This is a further follow up on my article about serving, believing and belonging. The decisions we make here tell us something about how we regard ministry and gifts. Thinking back, I’m more likely to have been pressurised to include someone who isn’t a member or not yet a Christian to either help with children’s… Continue reading Our decisions about who serves where tell people what we value
Tag: ministry
Leaky pipes are best replaced
This article by Nay Dawson is essential reading for complementarians who believe that women are called to serve in Christ’s church too. This is not a post pushing for us to change our minds on what Scripture says about elders and about teaching. It is simply arguing that women are given gifts to use for… Continue reading Leaky pipes are best replaced
Irrevocable gifts and calling – the danger of out of context Bible verses
One of the biggest dangers to healthy life is our ability to rip Bible verses out of context and misapply them. One such example is this verse: 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable[1] I’ve heard this verse used by people to justify continued support for people who seemingly had a gifting or… Continue reading Irrevocable gifts and calling – the danger of out of context Bible verses
Whatever happened to the local church? A response to John Benton
I hope I can cheer John Benton up a little here. In his latest Evangelicals Now column he asks what has happened to the local church. The answer is that is is alive and kicking. That’s because Jesus is Lord of his church. To be fair, we’ve seen our share of the big city centre… Continue reading Whatever happened to the local church? A response to John Benton
Fallow Ground
Ancient Israel was expected to observe sabbath years (every 7) and jubilee years every 50. Those years were meant to allow for the release of slaves, cancellation of debt, return of property to tribal/clan ownership and rest for the land with the fields left fallow. Whilst those laws were specific to Israel and so not… Continue reading Fallow Ground
New Horizons – next steps (Early 2021)
Here’s the next update for our plans. As you will know, I finish with Bearwood Chapel on the 31st December. We have said that we are open to wherever God leads us and over the past few weeks that has led to some fascinating conversations. We have been challenged and encouraged to hear about both… Continue reading New Horizons – next steps (Early 2021)
Pastors get depression too
I want to share with you the results of a little survey I did via twitter. It is important to emphasise that these twitter polls don’t count as scientific surveys with appropriate proportions of people and adjustments. Therefore, the percentages are a little meaningless. So, what I’d encourage you to do is to look past… Continue reading Pastors get depression too
Flourish – Valuing women in church life
Here’s the video of our later After Eight which includes a helpful interview with Sophie Killingley based around Aimee Byrd’s book “Recovering From Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.” We want this to be the start, not the end of the conversation.
How do we talk about work?
In an earlier post on rest and restlessness, I said that we are likely to be able to help each other in the area of getting rest if we start with a better approach to work. I then went on to say that we often see work as a necessary evil and that prevents us… Continue reading How do we talk about work?
“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
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