Episoder
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This is not your usual interview or article so listen-up.
A huge thanks to Greg Barber for cooking-up our “Summer Sizzlers” Season. The articles and reflections of the last few weeks had a thread of “community” running through them and were great reminders of why we are not meant to do this journey alone.
This week I want to thank Luke Franks for highlighting a book extract:
“I think of rest as the margins around the page of a book I’m reading. The words matter, but without the margins they would run into one another and be senseless. When I rest, I create order and context around everything I do.I don’t rest as a reward or to gain something, but to return to the original expression of human design. I am a being not a doing. I am not a tool in the belt of a workman but a picture in the wallet of my father. God doesn’t get me out to use me, but to enjoy me.
Rhythms of rest , especially in a time of work and creative output, return me to those truths.”
From Joshua Luke Smith’s book: “Something you once knew: Waking up to the extraordinary in your ordinary life”
Please complete the survey here: https://thec3church.typeform.com/ascendpodcastA Time for Everything - Ecclesiastes Chapter 3:
1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
FOR UPCOMING ASCEND EVENTS sign up here.To subscribe to our weekly inspiring emails, please complete the form here.
WHAT IS ASCEND MEN?
Imagine a community of men who are challenged, inspired and equipped to live passionate lives for Jesus. A place where men-care-for-men through a small number of honest personal relationships initiated and supported by regular male-oriented events. Relationships are built shoulder-to-shoulder doing stuff in preference to eye-balling each other!Ascend Men is that community.
Our podcasts reflect that desire to challenge, inspire and equip our men. Some are light-hearted easy-listens. Some deserve to be digested and pondered. If you love them, tell us - we could do with the encouragement. If you can see ways they could be improved, tell us - feedback is a gift.
Join our Facebook group or email us ([email protected]) to hear more about our fantastic breakfasts in Cambridge, Bury and Colchester as well as our Camp in June.
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Who's in your circle?
The 2 meter Radius Challenge
"Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways" - Haggai 1:5
Today's voices are:
- Article narrated by Jordan Bonner
- Reflection from Greg BarberFull credit for this article to Justin Camp of WiRE, Gather Ministries, 95 Third Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States
Not signed up for WiRE? Get it today - it comes twice a week, free.
FOR UPCOMING ASCEND EVENTS sign up here.To subscribe to our weekly inspiring emails, please complete the form here.
WHAT IS ASCEND MEN?
Imagine a community of men who are challenged, inspired and equipped to live passionate lives for Jesus. A place where men-care-for-men through a small number of honest personal relationships initiated and supported by regular male-oriented events. Relationships are built shoulder-to-shoulder doing stuff in preference to eye-balling each other!Ascend Men is that community.
Our podcasts reflect that desire to challenge, inspire and equip our men. Some are light-hearted easy-listens. Some deserve to be digested and pondered. If you love them, tell us - we could do with the encouragement. If you can see ways they could be improved, tell us - feedback is a gift.
Join our Facebook group or email us ([email protected]) to hear more about our fantastic breakfasts in Cambridge, Bury and Colchester as well as our Camp in June.
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Manglende episoder?
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Who Are Your Fellow Conspirators?
For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them - Matthew 18:20"
Today's voices are:
- Article narrated by Simon Barnett
- Reflection from Alan FeethamFull credit for this article to Justin Camp of WiRE, Gather Ministries, 95 Third Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States
Not signed up for WiRE? Get it today - it comes twice a week, free.
FOR UPCOMING ASCEND EVENTS sign up here.To subscribe to our weekly inspiring emails, please complete the form here.
WHAT IS ASCEND MEN?
Imagine a community of men who are challenged, inspired and equipped to live passionate lives for Jesus. A place where men-care-for-men through a small number of honest personal relationships initiated and supported by regular male-oriented events. Relationships are built shoulder-to-shoulder doing stuff in preference to eye-balling each other!Ascend Men is that community.
Our podcasts reflect that desire to challenge, inspire and equip our men. Some are light-hearted easy-listens. Some deserve to be digested and pondered. If you love them, tell us - we could do with the encouragement. If you can see ways they could be improved, tell us - feedback is a gift.
Join our Facebook group or email us ([email protected]) to hear more about our fantastic breakfasts in Cambridge, Bury and Colchester as well as our Camp in June.
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Mistakes in Gathering
. . . if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself - Galatians 6:3
Today's voices are:
- Article narrated by Tony Smith
- Reflection from Alan ColleyFull credit for this article to Justin Camp of WiRE, Gather Ministries, 95 Third Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States
Not signed up for WiRE? Get it today - it comes twice a week, free.
FOR UPCOMING ASCEND EVENTS sign up here.To subscribe to our weekly inspiring emails, please complete the form here.
WHAT IS ASCEND MEN?
