Transitioning to Both And is a two day conference designed for the leadership teams of churches who want to think through how to move towards a ‘missional’ church model. The conference will be limited to 30 people to create space to discuss issues, learn from each other, identify obstacles and consider best practice.

This conference, hosted by Steve Timmis, is for those who recognise the need to re-structure their churches around a mission-shaped theology. It is aimed at leaders of churches with a congregation of 250+ people.

The conference will begin with lunch on Wednesday 16th October 2013 and will conclude with lunch on Thursday 17th October. The format will be largely discussion based with some plenary sessions to start those discussions. Accommodation will be provided.

Location: 215 Sharrowvale Road, Sheffield

If you would like to book or to enquire for further details, please email Matthew Spriggs.

Who on Earth is the Holy Spirit?

Here’s the blurb: “Many people find it easy to understand about God and Jesus, but struggle to understand quite how and where the Holy Spirit fits into the picture. Who exactly is he? And how does he work in our lives? These short, simple books are designed to help Christians understand what God has said about these questions and many more in the Bible. Suitable for all Christians – especially those who are struggling with questions about who the Holy Spirit is.”

Click here for a sample.

Who on Earth Is the Holy Spirit? is available in the UK from thinkivp.com and in the US from thegoodbook.com.

WESTPorterbrook is now offering the opportunity of supported learning in Sheffield for a one-year, fully accredited Graduate Diploma in Theology.

What is a Graduate Diploma?

1. The Graduate Diploma is an undergraduate qualification offering an intensive one-year theological course. It is ‘fast-track training for long-haul ministry’. We’re delighted to be offer this option for the first time in the north of England.

2. The Graduate Diploma is a ‘conversion’ qualification, enabling those with a degree in another subject to go on to study a Masters through WESTPorterbrook. The MA in Contemporary Christian Leadership can be taken full-time in one year, or part-time in two or three years.

The Graduate Diploma is a full-time programme with two or three days instruction a week at our Sheffield Campus.

What is the curriculum?

The Graduate Diploma in Sheffield involves the following modules:

• Greek Grammar
• Biblical and Historical Theology
• Systematic Theology or Christology and Redemption
• Preaching and Pastoral Theology
• The Church in the Modern World
• Church and Context

Click here for more information on the course content.

What does it cost?

The cost is £6,000 for tuition fees plus £500 for university fees.

For 2013-2014 a scholarship of £1,000 is available for all GDip students studying in Sheffield.

How do I apply?

There are two steps required to apply to study the GDip in Sheffield.

1. Complete the online application form at www.west.org.uk/apply together with the application fee of £35.

2. Once you have received your ‘Entry ID’, email your name and ID to ugadmissions@west.org.uk to let us know you want to study in Sheffield.

What is WEST Porterbrook?

WEST Porterbrook is a partnership between the Wales Evangelical School of Theology and the Porterbrook Network offering missional training at all levels.

For more information contact Amanda Hill on amanda.hill@porterbrooknetwork.org or 0114 267 6704.

Desiring God have interviewed Jonny Woodrow, along with Gerrit Scott Dawson, on why the ascension matters.

Jonny and I have recently published The Ascension: Humanity in the Presence of God, the first in a new WEST Porterbrook series with Christian Focus. It’s available in the UK from thinkivp.com and in the US from amazon.com.

SPONSORS
Support this site by using these links:

includes Tim Chester’s books
20% of every thinkivp purchase goes
to train Christian leaders in poorer countries

Desiring God have a great blog post on the ascension, prompted by our new book – and the comments of a five-year-old.

The Ascension: Humanity in the Presence of God by Jonny Woodrow and myself is available in the UK (at 25% off) from thinkivp.com and in the US (from 1 May) from amazon.com.

SPONSORS
Support this site by using these links:

includes Tim Chester’s books
20% of every thinkivp purchase goes
to train Christian leaders in poorer countries

The Ascension is available in the UK (at 25% off) from  thinkivp.com and in the US (from 1 May) from amazon.com.

