New £3.9m church build starts in Portsmouth

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New £3.9m church build starts in Portsmouth

The new build is designed to better accommodate Lock Heath Free Church’s activities and serve their wider community.

They have been planning a site move for eight and a half years. Having purchased the land, construction finally started this week.

The new building will have an auditorium which seats 500, a sports hall, a café, large foyer and staff offices. There will also be a separate 180-seat auditorium, several multi-use rooms, a pre-school area and a youth suite.

The project is being funded through personal gifts from the church family, the sale of a church property, fund raising activities, applying for grants and a large mortgage also paid for by the church congregation.

The church’s August newsletter updated the congregation, saying: “After eight years of prayer, planning, giving, fund raising, legal work, meetings, emails, telephone conversations, being overwhelmed, miracles, prophetic words, simply persevering, questions, more meetings and prayer … it has actually started.”

Lock Heath Free Church is also doing a ‘small group challenge’ in which Bible study groups compete to see which one can raise the most money.

They ask for prayer for the team building the church and “that our conversations, hope and focus remain firmly fixed on Jesus”.

Construction is expected to finish around November 2019.

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

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Willow Creek Leaders Your ‘Time Is Up,’ Scot McKnight Says; Church in New Bill Hybels Investigation

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Willow Creek Leaders Your ‘Time Is Up,’ Scot McKnight Says; Church in New Bill Hybels Investigation

(Photo: Willow Creek Association)

Willow Creek Community Church has said that a new investigation into the alleged sexually abusive behavior of former Pastor Bill Hybels will be launched.

Heather Larson, the evangelical megachurch’s executive pastor, told The New York Times in a statement Monday following the latest allegations against Hybels: “It was heartbreaking yesterday to read about the new allegation against Bill Hybels in The New York Times. We have deep sadness for Ms. Baranowski. The behavior that she has described is reprehensible.”

Pat Baranowski, who says she served as Hybels’ gatekeeper in the 1980s, told the publication that Hybels undressed and groped her on multiple occasions.

Baranowski said that the married pastor also performed oral sex on her, and that she was “unable to say no” to her boss.

The woman revealed that she agreed to keep the situation a secret because she loved Willow Creek and its people and did not want to cause harm.

Hybels, who resigned prematurely in April following previous accusations of sexual misconduct made by several women, again denied that he did anything wrong.

“I never had an inappropriate physical or emotional relationship with her before that time, during that time or after that time,” he said in a statement.

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – The Christian Post.

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Deptford church-goers rally round after boy dies in suspected arson fire

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Deptford church-goers rally round after boy dies in suspected arson fire

The seven-year-old, named as Joel Urhie by his father John Uhrie, lost his life in a blaze at a house on Adolphus Street in Deptford.

Speaking to reporters at the scene, he said: “It’s terrible, the pain we cannot forget.”

 

Vicar of nearby St Nicholas Church, Rev Louise Codrington-Marshall told Premier: “Obviously, we’re all shocked and grieved at this sad news and our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time.

“We’ll be praying for them at church and lighting candles and supporting the family the best we can.”

The fire was first reported to emergency services at 3.25am on Tuesday.

Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

 

Neighbours described hearing screams from the property.

Two women were taken to hospital with non-threatening injuries after jumping from a first floor window.

Rev Codrington-Marshall added: “I’ve spoken to one of my parishioners who lives along that street.

Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

 

“She said she was out until 3am, lots of people were shouting and trying to assist. The fire was too great so they had to wait for the fire brigade in the end.”

Around 35 firefighters and six engines responded to the blaze, which was brought under control by 4.50am.

Treating the fire as suspicious, the Metropolitan Police has launched an arson investigation.

No arrests have been made.

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Bill Hybels and the illusion of “private” sin

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Bill Hybels and the illusion of “private” sin

Bill Hybels is making headlines again. The New York Times tells the story of a woman who worked as his personal assistant at Willow Creek Community Church. She is now describing multiple occasions in which he behaved toward her in extremely inappropriate ways I will not describe here.

Hybels denies her allegations. “I never had an inappropriate physical or emotional relationship with her before that time, during that time or after that time,” he stated in an email to the Times. He has already taken early retirement following other allegations of misconduct. Ten women in total have now made such accusations.

Willow Creek’s elders have stated: “We now believe Bill entered into areas of sin related to the allegations that have been brought forth.” Yesterday, the church announced that it plans to launch a new independent investigation into the charges against Hybels.

