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The strategy of God
Doing good: The shape of the Christian life (Part 1): Why we don’t
The broken marriage of preaching and pastoring
Recent comments
Scott Tubman on "We are poorly dressed" - Part 2 (20/08/2008).
Ian Carmichael on Sola Gratia - Tahlia's story (20/08/2008).
Cathy McKay on "We are poorly dressed" - Part 2 (20/08/2008).
Gordon Cheng on An interview with Mark Thompson (20/08/2008).
Martin Kemp on The indivisibility of truth (20/08/2008).
Andrew Barry on "We are poorly dressed" - Part 2 (20/08/2008).
Scott Tubman on "We are poorly dressed" - Part 2 (19/08/2008).
Scott Tubman on "We are poorly dressed" - Part 2 (19/08/2008).
Alex Phillips on A freebie for you: Jonah in the ESV (19/08/2008).
Nicole Starling on "We are poorly dressed" - Part 2 (19/08/2008).
Recent posts
An interview with Mark Thompson by Sandy Grant (1 comment). Today we interview Mark Thompson... Mark, how did you come to Christ? I first heard the gospel … more
Sola Gratia - Tahlia’s story by Lionel Windsor (4 comments). Tahlia was born addicted to heroin, thanks to her mum Shae’s addiction. Tahlia (not her real name) lives with … more
“We are poorly dressed” - Part 2 by Nicole Starling (9 comments). Thanks to everyone who contributed comments in answer to the question that I raised in my previous … more
The indivisibility of truth by Tony Payne (4 comments). This Saturday’s classic Briefing extract is about the indivisibility of truth. It’s from Briefing #8, August 1, 1988: If … more
Dread, joy and Morning Prayer by Tony Payne (5 comments). Standing on the 5th tee at St Michael’s, in Sydney’s East, the golfer experiences a mixture of nervousness and dread. Here … more
A freebie for you: Jonah in the ESV by Gordon Cheng (10 comments). Here at Matthias Media, we read and recommend the English Standard Version Bible, the ESV, as a superior … more
‘We are poorly dressed…’ - Part 1 by Nicole Starling (15 comments). “We are poorly dressed… Be imitators of me.” (1 Cor 4:11, 16) “All her household are clothed in … more
Where’s your ministry ‘AT’? by Ben Pfahlert (11 comments). Christians and soldiers have a lot in common, or at least they should (2 Tim 2:3-4). Firstly they both know that … more
Countering Nowism by Lionel Windsor (2 comments). It’s been interesting to follow the comments on Tony’s post about the … more
The evangelical inferiority complex by Tony Payne (3 comments). It’s Saturday. Must be time for another classic snippet from the early days of The Briefing, this time about evangelicalism’s … more
Tony Payne
Tony is the Publishing Director at Matthias Media; editor of The Briefing; author of Islam in our Backyard, Fatherhood and numerous other Matthias Media resources; husband to Ali; father of five teenagers; and an avid consumer of books and almost any televised sport.
Sola Panellists
- Tony Payne (convenor)
- Peter Bolt
- Gordon Cheng
- Sandy Grant
- Gavin Perkins
- Ben Pfahlert
- Archie Poulos
- Nicole Starling
- Mark Thompson
- Jean Williams
- Lionel Windsor
Are there also times when we need to change in order to keep doing the same thing?
Cyber-bullying raises the same issues - is it a new phenomena or using new technology to do the same old thing? Do old school bullies blog with nostalgia about the good old days of thumpings at the school gate? Do grumpy old bullies chat about how texting pain just isn’t the same?
Dear Tony,
I Can’t believe ministry is scummy...its a privilege and honour...the highest calling a man can have to be an Ambasador of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I assume Tony was alluding to 1 Corinthians 4.13 where the apostle who elsewhere describes himself as an ambassador speaks of being the scum of the earth. (1 Cor 4.13)
Sorry, I’ve just re-read the original post and realised that Tony wasn’t alluding but gave us chapter and verse.
I’ve never found it hard to believe that ministry is scummy. It brought Paul cursing (& worse) and proclaiming Christ as Lord seems to do the same today.
It depends on what you mean by scummy. If we really are servants as ministers and that is pretty much all of us, we are to serve. That’s pretty scummy to be as Christ was, washing people’s feet, the last shall be first. Man Jesus is amazing.
In the area of Doctrine I have no problem.However I have at times been frustrated by an unwillingness of some clergy to seek or accept advice from members of their congregation trained,skilled and widely experienced in the areas of Leadership/Management or who fail the recognise that there is valuable material in the secular world. The insights and experience available being ignored or dismissed can mean an inefficient use of both human and financial resources,frustrate congregational members who see their “giving” unwisely used,decreasing both morale and support. More of the same? No please!
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