The minister’s house has historically been much more than a place for the man of God to hang his hat. It was a base for mission, a fountainhead of mercy, a refuge for strangers.
Private residences of course played a major part in the growth of Christianity in the early church. “Greet the church that meets [...]
Archive for January, 2009
The Strategic Role of the Manse
Posted in Missiology, The Manse on January 30, 2009 | 2 Comments »
Parochial Vision: A Review
Posted in Establishments, Parish Theory & Practice, Parish in Perspective (Qualifications) on January 28, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
In Parochial Vision: The Future of the English Parish System (2004), Nick Spenser offers a very intriguing argument for the reimplementation of the ‘minster’ church model of England’s early medieval period. His main argument is that parish system of the Church of England is in major decline due to demographic shifts, the disappearing of [...]
Gospel dissemination
Posted in Missiology, Parish Theory & Practice, Parish in Perspective (Qualifications) on January 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
The labor of the Gospel is the labor of sowing seed. The seed is the imperishable doctrine of Christ, and His ministers are privileged to share in this service. We scatter the Word. For many who hear it, there is no lasting benefit. For others, there is. And when it does, it bears fruit – thirty, sixty, or a [...]
Special offer
Posted in Thomas Chalmers on January 7, 2009 | 5 Comments »
One main purpose of this blog is to facilitate renewed interest in Thomas Chalmers, the great 19th century Scottish preacher, churchman, and social reformer. I am convinced that he needs to be rediscovered again, especially in the place of his spiritual birth - the Reformed community.
As a small contribution to getting the word out, I’ve decided [...]
Balancing the now & not yet
Posted in Eschatology, Parish in Perspective (Qualifications), Thomas Chalmers on January 3, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Being a huge Chalmers fan, one of the things I love the most about him is his vision, his idealism. He longed for the Christianization of Scotland. He wanted the Lord’s will done on earth as it is in heaven. And he worked for it, being a wise and faithful steward.
He had reason to be hopeful. [...]
