Christopher Rowland has argued (The Open Heaven, 1982; The Mystery of God, 2009) that the essential element of apocalyptic is ‘the disclosure of heavenly knowledge’. It is an unveiling where the heavens are opened and transcendent mystery is divinely disclosed. Apocalyptic literature is full of secrets, visions, ascents, angels, the glory of the heavenly tabernacle and throne room. Visiting the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Nairobi a couple of weeks ago it was…
Read MoreOutward-looking
In his preface to the revised (2004) edition of Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, Pastor Mark Dever has a very interesting potential ‘tenth mark’: “If I had to add one more mark to what you’re about to read, it wouldn’t be missions or prayer or worship; but it would touch on all of those things. I think that I would add that we want our congregations to be outward-looking. We…
Read MoreDiscipleship and mission: What God has joined together…
“Most Christian programmes separate mission from discipleship, creating a faulty understanding of discipleship and mission. The significance of iServe Africa is that it is built on the understanding that discipleship is about mission and mission about discipleship. What blessing that young people can be helped to learn this early in their lives! I highly commend iServe Africa to Churches and Christian groups passionate about discipling young people.” (Dr. David Zac…
Read MoreKingdom-minded
There is a command of the Lord in Luke’s Gospel that I find breathtaking. “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest.” (Luke 10:2) There are almost as many surprising things in this verse as there are words. But just to chose one: The call to be Kingdom-minded The prayer Jesus wants is for more workers to…
Read MoreWhy focus on graduates?
God uses illiterate fisherman and shepherds and farmers. God chooses the weak and foolish things of this world to shame the strong and wise. God is not approached by diplomas and degrees. So why focus missions mobilisation on those graduating from university? Isn’t it elitist? One answer would be turn the question around and ask, is it not concerning that such a tiny number of Christian graduates are going into pastoral ministry?…
Read MoreFaithfulness in Gospel Mission
The more important thing than hermeneutics is reading. In other words grappling with Scripture is primarily an exercise of attentiveness to One who speaks through a text. (John Webster, Kantzer Lectures, 2007) Thanking God for the last week of the Ministry Training Course and good times listening at the feet of Jesus. Here are some notes, resources and links for the sessions: 1st year apprentices: How to lead an inductive Bible study Understanding and…
Read More10 great reasons to keep going in supporting strange missionary brothers
At the iServe Africa Annual Partners Reception a few months ago we looked at the shortest book of the Bible, 3 John, and found a fantastic little letter, not about prosperity but about mission support. The picture in this letter is that there are people who have gone out “for the sake of the Name” and they aren’t getting their support from non-Christians, they’re being supported by Christians – Christian families and…
Read MoreSteadfast 24-7: the last three days
This has been our prayer the last few days: I thank thee for the holy Scriptures, their precepts, promises, directions, light. In them may I learn more of Christ, be enabled to retain his truth and have grace to follow it. Help me to lift up the gates of my soul that he may come in and show me himself when I search the Scriptures, for I have no lines to fathom…
Read MoreSteadfast 24-7: the first three days
We started this ministry training week for the iServe Africa apprentices with the Garrisa massacre very much in our minds. With that background we are very aware that when we talk about these young people remaining ‘steadfast’ in the years to come we are not joking around. This is a very serious business. The world is a dangerous place in which to do the work of the Lord. We are…
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