Recycling and making it hard for people to do what we expect of them

Apparently, Birmingham has the dubious honour of being ranked at the bottom of the recycling table with only 22.5% of waste being recycled.  Having lived here for a month, I’m not surprised.  Our recycling centre (what we used to call the Tip) is closed currently and our recycling is collected fortnightly.  At least we know… Continue reading Recycling and making it hard for people to do what we expect of them

Our decisions about who serves where tell people what we value

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

The problem with asking people to serve before they belong

How you come in will be how you go on I’m sure you’ve heard this or something similar said about evangelism. If we rely on big events and entertainment to attract people to the Gospel, then we shouldn’t be surprised if that’s what it takes to hold them going forward. Your church will find that… Continue reading The problem with asking people to serve before they belong

Served by the Gospel… Serving the Gospel Romans 1:8-15

We started Romans by asking “What is it that believers seeking to serve God in our cities need” and I suggested that we would find the answer in this letter, specifically the need for Grace and Peace. This is now reinforced by the next part of the letter.   A letter from Paul often seems… Continue reading Served by the Gospel… Serving the Gospel Romans 1:8-15