Imagine a community of men who are challenged, inspired and equipped to live passionate lives for Jesus. A place where men-care-for-men through a small number of honest personal relationships initiated and supported by regular male-oriented events. Relationships are built shoulder-to-shoulder doing stuff in preference to eye-balling each other!Ascend Men is that community.
Our podcasts reflect that desire to challenge, inspire and equip our men. Some are light-hearted easy-listens. Some deserve to be digested and pondered. If you love them, tell us - we could do with the encouragement. If you can see ways they could be improved, tell us - feedback is a gift.
Join our Facebook group or email us ([email protected]) to hear more about our fantastic breakfasts in Cambridge, Bury and Colchester as well as our Camp in June.
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Call Out or Call In?
". . . and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" - John 8:32
Today's voices are:
- Article narrated by Jordan Bonner
- Reflection from Simon BarnettFull credit for this article to Justin Camp of WiRE, Gather Ministries, 95 Third Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States
Not signed up for WiRE? Get it today - it comes twice a week, free.
FOR UPCOMING ASCEND EVENTS sign up here.To subscribe to our weekly inspiring emails, please complete the form here.
WHAT IS ASCEND MEN?
Imagine a community of men who are challenged, inspired and equipped to live passionate lives for Jesus. A place where men-care-for-men through a small number of honest personal relationships initiated and supported by regular male-oriented events. Relationships are built shoulder-to-shoulder doing stuff in preference to eye-balling each other!Ascend Men is that community.
Our podcasts reflect that desire to challenge, inspire and equip our men. Some are light-hearted easy-listens. Some deserve to be digested and pondered. If you love them, tell us - we could do with the encouragement. If you can see ways they could be improved, tell us - feedback is a gift.
Join our Facebook group or email us ([email protected]) to hear more about our fantastic breakfasts in Cambridge, Bury and Colchester as well as our Camp in June.
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We’re Here, Now What?
Love one another with brotherly affection - Romans 12:10
Today's voices are:
- Article narrated by Tony Smith
- Reflection from Chris LucheFull credit for this article to Justin Camp of WiRE, Gather Ministries, 95 Third Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States
Not signed up for WiRE? Get it today - it comes twice a week, free.
FOR UPCOMING ASCEND EVENTS sign up here.To subscribe to our weekly inspiring emails, please complete the form here.
WHAT IS ASCEND MEN?
Imagine a community of men who are challenged, inspired and equipped to live passionate lives for Jesus. A place where men-care-for-men through a small number of honest personal relationships initiated and supported by regular male-oriented events. Relationships are built shoulder-to-shoulder doing stuff in preference to eye-balling each other!Ascend Men is that community.
Our podcasts reflect that desire to challenge, inspire and equip our men. Some are light-hearted easy-listens. Some deserve to be digested and pondered. If you love them, tell us - we could do with the encouragement. If you can see ways they could be improved, tell us - feedback is a gift.
Join our Facebook group or email us ([email protected]) to hear more about our fantastic breakfasts in Cambridge, Bury and Colchester as well as our Camp in June.
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With Whom Do You Gather?
For where two or three are gathered there am I among them - Matthew 18:20
Today's voices are:
- Article narrated by Simon Barnett
- Reflection from Tony SmithFull credit for this article to Justin Camp of WiRE, Gather Ministries, 95 Third Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States
Not signed up for WiRE? Get it today - it comes twice a week, free.
FOR UPCOMING ASCEND EVENTS sign up here.To subscribe to our weekly inspiring emails, please complete the form here.
WHAT IS ASCEND MEN?
Imagine a community of men who are challenged, inspired and equipped to live passionate lives for Jesus. A place where men-care-for-men through a small number of honest personal relationships initiated and supported by regular male-oriented events. Relationships are built shoulder-to-shoulder doing stuff in preference to eye-balling each other!Ascend Men is that community.
Our podcasts reflect that desire to challenge, inspire and equip our men. Some are light-hearted easy-listens. Some deserve to be digested and pondered. If you love them, tell us - we could do with the encouragement. If you can see ways they could be improved, tell us - feedback is a gift.
Join our Facebook group or email us ([email protected]) to hear more about our fantastic breakfasts in Cambridge, Bury and Colchester as well as our Camp in June.
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Full credit for the articles in this series to Justin Camp of WiRE, Gather Ministries, 95 Third Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States. Not signed up for WiRE? Get it today - it comes twice a week, free.
FOR UPCOMING ASCEND EVENTS sign up here.To subscribe to our weekly inspiring emails, please complete the form here.
WHAT IS ASCEND MEN?
Imagine a community of men who are challenged, inspired and equipped to live passionate lives for Jesus. A place where men-care-for-men through a small number of honest personal relationships initiated and supported by regular male-oriented events. Relationships are built shoulder-to-shoulder doing stuff in preference to eye-balling each other!Ascend Men is that community.
