10Oct 2012 by Nigel Ring

Servanthood pt 2 – Jesus, the Servant

Administration in the Church, Equipping, Serving
Bringing good news What was Jesus called to do on earth? According to the Kingdom mandate of Is 61:1-3 (ie his job description), which he ‘owned' in Lk 4:17-21, he was called • To preach good news to the poor (we all are) • To proclaim release to the captives • To heal • To free the down-trodden • To proclaim the year of favour i.e. to bring justice by releasing people from bondage How was he to do this? As a servant. People thought Messiah would come as a King or General but God the Father had other ideas (see Is 42:1-4): ‘Behold my servant...'. God put His Spirit on Jesus • To bring forth justice • To support a bruised reed • To fan a smouldering wick Did…
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04Oct 2012 by Nigel Ring

Servanthood pt 1 – the privilege of serving

Administration in the Church, Equipping, Serving
Privilege Have you ever thought what a great privilege it is to be a servant? In many cultures servants are looked down on as menial. In the upside down culture of the Kingdom of God servants are exalted! If you need proof just look at Phil 2 and see how Jesus is commended by the Father for coming to earth as a servant, or at Joseph who served faithfully in Potiphar's house and then in prison (even in fetters and irons Ps 105:18) to the extent that those around him were blessed because God was with him. If we strive to be exalted we shall be rewarded only in this life. If we serve out of genuine humility it seems to please God and we can expect rewards in the…
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20Sep 2012 by Nigel Ring

From small beginnings…

Christian ministry, Church Planting, Newfrontiers, News
Last Sunday was a day of great celebration as the Kings Church Mid-Sussex met to celebrate the opening if their new building. In opening the meeting Jim Partridge, the Lead Elder, shared how the local Member of Parliament had said that what this church had achieved was a miracle. I like it when the world acknowledges the greatness of God! It all started in 1968. A small group of believers began to meet in my wife Janita's and my home in Scaynes Hill to study the Bible together. The co-hosting couple (we actually met in their home on the first occasion) suggested inviting a friend of theirs to come and speak - Terry Virgo walked through the door! In 1973, following a prophetic word he had received at his home…
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21Aug 2012 by Nigel Ring

Urgent: Kenya – the crisis continues

Kenya, News, Poor, Relief and Development
I am taking the liberty of passing on the details of an email I have received from Rob Williams who leads the Finance Team in the Fulham Office. He and I travelled to Kenya in January. It seems the crisis brought on by drought continues. The following text messages have been sent by Edward Buria to Rob. 13/08 "Checking with you if there could be some funds in the crisis funds, we still remain in great need of assisting our brothers and sisters in the affected places. Thanks Edward" 18/08 "We have large large payments to make as several dams are completed and rendered for. God bless. Edward" 21/08 "Am deep deep in Samburu leading out team in relief supplies as the situation has become so bad... God is with…
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16Aug 2012 by Nigel Ring

Helping Homeless People

Equipping, Good Practice, Ministry Report, News, Poor
Post Olympics I hope you enjoyed the Olympics! It seemed a great occasion that lifted the atmosphere in the UK. And wasn't God good in giving us such fine weather compared to the previous ‘x' weeks!! Now we are into holiday time in the UK so this will be my last posting until September. Friends First Church of Christ the King in Brighton has had a ministry to homeless people for about 25 years. Starting with a ‘soup kitchen' it developed first into a one evening per week drop in for a meal, clothing hand-outs and hearing the gospel. Ten years ago the church purchased a house for 12 people who have demonstrated their desire for help towards independent living, having come off any addictive substances such as drink or…
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01Aug 2012 by Nigel Ring

Helping make decisions pt 5 – the Facilitator’s role

Administrative Skills, Equipping, Facilitation, Good Practice
Facilitation Facilitate means ‘to make easier'. That encapsulates the role of the facilitator; he or she is there to help the discussion flow and to make the whole process as easy as possible to achieve good outcomes. With this in mind it is usually best to have someone facilitating a meeting who has no personal involvement in the topic. It is then possible to be completely ‘outside' the discussion and merely to help people move from one aspect to another by monitoring how it is going and determining when all the juice has been squeezed out of a particular topic. Prepare for informality A discussion of this sort can appear to be relatively unstructured. Indeed, it is important that people do not feel constrained by a rigid structure since different…
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