The role that Justin Welby is about to take on is huge. And whether you're Anglican or not, his appointment as the new Archbishop of Canterbury is an important event. His influence will be wide. His opinions well-reported in the press. His words and actions will bear heavily on the unity, direction and integrity of the Anglican communion and it's 77 million members. And that reflects on Christians everywhere.
So, it's important that we pray. And then pray again for him. But how do we pray for him? Here are 5 suggestions:
1. Faithfulness in belief
We shouldn't be naive. It's hard to be faithful when forces from inside the church and out are urging you to put forward a watered-down gospel. So let's pray he stands firm (Philippians 1:27). If there are areas in his life where he has wandered away from God's truth, let's pray that God will draw him back. And let's pray he'll be bold enough to teach what's true even when that's desperately counter cultural (Psalm 86:11).... continue reading
I admit it, I am feeling just a little bit pleased with myself.
Why?
Because last Saturday, I achieved a Personal Best for my weekly 5 kilometre run.
I joined the brilliant Parkrun scheme earlier this year, when I decided I needed to do something extra to fight the middle-aged flab. And the experience has proven trying, testing, exhilarating and painful. The Parkrun scheme operates at hundreds of parks worldwide, is entirely staffed by volunteers, and does one simple thing really, really well. At 9am on Saturday morning all over the world, someone says "Go", and everybody runs for 5,000 meters.
OK, I admit that 31 minutes 12 seconds does not exactly put me in an Olympian category. And truth to tell, I can't really call it a personal best because I would never have made it on my own.... continue reading
This movie tells a remarkable tale based on real-life events. After the Iranian revolution of 1979, the US embassy in Tehran is taken over by angry pro-Ayatollah students who hold its inhabitants hostage. Six of the embassy's workers escape and are hidden by Canadian diplomats. Back in the US, CIA agent Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) is tasked with extracting them from this hostile country before they're discovered by Revolutionary Guards.
But how to do the seemingly impossible? Out of all the implausible plans on the table, they pick the least likely of the lot — to create a fake sci fi movie called Argo (a Star wars knock-off). The idea is that Ben Affleck acts as the producer of this movie sent to scout locations in the middle east. The hidden embassy workers would play the film's Canadian crew before being smuggled out of the country.... continue reading
Hairdressers are dangerous places for women to be. It's not so much the washing, drying and cutting that's the problem. Nor even the colouring and styling. But the sideways glances in which most of us indulge.
I guess you know what I mean. There are the "oh her hair looks gorgeous" glances -" I wish I had her curls or her volume or her ability to carry off that cut". Then there are the "Seriously? You honestly think bright green hair suits you?" glances as we stifle a smirk. The imaginary glances, "I bet she just rolls out of bed in the morning looking stunning". Or the introverted glances, "I love my new hair, I feel amazing now". Or alternatively, "bring me a paper bag NOW".... continue reading
Why does human life matter?
Why should we help Children in Need? Why support Cancer Research? And why does it matter if we “terminate foetuses” or hasten the death of the terminally ill? They are only bodies, after all, complicated bags of cells with things we call reactions and emotions bubbling out of the soup which is life. Or at least, they are if there is no God.... continue reading
The UK has been rocked by recent allegations that the late Jimmy Savile, popular TV personality and charity campaigner, was infact one of the nation's most prolific paedophiles. The stories are shocking. The impact, devastating. The number of children hurt and the extent of the involvement of other celebrities is, as yet, unknown. So how, as Christians, can we pray? Here are our 10 thoughts…... continue reading
Would you mind doing me a favour? I’d like you to get out your mobile phone please. Yes, now would be good if you can... Got it? Great. Thank you.
Now flick to your sent box for your text messages. And read through the last 20. I’m guessing they’ll be a fairly representative sample of how you use your mobile. Take a look and see what kinds of things you’re texting …
My last 20 text messages fall into these categories:... continue reading
28 months ago, Adrian Watts left Oak Hill Theological College. He moved to Bradford and started a church plant with his fellow-pastor, Tom Swinney. Today The Good Book Blog continues to talk to Adrian about why he chose to plant in Bradford and how things are going ...
Christians who've recently moved into a new area aren't always keen to join small church plants. Of course, sometimes it's right to join a larger, more established church. But how would you address some of the common objections?
When considering joining a church plant, it is worth asking the question ‘why have they decided to plant a new church?’ For example, there maybe a church plant because Christians in the area are having to travel some distance to go to a Bible teaching church and so it would be wrong to assume that a bigger, more established church, is better.
Here are four possible reasons why people might not want to join a church plant. And a few points to ponder.... continue reading
28 months ago, Adrian Watts left Oak Hill Theological College. He moved to Bradford and started a church plant with his fellow-pastor, Tom Swinney. Over the next couple of days, The Good Book Blog talks to Adrian about why he chose to plant in Bradford and how things are going ...
Tell us 2 things that delight your heart as you look back over the past year or so
1) Seeing Trinity Church go from a plant to a small established congregation.
Two and half years ago, Tom, his wife Caroline and I were eating a chilli together discussing for the first time the possibility of working together on a church plant in West Yorkshire. Today I sit in the office with Tom as I write a Bible study on Acts 12 for tomorrow evening's Growth Group. Recently we welcomed new students at the Fresher’s Fayre tomorrow at the Trinity Church stall. Last year we were called as a church plant and now we are known as a church. It is incredible how God has answered our prayers to establish this new church. We have fifteen committed core members who are growing in maturity. The church has a growing fringe and plenty of opportunities to do evangelism.... continue reading
28 months ago, Adrian Watts left Oak Hill Theological College. He moved to Bradford and started a church plant with his fellow-pastor, Tom Swinney. Over the next couple of days, The Good Book Blog talks to Adrian about why he chose to plant in Bradford and how things are going ...
Why plant a church rather than go on staff at an existing one?
The most obvious route out of Bible college is to become an Assistant Pastor to gain experience. However, within the independent sector there are very few vacancies to be an Assistant Pastor, particularly in West Yorkshire. The churches are generally small with few resources and they cannot afford assistants. This lead to two possibilities: we could either work in another part of the country or begin a new work in Bradford. Since the purpose was to work in West Yorkshire. We planted a new church.... continue reading
