Church life – Page 52

Ten years at Bearwood

We’re hitting the ten year mark. Sarah and I moved to Smethwick in the summer of 2010 and I officially started work in September that year. However, we had been visiting from the previous Autumn and after the church voted to appoint me we spent quite a bit of time up here, getting to know… Continue reading Ten years at Bearwood

Healthy Church – marks that flow out from the one mark (love)

I argued in a previous post that when looking to see if a church is healthy, there is one essential, governing mark presented in the Bible and that is love. A few years back, Mark Dever wrote “9 Marks of a Healthy Church.” In it he proposed a list of marks that were important to… Continue reading Healthy Church – marks that flow out from the one mark (love)

“Put me to what you will…” What the Covenant Renewal service says about our view of gifts and ministry

What do you enjoy doing around the house? I love making deserts like rice pudding I would say that’s my gift. I enjoy making them and I enjoy sharing in eating them with others. I don’t mind getting out in the garden and cutting the lawn either. I’m not so keen on drying up or… Continue reading “Put me to what you will…” What the Covenant Renewal service says about our view of gifts and ministry

The one mark of a healthy church

How do you know if your church is healthy? How do you make a decision about whether or not to join a church? If you are considering a possible calling to pastor a church, what is the first and most important thing you should be checking up on? A few years back now, Mark Dever… Continue reading The one mark of a healthy church

Covenant Renewal Order of Service

(Pastor) O Lord, open thou our lips.(Answer). And our mouth shall shew forth thy praise. (Pastor). O God, make speed to save us.(Answer) O Lord, make haste to help us. (Pastor) Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;(Answer). As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever… Continue reading Covenant Renewal Order of Service

Victory and the Church on Display (Sealed with the Spirit Part 4)

In the fourth part of our look at the work of the Holy Spirit, how we know him and experience his work in our lives, we complete the background look at the context of Ephesians 1:13 which talks about being sealed with the Spirit. The goal of the Holy Spirit is to enjoy God (himself)… Continue reading Victory and the Church on Display (Sealed with the Spirit Part 4)

Playing the Gnosticism Card

There’s been a fierce debate going on about whether or not our current church gatherings using social media platforms actually are gatherings. For those who think we are not gathering, one of the primary concerns is that our gatherings should be “physical” or “embodied” because if not this may encourage a form of gnostic thinking… Continue reading Playing the Gnosticism Card

The Holy Spirit and two gods to worship

There is a brilliant little booklet called “Two Ways to live” that helpfully presents the Gospel in picture form. But there are not only two ways to live but also two gods to worship. There is the true and living God who made us, loves us and in Christ has redeemed us. Then there is… Continue reading The Holy Spirit and two gods to worship

Forgiveness

During the Coronavirus lock down, Sarah and I have been running a facebook Live event called Afternoon Tea each day. We’ve covered all sorts of big topics including bullying, suffering and forgiveness. In this article I want to jot down some of the thoughts we shared this afternoon. This isn’t a structured article – more… Continue reading Forgiveness

Festival of the Local Church

Usually at this time of year, there would be a number of Christian festivals and holiday conventions happening. All have had to be cancelled. It looks like this will apply to summer conventions too. Personally I’m a little disappointed, we were looking forward to joining the Keswick Convention having had a few years away. We… Continue reading Festival of the Local Church