Our podcasts reflect that desire to challenge, inspire and equip our men. Some are light-hearted easy-listens. Some deserve to be digested and pondered. If you love them, tell us - we could do with the encouragement. If you can see ways they could be improved, tell us - feedback is a gift.
Join our Facebook group or email us ([email protected]) to hear more about our fantastic breakfasts in Cambridge, Bury and Colchester as well as our Camp in June.
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Dr. David Bennett is an author, speaker, and theologian scholar who speaks and writes on a wide range of topics including theology, desire, beauty, gender, theodicy, suffering, ethics, and sexuality. He is frequently asked to appear and speak internationally in a variety of settings including churches, academic conferences, national radio and TV including VICE Australia, and on BBC platforms such as the BBC One Documentary, Young, Gay, Christian.
As a gay celibate Christian, he seeks to be a fresh voice on the topics of love, holiness, desire and sexuality in order to show how people can live and flourish through Christ’s cross-shaped teaching. He is passionate about equipping the Church to better love the LGBTQI+ and other minority communities, and the art of showing solidarity to those who are different or other to us. His other interests include French, Latin, church history, writing, travel, cooking, reading books, and living in Christian community.
As a member of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s College of Evangelists, David has spoken for Oriel College, St Aldates Church, New Wine Network, HTB, Kings Cross Church London, the Synod of the Church of England, Church of the City NYC, St Edwards School and Magdalen School, Oxford, Christ Church London and much further afield.
FOR UPCOMING ASCEND EVENTS sign up here.To subscribe to our weekly inspiring emails, please complete the form here.
WHAT IS ASCEND MEN?
Imagine a community of men who are challenged, inspired and equipped to live passionate lives for Jesus. A place where men-care-for-men through a small number of honest personal relationships initiated and supported by regular male-oriented events. Relationships are built shoulder-to-shoulder doing stuff in preference to eye-balling each other!Ascend Men is that community.
Our podcasts reflect that desire to challenge, inspire and equip our men. Some are light-hearted easy-listens. Some deserve to be digested and pondered. If you love them, tell us - we could do with the encouragement. If you can see ways they could be improved, tell us - feedback is a gift.
Join our Facebook group or email us ([email protected]) to hear more about our fantastic breakfasts in Cambridge, Bury and Colchester as well as our Camp in June.
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After covering healthy friendships & singleness and assuming the dating we talked about last week goes well, the next logical step is marriage.
To cover being married and staying married we are joined by two treasured friends of the C3 house, John & Gen Loaker.
Friendship Connection Conflict resolution Faith
FOUR hot-topics ofMore details here on Michael Jr’s “Funny How Marriage Works” tour when it visits Cambridge on Saturday 29th June.
FOR UPCOMING ASCEND EVENTS sign up here.
To subscribe to our weekly inspiring emails, please complete the form here.
WHAT IS ASCEND MEN?
Imagine a community of men who are challenged, inspired and equipped to live passionate lives for Jesus. A place where men-care-for-men through a small number of honest personal relationships initiated and supported by regular male-oriented events. Relationships are built shoulder-to-shoulder doing stuff in preference to eye-balling each other!Ascend Men is that community.
Our podcasts reflect that desire to challenge, inspire and equip our men. Some are light-hearted easy-listens. Some deserve to be digested and pondered. If you love them, tell us - we could do with the encouragement. If you can see ways they could be improved, tell us - feedback is a gift.
Join our Facebook group or email us ([email protected]) to hear more about our fantastic breakfasts in Cambridge, Bury and Colchester as well as our Camp in June.
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Whatever your relationship status, healthy dating is relevant to you. You’ll likely know single people who don’t want to stay single. Or you’ll be in a church which may create a really healthy environment for dating couples. Or not. Or maybe you have growing kids in your home - in which case this will definitely be useful at some point.
To help us get a balanced perspective we are joined again by Annabel Wheeldon-Clarke of the Engage Network and we also welcome David Payne, customer success manager at the award-winning Christian dating app, SALT.
A few references:
Made by Christians for Christians, SALT is the award-winning dating app that makes meeting single Christians less awkward and a lot more enjoyable.For more on SALT, visit their YouTube channel.Engage Network.Curry's Techtalk article: Is our modern love affair with dating apps fizzling out?The Forbes article: Dating Statistics And Facts In 2024
Top TipsWe had so many great tips in this episode, here are my Top 10:
Have difficult conversations earlyConsider getting on a dating app, participate in some of the SALT table eventsHaving a date vs having a relationship are not the same thingDon’t ignore the spiritual element of a relationship. It’s about much more than shared values - your faith is about shared identity.Independence is attractive Annabel’s motto: “Be intentional but not intense”As a church, what more could we be doing to help our people get from A-to-B I.e. single to dating?Older people are wise - seek out somebody you can trust to chat things over withPray and persevereBe better listeners
FOR UPCOMING ASCEND EVENTS sign up here.To subscribe to our weekly inspiring emails, please complete the form here.
