23May 2025 by Nigel Ring

Newfrontiers – History, Name and Branding

News
Recently I was asked about the history of the name and branding of Newfrontiers. Those decisions and changes I was involved with occurred between 1980-2011. 1980 - Coastlands. This was intended to refer to the verse in Is 41 where 'Coastlands' implies the ends of the earth. However, many interpreted it as the south coast where Terry was then based so a change was needed.   1986 - New Frontiers. Although not a Biblical term this expressed our heart to reach the ends of the earth.     1986 - New Frontiers International (NFI). 'International' was added quite quickly to emphasise the international nature of the vision.         2002 - Newfrontiers. This rebranding came after the Stoneleigh Bible Week closed. The name was created to make it…
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11Jul 2024 by Nigel Ring

Tis Mercy All – Book recommendation

Books, News
[caption id="attachment_8671" align="alignright" width="216"]       [/caption] Tis Mercy All is a timely book. As we are bombarded by the often-vindictive negativity broadcast through the media and witness the verbal abuse promulgated on social media we need to be reminded of God’s standards for displaying mercy. In Tis Mercy All Natalie, through whom ‘Mercy’ runs like ‘Brighton’ through Brighton rock, achieves this with an appropriate mixture of humour, self-revelation and Biblical truth. Natalie starts by giving a God-perspective of mercy, contrasting his attitude to mercy with our commonly held belief that justice should prevail - until we realise that while we may want justice as it applies to others we enjoy being the recipients of his mercy for ourselves. That determination to be merciful to us took Jesus to the cross.…
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23May 2024 by Nigel Ring

Voting like Jesus

Uncategorized
Some very helpful resource material Election Ready? has been released today by Jubilee+, the day after a General Election has been announced in the UK. It has been produced to help us think like Jesus as we consider how to vote. It is not particular to the UK; the principles are applicable anywhere in the world. So I encourage you to read it in this year of elections wherever you are and consider how it can shape your thinking and that of your friends. It is available online or as printed material.
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22Nov 2023 by Nigel Ring

Donna Bloomfield shares insights about working with the poor

Poor
Donna has been a good friend of mine for well over 20 years. We worked together for a few years and I now chair the ministry she leads in Burundi, Hope for Tomorrow Global. Margins2Mic is an initiative of Andy McCullough's. Andy has been involved in reaching people in various 'unreached' nations for many years and is passionate about relating to people cross-culturally. In response to his invitation Donna shares about her history with 'The Forgotten People' in Burundi. She also gives some very helpful insights about how to view and relate with people who are 'disadvantaged'. Click on photo:
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03Sep 2023 by Nigel Ring

Voices – Listening to those with ‘lived experience’

Uncategorized
For several years I had the privilege of chairing a remarkable ministry, Beloved, in Bristol which seeks to bring women out of the massage parlours ie to exit indoor prostitution. For obvious reasons it was never possible for me to experience a visit to one of the parlours so I was greatly challenged when a few of the women shared their experience at an ‘away day’ with the trustees. These beautiful women told us what it was like to be lined up for a man to choose one, as in a cattle market. And of the competition they had among themselves to get ‘business’ since that represented their only income. There were many stories that brought us all, particularly the men in the room, to a stunned silence and tears.…
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20Jul 2023 by Nigel Ring

In conclusion…

News
This will be my final post. The site will close shortly. 14 years ago I was urged by several people to write a blog. Since then I have written over 500 posts. The primary aim has been to help raise the bar of excellence in church administration and working with the poor, although I have used the site for other topics, particularly related to the history of the Newfrontiers family of churches. I chose Feeding 5000 is no picnic… as a ‘brand’, trying to embrace the combination of both administration and helping those in need. Much has changed since 2009. Church administration is now widely recognised for its crucial role in helping churches to grow and function healthily, particularly by releasing elders to flow in their gifting rather than being…
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