09Sep 2015 by Nigel Ring

The word for word Bible comic

Books, Equipping, News
We live in an age where sustained reading is becoming less common, where people expect sound bites and a high level of graphics. Reaching people with the Bible in written form is becoming more and more challenging. With this in mind I was excited to learn of a project being carried out by a member of the City Church in Bristol (pen name Simon Amadeus Pillario) who is taking significant portions of the Bible and reproducing them word for word with comic illustrations of the highest quality. Comics are one of the most rapidly rising areas of popular communication, not, as might be expected, only among children, but among those in the 15-40 age groups. So this initiative is very timely, providing a resource to reach out to a section of…
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04Dec 2014 by Nigel Ring

Book Review – The Myth of the Undeserving Poor

Books, Equipping, News, Poor
Do the poor deserve to be helped? I have greatly enjoyed reading this book and strongly recommend it. My attitudes were challenged, and I was liberally marking and underling passagesas I read it. It has already caused me to adjust my thinking about a particular ‘live’ situation I am facing. Although the book is centred on the UK, its history and current situation, there are many Biblical and practical teachings that any reader can apply. Poverty in Britain Martin Charlesworth and Natalie Williams, two of the key players in the Jubilee+ initiative of the Newfrontiers family of churches in the UK, begin by laying a historical foundation. Taking the reader through the effects of the Poor Laws of 1601 and 1834 they trace how the relationship between church and state has…
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25Nov 2014 by Nigel Ring

To help you engage with real issues…

Books, Jubilee+, News, Poor
Here are two resources I strongly recommend - a book (The Myth of the Undeserving Poor) and a conference. Both come from the Jubilee+ initiative of Newfrontiers in the UK which helps individuals and churches engage with the needs of those who are poor or disadvantaged. First I will tell you about the conference. Faith + Justice Conference. Milton Keynes, UK. Saturday February 7th 2015   What is your real attitude to politics? Do you find them a turn-off? In the UK, Christians tend to be more likely to vote in elections or even be members of political parties than the average member of the public. However, many Christians would say they don’t ‘get’ politics, don't care about them, or simply don’t understand the difference between the political parties. They may hold strong views on education…
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11Dec 2013 by Nigel Ring

The Marriage House – book review

Books, Equipping, News
Although books on marriage abound this one is certainly not ‘surplus to requirements'. I confess I have not yet read every word (it has only recently been released) but I feel it is such a good book that I want to bring it to your attention in time to ask someone to give it to you for Christmas - or for you to buy copies to give away! Using the imagery of building a house, John Kpikpi (a good friend of many in the Newfrontiers family of churches), together with contributions from his wife Alexandra, has taken a strong Biblical stance in sharing about marriage. Starting with God's vision for marriage he than moves on to laying a solid foundation before taking us through God's ‘blue print' for marriage addressing…
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28Aug 2013 by Nigel Ring

Learning from the Archbishop – book review

Books, News
Diverse experience My holiday reading included ‘The Road to Canterbury', a biography of the recently appointed Archbishop, Justin Welby. This very readable and fast-moving book contains much for our encouragement as we read of a man of very diverse experience who is deeply committed to mission and the advance of the gospel in the power of the Spirit. His experience helps him empathise with people from many different cultures and who have experienced significant challenges in life. Born into a privileged background he had a somewhat dysfunctional up-bringing between separated parents and under the care of a wandering father. Educated at Eton and Cambridge, where he became a Christian, he had many contemporaries as close friends some of whom are now well-known church leaders, such as the two HTB-based Nickys,…
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02Feb 2013 by Nigel Ring

Foreign to Familiar – book review

Books, Cross-culture, Equipping, General
Foreign to Familiar Paradoxically Foreign to Familiar (McDougal Publishing) is both an easy read and a challenging one. It is in a style that is very accessible, is a relatively short book of only 120 pages and is liberally illustrated with personal experiences of the author. But, as one who has travelled quite widely in different cultures, I still find it challenging. Too often I find myself re-reading it and thinking ‘Oh dear, I have made that mistake .... and that one...'! This book is a ‘must read' for those who are interested or involved in cross-cultural mission. Sarah Lanier is well qualified to write on this topic having lived and ministered across six continents over the last 30 years, and being a speaker of six languages. When ‘no' means…
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