Mike Rutter’s Weblog…….

I was really sorry to hear today of the death of Rob Frost.  A lot of people  probably won’t have heard of him, but to me he was one of the main reasons why I have the faith that I now have.

Rob set up an organisation called Share Jesus International and it was with this organisation that I went on a mission in 1987 to the North East of England. His heart was to enable others to hear about the message of Jesus and he did this by encouraging the church to step out  beyond the 4 walls and engage with people in their communities. It was on this mission in 1987 that I found myself sitting around a kitchen table drinking coffee and listening to the rest of the team I was with, talking about their faith and about a God who was involved and present in their lives. Hearing them talk naturally about God in this way really affected me and helped me on my journey of faith. Ever since then my desire has been to ’do’ church in this way – in a natural environment – ‘around the kitchen table’ where people have the opportunity to hear about God in the same way that they would hear anything else. To hear about God as they were sitting around chatting and having a drink with friends.  That’s why I am currently training to be a vicar in the Anglican Church as a Pioneer leader - as someone who is being given the opportunity to set up churches that have these values. So Rob Frost was a key person in my Christian life and someone that I think will be missed by many.

Read about Rob Frost 

I have not been able to get to a computer for a while so sorry for lack of updates. I have had a lot of first time experiences here in Mongolia that I will write about more when I get back. I preached in a Mongolian church which meets in a Gir (round tent) which was amazing. I flew as co-pilot to a nearby town which was a dream come true for me. The journey back was equally memorable as we came back by Russian jeep cross country for 14 hours. Not a journey I will forget in a long time! The retreat that we have been doing went really well and I got to meet some realy cool people here who are doing missionary work in Mongolia.

Today we have been doing the tourist thing and visiting the market and shops. I am currently at a very nice family’s house who are missionaries out here. We fly back on Monday night so should be back in the UK late Tuesday.

We arrived safely last night at about 12pm Mongolian time (5 pm UK) The guest house we are staying in is reasonable – some interesting decor We are all now adjusting to the time difference, most of us slept well last night but were woken up by a very busy road outside being marshalled by some extremely over enthusiastic traffic police with whistles. We’ve already had a few hairy journeys in cars – I don’t think they have road laws here! We are currently planning the retreat that we are running with the team over here and so I am typing this at the JCS centre in Ulan Battar. They have lots of nice computer equipment so I am happy. Anyway will try and post next time I get access.

Well I leave for Mongolia tomorrow leaving behind my family for 2 weeks. It has come upon me quicker than I though as these things always do and I don’t feel as prepared as I would like to. I have got my sermon and workshops written so at least I will have something to say when I am out there. It is my first time outside of western society so I am really looking forward to getting a different perspective on life to the one that I have always known. I am going as a part of a team from my local church (St Mikes) to help lead a retreat for the missionaries that work out there. As well as the retreat there should be some time to sight see. I will try and post to this blog from Mongolia but that all depends on access to the internet – so I won’t hold my breath!

We are at New Wine at the moment. It is a christian conference that we go to every year. We really love it for lots of reasons but high on the list is the great kids work that they do. Our kids love it. Yesterday was the day off so we went to Nottingham to an all you can eat buffet with all of pip’s family. Matt particularly enjoyed the chocolate fountain!

Well I’ve been on holiday for 2 weeks now out of the 9 and a half that I get in the summer. I say this so that you can feel good for me as I know that you will be feeling this right at this moment…….. It’s amazing how many jobs there are to do when you’re not at work – I wonder how I get things done when I am at work. I’ve actually been spending my time preparing for the trip to Mongolia this summer with St Mike’s and also preparing to lead worship at New Wine North in a couple of weeks time. Really looking forward to both because apart from anything ese I think that both will stretch me

Mum & Dad were one of the few houses in their street that didn’t get flooded in Hull. They said that they have never known anything like it in all their time in Hull. Alot of people have had a terrible time.

 My brother Dan has just completed the 3 peaks walk this last weekend in aid of cancer research. He did really well along with Matt & Dan Britton. I think he has now got the walking bug as he is talking about going for a walk this weekend. Never put him down as a rambler….

No this is not a conference discussing the merits of circular bread in which to put burgers…. it stands for Bishop’s Advisory Panel which is the thing I went to in Ely just over a week ago. Anyway I got a call today to say that I have been recommended for training. That means that I now probably have 3 years of part time training to do after which if all goes well I will be ordained as a vicar. I told Joel today and his words were , “but dad you’ll look like a geek”. Always look to your children for encouragement……..

Well I survived and had a great time in the process. The weather was scorching and the kids were all in all a great bunch to take away. I was also pleased to see that as well as the previously mentioned hardware that they all seem to have these days, they also brought out packs of Top Trumps. Some things endure don’t they…..

Pippa and I went to a charity ball last night – a chance to shake out the old DJ once more. It was in aid of the Georgina Grace Trust which raises money for charities that support families with disabled children. It was something that Pip’s practice had bought into so it was really a ‘work do’ but for a good cause at the same time. It was at York Race Course which is a great venue as the views from the suite are great. Apparantly it was a celebrity ball but neither of us knew any of the 4 celebrities that were there. We had a a good time though.

Pip has now gone down to her Mum’s with the kids leaving me home alone for a couple of days so that I can prepare for my selection conference which is this half term. It is in Ely from Tuesday to Thursday and will be when I get interviewed as I continue to explore the possibility of ordination in the Church of England. It’s seems to have suddenly come upon me, but I’m relieved because it has been a long process. I am still very positive about testing the sense of calling , but am not very clear about what any future ministry might look like. Time will tell………

I was well chuffed to find out that 2 of my favourite bands have reformed. Crowded House and James are back in business. The world is a good place………..

Every now and then I have to go in to school to do an open day. Some of them are good and there are loads of people – today isn’t one of them. Pippa is at home with the 3 kids and I am sat here twiddling my thumbs. Plus I went out with Dan into York last night so had a fairly late night. Oh well – just half and hour to go.

Going to go and hear Heidi Baker speak tonight in Sheffield. She heads up Iris Ministries in Mozambique which works amongst orphaned children. She is a eally inspiring person to hear … I will let you know how it went.

Have you seen Twittervision? My friend Christian put me on to it. It is one of those clever web ideas that is quite pointless but also fascinating. Have a look…..

Last Thursday I had the privilege of meeting with The Archbishop of York as part of my ongoing exploration of ordination (becoming a vicar). He was very tired as he had just returned from Tanzania where he had been meeting with Anglican leaders around the world, but despite this he made time to see me, spending about 40 minutes with me to chat about my future. He made me feel very at ease and I enjoyed greatly my time with him. I have heard that he is happy to sponsor me to go to a selection panel in May………