Donald Capps very helpfully outlines models and schemata for effective pastoral action, that I think are very helpful for getting pastor’s to think about the what and why of what they do in a community over which they exercise pastoral oversight. This post is the third of three that will develop this scheme to show how pastoral... Continue Reading →
The shocking thing about suffering is not that it happens, but that we are shocked when it happens. The suffering can of course take many forms: bereavements, illness, chronic sickness, depression, pain, cold and flu, to name but a few! Although there is a place for time alone, space to think and pray, why is... Continue Reading →
On October 20th 1909, P. T. Forsyth delivered an ordination address based on John 17:6, “I manifested thy name unto the men whom Thou gavest Me out of the world: Thine they were, and Thou gavest them to Me.“ The sermon is very short and broken down into three parts, The Property, The Gift, The... Continue Reading →
On October 20th 1909, P. T. Forsyth delivered an ordination address based on John 17:6, “I manifested thy name unto the men whom Thou gavest Me out of the world: Thine they were, and Thou gavest them to Me.“ The sermon is very short and broken down into three parts, The Property, The Gift, The... Continue Reading →
Pastoral expectations, idealisms, fantasy's and fictions are often held by both pastor and congregation. Pastors have very high hopes (in God) for the church and often live with having these high hopes unrealised, unmet and often dashed upon the rocks of their own inflated ego. Congregations on the other hand, have very high hopes (in... Continue Reading →
Once again I have been saved by the wisdom of Eugene Peterson. His book, Under the Unpredictable Plant arrived in the post today (thanks to Amazon and Royal Mail and Terry the postman), and just about became the Word of the Lord to me, and how I needed it as I began to spiral down into a... Continue Reading →
Gralefrit Theology 