People frequently say, "Its a young person's world" and it many ways it is. Youth culture dominates our world and especially the entertainment industry. Yet, the largest and fastest growing demographic in many parts of our world is the elderly. With life expectancy continuing to grow, we will continue to see more and more seniors as part of our communities. For the church, I believe that God's desire is for 'young and old' to partner together in relationships and kingdom purposes (see Acts 2:17). Too often churches merely mimic the culture by constantly segregating people into different age groups -... Read more →

As we read through the story of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew we see that: Jesus shares his Messianic message about the kingdom of God (Mt.5-7), he engages in a ministry of miracles and signs (Mt.8-9), and he commissions his disciples to participate in his mission (Mt.10). The crowds still follow but a tinge of dissatisfaction emerges as questions are being raised about Jesus’ identity and mission (Mt.11). Soon outright opposition and hostility will emerge, especially from the religious leaders (Mt.12). Jesus shows how privileged a generation these people are and with it comes great responsibility. They... Read more →

The UK government intends to block all internet porn in an aim to combat the early sexualisation of children. Parents would have to request to access pornography. What an excellent move this is! As you know, if you have ever stayed in a hotel, porn is on tap and you have to request to turn it off. Why not have it the other way around and require people to 'opt in' and have to make a request for it. That is is what the UK government is doing. They are turning off the tap at its source. Adults will have... Read more →

Here are a few thoughts on some ways we can foster greater creativity: 1. Make time for thinking creatively Set aside regular time for “brainstorming” - by yourself and, better still, with other people and especially with any teams you are a part of. Think creatively. Research should be everybody’s preoccupation and innovation is everybody’s game "The organizations of the future will increasingly depend on the creativity of their members to survive. Great Groups offer a new model in which the leader is an equal among Titans. In a truly creative collaboration, work is pleasure, and the only rules and... Read more →

Here are a few examples of "creativity killers" - people who were NOT willing to think outside the box: "Everything that can be invented has been invented." [Charles H. Duell, Director of the American Patent Office in 1899] "Sensible and responsible women do not want to vote." [Grover Cleveland, 1905] "Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?" [Harry M. Warner, Warner Bros Pictures, 1927] "There is no likelihood man can ever tap the power of the atom." [Robert Miliham, Nobel Prize in Physics, 1923] "Heavier than air flying machines are impossible." [Lord Kelvin, President, Royal Society, 1895] "The horse... Read more →

Innovation is very important for any individual, group or organization – including the church! A few quotes: 1. “In a period of rapid change, the only ones who survive are those who innovate and create change.” [Peter Drucker – Father of Modern Management in Management, p.357] Change is the only certain in today’s fast paced environment. Accept that it will always be with us. Change is never over (its constant!). See change as an opportunity not a threat. Talk about it in a positive way and help people to not be afraid of it. Peter Drucker says that both management... Read more →

Let's talk about creativity ... 1. God is a Creative God God invented creativity. He thought it up. It was his idea. Creativity is part of who God is. The fifth word in the Bible is ‘created’ – “In the beginning God created … (Gen.1:1)” God started the creative ball rolling and it has been rolling ever since. Think of creation – God created the entire universe out of nothing. He formed all original things (like an inventor or manufacturer). What an incredible designer he is! There is nothing bland, boring or predictable about God’s world. Think of things such... Read more →

At last year's Third Lausanne Congress in Cape Town, South Africa, one of the speakers was Christopher Wright. In a stirring address, Wright compared in detail the sate of the church today and the church in the generations before Luther. "What is the greatest obstacle to God's mission in the world?' Wright asked. "It is not other religions or a resistant culture. Our idolatry is the single biggest obstacle to world mission. We are a scandal, a stumbling block to the mission of God. Reformation is the desperate need of our day, and it must start with us. If we... Read more →

I pretty much grew up in church. When I was a kid our family went to church three times every Sunday - Sunday morning, Sunday afternoon and Sunday night. When I was nine years of age (back in 1970), my family travelled to America where my dad was one of the speakers for multiple church conventions and camps up and down the West Coast. I attended over 800 meeting in eighteen months! Overall, for me, church involvement was a pretty positive experience. I made a lot of friends, came to know God for myself, discovered some of my own gifts... Read more →

Many individuals, groups and churches begin the year with a season of prayer. I think it is a great idea. Our church begins a 14 day period of prayer beginning today. We are encouraging everyone to take some additional time aside to pray - personally, with their family or in their small group. We are also having 30 minutes of prayer before each weekend church gathering during the month of February and we are opening a room at the church each midweek day for people to drop by and have some prayer. Why not engage in something similar yourself, if... Read more →

This weekend we took time as a church community to thank God for His blessing and favour, especially over the last 8 years in which we have been working towards our Vision 2010 statement. We want to be like the Samaritan leper who took time to return to Jesus and express his gratitude for the healing he received (Luke 17:11-18), not like the nine, who were obviously pleased to be healed, but who took no time to thank Jesus. Here are a few random thoughts and quotes on the power of gratitude: There is an old story about two angels... Read more →

This year will be an interesting one ... in many ways. We have four unusual dates: 1. 1/1/11 2. 1/11/11 3. 11/1/11 4. 11/11/11 Then for something really different ... 1. Take the last two digits of the year you were born ... 2. Add that number to the age you will be this year ... 3. Together they add up to 111! So there you go ... I was born in 61 and turn 50 this year = 111 Read more →