Mega church is still church

I didn't think charismatic mega churches did this sort of thing any more. Refreshing.

Rewarding what is important

‘Do you think a man or woman who chooses to stay at home to look after their children is doing a less viable job than someone on an assembly line?’ When a worker goes out to build a car, the Government gives him a tax exemption, if she or he stays at home you double tax that family by not allowing that tax exemption to exist.” Iain Duncan Smith, from an interview in The Times

The short interview is well worth a read. His comments on family, the state of Britain and being a Christian in public life deserve reflection - whatever your politics.

Unstraightforward living

I use McCheyne's Bible reading plan to read through the Bible every year. Highly recommend it.

I have noticed recently that in each of the four chapters I am reading that the different characters - all from different times in biblical history - are continually facing problems and difficulties like barrenness, critical and malicious leaders, tyrannical kings. And that's because they are doing God's will! This Christian life was never meant to be straightforward!

You can get McCheyne's plan here

Some progress in the swim against the tide

On Monday evening the House of Lords rejected the government's equality bill. The implications of the bill in its original form would have left churches open to prosecution if they refused to employ a person on the basis of their sexuality. You can read more here .

However, it seems that the tide of public opinion is drifting further away from traditional views on sexuality. The Guardian reports that the most recent British Social Attitudes Survey reveals that 36% of people think of homosexual relationships as "always or mostly" wrong, compared to 62% in 1983. This is just one item of data that indiciates that Britain has become much more socially liberal over the past two decades.

Faux reassurance

Seth Godin's blog really is must reading. The following is a quote from a post entitled No, everything is not going to be okay:

"Finding the bravery to shun faux reassurance is a critical step in producing important change. Once you free yourself from the need for perfect acceptance, it's a lot easier to launch work that matters."

Looking for your Egyptian

Kevin Peat spoke at our Sunday evening service. He brought a very challenging word. He preached from 1 Samuel 30 about how David turned defeat into victory. He drew attention to the Egyptian, who had been abandoned by his master, that David and his men met as they pursued those who had raided Ziklag. The intel they gathered from the Egyptian was the key to their success.

Sometimes the most unlikely person can be a major determining factor in living in victory. I'm looking for my Egyptian.

Live on air

I did my first ever radio work on Thusday evening. Lorna Grady at Revival FM invited me to be part of her show - The Late Show. She asked me all sorts of questions, including, if I could invite six people (three from the bible and three from non-biblical history) to a dinner party, who they would be.

I enjoyed the whole thing. Lorna did an excellent job in the way she asked her questions. Her ability to blend humour and serious issues was very effective.

You can hear Lorna at 9.30 on Thursday evenings on 100.8 FM.

Spreadsheet vision

"In my experience, data crowds out faith. And without faith, it's hard to believe in the data enough to make a leap. Big mergers, big VC investments, big political movements, large congregations... they don't usually turn out for a spreadsheet. " Seth Godin. Read the whole post here

Friends and Family

"We can see this in Jesus’ ministry; he is recruiting disciples who bring their friends or their family, their workmates. Whenever you see the gospel expanding exponentially it’s expanding along networks of pre-existing relationships." An excerpt from an interview with Steve Addison posted on his blog. This quote is taken from part 4

Making friends with your opponents

The story of how a Christian campaigner against the mega mosque made friends with some of his Islamic opponents. Read it here.

Plans for the Mega Mosque shelved

I've just learnt that plans for the mega mosque in the East End of London have been shelved. A petition with 48000 signatures was submitted at one stage opposing the development. Read the latest here and here

Keller on creation and evolution

This from Tim Keller on creation and evolution is worth a read. Thoughtful piece.

Any title but "pastor"

This from Mark Driscoll is just so funny.