I don’t exactly know when my accent changed. All I know is that it has. I sound nothing like the lad that grew up in a wee Ayrshire village…in fact, I’m actually at the stage where speaking Ayrshire Scots, my original tongue, requires a conscious effort. I know why my accent changed. On one hand, … More City on a Hill: Culture Creep
Community is not something that happens by a week on Tuesday. It is something which is forged in the fire, hammered into shape, and made strong! In other words, it is intentional; it takes time; and often involves a bit of stress and pressure! Why? It’s hard to step out of the rampant individualism of … More City on a Hill: Building Community
I’m a firm believer in missional living. What I mean by that is each disciple knowing and acting upon the call to live out our Christian life and message in the context of the world. Christianity, by nature, is shaped by mission. We always have our eyes on the horizon of how God is working … More City on a Hill: Out and In
I guess one of my jobs as a pastor is to be looking down the line and prayerfully exploring how we need to shape up to meet the challenges that are coming in the context of mission. Two things converged recently – one by mistake, and one through prayer. The mistake was announcing that, ‘from … More City on a Hill
I’ve done lots of things today, but the gospel has been on my mind. In particular, the doctrine of regeneration. Regeneration is kind of a lost doctrine, and in some ways, evangelicalism has led to its weakening. Sometimes the gospel has been preached just to collect ‘decisions’ for Christ. The truth is that you can … More Renovation of the Heart
If you spent your life living out Romans 12: 9 – 21 you’d be doing a good thing. Here we have 13 verses of instruction on living the Christian life which stands on its own, but is supported by all of Paul’s other writings, and also bears true in his own story. The key principle … More Weapons of Our Warfare
Jesus, all for JesusAll I am and haveAnd ever hope to be All of my ambitionsHopes and plansI surrender theseInto your handsFor its only inYour will that I am free This was my anthem in 2010 in particular. Jesus, who had made himself known to me powerfully in 1996 was inviting me to refocus my … More All For Jesus
The first appointment post-training for Salvation Army officers back in the day was a three year appointment. They sent us away from training after a year to our first appointment because we both had previous theological and ministry experience and, though we ended up being presented late to the appointments committee, a perfect little appointment … More Blood and Fire in North Somerset!
It was the early 2000s and I’m starting out on the front line of mission in Glasgow’s East End. My ‘patch’ (or my allotted ‘corps district’ in Sally Army parlance) runs east from Buchanan Street in the city centre of Glasgow, and the communities of Townhead, Calton, The Barras, a bit of Bridgetown, centred in … More Blood and Fire!
One of the joys of Christian life over the long haul is the way that we begin to layer our understanding of God in light of new information and experience. Well – perhaps I should qualify that: if we are growing and invested in our discipleship that might be the case. I’m 43; 27 years … More The Long View
Andrew S M Clark 