises the reaping of an abundant harvest.

‘Spiritual re-awakening’ is our theme for 2010. It is time for spiritual re-awakening at national, local and personal levels. It is time to be stirred again. It is time to awake to the challenges and possibilities that stand before us as followers of Christ. We are familiar with the promises of God. We have known the power of God. However, we will align our lives to God’s ‘Yes’!’ by saying our ‘Amen!’ and submit our lives to even more of His Power.

God can do it again in 2010!

Last weekend, I mingled with the world and his friend and his dog (no, actually, dogs were forbidden) at the renowned Medieval Christmas market in Lincoln. Amongst all the predictable tat there was evidence that Christmas is Alive. Carols filled the mulled wine scented open air and hundreds thronged into the Cathedral (if only for a sit down and a bit of warmth). In this so - called ‘post Christian’ Britain, I sense there is a turning of the tide. People want to hold on to traditional Christmas values. Let the PC lobby have their ‘Winter Fests’ – the vast majority still want the mystery and the wonder of the Christmas message. It is being reported that sales of religious Christmas cards are soaring as shoppers rediscover the real meaning of the season. There is evidence of an increase in the number of people attending church. Tear Fund report that more than 25% adults attend church at least once a year. Whether it is the economic down turn that challenges people to look for dependable meaning in life, this is certainly true:  ‘Wise men (and women) still search for Jesus!’

A very Happy Christmas!
Pastor Chris

I am being very stirred that as a community of believers we are called to stand, withstand and resist the destructive works of the devil. We are urged in Ephesians, a letter written to a Church, to 'put on the whole armour of God....and having done everything to stand, to stand.' This is not just something that has individual implications but has corporate significance. New Life Church seeks to walk in truth, peace, righteousness, convinced of our salvation and confident in the Word of God. By the Spirit, through the Word, we can 'resist' the works and purposes of the enemy. The word comes from the original Greek word 'anthistemi' - from which we get the word 'anti-histamine.' I so like that! We are able to resist, withstand, oppose and set against all of the devil's works. This month - have a great dose of 'anti-histamine', neutralise evil and do good!

Chris

Chris recently sat down with Johnny Markin, Pastor of Worship & The Arts at Northview Community Church, and former Worship Pastor at Lincoln New Life, for an interview that shares some compelling, inspiring, and challenging stories and thoughts about worship today world-wide, about preserving ‘pure’ worship, and about the importance of living a life as worship, not just a ministry.

To listen to the interview, visit the Northview Worship Training Podcast.

Where we are going – 2008 and beyond.

At the start of 2008 I have been reviewing the vision and future of New Life Church with the Leadership Team. Following from a year of consolidation in 2007, reviewing activities across the Church, it is essential we establish the future direction and purpose for 2008 and beyond. We have included long established expectations for New Life and refined that with fresh vigour and purpose. Our expectation is for a Church of more than 1,000 people here in Sleaford and area. We have taken the opportunity to review the mission and values of the Church and you will find these explained in this link - Vision.

We have also attempted to describe what you can anticipate were you to visit the Church here. You will always find a warm and loving welcome. New Life Church in Sleaford will have something to offer you and a community of activity for you to share in. More details are found on the following page: Our Culture

Chris Bowater

Chris' personal goals for 2008, based on lion chaser's manifesto from Evotional.com.

Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death.

Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions.

Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention.

Keep asking questions.

Keep making mistakes.

Keep seeking God.

Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution.

Stop repeating the past and start creating the future.

Stop playing it safe and start taking risks.

Expand your horizons.

Accumulate experiences.

Enjoy the journey.

Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can.

Live like today is the first day and last day of your life.

Don't let what's wrong with you keep you from worshipping what's right with God.

Burn sinful bridges.

Blaze a new trail.

Criticize by creating.

Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks.

Don't try to be who you're not.

Be yourself.

Laugh at yourself.

Quit holding out.

Quit holding back.

Quit running away.