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When they laugh at your faith
Christians believe something very deeply… we’ve entrusted our lives, careers, money, opportunities, everything over to Jesus. We’re depending on Jesus’ grace to get us through death. These are all serious things! So it makes it really hard when our non-Christian… Continue reading
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The love that sparks the task should fuel the task
When you start a project or task its easy to get motivated. New things are exciting and carry a sense of momentum. But we don’t just go and do new things… we do things that we believe in… we just… Continue reading
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How many complaints are you prepared to hear?
No one likes hearing complaints, even when we know they come from a good place and the person complaining is trying to do it for the church’s good… but how many are you prepared for. I’d like to assume that… Continue reading
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Assume you don’t really understand until…
When you’re trying to convince someone of something the conversation will start in one of two places; either they know you don’t agree or they don’t know that yet. (Eg salesman know they don’t agree with your budget, but they… Continue reading
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Who else have you spoken to?
Often when people ask you for advice or come to us with a problem, it can make you feel important and valuable. However, it’s worth asking “who else have you spoken to?” for several reasons… Avoid becoming someone’s only confidant.… Continue reading
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Radical Christianity only looks radical this side of heaven
From here until Jesus returns, following Jesus will always look outrageous, extreme and anti-cultural. But even though we know this, we can still feel the pull to make middle-class Christianity a thing. Middle-class Christianity is faithful to Sundays (as long… Continue reading
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Jesus doesn’t give you “your heaven” – he calls you to share his.
As we talk about heaven, we too quickly move to the idea it is for us. While this is somewhat true, it’s not the big idea. Jesus was raised as the first eternal human – never to die again. He… Continue reading
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Paul, the Areopagus & the Why of evangelism
We all find evangelism hard. Admitting that is the first step to dealing with it. But what’s the second step? What gets in the way of people taking the next step with their acquaintances, friends and family? Our Mission Pastor,… Continue reading
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Repost: Leading through anxiety
Once during my apprenticeship, I was responsible for the Sunday meeting (setup, order or service, etc). I’d make sure people knew they were “on”, I made sure people knew what they had to do. It was a little ants nest… Continue reading
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Repost: An american perspective on evangelism
One of the american uni students I got to meet told me about how different it was over here in Australia. They couldn’t believe the number of non-Christians. So I asked, “Aren’t there many non-Christians back home where you live?”… Continue reading
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Repost: How exactly is the 2nd greatest command like the 1st?
Aren’t the two greatest commandments opposed to each other? Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. And the… Continue reading
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Repost: Try not to confuse your relationship ‘hats’
Some people you know on only one level; the local barista, a taxi driver, the policeman pulling you over for speeding. Its a pretty simple relationship, because you’re the driver and he’s the cop. But what if the cop who… Continue reading
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Repost: Preach with the closing prayer in mind
…and then the preacher says, “lets pray”. I think this point of the sermon (nay – the church meeting) is the pinnacle. This is the moment when you’re asking people to turn what they’ve heard into gospel centred action… The… Continue reading
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Repost: When a question turns into a ransom note
A ransom note isn’t a question. It might use words like “please” or “I was wondering if…”, but in the end it means, “if you don’t do this, I’m going to hold it against you / hold it over your… Continue reading
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Repost: Gospel Ministry is not you speaking truthfully about God
It is that… but “to another human”. Think about that for a moment; it’s an important aspect not to miss. You don’t just “do” ministry, you do ministry “to people”. God made, became and uses humans. Ignoring the human aspect… Continue reading
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Repost: Printing for preaching
If you’re still one who prints their sermon scripts, here’s some tips I’ve picked up from others; Print to read at a glance; Use 15pt font or larger, double spaced, 2cm margins Serif fonts (e.g. Times) are easier to read… Continue reading
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Repost: Loving the many vs loving the few
When you invest your life into someone; as a pastor, mentor, friend, helper, brother – you’re loving one person — just one — in many ways. Many many ways. Time, meals, prayer, hugs, bible-reading together, the works. But by doing… Continue reading
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Repost: Before you answer, ask if they care
It’s nice when people ask questions; whether they are atheists or mature Christians. We all like the feeling of being asked, or the opportunity to “give an answer for the hope we have”. But, before you answer, just ponder whether… Continue reading
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#Nexus2015 – Cross Shaped Ministry – What was missing…
(The recent Nexus2015 Conference “A cross shaped ministry” thought through the implications the cross has on how we think about gospel work in our churches. These are some of my personal reflections – see the previous 4 reflections here.) I do feel there was… Continue reading
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#Nexus2015 – Cross Shaped Ministry – Reflections Part 2
(The recent Nexus2015 Conference “A cross shaped ministry” thought through the implications the cross has on how we think about gospel work in our churches. These are some of my personal reflections.) 3. The cross sets the terms of gospel ministry The cross was… Continue reading
MINISTRY PRINCIPLES & PRAGMATICS 