THE AMAZING DAWN ROWAN SAGA
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http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/4728.htm
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THE THREE KEYS TO ALL RELATIONSHIPS (A talk by Rowland Croucher to the Staff of World Vision Australia)
How are we supposed to relate to one another in a Christian organization like World Vision? One short answer: As Martin Luther put it: 'Act as Christs to each other' (or, conversely, treat others as if they were Jesus). Another: Learn to view one another as more than role-players (IT person, HR person, PA to an executive staff-member etc.). Don't let what
*describes* someone/yourself *define* them. To paraphrase C S Lewis: we look around this room and see others with various roles, with whom we work, or see in the cafeteria... If we really understood who they were, created in God's image, we'd be tempted to fall down and worship *them*!
This morning I want to offer some thoughts on three aspects of relating Christianly to others. These three concepts underlie *all* relationships between humans, between humans and God, and even between humans and animals...
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PAUL'S UNDERSTANDING OF 'THE CHURCH' Dr Keith Dyer (Whitley College)
In Romans 16:23, Paul sends greetings to the ‘saints’ in Rome on behalf of Gaius of Corinth, in whose house ‘the whole church’ gathers. Given what we read of the diversity of the various factions at Corinth, this must have been something like the first century equivalent of an ecumenical or inter-denominational event. Ultimately, as we shall see, it was for such practical expressions of ecclesial unity in diversity that Paul dies. Against all warnings and prophecies (Acts 20:22-23), Paul insists on personally accompanying the ‘fellowship offering’ from the Gentile ‘churches’ back to Jerusalem, where he is arrested and then finally ends up as a prisoner in Rome (Acts 21-28). Whatever else we may think about Paul, it is clear from his letters and the stories in Acts that he is passionate about the ‘church’ and about maintaining connections between all its branches.
Before we read too much of our own context back onto Paul, however, we should remind ourselves that strictly speaking, Paul says absolutely nothing about the ‘Christian church’! For a start, Paul never uses the word ‘Christian’. Not once. Not in any of his letters. If he was aware of this nickname that apparently was first used in Antioch, he chooses not to use it.
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Jimmy Carter: The Words of God do not Justify Cruelty to Women
I have been a practising Christian all my life and a deacon and Bible teacher for many years. My faith is a source of strength and comfort to me, as religious beliefs are to hundreds of millions of people around the world.
So my decision to sever my ties with the Southern Baptist Convention, after six decades, was painful and difficult. It was, however, an unavoidable decision when the convention's leaders, quoting a few carefully selected Bible verses and claiming that Eve was created second to Adam and was responsible for original sin, ordained that women must be "subservient" to their husbands and prohibited from serving as deacons, pastors or chaplains in the military service. This was in conflict with my belief - confirmed in the holy scriptures - that we are all equal in the eyes of God.
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10 NEW BLOGS
(by Rowland Croucher)
Dear friends,
I am in the process of composing ten Blogs for different audiences. Here are their titles and URLs:
1 Month to Meet the Baptists
1 Month of Books you should Read
1 Month to Learn About the Internet
1 Month to Understand your Local Church
1 Month of Answers to Tough Questions
1 Month of Devotions
1 Month to Change Your Life
1 Month to Meet Some Interesting People
1 Month to Become a Christian
1 Month To Meet Jesus
So for the remainder of this year I'm aiming to write about five articles a week: watch for them. And feel free to leave your comments!
Shalom!/Salaam!
Rowland Croucher
