Author: faithrootsdw

A Diverse Church (1 Corinthians 12:12-30)

Remember that one of the big problems in Corinth was the rivalry and tribalism among believers.  They were in the habit of identifying themselves with particular leaders and seeing their tribe as better than everyone else. The same habit was at risk of infecting their attitude to gifts so that people would see their particular… Continue reading A Diverse Church (1 Corinthians 12:12-30)

How we talk about the pastor’s role matters

Last week, I engaged with Tim Suffield on whether pastors have jobs or not.  Someone who engaged more supportively with Tim was John Barach.  He tweeted: My response was that this is all sounds very pleasant but isn’t how Scripture describes the call to pastoral ministry.  He responded by saying: In our conversation he developed… Continue reading How we talk about the pastor’s role matters

A receiving church (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)

Having discerned that it is God’s Holy Spirit at work and not an evil Spirit, we can move to see what the Spirit is doing and saying.  One of the key things that the Holy Spirit does is to give gifts to the Church. Prioritise the giver (v4-6) We can become focused on the gifts… Continue reading A receiving church (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)

Perhaps pastors are modelling what work was meant to be like

I’ve engaged recently with a suggestion that pastors do not really have jobs. I’m going to engage further this week with another person who has argued that pastors are paid to enjoy leisure time. However something struck me which I want to focus on first. A lot of the argument seems to assume that pastors… Continue reading Perhaps pastors are modelling what work was meant to be like

What kind of church? A fellowshipping Church 1 Corinthians 11: 17-34 

As someone involved in preaching and teaching, I often get feedback and in fact actively seek it.  How did I do?  Was the talk the right length?  Did I speak clearly but not too loudly?  Was there variation in tone and emotion? Was the application relevant? However, beyond occasionally being reminded that I sing out… Continue reading What kind of church? A fellowshipping Church 1 Corinthians 11: 17-34 

What kind of Church? A worshipping Church (1 Corinthians 11:1-16)

Why do we come together for worship?  What is a church gathering all about?  The key things can be summed up as: This will help us make sense of the next section of 1 Corinthians because this is where the focus is and these are things the Corinthians haven’t been too good at.  I’m aware… Continue reading What kind of Church? A worshipping Church (1 Corinthians 11:1-16)

Yes your pastor does have a job … and it matters

Tim Suffield has written this provocative piece about pastors not really having jobs.  There’s much I would agree with here but I think there are a couple of things to push back against. So, first of all here’s why I agree with Tim.  Yes, it is true that the pastor doesn’t have a job. Our… Continue reading Yes your pastor does have a job … and it matters

A glorifying church (1 Corinthians 10:18-33)

I suspect that many of the questions and concerns from the Corinthian church came from a good place.  We can easily write them off as the bad guys but they weren’t. Paul is not addressing apostates or false teachers but a real, young., alive, messy church that shows signs of having the Holy Spirit’s presence… Continue reading A glorifying church (1 Corinthians 10:18-33)