Tag: The Grace Driven Church

When the car crash has happened – guilt and shame revisited

In our look at 1 Corinthians 10,  I used the example of someone pushing the boundaries, taking risks with their faith being like a driver taking corners at speed close to the cliff edge. They risk plunging off of the edge into a deep ravine. 1 Corinthians 10 offers a warning against taking risks, falling… Continue reading When the car crash has happened – guilt and shame revisited

What kind of church? A free church (1 Corinthians 9)

We sometimes get into disputes about how Christians are to relate to “The Law”.  Are we under Law or under grace?  Now, for obvious reasons, there doesn’t tend to be much discussion or debate about whether or not we are under any requirement to not murder or steal.  So, the focus when it comes to… Continue reading What kind of church? A free church (1 Corinthians 9)

The danger of legalism

A big theme throughout Galatians is that we are no longer under subjugation to The Law. This meant that Galatian believers were not to be subjected to the rituals and ceremonies of Judaism.  It also meant that people were not to be excluded from belonging and fellowship on that basis.  So, an important application from… Continue reading The danger of legalism

The Truth about Cats and Dogs

This was the opening illustration and title of a series of talks I did for a church on the weekend away several years back. I asked the question “What is the difference between cats and dogs”. There are two answers. The first is : When you welcome a dog into your home, feed it, provide… Continue reading The Truth about Cats and Dogs

Is it just psychobabble?

Over the past couple of days I’ve shared a couple of posts drawing on observations that psychologists make about trauma and suggesting some lessons for church leaders. Some of us might be a little bit nervous of seeing articles that appear to draw primarily from secular thinking. I mean, there’s huge scepticism about the ability… Continue reading Is it just psychobabble?

Revitalisation and the traumatised church

I’ve mentioned a few times now that sometimes a church acts and feels as though it has been through a form of corporate or collective trauma and is suffering corporate PTSD.  There may have been a number of factors leading up to this including specific events within the life of the church such as the… Continue reading Revitalisation and the traumatised church

Why do we struggle to talk about pastors and depression?

A few years back I was asked to cover a couple of sessions for a ministry training course. One of the sessions was on “failure.” The request came with a couple of those expected awkward jokes along the lines of “we aren’t picking you for any specific reason.” Indeed, at the time, arguably I’d not… Continue reading Why do we struggle to talk about pastors and depression?

What’s my part?

#TheDailyDose – Exodus 6:6-12 The fireman at your bedside Grace in the OT The Covenant Promise (cf Gen 12:1-3) God’s Presence/Blessing God’s People                                                                 God’s Land Exodus 6 -12 Redemption (rescue and atonement) Exodus 20 – Law …over to you? What’s the right response to God’s Grace? To desire to know God fully  -his name To… Continue reading What’s my part?

How (not) to be a guilt driven church

#TheDailyDose – Ephesians 2:8-10 The book we bought and the book we read Rick Warren’s best sellers “The purpose driven life” and “The purpose  driven church” –but a lot of churches and Christian lives feel “guilt driven” …not purpose driven What do I mean …. Trying to bridge a gap “For it is by grace… Continue reading How (not) to be a guilt driven church