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Smaller church ‘growth’ compared to minor sports

Smaller church ‘growth’ compared to minor sports

With 42 years of Christian ministry under my belt, I have read so much on church growth, that finally, Rick Warren as reported in the Christian Post pops up with a realistic comment. I compare it to Australian minor sports trying to get major television coverage..

  • The essence of Purim  

    The joyous Jewish Purim celebration, which acknowledges the story of Esther and how as Queen she saved her people in ancient Persia, concluded on March 1st.

  • Breaking through the invisible

    One chilly day in Paris, Erin had to deliver an all-day training session to the top executives at Peugeot Citroen. There was a lot at stake. Bo was a Chinese country expert assisting Erin. Bo’s input would be the most critical elements in making the day a success. Articulate, extroverted and very knowledgeable, Bo seemed perfect for the job.

  • We are all servants

    Everyone and every firm is in the business of serving others, or at least serving something. If we look at the function of any business or any job, they all seek to serve a “customer”. From a business perspective, it could be something as simple as McDonald’s serving our needs when we choose to buy a Big Mac or it can be Netflix serving our wants when we choose to subscribe and stream TV series and movies from them.

  • 30, flirty and thriving…?

    I’m thirty (not for much longer, actually). I’m not really flirty (read; no idea how-to-basic-flirt, don’t know who I would flirt with, I’m pretty awkward around men/in general…and what even is flirting?). And thriving? Well, it depends…how do you define thriving?

  • A donor for a Dad – and other alternatives

    One of NZ’s well-known singers and TV personalities recently announced with delight she is expecting a girl. (All good, you would think.)She has twin boys from a previous relationship, and another boy with her current partner. (Mmm, that sounds a bit complicated.)

  • Easter and air travel – hand in hand

    Easter is a time when many of us travel by plane. The airports are a crush. The line ups are painful. The security is something else. Delays are seemingly inevitable. Getting the kids ready, packed and on board is something one can only experience.

  • Relying on the ‘Promises’  

    In the early 1970s, I recall listening to a series of cassette tapes about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ in which the speaker, USA's Hal Lindsay (author of The Late Great Planet Earth), brought a spirited awareness of a 'mystery doctrine', that is, Christ's imminent return.

  • When Darron Eastwell broke his brain

    I first met Darron 6 months ago. Our sons were playing in the same representative basketball team on the Sunshine Coast.

  • ANZAC – Montgomery and the Christian Connection

    Field-Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery and the ANZACs - ‘Hello, Monty, glad to see you.’ The governor of Gibraltar, Rusty Eastwood, held out his hand as the car door opened and a distinctive black beret became visible.

  • What might it mean – Jesus' wealthy or poor

    When I was a local church pastor, before taking on my current role in aid and development, I preached a sermon in which I made the statement, “Jesus himself was poor.” I made this comment as I sought to show how Jesus cared about the poor, but was challenged by a congregant who didn’t agree with the statement. So, was Jesus poor, or not?

  • Church is a good place for friends

    Discussing the value about the friends we have at church seems to me to be very important. One of the fun things about church is looking forward to being able to catch up our friends on Sundays?