What is a ‘congregation’?

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Church growth thinking back in the 1980s helpfully distinguished between ‘cells’, ‘congregations’, and ‘celebrations’ (basically, small, medium and large meetings of the church).

Each of these has (or should have) different characteristics and purposes.  Here, in outline, are some thoughts on what I think a ‘congregation’ might be:-

Definition

A ‘congregation’ is a manifestation of the local church that typically has a membership of between 25 and 100. The lower figure is determined by the need for diversity of gifting and of constituent individual and family representation.…

Charismatic questions

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A few thoughts on a couple of questions relating to the charismata (‘spiritual gifts’):-

1. How many charismata?

It is unreasonable to suppose that the lists of gifts mentioned in Scripture are exhaustive. It is, however, reasonable to suppose that these lists are indicative. In other words, it is reasonable to say that ‘there are probably more than 15 charismata’, but less reasonable to inflate that number to as many as 150 or even 500.

One can readily think of charismata that might have been included in the biblical lists, but for some reason were not (e.g.…

Objections to penal substitution 6 – the Christian life

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Here’s the last in this series, summarising responses to objections to the doctrine of penal substitutionary atonement that relate to aspects of the Christian life:-

1. ‘Penal substitution fails to address the issues of political and social sin and cosmic evil’

Penal substitution seems occupied with the salvation of the individual but fails to address the need for reconciliation between peoples divided by political, ethnic, economic and social barriers. Nor does it provide for the redemption of the entire cosmos from its fallen state.…

Objections to penal substitution 5 – God

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The next set of objections to the doctrine of penal substitutionary atonement cluster around our understanding of God:-

1. ‘Penal substitution implies a division between the persons of the Trinity’

Critics sometimes argue that the doctrine of penal substition violates the unity of the godhead by depicting the Father and the Son as acting independently. Whereas Rom 5:8 affirms that God demonstrates his love by means of what Christ did, penal substitution implies that in the atonement God did something to Jesus.…

2 Pet 3 – What would Jesus say to Chicken Little? – sermon notes

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Text: 2 Peter 3

Chicken Little was a little chick with a credibility problem.  Having been hit on the head by a hexagonal something-or-other, he became convinced that the sky was falling.  But the others scoffed.  As far as they were concerned, he had been hit by nothing more than a falling acorn.

What would Jesus say to Chicken Little?  What is it like to persist with an unpopular message?  At least Chicken Little had the guts to ring that bell. …

Objections to penal substitution 4 – justice

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Continuing this series that summarises (in order to commend) material within Jeffrey, Ovey & Sach’s book Pierced for our Transgressions, we reach those objections that assert that the doctrine of penal substitionary atonement violates the principle of justice:-

1. ‘It is unjust to punish an innocent person, even if he is willing to be punished’

According to Tom Smail, ‘the penal substitution theory…must answer the question: How can it be just to punish a righteous man for the sins of many unrighteous people?’…

Objections to penal substitution 3 – violence

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Having considered objections to the doctrine of penal substitutionary atonement that are based on appeals to the Bible and to culture, the authors of Pierced for our Transgressions deal with those that assert that the doctrine is an instance of ‘the myth of redemptive violence’.

1. ‘Penal substitution rests on unbiblical ideas of sacrifice’

It was for this reason that C.H. Dodd objected to the translation of hilasterion as ‘propitiation’, for this would be ‘misleading, for it suggests the placating of an angry God, and although this would be in accord with pagan usage, it is foreign to biblical usage’.…

2 Sam 9 – David and Mephibosheth – sermon notes

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It was late, and Peter and Paul had been in bed for at least an hour. Mum and Dad had just returned from an evening out, and Dad popped into the boys’ room to say good night.
“Dad, can I have some ice cream?”
“No, Peter, it’s late, it’s way past bedtime.”
“But Dad, you promised.”
He was right. Peter had asked for ice cream earlier in the day, but they didn’t have any. And Dad had said, “I’ll get some for you later, I promise.”
…

Responsibility: withdrawal or involvement?

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This is one of the questions posed by John Stott in his book Christ the Controversialist.

What should be the attitude of the followers of Jesus towards those who do not follow him?  Do we despise them, fear them, shun them, tolerate them, condemn them, or seek to serve them?  What is the responsibility of the church to the world?  Is our attitude Christian or Pharisaic?  See Lk 15:1f.

The Pharisees, let it be said, were keen to proselytise, Mt 23:15. …

If Jesus is the answer, what is the question?

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I suppose that in apologetics and evangelism it is possible to place too much stress on ‘beginning where people are’, and in addressing felt needs.  Nevertheless, it would be foolish to ignore the questions and concerns that are expressed by those to whom we would commend Christ.

With that thought in mind, it is interesting to look at the results of a small survey of people without any religious affiliation.  The survey was carried out as part of Coventry Diocese’s ‘Beyond the Fringe’ research project back in 2003.…