iChaplain

What if the church's discomfort with evangelism is telling us something important? Few words make Christians more uncomfortable than evangelism.  For some, it evokes memories of pressure, awkward conversations, or techniques designed to persuade. For others, it raises feelings of guilt and inadequacy. We know Jesus commissioned his followers to make disciples, yet many churches struggle to know what faithful evangelism looks like in today's world. This is not to deny that there are times when evangelism requires words. The New Testament is full of examples of faithful and courageous proclamation. Peter preached publicly at Pentecost (Acts 2:14–41) and before hostile authorities (Acts 4:8–20). Paul reasoned in synagogues and marketplaces (Acts 17:17), defended the gospel before rulers (Acts 24–26), and declared, "I am not ashamed of the gospel" (Romans 1:16). Yet alongside these examples of proclamation, we find something equally important: communities whose common lif...

A Heart That Acquires, An Ear That Seeks (Proverbs 18:15) The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out. Proverbs 18:15 presents learning as an intentional pursuit. The discerning heart does not wait passively; it acquires knowledge. The wise do not assume they already know enough; they seek and listen. Learning, then, is not merely an activity of the mind, but a posture of humility, openness, and readiness to be shaped. Learning as Worship: Loving God With the Mind In Christ, learning becomes an expression of worship. To love God with our minds is not limited to formal academic study or careful thinking, though these have their place. It also includes mentoring, lived experience, practice, reflection, and shared life together. Learning, in this sense, is open to everyone and not restricted by age, background, or perceived ability, nor confined to a single season of life. My own relationship with learning has grown over time. Firstly as a stu...

The Challenge of Contributing I did not expect a post about contributing time, energy, or money to need this many rewrites, but here we are. Contributing is complicated, personal, and often more emotive than we realise. This reflection is offered thoughtfully, knowing this is a subject many of us feel more than we explain. It can be difficult, no matter the context. To give is to offer something of ourselves, and very often that is something we hold dear. When we are invited to give, it can touch sensitive and vulnerable places within us. The more precious what we hold feels, the more challenging it can be to release it. This may involve our time, finances, or even a gift or strength we rely on to cope with the demands of life. The Feelings That Sit Beneath Giving Such moments can stir a range of emotions. Feelings of guilt, reluctance, weariness, or even quiet dread may surface. For some, the natural desire to give generously is held in tension with a deep instinct to protect what the...