Christianity outdoors
Skiing, Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Gorge Walking, Mountain Biking, Coasteering, Christianity?
If there is one thing Christians seem to be good at, its the outdoors. I’m not sure whether their affinity with nature comes from knowing it’s creator, but when you see them in their element they seem notice every precious detail, drinking in the beauty of creation and that inspire people.( I use the term ‘they’ rather than us, because having spent 2 years and every holiday since working for a Abernethy, a Christian outdoor centre, any of their staff would tell you I am probably one of least ‘outdoorsy’ Christians they know.)
Over the past few years I have come across many outdoor pursuits companies who maintain a Christian ethos, and am proud to have been a part of that network. Many of these companies are non profit making charities partly relying on volunteers and donations, and so essentially provide a brilliant service to the public, only charging enough to cover their costs of running. These companies aren’t aimed specifically at Christians either, though they hold Christian values, most will provide a program individually tailored to your needs, with optional Christian input on request.
On a personal note it was at one of these centres that I became a Christian, and so I could probably be accused with being a tad biased towards them, but next time your thinking about booking a holiday or heading off in to the great outdoors, check out some of these Christian providers.
You never know, it might just change your life.
Worship Central
In one of my previous posts Were ART Thou? I was fairly dismissive of Christian Artists as a whole. What I failed to mention was the brilliant job Christian worship leaders/writers are doing all over the world. Though their music is not necessarily reaching the masses, what they offer to Christians struggling with how to praise God is invaluable. While I would rarely listen to this type of music for recreational purposes, when it comes to worship I could sing emotional ballads for the rest of my days, there is something about the sincerity in the words that totally excuses the mush. This of course is probably not the case for most non-Christians, and they can of course be excused for cringing our sentimentality.
Last year I was recommended the Worship Central podcast presented by popular worship leaders Tim Hughes & Al Gordon, instead of your usual sickeningly Christian tripe, I found amusing banter from two down to earth guys with natural rapport. It was such a refreshing change to hear something that while it was openly Christian didn’t succumb to emotional tactics to engage the audience.
Worship Central is a new school of worship to train and equip worship leaders, musicians and worshippers. Led by Tim Hughes, worshipcentral is based at Holy Trinity Brompton and run in partnership with Soul Survivor.They run worship conferences, worship pastor retreats with a vision to see people encounter God, be equipped as worshippers and see churches empowered to worship in spirit and truth.
To compliment their witty monthly podcast the site offers blogs from both Tim and Al recording various events and projects they’re running. The site is a genuinely good resource for aspiring worshipers and worship leaders, with free guitar chords and acoustic demo’s of new songs. If you haven’t listened to a Christian Podcast before, let this be the first, trust me there is far worse out there.
Subscribe to the Worship Central podcast today.
