Grace doesn't mean you get whatever you want
Porn: the most pernicious threat facing teenagers (this Daily Mail article will shock and sadden you)
Some good biography recommendations here, here and here.
Why planting churches is the primary plan of the NT
Living on mission every day
Oprah puts Rob Bell on the map
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Friday, September 27, 2013
Four books to help you lead and understand movements better
It's not one of my four but it's worth noting Malcolm Gladwell has a new book out.
Leading Kingdom Movements: I've just finished reading this book and it's the story of one man (Mike Breen and 3DM) and the Kingdom movement he had a hand in bringing into being. I found Mike's book fascinating and equipping and it tells the story of all God did in Sheffield through his term as Vicar of St Thomas Crooks. There's an amazing quote from Mike's Bishop of the mid 90's refusing to give him more space and buildings for his growing church and community because growth was apparently bad for the morale of the clergy. Sadly, I'm not making that up. He tells his life story of over 30 years in ministry and shares all the stuff God's taught him. If you have spent any time wondering about the tension between 'attractional' and 'missional' church and how we might reach all those who are not streaming through our doors on a Sunday morning then this is a book for you.
Daring Greatly: How the courage to be vulnerable transforms the way we live, love, parent and lead: Brene Brown became well-known through her TED talk which most readers will have watched. This is 'the book of the film' and is well worth exploring if you want to be more vulnerable and courageous. What's interesting is that these two things should go firmly together and, when you combine them as the book suggests, you may well find yourself 'daring greatly'.
Leading Kingdom Movements: I've just finished reading this book and it's the story of one man (Mike Breen and 3DM) and the Kingdom movement he had a hand in bringing into being. I found Mike's book fascinating and equipping and it tells the story of all God did in Sheffield through his term as Vicar of St Thomas Crooks. There's an amazing quote from Mike's Bishop of the mid 90's refusing to give him more space and buildings for his growing church and community because growth was apparently bad for the morale of the clergy. Sadly, I'm not making that up. He tells his life story of over 30 years in ministry and shares all the stuff God's taught him. If you have spent any time wondering about the tension between 'attractional' and 'missional' church and how we might reach all those who are not streaming through our doors on a Sunday morning then this is a book for you.
Daring Greatly: How the courage to be vulnerable transforms the way we live, love, parent and lead: Brene Brown became well-known through her TED talk which most readers will have watched. This is 'the book of the film' and is well worth exploring if you want to be more vulnerable and courageous. What's interesting is that these two things should go firmly together and, when you combine them as the book suggests, you may well find yourself 'daring greatly'.
What Jesus Started: Joining the movement changing the world: Steve Addison has been so helpful to me through all his work on movements and discipleship. I read his first book on my build up to the plant and he's not only got tons of wisdom and experience but he also offers a global perspective in his writing (he's a v. well-travelled Aussie). I've only just started this so I will keep you posted.
The Catalyst Leader: 8 Essentials for becoming a Change Maker: 'Leader' is one of those funny words. People react in all sorts of ways but all I can tell you is I know need to be a better leader and a better follower. I have seen this especially over the last year. Catalyst is a conference that brings together 13K leaders and Brad Lomenick runs it and has a nugget or two to share. Things I am enjoying about this book is that it's an easy read, the author is vulnerable and it is full of stories, quotes, people and organisations that are being well lead. One of his many leadership principles is the idea of focussing on everyone except yourself. Above all else, says Lomenick, we can only lead in a Christian sense out of a vital relationship with Jesus. I agree.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Your Grace Finds Me
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
For the pod: Get to give
Steve Furtick, as readers know, is in my story of our plant and his word to church planters about needing to know you are called to plant was so very timely and helpful to me.
This sermon called 'Get to give' (Sermon 5 in the series 'Permission slip) is such a good one on giving. Most would scroll past it and they would be the poorer for it in every sense of the word. I listened to it for the first time a few weeks ago and have done again with Mrs C as we look at our budget and giving for the year (s) ahead.
If we are honest, most of us struggle with sermons on giving. If you can scroll through a list of sermons you don't generally choose the one on giving your money away. I recommend this if you are someone tasked with encouraging others to be generous (such a belting illustration at the end) or if you (and your family if you have one) want to review your giving and attitude to money and possessions. As part of your discipleship, I do recommend you allocate time to evaluate your finances, set your budget and to review your giving and this talk will spur you on to to just that. I think we all want to be people and be part of a church who become more and more generous as time goes by.
This sermon called 'Get to give' (Sermon 5 in the series 'Permission slip) is such a good one on giving. Most would scroll past it and they would be the poorer for it in every sense of the word. I listened to it for the first time a few weeks ago and have done again with Mrs C as we look at our budget and giving for the year (s) ahead.
If we are honest, most of us struggle with sermons on giving. If you can scroll through a list of sermons you don't generally choose the one on giving your money away. I recommend this if you are someone tasked with encouraging others to be generous (such a belting illustration at the end) or if you (and your family if you have one) want to review your giving and attitude to money and possessions. As part of your discipleship, I do recommend you allocate time to evaluate your finances, set your budget and to review your giving and this talk will spur you on to to just that. I think we all want to be people and be part of a church who become more and more generous as time goes by.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Good meetings
I saw Lencioni when I attended this.
You might find him helpful if you go to, run or plan meetings (which is probably most of us).
You might find him helpful if you go to, run or plan meetings (which is probably most of us).
Monday, September 23, 2013
Anglican atheist
An interesting interview in the Speccy with Richard Dawkins entitled 'The Anglican Atheist'.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Ten things for a Sunday
Top 200 church stuff blogs
Why Steve Jobs wanted you to go to Bible College
Who comes first your partner or your kids
Six questions for your marriage
Where is God when I'm waiting
An ordinary girl of extraordinary faith
Eric Metaxas shares his powerful testimony
Ten minutes of Lectio Divina can revolutionise your life
Liberals and conservatives are getting religious freedom wrong
Friday, September 06, 2013
Thursday, September 05, 2013
Sugared almonds
Quite a busy week what with getting married n'all but all goes well. It's struck me that the sugared almond has a high capacity take a filling out :)
Rachel Held Evans has written this about Syria. You should read it.
Amidst all the logistics and wedding jobs I have come across and done one or two non-wedding things.
On Monday, we had a meeting to think about what our 'Community groups' will look like (which we are launching at the end of the month)
Mike Breen has a phrase 'High accountability - Low control' which means in essence that you can be as creative as you like in how to reach and love your neighbour in order to make a disciple. However, 'huddle' often as leaders in order to grow and remain personally resourced and accountable. I like the tension.
'Don't be deceived' asks the important question 'Is this person saved?'. Well worth hanging out with these two men on their 'Multiply' website.
I was doing a job and I listened to three episodes of the Perry Noble podcast and whilst I don't (nor will I ever) lead a mega-church in North Carolina he has one or two helpful nuggets. However I pretty much define myself by managing to do almost everything he's not.
These are a couple of questions he asks the children after their groups
'Did you have fun?'
'What did you learn?'
Another little leadership ditty is that 'It's not what you know that matters it's who you are'. By the way, if you want a book that says just that then read 'The five levels of leadership'. Releasing too if you feel you know very little!
I've got a new waistcoat for Saturday which is fortunate because my existing one was a tad snug to say the least. It has however done me well for 20 years- alas no more.
I listened to 'Contagian' (8/25/13) about blame and, as readers know, I think Jonathan Martin nails his preaches week after week after week. He's genuinely anointed. He says in it that he has been deeply impacted reading Rene Gerard's 'I saw Satan fall like lightning'.
I watched this which has a swear word in it but it's one that's in the Bible.
Finally, listening to Nickel Creeks album 'Why should the fire die?' is helping my friend burn brighter. Might be worth buying and you might burn brighter too.
Rachel Held Evans has written this about Syria. You should read it.
Amidst all the logistics and wedding jobs I have come across and done one or two non-wedding things.
On Monday, we had a meeting to think about what our 'Community groups' will look like (which we are launching at the end of the month)
Mike Breen has a phrase 'High accountability - Low control' which means in essence that you can be as creative as you like in how to reach and love your neighbour in order to make a disciple. However, 'huddle' often as leaders in order to grow and remain personally resourced and accountable. I like the tension.
'Don't be deceived' asks the important question 'Is this person saved?'. Well worth hanging out with these two men on their 'Multiply' website.
I was doing a job and I listened to three episodes of the Perry Noble podcast and whilst I don't (nor will I ever) lead a mega-church in North Carolina he has one or two helpful nuggets. However I pretty much define myself by managing to do almost everything he's not.
These are a couple of questions he asks the children after their groups
'Did you have fun?'
'What did you learn?'
Another little leadership ditty is that 'It's not what you know that matters it's who you are'. By the way, if you want a book that says just that then read 'The five levels of leadership'. Releasing too if you feel you know very little!
I've got a new waistcoat for Saturday which is fortunate because my existing one was a tad snug to say the least. It has however done me well for 20 years- alas no more.
I listened to 'Contagian' (8/25/13) about blame and, as readers know, I think Jonathan Martin nails his preaches week after week after week. He's genuinely anointed. He says in it that he has been deeply impacted reading Rene Gerard's 'I saw Satan fall like lightning'.
I watched this which has a swear word in it but it's one that's in the Bible.
Finally, listening to Nickel Creeks album 'Why should the fire die?' is helping my friend burn brighter. Might be worth buying and you might burn brighter too.
Tuesday, September 03, 2013
The story of the Jews
Don't miss Simon Schama's new series on the BBC called 'The story of the Jews'.
Monday, September 02, 2013
Ten things for a Monday
1. 'Top 20 countries where Christianity is growing the fastest'- Some of these will surprise you.
2. Fascinating piece on the dangers of apologetics.
3. Mike Tyson on forgiveness.
4. Ten things a Vicar needs to hear....often
5. Great letter from David Ogilvy to his nephew on whether or not to go to University via Q Marks the spot. So so good.
6. A book for Christmas (I know, I know and sorry but it's by Ann Voskamp whose blog is my find of 2013)
7. Random thoughts on spanking or not spanking as a parent
8. Interesting interviews down the side bar of Michael Hyatt's blog (Sir Ken Robinson, Andy Stanley, John Maxwell, Don Miller to name a few. Check out Ann Jackson on the secrets people carry with them in church).
9. This sweet film has gone viral.
10. Why the Rabbi went to Saddleback
2. Fascinating piece on the dangers of apologetics.
3. Mike Tyson on forgiveness.
4. Ten things a Vicar needs to hear....often
5. Great letter from David Ogilvy to his nephew on whether or not to go to University via Q Marks the spot. So so good.
6. A book for Christmas (I know, I know and sorry but it's by Ann Voskamp whose blog is my find of 2013)
7. Random thoughts on spanking or not spanking as a parent
8. Interesting interviews down the side bar of Michael Hyatt's blog (Sir Ken Robinson, Andy Stanley, John Maxwell, Don Miller to name a few. Check out Ann Jackson on the secrets people carry with them in church).
9. This sweet film has gone viral.
10. Why the Rabbi went to Saddleback
h/t K. Kandiah
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