Have you ever noticed that the message our world almost force feeds us is that we can do whatever we want? Celebrities stand on stages and tell us that if you just put your mind to it you can do the impossible. But is that really true?Continue reading “Impossible Commands”
Listen to old stories…
One of the things that struck me recently is that I rarely read testimonies and biographies. This is largely down to the fact that the books I’m sent to review are mostly ‘Christian life’ books.
Also, I just enjoy learning new things and wrestling with theological concepts. But I often forget (and I know that it’s foolish!) that people’s stories put legs to theological concepts and we can learn so much from the experience of others.Continue reading “Listen to old stories…”
An Open Door
It’s always a bit awkward when I receive a copy of a testimony or biography to review. It’s awkward because you can’t really criticise someone’s life, can you?
Thankfully, I didn’t have to with this book! Continue reading “An Open Door”
Welcome and care for the new guy…
It’s been nearly two years since Sabine and I moved church. We moved because I was given a job as Assistant Pastor in a different church in Edinburgh. Even though we weren’t moving city, we were still nervous about how we would manage changing church.Continue reading “Welcome and care for the new guy…”
Don’t Just Send a Resume
Don’t Just Send a Resume is one of those books that you will want to read over and over again whenever you consider applying for a job in church ministry and even in para church ministry.
Have you ever considered applying for a job in your local church? Have you ever been in a church that is looking for a new Pastor? Have you ever sat on a committee that is looking for a new Pastor?
If you replied yes to any of those, then you need to get this book!Continue reading “Don’t Just Send a Resume”
Comfortable Christianity…
It’s so easy to get pulled into the thinking that church is there to serve us, isn’t it?
People go to churches that they like, which is not always the church that they actually need. People soften the gospel message to make it nicer to hear. People can be more concerned with entertainment rather than Biblical preaching, and the list goes on. But is that what Christians are called to?Continue reading “Comfortable Christianity…”
Uncomfortable
Have you noticed how our world revolves around comfort? People speak about comfort zones and safe spaces where people can be themselves. You can pretty much do whatever you want as long as you’re comfortable with it.
This pursuit of comfort has made its way into the church.Continue reading “Uncomfortable”
Engaging well…
One of the topics that every Bible College and seminary student, Christian and church worker will wrestle with is; how do we engage people well with the good news of Jesus?Continue reading “Engaging well…”
Plugged In
We are surrounded by so much information that comes across our path on a daily basis. We’re influenced by external voices in music, radio, television, and the list goes on. But, how can Christians navigate this?Continue reading “Plugged In”
Are we setting our kids up to fail?
One of the privileges that I’ve had over the last few years is seeing children and youth ministry within the contexts of different churches, in different countries and with different leading styles. In the most recent few years I have enjoyed leading the youth ministry in two different churches.
The question that I find myself asking, generally about children and youth ministry is, are we setting them up to fail? But this branches out into all ages, are our people taught well or are we setting them up to fail?Continue reading “Are we setting our kids up to fail?”
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