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# FutureChurchNow by Graeme Codrington

Graeme Codrington's musings on a new kind of Christianity

## Sitemaps

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## Posts

- [An Ancient Story's Powerful Message for Modern Israel](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2025/03/23/an-ancient-storys-powerful-message-for-modern-israel/) - Here's something a bit different from me this Sunday morning - a brief sermon from the ancient Jewish and Christian Scriptures, using the ancient story of the Queen of Sheba visiting King Solomon at the height of his Empire building. You might not believe in the Scriptures, and you might not care what they say;
- [ALLIn Podcast: Four Stages of Faith](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2023/05/09/allin-podcast-four-stages-of-faith/) - It's been two years since we ended Season 1 of the AllIn pod: twenty episodes that looked at how we can apply a conservative evangelical approach to Biblical interpretation and see that the so-called "clobber verses" against LGBTQI inclusion are not what we were taught they were. Season 2 of ALLIn was intended to be
- [VIDEO: Just Us For All](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2023/04/03/video-just-us-for-all/) - This is my (rejected) contribution to the The World in Half a Century Forum 2020, held in honour of the famous Russian nobel laureate, Andrei Sakharov. I was invited to contribute a half hour virtual lecture to this forum, which had been due to be held in St Petersburg, Russia in 2020. You will see
- [Sermon: The Book of Amos - a prophecy for today](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2023/02/12/sermon-the-book-of-amos-a-prophecy-for-today/) - The We Are Church community works through the book of Amos, applying it to our world today. Included in the session is some ChatGPT assisted poetry and some worship we created as a community.
- [Sermon: The Early Church and what church could be like today](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2022/11/23/sermon-the-early-church-and-what-church-could-be-like-today/) - On 13 November 2022, the We Are Church faith community met to discuss what we can learn from the very first New Testament church gatherings (Acts 2). It was a rainy day in Johannesburg, with a massive downpour making recording difficult for a few minutes, so apologies for the audio quality in some parts of
- [Gender is a spectrum, not just two boxes](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2023/04/03/gender-is-a-spectrum-not-just-two-boxes/) - If you've followed my work over the years (and a lot of it is archived at this website) you'll know that I have adapted and evolved my views on human sexuality over the last two decades. One of the most helpful shifts, which I believe is foundational to making it easier to engage with the
- [Should I donate to "Gift of the Givers"](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/04/14/should-i-donate-to-gift-of-the-givers/) - This was originally posted on 6 August 2006 The situation on the Lebanese-Israeli border over the past fortnight is horrific. It is not my intention to discuss the various merits of each side's (by this I refer to Israel and Hizbullah) claims, although I believe both sides have a point and both have over reacted
- [Lessons from Jesus' Baptism and a New Community](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2022/10/30/lessons-from-jesus-baptism-and-a-new-community/) - This is a sermon I preached at our small faith community, 'We Are Church' in Johannesburg, on 9 October 2022. There are lessons from Jesus' Baptism, as recorded in Mark 1 for churches. We need to heed these lessons of new beginnings, of not getting stuck in church structures, of not being stuck in Empire
- [Sermon: The Bible and LGBTQI inclusion and affirmation](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2022/10/14/sermon-the-bible-and-lgbtqi-inclusion-and-affirmation/) - This blog hasn't been active for the last two years. Covid has taken my focus from these theological issues to practical, local community action. But my passion for building inclusive and affirming communities of faith remains unwavering. My wife, Jane, is heading up a small faith community in Johannesburg, South Africa, that we have called
- [I am a Christian](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2017/02/08/i-am-a-christian/) - I often get invited to speak at churches, mission organisations and other Christian gatherings. People who know my stance on gay marriage sometimes protest against my involvement, writing me off as a heretic before they've even heard what I have to say and most often without taking the time to study my theology (easily available
- [ALLin Podcast Episode 09: There Are More Than Two Genders](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2020/01/31/allin-podcast-episode-09-there-are-more-than-two-genders/) - ALLin Pod is back after a short break with a two episode mini-series on "God made them male and female". In this episode we look at the question: "How do you know if you're male or female?" The answer will surprise you, because it is not nearly as simple as you think it is. This
- [Don't stop now: It's not enough for churches to just "welcome" gay people](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2015/07/10/dont-stop-now-its-not-enough-for-churches-to-just-welcome-gay-people/) - The last few weeks since the Supreme Court in America approved same sex marriage, and Ireland voted to do the same, there has been a lot of conversation (ok, mainly argument) on all forums and social media platforms. Rightly so. This is a massive shift in society. Some people have asked me why I have
- [Put your pronouns into your bios](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2021/10/18/2249/) - I wish more churches would tell this to their people this morning: you should put your pronouns in your social media bios. The article below is one of the best explanations of why we should do so that I have read. We need to normalise talking about gender and how, for more people than you
- [How popular culture continues to feed incorrect visions of womanhood](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2013/01/17/how-popular-culture-continues-to-feed-incorrect-visions-of-womanhood/) - Here's something you should hear about at church: Women are strong, and brave, and leaders and often overlooked in Christian circles. No more! I recently found two movie reviews very insightful. And, as the father of three daughters, I took them quite seriously, because both of them suggested that young girls were being fed an
- [Thoughts on Eugene Peterson's change of change of mind](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2017/07/15/thoughts-on-eugene-petersons-change-of-change-of-mind/) - On 6 July, Jonathan Merritt, a journalist at Religion News Service had a 33 minute telephone interview with Eugene Peterson, pastor, theologian and author of many best-selling books including a translation of the Bible, "The Message". The interview was about a number of topics, including Peterson's views on megachurches and Donald Trump, his ministry, why
- [A Modern Day Parable for the US Republicans: And Jesus Said Unto Paul of Ryan](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2017/03/21/a-modern-day-parable-for-the-us-republicans/) - Here's what some churches need to hear a lot more: religion is political. When the New York Times starts quoting the Bible at you, you know you're in real trouble. Or you should do, anyway. That's what happened to Paul Ryan this past week when op-ed columnist Nicholas Kristof wrote a mashup of some of
- [We've prayed for our country. Now what?](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2017/04/24/weve-prayed-for-our-country-now-what/) - Here's something you should be told at church: prayer is not enough. On 22 April, on a dusty farm outside the central city of Bloemfontein in South Africa, hundreds of thousands of Christians gathered for a prayer service led by Angus Buchan. Concerned about the state of the country, this group gathered together in response
- [Just for fun (but also serious): 10 Things That Drive Us Crazy at Church... That Probably Shouldn't](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2014/09/04/just-for-fun-but-also-serious-10-things-that-drive-us-crazy-at-church-that-probably-shouldnt/) - Here's something your church should STOP talking about (because many churches and their leaders are exceedingly petty). I found this on the ChurchLeaders.com website. It's really very good. Read the original here, with all the attached multimedia and clips that add to the humour. 10. Loud Music 9. People Using iPads Instead of "Real" Bibles
- [When Old White Men Talk About Sex](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2016/11/20/when-old-white-men-talk-about-sex/) - It is my contention that one of the foundational problems with the conservative arm of the Christian church is a seriously problematic relationship with sexuality - you probably won't hear that from the pulpit at your church, though. This affects everything from the church's views on contraception and abortion to female leadership and gay marriage.
- [New heights - or depths - in the debate about women leaders](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2013/01/07/new-heights-or-depths-in-the-debate-about-women-leaders/) - Here's something some churches really need to hear: there is no male and female in God's Kingdom; men and women are equal in status, gifting and functioning in the church. I grew up in churches that demanded that women submit to men, were not able to lead and could not teach men. As a young
- [How rich do you have to be (in order to help a poor person)?](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2013/01/26/how-rich-do-you-have-to-be-in-order-to-help-a-poor-person/) - Contrary to a common misinterpretation, Jesus never said that money was the root of all evil. There is nothing wrong with money, with making money, or with being rich. The Bible does warn rich people that it is dangerous for your spiritual health to be wealthy, but it is the love of money that is
- [Bible verses on gun sights](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/06/19/bible-verses-on-gun-sights/) - This story is a bit old, but I only picked up on it recently. In January this year, it emerged that a Michigan company, Trijicon who provides sights for high powered rifles and guns in America, had been putting Bible verses onto the sights provided to the American military. It has a $660 million multi-year
- [Living in an age of transition](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/07/03/living-in-an-age-of-transition/) - First posted in 1999, and updated in 2005 Sometime between 1960 and 1980, an old, inadequately conceived world ended, and a fresh, new world began. Hauerwas and Willimon 1989:15 (see bibliography at end for details) The world of today is caught in the crack between what was and what is emerging. This crack began opening
- [Five Things Every Adult Christian Should Know About Youth Ministry](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/07/13/five-things-every-adult-christian-should-know-about-youth-ministry/) - It is God's design that His Gospel, the Good News of salvation for all who believe in Christ, should be passed down throughout history by each generation reaching and teaching the next. This was clearly spelt out in Deut. 6:6-12, repeated in Deut. 32:45-47 and in Joshua 24. Yet, one of the saddest verses in
- [Belief vs Knowledge](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/08/14/belief-vs-knowledge/) - This post was first published on my old blog on 26 July 2005 Here's something your church lives by, but never says: you don't have to believe what you learn here. A few years ago, I visited an emerging (more experimental, actually) church for their evening service. One of Christianity's foremost thinkers and philosophers was
- [Competing Christianities](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/09/16/competing-christianities/) - Here's something you should hear at church this Sunday: we are not the only Christians. In a recent column for the ABP (Associated Baptist Press), David Gushee wrote an excellent article on the issue of Christianity vs Christianities. I think he makes an extraordinarily good point. Given the ways in which some Christians abuse the
- [The last man to wear pantaloons](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/11/15/the-last-man-to-wear-pantaloons/) - A while ago I spent an evening flipping in and out of a B-grade mini-series on life in the early 1920s. It was the time of transition between the Victorian era and the modern Industrial era. The shift from horses to cars, from provincialism to nationalism, from rural to urban living (for the rich), from
- [Is Jesus left wing? (You better believe it!)](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/12/19/is-jesus-left-wing-you-better-believe-it/) - Here's something you might not hear at church: Your Jesus is not the real Jesus. The conservative right wing have co-opted Jesus as their personal mascot. But their Jesus is not the Jesus I see in the Bible. The latest cover article of The New Statesman magazine looks at this issue in an excellent way.
- [Watching a Master](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2011/03/13/watching-a-master/) - This is from my archives - but worth dusting off and revisiting. It's something we should hear at church regularly: engage with the things you disagree with. I have played the trumpet since I was 11, and even spent two years doing it professionally, including a year as lead trumpeter of the National Serviceman's Orchestra
- [Is Evangelical Christianity Having a Great Gay Awakening?](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2011/04/08/is-evangelical-christianity-having-a-great-gay-awakening/) - You should hear this at your church, but definitely won't: God made LGBTQI people just as they are, and God loves them! A recent article in the Huffington Post has caused a bit of a stir amongst conservative evangelicals. It simply aimed to point out an objective fact: that more and more Christians are questioning
- [Rob Bell on the agony of explanation - and what he believes](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2011/10/04/rob-bell-on-the-agony-of-explanation-and-what-he-believes/) - Here's something you might not hear at your Reformed church this Sunday: YOU don't get to decide who the Christians are. Rob Bell is a preacher, pastor, author and leading thinker on theological issues. Earlier this year, he wrote a book called "Love Wins" which caused a huge controversy (buy it at Amazon or Amazon.co.uk).
- [How (not) to speak of Christmas](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2011/12/27/how-not-to-speak-of-christmas/) - Sometimes I really do despair of evangelical Christians. I claim to be one, on the basis that I believe the Bible when it teaches us about God and how He is reconciling the world to Himself through Jesus, and that we as humans need to respond to that fact. As such, I do understand that
- [Only hypocrites would boycott Disney over a gay character in Beauty and the Beast](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2017/03/23/only-hypocrites-would-boycott-disney-over-a-gay-character-in-beauty-and-the-beast/) - Disney's latest real-actor remake of one of their classics has just been released in the USA, and early reviews are effusive in their praise of Beauty and the Beast. Except for a few die-hard conservative, evangelicals - the perennial party-poopers of the modern age. Led, of course, by the increasingly frothy-mouthed Franklin Graham, there has
- [5 Reasons Why Many American Christians Wouldn’t Like The First Ones](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2015/02/24/5-reasons-why-many-american-christians-wouldnt-like-the-first-ones/) - Here's something you won't hear preached at your church this week: You probably wouldn't like Jesus and his disciples if you had met them. On his Formerly Fundie blog, Benjamin L. Corey, recently posted this blog entry. It's a provocative read for some conservative American Christians, but it's well worth it. Thought provoking and challenging.
- [One by one: Tony Campolo comes out for gay marriage](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2015/06/08/one-by-one-tony-campolo-comes-out-for-gay-marriage/) - Here's something you might not hear in your church this week, but should: So many well known and well respected Christian leaders are 'coming out' in support of LGBTQI inclusion; are WE wrong to not? Tony Campolo, author, theologian and outspoken evangelical leader, has today announced that after much prayer and study, he has changed
- [What is an 'easy Gospel'?  Rob Bell, Love Wins, Galatians and Good News](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2011/05/04/what-is-an-easy-gospel-rob-bell-love-wins-galatians-and-good-news/) - Here's something you might think you heard at church, but probably not in the way it should be said: Love Wins! Maybe you haven't noticed yet, but there is a storm of controversy and debate about Rob Bell's latest book, Love Wins (buy it Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com or Kalahari.net). It's about heaven, hell and the Gospel.
