Reflections on 55,000 Christians
19 Apr 2006
I got back last night from Spring Harvest, 19 years since I last went, and 55,000 people went this year. So some thoughts in the order they occur the me.
1. Diversity:Over my 20 years as a christian, I have had the choice of reformed events at places like Swanwick, mainstream evangelical at Spring Harvest, more charismatic at New Wine/Soul Survivor, and something alternative at Greenbelt. And there are so many more options. And Spring Harvest had so many options, it took me two days to get my head around where to go and what to do.
Despite that diversity, I am so fussy and self centered. My ideal personalized event would include, early morning prayers with liturgy, morning discussions over theology and fresh coffee, then an afternoon of visiting art galleries and museums, then an evening of a hog roast dinner, and David Crowder late night worship, with a really late night cafe and theology discussion. Thanks goodness most christians aren’t like me ;-)
2. Depth:Spring Harvest took 55,000 people through multiple streams, with a theme that included, understanding creation and spirituality, holistic mission, social justice and engagement with the world. I have never ever, seen something so daring, so deep and bold with so many people. The balance of content and delivery in multiple spaces and multiple ways was superb.
3. Identity:The main reason I went was for my kids, who got to make new friends, be with current friends, go to concerts, wear t-shirts, make stuff, pray, sing, create, and experience God together. In a country where they hardly every see other christians, it was very enabling for them. And wonderful for us to talk about what they were learning and experiencing.
4. Mission:My eldest daughter came back from a seminar, about human trafficking, and was so moved, she wants to do something with her school, and is planning a presentation to her head-teacher, and for her age group at church. So cool to see a christian event connecting intimacy with God and involvement in real mission.
5. Celebrity:There always has been and will always be christians who are well known. The issue for me is not whether we have celebrities, but what kind? I like the fact that Spring Harvest did not advertise the speakers and worship leaders in advance.
9 comments
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Comment by David Sztypuljak
7.28 am on 19 Apr 2006
I was lucky enough to go to Minehead this year and absolutely loved it. We had Tim Hughes leading worship and some great speakers the place was filled with the presence of God. I found this year to be much more focused on moving the church forward rather than staying stuck where we currently are which was great. Next year the topic is One People so I think that it will be even more focused on getting out and doing rather sitting back and watching. Jeff Lucas will be writing the study guide so it will no doubt be humorous stuff!
I can’t wait for next year where we’ll hopefully take more of VCS with us. It was great to spend time with friends.
If you can get David Crowder to come next year that would be great!!
So pleased you enjoyed it too Jase!
Comment by tim
7.36 am on 19 Apr 2006
jason, thanks for the update, i was wondering as to how you would get on..good to hear that you enjoyed it..and yes it is so important the kids to see and interact with so many others…agree with your ideal event, with the exception of the pig roast, not top of my list as a veggie.!
Comment by gredaadt
12.53 pm on 19 Apr 2006
when you get the event you described together, let us know. i’ll go!
Comment by Jake Bouma
4.36 pm on 19 Apr 2006
Good luck to your daughter on her endeavour. Also, I’d like to attend the conference you outlined! ;)
Comment by Matybigfro
12.38 am on 20 Apr 2006
Glad you enjoyed it there
Its refreshing as well to here an event praised rather than Christian village bashing (which I’m sure I’ve held the coat for more than a few times)
I think the country has much to be grateful to spring harvest for (maybe more than many of the other big Christian weeks, not saying they are bad, or maybe I’m just biased cos I work for YFC)
but I’m growing more convinced that events such as soul survivor, NW, Keswick and spring harvest more than any such have changed the shape of the UK church wide
having got to know a few American Christians recently it’s been interesting to speak to them about the differences between the two country’s and there experiences of church in those countries.
And one of the biggest difference the two country’s national churches (ecumenical not denominational) have is the diffusion of information and idea’s between denominations. for instance many of my Texan Baptist friends have come over to England and for the first time heard about baptism in the holy spirit talked about normally, naturally and with acceptance and for the first time see, hear talk with and watch worshiping charismatic’s. Yet over here no matter what denominational background you’re likely to have come from it’s a strong possibility that you have some knowledge experience first or second third hand of the charismatic movement, not that this guaranties a positive view point of its issues.
Also it seems to me that one of the biggest gifts that emergent is bring to the church in the USA is the chance for dialogue, hanging out with and understanding to grow between different church backgrounds, I remember reading Karen Ward raving about how great it is to meet with people in here local emergent group from different church denominations, and thinking to myself what’s so big about that, I get bored out of my mind regularly at local churches together and churches together ministers meetings where many denominations our represented, I grew up being incredibly good friends with Christians from a huge variety of church back grounds (catholic, Anglican, Methodist, charismatic, Pentecostal, Baptist, other) often sharing many faith journeys, discoveries and explorations with them. This was largely through events such as spring harvest and similar. Growing up this never occurred to me to be anything other than normal and natural and extremely cool. I’m becoming increasingly more grateful to those that played key roles in developing a church culture where that is allowed to happen and I feel SH is one of those key players not just for what happens at there weeks but because of the impact it had on so many other events and groups.
Comment by Dan Wilt
2.26 pm on 20 Apr 2006
J,
I only wish we had that kind of daring event over here, in proximity to us on the East coast of Canada.
As for your comment:
“Despite that diversity, I am so fussy and self centered. My ideal personalized event would include, early morning prayers with liturgy, morning discussions over theology and fresh coffee, then an afternoon of visiting art galleries and museums, then an evening of a hog roast dinner, and David Crowder late night worship, with a really late night cafe and theology discussion. Thanks goodness most christians aren’t like me ;-)”
…I know at least one Christian would target the exact same preferences, only adding in a roundtable roust among top drawer poets, painters and other artists on how we can live out the reality that “truth is self-revealing; tell it in a thousand stories.”
Now, that would be an event.
Comment by Paul
5.52 am on 22 Apr 2006
From what I read above Jase I’d say you were far from “fussy and self centred” – you descibed your ideal event, very diverse, but you didn’t refuse to go to SH until they put it on for you… :)
Comment by Des
12.47 pm on 24 Apr 2006
I have just returned from week 4 at Skegness Spring Harvest. I am interested in your comment that the teaching was daring. I think you are right, but as someone who has been going to SH almost every year since 1985, this teaching has actually been around if you cared to look for it. I thought the teaching on God as creator / human / sovreign was excellent and for me was a kind of summation of the last 20 years of SH teaching. I was particularly moved by the God as Creator teaching. Saying to people that God created and loves everyone including those outside the church, and that the good news is about having a restored relationship with your loving creator and to lead the life that He always intended for you, is SO positive and life affirming.
As to your comment about coffee, well, Butlins do not really know how to do coffee yet. It seems to be all instant. I plan to write to SH and suggest they set up a Fair Trade coffee stand that brews in the Italian style. Then those afternoon theological conversations will have the proper lubrication.
Comment by GMD
8.33 am on 25 Apr 2006
I Went to spring harvest about 5 years ago, that was enough for about 5 years I think! Although my faith, viewpoints and theology have radically changed in that time (for the better I hope).
Still when you get your prayer/litergy/theology/art event up and running I’ll be there ;)
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