I must admit this title brought a smile to my face, I think you might have all heard my fairly strong Yorkshire accent something that i am very aware of. My wife isn't fond of it and often asks me to tone it down especially when were on holiday. I often get a nudge in the ribs when people walk past us and say hello and i reply " Or Reyt" she just gives me a look and says " Chris they haven't got a clue what your talking about". What i'm trying to say is that my accent is part of my identity its part of who i am. So just seeing the title Eternal word in local dialect has really made stop and think.
I've asked myself a few questions, where am I when I feel most at ease, what gives me the greatest joy and where do i think I have the greatest impact the answer isn't in my church but the church I visit on Thursday nights the one in the middle of two council estates with many troubled people living there. I can really relate to these people I speak like them and they speak like me they all know i lived on there estate for twenty years they see me as one of them.
My accent which I see as a negative turns out to be my biggest asset in this case. I've been going to the Thursday night drop in for a year now and i've seen Jesus at work in so many peoples lives I feal blessed to be part of it.
There's a line in the video that says that you are the yeast in the community that is just how i feel when i'm there that's where I feal God wants me to be
Chris
Hi Chris, this sounds like a really good connection you are making. I have assumed this reoa5es to Session 6, is that right? Martin.
Hi Chris
I absolutely love this! You are in good company as well....
Jesus and his disciples stuck out with their accents from Galilee and experienced others scoffing, 'can anything good come from Nazareth?' We know the answer to this is definitely yes! Jesus!
Jesus met people where they were and came for the broken whether that is physically emotionally or spiritually. I'm sure that he shines through you on a Thursday as your passion just jumps off the page at me!
Tracey
Hi Chris, (or should I say 'heyup me duck - giving away my east midland roots 😂 ),
It is part of who you are, what makes you the unique person you are - I recall a term we used to use in the company I worked at - 'bring yourself to work' - might sound obvious, but too many people didn't being their true self to work, instead tried to be the person they imagined the company or their boss wanted them to be - but what that did was introduce stress on the individual - how can you hide your true self all the while without consequence. Diversity in it's widest sense is some important in all walks of life - otherwise how do we learn about different perspectives.
I read a really interesting book on this theme - 'Being Yourself' by Graham Tomlin which I'd recommend - quite thought provoking. Has anyone else read it?
Chris, I'm sure you are indeed the yeast in that church on Thursday nights. It is a blesssing to be able to connect with people and meet them where they are. It's not just your accent, but the words you choose that enable you to help people understand and grow. You are making the christian faith accessible by what you say and how you say it...putting it in layman's terms...that is part of your lay ministry. Not everyone has that gift.
Amanda