Pressing On

Last week, like many others, I ventured to the Cinema to watch "Exodus - Gods and Kings"   Of course, as with any other film based on a biblical narrative, there is always the hope that it will amount to more than a film ... but as is normally the case, it doesn't.  So, to summarise, as far as biblical accuracy goes it is poor, as an adventure film goes it is all right. However, that is okay as I don't often go to the cinema for the furtherance of my theological convictions or doctrinal understandings - that is best left to the place of prayer and obedience.  Having said that, I hope that I am always open to be challenged to think about things from a fresh perspective and I am not averse to the Spirit using an experience, image, news item, music track etc, to highlight something that He wants to be a blessing, encouragement or challenge to me.  So it was the case in this film ... Towards the end of the film there is quite a most moving scene as th...

Leadership and Management The difference between a leader and a manager is an important one to ponder on and much has been written about it in a wide variety of books. I read this the other day which is a very real, and sobering, challenge to anyone who has a position of leadership - particularly for those who take on the responsibility, before God, for any group of people within the body of Christ. "A leader leads if the followers can see that he or she is out in front of them in the revelations and activities of the Spirit. That is why we should downgrade titles and human pedestals for our leaders, so that, if they haven't got what it takes, they will in due course become dagons and find their own level." Of course, if we live amongst the fellowship of people we eventually come to lead it makes it much easier to demonstrate that in advance, by our faithfulness in serving and following. When we are appointed from the outside it is much harder ...