Meekness & Majesty - [below].
What is Congregationalism?
A Congregational Church is a church run solely by the congregation itself. There is no hierarchy – the church is run and supported by its members.
When described to people who are not churchgoers, they are surprise that Christians can operate without hierarchies or elaborate ritual - we do.
By trusting God, and trusting the members whom God has called together in a mutually supportive relationship, congregational Christians are more open to the power of God’s Spirit.
The Bible describes the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and we expect to see these in action, through the members of the church; although it's not always very obvious - we do try.
Today, congregational churches in Britain and around the world try to uphold the same sort of principles.
It is something to be proud of and it is hoped that this range of resources will enable you and others to get to know it better, and give you the confidence to share it.
=============================
So, C19 is less of a problem in Ethiopia than famine and poverty are. If you're already hungry, you can't stop working.
We already provide some resources for the charity 'Open Way' which supports poor people in Ethiopia, maybe now is the time to provide some more? What do you think?
This image is of one person who is having a new house built for her because of the charity, you can see where she lives now. And we think that we have it tough!
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
----------------
Jesus speaks directly to us in our current situation.
For too long have we adopted the idea that security consists in owning stuff and especially in owning more stuff than others do. Even as our leaders look for ways to approach the future, the talk is all of markets and economic security.
A huge part of being someone of faith is in learning to trust God.
It is, however, a choice, and then a pilgrimage.
You can choose to put your trust in the ways of the world, but the evidence seems to suggest that to be misplaced.
You could choose to put your trust in God.
All mankind scrathes for its daily bread, but your Heavenly Father knows what you need and will always give you all that you need from day to day, if you will make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. [Luke 12:30].
This is most certainly a process and a bit like learning to swim. It's counter-intuative to trust God just as it is to swim, but it can be done. It never ends though, you need to practice to be able to do either well.
Suggestion; use the Lord's Prayer a lot, but think about it too.
-----------------
On the topic of prayer, if you want anything or anybody especially included in our prayers, send an email and we'll include it on this site. We won't publish too much detail as the site is public.
[email protected]
-----------------
- We aim to worship in ways that are straightforward, personal and sincere
- We aim to honour God’s calling and insist that gifts and abilities are given to all people.
- We aim to bring both heart and mind to our worship, so we value preaching that is both thoughtful and challenging
- We aim to live as we believe, putting into practice the call of Jesus to show God’s love in daily life
- We are called ‘Congregational’ because we involve all members of the local fellowship in our decisions rather than placing authority anywhere else
What is Congregationalism?
A Congregational Church is a church run solely by the congregation itself. There is no hierarchy – the church is run and supported by its members.
When described to people who are not churchgoers, they are surprise that Christians can operate without hierarchies or elaborate ritual - we do.
By trusting God, and trusting the members whom God has called together in a mutually supportive relationship, congregational Christians are more open to the power of God’s Spirit.
The Bible describes the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and we expect to see these in action, through the members of the church; although it's not always very obvious - we do try.
- Congregationalists challenged the power of a corrupt State in the 17th century, and changed the face of the nation.
- Isaac Watts gave birth to modern hymn styles in the eighteenth century, and the London Missionary Society carried the gospel around the world.
- In the nineteenth century, a congregational minister helped to overthrow slavery in Guyana, because he treated the slaves as people called by God, able to become church members as much as anyone else.
- Congregationalists were at the heart of political reform in Britain.
- A hundred years ago, a congregational church was the first of the mainstream churches to ordain a woman to its ministry
Today, congregational churches in Britain and around the world try to uphold the same sort of principles.
It is something to be proud of and it is hoped that this range of resources will enable you and others to get to know it better, and give you the confidence to share it.
=============================
So, C19 is less of a problem in Ethiopia than famine and poverty are. If you're already hungry, you can't stop working.
We already provide some resources for the charity 'Open Way' which supports poor people in Ethiopia, maybe now is the time to provide some more? What do you think?
This image is of one person who is having a new house built for her because of the charity, you can see where she lives now. And we think that we have it tough!
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
----------------
Jesus speaks directly to us in our current situation.
For too long have we adopted the idea that security consists in owning stuff and especially in owning more stuff than others do. Even as our leaders look for ways to approach the future, the talk is all of markets and economic security.
A huge part of being someone of faith is in learning to trust God.
It is, however, a choice, and then a pilgrimage.
You can choose to put your trust in the ways of the world, but the evidence seems to suggest that to be misplaced.
You could choose to put your trust in God.
All mankind scrathes for its daily bread, but your Heavenly Father knows what you need and will always give you all that you need from day to day, if you will make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. [Luke 12:30].
This is most certainly a process and a bit like learning to swim. It's counter-intuative to trust God just as it is to swim, but it can be done. It never ends though, you need to practice to be able to do either well.
Suggestion; use the Lord's Prayer a lot, but think about it too.
-----------------
On the topic of prayer, if you want anything or anybody especially included in our prayers, send an email and we'll include it on this site. We won't publish too much detail as the site is public.
[email protected]
-----------------
Meekness & Majesty
Quoting Isaiah, Jesus said to us
You will listen but not understand.
You will look but not learn.
The minds of people have become stubborn; they no longer hear and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise, they might really understand, and come back to me and be healed. [Matthew 13: 14 & 15].
Where is God at the moment?
God is waiting to be asked back to help. It could be up to us to do the asking. Shall we try? He gave us free will, we think that we know best, but then again so does everyone else.
We can do that without being complacent. There is still a massive amount of suffering around.
We ask God humbly, in the effort to listen and to learn. We no longer want to be stubborn people.