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Life has its seasons. We are now in a different season. I have been challenged to learn more about this period in my life. Basically, we can simply grow old and live with a 'holding pen' mentality. Or, we can function as elders, a community resource of shared experiences, wisdom. advice and...

Does anyone know where I can locate some biblical story/teaching videos for younger children - 3-10? There are lots available for adults but I want something similar for children. John NZ

Perusing here from time to time it seems to consist of games or diversions. Does that imply the 50+people feel irrelevant/passed by/uninvolved with issues relevant to our age group from a biblical perspective? Just curious. John NZ

As anyone else seen this movie? We watched it recently, and seeing him live amongst the fashion industry with all its glamour and hubris while remaining indifferent to it made me think about our Christian testimony as the people of God. Our detachment from 'the world' should be as explicit in...

I posted this elsewhere, but it is very relevant to this section. I hope you enjoy it. Paul fought against the influence of abstraction, idealism and elitism upon his ekklesiai Ultimately, Paul lost. Only a generation or two after the apostle, the abstract categories of theology had become...

Here is an interesting link. It’s Time for a New Strategy - NZ Christian Network John NZ

This is the name of a wonderful French movie about an elderly couple affected by a stroke. It illustrates what committed love actually looks like, very different from the self seeking mindset of many today. A bit of a twist with the ending, but well worth watching nevertheless. Has anyone else...

Many here have expressed some issues with church that caused them some unease about where they were at with God. Some are hanging in, others hanging loose, others have opted out. Anyone like to share any such experiences? John NZ

Hi, Anyone here read Frank Viola's book 'Pagan Christianity' in which he gives the historical beginnings of much of our church life? John NZ

The link below is an address given in China recently at an international conference of business leaders. The speaker, Mark Strom, is a Christian NT scholar and philosopher. His address has relevance to church life. Imagine that group was composed of church leaders. I reckon the content would be...

Here is an extract from "Reframing Paul' by Mark Strom. It is relevant for those who participate in a home church or home group of some kind. "In many ways evangelical thought resembles the categories and methods of classical and Graeco-Roman philosophy and theology. Our interpretive and...

I came across article this recently. As a house church enthusiast it rang some bells for me. Seven Reasons Why Young Adults Quit Church | Christian Piatt John NZ

I have just returned from a memorial service for a 93 year old. Apart from a 2 year period as an assistant pastor he was fully engaged in 'secular' activities. He had a lifelong passion for the interface between Christian belief and the marketplace - all those areas where we interact with our...

I have long advocated servant leadership based on Matthew 20:25-28 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be...

In a recent thread, just closed, I mentioned I would come back with my approach to sharing God's story as our own story. After typing out something I discovered the thread had been closed. But this is a separate issue really, so here is what I had begun. Here is how I may begin a discussion or...

These were small groups meeting in private homes wherever possible. The house gatherings had two major characteristics. a) A shared meal was central. Sharing a meal togther was part of Roman life. Business and cult worship would involve eating together, as did the Hebrews, who partook of...

Here is some background to the ‘house churches’ referred to in the New Testament. I will post more information from time to time. Society and living arrangements were very different from our modern society. Life was highly stratified according to rank and status. There was a relatively small...

Has anyone read this book of any other by its author? This review interested me. Renegotiating the Church Contract: The Death and Life of the 21st Century Church by James Thwaites Church systems work against the purpose of church when people get so busy with buildings, programmes and...

We began with the usual chat and catch up over coffee and cookies. Thena time of prayer, followed by an expository video from a great bible scholar. Over our lunch together chat continued on a wide range of Christian and everyday issues. A non Christian sister of a member joined us for the meal...

Many Christians believe in an inherited sinful nature, which continues as our 'old man', or 'flesh' or 'carnality'. But there are those who are rediscovering an older Christian understanding that our fallenness is best described in terms of separation and broken relationship rather than as some...