Category: On Church
-
In Memoriam: JI Packer
It was about 10 days ago that I heard of the passing of JI Packer. What came to mind when I heard this news, as oddly as this may sound, were pleasant and appreciative memories for someone who has had an impact on my faith–from my view of the Bible, my view of theology, and…
-
The Grieving of the (Non) Gathering of God’s People
We now enter the third Sunday where our church is unable to gather together. And this week it has finally hit me. I’m grieving. I’m sad. Perhaps I’m a little angry, but mainly I’m sad. I’ve been involved in church life all my life. Being born into a pastors family means church is part of…
-
God’s Love Expressed: Through Our Love For One-Another
In the passage 1 John 4:7-21 the beginning and the end command us to love one-another. It’s like a love one-another sandwich. In v7-8 it reads, “Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. The one who does not…
-
New Children’s Ministry Initiative Makes Worship Leaders Walk Out Of Service
In an effort to be more inclusive of children in their services Pleasantville Baptist Church has encouraged those under the age of 12 to bring their own instruments to church for the opening bracket of songs. For three weekends in a row the services at PBC have included a time for inviting children to the…
-
What’s The Deal With Cranky Calvinists?
Seriously. What’s the deal with cranky Calvinists? I don’t understand. I don’t understand why any Calvinist should be cranky. I mean, it’s called the Doctrines of Grace for a reason. You know, grace and stuff. Sometimes I meet with pastors and Christians who have been significantly impacted by the rise of New Calvinism. And sometimes…
-
Australian Baptist Generational Ministry Research: A Recent Publication on Participation and Priorities
In the last month or so an important and interesting piece of research regarding generational ministry in Australian Baptist churches has been published. In the journal known as ‘Exchange’ Darren Cronshaw has written an article entitled ““Sticky Faith” in Australian Baptist Churches: Surveying Generational Participation and Ministry Priorities”. It is not often that research is…
-
5 Learnings From Being ‘Acting Senior Pastor’
Earlier in the year my Senior Pastor went on paternity leave for three weeks. I was technically ‘Acting Senior Pastor’ during that time. There were extra responsibilities. This is what I learned. 1. The amount and variety of decisions required to be made is enormous. This is the main difference between what my role is…
-
Missions Sub-Committee Approves Short-term Mission Team to Neighbours
For the last nine months Huntingdale Heights Community Church has been actively pursuing the idea that it should reach out to its neighbours. On Monday night the short-term missions sub-committee taskforce formally approved its first short-term missions team to do just that. Over the past three years Pastor Jeff Hines has been preaching through the…
-
Published: Bible-shaped Youth Ministry
I’ve managed to re-work a short talk I recently delivered into an article for The Gospel Coalition Australia. It’s all about the usefulness of the Bible in shaping youth ministry. “I can’t remember what we were explicitly studying during that season, but I do know that we were walking slowly through a book of the…
Life and Faith 