Do we need to do it differently? With just over a year to go and then out into the big, wide, ministry world, the question that often comes up in Sally and my quiet times is just that. Having been part of some amazing churches (some not so amazing but we have learnt from those) how would God have us pastor a church?

The starting point is that we have been called to live in biblical community. Got it. But how come the church model’s something radically different? Most pastors live isolated, lonely, friendless lives. How does that work? What did we not understand about ‘love one another’? Remember my boy, leadership is a lonely place! Says who? Definitely not the greatest leader ever! Consider his heart – connection with his disciples. Not joined together at the hip – but joined together at the heart – ignited, untamed, unashamed, and molded together by a burning passion.

Yes Grant we can do that!!! Are you sure? A question always asked in Nigeria and Ghana by the locals.

Well, yes….. if we work on a number of issues. What do we have to do? Well, learn to laugh, really laugh together. Learn to cry together, really cry together. Learn to work together, really work together, and then ….. importantly….. learn to jol together!! For the American and English folk who read these devotionals, jol means play, have a great time together!

So, Sally and I have a number of options that both we and the folk who have offered them up are praying on. Above all though, whether it be one of two church plants, whether it be a church in the country (sounds good) , and whether it be as a vicar in the UK, the key is that the church return to the kind of community where we love each other enough to speak the truth in love, and that people grow and become what God wants them to become – not the notions that are bandied around in the greater church these days.

Most important wherever it is that we are meant to be we pray that that part of the body of Christ grow together with us into a genuine community of leaders, saints, and followers of Jesus.

'Cape Town' was written during my stay in Gauteng where the family and I found ourselves from a career point of view. Although we loved JHB and would go back in a heartbeat, the natural beauty of the Cape, our friends, the people, and the history had become part of us - so the song was born. It features on my debut album, a secular one, entitled 'Diversity' which is available from Bowline Music in Montague Gardens, and is played on most community stations still some 6 years later. It features the amazing Tom Fox (Bright Blue and The Usual) on guitar and backing vocals, Peter Cohen (Bright Blue, Mango Groove, freshlyground) on drums, and Nelson Barbosa on bass, with yours truly vocalling. Download it, turn it up loud, and love Cape Town!

- Download "Cape Town" as an mp3

Download one of Grant's latest songs, inspired by the call to missions and entitled "Tell the World". This song has been given to Serving in Mission to be used in the promotion of their group and in their presentations. An extraordinary group of people visit them on www.sim.org.za

Grant says; "During our Theology of Mission module at Cornerstone Christian College in Cape Town last year , Martin Mostert had us prepare an oral presentation on Mission and our own Mission Statement. When I thought about it I asked him whether I could 'hum it' , he said 'of course' so I wrote this plea to the world, in an effort to ensure that they do not simply sit on the fringes, but actively get involved in making a difference in the world.

- Click here to download the mp3

- Click here to view the video on YouTube