In John 6:35, Jesus announces that he is the bread of life.The context is that Jesus has fed the 5000 and they have tried to make him king by force. Jesus refuses because he sees they are only doing this for the miracles and the food. In this Facebook discussion, we look at what Jesus… Continue reading Food for hungry people
Posts
Rival Kings (Matthew 2:1-12)
Herod saw Jesus as a rival to his power. However, Jesus was the rightful king and Herod was no match for him. We can allow idols to become rivals for our affection for Jesus. These can be things we enjoy like food, relationships, sport etc, good things like going to church, serving, charity or things… Continue reading Rival Kings (Matthew 2:1-12)
“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
What does the Bible say about giving?
The Prosperity Gospel deal is that if you give the right amount of money to the right pastor and he gives it the right blessing then you will be blessed in your personal finances. In other words you should tithe. I think that well-meaning Evangelicals come unstuck on the question of tithing. Or to go… Continue reading What does the Bible say about giving?
So should we talk about money in church?
There are all sorts of reasons why, as a pastor of a church in urban Britain I feel uncomfortable talking about money and particularly about giving. These include It’s just not the done thing in polite circles! To an English man, talking about money is like talking about politics and religion. I can’t avoid one… Continue reading So should we talk about money in church?
The Scandal of the Evangelical Heart
In 1994, Mark Knoll wrote “The scandal of the Evangelical Mind” in which he protested at what he perceived as a lack of willingness to think deeply and carefully among evangelicals. He identified an anti-intellectualism within our movement. Rachel Held Evans became a notable doubter/sceptic of evangelical faith and in 2013, she wrote: The questions… Continue reading The Scandal of the Evangelical Heart
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
Do we have grace?
I first heard of Vernon Higham when Wesley Aiken, pastor at Rochester Baptist Church came back from a holiday. Higham had been the visiting speaker at the church where Wesley’s family went on their holidays. Wesley described this frail elderly man taking to the pulpit and preaching a gospel sermon about the grace of God… Continue reading Do we have grace?
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
Food from around the web
My friend from Oak Hill days, Stephen Watkinson has resurrected his blog “Northern Souls”. Here he writes on the importance of “hammering home” application if we want to make sure that churches get the challenging things that God has to say to us. Facing the Day: This is a guest post by Rachel Lane on… Continue reading Food from around the web
Faithroots 