Churches across London are seeing the fruits of asking this simple question on a Sunday morning. A new short film encourages us to join in.
“As we get to know what other people are doing ‘this time tomorrow’ people are finding friends and reinforcements with similar frontlines or who work in the same part of London.”
Peter Mackenzie, Vicar of St John with St James, West Ealing.
As part of our Capital Vision 2020 of equipping and commissioning ambassadors representing Jesus Christ in daily life, This Time Tomorrow slots are popping up all over London, encouraging congregations to pray for their church family not just on a Sunday, but on Monday, Tuesday and every other day of the week. As ambassadors we are called to carry the aroma of Christ in our daily life – wherever that takes us.
How often do you ask your neighbour at a Sunday morning service: ‘What will you be doing this time tomorrow? How can I pray for you in that?’ We’ve discovered that many churches around London are finding this an incredibly helpful way to equip, commission and pray for their church families in their everyday roles.
“We need to change the way we think about this bit by bit, little by little… making sure that we are regularly asking on Sundays, over coffee and in the main meeting, what we are doing This Time Tomorrow.”
Philip Sudell, Vicar of Grace Church, Muswell Hill.
Several churches across the Diocese have invested in a This Time Tomorrow slot in their Sunday services. A simple interview time, inviting one or two people from the congregation to share a little of what they will be doing ‘this time tomorrow,’ and then taking the time as a church to pray for them.
Simon Morris, Vicar of St Mary’s Tottenham, shared some of their experience of This Time Tomorrow with us:
“Mary got us off to a great start. She’s been coming to St Mary’s for many years, arriving late and leaving promptly at the end of Mass. It was only when she got up to speak that the congregation realised why. Mary’s son was born with autism. He’s now middle aged and requires a lot of support. Mary sees God at work in her life with all its challenges and finds particular comfort from reciting Psalm 46, ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.’ Mary was initially very nervous about talking in front of everyone but admitted she found the whole experience liberating.”
Month by month as people share their stories the whole congregation recognises ever more deeply that ordinary Christians doing ordinary things are important to God.
Whether you’re a city worker, a full time mum, or retired, if you’re a plumber, a student or a professional sportsperson, God is interested in every part of your day-to-day – and you are an ambassador for Jesus Christ right where you are.
“It was good to hear from one of our youngsters who is in her first year of senior school, talking about the challenges of being a Christian in the classroom. Others have talked about the challenges of being a Christian whilst coping with meetings and financial discussions at work.”
Jane Manley, Vicar of St Paul’s, Ruislip Manor.
So this Sunday could you ask: ‘Where will you be this time tomorrow?’ Think of the impact it might make.
For more information on Ambassadors, view our website: www.ambassadors2020.org. Here you can find stories of individuals all around London committed to living their everyday lives spreading the aroma of Christ, as well as blogs, resources and an opportunity to sign-up as an ambassador yourself.
Share or download the film now
Follow us on Twitter: @Ambassadors2020 or Instagram: ambassadors2020.
