The Ministry of Turning Up

We talk at LBC about the ministry of turning up.  This is the idea that simply by being present with God's people we are conferring a blessing; we're encouraging and strengthening others by just turning up.  

This article by Tim Challies gets at the same idea.  We want people to gather together for worship and the ministry of the Word not just because it's good for us and helps us to stop relapsing into our old nature but because it's good for others.

Have a look

The Latest Fad?

I thought this article was great.  

Really pleased to hear that systematic Bible exposition is a bigger draw for people looking for a church than "top tips" sermons.   But Challies makes a good point that if churches jump on this bandwagon it's just another display of pragmatism.  

Here's the article

 

Lay Aside the Weight of Insecurity

I've been struck recently by the way insecurity manifests itself in different ways.  Someone can appear classically insecure by appearing as a shrinking violet, not volunteering and putting themselves down.   On the other hand others can manifest insecurity by talking a lot, never admitting they're wrong/not sure/in difficulty and generally appearing to be really confident.  

What's going on there and what's a gospel-of-grace solution?  

This article by Jon Bloom is good and I particularly like the bullet pointed list of how we can apply the Gospel to particular facets of insecurity.  Worth a read.