'challenging church' Tagged Posts

Last Sunday, the City of Sydney was brought to a standstill as over 80000 runners competed in the now famous ‘City to Surf Fun Run’. I was talking with one competitor late that night and he said that by the time he started the race, the winner was already crossing the finish line! Such were the numbers in this 14km event. For many people this was just a run for fun. People were dressed in all sorts of costumes including gorilla suits! They took their time…

Today we come to the last sermon in this first series of Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians titled ‘Challenging Church’. It has been a time of learning as we have taken a good look at a church that had its problems and how Paul counseled the church to make it a more unified and loving church. We will continue further study of this great letter later in the year when we consider the second in the series titled ‘Loving Church’. This should be very encouraging for us…

Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth is becoming more and more interesting … and difficult for that matter! Up until now, Paul has been addressing serious issues within the church that was caused by factionalism and division as well as a failure to deal with sin in the church. Weighty issues to be sure! Issues that Paul saw as incredibly important in the life of any church! Now Paul addresses issues that were raised by people in the church. The first one is…

It is very hard listening to the stories being told at the ‘Royal Commission into Child Abuse’. I find it appalling that the ‘church’ has so much to answer for in regards to the sexual abuse of children. It seems to be a similar story being told again and again by both males and females who suffered at the hands of ungodly men and women. These men and women, who were entrusted to care for the children, took it upon themselves to use these same children for…

I have been in leadership, in one form or another, for over 40 years. I still find it very challenging. I have never found it easy. Of course, when I was younger I thought that it would be a breeze. I was headstrong and full of confidence. I thought I knew so much. How arrogant I was and I cringe when I think back to those early days of leadership. It did not take too long to realize my stupidity…

Our world has become pretty impersonal and in particular in the bigger cities. The sense of community, as I knew it as a boy, has been lost. Community brings with it familiarity and a sense of belonging. Community harnesses resources where its residents rally together for a cause. I have been blessed by living in a number of communities over the years. I learned the value and strength of working together and have enjoyed the sense of camaraderie as we…

I was a young teenager when I started following the great British football team named Manchester United. As I think back as to why I started supporting such a team I recall that it was because I liked their name! Manchester United … well it had a ring to it! I liked the idea of a football team being united in its bid to win as many games as it could. At that early age I was taught the importance of playing together as a team.…

The local church has had an interesting history over that last two thousand years. On one hand, it has been a powerhouse in being a great blessing to society in the way it shows leadership, compassion and love. In our own nation, the church developed schools and hospitals well before any government agency took on the responsibility of providing these basic services. On the other hand, and sad to say, it has also become known for its division, sin and lack of love. Even at…