THE TYRANNY OF PASTORAL VISITATION! (May 3, 2016)

Jim McClureDr Jim McClure, noted theologian, challenges a modern pastoral attitude…

Before you read further, I hasten to say that I wrote the title of this article with ‘tongue in cheek.’ It does, however, reflect what now appears to be the attitude of many pastors today regarding the pastoral work of ministry.

There was a time when pastoral visitation was a central pillar of the ministry of many pastors. But, sadly, not any longer.  Many reasons can be given to justify the trend among pastors for not visiting their ‘flock.’ But, frankly, such reasons are usually nothing more than excuses – especially for the lazy pastor!

The position taken by some is this – pastoral visitation is not necessary if a person attends church every Sunday; and, if they don’t attend church, they clearly are no longer interested in belonging! (more…)

با سلام! – A WARM FARSI ‘HELLO!’ (May 3, 2016)

Dr Robert & Maureen (2)Robert and Maureen McQuillan highlight a doorstep challenge…

Something else we observed about that Anglican church recently visited (https://connectingwithyou.net/2016/04/25/reflections/) is a greeting in their website – ‘با سلام!’ Pronounced ‘Salam’ this is a warm ‘Hello’ welcome to Iranian Farsi-speaking visitors and enquirers.

Iran is the world’s fastest growing evangelical population… many Muslims are discovering Jesus, often as the white-robed stranger appearing supernaturally and working miracles. (See April’s Features – https://connectingwithyou.net/category/features/).

Good news indeed – but churches need to realise there is a vast mission field here on our own doorstep! (more…)

WHAT ABOUT THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER HEARD THE GOSPEL? (Apr 26, 2016)

Jim McClureDr Jim McClure, noted theologian, considers the above pertinent question…

The good news of the gospel is that Jesus came to be our Saviour (1 Timothy 1:15), to rescue ‘us from the coming wrath’ (1 Thessalonians 1:10), and to give us eternal life (John 10:28).

That is something that all who have responded in faith and repentance to God’s gracious invitation through Jesus Christ may have full confidence in.

But what about those who have never heard or understood the gospel message? (more…)

THEBUZZ (Apr 26, 2016)
  • BRITAIN – ‘This Little Light’ has audience raving!
  • SYDNEY – Billy Graham May Evangelism Seminar

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 UK
Various sources emailing/Facebooking this ‘Must watch Youtube’

Going for gold, this fantastic choir – 100 Gospel Choir – received standing ovations during audition.  Their superb presentation of This Little Light and their on-fire enthusiasm really blew the judges and audience away! What an immediate response of joy and applause and feel-good atmosphere.

100 Gospel Choir
God has his ways of grabbing viewers’ attention when people use their God-given talents! (more…)

REFLECTIONS (Apr 25, 2016)

Dr Robert & Maureen (2)
Robert and Maureen McQuillan reflect …

Recently we mentioned on Facebook that we happened to visit a local Anglican church (St John’s, Highton, Geelong) the previous Sunday and were so blessed to discover several vital things that many ‘thinking outside the box’ Christians are seeking today, such as –

  • Reality, not hype
  • Down-to-earth approach
  • Meaningful worship
  • Soundly Bible-based sermon
  • A feeling of spiritual safety.

Receiving lots of good feedback, emails as well as FB, we felt to add some other notations re that local church. Such as… (more…)

IS YOUR CHURCH ‘BODY MINISTRY’ EQUIPPED? (Apr 17, 2016)

Dr Robert & Maureen (2)Robert and Maureen McQuillan raise an issue…

Ministry…some Christians foolishly think ‘That’s only the minister’ but 2 Corinthians 3:6 states we’re all ministers – competent servants!

It was great to catch up recently with dearest ‘old friends’ Hans and Ellie Rutgrink,  who almost 40 years ago faithfully assisted us in planting/establishing a new church.

This was immediately after our Bible college days and we will never forget Hans’ joyous melodic phone call: ‘Hallooo, friends. We’re coming to join you…’

Connect!
With their commitment, our church grew as we concentrated on teaching Bible truths, avoided time-demanding programs, and relied on the Spirit’s anointing to build the church by building people, Ephesians 4:11ff style. (more…)

THE IDEAL MISSIONARY WIFE (Apr 10, 2016)

Erica GraceErica Grace, author and ex-missionary to South America, cuts to the chase!

Yet another letter in our mail box! This one was quite long but also interesting. The person involved seemed to know quite a lot about South America and was asking me detailed questions about our work and location in Chile.

Feeling a sense of thrill I decided to answer the letter right away, responding to each point that had been made and adding interesting details. The letter went to the mail right away (You may already realise this was decades ago – before emails!).

Two weeks later I received an answer to my letter, thanking me for the details and asking for more. Knowing that we would be posting our usual quarterly letter within a couple of weeks, I added his letter to the pile that would be answered at that time.

Ten days later I received a third letter from this gentleman. This time his letter was not polite at all. He wrote: ‘I would think that by now you would have had plenty of time to read my letter and respond. I don’t know what else is more important than keeping in touch with the people back home that support you there. I am so disappointed that you haven’t answered me yet. You really need to get your priorities right!’

Get my priorities right? Does this unmarried(!) man, thousands of miles away, have any idea what a missionary wife has to cope with, I wondered?  He must have had in his mind a picture of what he considered an ‘Ideal Missionary Wife’ – and his expectations were off base and unreal! (more…)

THEBUZZ (Apr 9, 2016)
  • MELBOURNE – Proliferation of sexualised and objectifying images
  • MACCLESFIELD – Boots and All
  • USA – Brains recognise the reality of God
  • LA – Celebrating the Arrival of Modern Pentecost (April 9, 1906)

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MELBOURNE, VIC, AUSTRALIA
All this and more in 30 minutes

 Coralie AlisonCoralie Alison throws a curveball question: ‘What will 30 minutes at a major shopping centre tell us about our pornified culture?’

Recently I headed to Chadstone Shopping Centre to catch up with some colleagues. It’s a typical large suburban store and, as I was a little early, I decided to browse while waiting for my friends.

Overwhelming sexualised proliferation!
I had expected to see the odd front window or billboard using the same old tired exploitation of women, but the proliferation of sexualised and objectifying images right throughout the centre was quite overwhelming. (more…)

IRAN – WORLD’S FASTEST GROWING EVANGELICAL POPULATION (Apr 9, 2016)

Mark Ellis 2016Mark Ellis shares good news …

Iran is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for followers of Jesus Christ. Almost all of the above-ground, Farsi-speaking churches have been closed and house churches are raided routinely, with their leaders and members arrested, according to a report by SAT-7 (http://sat7.org/).

Iranian Christians share faith despite dangers!
Evangelism by Christians is against the law and may even be punished by death. But despite Iran’s leaders’ strenuous efforts to bring the furies of hell against believers, God is at work and the church in Iran is growing rapidly! (more…)

AGEISM (Apr 9, 2016)

Jim McClureDr Jim McClure, noted theologian, highlights a troubling trend.

Two conversations I had this week set me thinking about a troubling trend in society and in the church.

First conversation:
Recently I was speaking on Skype to my brother who lives in Ireland.  He is in his late 70s.  He told me about waiting at a bus stop with a friend (who is in his 80s). The schools were ‘getting out’ and many schoolchildren joined them at the bus stop. When the bus arrived, the schoolchildren pushed ahead to board it and get a seat. When my elderly brother and his older friend (who had to walk with the aid of a walking stick) boarded the bus, there was standing room only. Not one of the schoolchildren offered their seat to the elderly men. (more…)