A friend of mine frequently points out the nonsense of saying that something has “stood the test of time”. It’s not really a test that tells you anything more than that the specific thing has been around for a long time. As Christians, we rightly value faithfulness and this does mean that believers, leaders and… Continue reading Longevity is not the same as faithfulness (and why grace matters)
Tag: The Guilt Driven Church
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
What is legalism? Faithroots Podcast
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
Guilt, Grace and Forgiveness
I‘ve found, when I’m preaching, that when I touch upon the subject of guilt, something resonates. I pick up on it subjectively as I sense people’s attention being grabbed and as I watch body language and facial expressions. I pick up on it objectively as the level of feedback picks up! So guilt seems to… Continue reading Guilt, Grace and Forgiveness
The (church) body keeps the score
I recently referred to the book “The body keeps the score” which talks about how mental health issues and in particular trauma related health is not just in the mind. The physical brain, nervous system and the body are affected by trauma, respond to it and keep score of the damage inflicted. So, I’ve begun… Continue reading The (church) body keeps the score
The Guilt Driven Church or the Grace Saturated Church?
Over the next few days we’ve something a little different on #TheDailyDose . I’m taking a break from working through a book in order to look at a mini topical series. Over the past few months, we’ve been challenged following the Fletcher, Smyth and Timmis scandals to look at our church culture. What kind of… Continue reading The Guilt Driven Church or the Grace Saturated Church?
Big Family of God?
I’ve written a few articles recently where I’ve talked about the importance of revisiting how we think about and talk about God if we are to see significant cultural change. I’ve suggested that we need to try and get away from corporate/business imagery and start to talk about the church as body and as family.… Continue reading Big Family of God?
Gifted and Talented
What does that phrase make you think of? It’s frequently used to describe stand out students at school. The Gifted and talented are to be separated out for special attention at one end of the educational spectrum in order to maximise Grade 9s, A*s and Oxbridge places. Of course at the other end of the… Continue reading Gifted and Talented
Conservative evangelical theology SHOULD mean there is no excuse for abuse
Predictably, one of the responses to two high profile cases of abuse has been for some to identify a specific problem with conservative evangelicalism and therefore with its underlying theology.. conservative evangelical, or more properly, “Reformed Theology” holds that. God is the great and glorious Lord, the Triune God who is love, holy and just. … Continue reading Conservative evangelical theology SHOULD mean there is no excuse for abuse
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