Defending a Lion
There’s a famous quote, variously attributed to Luther, Spurgeon and others, in which an observation is made about the power of the Word of God. “Defend the Bible? I would sooner defend a lion. Turn it loose and it will defend itself!” This coming Sunday we have the UK Director of the Bible Society as… Read more
I’ve started … so I’ll finish
“I’ve started … so I’ll finish “was the catchphrase associated with the original Grand Inquisitor of Mastermind, Magnus Magnusson. When Paul reflects on the progress of the gospel in the first European Church at Philippi he affirms in chapter one of his letter “The One who began a good work in you will bring it… Read more
The Government is upon His shoulders
“Things fall apart, the centre cannot hold”! Really? “The Government is upon His shoulders …. and He will be called the Prince of Peace” I have tried to avoid personal public comment on the Referendum, until today. My instinct has always been to want people to listen to my preaching rather than my politics. And… Read more
Visit to Lyon Church
From Peter Baker: Meet the Mission Team – Nicky Davies and Peter Baker. It’s the quality not the quantity that matters! The purpose of our Mission was twofold. On the one hand to visit An and Sa in order to strengthen the partnership between their Church (the Evangelical Free Church of Lyon) and Lansdowne; while… Read more
The French Connection
For those of you unfamiliar with the story so far, here’s a recap. We have a family in Lyon France, An. & Sa. They have been Partners with Lansdowne for many years, serving in North Africa before moving to an exciting ministry in Lyon. Sa. is Syrian and something of her story became a blog… Read more
Entente Cordiale
After several months in the making, I am delighted to announce the first twinning arrangement between Lansdowne Church and Eglise Evangélique Libre de Lyon. Frédéric Sépari and Sylvain Guiton are the pastors of the church with which the Partners An. & Sa are actively involved. A personal visit last year to the An. & Sa, sparked… Read more
The Past is not a Foreign Country
To speak with Sa. is to connect with a narrative which takes us right back to the Apostle Paul, the early Church and the primitive beginnings of Christianity. This is a woman who lived not that far from Straight Street in Damascus. As a girl she walked beneath the house of Ananias, where Paul escaped… Read more
Breakfast in Bonn
The last few days have been a whirlwind of impressions and conversations with members of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) whose United Nations Committee has been meeting in the International Institute for Religious Liberty. My main purpose for being here has been to encourage the Associate General Secretary General of this globally significant Christian organisation,… Read more
OTHERS
William Booth was asked by his administrative assistant to send a brief telegram of encouragement to all Salvation Army workers across the world.
He searched for one word which would summarise the implications of the good news of Jesus.
Then he wrote…
Confessions of a Pastor
Questions of personal identity run right through us every day. On Saturday afternoon June 8 at about 3:45 I had to answer the question before 350 people…