Here’s my latest update on what we are seeing regarding the data at the moment. We’ve recently seen a substantial fall in COVID cases across the UK reflecting falls in daily reported cases in both Scotland and England. However, over the weekend we saw growth in week on week cases. Here’s the chart plotting average… Continue reading COVID-19 risk management for churches update
Category: Church life
Male and female leadership questions (5) Implications for church life
First of all, I think we can rule out two extremes. We cannot take the egalitarian approach but nor can we endorse the traditional Brethren approach and a number of traditional approaches which in effect fail to recognise that women are equal in nature. We should recognise that sadly churches have got this badly wrong… Continue reading Male and female leadership questions (5) Implications for church life
Male and female leadership questions (4) Pulling things together theologically
We are now in a position to see how the boundaries function together in order to create theological principles which should shape church practice. We’ve seen that there are both permissions and restrictions for women in Paul’s letters in terms of leadership and teaching. We’ve also seen that these relate to Creation and The Fall… Continue reading Male and female leadership questions (4) Pulling things together theologically
COVID church risk assessments data update
Here are the latest charts Case numbers are continuing to rise at the moment Although comparing this week with last week is made a little challenging due to the distortion to reporting caused by the Bank holiday weekend. Notice the spike in case growth caused by the Monday and Tuesday comparisons. It is also worth… Continue reading COVID church risk assessments data update
Male and female leadership questions (3) Boundary texts
In this section, I want to have a look at some of the key and at times controversial Bible texts and give a bit more exegetical detail on how we are to understand them. 1Timothy 2:12 “I do not let women teach men or have authority over them.” This forms part of Paul’s instructions to… Continue reading Male and female leadership questions (3) Boundary texts
Male and female leadership questions (2) A framework for discussion
David Peterson, former principal at Oak Hill and NT scholar, suggested that it is helpful to set out a framework that provides the boundary for discussion. This provides for charitable disagreement and variation in practices within those parameters. So for example, we could draw the lines as follows Therefore, the models start by looking at… Continue reading Male and female leadership questions (2) A framework for discussion
Male and female leadership and teaching roles (1) Introduction
I’ve been serialising some of my work on the Biblical view of men and women (The complementarianism v egalitarianism debate). Here I begin to look at the implications for church leadership. These following articles are based on a discussion paper which was used in a specific church context. I’ve attempted to make it more generally… Continue reading Male and female leadership and teaching roles (1) Introduction
How can dads disciple their kids?
I recently wrote about what it means to disciple children and young people. I’ve been thinking a little further about what I would say from the front of church to encourage parents, particular fathers in their responsibility to teach and disciple their children. Here’s what I’d say: Tomorrow is Monday. Here’s what I want you… Continue reading How can dads disciple their kids?
Provision and protection
I have been preparing some stuff on the Doctrine of Humanity and the next section will include a look at Genesis 6, the Nephilim and the sons of God. I start by saying “Man and woman are together made in God’s image to complement one another. God blesses them by providing for them and protecting… Continue reading Provision and protection
COVID Risk Management for churches update
As promised, here’s my latest update on COVID-19 risk assessments for churches. First of all, here’s my current assessment on the 4 key risks. Remember that this is a generalised view and the situation may vary in different localities. ID Risk Description Probability 1 Risk of causing COVID infection spread Low 2 Risk of invalidating… Continue reading COVID Risk Management for churches update