An eBook version has been available in the UK for a while.

SPONSORS
Support this site by using these links:

includes Tim Chester’s books
20% of every thinkivp purchase goes
to train Christian leaders in poorer countries

Guest reviewer: Amanda  Hill, Administrator for the Porterbrook Network.

Discovering the Mission of God is available here from thinkivp and amazon.com.

UPDATE: thinkivp are offering a special price of £20 if you buy through this link.

Weighing in at 600 plus pages, Discovering the Mission of God leaves no stone unturned in its quest “to take you on your journey into the mission of God” (18). The collection of 38 essays (with 16 additional essays posted online) is divided into three parts: the biblical case for God’s mission, the historical development of God’s mission, and the state of God’s mission today.

The ten essays of part one establish the missional focus of the Bible. The authors address and analyse various “missions” passages, and use Paul’s travels and letters to make a case for prioritizing mission work in places where no Christian witness is present.

Part two is an extended treatment of the history of mission, starting with the apostles and spanning the early church, the Middle ages, the monastics (a very engaging chapter by Karen O’Dell Bullock), post-Reformation missionary activity, and the modern missionary movement.

The final part, which makes up the last half of the book, is concerned with various aspects of the state of modern mission. It includes a chapter on statistics, a helpful section on culture, worldview, and contextualization, and what I suppose could be called “tips” from the experts on issues like spiritual warfare and prayer.

On the whole Discovering the Mission of God successfully carries out its stated purpose. It provides the reader with all the information he needs (including repeated reminders that the real work belongs to God) to make an informed decision about his involvement in international missionary work. The book is broad enough in its subject matter and authoritative enough in its facts to be a valuable resource for future international missionaries. As, I imagine, was at least part of the editor’s intent, it will make an excellent textbook for seminary or university-level mission courses and missionary training programs. With that said, it is also very readable, and, while scholarly, not so cerebral that it wouldn’t be useful for the general public.

Yet, while I believe this book will be instrumental in developing a new generation of missionaries in the years to come, there are one or two limitations. It is written for a specific audience. Its aim is to inform—and, through compelling information, inspire—Christians in the American suburbs to embark on a career in international missions. As a result, it all but ignores the global Christian community who, in most cases, already live on the mission field the book is trying to inspire its readers to reach.

Second, because the authors’ desired outcome seems to be the evolution of a new generation of international missionaries, the book only addresses the Ends-of-the-Earth aspect of Acts 1:8. It even goes so far on a few occasions (see pages 23 and 135, and chapter 36) to warn readers that a focus on the mission opportunities in their local context may be an act of disobedience. I doubt this lop-sided approach is the result of bad theology. It is simply what happens when we take a big truth—in this case, the truth that God’s mission is that all the peoples of the earth might be blessed—and squeeze the message into a specific mould, directing it at specific people.

I think this book is an invaluable resource for learning the basics of international missions. It is most definitely worth a read for anyone who is seriously considering doing mission work in a context outside his home country. However, if you live in a place where the nations are on your doorstep, in a place where your neighbours have no cultural context for engaging with the gospel, you’re going to need more than these 600 plus pages to discover your role in the mission of God.

Discovering the Mission of God is available here from thinkivp and amazon.com.

SPONSORS
Support this site by using these links:

includes Tim Chester’s books
20% of every thinkivp purchase goes
to train Christian leaders in poorer countries

SPONSORS
Support this site by using these links:

includes Tim Chester’s books
20% of every thinkivp purchase goes
to train Christian leaders in poorer countries

The good folk at thinkivp are offering 25% off The Ascension: Humanity in the Presence of God through this blog. This is my latest book, co-written with Jonny Woodrow, the European Director of the Porterbrook Network.

To get the discount you need to use this link.

Sadly this offer is not available in the US where the book is not out until 1 May although you can pre-order it at amazon.com.