After Hybels took early retirement, Steve Carter became Lead Teaching Pastor at Willow Creek last October. He resigned his position on Sunday, stating that he and church elders disagree about ways the church can move forward. “I cannot, in good conscience, appear before you as your Lead Teaching Pastor when my soul is so at odds with the institution,” he wrote in a letter to the congregation.

The personal assistant making the latest allegations against Hybels worked with him some thirty years ago. Whether we believe he is guilty or not, we should take note of this fact: the public consequences of personal sin can come to light years after the sin is committed.

A satanic strategy

Satan loves to tempt us to sin, then use the consequences of our sins against us. But he wants these consequences to devastate us and the people of God as much as possible.

I think he sometimes waits until Christian leaders are even more visible so that their public disgrace can be even more traumatic. The higher we climb a ladder, the farther we have to fall.

We can see this in the timing of the…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Denison Forum.

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Giant scarecrow version of Pope is star of festival

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Giant scarecrow version of Pope is star of festival

The pontiff is due to visit the Republic later this month.

The massive model of Pope Francis in his popemobile was created by a group of men in Durrow, Co Laois, for the popular annual Durrow Scarecrow Festival.

 

Chairwoman of the Durrow Development Forum, Evelyn Clancy, said there had been a huge amount of interest from across Ireland.

The festival is known for its topical depictions, from Donald Trump to King Kong.

Niall Carson/PA Wire

 

Ms Clancy added: “People expect it, King Kong was higher than a two-storey house, people have that expectation from this group of men.”

The talented and creative group behind the creation includes engineers and carpenters who have put many evenings of work into their scarecrow.

Niall Carson/PA Wire

 

Chairman of the Conahy Vintage Club, Michael Bergin, told the Leinster Express they enjoyed the camaraderie.

“We always think that big is beautiful.

“There was work for everybody in it from steel to straw, overalls, shoes down to making tea and having a chat. You make it up as you go along.”

Niall Carson/PA Wire

 

The group added lights to the popemobile and when you press a button the scarecrowPope waves.

Money raised from visitors to the festival is reinvested in the community, Ms Clancy said.

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Willow Creek church founder Bill Hybels faces new investigation after fresh harassment claims

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Willow Creek church founder Bill Hybels faces new investigation after fresh harassment claims

Speaking with the New York Times, Bill Hybels’ former executive assistant Pat Baranowski accused the former leader of Willow Creek Community Church near Chicago of sexually and emotionally abusing her during the 1980s.

Lead pastor Heather Larson said the probe would be given “full autonomy” and overseen by an advisory board of “external” Christian leaders from across the US.

 

In a meeting held in April, Hybels announced he was stepping aside as a leader of Willow Creek with immediate effect.

Addressing his former congregation, the evangelical leader admitted naivety by placing himself too frequently “in situations that would have been far wiser to avoid.”

As many as ten women have now come forward to accuse Hybels of inappropriate behaviour, including prolonged hugs, comments about their appearance and invitations to his hotel rooms during a number of years.

www.steveryancarter.com

 

The women took their claims to the press, after two investigations initiated by leaders at Willow Creek found no wrongdoing.

Hybels told the New York Times he denied Ms Baranowski’s allegations. He has refuted previous claims made against him, calling some ‘flat-out lies’.

A member of the Willow Creek leadership team, Rev Steve Carter (pictured above) quit his post on Sunday, citing concerns over how church officials have handled the allegations made against…

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Nine Key Statistical Insights from Churches in 2018

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Podcast Episode #456

SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play • iHeart Radio

Tony Morgan joins us to discuss statistical trends he’s finding in churches today and what those trends can mean for your church in the future.

Some highlights from today’s episode include:

  • Churches shouldn’t settle when it comes to attendance, but try to get members to become more regularly engaged.
  • Building a bigger building might not the best way for your church to reach more people.
  • Churches are starting to engage students as volunteers in ministry and seeing them connect better to the church as a result.
  • When your church starts to track different metrics, it forces discussions on intentionality of service and evangelism.

The nine statistical insights we discuss are:

  1. Churches are averaging 1.7% YOY attendance growth
  2. 18% of churches are multisite
  3. 45% of the congregation are serving monthly
  4. Average baptism rate is 6.4% (16:1 ratio)
  5. 60% of congregation are involved in groups
  6. Per capita giving is 47%
  7. 50% of budget is for staffing
  8. 1:61 staff to attendance ratio
  9. 56% of church staff are part time

Episode Sponsors

Vanderbloemen Search Group is the premier pastor search firm dedicated to helping churches and ministries build great teams. They’ve helped hundreds of churches just like yours find their church staff and are uniquely geared to help you discern who God is calling to lead your church.

For more information, visit WeStaffTheChurch.com.

The ministry landscape is changing,…

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Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Thom Rainer.

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Joyce Meyer Daily 7 August 2018 Devotional — Today May Be “One of Those Days”

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Joyce Meyer Daily 7 August 2018 Devotional — Today May Be “One of Those Days”

Topic: Today May Be “One of Those Days” [Joyce Meyer’s Devotional Tuesday August 7, 2018]

And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. — Luke 10:39

Have you ever had “one of those days” where nothing went right, yet you were hesitant to pray because you didn’t know where God might lead you? God won’t always ask you to do something; sometimes He just wants to talk to you.

If He does ask you to do something, He will anoint you to do it. You will enjoy the presence of His power, and someone will be blessed by your obedience. Those are the best days of your life. Take time to pray this morning. Today may be “one of those days” that God has a special assignment for you.

Prayer Starter: Father, I offer myself up to You today. I want to delight in Your presence…and fulfill Your good plan for my day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Joyce Meyer Daily Devotional HERE’’

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries.

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MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional 7 August 2018

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TOPIC: Besetting Sins (Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Tuesday, 7 August 2018)

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 12:1-2

MEMORY VERSE: “Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.” – Song of Solomon 2:15

The MESSAGE:

Sin has a very strong persuasive power to ensnare. The sins that easily ensnare differ from one person to another and oftentimes, many of us are not aware of them. To some, it may be destructive habits that started innocently and unconsciously but gradually grows and takes firm roots until it enters the blood stream and becomes a regular feature of one’s life. Unless forcefully ejected from the blood through the help of the Holy Spirit, the captive remains ensnared for life. To some, it may be seemingly harmless attitude like refusal of insults and unpleasant remarks, which over time would grow to intolerance and pride. To others, it may be sincere friendship with the opposite sex, which gradually grows to unguarded close relationship, until the devil takes advantage of the situation to plant the seed of lust and execute his destructive agenda of luring them into fornication or adultery. Every one of us should carefully watch out for those easily ensnaring sins in our lives and deal ruthlessly with them. David as a youth was able to kill Goliath, the giant, but could not kill the urge to commit adultery with Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife. Saul led the Israelites to defeat the Ammonites who encamped against Jabesh-gilead but could not defeat the spirit of envy and jealousy against David when the women praise singers ascribed more honour to David after killing Goliath and the Philistines. There are several examples of ensnaring sins in the Scriptures for us to learn from. We need to carefully examine our individual lives and uproot anything that contradicts the word of God.

The Bible, in Hebrews 12:12-16, encourages us to renew our spiritual vitality. The counsel in this passage enjoins us to strengthen the hands which hang down and the feeble knees that make straight paths for our feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. You need to be more spiritually vibrant and watchful. We are also encouraged to follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. This will empower us to uproot every bitterness, envy, jealousy, and unfriendly attitude. Search diligently for your weaknesses and deal ruthlessly with them, so that you do not fall short of the grace of God. And the God of peace shall bruise satan under your feet continually. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ abound for you. Amen.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
SIN HAS A VERY STRONG PERSUASIVE POWER TO ENSNARE. RESIST IT.

PROPHETIC WORD:
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ shall abound for you in this sinking world.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING
1. Hidden sins in my life, be exposed and die, in the name of Jesus.
2. Spirit of humility and holiness, enter my life afresh, in the name of Jesus.
3. Power to let go of destructive habits, enter me now, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING
4. Spiritual slumber, I cast you out of my life by fire, in the name of Jesus.
5. Snares of the devil fashioned against my life, catch fire and burn to ashes, in the name of Jesus.
6. I shall not frustrate the grace of God upon my life, in the name of Jesus.
7. Holy Spirit, breathe afresh upon me, in the name of Jesus.

“If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional HERE”

MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries, Worldwide)

Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

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Gateways to Contacting the Spirit of Faith! by David Oyedepo

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Gateways to Contacting the Spirit of Faith! by David Oyedepo

Topic: Gateways to Contacting the Spirit of Faith!

Welcome to August! I believe everyone is still flowing in the realm of the supernatural as unveiled all through the month of July, 2018 and may we receive grace to maintain the flow! This month, we shall focus on the subject of faith as it relates to our lives as believers. However, this week, we shall examine the topic: Gateways to Contacting the Spirit of Faith! From scriptures, we discover that the Spirit of faith is one of the components of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 4:13). Also, it is the master key to a world of unlimited possibilities(Hebrews 11:33-34). It is also important to recognise that we need the Spirit of faith to fulfil our glorious destinies in Christ because the exploits that God will wrought in our lives cannot be handled by human imagination.

What then, is Unique about the Spirit of Faith?

It Empowers us to Believe All Things: It takes the Spirit of faith to believe all things and we are only empowered to become what we believe (John 1:12; Mark 9:23; Acts 24:14). It is important to understand that the spirit of fear cannot survive where the Spirit of faith dwells. Thus, it is the level to which the Spirit of faith is at work in our lives that determines what God does (Luke 1:45).

It is a Speaking Spirit: The Spirit of faith speaks the unspeakable through us to commit God to intervene (Matthew 10:20; 2 Corinthians 4:13). The Spirit of faith also speaks through us what our hearts cannot conceive. For instance, when Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego determined not to bow to king Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image, they were not the ones who spoke but the Spirit of faith (Daniel 3:16-18).

It is a transferable Spirit: It is important to understand that the Spirit of faith is transferrable from generation to generation. For instance, it was said about Elisha that “the spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha.” Also, as regards John, the scripture says that he shall go forth in the spirit and power of Elijah. Therefore, we can be imparted with the Spirit of faith from those who carry it (2 Kings 2:15; Luke 1:17). Thus, a crave for the Spirit of faith is vital to fulfilling our glorious destinies in Christ (Ephesians 6:16).

What, then, are the Gateways to Encountering the Spirit of Faith?

Coveting the Spirit of Faith: Among the nine gifts of the Spirit is faith. It is written: To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way (1 Corinthians 12:9/31). The Spirit of faith cannot be purchased with money but can be acquired by coveting it earnestly. There was transference of Spirit from Elijah to Elisha because the latter desperately coveted it (2 Kings 2:9, 15). Therefore, if we locate anybody operating in the level of faith we desire, we must go after him/her to possess it.

Having a Genuine Thirst: Every empowerment of the Spirit demands a desperate thirst, a longing and a panting (Psalm 63:1-2; Isaiah 44:3-4). Therefore, we must desperately desire an encounter with the Spirit of faith before we can experience the impartation.

Feeding on the Word of God: We must understand that it is not enough to possess the Spirit of faith; we have a responsibility to keep that Spirit alive and working. The Spirit of faith can be likened to a bonfire, which must be fed with wood to keep it alive. Thus, we keep the bonfire of the Spirit of faith alive via God’s Word (Leviticus 6:12-13). When we do not feed the Spirit of faith, we starve and grieve it, and if we are not careful, it may be quenched. Thus, no Word-lazy believer can sustain the operation of the Spirit of faith because it draws its strength from the Word.

By Access to the Voice of God: This is a direct access to the voice of God. It is proven that no one hears God and still doubts Him. When God speaks, the Spirit of faith, which destroys all doubts, is fired into us. This was practically demonstrated in Exodus 14:15-16, when God told Moses to tell the children of Israel to move forward. Though Moses had never seen the sea part before, when God spoke, the Spirit of faith entered into him and brought him into the realm of peace that passes all understanding. As it is written: For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his (Hebrews 4:10). Also, we must realise that God speaks to us in three major ways:

Through the verses of Scriptures (Isaiah 34:16).

By His Spirit (Revelation 2:7; John 16:12-14).

Through His Prophets (Hosea 12:10; Luke 4:27).

In conclusion, the Spirit of faith is one of the best gifts of the Spirit. This is because it puts us in command of the issues of life, which are of concern to others. Also, the Spirit of faith is unquenchable by the forces of darkness because it is ever in charge of situations and circumstances. However, it is important to understand that faith is no cheap talk; it is hard work. This is why we must take personal responsibility to keep the Spirit of faith alive and active in our lives by constantly feeding on the Word daily. However, this can only be possible when you are a bonafide child of God. Are you born again? If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood.

Today, I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!” For further reading, please get my books: Unlimited Power of Faith, Exploits of Faith, Born to Win and Satan get Lost. I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:20 p.m. respectively. I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail: [email protected]; Face book: www.facebook.com/davidoyedepoministries/; Twitter: @DavidOyedepoMin

Please click HERE to read other inspiring MESSAGES by Bishop David Oyedepo

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