Episode 62: Can Our Desires Be Sinful in Themselves? Or how to pronounce Concupiscence
A recent area of controversy in Evangelical circles, including conservative, confessional and Reformed, is the issue: can our desires (including unwanted ones) themselves sinful? Can we help them or be accountable for them? Jim and Darren talk with Matthew Mason (of Pastor’s Academy and Crosslands) about just this issue as he and Jim try to get a man from Essex to pronounce concupiscence (the technical word for what we’re thinking about).
Episode 61: Pregnancy & the Fall - Christians Showing Compassion in Crisis
In this episode Darren and Michael interview Fi Thomas from Assure. They are an openly Christian organisation that provide information and counselling to those who have experienced a miscarriage or after an abortion (often years later) or for those experiencing a crisis pregnancy and feel abortion is the only route open to them. Assure are unusual in offering an independent service.
This is a challenging and sensitive topic of how Christians can compassionately engage. Listen to some of the challenges faced. It was also interesting to hear Michael’s contribution, himself adopted after his biological mother put him up for adoption.
For more information, the other organisation mentioned by Fi was: Pregnancy Centres Network
Talk 3: How we speak to the World (Darren Moore)
In the final talk of the conference, Darren Moore (of GRUK & Chelmsford Presbyterian) thinks about how we, the Church, speak for God into the world. He draws on the previous two talks, and shows from 1 Peter 2:1-12, that to have anything to say to the world we need to know (and keep knowing) that the Lord is good and be responding to him.
Talk 2: How we speak to God (Steve Hayhow)
In the previous talk, having laid the ground work, Steve Hayhow (Emmanuel Cockfosters) shows how we respond to God. He gives a sweep of this big idea from Eden, to Temple, through to New Creation, how we respond to God with our whole lives, yet worship is distinct. This is very practical theology!
Talk 1: How God Speaks to us (David Thomas)
Well, if you missed the conference you missed out. However you can catch up on the talks themselves (obviously not the fellowship, Q&A, Songs of the Folk performance, or freebies)
Here, David Thomas from Christ Church takes about “How God speaks to us”, what God has said he is saying and how the Bible is consistently relevant.
The God Who Speaks: 18s-30s Conference
Remember way back when GRUK started and we vowed never to do a conference… then we did? But, that was lockdown and we were online. But, we’d never go “3D” for real… now we are.
18th November at the Welsh Chapel in Cockfosters, London, we are doing a conference for 18s-30s “The God Who Speaks”. Speakers are: Steve Hayhow (Emmanuel Cockfosters), David Thomas (Christ Church Romford, IPC) and Darren Moore (Chelmsford Presbyterian & GRUK), with music from Songs of the Folk.
Booking, timetable and directions can be found here. And below is a short podcast on who, why and what to expect.
Episode 59: The Authority of the Church
Andy, Jim and Josh discuss Matthew 16, the Keys of the Kingdom and the broader topic of the authority of the church.
For additional background we suggest you listen to Simon Arscott’s sermon from Catalyst in 2017.
https://ipc.church/project/catalyst-2017-sermon-1-finding-the-church-the-lost-keys/
Episode 58: Do Buildings Matter?
We often, rightly, emphasis that the Church is the people not the building. God does not dwell in temples built by human hands! (Acts 7:48). However, Churches need somewhere to meet! (especially in the UK’s unpredictable climate). Newer Churches don’t have historic buildings, listen to Darren and Andy talk about the challenges plants and young churches face. There is also some interesting good news on that front from Oxford.
Episode 57: Deep Dive on Ruth 1:1-6
GRUKology continues its Deep Dive on Ruth series looking at Ruth 1:1-6.
Four Act Structure (or prologue, epilogue, with 4 acts)
Act 1: Prologue and Problem (Chapter 1)
Scene 1: Prologue: Setting and Problem
Scene 2: Emptiness Compounded
Scene 3: Emptiness Expressed
Act 2: In the Fields of Bethlehem (Chapter 2)
Scene 1: Ruth Gleans
Scene 2: Ruth and Boaz Meet
Scene 3: Naomi Evaluates the Meeting
Act 3: At the Threshing Floor (Chapter 3)
Scene 1: Naomi’s plan
Scene 2: Ruth carries it out
Scene 3: Naomi Evaluates
Act 4: Redemption and Epilogue (Chapter 4)
Scene 1: Boaz acts
Scene 2: A Son is born
Scene 2: Epilogue: The Descendants*
Taken from various commentaries.
Episode 56: When Churches Close
Darren and Andy talk with Mark Johnson a trustee for the Banner of Truth Trust and the minister of Groomsport Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
Mark helpfully discusses some of his experiences planting and pastoring thriving churches, but also what it is like to close a church as that ministry comes to an end.
Episode 55: A Deep Dive on Ruth (An Introduction)
This is an introduction to a new series of podcasts we’re doing over the next several weeks. We’ll take a deep dive into Ruth with different men involved in each episode.
Here are some useful resources if your interested in studying the book of Ruth. You’ll find these books and sermons very beneficial!
Ruth & Esther: There is a Redeemer and Sudden Reversals, by David Strain
Faithful God: An Exposition of the Book of Ruth, by Sinclair Ferguson
Unceasing Kindness: A Biblical Theology of Ruth, by Peter Lau and Gregory Goswell
Episode 54: Beyond the Big C, with Jeremy Marshall
During the Pandemic Darren interviewed Jeremy Marshall on the topic of his book, Beyond the Big C at Chelmsford Presbyterian Church. They discussed life with cancer and beyond. We are posting the interview here because we believe it will be of real benefit to you!
Beyond the Big C, by Jeremy Marshall
Hope in the Face of Suffering, by Jeremy Marshall
Jeremy Marshall 2-pack, at a reduced cost
Episode 53: 10 Ways to Conquer Exam Stress
A Sympathetic Guide for Young Christians
John McCabe and Leah Williams talk about exam stress and handling it with a biblical worldview.
Episode 51: Why Presbyterianism Matters (Part 1)
A few months ago Jim, Josh and Andy found themselves all together (in person!) at the Presbyterian Church of America’s General Assembly. Of course they couldn’t resist recording a podcast or two on ‘Why Presbyterianism Matters’! This is the first part … the next will be out shortly. Enjoy!
Episode 47: Part 2 - Reflections on the War in Ukraine
Andy, Darren, and Jim return to finish their reflections on the War in Ukraine. For a list of the organizations for charitable giving to Ukraine, see Darren’s recent blog post.