Useful Websites
Church
Fresh Expressions - www.freshexpressions.org : A fresh expression is a form of church for our changing culture, established primarily for the benefit of people who are not yet members of any church.
Share the Guide - www.sharetheguide.org : Share is for all involved with fresh expressions of church - practitioners, people in training, encouragers, supporters and researchers.
Are you a 21st century missionary? An introduction to Pioneer ministry from Share the Guide.
Methodist Diaconal Order - Deacons are normally appointed to work in Circuits in Great Britain alongside presbyters (commonly known as ministers). Their role focusses on bridging the gap between the church and the world, and has been described as 'standing in the doorway of the church', keeping the door open both ways. Proposals for Team Ministry currently being considered provides an opportunity for the development of the diaconal ministry in Ireland.
Does your Church want to take action on poverty? Just Church is new in Ireland and provides thought provoking study and action materials. www.justchurch.info/
Culture
Centre for Contemporary Christianity in Ireland www.contemporarychristianity.org
Centre for Contemporary Christianity in Ireland - seeking to engage creatively with the change in culture and values that shape our communities in Ireland today.
Facing the Challenge www.facingthechallenge.org Training Christians to understand postmodern culture and respond in an effective, Bible based way with courses, articles, video and audio podcasts. You'll also find 'Seize the Day' podcasts which are all about finding starting points for the Good News of Jesus Christ in our world today.
The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity - www.licc.org.uk Equipping Christians for whole life discipleship in the world
Slipstream is an innovative bundle of resources from the Evangelical Alliance for younger and emerging leaders. Focus produces the Slipstream podcasts, which in 2008 featured leaders such as Terry Virgo, David Jackman, Shane Claiborne, Bishop Tom Wright, and Mark Driscoll.
Would anyone in your community notice if your church ceased to exist?
Square Mile is an Evangelical Alliance initiative which aims to catalyse and equip Christians to take an integrated approach to mission, expressed in four dimensions:
| M ercy: | demonstrating God's compassion to the poor |
| I nfluence: | being salt and light in the public life of the community |
| L ife Discipleship: | equipping Christians for missional living as workers & neighbours |
| E vangelism: | faithful and relevant communication of the gospel |
Faith & Work
From the Methodist Church in Great Britain:
The Methodist Diaconal Order's Faith and Work Group has been offering encouragement and support to deacons as they enable and educate lay people for their ministry and mission in the world of work. The have produced a series of downloadable worksheets which offer a range of reflections, ideas, skills and resources. They aim to raise the awareness of and support “the people of God in the world” in their ministry at work, both paid and voluntary.
...more to be added shortly
If you can suggest any links which would be useful in this section please email online@irishmethodist.org
