I absolutely love my job.

I love meeting new people on a daily basis.  I love coffee-fuelled conversations about the future of church.  I love long, cold walks through the TQ with change and growth happening all around. I love showing people the incredible model of the TQ 20-year vision, watching them catch the hope of a new Belfast.  I love showing them around the crumbling old Drawing Office, history oozing from every paint-flaking, moss-stained wall.

I love walking to the train station at the end of the day past brightly lit offices, buzzing pubs and busy shops; I love pacing along with loud music blasting through the earphones (a bit of Muse tonight, if you’re interested). I love looking out from the Queens Bridge over this bright, fast city, marvelling at how different it is from the grey, fearful place I can dimly remember from 30 years ago.

I love listening to today’s Wordlive podcast as the city lights streak past through the train window; the beauty of podcasts is that you can listen to them anywhere, but listening while city lights streak past through the train window is especially recommended.  (as is: walking through the snow; sitting in the back garden after a jog; watching the sunset through your study window.)  (Catch up with Wordlive here).

I love that all these meetings and conversations are building momentum; people seem to genuinely be catching the vision for The Dock, and I’m finding out about all sorts of fantastic ministries, activities and groups throughout the city who are thinking along similar lines – working across denominations, breaking old barriers, striving to love and serve and bless the city rather than bombard it with tracts and sermons.

One meeting this morning was about a new initiative called Street Pastors.  You might’ve heard the name – there are Street Pastors active in many cities throughout the UK, seeking to bring friendship, help, hope and practical assistance in late-night urban contexts, especially when pubs and clubs are emptying and people are vulnerable, lost, feeling rough, or stuck on the streets without a taxi.  Street Pastors provide a helping hand that is offered with no agenda, no preach, but is backed up by faith, thorough training and good common sense.

The programme is being rolled out in Belfast in a brilliant alliance between City Council and churches working together – a beautiful example of Christians being salt and light to the city.  The volunteer training scheme is well underway and if you’re interested in being involved, please drop me a line – this is something I would love The Dock to be part of (especially since the Odyssey is one of the areas where Street Pastors will be active).

Interested? Check out the website here, a great article here, or this Christmassy Youtube clip: