Let us walk the narrow road, the way of the cross, that we may bear fruit that endures. Until next time—keep living the theology.

How do we rediscover the church’s countercultural calling? We must return to servanthood. We need to reclaim the radical, servant-hearted ethos of the early church. This means prioritising humility, generosity, and love over power, status, and influence. We must focus on eternity. The church must stop chasing cultural relevance and start focusing on eternal impact. Our mission isn’t to gain worldly power—it’s to proclaim the gospel and make disciples. And we must embrace the margins. Jesus spent His time with the poor, the outcast, and the marginalised. If we want to follow His example, we need to do the same. This means stepping out of our comfort zones and into the places where the gospel is needed most.

The church was never meant to be a hierarchy or a power structure. It was meant to be a community of servants, a light to the world, and a foretaste of God’s kingdom. As we reflect on the church’s journey from servanthood to hierarchy, let’s ask ourselves: Are we living out the radical, countercultural mission Jesus gave us? Or have we traded eternity for the fleeting allure of worldly power?

The rise of the internet and social media has revolutionized how we do ministry. Today, a pastor in Kenya can preach to a global audience via YouTube. A small group in Texas can study the Bible with believers in India over Zoom. The possibilities are endless. But with these opportunities come challenges. How do we maintain the relational depth of the early church in a digital world? How do we ensure that our online ministries are grounded in biblical truth and not just driven by trends? The digital age has also given rise to new forms of ministry, like online discipleship, virtual church plants, and global prayer networks. These tools can be incredibly powerful, but they must be used wisely and intentionally.

Despite all these changes, the core mission of the church has remained the same. Jesus’ words in Matthew 28:19-20 still guide us today: ‘Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.’ Whether we’re meeting in homes, cathedrals, or online, our mission is still to proclaim the gospel, make disciples, and love our neighbours as ourselves. The methods may change, but the message remains the same.

Christian ministry is the act of serving others in the name of Christ, guided by the Holy Spirit, to fulfill God’s purposes on earth. It involves proclaiming the gospel, nurturing believers, demonstrating Christ-like love, and meeting both spiritual and practical needs. Ministry is not limited to clergy but is the calling of every believer, rooted in the example of Jesus, who came “not to be served but to serve” (Matthew 20:28).

Swindon Church’s homegroup-based vision offers a return to the biblical foundation of church life, emphasising discipleship, fellowship, and authentic faith over cultural or Sunday Christianity. By rejecting passive religious traditions and prioritising daily spiritual growth, this vision encourages deep community, accountability, and mission-driven faith. As society moves further into an era where institutional religion is losing influence, churches like Swindon Church provide a compelling alternative: a vibrant, engaged, and transformative Christian community that reflects the heart of the early church.

作者：布伦登·奈克（Brendon Naicker）

基督徒可能选择不参加中国新年庆祝活动，因为这个节日与传统的中国宗教习俗和信仰有着深厚的联系。活动中常包括诸如祭祖、向神灵献祭以及驱邪避害等迷信仪式。对基督徒来说，参与这些活动可能与他们的信仰相冲突，因为《圣经》教导要单单敬拜上帝（出埃及记20:3），并避免偶像崇拜。他们可能认为这些行为与他们遵循的圣经原则不一致，而这些原则要求信徒远离与基督信仰相违背的风俗习惯。

此外，中国新年非常注重运气、财富和占星等概念，这些与基督徒对上帝主权的信仰通常不相容。像避开厄运或通过仪式寻求繁荣的迷信行为，与基督教教导的依靠上帝的供应和保护（马太福音6:25-34）形成了鲜明对比。通过选择不参与这些习俗，基督徒可以专注于对上帝的引领和供应的信靠，而不是依赖根植于非基督教意识形态的文化习俗。

然而，一些基督徒可能仍然参与那些与他们信仰相一致的中国新年活动，例如庆祝家庭团聚、展现好客之道以及建立人际关系。他们可能将这个节日视为一个在社区中彰显基督之爱和恩典的机会，而不是参与宗教或迷信元素。归根结底，基督徒是否参与这一节日通常取决于他们的个人信念以及他们如何在特定的文化环境中荣耀上帝的理解（哥林多前书10:31）。

A church without sacrificial love, sharing, and giving is no longer a fellowship—it’s a facade. When selfishness reigns, and the world takes precedence over the Kingdom, the church becomes a make-believe institution. Jesus didn’t die for entertainment or double standards. He died to create a holy, unified body. Let’s return to authentic fellowship, where Christ is at the center, not convenience.

#TrueChurch #AuthenticFaith #KingdomLiving #ChristCentered #ChurchFellowship #BiblicalChristianity #NoToCarnality #FaithOverEntertainment #SacrificialLove #WalkInLight

This podcast examines the Christian community’s contrasting responses to the moral failings of Ravi Zacharias and Steven Lawson. It explores the theological, cultural, and systemic factors that influence how fallen leaders are judged, highlighting issues of cultural bias, tribalism, and the unequal application of justice and grace within the Church.

#Theology #ChristianLeadership #RaviZacharias #StevenLawson #GraceAndJustice #CulturalBias #Accountability #Restoration #ChurchLeadership #LivingTheology #brendonnaicker

Has the church lost its way? In many places, the vibrant, Spirit-led community described in the New Testament has been replaced by shallow connections, performance-driven worship, and consumer-focused programs. It’s time to refocus on God’s design: a body united in Christ, a family rooted in love, and a mission centered on discipleship. Let’s reclaim the sacred, revive authentic community, and return to worship in spirit and truth.

#FaithRenewed #AuthenticWorship #ChurchCommunity #LivingTheology #RediscoverChurch #SpiritualGrowth #Discipleship #BiblicalChurch #ChristianFaith #BodyOfChrist #brendonnaicker

An Inquiry into the Church’s Journey.

Jesus, why do you choose to entrust us with your mission and purpose despite our weaknesses and failures?