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selvaratnam.bsky.social
Developing the next generation of Christian leaders, church planters and missioners in the North of England with sthild.org, sthildplanting.org, archbishopsevangelists.org and asburyseminary.edu. Usual disclaimers. linktr.ee/selvaratnam 🇬🇧🇱🇰
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A stunning projection on the side of @yorkminster.bsky.social.

I see you ‘Craft of Church Planting’!

“Nothing about us without us” #Ukraine

Today—hearing the nominee for the next Bishop of Durham has withdrawn, alongside recent resignations of the Bishop of Liverpool & the Archbishop of Canterbury, safeguarding challenges, & declining confidence in the Church in society & the press—I am praying Jesus' prayer that his church 'be one'.

#GeneralSynod begins tomorrow with prayers of lament, setting the tone for a significant gathering. The agenda includes a response to the Matkin Review, key decisions on safeguarding independence & debates on mission & ministry, amidst recent senior resignations & ongoing disagreements on sexuality.

So inspired to hear from Peter Dunn last night at Seedbed, speaking about Disciple Making Movements in the UK and internationally. Biglife has grown in 20 years from one small group to 80,000. A powerful example of how discipleship can multiply through simple, intentional obedience.

Fancy a missional tonic at General #Synod? ✝️ Join us for what will be a great short lunchtime fringe meeting presenting new, encouraging research on discipleship and pioneering mission on Tuesday (11 Feb) starting at 13.15. Details on the image; to book, email [email protected].

Two SCM books discussed here: New Churches: A Theology scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/978033... and The Craft of Church Planting by @selvaratnam.bsky.social (currently £12, incidentally) scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/978033...

‘… christian looks at guilds as a way of training for the craft of church planting and calls for imagination and improvisation. it’s really inspired and was what he looked at in his phd and written a book on so he has done a deep dive into it.’ Thanks @jonnybaker.bsky.social

‘We survivors do not want our past to be our children’s future.’ Roman Kent, speaking at the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. #Auschwitz80

Yesterday, I was at a church in Aarhus, Denmark 🇩🇰, speaking at their morning service. During the worship, Amanda turned to me and said, “It’s like singing the IKEA catalogue!” (P.S. Yes, I know #IKEA is Swedish 🇸🇪, but it’s still funny!)

Half of Aarhus Valgmenighed church in Billabd Denmark is under the age of 30… and they also have this! Coincidence?

Hey #KLM, I’m flying from Schiphol to Billund and just witnessed one of your gate staff at C8 approaching only non-white passengers (myself included) to suggest they needed to check their cabin baggage. This is unacceptable behaviour.

This is great news for St Hild and future students.

This month I shall be mostly reviewing @selvaratnam.bsky.social and others...

Great to see this report out. Lots of data including this about resource churches “Their combined adult AWA increased by 11% & their child AWA by 19% in 2023... 29% of the Provincial adult AWA growth & 42% of the child AWA growth was in resource church networks. faithinthenorth.org/new-in-the-n...

Happy 60th birthday to the most capable and wonderful women I ever met! Love you, Amanda.

My book, The Craft of Chufch Planting, is currently on sale @scmpress.bsky.social for just £12! scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/978033...

York Knavesmire is looking stunning for #Parkrun today.

Have you watched Wicked? Hollywood Golden Era vibes with Harry Potter magic in the style of High School Musical—loved it!

I'm looking to give away a free copy of my newest book which I co-edited with some fabulous people. Published by @scmpress.bsky.social it contains rich and challenging chapters from a range of authors many part of @churchesengland.bsky.social networks. Repost over the month of Jan and be a winner!!!

I’ve just submitted a chapter, ‘Social Dynamics Within the Mixed Ecology of Church—Insights from Paul’s Body of Christ Metaphor and Catholic Social Teaching’, for a book on church planting theology. It explores the ‘mixed ecology of church’, suggesting it be reframed as a social ecology of churches.

Happy Kings Day!

A Christmas Oratorio by W. H. Auden … The Christmas Feast is already a fading memory, And already the mind begins to be vaguely aware Of an unpleasant whiff of apprehension at the thought Of Lent and Good Friday which cannot, after all, now Be very far off.

Reflecting on 2024 with Psalm 90 from the #BCP Psalter: “Lord, thou hast been our refuge: from one generation to another. For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday: seeing that is past as a watch in the night. So teach us to number our days: that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”

“One of the most noteworthy trends in this church-planting movement is the rise of bi-vocational leaders taking the initiative to establish new churches”, says @bradleybrisco.bsky.social. I agree and wonder if this will become the prevailing norm for all ordained ministry.

Visiting my daughter for Christmas. A packed house at St. Mary’s Kelvedon for their Christmas Eve carol service—a wonderful example of a Christian presence in every community.

I’ve been disappointed with #DoctorWho episodes in recent years. So, instead, I’m going to (re)watch the classic episodes (1963–), which are on iPlayer, beginning with ‘The War Games’, which has just been colourised and airs tonight on BBC4. www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/...

How have I only just discovered BBC's Wolf Hall! I'm loving Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell.