Author: Anthony Delaney

I speak, I write, I lead.

Redemption Through His Blood. Lent Reflection.

If you have a mortgage right now, as you live in the property you may think you own a house – but really you don’t. As people who get over their head in debt too often discover, until the final payment is made, it’s the bank that owns the house. If you get together enough money to pay off a loan, you ask for the redemption figure – what’s still owed. Redemption is that final payment.

From Attendance to Action: How to Fully Participate in Church Life and Mission.

Playing Your Part: Embracing Fellowship, Discipleship, and Ministry in the local church.  The early church, as described in Acts 2:41-42, 46-47, provides a clear model for how believers should engage in church life just as much where you are now as they were then. It highlights essential aspects of a true church such as fellowship, discipleship, evangelism, and ministry. I have talked before about they each ‘devoted themselves’ (nobody but you can devote you) to the Word, Worship and One Another, they shared their Wealth and saw Wonders that made the world say ‘WOW!”  As members of the body of Christ today, we cannot settle for less and must pray for and deliberately participate in these areas to ensure a thriving and unified church community. The Power of Fellowship Fellowship is the heartbeat of the church.  Acts 2:42 emphasises that the early believers “continued steadfastly” in fellowship. This  means they stuck at it, there were no church shoppers or hoppers – they were intentional and consistent in connecting with one another.  As 1 John 1:3-4 reminds us, our joy is made […]

The Commitments You Make, Make You.

Why Commitment Matters The word “commit” means to pledge, dedicate, and give oneself fully to a purpose. Yet, we live in a world that resists commitment. Many fear making commitments, worried they might miss out on something better. Ironically, the opposite is true—by avoiding commitment, we miss out on the greatest opportunities life has to offer. As I approach my 6th decade soon, I see looking back that everything that’s great in my life came on the other side of a commitment I have made and kept. The Bible reminds us: “A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways and should not think he will receive anything from the Lord” (James 1:8). History and experience show that those who accomplish great things do so because they fully commit. Nobody ever went out for a walk and found themselves at the top of Everest. You don’t accidentally achieve greatness; it requires intentional dedication. The Impact of Commitment in Ministry I write this blog with church leaders in mind – and hopefully you know that commitment is key to a thriving […]

Why The Church Must Be Clear On Its Message

We Must Point Everyone to Jesus I am fully convinced that every single person I will ever meet would be better off with Jesus Christ at the centre of their life. This is not a religion I am a fan or follower of – I know the transforming relationship with God that he alone offers will provide forgiveness, healing, guidance, power, purpose, meaning and eternal security. We must share this by pointing to Jesus (not ourselves, our churches or programs) because he is the only Son of God, heaven’s greatest gift to humanity. Do you believe this? I am talking to church leaders here. In 1995 I spent most of the night before I was ordained in the Church of England trying to discourage someone else from taking that step into church leadership too – why? Because over the few days retreat beforehand (which was meant to be spent in silence) he clearly stated that he did not believe Jesus is the Son of God, or that people need a Saviour. I couldn’t imagine what he thought the ‘job’ entailed […]

NOT BEYOND REACH. New ‘Future Church’ Podcast with Aaron Pierce, Steiger International

In this episode we explore the origins and impact of Steiger, a radical missionary movement known for reaching the lost through creative and visual presentations of the gospel. We also get very excited about LAUNCH and THE SEND!

SERMON NOTES for Sunday 2 Feb 2025 – SHAPE (Personality)

Psalm 139:13-14 “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made” — Personality: Understanding How God Made Me  – God made each of us unique, and He loves variety!   – Personality tests can help us understand ourselves and others.   Recommended Test: DISC – see ivychurch.org/SHAPE  Other Personality Tools you may have heard of?    – The Big Five   – Myers-Briggs (e.g., Extrovert vs. Introvert)   – These tools provide insights but don’t define you—God does!   — Lessons from Cain and Abel (Genesis 4) – Cain and Abel both gave offerings to God.   – Abel gave his F________ and B___________ with faith and love.   – Cain gave “some” of what he had produced (different attitude).   Key Takeaways:  – Abel loved to G__________ and his offering was accepted because HOW he gave, not WHAT he gave.  – Cain lived to G______   and his jealousy and bitterness led to anger, but God warned him:  “Sin is crouching at your door…you must rule over it” (Genesis 4:7).   — Generosity Is Not a P_______________________  […]

FIND YOUR PLACE ON THE WALL: Lessons in Leadership from Nehemiah 3

As church leaders, we must guard against distractions, detractors and disunity. The person working next to you is never the enemy. Our calling is to build God’s Kingdom together, strengthening the foundations, clearing away rubble, and constructing something stronger than before.