Delving Deeper into Easter

With Rev Dr David Instone-Brewer

WEDNESDAY 22nd March 2023 - for men and women at Mulberry House Hotel, Chelmsford Road, High Ongar, CM5 9NL.

10.15am to 2pm approx with tea/coffee from 9.45am and a 2 course lunch at 1.15pm. £26.50 per person. You are welcome to stay on after lunch to relax or have some quiet time in the Pastoral Meeting Room (subject to availability).

3 sessions:

• No-one would invent resurrection: The Gospel was hampered by having to teach Jesus' resurrection, which Jews and Gentiles laughed at. It would have been much easier to say Jesus rose spiritually. And yet they burdened themselves with this message - Why? Most likely, because it was true.

• Participation in Jesus' sufferings: Paul intriguingly says our sufferings can be part of Christ's suffering that saved the world (Col.1.24). This included emptying himself of everything divine so that he suffered and died as a real human (Phil.2.6-11). These ancient concepts, which have been largely forgotten by Protestants, can give meaning and importance to our own suffering.

• Jesus bore our punishment: Talking about God punishing Jesus might give the impression that God is a cruel father. The Bible says that Jesus bore our punishment, but surprisingly it never actually says that God directly punished him - not even in Isaiah 53.

Rev Dr David Instone-Brewer is a Research Fellow of Tyndale House, Cambridge. He trained as both a Baptist minister and a Biblical Studies academic, after abortive training as a scientist. His passion is discovering what believers heard in the Bible millennia ago, and hearing it new today. He agrees with standard creeds and yet his approach feels provocative. David asks unusual questions, and finds answers in the precise Bible text rather than traditional theology. His books range from academic to evangelistic and he features articles regularly in Christianity magazine. He relaxes by watching low-brow movies.

JOIN US AS WE DELVE DEEPER INTO EASTER!

TO BOOK please call 01277 365398 option 4 or email admin@nctuk.org

Rediscovering the Ministry of Blessing

PREVIOUS EVENT WITH RUSS PARKER

WEDNESDAY 18TH MAY 2022 - for men and women at Mulberry House Hotel, Chelmsford Road, High Ongar, CM5 9NL.

The power of blessing is a largely undiscovered and little practised ministry. This day is an opportunity to explore and practise what it means to bless someone. We will be looking at the purpose of blessing and some of the outcomes which Scripture encourages us to expect as a result. As well as teaching on the subject of blessing there will be opportunities in small groups to practise how to bless with effect.

Reverend Dr Russ Parker is Director of 2Restore: Healing Church Wounds, which offers resources to help churches resolve and heal their issues and move forward. Russ was Director of Acorn Christian Healing Foundation from 1995-2013. He was a Baptist Pastor, ordained in the Church of England and had several other clergy related roles. He is also the author of several books and teaches on issues connected with Christian Healing and Healthcare, Reconciliation and Church Transformation. He is also a co-founder of the Community of Aidan and Hilda whose main house is situated on the holy island of Lindisfarne, Northumberland.

10.15am to 2pm approx to better suit those involved in school runs or other activities. 9.45am for tea/coffee and biscuits and a 2 course lunch at 1.15pm. £26.50. You are welcome to stay on after lunch to relax or have some quiet time in the Pastoral Meeting Room (subject to availability).

To book please call 01277 365398 option 4 or email admin@nctuk.org

7 Ways to Pray

PREVIOUS EVENT. This event will now be run by Claire Musters (and not Amy Boucher Pye)

THURSDAY 24TH MARCH 2022 - for men and women at Mulberry House Hotel, Chelmsford Road, High Ongar, CM5 9NL.

For Christians, prayer is the main way we communicate with God - but what if we feel our prayer lives are lacking? A hands-on exploration of 7 Ways to Pray (latest book by Amy Boucher Pye). We’ll be engaging with praying with the Bible, practising the presence of God, hearing God, the prayer of lament and praying with our imaginations. Each session will have time not only to learn about the prayer practice but to have a go with it - and to encounter God.

Claire is a speaker, editor, wife, mum and church leader. Her passion in life is to see people reach their potential in God.

10.15am to 2pm approx to better suit those involved in school runs or other activities. 9.45am for tea/coffee and biscuits and a 2 course lunch at 1.15pm. £26.50 per person. You are welcome to stay on after lunch to relax or have some quiet time in the Pastoral Meeting Room (subject to availability).

To book please call 01277 365398 option 4 or email admin@nctuk.org