The joy of repentance
Wallace Benn
Date posted: 1 Sep 2019
Former area Bishop of Lewes, Wallace Benn, reminds us of the delight to be found in turning back to God
When the Lord Jesus began his ministry he proclaimed: ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel’ (Mark 1:15). Repentance is central to the Christian message and cannot therefore be downplayed or abandoned.
history
Reformers & missions III
Michael Haykin
Date posted: 1 Sep 2018
Calvin is insistent that believers must actively employ
their strength to bring God’s
salvation to others.
In his sermon on Deuteronomy 33.18-19
Calvin can thus argue that it is not enough to
be involved in God’s service. Christians need
to be drawing others to serve and adore God.
Specifically, how does God use the strength
of Christians? Calvin’s answer is that it is by
their words and by their deeds.
Field of dreams
Student sport mission field
Mike Harris
Date posted: 1 Oct 2018
All over the country, freshers are starting their first year at university.
Anyone who has been a student knows the challenge of trying to live for Jesus in those early weeks where everyone is grappling for a sense of belonging, an identity, image, reputation and a group of friends.
Mixing mission
John McLernon
Date posted: 1 May 2017
John McLernon, UK Director of People International, examines the relationship between mission agencies and the local church.
The Christian missionary community is approaching a pivotal point.
history
1919 revival in Toronto
Michael Haykin
Date posted: 1 Jun 2019
During and after World War
I, many
English-speaking Evangelicals were hoping
and praying that one positive result of the
horrors of that war would be a great awakening of men and women to their sin and
their need for the Saviour.
It was not to be; but there were local revivals,
a century on, that we should remember.
Church life
Why your church needs biblical theology
Joanthan Leeman
Date posted: 1 Jun 2019
The discipline of biblical theology is just as important to the life of your church as systematic theology.
Biblical theology is the root of doctrine; systematic theology is the fruit. And we need to get both right if we want to know who Jesus is, what the gospel is, and how to guard and guide our churches.
The Third Degree
Using media in CU mission
Joe Cook
Date posted: 1 Oct 2018
More and more, meeting students where they are means meeting them online.
As a result media, and specifically video, is increasingly being used to reach students with the gospel.
Transported to Australia?
David Robertson
Date posted: 1 Apr 2019
Evangelist David Robertson tells us why he is going Down Under
I was doing some research into my predecessor at St Peters Dundee, Robert Murray McCheyne.
The Gospel According To AI
Ben Clube
Date posted: 1 May 2019
Oak Hill Theological College student, Ben Clube, contemplates whether Artificial Intelligence is ‘good news’
The past century has seen explosive interest in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Pop culture has perpetuated the hype with The Terminator in the 80s, The Matrix in the 90s, and a deluge since the millennium with I-robot, Ex Machina, Black Mirror, Westworld, etc.
history
Reformers & missions IV
Michael Haykin
Date posted: 1 Oct 2018
In seeking to re-evangelise
Europe, the Reformers made
powerful use of the latest
technology at their disposal,
namely, the printing press.
By Calvin’s death in 1564, his interest in
Christian publishing meant that there were
no less than 34 printing-houses in Geneva,
which printed Bibles and Christian literature
in a variety of European languages. In the
1550s particularly, Geneva was a hive of
biblical editions and translations.
Encouragement in Europe
Michael Ots
Date posted: 1 Feb 2019
Michael Ots reflects on ten years of the Fellowship of Evangelists in the Universities of Europe (FEUER)
The name FEUER is a slightly tenuous acronym, using English words to spell the German word meaning ‘fire’.
Why a northern seminary?
Jeremy Marshall
Date posted: 1 Mar 2019
Jeremy Marshall challenges the current evangelical status quo
In 1854 the novelists Charles Dickens and Mrs Gaskell each wrote best sellers (Hard Times and North and South).
Keep going, pastor!
Jonathan Worsley
Date posted: 1 Apr 2019
Dilapidated buildings, small budgets and struggling congregations: Jonathan Worsley on irresistible grace & ministerial steadfastness
It’s Monday morning. You’re driving to the church office, reflecting on your sermon from Sunday.
Missional motherhood
Gloria Furman
Date posted: 1 Feb 2017
Gloria Furman on how the Second Coming throws a new light on being a mother
The missional vision of motherhood helps correct our nearsighted mothering.
Revitalisation: why bother?
John James
Date posted: 1 Feb 2019
John James on what is so good about turning round dying churches
‘It is easier to give birth than raise the dead,’ my friend replied, as I began to talk about the church revitalisation project we were prayer-fully considering.
Millennials and internships
Matt Waldock
Date posted: 1 Mar 2019
Matt Waldock of City Church Manchester on how to attract young graduates into short-term church work
You simply cannot avoid them!
Field of Dreams
Sport is a mission field
Graham Daniels
Date posted: 1 Jan 2018
‘The reason I go to church on Sunday is that I follow Jesus! Do you ever go to church?’
Those words changed my life.
Technology
InSight into our universe
Pete Nicholas
Date posted: 1 Jan 2019
On Monday 26 November Nasa’s Mars InSight probe touched down.
It is a wonderful technological achievement. Please note, I am using the adjective intentionally, ‘wonderful’ – an achievement that is (and should be seen as) ‘full of wonder’.
Peterson, marriage & missions
Gavin Peacock
Date posted: 1 Sep 2017
Though we may be greatly distressed by the rise of the LGBT agenda, Gavin Peacock argues that we should seize the moment
Recently Eugene Peterson hit the headlines in the US with his affirmation of same-sex marriage.
He will hold me fast
Janice Pibworth with the story of the hymn written by Ada Ruth Habershon1 (1861-1918), who died 100 years ago this year
When I fear my faith will fail,
Christ will hold me fast;
When the tempter would prevail,
He can hold me fast.
‘Sad... but never surprised’
Esther Smith
Date posted: 1 Feb 2019
Esther Smith reminds us of the work of the charity Caring for Life
‘We’re never surprised by what we find behind closed doors; sad, but never surprised.’
history
Calvin’s atrocities?
Michael Haykin
Date posted: 1 Feb 2019
‘The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there’.
This famous first line by L.P. Hartley (1895–1972) in his novel The Go-Between (1953) has long been a favourite maxim that orients my teaching of history, for it is notoriously difficult to treat former eras of history with the degree of empathy that they need to make them understandable.
The urban priority
Dave Williams
Date posted: 1 Nov 2018
Dave Williams reminds us of some uncomfortable facts about the evangelical church
‘The UK is a mission field and the church needs to step out of maintenance mode and into mission mode.’
Independent but together
Mark Herbert
Date posted: 1 Nov 2018
A story of church revitalisation
Mark Herbert is one of the pastors at Long Crendon Baptist Church.