Where would we be without our weekly notice sheets? They’re an invaluable hub of communication. But all too often they don’t get read or they don’t get read with joy.
The problem is, church notice sheets tend to be quite good at setting out what is happening or needed. But they are often very bad at focusing us all on why such things are happening and why our involvement is so vital. Week after week, they invite us to ‘do things’ rather than encourage us to reflect, pray and function as the body of Christ is called to do (1Cor 12:12-31). They encourage us to become burdened instead of inspiring us to serve.
It’s time to put Jesus back at the centre of our notice sheets!
Next time you are advertising a service or event, try to avoid merely saying where and when it’s happening. Remind people why it’s happening. And how it fits with the overall mission and vision of the church. Is it an exciting opportunity to get to know Jesus better? Or an event that is great for introducing non-believers to Christianity? Let people know how it will enhance their personal relationship with God or equip them to serve him more.
And the next time you are looking for a volunteer, be clear that you’re not just looking for someone to do a task, but that the role is a chance to serve our heavenly Father, using Spiritual gifts in ways that glorify Jesus. It’s an opportunity to be part of the mission of God and the mission of the church. And prayerfully getting involved will help both personal growth and progress the gospel.
With Jesus right at the centre, we might just find that people start reading the notice sheet that little bit more enthusiastically!
This blog post was originally posted on The Good Book Blog on September 28th 2011.
Atrocities in the world flash across our screens daily. Newspapers detail the horrors of terrorism, torture, murder and injustice. People around us crumble under the weight of relationship strife, bereavement, illness and more. Our own lives too, at times, plunge to the depths.
And sometimes, just sometimes, the question crosses our mind: has God really got everything under control?
Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, couldn't have been more convinced about the answer.... continue reading
For years the word stuck in my throat. The six letters that Jesus used so often, seemed unimaginable to me. Father. A term worse than a swear-word - a title that made my skin crawl.
For years my father hurt me. For years his words blighted my life. "I wish you'd never been born" - "You disgust me" - "I hate you" - "Why can't you do anything right?" - "Just get out of my sight". It's not what a father is supposed to say but it's what he did say. What he said most days. It's what he meant from the depths of his heart.
Soon I learned to shudder whenever I heard the word, "father". I couldn't say it. I couldn't think about it. I couldn't love it - couldn't love him.... continue reading
A Christian need never feel harassed, nor experience helplessness. Never.
Why?
Because a Christian is never without a shepherd.
Life is full of harassed-inspiring challenges and busy-ness, and helplessness-inducing events and unknowns. It’s what Jesus noticed about people as he travelled round, preaching and healing; it’s what aroused his compassion for them:
“He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9 v 36)
If you don’t have a “shepherd”—someone to rely on who is in control, who knows what they are doing, and cares about you as their own possession—then you’re going to know the feeling of being harassed and helpless, because you’re thrown back on your own abilities, and life is so often too big or confusing for our minds and strength to handle. If you don’t have a shepherd, you will be harassed and helpless.... continue reading
If you go to a church where the teaching is sound then you will know some great truths about God. You will be able to articulate something of his love, his mercy, his grace, his sovereignty and his immense kindness and provision towards humans in general and you in particular. And amen to that! What a privilege to know such amazing facts.
However, if you are like many other Christians, these facts don't always make it from your head to your heart. They certainly don't always make that 7 inch drop in my life...
Yes, the doctrine of God's sovereignty is exciting but when a job is lost, a relative dies, accidents happen, then a deep sense of life feeling out of control creeps in. And, if we're honest, it doesn't always need to be something that major to engender those feelings ... a bad day at work can do it. Or kids that just wont obey the curfew or do their homework.... continue reading
Hot summer days have given way to crisp early mornings. Big yellow buses, shoulder pads & pig skin, along with the changing colors of the leaves means that the 2014 fall is kicking off with some exciting projects, titles and growth.
The US staff team has grown from two to three with the addition of Matt in Customer Service and Angela in Administration. We have hit the ground running and are planning to attend six events before the end of the year, hold a week of filming for The Gospel Coalition’s new curriculum (to be launched in early 2015), as well as launching a new children’s imprint for The Good Book Company.... continue reading
Today on The Good Book Blog, a word of encouragement from a friend who wishes to stay anonymous:
I used to cry every year on his birthday ... Every Christmas, every Easter, and plenty of days in between. Sometimes I still do.
I don't actually know if he really was a "he". He might have been a she. I didn't ask. But I always imagine he was a boy. I would have liked to have had a son.
I regret it deeply now but at the time I just didn't feel I could face the pregnancy. I was young, I wasn't married, I was supposed to be a good church-going believer - a teacher in Sunday School. It was too hard to admit that I had messed-up. I know I wasn't the only single person in the church who had given in to temptation but I was the "stupid one" who got caught out. I had to make a decision quickly or soon my sin would be seen by everyone in the congregation. And I couldn't face the shame.... continue reading
It's an exciting time to be part of The Good Book Company marketing team at the moment. We have some amazing new titles launching over the next few months and plenty more further ahead in to 2015. So the challenge for us is how we make sure the word gets out to the people who will really benefit from them. We're a fairly small team - Emily oversees email communications, Alexa works on catalogues and advertising, Dean handles events and key accounts, Phil is our video and media guy and James does a bit of everything! Here are some areas in which we'd be very grateful for your prayers:... continue reading
It's a question I get asked a lot. Those who love me, those who have been praying for me want to know ... But how do you assess whether the talk you've given (or the Bible study you've led) was "good" or not? Is it all about people having enjoyed themselves? Or about having learned something new? What criteria can we use to assess? Should we worry about negative reactions? It's a bit of a minefield. But here are the criteria I've started to use. Feel free to add to the list if you want...... continue reading
When your elders, church council or PCC meets together, what occupies most time in discussion? What's on the agenda?
I suspect that the universal rule of human life kicks in that the urgent constantly threatens to displace the important. So it might be that your time is taken up with discussing pastoral problems, building projects and needs, complaints from members of the congregation and, the oldest one of all - arguing about the heating system.
A friend of mine put it like this.
Why do you think we are not yet with the Lord in the New Creation? Why has Jesus not yet returned? Is it so that we can worship and praise him better in the here and now?
No. We will do that far better in the new Creation.
Is it so that we can grow in holiness and godliness now?
No. We will be perfect in the new creation.
The only thing we can do now that we won't be able to do better in the new creation is to tell those who don't know him how wonderful he is, and what he has done for us...... continue reading
