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?
Category: Leadership
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?
Training is part of the job, not an optional extra
I sometimes come across churches that are offering training roles for potential pastors and workers. Sometimes what that means is that the person will work part time for the church whilst studying part time for the rest of the week. It may be that at that stage the church can only afford to pay someone… Continue reading Training is part of the job, not an optional extra
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?
Questions for TGC-UK
My most recent article for Evangelicals Now asks the newly launched The Gospel Coalition-UK some questions. I write as a critical friend of The Gospel Coalition and of the individuals/groups involved in TGC-UK. You can read the EN version here and you will also see that Graham Nicholls has kindly provided a response. Reports suggest… Continue reading Questions for TGC-UK
What are the issues facing pastors right now?
If we are going to apply Scripture well to our congregations, then as well as being able to read God’s word and interpret it well, we also need to be “reading the room.” We need to have a good understanding of what it is that our congregations are facing. We need to be exegeting them… Continue reading What are the issues facing pastors right now?
Mums and dads in church … The boundaries
I’ve frequently took to talking about the way that churches need “mums and dads”. I think this familial language moves us away from much of the power dynamic that afflicts the egalitarian- complementarian debate. I think that both egalitarians and comolementarians alike have missed something in their own way – the need for mums. So,… Continue reading Mums and dads in church … The boundaries
What should we do with a brother’s teaching when he falls? Were TGC right to pull Sam Allberry’s articles?
In my previous article in the light of Sam Allberry’s resignation from Immanuel, Nashville and TGC, I referred to the statement that TGC had made. It’s fairly short, so I’ll quote it in full here: “TGC was informed yesterday by Sam Allberry about “an inappropriate relationship with another man a few years ago” and that… Continue reading What should we do with a brother’s teaching when he falls? Were TGC right to pull Sam Allberry’s articles?
How do we respond when a brother falls?
The news was recently shared that Sam Allbery had resigned as the lead pastor at Immanuel, Nashville. He has also stepped down from his role with the Timothy Keller Centre, part of The Gospel Coalition. In their announcement, the Gospel Coalition stated that they had removed all articles and links relating to Allberry. I was… Continue reading How do we respond when a brother falls?
Was Junia an apostle? Responding to Preston Sprinkle part 4
I’m continuing to pick up on some of the arguments in Preston Sprinkle’s book on complementarianism and egalitarianism. My aim is to highlight a few examples from his book for discussion before providing a full review. This might also help to give you an insight into my reading methods. I’m working through the book but… Continue reading Was Junia an apostle? Responding to Preston Sprinkle part 4
