Challenging Times

A couple of years ago, when we started working with the Evangelical Alliance on Slipstream, it consisted of a monthly podcast (presented by Krish Kandiah and myself), and a regular monthly email newsletter (e-letter).

Over the past two years, the way people use the Internet has continued to change, and our understanding of how best to deliver the Slipstream resources has also been changing.

In the future, the main way the Slipstream resources will be delivered will be through the e-letter. Users identified email as their preferred way to receive information. This will be more frequent, shorter, and will not have a regular schedule, but will be sent out when there is something specific to say – a new resource, an upcoming event etc.

(There is also a Facebook page and an RSS feed for Slipstream.)

Slipstream will continue to publish new video and audio resources. You will be able to find these on the Evangelical Alliance’s Slipstream web site, but we won’t be carrying them here on the ‘Facing the Challenge’ site.

Visit the Slipstream web site

Biblefresh is a new initiative to encourage and resource churches and Christians in the UK to put the Bible front and centre. At a time when – according to research from the Bible Society – only one in seven church-going Christians even opens a Bible other than in a church service, this has to be a good thing.

It describes itself as:

… a partnership of over fifty agencies, festivals, colleges and denominations who are joining forces to help you grow in appetite and confidence in the scriptures during the year 2011, to coincide with the 400th anniversary celebration of the King James version of the Bible. Biblefresh offers a whole host of ideas and resources to inspire and equip you, your church and your community to read, study, meditate, listen, learn and live the Bible.

Although the main focus will be on 2011 (the four hundredth anniversary of the first English ‘Authorised version’ Bible), there’s a series of launch meetings going on across the country now, spearheaded by my friend Krish Kandiah, Director for Churches in Mission at the Evangelical Alliance.

February’s Slipstream resources are now online, including talks by Krish and by Tom Wright, Bishop of Durham, at the Biblefresh launch event in Durham recently, as well as audio and video resources about putting the Bible at the centre, from David Jackman, Vaughan Roberts and Tom Wright.

Go here to listen and watch.

The December 2009 Slipstream podcast is now online. It comes from the Evangelical Alliance’s Digimission Day – an event to explore how technology is shaping faith, church and mission.

More and more of us are spending time online – on social networks, blogs, Twitter, and more. Digimission explores how the new digital technologies change the mission of the Church. Are social media a distraction from mission or a new mission field? There is a collection of really helpful talks from, and interviews with, Adrian Warnock, Jonny Baker, Maggi Dawn, Mark Meynell and Krish Kandiah.

Go here to listen.

The March Slipstream podcast is now online. It includes an interview with Tim Hughes – songwriter, worship leader, and founder of Worship Central.

It also has me talking to Krish Kandiah about the Evangelical Alliance’s new Square Mile initiative.

Go here to listen

The February Slipstream podcast is now online, featuring Ruth Valerio. Ruth is the author of ‘L is for Lifestyle: Christian living that doesn’t cost the Earth.’ She’s also the director of A Rocha’s ‘Living Lightly 24-1′ project, which describes itself as:

‘… a simpler, greener lifestyle commitment from A Rocha UK. It offers a renewed vision of the world and alternative way of living; a virtual Christian community. It says that it isn’t a long list of ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts,’ but a journey of discovery, seeking to live with delight and gentleness in God’s World.’

This edition of Slipstream includes a review of Ruth’s book ‘L is for Lifestyle,’ by James Bemrose.

Go here to listen.

The Slipstream podcast for September is now online, featuring David Jackman, the president of the Proclamation Trust, and founder-director of the Cornhill Training Course. David is the author of many books.

Go here to listen

This programme also talks about Krish Kandiah’s new book ‘Fresh,’ for Christian students starting at University.

‘As fresh as its title, this is a brilliant introduction to student life, in accessible, daily bite-size chunks of Christian wisdom. Down to earth and thoroughly realistic, its focus is 100% Biblical and its tone positive and up-beat, full of practical tips and encouragement. Every Christian student needs to read it!’ – David Jackman

For more about Fresh, go to www.freshspace.org – videos, downloads, Facebook group and other resources.

Go here to buy Fresh (IVP books).

‘What I really want to say to the next generation is: ‘I want you to know your Bibles inside out and upside down in the original languages as thoroughly as you possibly can. I want you to get on your knees and learn how to pray – and not just five minutes here and there, but serious prayer for God’s world, for God’s people… and the third thing is, I want you to learn how to love people.’

In July our guest on Slipstream – the leaders’ podcast produced by Focus for the Evangelical Alliance, will be Tom Wright, Bishop of Durham. Bishop Tom is the author of many books, most recently, ‘Surprised by Hope,’ which is reviewed on the programme. Listen to the trailer: