Christopher Ash

What do you think about your pastor? Do you chew over his sermons and wonder if they are clear and helpful? Do you feel he spends enough time with you? In fact, do you ever catch yourself wondering what he does all day?The truth is, often we think, What can my pastor do for me? Far less often do we think, What can I do for my pastor?Seasoned former pastor, Christopher Ash, urges church members to think about pastors not just in terms of what they do - how they lead and pray and preach and teach and so on - but about who they are. He encourages us to remember that pastors are people and to pray for them as they serve us.Paradoxically, caring for our pastor will be a blessing to us as well as to them, and create a culture of true fellowship in our church family.

Det finns många böcker för predikanter om hur man predikar, men först nu en bok om hur församlingen lyssnar på predikningarna. I Hör upp! ger Christopher Ash en översikt över sju ingredienser i att lyssna väl. Boken kan också bli en hjälp för pastorer och präster att bli bättre förkunnare, eftersom den väcker idéer om hur församlingen kan hjälpa och uppmuntra sina ledare att hålla predikningar som hjälper åhörarna att växa som kristna. Frågor som besvaras är bland annat: Varifrån kommer en bibellärares auktoritet? Varför är det viktigt att lyssna på bibelundervisning i kyrkan? Hur lär vi oss att finna nöje i gudstjänstens undervisning? Boken är praktisk med fungerande förslag på hur man kan börja använda varje idé. Allt för att hjälpa oss att börja lyssna på rätt sätt, så att Gud genom Bibeln kan göra oss mer och mer lika Jesus. Christopher Ash är verksam vid Tyndale House och i predikantteamet i St. Andrews the Great i Cambridge, England. Han har tidigare varit föreståndare för Cornhill Training Course i London

The Psalms can be sung, spoken or read – but they were written to be prayed. Until we pray them from the heart we miss their purpose. The two volumes of Teaching Psalms aim to get the reader’s heart engaging with this beautiful book of the Bible. If you love, or want to love, or think perhaps you ought to love the Psalms, these volumes are for you. Volume 1 acts as a handbook: – How to pray the Psalms – How to teach the Psalms – The difficulties we face in the Psalms – Integrating the Psalms into the Bible story Volume 2 picks up on the groundwork laid and begins with an overview of the structure of the Psalter. It then goes through the book of Psalms, giving an introduction to each one. It does not seek to compete with a commentary in that it does not approach each verse individually; however it offers what few commentaries attempt – a careful look at the message behind the book as a whole.

Ruth and Esther are two prophetic pictures of the same gospel. One speaks of a last–minute rescue from death, the other of a long–awaited filling of a terrible emptiness. One ends with a baby; the other concludes with an annual remembrance of an amazing escape. But neither really ends, until they find their fulfilment in Jesus Christ. Part of the Teaching series, this book is designed to help the pastor/preacher, small group leader, or youth worker in preparing and presenting studies.

The Psalms can be sung, spoken or read – but they were written to be prayed. Until we pray them from the heart we miss their purpose. If you love, or want to love, or think perhaps you ought to love, the Psalms, this first instalment of a two–volume set on the Psalter is for you. Christopher Ash gives us a practical and theological handbook to equip us to pray and to teach the Psalms. He faces the difficulties and shows how praying them in Christ does justice to their original meaning and context as well as their place in the whole bible.

This is a warm, pastorally hearted guide to the Bible's teaching on God's sovereignty.When a disaster happens; when personal tragedy strikes; when we are perplexed by world events, Christians can begin to doubt that God is either truly good, or truly in control.Christopher Ash faces these questions head on, without flinching at any of the difficulties. First he looks at six different ways people have answered this question -- both as Christians and from other religions and none. He then reveals the Bible's answer: the revelation of God's character and purposes throughout history.

A Good Marriage Begins with God. It is our natural tendency to seek personal happiness and satisfaction in marriage. We often give our own needs, wants, and goals first priority. But what is God's design for our marriages? With clarity and conviction, Christopher Ash turns us away from marriage for ourselves and toward marriage in the service of God. With practical applications for everyday life, Ash shows us God's purposes and patterns for every part of the marriage relationship. By realigning our hopes, expectations, and goals for marriage according to the Bible, we will discover the deep joy and lasting fulfillment that comes from a God-centered marriage.

