Bible Commentary

Over the past few months, various people have asked me about Bible commentaries so that they can have a better insight into the scriptures, especially those which we hear on a weekly basis in church.

Bible commentaries are important tools for the study of scripture and offer verse-by-verse analysis, historical context, and theological interpretation, written by scholars and pastors.

There are many commentaries available and it can sometimes seem daunting when faced with such a large choice. However, a good starting point on a weekly basis is https://enduringword.com. The website allows you to easily select the book and chapter that you’d like commentary notes for.

Team Ministry

We heard very recently that the scheme to establish a new team ministry has been approved and will come into effect on the 1st of March. We’ll have a service in the coming weeks to give thanks for this and our Christian witness in this part of Devon as we move forward.

The team ministry seeks to enable churches, people and communities to work together to provide ministry across a large area. It has collaboration and cooperation at its heart as it seeks to find ways for the local church to share resources.

What this will probably look like on the ground is parishes teaming up in clusters, where appropriate, sharing resources and discerning what God is calling them to do in their communities, whilst also having more than an eye on the wider Church too.  Let’s not forget that as well as the local church, we are part of The Church, which is global or to put it another way… universal.

A key element of us acting like the body of Christ… one body, with many parts… in this part of Devon is the empowering, equipping and resourcing of people to exercise their skills and gifts in Christian ministry.  There has perhaps been a tendency in the Church for the Vicar to do everything and sometimes clergy have colluded with this.  Each one of us has a baptismal vocation and so each one of us is called to take our part in serving God in this part of Devon. Discipleship and prayer and good communication links are key to the success of the opportunity before us.

My hopes and longings are for a Church which is set free to serve God using all the resources He has given us and through which the Holy Spirit blows encouragement for people to discover their giftings and then to use them.  I long too for a Church which goes outside of its ‘comfort zone’ to take risks for the sake of the Gospel.  The team ministry encourages us to do all these things… let’s not lose the opportunity so richly given to us, but let’s boldly walk this path together as fellow pilgrims and disciples of Christ!

Antonia Tregenza

Your friend and Rector

Matthew Tregenza