- [Dealing with skeptics - and with bad Bible readers](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2011/01/03/dealing-with-skeptics-and-with-bad-bible-readers/) - Here is something you should hear more of at church: DON'T read your Bible (at least, not the way you have been reading it). There is a definite hunger for truth in the world right now. The debate about where to find it, and what processes would be most beneficial, is heating up. Radical atheists
- [God is not a Christian](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2011/06/04/god-is-not-a-christian/) - Desmond Tutu, the irrepressible retired Anglican Bishop from South Africa, is one of my favourite people of all time. His speeches are some of the best in history, and always delivered with verve, humour and passion. He is a remarkable man, and I have had the privilege of meeting him a few times and listening
- [Who are we scared of? And are we safer because of our militaries?](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2011/08/01/who-are-we-scared-of-and-are-we-safer-because-of-our-militaries/) - Here is something you should hear at church this week, but probably won't: don't be scared of the terrorists. There is much to be afraid of these days. It seems that many people - too many people - are afraid of terror and terrorism. Maybe they have a good reason to be - just look
- [Marching against religious intolerance; Marching against me!](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2011/09/19/marching-against-religious-intolerance-marching-against-me/) - Here is what you might need to hear in your church today, but probably won't: YOU might be the persecutor, rather than the persecuted. Looking through my news feed this morning, my eye was drawn to a story from Brazil. This past weekend, over 100,000 people joined a march in Rio de Janeiro in protest
- [God versus the weather](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2013/04/01/god-versus-the-weather/) - Here's something you conservative Christians should be teaching at church: stop watching the Weather Channel. The Bible makes it abundantly clear that God is in control of the weather. God causes rain and drought (see Deut. 11:14-17; 1 Kings 8:35-36; Job 5:10; 37:6; Jer. 14:22; Amos 4:7 and Zech. 14:17 - there are many more
- [The logical and theological gymnastics of those who oppose women leaders in church](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2013/04/06/the-logical-and-theological-gymastics-of-those-who-oppose-women-leaders-in-church/) - As the culture wars in conservative evangelical Christianity continue to rumble along, the pronouncements of some its key leaders are getting more and more disconcerting. I am seriously concerned about the rising "alpha male" type approach to church, embodied mainly by Mark Driscoll and his acolytes. In my home town, Johannesburg, a few churches led
- [15 Things Jesus Didn't Say, by Jim Palmer](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2013/06/04/15-things-jesus-didnt-say-by-jim-palmer/) - Here's a few things you might hear in church this week, but shouldn't. Mainly because Jesus never said them. I picked this up from my good friend, John Benn, a pastor in Durban. It was originally written by Jim Palmer, an author and part of the Religion-Free Bible Project. 15 things Jesus Didn’t Say: “For
- [Taking the Bible Literally](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/06/17/taking-the-bible-literally/) - First posted on 15 Feb , 2008 Here's something you might not hear in church this Sunday, but should: Stop worshiping the Bible. On Sunday, the preacher at our church spoke of forgiveness, and used the wonderful interaction between Peter and Jesus recorded in Matthew 18:21-35. It was a good sermon, but it also sparked
- [Richard Rohr's reflection on White Privilege](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2017/12/18/richard-rohrs-reflection-on-white-privilege/) - Here's something we should hear more of at church: white people are privileged. I receive Richard Rohr's daily meditations by email. A month ago, he posted one that was remarkable in its insights and writing. Read it at his site, or an extract below. The Invisible Character of White Privilege by Fr. Richard Rohr, 17
- [Living the Truth in an Age of Lies](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2018/08/25/living-the-truth-in-an-age-of-lies/) - Here's something you should hear in church this week, but probably won't: gaslighting is real, and too many Christians are part of perpetuating it. The Patheos blog posted an excellent article on gaslighting and how to deal with it. "Gaslighting" is a particular strategy of liars, who try and get you to question yourself and
- [Ten Bible Passages that point to a positive view of homosexuality](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2019/11/05/ten-bible-passages-that-point-to-a-positive-view-of-homosexuality/) - Right now - and for the rest of our lifetimes - one of the biggest and most important discussions in the Christian church centres around the issue of the inclusion and affirmation of LGBTQI people in the church. You should be hearing about this in your church: not just fiery judgement against the "evils of
- [Protecting the Poor from Religion](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2013/05/20/protecting-the-poor-from-religion/) - Here's something we should hear more of in church: stop exploiting the poor. I don't mean that the church should tell other people to stop exploiting the poor; I mean the church itself should stop exploiting poor people. The social situation in rural Africa is the closest we get today to the situation that existed
- [By their fruit you shall know them: Ken Ham, young earth creationism, aliens and compassion](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2014/07/24/by-their-fruit-you-shall-know-them-ken-ham-creationism-aliens-and-compassion/) - Here's something you won't hear at your church this Sunday: God won't save aliens. (Really? Why would you hear that? Well, according to Ken Ham and young earth creationists this is - ahem - Gospel truth.) In Matthew 7, Jesus told his disciples that they were to beware of false prophets - people who would
- [It's all about the Bible - and it's important!](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2014/05/01/its-all-about-the-bible-and-its-important/) - The major debates raging in Christian circles these days all actually distil down to one big issue: how we interpret the Bible. Many people treat the Bible as a combination of scientific textbook and heavenly constitution. If we believe this, then we can use verses and phrases to prove key points of differentiation and detail.
- [VIDEO: Brian McLaren on the Courage to Differ Graciously](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2014/04/22/video-brian-mclaren-on-the-courage-to-differ-graciously/) - Brian McLaren's last book was about interfaith dialogue and how we can learn to be both fervently Christian and also gracious to those of other faiths. In a recent event hosted by The Guibord Center, Brian spoke about his book (Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha and Mohammed Cross the Road?: Christian Identity in a
- [Very different responses to the gay issue: which is more like Jesus?](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2014/04/05/very-different-responses-to-the-gay-issue-which-is-more-like-jesus/) - This past week has seen two sets of very different responses to the way in which people and companies deal with the "gay issue". Many countries and states around the world have made it illegal to discriminate against people on the basis of sexuality. This has made it difficult for certain companies to continue their
- [Engaging with Islam - with an agenda of peace, reconciliation and truth seeking](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2011/01/04/engaging-with-islam-with-an-agenda-of-peace-reconciliation-and-truth-seeking/) - Here's something you probably won't hear at church, but should: Jews and Muslims are not "the enemy". I wrote yesterday about the need to engage appropriately with skeptics of the Christian faith. It's also important for Christians to engage with people of other faiths and religions. The most important route to lasting global peace right
- [From Minority to Majority - a problem for Reformed Protestants](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2011/02/27/from-minority-to-majority-a-problem-for-reformed-protestants/) - This post was originally written on 10 June 2009, on the previous version of my blog I was recently sent an article from the Associated Baptist Press (ABP, USA), entitled: "Baptists urged to consider risks of ‘majoritarian faith’", by David Wilkinson. It is a news article about a recent lecture by Baptist historian Doug Weaver,
- [There are no walls](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2021/10/11/there-are-no-walls/) - I really wish more churches would preach this: there are no walls. The attached Naked Pastor cartoon is one of the most powerful he’s ever done (and he even managed a touch of poetry too). Over and over and over again in his ministry, Jesus demonstrated that those people the religious leaders were excluding and
- [It's time to end "innocent Biblical literalism"](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2014/08/22/its-time-to-end-innocent-biblical-literalism/) - Here's something you might not hear at your church this Sunday: stop reading the Bible (at least, stop reading it literally). Commenting on two intersecting issues - Christian evangelical college education in America and the evolution-creation debate - Brian McLaren made some excellent points about the underlying cause of some of the biggest issues in
- [Celebrating judgement and damnation](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2012/06/03/celebrating-judgement-and-damnation/) - This past week I was alerted to a video of a child singing in church. This happens every week in churches all around the world, but this particular incident borders on child abuse and shows a horrible side of conservative Christianity. A young boy sings a simple song about heaven: I know the Bible’s right,
- [Child-like interpretations of the Bible](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2012/07/01/child-like-interpretations-of-the-bible/) - Over the past few days, I've been engaged in some interesting conversations that all began with a simple picture I posted on my Facebook status. It's largely about same sex marriage, but the 60+ comments in the thread get very quickly to issues of how we interpret the Bible. If either topic interests you, I
- [When science and the Bible disagree...](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2012/07/20/when-science-and-the-bible-disagree/) - "When science and the Bible disagree, just wait around a few decades and science will eventually catch up". It was a funny line, and it got the expected laugh from the youth group. I was a teenager then, and part of that group - and the line stuck. But then I studied science through high
- [When the 'plain reading' is not the 'best reading' of the Bible](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2012/07/23/when-the-plain-reading-is-not-the-best-reading-of-the-bible/) - You might not hear this at your church, but you should: Don't just 'read' the Bible (study it). It might seem like the best way to think about reading Scripture, but it's not. There is an argument that the "plain reading" of Scripture is the best reading thereof. Of course, this entirely depends on what
- [Do Evangelicals Really Love Jesus?](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2012/09/19/do-evangelicals-really-love-jesus/) - Here's something you won't hear at church this week: You hate Jesus (if you're a conservative evangelical). Phil Zuckerman is Professor of Sociology at Pitzer College in Claremont, CA, USA. He recently wrote a very insightful critique of American Evangelicals, and I think he hits the nail entirely on the head. His conclusion is powerful:
- [How can we change ingrained mistakes in our Bible reading?](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/04/03/how-can-we-change-ingrained-mistakes-in-our-bible-reading/) - I have been invited once again to speak in Iran later this year - and I am really looking forward to it. I have done a lot of work in the Middle East over the years, and enjoy Persian culture the most. The hospitality of the Persians is the stuff of legend. In fact, some
- [One African Postcolonial Theology: The Imperative to Differ](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/04/16/one-african-postcolonial-theology-the-imperative-to-differ/) - Dr Kenzo Mabiala gave a brilliant talk at the first Amahoro conference in Uganda in May 2007. I recorded this on a handheld recorder - it’s worth persevering through the low quality because this lecture is sheer genius. Kenzo says that theological work done in Africa has the imperative to differ from theology from the
- [More on "cheap grace"](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/05/25/more-on-cheap-grace/) - This was originally posted on 29 March 2005 Here's something you might not hear at church this week, but should. Following on from my previous post, I wanted to add that this concept of "cheap grace" is one of the biggest problems facing the "established" church (by this I mean orthodox, traditional, and/or evangelical churches/denominations)
- [No-one is ever going to be "Left Behind"](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2014/10/23/no-one-is-ever-going-to-be-left-behind/) - Apparently Nicolas Cage's latest movie, "Left Behind" is horrid (see movie website and trailer here). Critics are absolutely panning it, and from a few reviews I've read it sounds like another of Cage's duds (I like him, and he has done some really great movies, but he's done some stinkers too). But even if the
- [For the sake of the gospel, drop the persecution complex](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2015/07/19/for-the-sake-of-the-gospel-drop-the-persecution-complex/) - Here's something you probably won't hear at your church this week: you are NOT being persecuted (Christians who are genuinely being persecuted normally don't whine about it...). Around the world, conservative Christians love to think of themselves as being a persecuted minority. In some countries, of course, they are. But in so-called "Christian" countries, like
- [Believing is not enough](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2014/03/11/believing-is-not-enough/) - Greg Boyd is a pastor, a blogger and a video commentator on all things theology. His thinking really stretches me, and I enjoy watching his regular videos in which he reflects on what it means to be a 21st century Christian. In a blog entry today, he writes on something I really am becoming more
- [Jesus was not a man's man](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2014/04/02/jesus-was-not-a-mans-man/) - Tim Krueger wrote an article on "Reframing Biblical Masculinity" a few days ago. I am not sure I buy into everything he says, but I did really like this key point: Several hallmarks of “biblical manhood” look suspiciously like modern, Western, middle-to-upper class rites of passage: employment outside the home, financial independence, marriage, and fatherhood,
- [The Bible as a magic book with all the answers](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2013/07/26/the-bible-as-a-magic-book-with-all-the-answers/) - Here's something you might not hear at church: Stop reading the Bible (or, at least, stop reading it the way you're currently reading it). Many Christians use the Bible as if it was some kind of magical book. They dip into it every morning through their 'Daily Devotions' type inspirational readings that direct them to
- [A 'gag reflex' to 'gay lifestyles' is not any way to judge morality](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2013/08/24/a-gag-reflex-to-gay-lifestyles-is-not-any-way-to-judge-morality/) - Recently, Thabiti Anyabwile (Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Grand Cayman and a Council member with The Gospel Coalition) wrote an article which the Gospel Coalition posted on their website: "The Importance of Your Gag Reflex When Discussing Homosexuality and 'Gay Marriage'". I have heard this argument before: that the disgust many conservative Christians
- [Sermon on The Parable of the Lost Son (and the Extravangant Love of the Father)](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2013/09/09/sermon-on-the-parable-of-the-lost-son-and-the-extravangant-love-of-the-father/) - A few weeks ago, I preached at my home church, Gracepoint. The sermon was entitled "Extravagant Love" and was about the parable of the 'prodigal son'. In fact, the parable is about the older brother, and how he refuses to accept the return of his younger brother. Jesus told the parable in response to the
- [Bad sermons: Blue is for boys and pink is for girls](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2013/10/17/bad-sermons-blue-is-for-boys-and-pink-is-for-girls/) - One of my favourite websites is "Stuff Fundies Like" (Fundies, as in Fundamentalist Christians). This blog is an eclectic collection of videos, blog posts, pictures and posters that come from genuine fundamentalist churches (mainly in the US of A - no surprises, I suppose). My favourite category is the "bad sermons" where extracts from sermons
- [The Pope is TIME magazine's Person of the Year: a great choice](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2013/12/12/the-pope-is-time-magazines-person-of-the-year-a-great-choice/) - Here's something you're unlikely to hear at your church this Sunday: I really do like the current Pope. He seems to be a wonderful representative of Christ on earth - as we all should be. And he certainly has done much to raise the profile of the church. Catholic or not, all Christians should see