WHAT IS ASCEND MEN?
Imagine a community of men who are challenged, inspired and equipped to live passionate lives for Jesus. A place where men-care-for-men through a small number of honest personal relationships initiated and supported by regular male-oriented events. Relationships are built shoulder-to-shoulder doing stuff in preference to eye-balling each other!Ascend Men is that community.
Our podcasts reflect that desire to challenge, inspire and equip our men. Some are light-hearted easy-listens. Some deserve to be digested and pondered. If you love them, tell us - we could do with the encouragement. If you can see ways they could be improved, tell us - feedback is a gift.
Join our Facebook group or email us ([email protected]) to hear more about our fantastic breakfasts in Cambridge, Bury and Colchester as well as our Camp in June.
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This week we are covering Healthy Singleness and we are privileged to be joined by two esteemed guests:
Barry Danylak, author of "Redeeming Singleness: How the Storyline of Scripture Affirms the Single Life"& Mike Simpson, Executive Director of the Single Friendly Church Network in the UK.
5-steps to becoming a single-friendly church:
1 - Who is single?
2 - Language
3 - Welcome
4 - Teaching
5 - Leadership
More information on the Church Audit can be found here.In addition to Barry's "redeeming singleness" book we also refer to a condensed theological book, "Singleness in God's Redemptive Story".
The Single Friendly Church network also provides some very helpful 'Survival Tips for Single Christians'.
If you're listening from The C3 Church, I'd love your feedback on your experiences of how welcoming the church is towards singles. So why not drop me an email ([email protected])?
ASCEND CAMP 24 - 7/8th June, Thetford Forest
With less than a week to go, it's very tight whether we can fit you in. Check Brushfire for the latest.
FOR UPCOMING ASCEND EVENTS sign up here.To subscribe to our weekly inspiring emails, please complete the form here.
WHAT IS ASCEND MEN?
Imagine a community of men who are challenged, inspired and equipped to live passionate lives for Jesus. A place where men-care-for-men through a small number of honest personal relationships initiated and supported by regular male-oriented events. Relationships are built shoulder-to-shoulder doing stuff in preference to eye-balling each other!Ascend Men is that community.
Our podcasts reflect that desire to challenge, inspire and equip our men. Some are light-hearted easy-listens. Some deserve to be digested and pondered. If you love them, tell us - we could do with the encouragement. If you can see ways they could be improved, tell us - feedback is a gift.
Join our Facebook group or email us ([email protected]) to hear more about our fantastic breakfasts in Cambridge, Bury and Colchester as well as our Camp in June.
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Whilst researching and preparing this series on Relationships, Josh Campbell preached at the C3 Church Cambridge on 22nd April talking about “Courageous Friendships”. As a result, I added-in “Healthy Friendships” to our schedule. Why? Because healthy friendships are fundamental to being single, dating, marrying.
So welcome to the podcast, Pastor Josh Campbell.
Josh referred to two c.1hr sermons delivered Levi Lusko which were “The secret to making friends” and “You need friends”.
Statistics to put a male orientation on loneliness:MALE LONELINESS
18% men (1-in-5), don’t have a single close friend1 in 3 men (32%) don’t have a best friendFor women the figures are 12% and 24% so potentially less severeThe main difference is that men struggle to talk about their loneliness than women, which has the effect of making them even more isolated
According to a recent YouGov poll in the UK:MALE SUICIDE
Overall suicide rate of 10.5 per 100,000 (same as 2021)Male suicide rate was 3x that for women i.e. 16.1 per 100,000 compared to a female rate of 5.3 per 100,000The highest suicide rate is in males aged 50-54 (23.1 per 100,000)Much ascribed to men’s inability to talk about their loneliness
Samaritans' interpretation of the ONS 2022 data for England:If you know somebody who is rock-bottom and there is any thought they might want to end their life, ask them if they’re considering suicide. Asking the question can ONLY help. It will never give somebody an idea of taking that action. Don’t put it off. Who’d want to be too late? Want to talk more? Contact Alan Colley via Facebook or email ([email protected]).
THREE key points from Josh's sermon:
1 - Keep an open heart (in terms of the impact of others' friendship with you and yours to them)
2 - Stay humble (nobody wants a know-it-all, arrogant, proud mate)
3 - Don’t be a coward (have those difficult conversations even if they risk the relationship)
Secular groups that are aimed to help with loneliness and men's mental health:
Men’s sheds https://menssheds.org.uk (a few around Cambridge)Andy’s Man Club https://andysmanclub.co.uk (Cambridge AMC led by one of our Ascend brothers)
Camp 23 bloke: "It just keeps on getting better. An amazing experience and fun to see it grow."
ASCEND CAMP 24 - 7/8th June, Thetford Forest
By the time you see this, we might be out of spaces. Check Brushfire for the latest.
FOR UPCOMING ASCEND EVENTS sign up here.To subscribe to our weekly inspiring emails, please complete the form here.
WHAT IS ASCEND MEN?
Imagine a community of men who are challenged, inspired and equipped to live passionate lives for Jesus. A place where men-care-for-men through a small number of honest personal relationships initiated and supported by regular male-oriented events. Relationships are built shoulder-to-shoulder doing stuff in preference to eye-balling each other!Ascend Men is that community.
Our podcasts reflect that desire to challenge, inspire and equip our men. Some are light-hearted easy-listens. Some deserve to be digested and pondered. If you love them, tell us - we could do with the encouragement. If you can see ways they could be improved, tell us - feedback is a gift.
Join our Facebook group or email us ([email protected]) to hear more about our fantastic breakfasts in Cambridge, Bury and Colchester as well as our Camp in June.
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In this new season we're going to cover healthy friendships, singleness, dating, marriage and even life after a relationship, i.e. being single again. Whatever your interest, you'll know others at different stages so come back every week for a deep-dive into each area.
A huge thanks to Annabel Wheeldon-Clarke of Engage for helping me put this season together.
Today we're doing an overview i.e. what it means to have “Healthy Relationships” with Annabel and Nathan Blackaby of Christian Vision for Men.
The Relationships Venn diagram explained by Annabel is at the bottom of this page.
Check out the book: "7 Reasons Your Church Needs More Men: How to lead a gender balanced church supporting healthy singleness, dating, marriage and youth"
Annabel refers to the work on Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend. See more at Cloud-Townsend Resources.
Curious after the conversation on Love Languages? There's plenty of info on the Interweb but here's a good start point (including a quick quiz).
ASCEND CAMP 24 - 7/8th June, Thetford Forest
Camp 23 bloke: "It just keeps on getting better. An amazing experience and fun to see it grow."
By the time you see this, we might be out of spaces. Check Brushfire for the latest.
FOR UPCOMING ASCEND EVENTS sign up here.To subscribe to our weekly inspiring emails, please complete the form here.
WHAT IS ASCEND MEN?
Imagine a community of men who are challenged, inspired and equipped to live passionate lives for Jesus. A place where men-care-for-men through a small number of honest personal relationships initiated and supported by regular male-oriented events. Relationships are built shoulder-to-shoulder doing stuff in preference to eye-balling each other!Ascend Men is that community.
Our podcasts reflect that desire to challenge, inspire and equip our men. Some are light-hearted easy-listens. Some deserve to be digested and pondered. If you love them, tell us - we could do with the encouragement. If you can see ways they could be improved, tell us - feedback is a gift.
Join our Facebook group or email us ([email protected]) to hear more about our fantastic breakfasts in Cambridge, Bury and Colchester as well as our Camp in June.
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Three weeks ago (S11/Ep2) we heard from Martin Frost - a serial entrepreneur who has achieved so much in his four decades of business. Today we’re talking with two guys who are much earlier in their careers, getting things off the ground and building reputations.
To quote Martin Frost in that podcast, he predicted that CMR will give birth to people who will go and do something else, very special. Today we are joined by Ric da Silva who is one of those people having spent nearly 6 years at CMR. He’s now the co-founder and CTO for Flok Health - an entirely new business doing something very special.
Our second guest has demonstrated his passion for music and recording for a long time. At school he recorded year 11 GCSE music for all the solo/ensemble musicians. At sixth Form he conducted live recordings of the college Jazz and Concert Bands. And at the University of Hertfordshire, whilst gaining a First Class Honours degree in Music Technology he recorded for bands and artists in the University studio. Let's hear what a Mastering Engineer does by talking with Chris Pavey.
How do they measure success and what one thing that, if they had it in total abundance, would guarantee success?Hear about how Chris and Ric have dealt with Imposter Syndrome.They have a lot resting on their shoulders, how do they look after themselves physically and mentally?Dealing with rejection?
Chris talks enthusiastically about "C3 at Work" so if you want to know more, please get in touch with Rob Allin or here on Churchsuite.Application from this week's episode?
Ric recommends a book: "Ruthless Trust: The Ragamuffins Path to God" by Brennan Manning available at Amazon, Eden and other good booksellers.
In his sequel to The Ragamuffin Gospel bestselling author Brennan Manning shows how true and radical trust in God can transform our lives. Manning, beloved author and spiritual teacher, shows us how trust in God can transform our lives and open us up to deeper experiences of grace and love. In Ruthless Trust, he turns his focus from furious love to radical trust, revealing the ways in which trust renews our faith and help us grow.
how you feel about your to-do list is a leading indicator of what you’ll actually accomplish
Chris suggests a THE BUSINESS OF AUTHORITY podcast which saysIn preparing to close this episode, I felt God wanted me to wish you both “Godspeed”, which is an interesting word.
