31Jan 2018 by Nigel Ring

Q/A Elders and Trustees pt 2. What is an Elder?

Charity, Church, Elders, Equipping, Trustees
  As we consider the relationship between elders and trustees it is important to know what the distinctives are of these two bodies of people. God-commissioned First, elders must be those who are recognised as being commissioned by God. One day they will stand before the judgment seat of God and be asked to give account for all the people in their care (Heb 13:17). If they have never been commissioned (ie maybe have just seen ‘elder’ as a title) there could be a few embarrassed faces! So laying on of hands for eldership is no light matter and should follow a period of serious prayer and seeking God's mind. And this comes after there has been a thorough testing and proving of such men according to Biblical principles. Job…
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25Jan 2018 by Nigel Ring

Q/A Elders and Trustees pt 1. Authority

Charity, Church, Elders, Equipping, Trustees
  I am now returning to another of the questions I have been asked to address. This one is the most common of all the questions I am asked. It relates to the relationship between church elders and trustees. It is a good question and one that is important to consider seriously as, sadly, I have seen churches split apart because the relationship between these two bodies has been one of tension and disagreement. Authority and the church The core issue is ‘Who has the governing authority over the church?’ In order to answer this it is necessary to consider what, or rather who, the church is. At its simplest the church is a community of Christ-followers who are seeking to live out their faith in total obedience to Jesus, led…
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18Jan 2018 by Nigel Ring

Burundi – Crisis and Hope

Burundi, Poor
Regular readers of my blog will know of my love for and involvement in Burundi. We now have a need and I would really appreciate your financial help. The Problem Burundi is one of the poorest nations in the world and one that lives in crisis due to political instability. A few years ago a Burundian friend realised that one of the reasons for so many living in poverty was the cows. He felt God say 'Cows are the problem - cows are the solution'. Since he implemented the 'solution' over 400 families have been lifted out of abject poverty and the number is rising steadily. Why are cows the problem? The traditional Ankole long horned cow is seen as a status symbol - the more you have the greater…
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10Jan 2018 by Nigel Ring

Africa Study Bible – Book Recommendation

Africa, Books, Equipping, News
This is a remarkable Study Bible, a ‘must’ for every African or anyone who loves Africa. Goal The goal of the African Leaders who produced this study Bible was to ‘help us grow strong in Jesus Christ and to give us insight about God’s word to the continent and to the world as God’s word through African eyes’. Why ‘African’? As a study Bible this one is full of illustrations and teachings to apply the scripture culturally to everyday life in Africa. It includes excellent articles and ‘learn notes’ interwoven with the biblical text to help the reader apply what he or she has been reading to their own cultural situation. There are 130 of these. Articles include topics such as ‘Caring for God’s Creation’ (following Genesis), ‘African Traditional Beliefs…
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07Dec 2017 by Nigel Ring

Building Churches in deprived areas – Day Conference

Church Planting, Equipping, News, Poor
  Saturday February 10th 2018. 10am - 4pm St Peters Baptist Church, Eden Close, Worcester, WR5 3TZ   This day conference is aimed at those who either are thinking of or are in the process of planting a Church or congregation in a deprived area in the UK. The day will be hosted by Jim Harper and Colin Baron. The speakers are Martin Charlesworth and Nick & Christina Hoult. Martin is the co-author of 2 books “The Myth of the Undeserving Poor” and “A Church For The Poor”. Martin will be speaking from his vast experience from being the senior pastor of Barnabas Community Church in Shrewsbury, to his role as team leader of Jubilee+ and his extensive research from his latest book “A Church For The Poor”.   Nick…
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29Nov 2017 by Nigel Ring

Stop Child Witch Accusations

Child abuse, Children, Poor, SCWA, Witch, Witchcraft accusations
The issue of children being accused of being witches would be way outside the experience of most of us. Yet, in some parts of the world, this phenomenon is widespread.  What makes the situation worse is that the resultant child abuse through various ‘deliverance’ practices is often carried out by church leaders, although there are also many church leaders who are working hard to address and stop this form of abuse. Susie Howe, wife of one of the elders of a Newfrontiers church in the UK, came across this practice while ministering to vulnerable children in Africa. A previous posting tells you about that work. Since she became aware of this practice, she and others she is working with have expended immense energy in trying to stop the practice and to teach…
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