Archives: everyday-ministry

The Swedish Method

Everyday Ministry

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Want to read the Bible with someone? Go Swedish, says Peter Blowes.

Editor’s note: See this article on GoThereFor—The Swedish Method—for links to the Spanish and Italian translations. You may also like to read some new thoughts from Peter on the Swedish Method, or see how to use it with WhatsApp.

For 19 years, I worked in Argentina in a context where many university students were unaccustomed to reading. Bible studies in that country (with its strong Catholic influence and practices expressed in the current evangelical style) were often an exercise in glancing at a text and then using ‘authorities’ to prove a point. For example, a youth group would typically read a passage of Scripture, close their Bibles to discuss it, and then one student would then say, “My pastor says ‘X’”. Then another would reply, “But my pastor says ‘Y’”. The argument would then escalate as one and then the other would pull in higher authorities from around the evangelical world to justify their points of view. From rallies, television or radio programmes, they would cite evangelical ‘celebrities’ such as Yiye Avila, Carlos Annacondia, Luis Palau, and then, to clinch the argument, Billy Graham. What they were doing was a Protestant version of Catholicism: they appealed to a higher human authority to win an argument. (more…)

The power of God’s word – Interview with Robert Cole

Everyday Ministry

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Imagine not having access to a Bible. Imagine being unable to read it in your own language. Unfortunately these are realities for many Christians around the world. Tony Payne speaks to Robert W Cole, President of Bible League, about the extent of the need and what we can do about it. (more…)

Mission in the 21st century

Everyday Ministry

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We are used to thinking of missionaries as westerners going off to exotic locations to share the gospel with the natives. But what does mission look like today, and how can we be part of it? David Williams investigates.

A friend of mine is a missionary. He is working on the African island of Madagascar, serving the local Anglican diocese in a church planting initiative, which they hope and pray will see many thousands of people come to know the Lord Jesus. He is helping to train evangelists, and is investing much time and energy in learning the local language so that he will be able to teach the good news of the Lord Jesus properly. His home churches are supporting him, giving generously and sacrificially to a mission agency that is coordinating his financial and prayer support. (more…)

The slow death of congregational singing

Everyday Ministry

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It seems like genuine, heartfelt congregational singing is experiencing its dying gasps. But why does it matter and why should we care? Mike Raiter brings us back to the Bible to inject our singing with new life.

I was at a convention recently, seated near the rear of the auditorium. The music team at the front were ‘leading’ (and I use that word advisedly) and we were singing. Well, we were meant to be singing. And so I did what I’ve done quite often lately: I closed my eyes and listened to the singing. The song leaders with their microphones were clear and distinct. I could identify each of the several instruments accompanying the singers. But if you blocked out the ‘worship team’, all that was left around the building was a barely audible murmur. I opened my eyes and looked around. Most folk were either standing silently, not even making a pretence of singing, or were little engaged in the activity. (more…)

Podcast: Preaching and personal ministry

Audio

Tony Payne and Gordon Cheng reflect on the differences between the USA and Australia in the area of personal ministry (MP3).

Audio MP3

Starting with God: The Bible’s guide to ministry training

Everyday Ministry

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There are a range of different opinions on how people should be trained for gospel ministry. But, as Gordon Cheng reveals, the right starting point for ministry training is God and his gospel.

How should Christians be trained in gospel ministry? Some churches are happy to leave the details of this and all related questions to their denominational authorities. As long as their minister is duly appointed, the manner of his training is of secondary interest. Whether it has involved Bible college, some other theological training, or just a lot of practical experience, the question of how they are trained is not an issue that raises a lot of concern. As for going further and training the non-ordained church members, the very suggestion seems alien and out of place. On this view, the job of church members is not so much to be trained as to turn up at church, receive ministry and contribute money. (more…)

Let’s abolish lay ministry

Everyday Ministry

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There has been much talk of the difference between ‘professional’ ministry and ‘lay ministry’. But are such distinctions helpful? Gordon has a better suggestion.

A slightly arbitrary definition of ‘lay ministry’ is ‘unpaid ministry in the church performed by nonprofessionals’. The idea of ‘laity’ comes from the Greek ‘laos’, meaning ‘people’, distinct from any priestly class. Lay ministry is often associated with church work that is necessary but unpaid. Such unpaid ministry may or may not be formally recognized by a denomination or church, but it is certainly recognized by God. (more…)

God is in the house

Everyday Ministry

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With songs like ‘Here I am to worship’ and ‘Shout to the Lord’ dominating the playlist in our church meetings, what are we to make of the influx of pentecostal music into our churches? Emu Music Director Philip Percival takes a look at the score and sounds a cautionary note.

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Advent Calendar for 15 December-1 January

Everyday Ministry

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Explanatory notes

  1. You will need to photocopy/print and cut out the Bible passages below to put in your advent calendar.
  2. The Bible verses are taken from the NIrV. Minor changes to the NIrV have only been made to add the name of a pronoun to make it clear who the pronoun is referring to or to simplify the language for preschoolers. These changes are indicated by square brackets: [ ].

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Helping a friend with depression

Everyday Ministry

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It’s been called the ‘disease of the 21st century’. Depression is on the increase, but with ignorance about the disease still widespread, it can be difficult to know how to help a friend who is suffering from it. In this honest article, an anonymous Briefing reader offers some advice.

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How to be a small group member

Everyday Ministry

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Another year, another Bible study group. Time to sign up, turn up and get things rolling. Ho hum. Time also perhaps to ask some questions about your own contribution to the small group you are in. Are you making much of a difference in the lives of your fellow group members? Do you feel as if you just go along because that’s what you’re expected to do? What part are you going to play in this year’s group? (more…)