- [Above the Law? Mark Driscoll and plagiarism](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2013/12/21/above-the-law-mark-driscoll-and-plagiarism/) - Updated on 1 July 2014 It's no secret that I am not a fan of Mark Driscoll. I think his version of Christianity is one of the most dangerous around at the moment. His view of women in Scripture is horrid, and the way he has taught his accolytes around the world to take many,
- [“Just Following the Bible”](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2014/01/05/just-following-the-bible/) - I wrote a few days ago about the "Best of Stuff Fundies Like" for 2013. My personal favourite was a very short piece that satirised the way that many conservative Christians approach the Bible. When an issue gets too complicated or too controversial, they will quickly retreat to a position of "well, I just try
- [The Bible was ‘clear’… (by Rachel Held Evans)](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2014/01/26/the-bible-was-clear-by-rachel-held-evans/) - Following on from my previous entry on Rob Bell's overview of the Bible, and a bit of a Facebook storm that erupted around my recommendation, here is another blog from Rachel Held Evans that warns us to be careful of how we interpret and defend Scripture. You should be hearing this in your church, but
- [Responding to Tragedy](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2012/12/19/responding-to-tragedy/) - There have been tragedies to respond to in the year just passing. Unfortunately, a consistent theme coming out of American evangelicalism has been to use these tragedies as a bandstand for the common causes of the day, namely abortion, homosexuality and gun control (sad how conservative American Christians have reduced their religion to these touch
- [Christianity: Essentially Masculine?](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2012/02/27/christianity-essentially-masculine/) - A few weeks ago, theologian John Piper made a most remarkable statement, claiming that Christianity has been revealed by God as essentially masculine in nature, and that one of the problems with it today is that it has lost its masculine feel. This is a most incredible statement. I have spent the last few weeks
- [Some Thoughts on Hell](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/06/15/some-thoughts-on-hell/) - Originally posted on 15 August, 2008 Some time ago I skim-read Brian McLaren's The Last Word and the Word After That (get it at Amazon.com or Kalahari.net). This past week, I have gone back to it, and am devouring it in depth. It is a story-based reflection on the issue of salvation, with specific reference
- [The poor you will always have with you](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/03/02/the-poor-you-will-always-have-with-you/) - Originally posted on 2 October 2007, updated on 2 March 2010 Jesus said, “The poor you will always have with you” (Matt 26:11). You've heard that verse before, but here's something you should be told about it in church and probably won't be. So, should we try and even solve the problem of poverty? Some
- [You are enough (two sermons on Genesis 1)](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2021/10/11/you-are-enough-two-sermons-on-genesis-1/) - I am doing a short mini-series for our faith community on "new beginnings". We've gone back to Genesis, and I have done two 25 minute talks on how to interpret Genesis 1, and then what the meaning of the passage is for us today. Here are those two videos:
- [Church is not the end, it's the means](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/03/24/church-is-not-the-end-its-the-means/) - Originally posted on 22 June 2005 Here's something the church needs to hear: too much of what happens in the typical local church is focused on the activities of that church and its people. I believe that this is due to a fatal flaw in the way most people think about church. They tend to
- [Galatians 5 - struggling in Christ](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/03/24/galatians-5-struggling-in-christ/) - I was at Bible Study at church tonight, and Richard Coekin, our senior pastor made a very interesting statement. In relation to Galatians 5, he argued that one of the key functions of the Holy Spirit is to convict us of sin, and cause internal conflict within us. Galatians 5:16-18 says, So I say, live
- [The marks of a genuine Christian - reflections on a sermon](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/03/28/the-marks-of-a-genuine-christian-reflections-on-a-sermon/) - This morning at church, we looked at the first six verses of Colossians chapter one. Our pastor titled the sermon, "The marks of a genuine Christian". He's a good communicator and preached well. But this morning did expose a weakness in the evangelical desire to chunk the Bible up into 'bite size chunks' and preach
- [What I believe... about the church (the short, reactionary version)](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/03/30/what-i-believe-about-the-church-the-short-reactionary-version/) - Originally posted on 1 September 2007 I have recently been accused of only asking questions and not "putting it out there". I therefore thought it might be good to state what I believe. It's not a magnus opus, it's not a systematic theology, it's not a comprehensive description of all I believe. But it is
- [I Can Twist All Scripture](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2019/02/07/i-can-twist-all-scripture/) - James McGrath, writing on Patheos Blog on 3 Feb 2019, makes the following excellent points about how we have conceded the "Bible believing" label to literalists, fundamentalists and the bad type of evangelicals, all of whom badly abuse the Bible and regularly use cherry-picked Bible verses out of context. We need to call them out
- [How to know your version of Christianity is broken](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2016/06/19/how-to-know-your-version-of-christianity-is-broken/) - Last week, a lone gunman attacked a gay club in Orlando, Florida. Fifty people were killed, making this modern America's worst mass shooting tragedy. We may never know for sure what the gunman's motives were, although we do know that he made calls to 911 and the police claiming to be influenced by ISIS. For
- [Even if you believe being gay is sinful, you can't support James Dobson or Franklin Graham's views](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2016/01/25/even-if-you-believe-being-gay-is-sinful-you-cant-support-james-dobson-or-franklin-grahams-views/) - On 19 January 2016, Dr James Dobson interviewed Franklin Graham on his Family Talk Radio Show. You can listen to the show here - and you really only need to listen to first two minutes to hear my complaint. I know that many of my friends and family don't agree with my view on homosexuality.
- [Creation and evolution Myths](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/02/27/creation-and-evolution-myths/) - First posted on 10 February 2009 I am an avid reader the New Scientist magazine. This magazine is obviously pro-evolution, and anti-creationism. Well, that's what you'd think. They actually present very balanced articles on creation and religion, but have very little time for unthinking fundamentalist religion that poo-poos science. Or is just anti-scientific. I believe
- [The Transformational Gospel vs the Evacuation Gospel](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/02/25/the-transformational-gospel-vs-the-evacuation-gospel/) - Originally posted on 7 May, 2007 I attended a conference in Uganda in 2007 which was a significant moment in my "emerging church" journey. It as the first time I really understood that the "stories" of my faith were incomplete, and that a future church would need to find new ways of expressing what it
- [Welcome to Future Church Now](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/01/20/welcome/) - This is the new home of Graeme Codrington's blog on the future of Christianity, emerging church, missional theology and all things spiritual. I am a business strategy consultant, living in Johannesburg, South Africa. My focus is on helping organisations to understand the forces that are shaping the future of work, and working with them to
- [Read the Bible, but don't be political...](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2019/10/31/read-the-bible-but-dont-be-political/) - Later this year, I will be spending a few days with a group of Conservative Christians. It's meant to be a social event, and the organisers have asked me not to be provocative. This is a group of people who largely think that "social justice Christian" is an insult, so it is going to be
- [Christians show pride in gay community](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2019/10/29/christians-show-pride-in-gay-community/) - Last Saturday, I joined a group of Christians who attended the Johannesburg Pride Parade. We didn't protest against it - in fact, we did the opposite. We held signs showing our support of the LGBTQI community, and apologising for the way the church has treated them in the past. The responses we received were overwhelming
- [If the Church Were Christian - a manifesto for the emerging church](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2019/11/19/if-the-church-were-christian-a-manifesto-for-the-emerging-church/) - I was recently recommended the 2011 book by Philip Gulley, "If the Church Were Christian: Rediscovering the Values of Jesus" (Available at Amazon). I am busy reading it, but love the general idea. It is a wonderful bringing together of many of the concepts embodied in what has become known as "the emerging church" -
- [The deepest difference in Christianity is not what you think](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2020/04/13/the-deepest-difference-in-christianity-is-not-what-you-think/) - A few years ago, a good friend of mine, author and pastor Brian McLaren wrote a magnificent, thought-provoking piece about the type of Christianity the world needs now. It’s more relevant than ever. For my friends who are Christian leaders, please read and re-read the last two lines a few times. That’s really the whole
- [Easter Friday: Why do Christians call it “Good Friday”?](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2021/04/05/easter-friday-why-do-christians-call-today-good-friday/) - Around 2,000 years ago a young, 33 year old, well-known teacher who had gathered quite a following and reputation was brutally beaten and then crucified on a Roman cross outside of Roman-occupied Jerusalem, while being jeered by crowds of Jewish religious leaders and their accolytes (who left their Passover preparations specifically to come and do
- [ALLin Podcast: Links to all the podcast platforms](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2021/05/11/allin-podcast-links-to-all-the-podcast-platforms/) - We are gearing up to start Season 2 of the ALLin podcast. Season 2 will focus on what the Bible teaches and shows us about marriage, and why we are wrong to limit it to "a natural born man and natural born woman" as conservatives now frame it. We will also look at LGBTQI-positive interpretations
- [Salvation for all?](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/03/18/salvation-for-all/) - Originally posted on 1 June 2008 and updated on 18 March 2010 and 11 March 2021 One of the growing dividing lines between "emerging church" and "traditional" evangelicals is their views on hell, eternal life/damnation and the doctrines that link to this (including original sin, God's hatred of sinful humanity, what Christ's death accomplished, atonement
- [How Evangelicals Changed The Bible To Support Their Beliefs (by Keith Giles)](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2021/03/11/how-evangelicals-changed-the-bible-to-support-their-beliefs-by-keith-giles/) - Keith Giles has written a fantastic article on the Patheos blog site titled "How Evangelicals Changed The Bible To Support Their Beliefs". In it, he gives specific examples of the ways in which conservative evangelicals have chosen to change the meaning of words in newer English translations to fit into their theological frameworks, rather than
- [ALLin Pod: Episode 20: Summary of Season 1](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2021/01/05/allin-pod-episode-20-summary-of-season-1/) - A look back at the key Bible verses that talk about homosexuality and why they don't apply to loving LGBTQI relationships today, with a positive reading of the book of Romans. This ends season 1 of the ALLin Pod. Season 2 will focus on what the Bible says about marriage, and whether LGBTQI people can
- [ALLin Pod: Episode 19: Other Interpretations of Romans](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2020/12/16/allin-pod-episode-19-other-interpretations-of-romans/) - Yes, we are still in the book of Romans. For many Christians, Romans 1 is the key passage against same gender sexual activity, so we need to cover it thoroughly. In this episode of the ALLin Podcast, we look at seven additional interpretative options for Romans 1. If you're satisfied with my explanations so far,
- [A Fan's Best of Christmas Music Lists](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2015/12/23/best-christmas-music/) - I collect Christmas music. I have been doing so since I was a teenager, and it's become something of an obsession. Before Apple Music and Spotify took everything online, I had collected over 500 physical Christmas albums. Now, of course, we can access all music all the time, so that little boast falls away. Choosing
- [Best Modern Christmas Carols](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2020/12/10/best-modern-christmas-carols/) - Every year I try and get more people interested in good, quality Christmas music (yes, it does exist in amongst the schlock that gets released every year). This year, I think the best new Christian Christmas Carol, that's just perfect for 2020, has been released by Sovereign Grace. It's called "O Come, All You Unfaithful".
- [ALLin Pod: Ep18: What the women and men were actually doing](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2020/09/20/allin-pod-ep18-what-the-women-and-men-were-actually-doing/) - We are spending a lot of time in Romans 1, because this is the passage that most people point to when they want to exclude LGBTQI people from the church and Christian faith. This is the fourth part of our mini-series in Romans, and looks in even more detail at the original text and specifically
- [Part 19: The Importance of Marriage in the Bible and Christian Faith](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2020/10/28/part-19-the-importance-of-marriage-in-the-bible-and-christian-faith/) - Whether you agree with my analysis of the so-called Biblical “clobber verses” in previous blog entries or not, the discussion about LGBTQI issues in the church is really centred on the issue of marriage (and sex). The next few entries in this series will be focused on what the Bible says - and doesn’t say
- [The Biblical case for Christians affirming same sex marriage, Part 1: The arguments against](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2015/07/23/the-biblical-case-for-christians-affirming-same-sex-marriage-part-1-the-arguments-against/) - One of the key themes of this blog is to outline the Biblical case for Christians to affirm our LGBTQI friends, and to affirm same sex marriages that align to the Biblical standard of faithfulness, monogamy and covenant relationship. I have not always believed this, having grown up in the home of a conservative Baptist
- [ALLin Pod: Ep17: Shameful Lusts and Against Nature](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2020/09/06/allin-pod-ep17-shameful-lusts-and-against-nature/) - In Romans 1, Paul says that women and men were "given over by God" to their "shameful lusts" and did what is "against nature". What did he mean by this? And does that apply to LGBTQI people today who want to get married to their lifelong, loving partner? In this episode of the ALLin Pod
- [ALLin podcast: Episode 16: The purpose of Paul's letter to Rome](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2020/08/17/allin-podcast-episode-16-the-purpose-of-pauls-letter-to-rome/) - This is part 2 of the mini-series in the book of Romans, Paul's letter to the church at Rome. In the first chapter of this letter, Paul appears to list a whole lot of sins, including same gender sexual activity. But if you read on into Romans 2, and in fact the rest of the
- [ALLin Pod: Ep 15: Romans Part 1: Reading the Plain Text](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2020/08/09/allin-pod-ep-15-romans-part-1-reading-the-plain-text/) - We finally get to the book of Romans in our study of the verses that have traditionally been used to oppose gay marriage and the inclusion of the LGBTQI community into churches. This is the start of a four part mini series on Paul's letter to the church at Rome, and in this episode we
- [ALLin Podcast Episode 14: Malakos means soft](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2020/07/10/allin-podcast-episode-14-malakos-means-soft/) - In his letter to the church at Corinth, Paul says that those people who are "malakos" are outside of the Kingdom of God. This is a Greek word that means "soft". It is a strange choice of word for Paul to use if he meant to describe homosexuals. In the context of the passage, and
- [ALLin Pod Ep 12.5: Update - we'll be back soon](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2020/06/18/allin-pod-ep-12-5-update-well-be-back-soon/) - We've taken a few months off from the ALLin pod to deal with the Covid-19 crisis and lockdown. But now we are back. The ALLin pod will resume shortly with a look at the New Testament. If you haven't listened the previous episodes, now would be a good time to catch up.
