Sowing Seeds with Songs of Joy

Using a mix of personal anecdote, interviews with church leaders and social research, alongside extended reflection on Scripture, this book aims to help those with few resources see who and what God has given them and build from there. It commends the reader to look locally, plough their field, throw on fertiliser, and see what grows. The challenge is to let the church reflect what appears, not prune on the assumption of a preconceived vision.

“The challenge is to let the church reflect what appears, not prune on the assumption of a preconceived vision.”

Leaders must not be slaves to a system or structure, but servants of the people God has given them, growing them to His glory and service. Where this happens one sees that while you need more skills to lead this kind of church compared to a larger one, God is with you and does provide.

“This is a thought provoking, theologically rooted look at poverty in our communities. The familiar and easily recognised stories tell of the issues and injustices we see and need to respond to from our local churches’ ministry and mission. Jonathan’s thoughts around training and equipping those ministering, and therefore their longevity in that ministry, are important. These need to be heard in broader circles if we are to see God’s church flourishing, where the issues around poverty are at the forefront of too many people’s lives.”
Revd Sara Barron (Ex-NECN National Director)