Ali Johnson

#iqtank

Ali Johnson — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 13:46:45 +0000

I have some amazing people in my life. People who inspire me and challenge me to think about my faith and how we can equip ourselves and others to be more like the people God wants us to be. Two of these people are Ron W (@hoosier1964) and Simon S (@vfxhanley), both of these guys are great thinkers. If your not following them you should be.

Something has been happening in our journeys as individuals thats has collied over the past few weeks and out of that was birthed iq tank here is Simons Post….

#iqtank – a modest start

12072011

Met up today with a few folk interested in the #iqtank idea. It was a great conversation and, interestingly, just as random as our twitter conversations!!!

What we would love to do is this:

Encourage a dialogue about mission; and
Discover what it means to live in the mission of God.

This is both a place of learning and practice (we strongly believe that the two can’t be separated)

We are going to start off by inviting people to write blog posts (on their own blog, or guest write on someone else’s) on the question: what does it mean to live in the mission of God?

We will then sign-post people to those blogs and start a conversation either through twitter or on the comments on the actual blog post. We already have about 20 people in mind that we want to ask so if you fancy writing one, or if you have someone in mind – then please do let us know. We also want to start an ‘archives’ blog (or something) that allows people to follow the journey. We are not quite sure the best way to do this so if you have any ideas then let us know.

Other ideas to follow:

Local tweet ups and conversations.
Book reviews.
Video upload ‘conversation starters’
Practical mission ideas that others can participate in.

If you want to join in then just follow #iqtank on twitter and Facebook. If you have stuff you want to tweet or blog about that fits broadly into the headings given above then please feel free to use the #iqtank hashtag (we don’t own it!!) and if you’ve got other suggestions about what #iqtank could do or be then leave a comment or drop me a tweet.

Check it out here http://vfxhanley.wordpress.com/2011/07/12/iqtank-a-modest-start/#comments

I will post more tomorrow about my reflection

Media Monday…What is the Gospel?

Ali Johnson — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 13:18:33 +0000

Many times I have found myself wondering how can I share the gospel. Propaganda nails it. Check it out!!

The A-Z of Discipleship: Biblical

Ali Johnson — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 09:00:17 +0000

The 21st century is strange and wonderful place to be and a difficult place to envision a radical, grace give and whole hearted Christian faith. This series of the A-Z of discipleship will help us try and narrow down a few key concepts of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus in the 21st century.

Biblical

Biblical discipleship should form the foundation for our model of discipleship in the 21st century. Sometimes it easy to justify away or simple ignore the truths that are set before us in bible. In our culture where the bible is being watered down by a culture that in a majority of places views it as out of date and unequivocally boring. We need to however not loose sight of the important place of the bible in 21st century discipleship.

Biblical discipleship is a key element of a fully functioning and complete guide to discipleship. We see in the bible an over arching meta narrative of a God who loves his people and wants to be involved in their lives. We also see the ordinary radicals striving to follow the call of God on their lives. It is important to gain guidance in our discipleship but also encouragement from the people that have gone before us, and their wisdom and knowledge.

The bible contains some of the most wonderful and beautiful stories of love, betrayal and hope. We can use these wonderful teachings and guidance to build a discipleship that is life-giving, risk taking and radical in a culture that just think our faith is life enhancing, safe and boring. A faith that is more likely to be found in the self help section of a book store than religious section.

Media Monday…T Mobile Flashmob

Ali Johnson — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 09:00:44 +0000

It’s Monday morning and time for an easy to start to the week. Check out a lovely bit of media for you viewing pleasure…

I love this as an example of what the church should be like. The way that it draws people in and connects people. Passers by don’t like incredibly uncomfortable or out of place instead they become involved and enjoy the creativity of the moment.

Let me know what you think…

Prayer with Methodist

Ali Johnson — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 09:00:36 +0000

Methodists hold an annual Covenant Service, at which we celebrate all that God has done for us, and affirm that we give our lives and choices to God.

Most churches hold the service in the New Year, but some hold them in September, at the beginning of the Methodist year.

The traditional Covenant prayer (shown below) makes it very clear that this affirmation is a serious one that embraces the whole of our life, in all its parts. Most people find it quite tough to say, and really mean it. But the prayer is so central to the Christian life that other Churches have also adopted it. In our culture we tend to prize our ability to make decisions and choose our own path in life. It can feel very hard to give that up. But this prayer is like a love poem. It is about surrendering to God in love and joy.

I am no longer my own but yours. Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will; put me to doing, put me to suffering; let me be employed for you or laid aside for you, exalted for you or brought low for you; let me be full, let me be empty,let me have all things, let me have nothing; I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to your pleasure and disposal.

Glorious and blessed God,Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are mine and I am yours. So be it. Let this covenant now made on earth be fulfilled in heaven. Amen.

Friday with…G K Chesterton

Ali Johnson — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:00:33 +0000

Gilbert Keith Chesterton (29 May 1874 – 14 June 1936) was an English writer. His prolific and diverse output included philosophy, ontology, poetry, play writing, journalism, public lecturing and debating, biography, Christian apologetics, fantasy and detective fiction. Here it is…

The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried.