THERE IS NO OTHER NAME GREATER
How much value do you give the name of Jesus? There is no other name greater. One name that unites us as a global family saved through his blood.
Another solid video from my friend Mike Gore who works with Open Doors. See also: Thankfulness, Risk-taking Christianity + Radical Faith – Hea Woo.
// WONDERFUL BEYOND COMPREHENSION #CROSSSTOTT
SCANDALOUS: THE CROSS AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS // D.A. CARSON
I spent the last weekend with our Soulies Team considering Cross-Shaped [Youth] Ministry. It was a fantastic weekend and a joy to spend lots of time together learning about the centrality of the cross in the message of the Bible and the impact it should have in our ministry. A number of our team will be meeting throughout the next month or so to discuss together John Stott’s magnum opus, The Cross of Christ.
Another great place to plumb the depths of Christ’s love shown for sinners at the cross is D.A. Carson’s book Scandalous: The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus. Here is a blurb from the book:
“How are Christians to approach the central gospel teachings concerning the death and resurrection of Jesus? The Bible firmly establishes the historicity of these events and doesn’t leave their meanings ambiguous or open to interpretation. Even so, there is an irony and surprising strangeness to the cross. Carson shows that this strange irony has deep implications for our lives as he examines the history and theology of Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection.”
I’m looking forward to hearing Carson preach at Oxygen 2014! This book was based on 5 talks that Carson gave in 2008. Videos of all 5 of them are embedded below.
Continue reading “SCANDALOUS: THE CROSS AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS // D.A. CARSON”
CROSS-SHAPED [YOUTH] MINISTRY
Apart from during the FIFA World Cup, ABC 4 KIDS is the number 1 TV channel in our household. Mister Maker is one of our favourite shows. It’s made in England and features a zany host, Mister Maker, who makes all sorts of different crafty items. One of the repeated segments, in an attempt to teach little ones different shapes, is of a few people on screen dancing in circle, triangle, square, and rectangle costumes.
This is what they sing:
“I am a shape… la la la la. I am a shape… la la la la. I am a circle. I am a triangle. I am square. I am a rectangle.” I know this song because it has been repeated countless times by my kids… la la la la!
Now that’s using the word ‘shape’ as a noun. But a definition for ‘shape’ as a verb is “Determine the nature of; have a great influence on” (Oxford).
WHAT’S YOUR SHAPE?
When it comes to your youth ministry:
What determines its nature?
What are the significant influences upon it?
What is its shape?
All youth ministries are shaped by something. It might be the needs of teenagers in your area. It might be the desire to engage in culturally relevant ways with young people. It might be shaped by the expectations of Christian parents.
Of all the different influences on your ministry, what has the greatest influence?
LEADING ON THE FRONTLINES // ACTS 29 AUSTRALIA NATIONAL CONFERENCE
The newest sponsor on this blog is the upcoming Acts 29 Australia National Conference – Leading on the Frontlines. Here’s the conference blurb:
Thousands of leaders are being called to the frontlines of gospel ministry. Leading in churches, organisations, universities and in the home with a mandate to share the good news of Jesus Christ. In August this year, Acts 29 will be hosting their very first national conference which will inspire and equip these leaders to take the gospel where Christ has called them.
The conference will feature world-class teaching from pastor, author, speaker and Acts 29 President, Matt Chandler. Joining him will be Acts 29 Global Director and co-author of the book Total Church, Steve Timmis, along with City on a Hill’s Lead Pastor, Guy Mason and Leonce Crump, Lead Pastor of Renovation Church and Acts 29 Board Member.
We look forward to joining you at the conference in August and on the frontlines in the years to come.
Check the website for the rest of the details.
I’ve heard Chandler, Timmis and Mason preach before and value their ministry. There are lots of great Christian conferences in Australia this year, and this one is no exception!
The early bird discount finishes today (June 30). Get on it!
LIFE UNDER GOD // CONCISE THEOLOGY
The following is a blurb I wrote for our news sheet for Arvo Church last weekend.
Today is the last part of our LIFE UNDER GOD teaching series. I’ve personally found it to be a stimulating time considering some of our core beliefs from God’s word.
If you have enjoyed thinking through these topics and are keen to think through more theological issues, J.I. Packer has a fantastic book called Concise Theology. The book is divided into different doctrines and each section is short with lots of scripture references you can look up for more information.
You can purchase easily enough from Christian bookstores or online retailers, but all the articles are also available online for free. I have linked to the articles here: www.miers.co/packer-theology
My prayer for us is that each time we consider what it is we believe about God, that in response the Holy Spirit would transform us to live all of LIFE UNDER GOD.