Lots of people who are involved in Christian ministry (whether paid or unpaid) find themselves having to step back from it. They have not lost their love for Christ, or their desire to serve him. But for one reason or another, they are exhausted and simply cannot carry on.Christopher Ash knows this experience all too well. As a pastor of a growing church, and then in his role training people for ministry, he has found himself on the edge of burnout a number of times, and has pastored many younger ministers who have reached the end of their tether.His wisdom has been distilled into this short, accessible book, in which he reveals a neglected biblical truth and seven keys that flow from it. This practical and biblical guidance will help enthusiastic Christians gain the mindset and lifestyle to protect themselves from burnout and serve Jesus for the long term in a sustainable way. Who is this book for? Here is Christopher's answer from the introduction: I write for all zealous followers of Jesus. Perhaps especially for pastors and Christian leaders to those entrusted with pastoral oversight under God. Some of us have the privilege of being set free from other jobs to devote ourselves to this work; others combine pastoral leadership with "normal" secular work. But I write also for the many keen Christian men and women who, in addition to "normal" life busy jobs, parenthood, and so on labor sacrificially to serve in their local churches. From the foreword by Alistair Begg Christopher brings to this important subject, not just a personal experience of burnout, but a keen eye to the Bible, and wise pastoral insight into the pressures many of us face as we live for Jesus.

How does the Spirit relate to the Bible? This book is for those who are ‘thirsty for a deeper experience of the Spirit of God’. This careful biblical argument, drawing mainly from John’s gospel, helps us to see the answers to the difficult questions in a firmly Trinitarian understanding. Hearing the Spirit is the way we know the father through the Spirit. By asking where the Bible fits in this process, this helps us listen more deeply to the words of God.

There are commentaries and there are books on preaching – but very few books that combine elements of both to enable the preacher or Bible teacher to prepare a series on specific sections of scripture.This series gives the Bible teacher suitable tools to understand the context of Biblical books; doctrinal themes; the methods of interpretation; the key interpretation points and how to communicate that message for the hearer.Whilst very useful for preachers, this book is also aimed at equipping small group study leaders, youth workers and other Bible teachers.

There are commentaries and there are books on preaching – but very few books that combine elements of both to enable the preacher or Bible teacher to prepare a series on specific sections of Scripture. This series gives the Bible teacher suitable tools to understand the context of Biblical books; doctrinal themes; the methods of interpretation; the key interpretation points and how to communicate that message for the hearer.Whilst very useful for preachers, this book is also aimed at equipping small group study leaders, youth workers and other Bible teachers. The books are purposefully practical. Section One contains ‘navigation’ material to enable you to access the text of Romans. Section 2 works systematically through a suggested preaching or Bible study series. Preaching outlines and Bible study questions are included for each passage.

Life can be hard, and sometimes it seems like God doesn’t even care. When faced with difficult trials, many people have resonated with the book of Job—the story of a man who lost nearly everything, seemingly abandoned by God. In this thorough and accessible commentary, Christopher Ash helps us glean encouragement from God’s Word by directing our attention to the final explanation and ultimate resolution of Job’s story: the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Intended to equip pastors to preach Job’s important message, this commentary highlights God’s grace and wisdom in the midst of redemptive suffering. Taking a staggeringly honest look at our broken world and the trials that we often face, Ash helps us see God’s sovereign purposes for adversity and the wonderful hope that Christians have in Christ. Luke’s carefully researched and orderly account of the life of Christ is one of the finest pieces of historical writing from the ancient world. More importantly, it boldly proclaims the story and significance of Jesus, emphasizing his “gospel” as good news for the whole world. In this illuminating commentary, respected pastor R. Kent Hughes explores Luke’s historical claims about the life of Christ and his overarching message, offering helpful insights into the biblical text and pastoral reflections on how it applies to everyday life. Written to help preachers and Bible teachers communicate God’s Word more effectively, this commentary explores how the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus constitute the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and guarantee salvation to all who believe on his name. Part of the Preaching the Word series.

I don't mean to be rude but, sorry to say, you defecate on us, you urinate on us, you dump your toxic garbage on us, you even spill your god damn oil on us. - AQUARIS "Don't Mess With The Mermaids " is a romantic story about love between two people of different cultures and worlds, mixed with a battle against local Mafia and bearing a clear environmental message. Three girls, refugees from North Africa, are to be sold to a whorehouse as sex slaves by terrorists, human traffickers, Mochta and Ahmed. Next to Sardinia's coast the policeman Riccardo tries to save the girls. Under unknown circumstances Riccardo is forced to let go of Valeria's hand and she slips into the deep waters. But she is saved by the mermaids Coralia and child mermaid Krystalia. Childless Aquaris, the king of the UK (Underwater Kingdom) decides to adopt her and rename her after him, Aquaria. So Aquaria becomes the first mermaid in the world, who wasn't born in the bosom of water but has taken mermaid values of life. The whole time Aquaria thinks about the handsome policeman but Riccardo appears to be happily engaged to Marta, who is the mayor of the city. The local people call her "The Sea Witch " or "The Mother". Only the naive and honest Riccardo doesn't know the truth about her... When the new factory without a proper waste system starts to operate, polluting the sea, Aquaria tries to protect her new home. But it is not an easy task to fight against the local Mafia, which is run by "The Mother"...

Designed to accompany Teaching Romans volume 1 and volume 2, this book will help you to understand the message of Romans. The sheer scale and depth of Romans make it challenging to teach, but Christopher Ash leads us step by step through understanding and communicating this challenging and life-changing book.

Conscience is the Cinderella of the contemporary world. We hardly speak or think about our conscience. She is left behind while we get on with the party of life, untroubled by any serious self-examination. And yet conscience is a God-given part of being human, with tremendous potential for good - if it is cleansed and kept clean - or for harm - if it becomes hardened or calloused. 'This book is about the joy of a clear conscience in every day of living and in the day of death,' enthuses Christopher Ash. 'With a clear conscience, we can enjoy not just the stuff we think of as 'spiritual', but all sorts of things like sleep, sport, friendship and holidays. With a good conscience none of these things ever leaves a sour taste in our mouths.' Christopher is eager to get all of us thinking about conscience again: 'I want you to take your conscience out of the cupboard, dust it down, bring it back into daily life and discover its power to do you good.'

When the crew of the Brass Griffin is hired to search for two children aboard a missing airship, they uncover a murderous plot that spans from London, England to a distant, ancient Roman ruin deep in the Jura mountains of France. Captain Hunter, Moira, Krumer and Tonks must fight against a foul plan that pits them against an evil mercenary captain bent on the children's demise!

"This little book is written for ordinary ministers who preach regularly to ordinary people in ordinary places... Most of us preach in gatherings that are smaller than we would wish and tougher than we might have hoped when we entered pastoral ministry... There is a voice on our shoulders who whispers as we prepare, and then as we preach, 'Is it really worth it?" From The Introduction Christopher Ash tell us that it is worth it. More than that, he sets out a charter for preaching that draws from the very roots of the Old Testament - showing us that nothing in the world is more worthwhile - for preaching is God's strategy to rebuild a broken world.

The way of a man with a maiden was too wonderful for the writer of Proverbs to understand. Preoccupying so many thoughts and dreams, the subject of countless songs, films and fairy tales, the love between a man and a woman has always been a profound and perplexing mystery. And yet we do not live happily ever after. Four out of ten marriages will end in divorce. Couples now choose to live together rather than marry, and those relationships are even less likely to last. People are having fewer children, later, and with a succession of partners. Ironically, just when so much is expected of love, Western societies are witnessing lower levels of public commitment in sexual relationships than ever before. The scale of this change amounts to a revolution, a major historical paradigm shift. The statistics mask a depth of pain that every pastor and counsellor knows only too well. We must face the inevitable questions: if faithfulness is no longer esteemed, why get married at all? What is marriage? What did God intend when he gave us marriage? Christopher Ash argues that our modern idolization of the sexual relationship contains within itself the seeds of its own destruction. To begin to rebuild a biblical confidence in marriage, we need to understand that the primary blessing and purpose of marriage is not sexual intimacy, but rather serving God in partnership. This in turn leads to the blessings of love, friendship, children, and order in society, and will help us to rediscover that faithfulness which is the heart of marriage. One of those precious rarities - a major piece of biblical scholarship which addresses an issue in today s headlines directly and warmly. One to own, not to borrow. -- David Field Deeply scholarly, extraordinarily thorough and biblically faithful, as well as courageously fresh in rethinking the role of marriage in God s intention for human life. -- David Wright Christopher Ash studied at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, and then joined the staff at St. Andrew the Great, Cambridge. From there he headed to a church plant and is now Rector of All Saints, Little Shelford. He is married to Carolyn and they have four children.