Windows On The Soul

Did you know that the most significant reason for a Baptist minister to leave the ministry is due to conflicts with the congregation, whereas for Anglican ministers, it is conflict with denominational leaders?  If the drop-out rate found among Christian ministers was found in the teaching or medical professions, I'm sure there would be calls for a Royal Commission. What can be done for these people who have followed God's calling but now find themselves unable to continue?  Rowland Croucher has determined to do something about it through "John Mark Ministries". JMM helps through counselling the 'victims' and those still struggling. Through conferences and seminars, church leaders are made aware of the size and nature of the problem, and counselled in pastoring the pastors. Rowland's books support this ministry as well as being valuable spiritual aids in themselves. Les Scarborough has joined the JMM team in Sydney. Pray for Rowland in his continuous rounds...

If you weren't at the evening service a couple of weeks ago to see 50 of our young people, fresh back from camp, arms linked, singing God's praise, you missed out on a great soul stirring night. Yet our children grow up so quickly. In a matter of 5 years or less, a thriving church can go into decline if there is no on-going flow through from nursery, pre-school, primary, juniors to youth groups. But even with the best Christian parenting, our children must become children of God in their own right - God has no Grandchildren . They must discover for them-selves God's salvation. So continue to pray for the youth and children’s leaders and teachers at all levels. The children of today are the church leaders of tomorrow. ----xxxXxxx---- Pr.15:20 "A wise son makes his father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother" Ecl.12:1 "Remember your creator in the days of your youth" Pr.29:5 "The rod and reproof bring wisdom. A child left...

A major difference between Christianity and a number of the world's largest religions, is its focus on restoration to harmony of body, mind and spirit. The Way of Christ is not through mindless meditation to nirvana, or ascetic debasement of body, or humanistic rationalism of the pre-eminent mind. The biblical view is of body, mind and spirit as all parts of a whole, not fragmented. However, the modern church seems to "put down" rational discussion as some-how not being "spiritual". One of the big criticisms young people have of the church, is that it doesn't address their questions. Where are the Christian thinkers and debaters in our churches? Articles like that of Tim Costello's on Community (Education Age 4/6/96) are few and far between. Why is the church afraid of 'development of human potential' - its humanistic background is no different than the majority of teaching in our schools and universities (all the more need to build-up the faith ...

We often speak of the principal roles of Jesus in His worldly ministry as those of "Prophet, Priest and King".  But Jesus never used these words directly. In His wonderful way with words, Jesus described His roles in active form.  He said, "I am the way (priest), the truth (prophet) and life (king)". The only way to eternal life, is through Christ's priestly work of intercession and the sin-offering of His life. As prophet he came to teach, to proclaim God's word, to lead us into all truth. In His resurrected kingly splendour, he is the first-fruit, the guarantee of our hope of eternal life, and sustainer of all life. In this season remembering His incarnation, meditate on these reasons for His coming. ----xxxXxxx---- Jn.14:6 "I am the way the truth and life: no-one comes to the father but by me" Jn.8:2 "All the people gathered round Him and He sat down to teach them" Jn.1:1 "Before the world was created, ...