There's a great article on the origins of it here.
To summarise, it’s a very old Middle English word dating back to the 1300s.God translates to God.
Speed translates to speid which has nothing to do with movement - it translates:
successprosperitygood fortuneprofitadvancementfurtheranceI’m sure we'd all want God to grant you those things.
FOR UPCOMING ASCEND EVENTS sign up here.To subscribe to our weekly inspiring emails, please complete the form here.
WHAT IS ASCEND MEN?
Imagine a community of men who are challenged, inspired and equipped to live passionate lives for Jesus. A place where men-care-for-men through a small number of honest personal relationships initiated and supported by regular male-oriented events. Relationships are built shoulder-to-shoulder doing stuff in preference to eye-balling each other!Ascend Men is that community.
Our podcasts reflect that desire to challenge, inspire and equip our men. Some are light-hearted easy-listens. Some deserve to be digested and pondered. If you love them, tell us - we could do with the encouragement. If you can see ways they could be improved, tell us - feedback is a gift.
Join our Facebook group or email us ([email protected]) to hear more about our fantastic breakfasts in Cambridge, Bury and Colchester as well as our Camp in June.
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Sara-Louise Martin (or S-L as she likes to be called) hails from Belfast. Keen to escape Northern Ireland she left to study International Business and Languages at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland before going to work in France, New York and then settling in London for most of the last 16 years.
In March 2020 she co-founded Impact Central (an accelerator programme focused on Impact entrepreneurs) and in Sep 2022 joined Faith Driven Entrepreneur where she's now the Regional Director for operations in Europe, Middle East and North Africa.In this episode S-L talks about;
Being sure our identity in Christ helps us take risks and not see our experiences as failures.Being stewards but not owners of all we have.Not being so caught-up in our jobs that we tip into worshipHow excellence matters.That while we “impress people with our strengths, we connect through our vulnerability.”More information on the Wonderful Summit 24 London can be found here.
And if you want the free place (normally £49) and standard class rail travel from Cambridge (or an equivalently-priced station) be the FIRST to contact me Alan Colley.
To read The Saving and Keeping Power – the Testimony of Inspector Brian Martin (1955-1983) (S-L's father) visit here.
FOR UPCOMING ASCEND EVENTS sign up here.To subscribe to our weekly inspiring emails, please complete the form here.
WHAT IS ASCEND MEN?
Imagine a community of men who are challenged, inspired and equipped to live passionate lives for Jesus. A place where men-care-for-men through a small number of honest personal relationships initiated and supported by regular male-oriented events. Relationships are built shoulder-to-shoulder doing stuff in preference to eye-balling each other!Ascend Men is that community.
Our podcasts reflect that desire to challenge, inspire and equip our men. Some are light-hearted easy-listens. Some deserve to be digested and pondered. If you love them, tell us - we could do with the encouragement. If you can see ways they could be improved, tell us - feedback is a gift.
Join our Facebook group or email us ([email protected]) to hear more about our fantastic breakfasts in Cambridge, Bury and Colchester as well as our Camp in June.
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Matt Parfitt, born in 1979, grew up in Nottingham and came to know Christ whilst at The University of Manchester. Graduated with a Batchelor of Applied Science in 2001 and in March 2002 at England’s oldest inn, Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem in Nottingham, he enjoyed his first date with Samantha who he married the following year.
With a steady, fulfilling job as a Primary School Teacher and a married to a GP, how on earth did they both manage to give up their rewarding, fulfilling professions for something even more rewarding and fulfilling, if perhaps a little more risky?
He has established three businesses with four more in the prophetic pipeline. You can find all of Grace Enterprise businesses in one place here or individually below:“Radiant Cleaners” a multi-award winning, social enterprise cleaning company employing people with major barriers to work (homelessness, survivors of modern slavery, addiction issues etc) and paying them all the real Living Wage. Mix of small company and corporate customers. https://www.radiantcleaners.co.uk/
"Jubilee Events" providing top-quality marquee and equipment hire for corporate events, wedding receptions, large garden parties. Delivering an excellent service, creating employment and challenging the existing ethics of the events industry. Employing people with major barriers to work (homelessness, survivors of modern slavery, addiction issues etc) and paying them all the real Living Wage. https://www.jubileeevents.co.uk/
"Half the Story" helping the homeless have hope, purpose and dignity through employment. Supplying biscuits to companies and in coffee shops all over the UK. It's not about the (great tasting) biscuit... it's about the people who made them. https://www.halfthestory.uk/
You can connect directly with Matt Parfitt here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattparfitt/ or [email protected]
Or via Matt's PA, Cristina Soper 0115 698 0224 or [email protected]If you're interested in talking with Kara Leake about C3's activities in this area, please get in touch: [email protected]
FOR UPCOMING ASCEND EVENTS sign up here.To subscribe to our weekly inspiring emails, please complete the form here.
