By: Stephen McAlpine
I saw this sign on the back of a New Zealand bus (above) and was struck by both the brilliant marketing, as well as the desire for a sense of community that we now simply assume has been lost.
stephen mcalpine
The Fear of Death, and the Death of Fear
By: Stephen McAlpine
Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. (Heb 2:14-15)
When Being Behind The Rest of the World is Dangerous
By: Stephen McAlpine
Moving between Australia and the UK several times in my youth (the 1980s) showed me one thing: Australia was always a couple of years behind the UK and Europe.
Okay Thought Leaders: It’s Time to Stop Bagging Out the “Average Church Member”
By: Stephen McAlpine
2024 would be a good time for “thought leaders” to stop bagging out everyday Christians (if that is even a term).
Is Russell Finally Branding Himself A Christian?
By: Stephen McAlpine
If you haven’t seen the Youtube video of enfant terrible/comedian/possible sexual predator (choose your poison) Russell Brand declaring that he’s getting seriously interested in Christianity – nay, seriously interested in Christ himself – then stop everything and watch it now.
New Year, Old You: Do Liturgical Calendars Help?
By: Stephen McAlpine
You have to laugh at that graphic, right? But for so many people, and I don’t just mean Christians, this is the reality of the decision to lean into a new year and be a “new you”.
The City and The City: Living In Formational And Worshiping Distance
By: Stephen McAlpine
In his novel The City and The City, English author China Mieville sets a murder mystery in two cities, Beszel and Ul Quoma. Bezsel is run down and grimy (think Eastern bloc 1970s), while Ul Quoma is all Singapore glitz and glam.
Christian Leader: Are You a Painting Or a Window?
By: Stephen McAlpine
Paul is not a painting we look at and wish we could be like; rather he is a window to the awesome rescuing grace of the Redeemer. Leader pride produces personality cults, while leader humility stimulates worship of God.
The Right Coloured Ashtrays for Church
By: Stephen McAlpine
You know God’s doing something special when you’re choosing the colour of the ashtrays for the church not the colour of the carpet.