- [ALLin Podcast: Ep13: 1 Corinthians 6, 1 Timothy 1 and 'arsenokoites'](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2020/06/20/allin-podcast-ep13-1-corinthians-6-1-timothy-1-and-arsenokoites/) - In his letters to Corinth and Timothy, the senior pastor at Ephesus, Paul lists a number of sins that will keep people out of the Kingdom of God. Included in these lists is a word that Paul made up. Why did he make this word up, what does it mean, and how should we understand
- [[VIDEO]  Five things churches need to do to prepare for Covid physical distancing](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2020/05/29/video-five-things-churches-need-to-do-to-prepare-for-covid-physical-distancing/)
- [What churches can do to support parents and students during the Covid-19 disruption](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2020/04/23/what-churches-can-do-to-support-parents-and-students-during-the-covid-19-disruption/) - The Covid-19 disruption has had a huge impact on schools, and they are not going to be able to go "back to normal" anytime in 2020, or possibly even 2021. Parents are struggling to "home school". Parents might be able to go back to work before children go back to school. Here is a suggestion
- [SERMON: Resurrection, Sabbath and Exodus (in a time of Covid-19)](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2020/04/19/sermon-resurrection-sabbath-and-exodus-in-a-time-of-covid-19/) - It was my turn to preach at our church this morning. My sermon is about Ressurection, Sabbath and Exodus, and can be watched at https://www.facebook.com/MelroseChurchJhbZA/posts/153826419456676 I talked about how the Resurrection of Jesus is deliberately linked back to two big themes in the Old Testament: 1. the Creation Sabbath, which reminds us that the world
- [Lockdown Reflections: It's the hope that nearly killed me](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2020/04/10/lockdown-reflections-its-the-hope-that-nearly-killed-me/) - A Reflection during Lockdown on Good Friday, 10 April 2020: It’s the hope that nearly killed me... That’s a line from the amazing documentary, “Touching the Void”. Joe Simpson and his mountaineering partner Simon Yates were caught in a snowstorm on the Siula Grande in Peru. Joe broke his leg and in a failed attempt
- [ALLin Podcast Episode 12: A Community of Radical Inclusion](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2020/02/25/allin-podcast-episode-12-a-community-of-radical-inclusion/) - A Community of Radical Inclusion is a sermon preached by Graeme Codrington at the Melrose Campus of Gracepoint Methodist church in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2016. It lays out both a Biblical and historical case for including LGBTQI in our churches, and affirming them as made in God's image. Resources: The sermon on YouTube Response
- [ALLin Podcast: Episode 11: Gender and Sport](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2020/02/15/allin-podcast-episode-11-gender-and-sport/) - Sport is about finding the fastest and strongest human. Almost always, this turns out to be a man. In order to allow women to compete in elite sports, we created a category for "women", and have excluded men from competing in this category. But for over 100 years, we've battled to define who a woman
- [ALLin Podcast Episode 10: Did God create only two genders?](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2020/02/08/allin-podcast-episode-10-did-god-create-only-two-genders/) - Genesis 1 and 2 tell two different creation stories, both culminating with the creation and marriage of two people. This was a Middle Eastern, black haired, brown eyed, cisgender man and woman. But does that mean all people have to Middle Eastern, black haired, brown eyed and cisgender? And does it mean all marriages must
- [ALLin Podcast: Episode 08: Abomination!](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2019/12/17/allin-podcast-episode-08-abomination/) - Our study of the Old Testament verses dealing with homosexuality concludes with a detailed word study of the concept of toebah ( ?????????), translated as "abomination" or "detestable". This word is used 117 times in the Bible, and it is very clear what it is referring to... and it is NOT sexual sin. Resources: John
- [ALLin Podcast: Episode 07: Leviticus 18 & 20](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2019/12/14/allin-podcast-episode-07-leviticus-18-20/) - The ALLin podcast provides resources and insights for Christians who affirm the LGBTQI community. In this episode we look at the two Old Testament Laws that talk about male gay sexual activity. We look at the context, the Holiness Code and ancient Israel’s sexual ethics. Summary: The commands against gay sex in Leviticus 18 and
- [ALLin podcast: Episode 6: The Old Testament Laws](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2019/11/28/allin-podcast-episode-6-the-old-testament-laws/) - Episode 6 of ALLin pod looks at how we should interpret Old Testament Laws. Do they still apply to us, as Christians today? If so, how we do distinguish between those laws that do apply and those that don't? And what does this mean for the two verses in Leviticus that prohibit "men sleeping with
- [The Reason God Creates LGBTQI people](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2019/11/27/the-reason-god-creates-lgbtqi-people/) - Back in 2016, James O'Keefe presented a TEDx talk entitled "Homosexuality: It's about survival - not sex". It has since had more than 2.5 million views. The reason for the interest in this video is that James presents a compelling theory of why we need LGBTQI people in the world. James presents his theory from
- [ALLin Podcast: episode 1](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2019/08/14/all-in-podcast/) - I am thrilled to announce the launch of a new podcast based on our series on the Bible, Church and LGBTQI issues. The Podcast will be called "All In". UPDATE: Here is the audio of the first Introduction episode: More information to come soon.
- [ALLin Podcast Episode 5: Ten Affirming Scriptures](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2019/11/13/allin-podcast-episode-5-ten-affirming-scriptures/) - The Bible is not meant to be used as a legal textbook. On many issues, we are required to look for principles in the Bible, rather than direct instructions. This includes issues such as slavery, women leaders, and democracy. On these issues, we need to identify principles from the Bible that help us understand how
- [Richard Rohr on New Reformations and new growth from the flames](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2019/11/14/richard-rohr-on-new-reformations-and-new-growth-from-the-flames/) - Richard Rohr writes a daily devotion, which I highly recommend you sign up for. On 27 October 2019, he wrote this stunning reflection: Church: Old and New Rummage Sales I have come to set fire upon the earth, and how I wish it were already blazing. —Luke 12:49 People are rightly concerned by the loss
- [Video: The Bible and Homosexuality: A nuanced approach](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2019/11/10/video-the-bible-and-homosexuality-a-nuanced-approach/) - Justin Lee wrote a very important book on the issue of the Bible and homosexuality. It's called "Torn" (or in the UK, "Unconditional"). His main thesis is that as Christians dealing with the issue of homosexuality we have fixated on sex - and he means those both for and against LGBTQI inclusion in the church.
- [ALLin Podcast: Episode 04: Sodom and Gomorrah](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2019/10/28/allin-podcast-episode-04-sodom-and-gomorrah/) - Many Christians who are against affirming gay marriage and LGBTQI people reference the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah to show that God is angry with homosexuality and will judge it. But this is not what these stories are about. In this episode we get into the Bible, and look at why God judged Sodom and
- [16 Ways Progressive Christians Interpret the Bible](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2019/11/01/16-ways-progressive-christians-interpret-the-bible/) - A few years ago, I came across a blog post on Patheos that did a really great job of overviewing how progressive Christians (including myself) approach the Bible. I think it is worth revisiting. I'd also highly recommend Peter Enns' latest book, "How the Bible Actually Works". The article on Patheos, but Roger Wolsey is
- [Richard Rohr on Gender and Sexuality](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2019/10/27/richard-rohr-on-gender-and-sexuality/) - In his regular blog this past week, Christian author, theologian and pastor, shared the following reflection on his preparations for a sermon on The Wedding at Cana. Richard sends out a daily email with his Meditations - sign up for that here. Read his reflections on his website, or an extract below: Gender and Sexuality
- [ALLin Podcast: Episode 03: Overview of Bible verses about LGBTQI people](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2019/10/25/allin-podcast-episode-03-overview-of-bible-verses-about-lgbtqi-people/) - In this episode of the ALLin podcast, Graeme Codrington gives an initial overview of the seven Bible verses most often referenced when Christians are considering issues related to LGBTQI people and gay marriage. He shows that the traditional interpretation of these verses needs to be questioned. The rest of the Bible presents a strong argument
- [ALLin Podcast Episode 2: What we are aiming to achieve](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2019/09/18/allin-podcast-episode-2-what-we-are-aiming-to-achieve/) - The second episode of our new podcast, ALLin is now available. Please subscribe to ALLin, so you can get future episodes in your Podcast player. We will be uploading new episodes every fortnight. Episode 2 explains what the podcast is about, and shares seven beliefs we have about LGBTQI and the church. Subscribe to the
- [Public Debate: Does the Bible restrict marriage to a man and a woman?](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2019/07/22/public-debate-does-the-bible-restrict-marriage-to-a-man-and-a-woman/) - Dr James White and Graeme Codrington will engage in a public debate on the topic of "Does the Bible restrict marriage to a man and a woman?" DATE: 17 August 2019 TIME: 6 - 8pm VENUE: Fontainbleau Community Church, Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa There is NO COST to attend. The venue holds 750 people, on
- [Some Things To Consider If You Think Being Gay Is a Sin](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2019/07/13/some-things-to-consider-if-you-think-being-gay-is-a-sin/) - I found an article on Patheos by Benjamin Corey that I think is important. While I believe that marriage is for every couple who love each other and wish to pledge before God to do so faithfully and monogamously, many Christians are still struggling to overcome a lifetime of cultural indoctrination against the LGBTQI community
- [Part 17: Dealing with Objections: Where does the Bible affirm same sex marriage? The slavery response.](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2019/03/17/part-17-dealing-with-objections-where-does-the-bible-affirm-same-sex-marriage-the-slavery-response/) - SUMMARY: The Bible does not say anything on the subject of women's rights, and actually appears to say they should not lead or preach in church. Yet, in many churches they do. The Bible supports slavery, and never says anything to oppose it. Yet, no Christian today would support slavery (many did in the past).
- [Part 16: Dealing with Objections: Where does the Bible affirm same sex marriage?](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2019/02/23/part-16-dealing-with-objections-where-does-the-bible-affirm-same-sex-marriage/) - Summary Some people believe that if you can't find something specifically mentioned in the Bible then God hasn't said anything about it. This is a bad way to interpret the Bible. The Bible is not a Constitution and can't be used like a legal textbook. The Bible does not specifically affirm gay marriage. Nor does
- [Part 15: David Gushee on Ending the Teaching of Contempt](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2016/04/21/part-15-david-gushee-on-ending-the-teaching-of-contempt/) - This is an interlude in my ongoing series on Christians, the Bible and same sex marriage. One of the highest profile Christian scholars to come out in support of same sex marriage is Dr David Gushee, an ethicist and professor at Mercer University (see his personal website here). His book, "Changing our Mind" (2nd edition,
- [“It might not look like it, but the Resistance is winning”: An excerpt from “Inspired” by Rachel Held Evans](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2018/06/20/it-might-not-look-like-it-but-the-resistance-is-winning-an-excerpt-from-inspired-by-rachel-held-evans/) - One of my favourite Christian commentators and authors is Rachel Held Evans. Her latest book, "Inspired" has just been launched, and it looks fantastic (it's on my reading list for the holidays). Today, on her blog, she provides an extended extract from the book, and it's amazing. Read it in full here, or my extract
- [The Theology of Star Wars](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2018/06/04/the-theology-of-star-wars/) - It's been a hectic year in my business so far in 2018, so apologies for the lack of contributions to this blog in the past few months. Hopefully I'll be more regular here in the rest of the year. But for now, here's a fantastic resource from Think Christian. It's a compilation of insights from
- [Christmas Eve Reflection: Seeing Mary's Christmas](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2017/12/26/christmas-eve-reflection-seeing-marys-christmas/) - It might be because as the only male in my household I am surrounded by “women’s stuff” all day everyday and am privileged to be forced to see the world through a distinctly feminine (and deliberately feminist) lens, that on Christmas Eve each year, my thoughts often turn to Mary and what she must have
- [Before you sign the Nashville Statement on Sexuality... just two small things](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2017/08/31/before-you-sign-the-nashville-statement-on-sexuality-just-two-small-things/) - To all my dear Conservative, Evangelical Christian friends, Before you sign the recently released Nashville Statement on Sexuality, please consider just two things. Firstly, please consider that the very first sentence of this Statement is going to cause deep hurt and harm in your congregation: "God has created marriage to be a covenantal, sexual, procreative,
- [Chris Kratzer: Maybe, Just Maybe, If You’d Stop Quoting The Bible At Me](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2017/08/27/chris-kratzer-maybe-just-maybe-if-youd-stop-quoting-the-bible-at-me/) - I am glad I have found Chris Kratzer's blog. I like the way he writes, and I like the way he thinks. That doesn't mean I agree with everything he says - but then, I doubt he does either. But I like how he gets me to think. His latest blog is about people who
- [Seven evils of (White) Evangelical Christianity](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2017/08/20/seven-evils-of-white-evangelical-christianity/) - The term "Evangelical" has been hijacked by white Americans. It's a dangerous stereotype, but they're mainly Trump supporters and would sacrifice almost anything to ensure they ban abortion in America. They're nationalistic, racist and homophobic. This isn't the textbook theological definition, of course. Evangelicals are supposed to be defined as people who take the Bible
- [Sermon: Jesus calls us to love the outsiders](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2017/01/22/sermon-jesus-calls-us-to-love-the-outsiders/) - I preached this sermon on 22 January 2017, as part of a series called Jesus Encounter. Jesus calls us to love, unconditionally and extravagantly. He specifically calls us to love those who outside our circles. Jesus calls AUDIO: https://www.futurechurchnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Sermon-Jesus-calls-lq.mp3 My sermon notes: Jesus Encounter series start Jesus Encounter series - until Easter The stories recorded
- [A clash of worldviews](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2016/12/17/a-clash-of-worldviews/) - One of the reasons the recent US Presidential election has been so emotive is that, more than at any time in recent memory, it was also a stark clash of worldviews. Not just political doctrines, or sets of public policies, but a clash between two very different worldviews. The one has been labelled Right, Traditional,
- [A Community of Radical Inclusion](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2016/09/23/a-community-of-radical-inclusion/) - A few weeks ago, I preached this sermon at my local church. There's a story behind me asking - and receiving - permission to preach it, and another whole set of stories about the response from the church members - both good, bad and ugly. The senior pastor, Gary Rivas (also Methodist Bishop of Johannesburg),
- [Missional Business Seminar, Johannesburg, 5 Nov 2016](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2016/09/05/missional-business-seminar-johannesburg-5-nov-2016/) - This is your invitation to a vitally important seminar. Download a PDF brochure here, and share with your friends. The world is changing. More Christians from developing nations are becoming interested in mission. We need more people on the mission field, coming from more diverse backgrounds and finding new methods of funding their work. Come