WHAT IS ASCEND MEN?
Imagine a community of men who are challenged, inspired and equipped to live passionate lives for Jesus. A place where men-care-for-men through a small number of honest personal relationships initiated and supported by regular male-oriented events. Relationships are built shoulder-to-shoulder doing stuff in preference to eye-balling each other!Ascend Men is that community.
Our podcasts reflect that desire to challenge, inspire and equip our men. Some are light-hearted easy-listens. Some deserve to be digested and pondered. If you love them, tell us - we could do with the encouragement. If you can see ways they could be improved, tell us - feedback is a gift.
Join our Facebook group or email us ([email protected]) to hear more about our fantastic breakfasts in Cambridge, Bury and Colchester as well as our Camp in June.
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Martin Frost CBE is a businessman and entrepreneur responsible for the start-up and scale-up of several highly successful global technology businesses.
Graduating from Cambridge reading History he returned to Manchester and qualified as an accountant working with broad based engineering firms. Joining the environmental services side of Simon Engineering he spent time in France and the USA where he learned to write software and more importantly where his daughter Hannah was born.
He is a cofounder of CMR Surgical, one of the UK’s leading medical devices startups, developing the next generation system for robotically-assisted minimal access surgery where he raised over £250M for the company's development. He was known for putting the Frosty into Frost by walking round the office in a snowman outfit at Christmas and biking to various offices across Cambridge come rain or shine.
Prior to CMR, Martin was CEO and CFO of Sagentia plc. Under his leadership Sagentia, developed and rolled-out M-Pesa, the leading mobile-money platform in the world. He cofounded Redcloud which now manages this technology.
For all of this Martin won the Disruptor Award in the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™️ 2019 UK Awards.
Since leaving CMR Martin has engaged in starting and scaling-up companies within the spectrum of fast-charge batteries, electric motors, digital pathology, and sensors. He was awarded a CBE in the 2020 Queen's Birthday Honours for Services to Robotics and British Industry.
In his "spare time", Martin is a trustee of Peek Vision whose mission is vision and eye health for all and with wife Ali previously belonged to the C3 Cambridge family where Martin served as a trustee and as a youth leader.
A few noteworthy quotes from Martin:
"The person who is best at a job today isn’t necessarily the person who is best at the job in a few years time."
"Success comes from being authentic, knowing yourself and being prepared to be challenged (don’t surround yourself with people who are as bonkers as you are)"
"CMR will give birth to people who will go and do something else; very special." - Come back in 3 weeks time to hear one of them.
FOR UPCOMING ASCEND EVENTS sign up here.
To subscribe to our weekly inspiring emails, please complete the form here.
WHAT IS ASCEND MEN?
Imagine a community of men who are challenged, inspired and equipped to live passionate lives for Jesus. A place where men-care-for-men through a small number of honest personal relationships initiated and supported by regular male-oriented events. Relationships are built shoulder-to-shoulder doing stuff in preference to eye-balling each other!Ascend Men is that community.
Our podcasts reflect that desire to challenge, inspire and equip our men. Some are light-hearted easy-listens. Some deserve to be digested and pondered. If you love them, tell us - we could do with the encouragement. If you can see ways they could be improved, tell us - feedback is a gift.
Join our Facebook group or email us ([email protected]) to hear more about our fantastic breakfasts in Cambridge, Bury and Colchester as well as our Camp in June.
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Rob Allin is a new presenter on the Ascend Podcast and based on how well he did on this one, you'll want him to come back to do more!
Today he kicks-off our Entrepreneurs season by interviewing Peter Heslam.
As Director of Faith in Business, Peter's focus is on the moral and spiritual dimensions of entrepreneurial business and their role in business performance and human development. He is particularly interested in the social impact of Christianity and entrepreneurship when they converge. Which makes him an ideal guest to open-up this season on Entrepreneurs
Using the first few chapters of Genesis, Peter talks about God's inherent creativity and appetite. Being made in His image we too we can all be creative. However we are not all called to be entrepreneurs - some are quite happy having a job rather than running a business.
Hear about how faith-filled entrepreneurs have the advantage of the Holy Spirit to help build the Spirit of Enterprise. And how Christ-centred entrepreneurs will naturally be seeking to demonstrate the fruits of the Spirit, being love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness & self-control.
He talks about the difference between "success" and "significance" including some of the potential metrics that go with that. And also what we as friends / family / fellow congregation members / church leaders can do to encourage our entrepreneurial brothers and sisters.
Interested in the story of the Christian-run toy shop? Watch "The Entertainer: Facing the Canon with Gary Grant".
