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In commenting on Jeremiah 23, Derek Kidner has a telling quote in which he says ‘without justice a nation suffers, but without truth it sickens’. Justice is the responsibility of rulers (ch22) and truth the responsibility of preachers (ch23). , whose motto is ‘veritas’ – truth). It is a reminder that our own society desperately needs truth – the truth that comes from a God who speaks

In the New Testament, the word ‘partnership’ describes Christians who are together in active pursuit towards a common, gospel purpose (Titus 1:4; Jude 3; Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 10:16; Philippians 1:5). This is easy to imagine for a local church, but what does it look like to ‘partner’ with someone who is on the other side of the world? 1. Gospel partnerships are relationally deep. You’re usually hundreds, if not thousands of miles away from your mission partner. It might be tempting to think ‘out of sight out of mind’. But partnerships built around gospel priorities can flourish despite the distance. One mission partner writes, ‘Sitting down for a curry with members of the church family at St Andrews when back on home leave was a real treat. Time to go deeper with individual people was precious and helps me feel I know those who are praying for me much better – and now I can pray for them with deeper affection too.’ Another mission partner writes, ‘So thoughtful and so encouraging. That is how I would describe our partner churches. We have received postcards from Sunday school groups, letters from church family, emails sharing news and have even been involved in judging a Christmas tree competition! It is so precious to not just feel sent by a church but to feel part of the church even when we are so far away!’ The Apostle Paul – one of the first missionaries – had a very deep relationship with his partner church in Thessalonica. He wrote, ‘But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavoured the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face’ (1 Thessalonians 2:17). Just hear the intimacy and tenderness in that one verse! Their relationship was deep, despite the distance. 2. Gospel partnerships are two-way. Financial giving may be one-way, but it runs the risk of creating one-way expectations – you support me. When churches give, pray, write to or house a visiting mission partner, they too are gaining. For example, Paul writes to another of his partner churches, ‘…you sent me aid more than once when I was in need … what I desire is that more be credited to your account.’ (Philippians 4:16-17) What is it that Paul expects the Philippian Christians to receive in return? It is a share in the advance of the gospel. As their gifts keep Paul afloat, they are a major stakeholder in gospel ministry! Their partnership is mutually beneficial, in different ways. Most of us won’t be mission partners – we won’t go overseas to preach the gospel, plant churches and teach in Bible colleges. But we can enable others to be mission partners and recognise our unseen role in that process for the privilege it is. One church pastor writes, ‘Through receiving timely prayer information each month, plus visits and videos, we feel that we know what is happening in Naples. By praying for our mission partners regularly, and a good number of our church members helping out financially, we really feel invested in their mission. Also, supporting them as they establish a new church helps us to go back to basics ourselves and reminds us of what the essentials are in seeing the Lord build his church.’ Their mission partner writes back, ‘Conversations with people from St Nicholas has really shaped and directed our work out here. And hearing of individuals there taking risks for the sake of the gospel has spurred us on to do the same.’ 3. Gospel partnerships are practical. The apostle Paul illustrates this in his letter to Timothy: ‘Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry … bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.’ (2 Timothy 4:11-13) Paul sought out the company of Mark because he needed his help, and he asked for a winter coat, his books and his parchments. He didn’t hesitate to express his vulnerability and needs. One mission partner writes, ‘When we flew back to the UK during lockdown, we had to spend ten days in hotel quarantine. We were overwhelmed by the generosity of people in our partner churches, sending us games to play and offers of help and bringing round food. However, the one parcel that particularly warmed our hearts was a gift of books for the boys from a lady we had never met, who only knew of us because her church supports us. It reminded us of Paul’s example of praying for and caring for those that you don’t know but who are engaged in gospel ministry. It was such a joy. Hotel quarantine turned out to be a restful, joyful time for us all after a busy spell in South Africa.’ Authentic gospel partnerships often span great distances, but they are also relational, two-way and practical. There should never be cause to think ‘out of sight out of mind’. Rupert Shelley is Director of Mission Partnerships at Crosslinks. To find out more about gospel partners with mission partners and project partners through Crosslinks, click here.

often hears the affirmation that societies, in the Western world in particular, are living in a 'post-truth present any convincing evidence to confirm his claim is proof that actually we do not live in a 'post-truth The fact of the matter is quite simple: those who deny that truth is attainable are making a statement Telling the truth is not a fantasy, even less is it a bid to exert an unjustifiable authority and power To buy 'To Tell the Truth' by J. Andrew Kirk click here ___________ Revd.

Andrew Kirk's 'To Tell the Truth' Basic Questions and Best Explanations. book is a cogent, bare hands approach to issues raised by western secular societies sceptical of the truth Much earlier, Jesus tells us that “by their fruit you shall know them,” the truth or falsity of our mental This book tells us why. To buy this book click here _____________ Dr.

basic groups and confirmation classes...It remains an invaluable way of imprinting basic Christian truth additional material, and no doubt imparted using contemporary teaching methods, it will continue to offer a well-tested

female” in the act of creation, we run the risk of ignoring the significance of the act of the fall, as well a thicker, richer doctrine of creation—one that accounts for creation as both an historical act as well Learning to read the story well—piecing together the biblical mosaic in the right order—helps us see

But here’s the big question—how do we read the Bible well, so we meet the real Jesus, and not some fake Meeting the real Jesus matters—especially if we want to live well in Jesus’ world. Part of reading the big story well means recognising that the story has an overall shape made up of key To shift metaphors from the art gallery to the theatre, reading the biblical drama well means noticing 1.8.1. [2] When understood correctly, I think the language of “performance” or “improvisation” works well

This involves advocacy of the truth of God's word and achieving a genuinely 'Christian mind' about the who we are now, “children of light” (“the fruit of light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth In its own words, it spells out its mission, in a “post-truth” world,...to help you make sense of the It opens up a wide variety of different stances, usually well-argued. His latest book To tell the truth can be found here

Truth v Fantasy One of the most challenging sections, at least for me, was the German pastor’s insistence God is not a God of the emotions but the God of truth.’ Suffice it to say that the basis of the community of the Spirit is truth rather than desire, agape love Where his truth enjoins me to dissolve a fellowship for love's sake, there I will dissolve it, despite world that hankers for authentic relationships - they must be ones full of grace, physical presence, truth

Through her, I heard the gospel and realised that this was truth. It came with a ‘downside’: Christ could tell me the truth about spirituality, but that truth was that I also read a lot of Anselm; his Prayers and Meditations as well as his theological works.

Those standing in the tradition of the Reformers are known for their commitment to truth, but rarely Worse, might beauty deceive, leading us away from the truth (2 Cor 11:14)? we primarily know or believe or think about; rather, our telos is what we want, what we long for, what To take preaching, for example, we do not only want to ‘know the truth,’ or ‘explain the Bible,’ as vital knowledge impartation and more about (re-)persuading our hearts, in the power of the Spirit, of the truth

most likely written by Thomas Cranmer, covers a lot of ground but there are three things that are well Wonderful story telling. Or great sense of humour that has “power to turn”. Third, “there is no truth nor doctrine, necessary for our justification and everlasting salvation, but that is, or may be, drawn out of that fountain and well of truth.”