It isn't the quickest read (unless you jump to the conclusion at the end) but here is the Pope's recent reflections on questions surrounding the global economic 'crisis'.As Robert Peston of the BBC puts it, "If you're in the mood for reading about how the capitalist system is unjust and needs radical reform, that's where you... Continue Reading →
Lessons on being a minister 1
I’ve been a minister for 10 years now so thought I might post a couple of blogs about being a minister, this one being general reflections and the next one on moving from a ‘smaller’ to a ‘larger’ church. Then, if I get the time, I might blog some more about specific points over the... Continue Reading →
Fallow ground or yellow box
Describing a choice to a Church Meeting recently I likened the options to the difference between fallow ground and a yellow box. The fallow ground option says, let’s stop doing this particular activity and then leave the space to see what might emerge, what green shoots might start to grow in the space that has... Continue Reading →
Science and religion
Interesting piece in the guardian online about science and relegion. (here) My knowledge of scientific history is woeful but my I suspect his basis thesis, that science and Christianity have got along fine, works.
Innovating the Church
I went to a seminar this week led by James Emery White, Senior Pastor of Mecklenburg Community Church, Charlotte, North Carolina (here); put on by the Willow Creek Association in the UK. I’ve not been to any of the Willow Creek seminars before but it was a worthwhile day and touched on many of the... Continue Reading →
Caravan to Mablethorpe
Last week we spent part of half term in the caravan at Mablethorpe.The Camping and Caravan Club site is just to the south west of the town. A pleasant site, with fields on three sides it has a nice relaxed feel. Like many C&CC club sites the wash facilities are ok when the weather is... Continue Reading →
Worship gatherings – questions, questions, questions
Having a few days break this week (so no blogging) but the question of worship gatherings has been in my mind recently. As a church we have been looking at the future of our services as some grow in numbers and some decline. Among the questions are:1. Content: to what extent should we aim to... Continue Reading →
Obama’s speech at Notre Dame
Another interesting piece from Associated Baptist Press in the US. This time looking at aspects of Obama's speech (Here)If you missed the news reports here is the BBC's (Here)
Good preaching: Mapping reality
While preparing a sermon it struck me that preaching is like map reading. Sometimes people read the Bible as if it is a road map, a series of lines which connect up to take us in a particular direction; our job is to get on the motorways and stay there till we reach our... Continue Reading →
Bible reading quiz
I came across this quiz designed to show that people don't read the Bible as literally as they sometimes think they do. Though the fact that Associated Baptist Press felt they needed to put a disclaimer at the end is a bit worrying.Click link for Quiz
Distinct Reflections 