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
Category: Leadership
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
Was Phoebe a leader and teacher in the church? Responding to Preston Sprinkle part 3
In his look at Romans 16, Preston Sprinkle spend a bit of time looking at Phoebe. He observes: “Two facts about Phoebe immediately jump out. First, Paul calls her a “deacon [or servant, diakonon] of the church in Cenchreae.” Second, she was a “benefactor [prostatis] of many people, including” Paul. A third significant point isn’t… Continue reading Was Phoebe a leader and teacher in the church? Responding to Preston Sprinkle part 3
The crucial gift of curiosity
One of the striking things about the controversy concerning Peter Mandehslon is the seeming lack of curiosity at senior government level. Keir Starmer had indicated that he wanted Mandelson as the US Ambassador. A vetting process had been put in place. However, it remained the case that Mandelson was his personal, political appointment. Furthermore, Starmer… Continue reading The crucial gift of curiosity
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