- [I am a racist. But I do not want to be one.](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2016/09/03/i-am-a-racist-but-i-do-not-want-to-be-one/) - CONTEXT: A few weeks ago, a young girl at a school in South Africa protested against the rules of her school by wearing a fairly sizeable Afro-style hair style. On the face of it, this doesn't sound like much. But there are many reasons this became a flashpoint for discussion and debate. Firstly, it happened
- [A New Year's Sermon: 4 choices for a great year](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2016/01/18/a-new-years-sermon-4-choices-for-a-great-year/) - A few weeks late in uploading this sermon, but I preached it on the Sunday before new years. To get to the meat of the sermon, skip to 9:00. As you look at the twelve months ahead, here are four choices that will help to make it a great year. Choose to be positive. Choose
- [Sermon: The story of Esther](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2016/08/27/sermon-the-story-of-esther/) - The story of Esther, the poor orphan girl who rises to be Queen of the greatest Empire on earth, is one of my favourites. Many years ago I told it to a youth group at a camp, and since then the dramatisation of the story has been one of my favourite sermons to share. I
- [The Bible and Same Sex Relationships, Part 14: Start here: A summary of the Bible’s verses against same sex marriage](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2016/04/21/the-bible-and-same-sex-relationships-part-14-start-here-a-summary-of-the-bibles-verses-against-same-sex-marriage/) - Over the past few months on this blog, I have been focusing attention on the issue of Christianity and homosexuality. This is one of the defining issues for Christians right now, and an issue that I have been studying for over a decade. My analysis of the issue thus far has dealt with three key
- [The Bible and Same Sex Relationships, Part 13: Other Interpretations of Romans 1](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2016/01/17/the-bible-and-same-sex-relationships-part-13-other-interpretations-of-romans-1/) - Summary We have dealt with Romans 1 thoroughly, but there is one final set of ideas to consider. These come from largely evangelical theologians, who take the Bible seriously as God's Word, but nevertheless have real concerns about the traditional interpretation of Romans 1. There are seven ways to interpret Romans 1 that do justice
- [The Bible and Same Sex Relationships, Part 3: How we interpret the Bible](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2015/08/08/the-bible-and-same-sex-relationships-part-3-how-we-interpret-the-bible/) - Summary The "plain reading" of the Bible is impossible, if you're not reading it in the original language and cultural context it was written in. My approach to Biblical interpretation is informed by conservative, evangelical exegesis and hermeneutic traditions. The Bible is God's Word. The Bible is not a Constitution or legal document. For Christians
- [The Bible and Same Sex Relationships, Part 12: What Romans 1 is Really All About](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2015/11/12/the-bible-and-same-sex-relationships-part-12-what-romans-1-is-really-all-about/) - Summary As we have seen, Paul's purpose in the letter to the Romans is to encourage Jewish and Gentile Christians to be more accepting of each other, and to be careful not to judge each other based on issues that are merely cultural preferences or in built bias. The purpose of Romans 1:16-32 is to
- [The Bible and Same Sex Relationships, Part 11: Shameful Acts and Going Against Nature](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2015/10/15/the-bible-and-same-sex-relationships-part-11-shameful-acts-and-going-against-nature/) - Summary In Romans 1:18-32, Paul refers to men and women going "against nature" and committing "shameful acts". In Jewish thought, "unnatural sex" was any sexual activity that could not result in insemination. The Old Testament references Paul could have been referring to were about having sex with a woman during her menstrual period, but could
- [Is same sex marriage Biblical - a debate [Video]](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2015/10/30/is-same-sex-marriage-biblical-a-debate-video/) - On 9 October 2015, I participated in a formal public debate with Dr James White of Alpha and Omega Ministries. It was organised by TruthWalk, and the venue provided by Gracepoint church. Dr White is an accomplished debater and professional apologist (see his ministry website here), and took the traditional position against homosexuality and same
- [The Bible and Same Sex Relationships, Part 10: Re-Read Romans 1](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2015/10/15/the-bible-and-same-sex-relationships-part-10-re-read-romans-1/) - Summary Romans 1 has traditionally been used to show homosexuality as a descent into immorality, and a sign of God abandoning people to sin. This is a misreading of these verses. The plain reading of Romans 1 makes it clear that Paul has in mind people who have taken their sexuality to excess and gone
- [The Bible and Same Sex Relationships, Part 4: Sodomites in Genesis (and Judges)](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2015/08/10/the-bible-and-same-sex-relationships-part-4-sodomites-in-genesis-and-judges/) - Summary The sins for which Sodom, Gomorrah and Gibeah were destroyed were not related to loving, covenantal same sex relationships. The Bible tells us what the sins of Sodom were, and they do not include any sexual sins. We must let the Bible interpret the Bible. Even if we focus on just the one night
- [The Bible and Same Sex Relationships, Part 11: The Nature of Things and The Creation Order](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2015/09/25/the-bible-and-same-sex-relationships-part-11-the-nature-of-things-and-the-creation-order/) - This section has been re-organised. Click here to go to the updated version of this post.
- [The Bible and Same Sex Relationships, Part 10: Changing the Way We Read Romans 1](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2015/09/21/changing-the-way-we-read-romans-1/) - This section has been re-organised. Click here to go to the updated version of this post.
- [The Bible and Same Sex Relationships, Part 9: The 'Soft' in 1 Corinthians - the meaning of 'malakos'](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2015/08/30/the-bible-and-same-sex-relationships-part-9-the-soft-in-1-corinthians-the-meaning-of-malakos/) - Summary Controversies in the Bible normally come down to issues of translation of certain words. Scholarship is often divided on these words, and we need to be open about the fact that we might have mistranslated and misinterpreted these words in the past. In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul uses the words arsenokoit?s and malakos in
- [The Bible and Same Sex Relationships, Part 8: Male-Bedders - the meaning of 'arsenokoitai'](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2015/08/24/the-bible-and-same-sex-relationships-part-8-male-bedders-the-meaning-of-arsenokoitai/) - Summary In 1 Corinthians 6 and 1 Timothy 1, the Apostle Paul lists sins, and includes a word that is difficult to translate. In fact, it appears that Paul actually made this word up himself. There is no known use of it in the Greek language before he uses it. When an author has a
- [The Bible and Same Sex Relationships, Part 2: Do God and the Bible Change?](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2015/08/06/the-bible-and-same-sex-relationships-part-2-do-god-and-the-bible-change/) - Summary God may or may not change over time, but our understanding of Him definitely does. God's instructions to His people have adapted over time, and will continue to do so. There is a redemptive arc to history, as God keeps pushing His people to be ahead of, and counter-cultural to, the contexts they live
- [The Bible and Same Sex Relationships, Part 7: Graeco-Roman culture and homosexuality](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2015/08/22/the-bible-and-same-sex-relationships-part-7-graeco-roman-culture-and-homosexuality/) - Summary The sexual ethics prevailing at the time of the New Testament are very different to those we accept as normal today Homosexuality was legal, commonplace and considered normal. In fact, male-male love was considered the highest form of human love. Pederasty (an adult man taking a young boy as a lover) was the most
- [The Bible and Same Sex Relationships, Part 5: Consistency, Punishments and the New Covenant](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2015/08/16/the-bible-and-same-sex-relationships-part-5-consistency-punishments-and-the-new-covenant/) - Summary There are different categories of the Old Testament Law. Each category should be understood and applied in different ways today. None of the Old Testament Law is binding on Christians today. Only commands given in the New Testament, under the New Covenant are binding today. We cannot use Leviticus 18 and 20 to inform
- [The Bible and Same Sex Relationships, Part 6: Leviticus: The Holiness Code, Ancient Sex Ethics and Abominations](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2015/08/18/the-bible-and-same-sex-relationships-part-6-leviticus-the-holiness-code-ancient-sex-ethics-and-abominations/) - Summary The Laws of the Old Testament don't apply to us today, but even if they did they say nothing about homosexuality as we know it today. The laws that talk of same-gender male sexual activity in the Old Testament are embedded in the context of idolatry and male shrine prostitution. The "abomination" that God
- [List of resources affirming same sex marriage from the Bible](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2015/08/06/the-bible-and-same-sex-marriage-part-2-list-of-resources/) - I recently started a series in which I am going to work through the case for affirming same sex marriage from the Bible. I am not the only one doing this, and I'd like to list other resources that can assist you on this journey, as we change our view of what the Bible demands
- [Best books to read on Christians, the Bible and homosexuality](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2015/07/16/best-books-to-read-on-christians-the-bible-and-homosexuality/) - For the past ten years, I have been reading, writing and researching on the issue of Christians, the Bible and homosexuality. I have become convinced that the traditional Christian approach to the topic of homosexuality and to same sex marriage is incorrect, and needs to be adjusted. This is not due to pressure from society
- [Sermon: How to be a church entering a new land](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2015/05/31/sermon-how-to-be-a-church-entering-a-new-land/) - I have not posted much on the blog recently due to work pressures. But a few weeks ago, I was able to preach at Heronbridge Christian Church, and the sermon was recorded. I preached on the need for us to adopt the same mindset Moses and Joshua had to when they were leading the people
- [What is the 'Unforgivable Sin'?](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2014/08/26/what-is-the-unforgivable-sin/) - My friend, Brian McLaren was asked this question recently, and I thought his reply was superb. Brian's book, "Everything Must Change" (Thomas Nelson, 2007, buy on Kindle) helped to form my sense that our generation needs to face the reality of systemic problems, corporate sin and broken systems. And we can do something about this
- [We Make the Road by Walking](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2014/06/10/we-make-the-road-by-walking/) - One of the most anticipated books of the year is released today. My friend, Brian McLaren, launches his latest book, "We Make the Road by Walking". I know that this book has been almost a decade in the making in his mind, and a full year of focused writing. Early reviews have been brilliant, and
- [Churches in 2024: How Technology Will Enhance Mission, by Captera](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2014/07/29/churches-in-2024-how-technology-will-enhance-mission-by-captera/) - Last week, I spoke on the impact that smartphones will have on churches. You can listen to my session and download my slides here. One of the resources I discovered while doing my preparation was the Captera church management blog. Captera provides software for a number of different markets, including churches. Their blog includes some
- [Smartphones and the church of the future](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2014/07/27/smartphones-and-the-church-of-the-future/) - Yesterday I spoke at the Gracepoint Fast Forward leaders conference. My topic was "Succeeding in a Changing World", and I focused my attention on the impact of mobile smartphone technology on the way we might do church in the future. You can listen to the 55 minute session on SoundCloud here or below, and follow
- [Parenting in a world gone mad](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2014/05/28/parenting-in-a-world-gone-mad/) - I wrote this article a number of years ago for a Parenting Magazine. The concepts that had been birthed in me eventually turned into a book that I co-wrote with Nikki Bush, "Future-Proof Your Child" (Penguin, 2009 - see here for purchasing options). It was the early morning of Thursday, 10 August 2006. We had
- [Rational responses to the Noah movie](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2014/04/05/rational-responses-to-the-noah-movie/) - In recent weeks, conservative evangelical Christians have complained about the Disney movie, "Frozen" (proclaiming it's theme tune to be supportive of gay rights), campaigned against World Vision withdrawing funding for third world children, and now are up in arms about the Hollywood movie, Noah. It can be embarrassing having to wear the label "Christian" alongside
- [What to do when your friends don't like your changes in theology](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2014/03/20/what-to-do-when-your-friends-dont-like-your-changes-in-theology/) - Those of us who have been on a journey with our theology have often felt alone, put upon and even shunned - by those who were meant to love us, and those we called our friends. As part of his series on how to interpret the Bible, Rob Bell offers some advice for those who
- [God cannot be both good and predestine people to hell](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2014/03/19/god-cannot-be-both-good-and-predestine-people-to-hell/) - Roger E. Olson wrote an excellent blog on the problem at the heart of (high) Calvinism: double predestination. If God has chosen people to go to hell, then God cannot be good. It's worth reading. I think he's right. Here's his conclusion: My point is, of course, that there exists a contradiction between two Calvinist
- [Why I am - and am not - a universalist](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2014/03/08/why-i-am-and-am-not-a-universalist/) - The question of heaven and hell, and who goes where, is one that has exercised Christians (and many other religions) for centuries. It is one of the key issues facing the evangelical church today. The typical dividing line is between those who read passages of the Bible that clearly state that not everyone will be
- [What is the Bible? An incredible series by Rob Bell](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2014/01/17/what-is-the-bible-an-incredible-series-by-rob-bell/) - Rob Bell may have courted controversy over the past few years with his views on hell and homosexuality, but he has never done so gratuitously and he has always attempted to base his views on a good, solid understanding of Scripture. You might not agree with his interpretations, but you cannot deny that he takes
- [How Feminism Hurts Men](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2014/01/12/how-feminism-hurts-men/) - Micah J. Murray writes a blog called Redemption Pictures. A recent post was a parody on the way in which some conservative Christians think about the role of women leaders in the church. I thought it was a clever, and funny, take on a very important and serious issue - in the church, and in
- [Answers to Kevin DeYoung's questions for Christians who support gay marriage](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2014/06/21/answers-to-kevin-deyoungs-questions-for-christians-who-support-gay-marriage/) - A few days ago, Kevin DeYoung, author and senior pastor of University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan, wrote an excellent article for the Gospel Coalition website entitled, "Five Questions For Christians Who Believe The Bible Supports Gay Marriage" (read it here). It is exactly the type of contribution we should be having on this
- [Ask Brian McLaren - a great interview by Rachel Held Evans](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2014/06/10/ask-brian-mclaren-a-great-interview-by-rachel-held-evans/) - Two of my favourite authors and people collided in cyberspace today. The result is a fabulous interview of Brian McLaren by Rachel Held Evans. It's a must read. It's on Rachel's blog here.
- [The madness of evangelical responses to homosexuality](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2014/03/26/the-madness-of-evangelical-responses-to-homosexuality/) - UPDATE on 29 March 2014: After just three days, and intense funding pressure, World Vision have decided to reverse their decision and will exclude openly gay people from their organisation. This is shocking and disgusting. Evangelicals will claim it as a victory. It is not. Tony Jones has written about this, with both opinion and
- [Video: The Gay Debate: The Bible and Homosexuality](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2014/03/28/video-the-gay-debate-the-bible-and-homosexuality/) - Following my post yesterday about the madness of evangelical responses to World Vision's stance on gay employees, I was sent a link to this video of a one hour workshop that looks at the Bible and homosexuality. If this is an issue that concerns you, then this video by theology student Matthew Vines is well
- [The best of 2013: Stuff Fundies Like](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2014/01/02/the-best-of-2013-stuff-fundies-like/) - This past year a good friend introduced me to the website, Stuff Fundies Like (Fundies, as in American Christian Fundamentalists). The site gives an almost daily insight into the lives, habits and foibles of this group of Christians. It's a great resource for people like me who were brought up inside of that bubble -
- [Letter to a Woman Called to Church Leadership](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2013/11/26/letter-to-a-woman-called-to-church-leadership/) - I used to think that women should not lead in the church. My (faulty) understanding of Scripture was to take Paul's restrictions literally, without understanding cultural context, interpretation or the adaptations of our theological positions that the Holy Spirit leads us to over time. We should make these adaptations slowly and with due consultation and
- [N.T. Wright on Paul, Romans and Election](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2013/10/20/n-t-wright-on-paul-romans-and-election/) - I am a huge fan of N.T. Wright, and especially of his work on showing the sweep of God's redemptive history in Paul's books. I also particularly like his interpretation of the book of Romans (I have written on this blog before how Romans is a very misunderstood book if you think it is simply
- [Women in the church: the vital importance of understanding household codes](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2013/09/03/women-in-the-church-the-vital-importance-of-understanding-household-codes/) - I spent the first 25 years of my life at a church where women were not allowed to be pastors, elders or leaders in any way. I spent nearly a decade of that time passionately defending this position, and even left the church of my childhood in protest when they changed their constitution to remove
- [Wonderful examples of inter faith solidarity](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2013/08/19/wonderful-examples-of-inter-faith-solidarity/) - Two years ago when the first riots swept across Egypt, I posted a wonderful picture of Christians who surrounded and protected Muslims who were praying. Now, in the past few days, as Christians have been on receiving end of persecution it is wonderful to see Muslim's returning the gesture. There are now quite a few
- [Christians in Egypt protect Muslim prayers from protestors](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2011/02/03/christians-in-egypt-protect-muslim-prayers-from-protestors/) - The GOOD website carried a picture today that deserves to be pondered. It's an image from an anonymous source on the ground in Egypt - a team of Egyptian Christians forming a massive human shield to protect their Muslim countrymen as they prayed during the violent protests yesterday. Beauty amid the chaos.
- [Gen Y goes to church - or doesn't](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2013/08/04/gen-y-goes-to-church-or-doesnt/) - One of my favourite Christian bloggers, Rachel Held Evans, has recently turned her attention to some insights into the Millennial generation and their church attendance in the USA. She wrote a short blog on the topic for a CNN blog site, and sparked a very lively (if not useful) debate. I was alerted to this
- [Does Jesus care more about what we do or what we believe? (I’m going with the first option)](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2013/07/08/does-jesus-care-more-about-what-we-do-or-what-we-believe-im-going-with-the-first-option/) - I really enjoy the writings of Peter Enns, and follow his blog quite closely. He recently asked the question in the title of this entry: Does Jesus care more about what we do or what we believe? He argues convincingly that this is not a false dichotomy or straw man he's created, but rather a
- [Exodus International - a "gay recovery" ministry - shuts down and apologises](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2013/06/20/exodus-international-a-gay-recovery-ministry-shuts-down-and-apologises/) - One of the arguments against homosexuality by many conservative Christians is that homosexuality is an aberration of what is "normal". As such, they believe that homosexuality can be "cured", and there are many churches and ministries that run so-called "ex gay" programmes to help gays go straight. These are hugely controversial, flying in the face
- [Southern Baptists, Gay Scouts and how churches treat homosexuals](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2013/06/15/southern-baptists-gay-scouts-and-how-churches-treat-homosexuals/) - A few weeks ago, the Boy Scouts of America voted to allow openly gay scouts to be part of Scout troops across the country. The ban on sexual activity (heterosexual and homosexual) remains, which means that all the Scouts have done is to indicate that they will not take someone's sexual orientation into account when
- [The church, sex and yummy mummies](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2013/06/03/the-church-sex-and-yummy-mummies/) - Driven mainly, it seems, by the alpha-male approach to church coming from Mark Driscoll's accolytes, churches around the world are talking more and more about sex from their pulpit and lecturns. While there is nothing wrong with this per se, there is a dangerous edge to the message these alpha-male types convey. It's mainly a
- [Redeeming the woman at the well](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2013/06/02/redeeming-the-woman-at-the-well/) - In John 4, we read the story of Jesus' encounter with a Samaritan woman at midday at a well. This woman is almost always thought of as a prostitute. There is nothing in Scripture that indicates this. Rather, it is a product of a male-dominated culture and reading of the Bible that sees her as
- [Why have South African Christians welcomed CJ Mahaney?](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2013/04/18/why-have-south-african-christians-welcomed-cj-mahaney/) - Right now a conference called Rezolution is taking place in Johannesburg. The keynote speaker is an American, CJ Mahaney. Just a few weeks ago, Mahaney stepped down from the leadership of his own denomination, Sovereign Grace Ministries on the back of a court case in which he is a named defendant. The case alleges that
- [Jimmy Carter on how the church treats women](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2013/04/22/jimmy-carter-on-how-the-church-treats-women/) - Famously a staunch, conservative Christian, US President Jimmy Carter has recently publicly distanced himself from the Southern Baptist Convention over the stance on women in leadership in the church. His statement is very interesting. Read it in full here, or an extract below. Losing my religion for equality... by Jimmy Carter 25 January 2013 Women
- [Video: What is the missional church](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2013/03/01/video-what-is-the-missional-church/) - My good friend, David Lock, alerted me to this short video on what a missional church is. Nice, simple introduction: Enjoy.
- [There IS place for rich people in heaven (thank goodness)](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2013/02/04/there-is-place-for-rich-people-in-heaven-thank-goodness/) - The Bible has dire warnings for rich people. More than any other people (including all forms of vile criminals), the Bible warns rich people that their souls are in danger and the eternal destiny put at risk by their riches. Some rich people are told that they should give their money away - not as
- [The failure of the evangelical: mind, heart and spirit (probably in that order)](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2013/01/30/the-failure-of-the-evangelical-mind-heart-and-spirit-probably-in-that-order/) - This blog entry could be a book on its own. I fear I cannot do this thought justice, but I would like to nevertheless put it out there for discussion and your reflection. It might feel overly harsh on "my own" (the evangelicals), but I do sometimes despair at the shallowness of thought and engagement
- [Being a witness to grace: Louie Giglio, homosexuality, a prayer, persecution and a storm of protest](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2013/01/12/being-a-witness-to-grace-louie-giglio-homosexuality-a-prayer-persecution-and-a-storm-of-protest/) - One of the current themes of conservative evangelical Christianity is a persecution complex. They look for opportunities to be offended by popular culture (take the phony 'war on Christmas' in America, for example). And when something happens that could in any way be taken as an attack on Christians, they fall over themselves to proclaim
- [The best Her.meneutics posts of 2012](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2012/12/29/the-best-her-meneutics-posts-of-2012/) - I found this blog during 2012, and have enjoyed the insights from their various authors. The blog is run by Christianity Today and aims to deal with issues affecting Christian women. They recently provided a list of their most read blog posts from the past year, and it's an excellent reading list (for men and
- [Does Hashim Amla make you want to become a Muslim?](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2012/12/06/does-hashim-amla-make-you-want-to-become-a-muslim/) - Hashim Amla is a South African cricketer - and fast becoming a legendary one too. He is sublime to watch, and is having the most phenomenal season. He is also universally acclaimed, by teammate and opponent alike, as the nicest, humblest, gentlest guy you'll ever meet. A real sportsman's sportsman. And he is devoutly Muslim.
- [Christmas is coming, and so is Saint Nick](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2012/12/05/christmas-is-coming-and-so-is-saint-nick/) - Our current image of Father Christmas as a fat old man with red cheeks and long white beard was cemented into popular culture by Coca-Cola in the early 1930s, as part of a marketing campaign to get people to drink cold drinks during winter. The red-coated figure of Santa was created by a commercial illustrator,
- [Focus on the Family gets it spectacularly wrong](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2012/10/22/focus-on-the-family-gets-it-spectacularly-wrong/) - Exactly four years ago today, on 22 October 2008, with just a few days to go in the US presidential election race between John McCain and Barack Obama, Focus on the Family, a conservative Christian group in the USA, released what they called a "letter from 2012". This was a letter written from the perspective
- [Bible Teaching or Biblical Teaching?](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2012/09/16/bible-teaching-or-biblical-teaching/) - Today, the preacher at our church used Matthew 13 as a base text to talk about the importance of Bible teaching. This is the chapter of the Bible that tells one of the versions of the Parable of the Sower. His main point was that Bible teaching is still an effective technique for the church.
- [For God so loved the world... that He let it evolve?](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2012/08/07/for-god-so-loved-the-world-that-he-let-it-evolve/) - I am doing some work on a sermon I will be preaching in a few weeks time, and at the same time reading Peter Ennis' excellent book, "The Evolution of Adam". A half-thought has jumped into my mind, and I want to capture it, give it air, and hear your views on it. One of
- [How to understand the book of Acts](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2012/08/01/how-to-understand-the-book-of-acts/) - My friend, Brian McLaren is a wonderful teacher of the Bible, and his vision of how some well known books should be understand within the broader framework of what God is doing in history has been personally very helpful to me. He recently put an outline of the book of Acts on his blog -
- [ReKnew - a new blog for those on the kingdom journey](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2012/07/18/reknew-a-new-blog-for-those-on-the-kingdom-journey/) - I have known about Greg Boyd for some time, and am thrilled to have found his latest project. It's a ministry and blog called ReKnew. Greg is a great thinker and advocate for a new kind of missional Christianity. The welcome note on the blog is inspiring: When most people think of “Christianity,” they think
- [Christian bookstores and their chokehold on the industry](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2012/07/11/christian-bookstores-and-their-chokehold-on-the-industry/) - I have never liked Christian bookstores much. Back when I was a theological student, I could never find any books by the authors that my conservative textbooks were warning me about. Sure, some of the warnings were valid, but I still don't appreciate having my reading list vetted and censored for me. And then, South
- [A picture of women: from the Bible? or from 1950s American suburbs?](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2012/07/12/a-picture-of-women-from-the-bible-or-from-1950s-american-suburbs/) - Earlier this year, Rachel Held Evans hosted a series of posts on her blog that looked at a variety of issues related to the role of women in the church. You can see links to the full series here. So there's no confusion about my position, I believe that women and men are equal before
- [Pastors and Business Leaders: Learn from each other](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2012/07/09/pastors-and-business-leaders-learn-from-each-other/) - I discovered the website for Catalyst conference recently, and there is a great archive of resources available there. According to their website, Catalyst was conceived as a Next Generation Leaders Conference in 1999 by Andy Stanley, Reggie Joiner, John Maxwell, Lanny Donoho and several young leaders. Catalyst was created to meet the felt need that
- [25 interviews to challenge your stereotypes](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2012/07/05/25-interviews-to-challenge-your-stereotypes/) - I am a fan of Rachel Held Evans, a writer and blogger. On her blog this past year she has chosen 25 different people to interview, and then opened up the process to her readers to suggest and vote on the best questions to be asked. I have enjoyed all of them, been challenged by
- [Old Testament instructions (and how to apply them selectively)](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2012/06/30/old-testament-instructions-and-how-to-apply-them-selectively/) - This is just for fun. Sort of. I was sent this information by a friend of mine recently. It is laugh out loud funny - at least it was for me. Yet, the underlying issue (of how we interpret the Bible) is serious indeed. But read other entries on this blog for more cerebral engagements
- [Great moments in history expressed as Facebook status updates](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2012/06/02/great-moments-in-history-expressed-as-facebook-status-updates/) - Just for fun. My middle daughter, Hannah, is a real history buff (she wants to be an archeologist when she grows up). It helps to have a near perfect memory, so all the dates and names places easily lodge in her mind. But it also helps to have history made fresh, fun and interesting. This
- [A Lamb on the Throne?](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2012/05/27/a-lamb-on-the-throne/) - This morning we had an all-age family service at church. These are my favourites, normally, and this morning was a good one. We're looking at the book of the Revelation, and this morning we looked at the passage that talks about the Lamb sitting on the throne. The pastor explained that this referred to Jesus,
- [How Youthworkers are seen - and see themselves](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2012/05/26/how-youthworkers-are-seen-and-see-themselves/) - Just for fun this weekend... I met with a few people from the Portsmouth Diocese yesterday (we are working together on a project to put my "Mind the Gap" generations work into a DVD programme). Ben Mizen (Youth and Children's Work Adviser for the Diocese of Portsmouth) alerted me to a video that was put
- [The difficulty with defending Biblical Marriage](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2012/05/19/the-difficulty-with-defending-biblical-marriage/) - I am working on a blog about the current debates on the issue of marriage (which is really a debate on homosexuality by conservative Christians), but this infographic came across my screen and it's too good to keep to myself for now. So, with apologies that this is my only post in the last few
- [April Fools Jokes (for Christians)](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2012/04/02/april-fools-jokes-for-christians/) - Yes, it's true. Christians do in fact have a sense of humour (some more than others, of course). The best laugh of the year for me so far was Rachel Held Evans' (my favourite Christian blogger at the moment) post this past Sunday in which she parodied a number of well known Christian writers. Pure
- [As you go... Therefore go... And interpret the Scriptures](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2012/01/11/as-you-go-therefore-go-and-interpret-the-scriptures/) - Over the Christmas holidays I read Christian Smith's new book, "The Bible Made Impossible: Why Biblicism Is Not a Truly Evangelical Reading of Scripture" (Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com or Kalahari.net). I have followed Christian's work for many years - he is a well known and insightful sociologist who has spent many years researching the state of the
- [Is it really Christ-mas in Britain this year?](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2011/12/24/is-it-really-christ-mas-in-britain-this-year/) - Last week, David Cameron made an interesting speech on the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. The item that received most press coverage in the speech was Mr Cameron asserting that "We are a Christian country and we should not be afraid to say so." He admitted personally to be a committed but only
- [Rachel Held Evans: Your daughters will prophesy](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2011/12/29/rachel-held-evans-your-daughters-will-prophesy/) - I was introduced to Rachel Held Evans in 2011, and have become a regular reader - and admirer - of her writing. She's a young blogger and author who started life as fundamentalist, Republican, conservative evangelical, but has lived through doubt and found faith in a kinder, calmer form of Christianity. She is particularly interested
- [Why Men Can't Lead - and faulty logic about women in leadership](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/04/15/why-men-cant-lead-and-faulty-logic-about-women-in-leadership/) - Originally posted on 30 May 2007 I was sent this by a friend - its meant to be a joke and quite funny. It is. But there is a shred of sad truth in these ten reasons why men can't lead... the sad truth is that this is the same type of logic many churches
- [The death penalty - pause for thought](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/09/25/the-death-penalty-pause-for-thought/) - I have just posted a blog entry on my business focused blog site, ConnectionEconomy.com. It may interest you. I compare two women both found guilty of murdering their husbands and sentenced to death by their countries' courts. But one is Iranian and so her sentence is labelled "barbaric". The other is American and many American
- [The role of women leaders in the local church](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/08/06/the-role-of-women-leaders-in-the-local-church/) - This article was written in April 1996, when I was a theological student. It was a review of the arguments in relation to women leadership in the church. The Baptist Union that I was a part of at that time had a very ambiguous view on the issue, and as a student I was trying
- [Just for fun: Seasons greetings in a world gone mad](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2011/12/23/just-for-fun-seasons-greetings-in-a-world-gone-mad/) - I had wanted to send some sort of holiday greeting to my family, friends and colleagues, but it is so difficult in today's crazy politically correct world to know exactly what to say without offending someone. So I met with my solicitor recently, and on her advice I wish to say the following: Please accept
- [The Daily Show, Mitt Romney, Evangelical Americans and Cults](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2011/10/19/the-daily-show-mitt-romney-evangelical-americans-and-cults/) - I am a fan of Jon Stewart and The Daily Show on Comedy Central. Their brand of satire and political commentary appeals to me (even if it is a bit crude sometimes). They pull no punches and have no favourites. On Monday night, they took a swipe at evangelical Christians who are targeting Mitt Romney's
- [Study: Why Young Christians Leave the Church](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2011/10/16/study-why-young-christians-leave-the-church/) - One of the biggest 'elephants in the room' for evangelical Christians is why so many of their young people leave the church in their late twenties. There's no denying this happens. There are too many "used to evangelical Christians" running around. Something must be wrong. Some people blame the way youth ministry is run. For
- [I don't want an easy faith](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2011/10/06/i-dont-want-an-easy-faith/) - One of the most amazing things about God's Kingdom is that, by being a conscious part of it I find myself in a truly global community through which God is able to speak and work in my life. This morning, I really needed that community. I won't bore you with why, except to say that
- [Christianity as Country Club - by Scot McKinight](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2011/09/14/christianity-as-country-club-by-scot-mckinight/) - Author and commentator, Scot McKnight, recently wrote an article for the Huffington Post. I think he is spot on. You can read the original here, or an extract below: Christianity as Country Club by Scot McKnight, Huffington Post, 6 Sep 2011 Christianity sometimes presents itself as a country club. It presents itself this way even
- [Expanding Youth Professionals Opportunities](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/09/12/expanding-youth-professionals-opportunities/) - This paper, originally published in the peer reviewed Journal of Youth and Theology, edition 3, volume 1, 2004 (see http://www.iasym.org), aims to expose youth professionals to a number of opportunities within the corporate business world. This will enable youth professionals to self-fund their ministries/work, as well as gain credibility and experience in their area of
- [Should we celebrate Osama bin Laden's death?](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2011/05/02/should-we-celebrate-osama-bin-ladens-death/) - I don't think we should. I think this is a moment to show the world how different Christian faith is - and what a difference Christ makes in the world. By the way, I don't think the world is a safer place tonight. At least in the near future it's just got a little bit
- [Dear God, who invented you?](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2011/04/26/dear-god-who-invented-you/) - Brian McLaren alerted me to a lovely little story in the British media over the weekend. A young girl sent a letter to God. And the Archbishop of Canterbury sent her a remarkable reply. A six-year-old girl writes a letter to God. And the Archbishop of Canterbury answers By Damian Thompson, The Telegraph, April 22nd,
- [And Just Us For All](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2011/04/22/and-just-us-for-all/) - On Monday night I attended the global launch event of the "Live Below the Line" campaign at a fund raising event in London, hosted by Hugh Jackman. I worked as one of the volunteers at the event, and was given the t-shirt you see in the picture alongside. I think the slogan is one of
- [A deeper consciousness: What Knut's death might teach us about the life choices facing us soon](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2011/04/10/a-deeper-consciousness-what-knuts-death-might-teach-us-about-the-life-choices-facing-us-soon/) - Just a few days ago, one of the world's most famous animals died. Knut was a polar bear who was born in captivity at the Berlin Zoological Garden. Rejected by his mother at birth, he was raised by zookeepers. He became a celebrity, even making it onto the cover of Vanity Fair magazine (twice, by
- [An atheist, God and African solutions](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2011/03/01/an-atheist-god-and-african-solutions/) - This post was originally written on 15 January 2009, on the previous version of my blog The Times (UK) published a thought-provoking article last week, by an avowed atheist who is often critical of organised religion and Christianity. Yet, his thoughts on what is needed in Africa are refreshing and exciting for those of us
- [Four "lanes" of the emerging church](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2011/02/24/four-lanes-of-the-emerging-church/) - This post was originally written on 7 March 2009, on the previous version of my blog If you've done any reading on the emerging church, you'll probably know the name Mark Driscoll. He has distanced himself from "Emergent", the voice of emerging church in the USA. But he nevertheless still considers himself as "emerging", although
- [MBTI and spiritual development (Part 1 of 2)](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/04/22/mbti-and-spiritual-development-part-1-of-2/) - I am a great advocate of self awareness. On the path to self awareness, I believe that personality profiles are great aids - they may create small boxes of personality types, but they provide windows of understanding into oneself and others. I prefer to use the Enneagram as a profiling tool. I also like DISC
- [Reflections on Christmas and Christianity in the USA](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/12/23/reflections-on-christmas-and-christianity-in-the-usa/) - The New York Times op-ed column this past weekend included an excellent analysis of two recent books and what they tell us about Christians in the USA. Well worth a read, especially at this time of year. You can read the piece at the NY Times website here, or an extract below. A Tough Season
- [Classical Flash Mob: A wonderful intergenerational experience](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/11/29/classical-flash-mob-a-wonderful-intergenerational-experience/) - One of the questions I am most often asked when I do consulting on different generations with churches and faith-based groups, is "what can we do to get young and old people doing things together". Often, the question behind the question is about how to get young and old to enjoy the same sort of
- [God's Kingdom Meets the Real World](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/11/11/gods-kingdom-meets-the-real-world/) - A few months ago, I spoke at a men's conference in Johannesburg, at South Africa's leading Methodist Church. They asked me to speak on being a Christian in a world gone mad. I used the opportunity to do a bit of a "preach" on what I think is an absolute essential for any Christian man
- [Multigenerational ministries in local churches](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/10/27/multigenerational-ministries-in-local-churches/) - In 2000, I wrote my Masters thesis on the topic of multigenerational ministries in the context of a local church. It was an extension of the work I had been doing on different generations, and a forerunner to a best selling book I wrote a few years later that applied generational thinking to all aspects
- [Just for fun: An act of God destroys Jesus](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/10/03/just-for-fun-an-act-of-god-destroys-jesus/) - I picked this up on the BBC News this past week, and think it's wonderful. A giant statue of Jesus outside a church in Ohio, USA has been destroyed by lightning. The glass fibre and plastic foam sculpture caught fire and burned to the ground. Insurance companies have described the event as an act of
- [Kairos course - getting people passionate about missional living](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/09/18/kairos-course-getting-people-passionate-about-missional-living/) - I am hearing good things about a course called Kairos. Their website promises that it is an interactive course that looks at our world from God's perspective, helping you to grasp God's global purpose and understand how Christianity is growing around the world. It presents mission as God's heartbeat - a thread that runs from
- [The Gospel of Wealth - are Faith and the American Dream compatible?](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/09/17/the-gospel-of-wealth-are-faith-and-the-american-dream-compatible/) - An op-ed piece in a recent New York Times reviews a new book that suggests that the American Dream (health, wealth, happiness, freedom) are not compatible with the Gospel. The author says Americans should live as if they earned $ 50,000 a year and give the rest away. The NYT piece makes some great points.
- [Would Jesus burn the qu'ran? ](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/09/08/would-jesus-burn-the-quran/) - A church in Gainsville, Florida, USA, has started an international campaign to make 9/11 (11 September) an "international burn the qu'ran day". They even have a Facebook fan page dedicated to it (I am NOT going to supply a link to it). The small church is called 'Dove World Outreach Center' and pastor Terry Jones
- [Rich Stearns' Speech at Mobilisation to end Poverty in Washington DC ](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/08/29/rich-stearns-speech-at-mobilisation-to-end-poverty-in-washington-dc/) - First posted on the old blogsite on 7 June 2009 This is the text of a speech given by Rich Stearns, World Vision President and author of "The Hole in Our Gospel: What Does God Expect of Us? the Answer That Changed My Life and Might Just Change the World" (buy now on Kalahari.net or
- [Worshiping Personalities](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/08/17/worshiping-personalities/) - This post was originally uploaded onto the earlier version of this blog on 25 August 2005 Looking at my posts recently, they've been a bit "heavy" on the theology side. So, to break that a bit, I decided to write up a thought that has been running around my head for the past few weeks.
- [Welcome new readers - a quick intro to the conversation thus far](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/08/16/welcome-new-readers-a-quick-intro-to-the-conversation-thus-far/) - Every now and again I'll do a quick overview of my favourite posts - and that can act as a nice introduction for new readers and a navigation tool for those who want to "catch up" with some of the thinking and conversations on this blog. The purpose of this blog is to help Christians
- [Challenges Facing Youth Ministry in the 21st Century ](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/07/28/challenges-facing-youth-ministry-in-the-21st-century/) - This paper was originally published in 2003 in the Baptist Journal of Theology (South Africa). It has not been updated - some of the website references in the footnotes may be out of date. The paper was a collaboration between Dr Sharlene Swartz (read her bio at LinkedIn or in her current position as HSRC
- [Unintended consequences: teen pregnancy and abstinence campaigns](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/07/21/unintended-consequences-teen-pregnancy-and-abstinence-campaigns/) - Conservative Christian groups have been on a mission for the past decade to get teenagers to make pledges to sexual abstinence. The Bush Government made foreign aid partly dependent on developing nations promoting abstinence as the way to deal with AIDS (and not allowing abortions either). The most famous are the True Love Waits and
- [The Challenge of An Aging Population](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/07/15/the-challenge-of-an-aging-population/) - In 2001, I was editing a magazine on the future of church ministry. I approached respected author, academic and church consultant, Richard Kew to write about what he thought was a critical future trend the church needed to be aware of. This is what he wrote. Now, nearly a decade later, it's still important, and
- [A bit of fun: Why New Ideas around the church WON’T WORK ](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/07/15/a-bit-of-fun-why-new-ideas-around-the-church-won’t-work/) - Quick reference List... for Why New Ideas around the church WON’T WORK Somebody’s always suggesting new ideas around the church, like adding on to the building, or switching Sunday school to after worship, or changing the times of services. No sooner than such ideas surface, objections swarm up like spring mosquitoes. In order to proceed
- [Talk: Famous Last Words](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/07/12/talk-famous-last-words/) - This is a talk I gave at a youth group a number of years ago. I have in my hand a chocolate bar, which I will give to the first person to give me the answer to a quick quiz I am about to give you. I will give you the famous last words of
- [Being Incarnational in Youth Ministry - a theology](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/07/11/being-incarnational-in-youth-ministry-a-theology/) - An assignment completed in 1998, as part fulfillment of the requirements of the Youth Ministry Major at Baptist Theological College, South Africa. NOTE, July 2010: This article could probably do with updated references to popular culture. If you're going to use it, please make the effort to replace references to TV shows, movies and music
- [Methods of Evangelistic Contact](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/07/09/methods-of-evangelistic-contact/) - This article was first written in 1997 as part of my academic studies in Youth Ministry Possible models of evangelism, to be implemented for children, teenage and young adult ministries, including a discussion of the similarities and unique features of each age level ministry with specific evangelism guidelines for each age level. 1. Introduction 1.1.
- [Evangelising the generations](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/02/06/20100206evangelising-the-generations/) - Originally posted in 2002, and then updated in July 2009 It has been a tremendous privilege over many years to be able to (almost) seamlessly blend my ministry and work aspirations. This is something many people spend their whole lives striving for - to integrate what they do for a living with the passion in
- [Hannah’s Rules and ethical consumers @ TGIF](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/03/31/hannahs-rules-and-ethical-consumers-tgif/) - Originally posted on 24 February 2008 Recently I spoke at TGIF (Thank God it's Friday), a Christian discussion group that meets at the (ungodly) hour of 6:30am every Friday morning. I was asked to record it, and make the recording available, so it is available for downloading, by right clicking here and selecting save as.
