18Sep 2019 by Nigel Ring

10 years on… Now what?

News
Feeding 5000 is no picnic... Where did it all begin? In June 2009 I was persuaded to write my first blog. Several people had suggested it but I doubted that I had much to say and that anyone would read it. I wanted to address the primary themes of Church Administration and Ministry with the Poor and felt God drop the phrase 'Feeding 5000 is no picnic...' into my mind. It seemed to combine the challenges of administration with the needs of those who are poor or in need, described by Jesus in Mark 6:34 as 'sheep without a shepherd'. And so the blog was born. I guessed I could keep going for about 3 months. Admittedly I have added other topics from time to time but now, 10 years…
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11Sep 2019 by Nigel Ring

Churches that change communities – conference

Poor
Churches that Change Communities November 16th 2019 The Jubilee+ social action annual conference, which is being held in Bristol, UK is one of the first entries in my diary each year. I find it stimulating, informative, an excellent opportunity for networking and also a time to hear from God through both the speakers and times of worship and prayer. I am confident that this year’s conference will be no exception and urge you to come. It can be particularly valuable if you, colleagues, and especially church leaders, are able to come together as a team. Then, as you are nudged by God about particular issues, you can immediately discuss them with your friends and colleagues. Also, Church Leaders, it's a good way to bless those who serve faithfully in social action…
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04Sep 2019 by Nigel Ring

Supporting Education in Nigeria

News, Poor
Sam Amara, based in Lagos and part of the Catalyst apostolic sphere of Newfrontiers, not only is an international church planter and Bible teacher but also, with his wife Lovette, has a huge heart for bringing high quality education to the many poor or deprived children in his nation. In June I had the joy of Sam coming to visit me. During that time I was able to record an interview with him about education and all that they are doing. I think you will be inspired as you watch. Click on picture. If you feel you would like to be involved there are links given at the end of the video, or contact Sam direct.
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11Jul 2019 by Nigel Ring

Some reflections on the impact and influence of church unity

Equipping, News, Poor
I feel passionately that the world should learn from the church. But that does not imply that we should be ignorant or arrogant about what we can learn in the other direction! But, for me, ‘Thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven’ has a very practical and influential application. Recently I had the privilege of joining about 100 others from around the nation at a Gather Summit where unity was shared and discussed. Many towns, boroughs and cities told their stories, some, such as York, stretching over 20 years. What is unity? The gathering was shaped by the desire to share experience of unity among churches and I tried to be attentive to discern how this had come about and what was the fruit. Unity is, I…
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24Jun 2019 by Nigel Ring

Where Mercy and Justice meet

Poor
A day with Jubilee+ I always find it tremendously refreshing and envisioning to spend a day annually with the Jubilee+ core team, and this year was no exception. They gather annually for three days of prayer and strategising, and invite different people to join them for one of the days both to communicate progress and to share in prayer with them to seek God’s mind for the coming year. This year I was one of a group of about 30 who gathered on Day 1, all of us from across the seven Newfrontiers apostolic spheres in the UK. A changing environment We began by recognising that the environment in which we are seeking to help churches in their engagement with the needs of those in poverty in the UK has…
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12Jun 2019 by Nigel Ring

Embracing difference – Pathways Care Farm. Pt 2 – What do we do?

Uncategorized
In part 2 of this 2-part series Geoff answers the question 'What is a care farm' and explains how they outwork it. What is a care farm? There are about 260 care farms in the UK (over 1100 in The Netherlands!) and they are all different. Their purpose is to use ‘green space’ to care for vulnerable people. Our charity, Pathways Care Farm, provides therapeutic day care for people who live with mental ill-health, learning difficulties and dementia. With over 20,000 volunteer hours to date we have transformed a farm which had been derelict for about 25 years into a beautiful, thriving, functioning piece of heaven on earth. A community which people belong to, not just a place they visit. Volunteers are key. We have a wonderful, dedicated group of superstars; some…
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