SAM ALLBERRY VISIT FROM THE USA
We were privileged to host Rev. Sam Allberry last Thursday evening, a UK pastor currently serving in at Immanuel church in Nashville, USA. Sam is a pastor, apologist, and speaker. He is the author of numerous books including: 7 Myths About Singleness, Why Does God Care Who I Sleep With?, What God Has to Say About Our Bodies, and with Ray Ortlund, You’re Not Crazy: Gospel Sanity for Weary Churches. In addition to pastoring a church, he is a canon theologian for the Anglican Church in North America, and is the co-host of The Gospel Coalition podcast, “You’re Not Crazy: Gospel Sanity for Young Pastors.”
A large group of people gathered last week to hear Sam speak at URBAN VOICE church (the venue where Christ Church Waterkloof usually meet). The CCSW building had been hired out to DELL Computers for an advert shoot.
Sam spoke on the topic, “How can the church help with sexuality?”. He has been a leading and Biblical voice in evangelical circles world-wide on this topic.
Sam encouraged us to think Biblically and pastorally about sexuality in our current cultural context. He helped us to think through how we engage in conversations with people struggling with their sexuality – both inside and outside of our church community. He encouraged us to listen well and to point each other to the goodness of God, and His good design.
He spoke with clarity, thoughtfulness, vulnerability and good humour.
He reminded us that we are all sexual sinners who need Jesus. From there, he challenged us to be a place of care for those struggling, without compromising Biblical truth.
A full audio recording of this talk and Q&A session afterwards will be shared as soon as it’s available.
Sam also spoke at CUTTING EDGE at Jubilee Church last Friday evening. Many of our Senior Youth teenagers and Young Adults attended. The topic was “Why does God care who I sleep with?”. This was another highly pastoral, helpful session.
Gavin, Sean and Lindo also attended a workshop with Sam on Monday afternoon (before the Cape Area Council meeting in Claremont). Sam spoke on a Biblical model of Leadership, with Jesus as our Good Shepherd. It was a very encouraging afternoon.
We thank God for Sam and the way that He’s gifted him. Please pray for Sam as he continues to preach Biblical truth into this controversial and difficult cultural climate.
