In the current WikiLeaks saga many are having their worst suspicions of institutional control and secrecy confirmed. Talk hosts are being deluged as high profile backers weigh in on the side of freedom of expression. Parallels have been drawn on how the printing of the Bible by the Gutenberg Press challenged information control by the… Continue reading
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Church & 21st Century Adventist Identity
Avondale College invites you to attend this international conference – 16-19 January 2011. Speakers include: Dr Richard Rice – contemporary theological issues; Dr Reinder Bruinsma – missiologist, church leader & prolific author; Rudy Dingjan – coordinator Netherlands church planting; and church planter, Peter Roennfeldt. # Themes include: identity in the 21st century / fresh expressions… Continue reading
House Churches expand witness!
Even though homes were places where believers gathered in the first century, and modern church planting movements are house-church based, many church pastors are wary of them. There are good reasons – but also some misunderstandings! First, local church pastors don’t want to lose attendees. Attendees provide financial and human resources for their ministries –… Continue reading
In Mongolia ‘the fire is gone’!
Dave Lawton has just returned from Mongolia and reports: ‘… the fire is gone. Western models of Church have been imported. These ‘traditional style’ churches have locked Christians up and created a passive Christianity. The Gospel has stopped spreading. Initially I was discouraged when I observed what was going on… But then I met Augie.’… Continue reading
Sharing ABC Bible Reading!
Check out Dave Lawton’s blog on sharing faith with ABC Bible reading – essential to church planting movements!
On building a house for God!
‘Do we build God a house so that we can choose when we go to see God? Do we build God a house in lieu of having God stay at ours? … What happens to the people who never show up in our houses of God?’ (Barbara Brown Taylor, An Altar in the World, Harper,… Continue reading
Matthew Parties
The first Matthew Party was thrown by Levi Matthew, a tax collector whom Jesus called to follow him. The story is given in Luke 6:27-32 – and also Matthew 9:9-13 and Mark 2:14-17. When Levi followed Jesus he ‘held a great banquet for Jesus at his house’ – inviting a large crowd considered disreputable by… Continue reading
Community Chaplain Services
In England this last Saturday I met Dusan Uzelac who is equipping community chaplains to connect with and support their neighborhoods. As Dusan says, ‘Everyone knows what a chaplain is – and they are respected!’ They work in pairs, wear a badge with name and contact details identifying their church plant. Assigned a small territory,… Continue reading
‘Sunday’s Coming’ – worth seeing!
What does this exceptionally well-done video say about church (conventional or consumerist) – whether on Wed, Sat or Sun? What is church? Check out ‘Sunday’s Coming’ – and maybe check out church in the book of Acts (yes, in the Bible!). Share your comment on church TODAY & church in ACTS.
Movements Study Guide – Ready!
Download the study guide for Steve Addison’s Movements that Change the World – and use this in small groups committed to obedient discipleship. Between sessions – apply what is learnt.