We live in congregations – specific localities – and yet we say in the Creed all the time that the Church is global. We diminish the Church when we emphasise one over against the other – so finding good ways of living in the tension is part of...

Cross Encounters

Local and Global

Life and living is truly a gift. But that thought implies a giver. As harvests come and go, that thought never goes away. What else might a harvest thanksgiving reveal?

Musings on a harvest

Any history of a group of Christians reveals both the local and also the historical – a past which reminds us that we never &apos;create&apos; Christianity or the Faith – we only receive it – to be lived and to be passed on faithfully.

Ah, the Church – very local and very global

Our world is an amazing place and the journeys we can take in our minds likewise. And God is with us in both!

From neuroscience to forgiveness

The question of silence and personal engagement in worship is a topic that arises from time to time. A few thoughts this week.

Is there too much talking out loud in church?

What&apos;s so funny? Lots of things! But humour is tricky to negotiate and laughter can be both joyous and cruel. A reflection on living well with a laugh – or might I say &apos;laughing well&apos;?

What's so funny?

No, this is not the cry for some semblance of quiet by the Speaker in the House of Commons. Rather this is about knowing what is happening in worship and why. What we do when and why is important but not as important as knowing what God is doing when and...

Order!

The mystery of Christian discipleship is that we relate to Jesus through faith which ultimately means that Jesus is beyond our senses and experiences – and yet he uses means – words, water, bread and wine – to reach us via our senses and...

Being together

For the Christian, hope is faith grounded in Christ looking into the future – and that is its true power.

The power of hope

Christians and the world know that Jesus&apos; mother was Mary. What does that mean for us today? The many answers suggest that there is something about Mary!

There is something about Mary

What is the vibe of a thing, a person, or a relationship? A quintessence perhaps? We often live by vibes. In Christianity all vibes need to be anchored in God&apos;s Word – all of it – not just our favourite parts – so that we don&apos;t make God...

The Vibe

Why do we do what we do in Church? I think it is important that each of us know what is behind we way we react and behave. That is why the distinction between public doctrine and pious opinion is very important.

The stroke of a pen

In the UK the devolved governments are lifting the lid on public worship – &apos;there are no restrictions&apos; is the summary. But how true is such a sentiment when we talk about Christian worship?

Lifting the lid on worship

What did you think of when you saw that word? No doubt people and buildings and labels and possibly a chequered history. Such are not unimportant at all. But it is good to first remember that the Christian Church is an article of faith and a hidden...

The Church

Faces are everywhere! People have them and we can even &apos;see&apos; them on inanimate objects. We so want to know and be known and faces are a good place to start. Of course this begs the question spiritually – Does God have a face? What would you...

Faces

Pastor Jon is the serving chairman of the ELCE and presents Lutheran Radio UK's weekly devotion. Inspiring messages that draw the listener close to the cross of Jesus where God comes to meet his people and to lead them in the way of truth.

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Cross Encounters

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