This is like stoking a fire within me!! This is a fantastic article that opens up a very important conversation to be had today. One I want to be part of. In a sense, it's one I am already part of in other spheres.
Thanks Steve. 'Strengthening the churches' (to equip and build up what's there) and 'sending out the seventy-two' (to break new ground) seem to me to represent the two urgent, but immensely challenging, essentials of mission, for us now in rural Britain and anywhere. They always have, but now maybe even more so. I know some readers will baulk (perhaps with good reason) over 'apostle' and 'apostolic' (hence Ollerton's 'messengers' and 'itinerant preachers' etc), or feel denominations and para-churches are already doing as well as can be expected. The vision also calls for us to ask again - 'What is the Gospel?' and 'What is church?' - hence, my recent series.
It would great to have others in this conversation! Peter.
This is like stoking a fire within me!! This is a fantastic article that opens up a very important conversation to be had today. One I want to be part of. In a sense, it's one I am already part of in other spheres.
Thanks Steve. 'Strengthening the churches' (to equip and build up what's there) and 'sending out the seventy-two' (to break new ground) seem to me to represent the two urgent, but immensely challenging, essentials of mission, for us now in rural Britain and anywhere. They always have, but now maybe even more so. I know some readers will baulk (perhaps with good reason) over 'apostle' and 'apostolic' (hence Ollerton's 'messengers' and 'itinerant preachers' etc), or feel denominations and para-churches are already doing as well as can be expected. The vision also calls for us to ask again - 'What is the Gospel?' and 'What is church?' - hence, my recent series.
It would great to have others in this conversation! Peter.