Football fans talk of “60 years of hurt” harking back to when England won the World Cup. UK Evangelicals also reflect back to 1966, specifically to October 18th when Martyn Llloyd Jones addressed the National Evangelical Assembly. His address on Evangelical Unity ironically led to greater division, on a personal level between Lloyd Jones and… Continue reading 1966 and all that
Category: Church life
It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and us: What does that actually mean?
A few days ago I wrote about church discernment and referred to this phrase which comes from Acts 15:28 but what does the phrase actually mean? Does it mean that some people had unique authority to pass on the Holy Spirit’s decision to the church? Well context will be helpful. Acts 15 is sometimes referred… Continue reading It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and us: What does that actually mean?
It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and us: Elders or congregation -who decides?
Do you favour congregational government or elder led church? That might be something you are thinking through if you are involved in church planting or revitalisation. I think of the two that the latter seems to be in vogue. That perhaps reflects frustration at bureaucratic versions of congregational government and the idea that it means… Continue reading It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and us: Elders or congregation -who decides?
Building God’s house – invitation to a conversation
Just a heads up. I’ve been reading Andy Johnston’s brilliant biography of Terry Virgo. I’ve got two articles coming up. First a review and then an article based on a conversation with Andy The conversation began to open up a discussion around questions that at the same time might be of interest both to those… Continue reading Building God’s house – invitation to a conversation
Goodbye Beefeater
Soon Beefeater will be no more. A few years ago, this would have perhaps generated more grief for us. For much of the early days of our marriage, the restaurant chain provided a convenient, reliable dating option. Although a little more expensive than a Weatherspoon’s or Harvester, it wasn’t too expensive and as Sarah has… Continue reading Goodbye Beefeater
Lessons from Butlins
We are recently back from what feels like it is becoming an annual expedition to Butlins. We find that it offers a safe, reliable holiday with everything onsite that suites our family well. For me, there’s also a touch of nostalgia as I used to go with my parents and sister to a Christian holiday… Continue reading Lessons from Butlins
Encouragement for children’s workers in church
A lot of churches give their Sunday kids group leaders and helpers a break over the summer and run with all age gatherings. So, if you are one such leader, I hope you are enjoying a bit of a break and will feel energised for September. I also hope that you are feeling encouraged as… Continue reading Encouragement for children’s workers in church
How do leaders help the church family to work through differences?
Any church can expect to have people holding to a range of views in it. You might expect people from different theological backgrounds, there might also be specific disagreements on issues from when and who to baptise, what songs to sing accompanied by what instruments and then there may be a range of ethical and… Continue reading How do leaders help the church family to work through differences?
Holding tightly or holding lightly
Pick up something that is valuable to you. I worry that at this point many of you have reached for your mobile phone. Whatever it is, grip it tightly in your hand. What would happen if you were to hold onto it that tightly for a long time? Well, I expect two things would happen. … Continue reading Holding tightly or holding lightly
What unites us?
It is rare to find a church that is completely homogenous in terms of beliefs and traditions. My own experience of leadership has been in churches where people have come from all kinds of backgrounds, reformed, Baptist, Brethren, Anglican, Pentecostal, charismatic, cessationist, young earth creationist, old earth/theistic evolution, egalitarian, complementarian etc. There’s a good chance… Continue reading What unites us?
