Back in the day The Briefing used to be brief. Now its format has been extended, but it still gives a good overview of the material that is included each issue.
The name is also a reminder that these reviews should not be long, either.
The feature article this month is entitled When it’s time to go: The what, why and how of leaving church. Simon Flinders has written a very helpful and constructive piece.
Firstly he affirms what a local church is, namely: A family of believers; Gathering in the habit of love; Depending on each other in Service; Listening to God in humility as His word dwells richly among them. This enables an identification of what the relationship between church and Christian is meant to achieve.
Secondly, some guidelines are produced about when it is the right time to move on from a particular local church, when: False teaching has taken hold; Unsuitable leaders are immovably established; Infecting sin is going unchallenged; A special opportunity for service or training arises elsewhere; Your church is no longer local. These fall into negative (the local church is compromised) and positive (the individual has need to relocate for a variety of reasons).
Thirdly, and most valuably in my opinion, a process of how to leave is charted: Pray; Discuss it carefully; Listen well (particularly the pastors and elders); Be as public as possible; Don’t be afraid to express grief; Keep encouraging and shepherding until the leaver is established elsewhere. These steps pertain to the individual and the church, with both recognising the conclusion of their season together so that they can both move on in a (hopefully) constructive manner.
It is a very, very helpful article.
Kel Richards provides a WordWatch on the term ‘Ivory Tower’. I did not know that it derives from the English translation of Song of Solomon. Or that it represents a confusion with the ivy which grows on university buildings in the USA.
Alison Payne introduces us to the story of Penny Wilkinson and her addiction to alcohol, which has led to Penny establishing the work of Overcomers Outreach, a Christian based program formulated to deal with substance abuse.
Stuart Brooking recounts the struggles and achievements of evangelical Christianity in Pakistan. Particular attention is paid to the Zarephath Bible Institute and its work of training pastors for international ministry.
Paul Grimmond interviews Mark Charleson about his work which involves interacting with ministers who are considering transitions from one field to another. I don’t really understand if pastors are considered a class apart in the area of transitions. Every Christian seeks to discern how to most fruitfully use the gifts and calling that God has blessed them with. This discussion is very sensible, particularly the part about whether staying and changing and growing are often considered as carefully as they should be.
John Diacos interacts with the content of the book ‘Not Under Bondage’ by Barbara Roberts. John seems to have broad sympathy with most of Roberts’ conclusions, but has some reservations about the exegetical paths she has used to arrive at some of them.
Alan Radloff has an appreciation of John Piper’s book ‘Finally Alive’, which deals with the doctrine of regeneration.
More details on how to obtain October’s Briefing can be found here.
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