This sermon was given on 24 July 2018 at Niddrie Community Church as part of their baptism service.

I want us to begin today thinking about some of the basics when it comes to counselling, the Christian, and the local church. Paul Tripp says that very many of us, and probably most Christians we know, live in what he describes as the gospel gap of the here and now. So, people have a […]

Poverty can be a tricky thing to get your mind around. Our church’s ministry brings me (Mike) into contact with different kinds of people in need. In one suburb nearby, we distribute food to Latin American immigrants who may not have the legal standing to pursue government assistance. In another suburb, we work with people […]

This is the second in Paul Washer's ‘Recovering The Gospel’ trilogy of books. The book is divided into three parts and comes in at a relatively short 181 pages in total. Here he looks at the biblical call to repentance, explaining its eight essential characteristics. We are in a battle, and he helpfully reminds us: […]

Friends have been recommending Paul Washer to me for some time. I find that the fella is a bit like Marmite in the Christian world, insomuch that people either seem to love him or hate him. Those who dislike him find him ‘too polemic’ (which is generally posh speak for black and white). The schemes […]

I often get asked how and why we have so many contacts and have so many unchurched people attending our services throughout the week. The answer is quite simple: 1. We pray for people. Are you really praying for people in your area, consistently, specifically, and intelligently? When I first came to Niddrie, I started […]

In the interests of full disclosure, this is a book written by a pal of mine. We’re not best mates or anything, but I have met the guy a few times and I like him a lot. He writes a blog here and he is also the new Director of the Council for Biblical Manhood […]

Very often, I am asked what my ‘position’ is on social justice and/or mercy ministry and the gospel. Usually, I will feign a quizzical look before asking said person, ‘what do you mean by that?’ Generally, what they mean to ask is how I balance ‘loving people and providing for their needs over and against […]

Despite lots of discussion on working with the poor and mercy ministry in many evangelical circles, not much is said about the ‘undeserving’ poor. In other words, those who purposely do not want to work or better their current situation. Shouldn’t Christian ministry focus its attention on those who ‘deserve’ our kindness, particularly in housing […]