Generosity and class
by Andy Toovey on Jan.25, 2012, under Gospel, Mistakes, Struggles
When we had our first baby, Megan, I was blown away by the generosity of people in our street. Next door gave us a mountain of baby clothes, even though they’ve got a full house, with 13 grandchildren in and out. Our new neighbours on the other side, who we’d spoken to a handful of times, seemed to have bought something new for the baby every time we saw them. And it’s not just a baby thing. I’ve been put to shame as I’ve received far more practical help and love from those in my street than I’ve given.
We’ve been reading through Exodus as a family recently, and have reached the practical laws in chapter 21 onwards. It seems there were to be no boundaries for the Israelites in their concern and compassion for others. Foreigners were not excluded (22:21). Personal grievances were not to prevent aid (23:4-5). As much as I would love to just obscure the moral teaching of the Old Testament law under a blanket of redemptive-historical-fulfilment mumbo-jumbo, the truth is those laws reflect the heart of our generous God. Jesus was clothing himself with that law as he went about ministering grace to those in need, and summarising it’s teaching in the always-challenging parable of the Good Samaritan.
So why am I such a stinge-meister? Why am I so slow to seek out need around me? Why is generosity an effort rather than a knee-jerk reaction? (continue reading…)
Road testing ‘Soul’ with council estate kids
by Andy Toovey on Sep.17, 2011, under Gospel, Resources
So here’s where I’m coming from. At New Inn Church (www.newinnchapel.co.uk) we’d been running a youth group for a couple of years, with secondary-school-aged kids coming, mainly from nearby council houses, and almost entirely not Christians.
We’d started with simple talks based on their hardest questions (‘Why does God take good people and leave bad people?’ ‘Did God make dinosaurs?’ and ‘When Jesus comes back, will he be wearing old clothes, modern clothes, or will he be… naked?’ – ok, we didn’t do a whole week on the last question!). Then we began doing some narrative sections in the gospels, but still without directly engaging with the Bible text. Then this last year, we began by looking at the promises made to Adam, Noah and Abraham, all pointing forward to Jesus, and we used the Bible passages for that.
By this point, we had a consistent group of about ten teens, and were gradually piecing together the gospel with them. Ok, so most weeks we still had to send home a couple for bad behaviour, but the routine had been set – half an hour of Bible study, followed by half an hour of dodgeball (always, every week, without fail – their request! My knees have never been the same since…)
So I felt they were about ready for something like the Soul DVD – a nicely repackaged form of the youth Christianity Explored course (buy it from the Good Book Company here). How did it go down? (continue reading…)
RTU11: Question & answer session
by admin on Jul.10, 2011, under Church, Resources
Watch the question and answer session following on from the ‘On the Ground’ practical slots from this year’s conference. Steve Casey chaired the discussion, with Andy Mason, Jane Casey and Dai Hankey answering the questions.
To watch the rest of the videos from the weekend, go to the 2011 conference page.
RTU11: Realistic expectations for missional discipleship
by admin on Jul.09, 2011, under Discipling, Struggles
Watch the last of the ‘On the Ground’ practical slots from this year’s conference, by Dai Hankey.
To watch the rest of the videos from the weekend, go to the 2011 conference page.
RTU11: Equipping women to pursue gospel friendships
by admin on Jul.08, 2011, under Connections, Gospel
Watch the second of the ‘On the Ground’ practical slots from this year’s conference, by Jane Casey.
To watch the rest of the videos from the weekend, go to the 2011 conference page.
RTU11: Discipling multi-cultural congregations
by admin on Jul.07, 2011, under Church, Discipling
Watch the first of the ‘On the Ground’ practical slots from this year’s conference, by Andy Mason.
To watch the rest of the videos from the weekend, go to the 2011 conference page.
Seeking a book on urban mission
by Tim Chester on Jul.07, 2011, under Misc
David Smith’s new book on urban mission, Seeking a City with Foundations: Theology for an Urban World is just out from IVP. David is one of our leading evangelical missiologists and always a stimulating read. He is Senior Research Fellow at the International Christian College in Glasgow where until recently he led their urban mission masters programme. He was also a speaker at our first Reaching the Unreached conference.
This book is the fruit of many years of practical and theological engagement with urban mission. But don’t take my word for it … (continue reading…)
RTU11: Change is possible
by admin on Jul.06, 2011, under Discipling, Fuel, Gospel
Watch the last of the sessions from this year’s conference, by Pete Jackson.
To watch the rest of the videos from the weekend, go to the 2011 conference page.
RTU11: Possessing victim mentality
by admin on Jul.05, 2011, under Cultural, Discipling, Resources
Watch the third of the sessions from this year’s conference, by Duncan Forbes.
To watch the rest of the videos from the weekend, go to the 2011 conference page.
RTU11: Addressing the heart
by admin on Jul.04, 2011, under Discipling, Gospel, Resources
Watch the second of the sessions from this year’s conference, by Tim Chester.
To watch the rest of the videos from the weekend, go to the 2011 conference page.
