Loyal radical

Don't normally refer to Greek in sermons, but I made an exception this Sunday. Tom Stuckey's book, commented on in my last blog, has a really helpful distinction between these two Greek words. Used it as the base for a chapel anniversary service here at Wirksworth on Sunday evening. You can see the power point presentation to go with the sermon based on Acts 10. If you want to download it click here . The church is at a kairos moment as it emerges from Christendom, facing highly vocal sceptics like Richard Dawkins, yet there is a hunger for meaning in a world full of superficiality. May God give us the wisdom and hope to use this moment.

Tom Stuckey’s book On the Edge of Pentecost is a moving book with a blend of biography and theology which makes it accessible and prophetic. The book has inspired me particularly the last but one chapter, ‘Churches Old and New’. I believe this chapter is insightful and prophetic and needs to be studied and prayed through. Its implications for the future of the church are very significant. His insights resonate and challenge my own. Thanks Tom. However, I think the use of the word Pentecost in the title is off putting for the following reasons. · It has problematic overtones for some because of the unhappy memories of being marginalised by over zealous charismatics from the 80s and 90s or what can sometimes be manipulative Pentecostalism. · It has links with dramatic numerical growth. Tom confirms this on page 122 when he says we must plan for expansion! I think we have to be very careful making predictions of this kind. My understanding is that the church in the West still has a

I think Steve Taylor's description of the word missional is very helpful in clarifying how the term is currently understood and how it varies from the word mission. I wonder how long it will be before Microsoft recognise the term in their spell checking! If you don't read Steve's blogs he can be found under the name emergent kiwi or see link below under 'Taylor Writes' 'M is for missional. Note the a and the l. Missional is different from mission. Mission has historically been, "I, over there." In other words, individuals sent to other countries. Missional is about, "we, here." In other words, the whole church sent to the context in which it is planted. Mission often had the odour of cultural imperialism, the belief in superiority. Missional has a humble questing belief that being sent to the towns and villages relies on our ability to be changed .'