Hospitality – the forgotten qualification
This one takes a look at the eldership qualifications and why hospitality is demanded of elders but not deacons.
5 lessons for new church planters
These are helpful thoughts if you are looking to plant.
Remember, you don’t have a helicopter
‘What all of us need to remember, especially those of us who provide comment pieces whether via blogs like this or as guest articles in journals, newspapers and magazines, is that none of us have a helicopter. We may be able to visit a lot of churches, we may be able to talk to people who are in touch with different churches and organisations, we may even have contact with network leaders but that’s not the same as having a helicopter picture of the whole scene.’
How do I live through a season of darkness?
John Piper offers insight on this one.
Twenty-five marks of unbelief
By way of John Bunyan, this one looks at a series of differences between faith and unbelief.
Not suggesting the three-god-squad
‘I definitely want to speak like the Bible and like normal Christians. But sometimes when we say things like “the Father created and the Son redeemed,” we presuppose (in our own minds) and suggest (to listeners) that Father and Son are taking turns or divvying up the work. That is, we presuppose and suggest that their works are exclusive, shutting each other out. And the Bible does not mean that!’
From the archive: The gnosticism of legalism
‘When legalism rears its head, gnosticism is usually lurking around somewhere. There is a strong dualistic tendency that very often paints “spiritual” things as good and “worldly” things as bad. Of course, the one who deems evil material things as off-limits has to have some special insight to discern such things. In many cases, those who are quick to say “do not handle, do not taste, do not touch” believe that they have advanced to a state of maturity that truly recognises the danger of such things. This kind of attitude causes us to sniff at God’s good gifts as though they were something other than good.’
I particularly liked the final line of the Faithroots article: “Relax about trying to see the whole wood, tend to the trees because the wood will grow, one tree at a time.”
There might be the occasional person given the partial prophetic insight by God into the wider strategic overview of the state of the Church in this country (or wherever), but I reckon that would be a rare occurrence.
Yes, I tend to agree. I suspect there are more of us who might have some helpful insight into some very specific areas, but few of us with great insight into the entire state of the church (and less so the more global we are talking)