I think a huge way forward – and maybe at first the difference seems subtle, but I believe the result makes a huge difference – is to decide whether the people gathered constitutes ekklesia or the people who are the ekklesia are encouraged to find ways of gathering. If the former then we are back [...]
For so many people in the charismatic wing of the church change has come. It is possible to encounter many who are ‘post-charismatic’, ‘post-revival’ or whatever. They have lived through the idealism and live with disillusionment. Although they might not root the idealism they encountered in the Platonic / neo-Platonic philosophy that has undergirded so [...]
I have been a little distracted these past days but have read the comments on the last ekklesia blog. Terminology of course is so difficult, and I am almost resigned to using the word ‘church’ and of I do just that in most situations. But how that word has been imprisoned means I will persist [...]
If ekklesia comes into being whenever the Spirit has come to a people we must be great advocates of egalitarianism. No rich and poor, highly educated and lesser, male and female. Divides have to come down. Whenever there is a submission to the teachings of Jesus through a response to the Spirit, we must look [...]
In 1954 Lesslie Newbigin published The Houshold of God where he suggested the ‘universal church’ was made up of three distinct strands: the Catholic, Protestant and Pentecostal. The former was centred around the Sacramental with priests to administer the ‘God-appointed’ means for salvation; the second strand was centred around the Bible with ordained ministers appointed [...]
As I write this the Murdoch scene is being debated in Parliament. How far will this one go? We are in a decade of the see-saw and there being sensational exposures and then things back where they were; of the façades opening and then back again. So probably this empire will carry on, impacted but [...]
I have been privileged to be involved in the journey toward transformation in Stoke for a number of years, and was able to connect with Cross Rhythms this time round, then with Jon Bellamy (CR) and LLoyd Cooke (SaltBox) sat in on a council hosted meeting this morning looking at partnerships for change… there is [...]
Working out how big a million is is a challenge… but today I read of the possibility of a €1.5 trillion bailout might be needed for Italy. Is there a connection between Greece and Italy? Maybe the empires went from Greek to Roman. Jan 2nd. I wrote: Italy is a sign – I tie this [...]
What’s an ek? Not sure but thought I would use another word for what we call ‘church’ cos seems we make many assumptions about what we think is and is not church (more on ek later… but plan this to be the first of a few blogs). Writing about one’s core beliefs is indeed a [...]
Intriguing and provocative is this Scripture. Into the debate on Universalism it is certainly one to be grappled with. What does it mean ‘all people’ and then what is the significance of the contrast with ‘especially’. We have the same language in 2 Tim. 4:13 ‘bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, [...]
Well I do not expect to get a theological degree for this ‘I believe’ series. It is not systematic theology, but I do want to express some of what is at the core of who I am. True beliefs compel and shape us. I had the briefest of conversations recently where someone questioned the myth [...]
Much of the material that will be central to these posts will cover perspectives on the 'gates' of society, the places of influence that shape the culture. If transformation is a desired outcome, such aspects as strategic prayer and understanding the redemptive gifts of places will play their part. As prayer opens up space, filling it will be vital, not in a controlling, top-down sense, but with a servant spirit. Finding appropriate terminology is difficult. Maybe 'transformation' is not the right term, perhaps 'transfiguration', where inner qualities burst through.
I have chosen to use the term 'gates' and although they can be defined any number of ways these are the seven ways I have chosen to group them by:
These are in two formats. Epub can be read in many ereaders, such as Ipad, kobo etc.; if using a kindle then the format will be mobi. If there are difficulties in reading the format an internet search should show any peculiarities for your specific ereader
Vol 1.1 Epub format Vol 1.1 Mobi format
Vol 1.2 Epub format Vol 1.2 Mobi format
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Friends of Jesus
I had a phone call today, a good friend to many, Ralph Somerville has passed on to glory. Ralph and Ruth – in my books extraordinary people. January 9th., 1977 I drove to their house. Sue and I were moving to be part of a Christian community that shaped our lives enormously. We were engaged [...]