We live in our different cultural contexts as teachers, volunteers in the community, hands-on grandparents, NHS workers, office workers, warehouse operators but we are there as Jesus-followers. We know these situations. We speak their language, share the culture, know what matters there. But we are also Christians…
With each step forward that the mission took, it feels as though there were forces pushing back. Sometimes the opposition was obvious, things were threatened because of internal relationships. Paul and Barnabas had a massive, full on shouting row about a young man, John Mark who had left them. Barnabas wanted to give him a second chance, Paul thought that would be unwise.
How do we make sense of the moments where we know we have really messed up and need to be given another chance? How do we know when to give people a chance?
You might have let people down, but there’s a second chance for you…
Acts 15 is the story of the early church’s challenge.
Their challenge is not ours, but it does shed light on how we might be able to learn from them so that we can face our challenges well…
It’s easy to think that healthy churches will never have disagreements. But that’s wrong. Every time God puts us in a new situation, opens up new doors of mission, or challenges us with new ideas, it’s easy for us to become defensive and controlling.
Some people in our church remember the old days. The days when keen churches, sincere churches, enthusiastic churches sure of the story of salvation and the offer that was open to all, had a row of hats resting on pegs in the church foyer…
Every breakthrough costs you something. Every situation that changes happens because someone has paid a price. It costs time, strength, emotions investment, money. Nothing is changed without the threat of loss…
Paul’s first missionary journey took him into new situations that he couldn’t have imagined. But God was working through him.
It’s just the same today for us.
Here are my song choices for this week’s Sunday Playlist podcast episode…
The Alpha Course is designed for those who want to explore the big questions of life in a relaxed environment where no questions are off limits. We watch a video about an aspect of the Christian faith and then discuss it – simple!
We’re offering two opportunities before Christmas via Zoom to do Alpha; one on a Tuesday evening (starts 29th September) and the other on a Thursday afternoon (starts 24th September).
It’s not always easy standing apart from the existing culture. It can feel very uneasy. But it’s vital because Christians have to stay attached to a radically different story otherwise you will end up with a confused faith cut off from the power of the Spirit…
Salford Elim Church St. James Hope 3 Vicarage Close Salford M6 8EJ
07771 558 058
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Elim Foursquare Gospel Alliance
Registered Charity 251549 (England & Wales) SC037754 (Scotland)
