Total Church

Well, one more post before the end of the year. I've been reading the book 'Total Church' by Tim Chester and Steve Timmis, and I've found it challenging. The key point they make is that gospel and community are the two central features of Church. I think they are basically correct in what they argue for - they have a great Biblical definition of 'gospel centred' and 'community centred'.

Our church's vision statement is pretty much saying exactly the same thing as we are aiming to be a 'loving christ centred community' but I'm not sure we always do a great job of the community side of things. Chester and Timmis have a great quote about how to help your church become community centred. They say:
'If you warm to this vision of Christian community then start where you are. Sell the vision by modelling the vision. Don't become a pain to your existing congregation, telling them everything they are doing is wrong. Become a blessing by offering hospitality, showing practical care, dropping in on people. Create around you a group of Christians who will share their lives and encourage one another in the faith.'

I'm currently looking at our church calendar for 2010 and at this stage modelling and facilitating community is one of the big aims I have for the year.
 

Blogging Year One

Well it's almost the end of the year, and I thought I should sneak in a couple of more blog posts. Looking back over my first year of blogging I probably did more  than I thought I might, although obviously this has seriously fallen away in the last few months. Life has been busy and motivation has been low.

I haven't given up the aim of posting more regularly again next year. I think blogging is certainly a good way to have (slightly?) more disciplined thoughts on a whole range of subjects, and is a more useful way to use free time than watching TV, although not as relaxing for me either.

I look forward to some more useful discussions in the coming months.

Polemical Hymns!

Doing some background reading for my sermon this week on Jonathan Edwards and I came across a new idea (well new for me anyway) - polemical hymns. Here's a classic from Charles Wesley about the Calvinist doctrine of the decrees of God.

Still shall the Hellish doctrine stand?
And Thee for its dire Author claim?
No - let it sink at thy Command
Down to the Pit from whence it came.

I can't understand why no one's done a modern tune for this one. It'd have to be a hit right up there with 'Before the Throne of God Above'....

I should be fair and note that Wesley was not alone. Angus Toplady, of 'Rock of Ages' fame was a strong Calvinist and wrote some equally combative hymns about Arminianism. 

Top five preaching tips

Hope this isn't too serious for a top 5 post. Seems relevant being Sunday and all...
1. Preach the one big idea from a Bible passage
2. Help your congregation connect with the passage in a meaningful way
3. Apply the passage to real situations/temptations/challenges your congregation will face
4. Use the shortest words possible
5. Don't preach for too long - better people leave wanting more than sit there wishing it was over!

Twitter vs facebook updates

From my extremely limited experience of tweeting and facebook updating, I think that the difference is one of quantity versus quality. You can tweet anything any time in any situation. There is not really any sense of etiquette being breached by a large number of mundane posts.

A facebook update however should be more carefully crafted and should have some value for the wider community in terms of wit or wisdom. Etiquette for facebook limits the number of status updates remembering that, in contrast with twitter, people have other things to do on facebook apart from reading your updates.

Top 5 windows mobile programs

Thought I'd join in Ben's top five fun

1. Iphone Today UI
2. Evernote note taker
3. opera mini browser
4. copilot live GPS
5. S2P music player

Antique Theology Flyer

Happy with the flyer - now I just need some content!