Hi - let me introduce myself 
My name is Mark Sturgeon - I'm 29, live in Halesowen with my wife, Sarah and we have a little one on the way. We've only lived in the Black Country for just under a year, so are still trying to understand that accent!
I like to think of myself as a pretty regular guy, but one thing that does single me out from a lot of my mates is that I'm a follower of Christ.
What does that make you think of me? - A geek, nerd? Lost the plot 
- "ok for him, but not my cup of tea"
I'll hold my hands up and be first in the queue to say that often the church doesn't connect with our generation. It's full of smells and bells and grannies - something we just wouldn't afford the time for.
BUT still, we have the nagging questions in us:
"What's the point of my life?"
"Why do things happen that make me hurt?"
"Is there more to a good time than getting hammered and eating kebabs?"
"Why does work seem like such a treadmill?"
"Would God even give a stuff about me anyway?"
I know how hard it is to talk about this stuff, even though we want to. We don't want to look like ponces with our mates - we just push on and say we're "fine". In my reckoning, for us in 2006, this often means:
Feeling
Insecure
Neurotic and
Exhausted
Catch my drift? 
I'm not saying 'become a bible basher' or even 'come to church'.
This is why I'm writing this blog: I want to relate with you guys in Halesowen (and if you're not from Halesowen, you're still welcome 
) - church through this blog can come to u.
I want to chat with you, laugh with you, cry with you and 'do life' with you. I'm calling my blogspot i-church, because I reckon church is key - no, not the smells and bells - but the relationships with each other, love, vision and hope - stuff we're desperate for in our generation.
Share with me - what do you think - what's going on with you. We can connect through this blog, e-mail, text (07880 610187) and if you'll feeling really brave, I'd always meet up with u for a McDonalds or a pint.
Take care,
Mark 
