Thanks Rod. Always good to hear from you. While some of our freedoms are not as generous as they once were, I guess the historical dive reminds us that when you remember what some of our forebears went through (if they want water, they shall have it), you realise we still have so much to be grateful for.

Fair comment Peter. It’s a real issue. I’m not sure it’s about keeping more nominal people out but perhaps it requires those who are Jesus followers to be willing to step up in a whole new way and to be the “church within the church” – an inner core closely covenanted together and fully committed to the mission of the local church and beyond.

Yet, so much of what is taught in our churches today is just human teachings. And sometimes this is done, not from the pulpit, but through unquestioningly following rituals and traditions. Do we teach our congregations that God wants us to put most of our financial and human resources into holding church services in church buildings? Yes. We do. Is this a purely human teaching? Yes. It is.