- [Generations @ Church](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/04/18/generations-church/) - Originally posted on 19 February 2005 Based on a chapter in my 2004 book, 'Mind the Gap', here are some insights into the generation gap in church. The era in which you were born shaped your value system more than you probably realise. Your value system is that part of you which helps you decide
- [Towards A Theology of YOUTH Ministry](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/07/08/towards-a-theology-of-youth-ministry/) - An assignment completed in April 1996, as part fulfillment of the requirements of the Youth Ministry Major at Baptist Theological College, South Africa. Ephesians 4:11-16 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works
- [Graeme Codrington writes for Jim Wallis and Sojourners](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/06/27/graeme-codrington-writes-for-jim-wallis-and-sojourners/) - This was originally posted on 28 March 2008 Every now and again, I make a connection with one of my heroes. Sometimes it's attending a live event with them (I usually find a way to get them to sign a copy of their books for me - I collect signed books!). I have had the
- [Blue Like Jazz](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/06/21/blue-like-jazz/) - Originall posted on 1 June 2005 I am busy reading "Blue Like Jazz", by Donald Miller (Nelson, 2003, ISBN: 0785263 705) (buy it at Kalahari.net or Amazon.com). The subtitle, "nonreligious thoughts on Christian spirituality" hints at the style - its collection of stories and reflections on experience of a person trying to understand what it
- [Journalists, free speech, blogs and the church](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/05/26/journalists-free-speech-blogs-and-the-church/) - Originally posted on 30 March 2005 Reading an editorial in BusinessWeek magazine from March 28, 2005, it struck me that the business world and the church may share a similar problem: redefinitions of the traditional roles of stakeholders. The editorial was entitled, "The Apple Case Isn't Just A Blow To Bloggers", and referred to the
- [Cheap Grace](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/05/24/cheap-grace/) - A sermon outline originally posted on 13 March 2005 Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his 1937 book, The Cost of Discipleship (buy it at Amazon.co.uk or Kalahari.net), wrote: "Costly grace is the hidden treasure in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and sell all that he has.... Such grace is costly
- [Synthetic Life created - this changes everything](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/05/20/synthetic-life-created-this-changes-everything/) - I have been predicting it for some time, and today it was announced! Craig Venter runs the company that first sequenced the human genome. Now, his team has created what they're calling synthetic life. They've actually created an entirely synthetic genome, built from chemicals in a lab. They inserted the genome into a cleaned out
- [Eddy Gibbs on the Emerging Church](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/05/12/eddy-gibbs-on-the-emerging-church/) - Originally posted on 19 September 2005 In a lecture presented to the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa a few months ago, Eddy Gibbs, a long-term voice for change in the church, talked about his view of "emerging church". What found really interesting in the report I received, was his list of emerging church characteristics.
- [A church service parody](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/05/11/a-church-service-parody/) - Hot on the heels of the Christian parody I posted last week, I was sent one of the cleverest and funniest videos I have seen in a long time. It is a parody of an "emerging" or "funky" church service. Take five minutes to watch it. Laugh. But also be slightly embarrassed. Is this your
- [What the Incarnation Means for the Church](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/05/11/what-the-incarnation-means-for-the-church/) - Originally posted on 1 May 2006 These are notes I used for a study on the issue of the Incarnation. One of the greatest mysteries of the Christian faith is the Incarnation. This is a technical theological word that describes the fact that God became a human. Jesus Christ was both 100% a man and
- [This blog is now on Twitter](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/05/09/this-blog-is-now-on-twitter/) - If you are a Twitter user, then you can follow this blog, and also other interesting tweets seen by Graeme Codrington on the subjects covered by this blog. Follow me: @futurechurchnow
- [On Liberty and dissenting voices](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/04/27/on-liberty-and-dissenting-voices/) - John Stuart Mill's timeless essay On Liberty contains the following stirring sentence: "If all mankind minus one were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind." This
- [Presenting in Johannesburg, 6 and 7 May](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/04/27/presenting-in-johannesburg-6-and-7-may/) - I will be in South Africa next, doing a number of different client and public events. You can see my itinerary here. Two events might be of particular interest to anyone living in Johannesburg. Firstly, on Thursday morning, 6 May 2010, in Woodmead, you can come to a business workshop focusing on the new world
- [A Conference Parody: Our Gospel is Bigger than Yours](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/04/23/a-conference-parody-our-gospel-is-bigger-than-yours/) - A Parody of The Perfect Conference from Tall Skinny Kiwi. Andrew Jones is one the most established commentators on the emerging church, and a fresh voice in the blogosphere. I was sent an email attributed to him, but can't find the piece anywhere on his blog - so who knows where it comes from. It
- [Christians, homosexuals and B&Bs](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/04/18/christians-homosexuals-and-bbs/) - A few weeks ago, a member of the Conservative Party election team in the UK was overheard expressing an opinion about a Christian bed and breakfast establishment that had refused to allow a gay couple to share a bed. He said that what they had done was fine - they had the right to their
- [MBTI and spiritual development (Part 2 of 2)](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/04/22/mbti-and-spiritual-development-part-2-of-2/) - Here is part 2 of the "who you are is how you grow in God" list of spiritual paths for different personality types, based on the Meyers Briggs Temperament Indicator. See intro on previous entry. Now, for the last 8 types: ESTJ Practical, traditional, and organized. Likely to be athletic. Not interested in theory or
- [Updated list of mortal sins](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/04/20/updated-list-of-mortal-sins/) - Originally posted on 20 March 2008, updated in April 2010 NEW COMMENT (April 2010): With the Catholic church, and the Pope personally currently mired in a controversy about child sex abuse, it is interesting to be considering what the church does or does not consider to be truly grave sins. Here is something from two
- [Green Religion](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/04/17/green-religion/) - The Economist, one of my favourite global magazines, did a small insert on religion and conservation in their latest edition. When business and political magazines notice the trends, it's an indication that the trend is significant. Hopefully, one day, all churches will have joined this revolution. Click here to read the article, or see below
- [How to talk when we don't agree - an object lesson from President Obama](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/04/14/how-to-talk-when-we-dont-agree-an-object-lesson-from-president-obama/) - Originally published on 20 May 2009 Last week, President Obama spoke at the graduation ceremony of Notre Dame university. This was made controversial by the 24 hour media, as they pointed out that Obama is "pro choice" and Notre Dame is Catholic, opposing abortion. I don't want to deal with that particular issue in this
- [What we are saved from and what we are saved for - sermon podcast](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/03/29/what-we-are-saved-from-and-what-we-are-saved-for-sermon-podcast/) - In March 2007, I preached a sermon at my local church, Bryanston Bible Church, in Johannesburg, South Africa. This is one of my favourite sermons of all time, and deals with something that I actually think is at the heart of what's wrong with the evangelical church today. Last Sunday, while attending my current local
- [Developing Kingdom Vision (by Reg Codrington)](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/04/14/developing-kingdom-vision-by-reg-codrington/) - This was originally posted on 19 April 2006 I have enjoyed interacting with my father over the past few years. For most of my life, he has been many miles ahead of me on the spiritual journey we're all on. But, in the past few years, we've found ourselves journeying together on a new path.
- [An amazing reflection on the death of a loved one](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/04/13/an-amazing-reflection-on-the-death-of-a-loved-one/) - Originally posted on 20 August 2009 It has taken me five years to realise the gap left by my father’s death will never be filled by Matthew Parris, in the 12 August 2009, Spectator magazine It is five years since my father died. I thought I would get over it, but I haven’t. This is
- [I am a social justice Christian](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/04/06/i-am-a-social-justice-christian/) - Recently, the crazed Fox "News" commentator, Glenn Beck, argued that social justice was a foil for Nazism and Communism (see the original clip on his radio show on 2 March 2010, or an extended version on his TV show on 23 March 2010, part 2, 3 and 4). I don't want to give his crazy
- [What the Roman Catholic Church should be doing - by Clive Simpkins](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/04/02/what-the-roman-catholic-church-should-be-doing-by-clive-simpkins/) - A colleague and friend of mine, Clive Simpkins is a deep thinker and spiritually enlightened all round nice guy (who nevertheless always tells it straight). He has great insights on a wide variety of subjects. Today, on Good Friday, he has posted a reflection on the Roman Catholic Church which is really worth reading. Clive's
- [Jesus and the "Social Gospel" - by Dr Reg Codrington](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/03/31/jesus-and-the-social-gospel-by-dr-reg-codrington/) - Originally posted on 1 June 2008 There was such a great response to a recent post of an article written by my father, that I thought I'd post something else by him. Anyone who grew up thinking that the "social gospel" was a problem would do well to read this. Jesus and the "Social Gospel"
- [A New Kind of Christianity - Brian McLaren's latest book](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/03/15/a-new-kind-of-christianity-brian-mclarens-latest-book/) - Regular readers of my blog will know that I am a fan of Brian McLaren. I am not sure I buy into every single thing he says (how could I?), but I do like his writings. And I have been privileged enough to get to know him personally over a number of years, and am
- [A fun example of the human side of Biblical inspiration](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/03/29/a-fun-example-of-the-human-side-of-biblical-inspiration/) - Originally posted on 10 June 2008 Like all evangelicals, I believe in the inspiration of the Bible. This means that God inspired human writers in such a way that every word in the Bible (in the original language and original documents) is exactly the word God intended to be there. But this does not mean
- [Graeme preaches on The Prodigal Son](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/02/28/graeme-preaches-on-the-prodigal-son/) - I was at ECC, a church in Norwich this past weekend, run by Pastors Paddy and Jennike Venner. On Saturday, I did an evening session on understanding different generations, and the implications for the future of the church. On Sunday morning, I had the privilege to preach. One of the upsides of being an itinerant
- [The Archbishop of Canterbury on Global Warming](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/02/06/the-archbishop-of-canterbury-on-global-warming/) - Originally posted on 11 Nov 2009 Recently, Dr Rowan Williams gave an excellent speech on the issue of our responsibility towards Creation and a Christian response to environmental crises. The Bible has a clear message about caring for the environment - not just for the here and now, but also because at the end of
- [The Adoption Option](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/02/27/the-adoption-option/) - Originally posted on 9 July 2009 My wife, Jane, and I adopted a Zulu orphan in July 2005. Since then, we have discovered hundreds of families who have done the same - responding to the tremendous crisis in sub Saharan African, brought on by the AIDS epidemic. Often, as Christians, we read the Bible selectively.
- [Confessions of a Bible Deist](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/03/01/confessions-of-a-bible-deist/) - Originally posted 11 Feb 2005 From Surprised by the Voice of God, by Jack Deere This is chapter 17 from the Jack Deere's book. The book is about how evangelical Christians, who believe the Bible is the inerrant and infallible Word of God can also believe that God speaks today, outside of the words of
- [The Present Future](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/03/03/the-present-future/) - Originally posted on 19 April 2005 I am currently reading a very significant book, "The Present Future" by Reggie Mcneal (Buy it at Kalahari.net or Amazon.co.uk). He argues in the book that there are six wrong questions that churches ask, and suggests six questions we should be asking in their place. In each chapter, he
- [Gary Hamel speaks to church leaders on Shifting Tides](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/03/18/gary-hamel-speaks-to-church-leaders-on-shifting-tides/) - Gary Hamel is one of my favourite management gurus. His books are well written, and I have heard him speak live and in person on a number of occasions as he addressed business leaders in South Africa a few years ago. Gary was initially famous for his thoughts on innovation and helping companies create the
- [The Jesus Manifesto - by Len Sweet and Frank Viola](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/03/27/the-jesus-manifesto-by-len-sweet-and-frank-viola/) - Originally Posted on 23 June 2009 I was sent an email today that contained an excellent manifesto from one of my favourite thinkers and authors, Len Sweet. It's titled: "A Magna Carta for Restoring the Supremacy of Jesus Christ, a.k.a. A Jesus Manifesto for the 21st Century Church" by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola You
- [Thoughts on the Tyranny of Freedom](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/03/26/the-tyranny-of-freedom/) - This was originally two postings, on 20 and 21 January 2005 - updated on 26 March 2010 George Bush gave his second inauguration speech earlier this week. Sky News tells me, he used the word "freedom" 27 times - not including references to "liberty". This was certainly the clear theme of his speech. As a
- [Dealing with fear - sermon podcast](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/03/24/dealing-with-fear-sermon-podcast/) - I preached a sermon in March 2007 on the issue of Fear. I was based in Johannesburg in South Africa at the time - a city and country that lives with low level fear of crime pretty much all the time. This sermon deals with what Christians should be doing to deal with social issues
- [The seven streams of church - a sermon podcast](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/03/25/the-seven-streams-of-church-a-sermon-podcast/) - Originally posted on 7 August 2008 Last week, I preached my final sermon at the church my family has attended for the past 5 years. I relied heavily on a sermon preached by John Broom, of Meadowridge Baptist, on the occasion of his last sermon after over 20 years of ministry at the church. The
- [Liberal politics, freedom and the role of Christianity in Britain](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/03/20/liberal-politics-freedom-and-the-role-of-christianity-in-britain/) - Originally posted on 1 September 2009 I don't agree with the political leanings of The Spectator magazine in the UK, but it certainly contains the finest writing in the English language of any magazine in the world. I read the mag regularly, just to experience excellent English. It also contains the type of opinionated columnists
- [We're so messed up about sex](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/03/03/were-so-messed-up-about-sex/) - The beauty of a blog is that you can put up half thoughts. I do my best to write fully thought out pieces on this blog, but every now and again, I have what I call "half thoughts" - an idea that isn't fully crystallised, and for which I have not thought through all the
- [Telling the Truth vs Spreading the Truth](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/03/01/telling-the-truth-vs-spreading-the-truth/) - First published on 1 September 2007, updated on 1 March 2010 Is it ever OK to live a lie in order to tell the Truth? Yesterday, 19 South Korean missionaries who had been held hostage by the Taliban in Afghanistan were freed after a 6 week ordeal. If you haven't been following the story, and
- [Keith and Kristyn Getty - modern hymn writers extraordinaire](https://www.futurechurchnow.com/2010/02/28/keith-and-kristyn-getty-modern-hymn-writers-extraordinaire/) - First published on 21 July 2009, and updated on 27 Feb 2010 I like to think of myself as someone who keeps up with trends. That's what I do for a living after all (see http://www.graemecodrington.com, if you're interested). But I now confess to you that I have only recently realised that the legacy of

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