The Sorting Hat Dilemma!

In J.K. Rowlings Harry Potter the new students at Hogwarts are sorted into houses by a talking ‘Sorting Hat’. Clever! If anyone has an issue, then don’t blame it on the faculty, blame it on the ‘Sorting Hat’!

On Sunday I received this anonymous question: ‘Can we please keep the same Home Group next year?’

Sure! Easy for me (Can’t believe we are already thinking about next year!). I love that you have enjoyed your Home Group so much this year that you would like more of that next year.

But before we lock that down, it may be helpful to consider some factors.

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Sermon: The Grace Commission (Matthew 28)

Sunday’s sermon ‘Grace’ by David Smith is now available: http://bit.ly/1Q2DD8y

Fear of being Fake

I fear being fake.

I have been a Christian for over 20 years now and there have been times when I have felt I have just been going through the motions. Is that wrong?

It is a horrible feeling, but as I have often said it is difficult to control feelings (although it is possible to manage feelings).

Christians are real people. We serve a real God, who really loves us and who is really disappointed when we sin. At this I am ashamed. I don’t want to sin, and I do. I want to be serious and active in my faith and yet at times I feel as if I am just taking it all for granted.

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Sermon: Opinion Pieces (Mark 3:7-35)

Sunday evening’s sermon ‘Opinion Pieces’ (Mark 3:7-35) by Bernie Leo is now available: http://bit.ly/1GFeH3Z

‘Jesus is God’s King—over all people and over all evil.’ – Bernie Leo

Almost Party Time! Time to get ready.

Christmas is coming (‘Already – please, it comes around so fast’!)

Some of us will be more active than others when it comes to inviting family, friends and colleagues, but let me say that Christmas is one of the easiest times to invite people to church things – we are helped that the retail calendar has been arranged around gospel events (i.e. Christmas and Easter).

There are three intentional steps which will help in inviting someone.

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Imitation – the highest form of …Maturity!?

We cannot escape being an example to other people; our only choice is what kind of example will we be?

The Bible is full of exhortations for Christians to become mature in Christ and live as a good example for others to imitate.

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Sermon: Social Column (Mark 2:13-3:6)

Sunday evening’s sermon ‘Social Column’ (Mark 2:13-3:6) by Darren Russ is now available: http://bit.ly/1MTX6Xk

‘Jesus rewrites religion.’ – Darren Russ

Sermon: Made Alive (Ephesians 2:1-10)

Sunday’s 9am sermon ‘Made Alive’ (Ephesians 2:1-10) by Ken Noakes is now available: http://bit.ly/1LK3g6X

‘It is to this world; dead, enslaved, condemned and ignorant that God shows his love, mercy, grace and kindness.’ – Ken Noakes

Belong or Believe?

Why is it that we belong?

There is a tension often in Christian communities – the tension of wanting more and more people to feel comfortable and welcome so that they may enjoy a sense of belonging to a body which likes to be together. Yet on the other hand, being a people who believe and respond to the Word of God – when at times that Word challenges, or confronts, or asks something of the person which is not that comfortable.

Which comes first? Belonging or Belief?

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Sermon: Gospel Pages (Mark 1:14-2:12)

Sunday evening’s sermon ‘Gossip Pages’ (Mark 1:14-2:12) by Bernie Leo is now available: http://bit.ly/1k3eugZ