Over several years, I’ve had a growing desire to see churches planted or replanted into the urban West Midlands. Along with others I want to see Gospel lights in places where there has been no meaningful witness for some time. Having been able to give some time to encouraging further planting whilst pastoring a church… Continue reading Wanted: A few pioneer planters
Category: church planting
Looking for Utopia? Seeking the Good of the City as apologetics
We seek the good of the city not because we believe that we can achieve utopia but exactly because we know that we will not. What I mean by this is that some Christians have a confused and unhelpful view about the role of the church in public life and social action. Some people speak… Continue reading Looking for Utopia? Seeking the Good of the City as apologetics
An overflow of grace for the good of the city
One reason why I think it is right to say that a church exists for the good of the city is that if things are done right, then this simply is the case. Why do I say that? Well have a look at Hebrews 6:4-7 with me. It says: We tend to look at those… Continue reading An overflow of grace for the good of the city
Jesus for the good of the city
The other day I wrote a little bit about what it means to seek the good of the city. I was prompted to think about this because we’ve just had a week of prayer as a family of churches in Birmingham and on the Wednesday night, the theme was “For the good of the city”… Continue reading Jesus for the good of the city
For the good of the city
Our church has a list of reasons that we exist. One of them is that we exist “for the good of the city.” Our church has been planted here in Birmingham with the conviction that we should not just become a “holy huddle.” A challenge is sometimes given to churches “If you ceased to exist… Continue reading For the good of the city
Safer Churches e-book
Here in one place are the studies and discussion questions helping us to think through what it means to plant safer churches Planting Safer Churches I would encourage Church leadership teams to work through these over a series of sessions. I am also currently preparing a series of YouTube videos to accompany the discussions
Have a plan for how you handle accusations
Churches are messy and vulnerable places where serious spiritual business is being done. We should not be surprised then that there will from time to time be accusations that come our way. Those may be accusations against other members of the church, past or present, partners in fellowship with the church, other leaders and if… Continue reading Have a plan for how you handle accusations
Pursue plurality and interdependence
I’m a firm believer in the importance of plural leadership. This should include a plurality of elders and a wider leadership team of godly men and women. The evidence for the need for plural elders is seen in Acts 20:17 where Paul meets with the elders (plural) of the Ephesian church. Then in Titus 1:5,… Continue reading Pursue plurality and interdependence
Appreciate the provisions of Common Grace
In Romans 13:1-5, Paul writes: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to… Continue reading Appreciate the provisions of Common Grace
Keep a particular look out for narcissistic bullies
When thinking about dangerous leaders, the potential false shepherds and even wolves that might sneak in, being alert to the dangers of narcissism may be helpful. Narcissists are people with an unhealthy inward focus on themselves. They believe that the world should or does revolve around them, their needs and their priorities. These are the… Continue reading Keep a particular look out for narcissistic bullies
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