Homage to the Phil

August 19th, 2010 by Doug

What can I say BUT that we will miss Phil ( and Hannah) …he was always a part of the journey we were on.  His ability in worship- a gift we enjoyed often- was awesome. His desire to articulate clearly our path and journey was always a blessing.  I have found in my experience that those who don’t SAY usually don’t DO.  He said and he done- for sure.  His generosity in his giving -in time effort and money was on a huge faithful curve.

May God continue to bless Phil and Hannah and may their heart be always entwined in ours.

Emer & Ger’s wedding

July 30th, 2010 by Doug

Just to let the world know ( as if they didn’t) that Emer and Ger are getting married (?) on Sunday 1st August at the Ambassador Hotel, Military Hill, Cork.  It all starts at 3pm with a simple wedding ceremony devised by the couple themselves, and then followed by a meet and greet.  At 4pm Con, the official photographer gets going and hopefully will capture some nice memories for us all.

The meal follows at 5 30 ish and it should be a wonderful occasion.

Ger’s number is +353857068252 if you want to wish them well with a TXT.

Weekend past…soccer and fellowship

July 13th, 2010 by Doug

It was great to have such great fun this past weekend- despite the rain.  We had to cancel the PE but the discussion on Galatians- it was drama- that night, all the way.  Julia was a very confused Jewish traditionalist named Peter- not to be confused with Peter the apostle?  mmmm

We had a good time and had Bob as Paul for some insightful insights.

Then it was great to have joel and Christie and the YWAMer’s with us for the meal and for the soccer the next night ion Ladysbridge.

 

The big screen worked well and we all had a few drinky poos and the best team won- thank God or the devil.

 

We missed the presence of the absent- (very true)

Centered set Community ( not a bounded set)

May 25th, 2010 by Doug

The (emegent) movement  appropriates set theory as a means of understanding a basic change in the way the Christian church thinks about itself as a group. Set theory is a concept in mathematics that allows an understanding of what numbers belong to a group, or set. A bounded set would describe a group with clear “in” and “out” definitions of membership.

The Christian church has largely organized itself as a bounded set, those who share the same beliefs and values are in the set and those who disagree are outside.

The centered set does not limit membership to pre-conceived boundaries. Instead a centered set is conditioned on a centered point. Membership is contingent on those who are moving toward that point. Elements moving toward a particular point are part of the set, but elements moving away from that point are not. As a centered-set Christian membership would be dependent on moving toward the central point of Jesus. A Christian is then defined by their focus and movement toward Christ rather than a limited set of shared beliefs and values.

John Wimber utilized the centered set understanding of membership in his Vineyard Churches. The centered set theory of Christian Churches came largely from missional anthropologist Paul Hiebert. The centered set understanding of membership allows for a clear vision of the focal point, the ability to move toward that point without being tied down to smaller diversions, a sense of total egalitarianism with respect for differing opinions, and an authority moved from individual members to the existing center.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerging_church#Centered_set

House Warming Party

April 22nd, 2010 by Doug

Hi

we are going for it- this Saturday night from 6 ish…. A house warming party + birthday party.  Its denise’s birthday on the 29th + Doug’s on the 24th.  We just celebrated Noreen’s and I know Jamie’s is shortly and Eilish’s on the 12th may.

 

Anyway so come and enjoy yourself, no need to bring food but bring some drinks if you are drinking.

 

All welcome and spread the news

Paul and Nuala O’Higgins from Reconcilation Ministeries in Florida will be with us on Sunday 9th May at 7.30pm in The Christian centre

April 20th, 2010 by Doug
Hi Everyone,
Paul and Nuala O’Higgins from Reconcilation Ministeries in Florida will be with us  on Sunday 9th May at 7.30pm
It  is a joint venture with Tom Hoban, Cobh,  Barry Cunningham, Carrigaline ,and Doug Heffernan from the Celtic Prayer Centre.
You will all know Paul and Nuala they have been coming to Cork and Ireland for a number of years and are a blessing to the Body in the City.
 
Looking forward to seeing you then.
Emily

Bob Tels

April 3rd, 2010 by Doug

Bob’s Calls

Use these numbers from cheapcall.ie

saudi arabia [landline] Bargain Rate! 0818 99 87 87 national rate**
saudi arabia [mobile] Bargain Rate! 1520 52 07 07
15 cent a min

Galatians A study in community

March 4th, 2010 by Doug

As we continue to look through the letter of Paul to the Galatians we must stop and ask some questions.

 Chapter Three:

The movement of the Spirit contrasted with the religious movements of the Jews.

The Importance of Abraham in all of this and as Julia stated – Paul had framed Abraham as a NON-JEW if you will-a GENTILE. ?

Paul’s living communities as fullfilment of God’s agenda announced through Abraham- BLESS the WHOLE World!

 

Chapter Two

 A nice quote…

 Rather, the debate was, “

Jesus, sealed by baptism? Or those who believe in Jesus, and maintain the traditional Jewish sign of circumcision?” The issue on the table — or perhaps it would be more to the point to say the issue dividing the table — concerned the definition and demarcation of the eschatological covenant community.

 Who are the true sons of Abraham? Who are the heirs of the promises? Who belongs at the communion table? Those are the questions Paul answers in the core of the letter.

 Who are the justified?

 

V20 Whose faithfulness are we talking about here.

 

The concept of table fellowship- how important?

 

Could Paul have left Peter off? if not WHY not?

 

Main Arguments

 

1 Who were the main actors in the plot?

2 What were the issues under consideration?

 

3 Why was Paul willing to take people to task about these issues so readily?

 

4 How did the community Paul advocates differ from the Jewish believers version in the way they dealt with sin/moral failure?

 

5 What badges were the community urged to wear as signifiers of their belonging to the community.

 

6 Paul’s final statement..’All that matters is a new creation’ seems radical, was he correct? are there other things that matter?

 

 A nice quote

 

It should be noted that nowhere does Paul state a systematic doctrine of the Law.

Rather, he seeks to “destablize an enthroned position that associates the Law with the privileged status of the elect Jewish people.” (Hays)

 

The House Move

January 25th, 2010 by Doug

Hi All

We are in the process of moving house from now.  The painting is nearly done and various works start this week.  Please pray for all involved that we may have a smooth transition and that we will honour God in what we are doing.  I certainly feel my stress levels are high and I am certainly anxious that all will be well.  Cover us in prayer at this time and keep us in your prayers for the next few weeks.

Our study of Galatians will continue next Saturday night – please have your character worked out and the question is what is your character doing in the play of galatians.  Have some answers for this and be willing to defend them.

iMonk on Evangelicalism

December 3rd, 2009 by Doug

http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/my-prediction-the-coming-evangelical-collapse-1

http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/the-coming-evangelical-collapse-2-what-will-be-left

http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/the-coming-evangelical-collapse-3-good-or-bad