Themed services
Colin Tamplin
Date posted: 1 Nov 2019
Dear Sir,
I confess myself more than a little bemused
by John Benton’s article
‘Against Themed
Services’ (en October 2019). He describes
such services as those where ‘not just the final
hymn but all the hymns, prayers and readings
are chosen so as to fit in with the main thrust
of the sermon’ – which happens to be how
I approached every service I ever led in 30
years of pastoral ministry. I never spent hours
‘getting it right’, or
‘a whole day trawling
the Internet’ for anything. I simply believed
that just as the sermon should have a clear
message, so everything surrounding it should
have that same clarity. Such services can still
have a mixture of praise, confession, prayer
and instruction, but they are all employed in
such a way that the ground is well prepared for
when God’s word is preached. It seems to me
the far bigger danger is ‘un-themed’ services,
just as there are far too many ‘un-themed’
sermons delivered from our pulpits.
New name, new opportunities!
Colin Tamplin
In 1988 a group of Christians in the south of Birmingham were amazed at the turnout to a small Sunday gathering at which just a few families had been expected.
The meeting had been arranged in a local home to provide ministry for some who had been travelling long distances for systematic Bible teaching. The fact that over 30 people appeared highlighted a real desire for this kind of ministry in the area, and out of that South Birmingham Evangelical Church was soon formed.
The cross and suffering
Colin Tamplin
In the previous articles we have examined two of the great 'cross-texts' in 1 Peter, and seen how they are intended not only to teach about Christ's death as redemptive fact, but as the place where Christians find the pattern for godly living.
In chapter 1 verses 18-19, the cross is seen as the great incentive to holiness. In chapter 2 verses 18-25 it is the great incentive to patience when experiencing injustice. Now in chapter 3 verse 18 the cross is presented as the great source of encouragement in all of our sufferings.
The cross and injustice
Colin Tamplin
In Peter's first major reference to the cross in this letter (1.18-19), he demonstrates how it is to be the supreme incentive to holy living. He points to the greatness and the costliness of the cross, and shows how, in the light of this, Christians are to be a godly people.
Chapter 2 verses 18-25 is part of a wider section on how Christians are to respond to worldly authorities. This was obviously a very real dilemma for the early believers, as almost all of those in authority over them were still completely pagan. How were they to behave in godly ways in an environment that was inevitably so ungodly?
The cross and holy living
Colin Tamplin
Every true believer understands that the cross is at the heart of the gospel, and the only means of salvation. But how many of us really understand that it is also intended to be the supreme pattern for all our daily lives?
As evangelicals we are adamant that the cross must remain central to everything. We recognise its primary place in the plan of God, and wholeheartedly accept it as the sole grounds for our salvation. It is a constant source of joy to us, and gives wonderful substance to all our praise.