A friend recently asked this question on Twitter. Now, these kinds of polls are great at getting a quick reaction but often the answers need some detail and nuance. Often, we find ourselves responding with “it depends”. So, they work best when they generate further conversation and discussion. This, to my mind is one such… Continue reading How big should you grow and at what size should you plant?
Posts
The New Jerusalem
Remember how back in chapter 22, judgement on Jerusalem was announced? Well, we’ve been told in chapter 40 that the prophet is to speak comfort to the city and now as we come to the close of the book, God himself sings over the city. Keen eyes will observe that the end of Isaiah is… Continue reading The New Jerusalem
The Lord’s favour
We now arrive at one of those big hitter chapters in Isaiah, one of the best-known parts of Scripture and the bit that Jesus takes and makes his manifesto at the outset of his ministry. Having seen how Isaiah has built up to focus on the Servant as the one who ushers in God’s reign,… Continue reading The Lord’s favour
The AI Generated Sermon
Recently someone made a confession: They now used ChatGPT to generate all their sermons The congregation were happy and gave favourable feedback on these AI generated talks It freed up their time to focus on pastoral visits. I strongly suspect it is a spoof/satirical comment, intended as satire but it could easily be genuine. After… Continue reading The AI Generated Sermon
Training pastors in context
I am passionately convinced that for most potential pastors and church planters that the best place for them to train for Gospel ministry is in context. It is generally true that training is best when it happens as close to the actual situation you will use it in. This means with plenty of opportunity to… Continue reading Training pastors in context
New Dawn
A big theme in Isaiah is “light in the darkness.” The situation described earlier in the book is of darkness falling on the land causing people to become lost, stumbling about. It’s the darkness of night because night and sleep are associated with sadness, despair and death. So, here in the later chapters, we are… Continue reading New Dawn
The key difference between the volunteer and the staff worker
I saw this helpful thread from Tim Wilson, the other day about how to volunteer in church life without burning out. One useful observation he made was that church members shouldn’t compare what they are able to commit to with what a paid member of staff such as the pastor or youth worker can do. … Continue reading The key difference between the volunteer and the staff worker
The Difference Maker (Isaiah 53)
Here’s my outline notes for this Sunday’s sermon Introduction Acts 8 – Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch – what prompts the radical and costly desire to be baptised? Answer = this chapter of Isaiah! Don’t miss (out on) Jesus (v1-3) End of ch52 – a promise of salvation for the nations -surprising news to them… Continue reading The Difference Maker (Isaiah 53)
A last conversation with Jesus
Here is a little series of talks I did on YouTube a couple of years ago which take us to the upper room and the conversation between Jesus and his disciples over the last supper.
Isaiah in a week – breaking the book down
Some of you have been working through Isaiah, a day at a time through Lent. Other’s wont have had time to do this but perhaps you’d like a different or additional challenge, to read through the book in the week leading up to Easter. Here’s a possible outline to help you do this. Even if… Continue reading Isaiah in a week – breaking the book down