All you need to know about Faith in Business can be found here.For those who want to make contact with Peter directly, he can be found here: [email protected] +44 7531 504285
ASCEND CAMP 24 : 5pm Fri 7th June - evening Sat 8th June
Are you ready for an unforgettable experience? Look no further! The Ascend Camp is here to provide you with an incredible adventure like no other. Get ready to eat, bond and have the time of your life with like-minded men in a beautiful natural setting.
Spaces are limited, so don’t delay! Join us for an adventure-packed experience that will leave you rejuvenated and inspired. Whether you’re seeking a thrilling outdoor escape, an opportunity to forge new friendships, or simply a break from the daily grind, our camp has it all.
Special rate for Dads and Lads. All ages welcomed. Youth programme through the day on Saturday. Contact [email protected] for more details.COST: £70
LOCATION: Thorpe Woodlands Adventure Centre, Shadwell, Thetford IP24 2RX
ACCOMMODATION: Indoor small dormitories or outdoor camping
SPEAKERS: Steve Campbell, John Wilson & Nathan Blackaby
QUESTIONS? Email: [email protected]
BE QUICK - Around 80% of the places are now taken so pull your finger out by signing up here if you want to come.
FOR UPCOMING ASCEND EVENTS sign up here.To subscribe to our weekly inspiring emails, please complete the form here.
WHAT IS ASCEND MEN?
Imagine a community of men who are challenged, inspired and equipped to live passionate lives for Jesus. A place where men-care-for-men through a small number of honest personal relationships initiated and supported by regular male-oriented events. Relationships are built shoulder-to-shoulder doing stuff in preference to eye-balling each other!Ascend Men is that community.
Our podcasts reflect that desire to challenge, inspire and equip our men. Some are light-hearted easy-listens. Some deserve to be digested and pondered. If you love them, tell us - we could do with the encouragement. If you can see ways they could be improved, tell us - feedback is a gift.
Join our Facebook group or email us ([email protected]) to hear more about our fantastic breakfasts in Cambridge, Bury and Colchester as well as our annual Summit in February and Camp in June.
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Today we are talking with Dr Katie Butler, who lives with husband Scott north of Boston, Massachusetts. Katie completed her surgical and critical care training and was a member of staff at Massachusetts General Hospital for a decade until 2016 when she swapped catheters for crayons promoting herself to homeschool headteacher to her two children.
She's an acclaimed and award winning author with fictional work including “The Dream Keeper Saga” which points families to the Gospel through vivid storytelling. The first four books comprise The Dragon and the Stone, The Prince and the Blight, Lost in the Caverns & The Quest for the Guardians.
Her unique insight into the intersection between medicine and faith have given her an authoritative voice on TV, podcasts and in our discussion today. She has also written two books, the first of which we'll refer to several times:
Between Life and Death: A Gospel-Centered Guide to End-of-Life Medical Care
Glimmers of Grace: A Doctor’s Reflections on Faith, Suffering, and the Goodness of God
Katie's Desiring God website article: Can Death Ever Be Good? The Grief of Loss and Hope of HeavenCheck this blog post to understand more about how Katie's experiences of the hospital Emergency Room (ER) impacted her “nominal Christianity”.
Katie's four fundamental precepts:
Sanctity of mortal lifeGod’s authority over life and deathMercy and compassionHope in ChristOrgan-supporting measures covered in Part 2 of Between Life and Death:
Cardiac Arrest/ResuscitationMechanical VentilationCardiovascular SupportArtificially Administered NutritionDialysisBrain Injury
BBC Radio 4 "Doctor, Doctor" episode featuring end of life specialist Dr Rachel Clarke.
NHS website with information on planning ahead for end of life care, advanced statement about care wishes, advanced decision to refuse treatment (i.e. a living will) and lasting power of attorney.Katie mentions this must-read from Ewan Goligher on assisted dying/euthanasia titled "How then shall we die?".
FOR UPCOMING ASCEND EVENTS sign up here.
To subscribe to our weekly inspiring emails, please complete the form here.
WHAT IS ASCEND MEN?
Imagine a community of men who are challenged, inspired and equipped to live passionate lives for Jesus. A place where men-care-for-men through a small number of honest personal relationships initiated and supported by regular male-oriented events. Relationships are built shoulder-to-shoulder doing stuff in preference to eye-balling each other!Ascend Men is that community.
Our podcasts reflect that desire to challenge, inspire and equip our men. Some are light-hearted easy-listens. Some deserve to be digested and pondered. If you love them, tell us - we could do with the encouragement. If you can see ways they could be improved, tell us - feedback is a gift.
Join our Facebook group or email us ([email protected]) to hear more about our fantastic breakfasts in Cambridge, Bury and Colchester as well as our annual Summit in February and Camp in July.
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