Columbanus (8)

Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily. Colossians 1.28, 29

“Since I bear the responsibility for very needful teaching, first of all I may briefly speak of the first thing for all to know. I desire that what is the basis of all men’s salvation should be the foundation of our talk, and that our doctrine should commence from that point whence all that is arises and what has not been begins, and that the heart’s belief should open the gateway of our talk, rightly opening, as it does, the mouths of all Christian believers to a salutary confession” (Columbanus, Sermon I). 

Columbanus was the greatest of the Irish peregrini who re-evangelized much of Europe during the seventh century. He preached a series of thirteen brief messages to new members of his monastic community to help them get oriented to their new life in Christ and among their fellow servants. These seem to have been preached on consecutive days at the beginning of their novitiate. Though brief, his sermons are filled with powerful challenges to take seriously the call to follow Jesus Christ in a life of self-denial and spiritual striving.

Columbanus insisted that all preaching must have its beginning and ending in the Gospel of salvation – in the message of our Lord Jesus Christ. These days many preachers seem to assume the Gospel rather than proclaim it. Columbanus believed that faithfully proclaiming the Gospel was important in helping believers to confess it as they should. As he understood it, all our doctrine, indeed, everything in life, arises from the Fount, which is Jesus, and all our faith should be directed toward Him. The first thing we need to understand as preachers and disciple-makers is that Jesus is the First Thing – and the Last – and Everything In-Between – in everything we do.

Of Him, through Him, and unto Him. Let our preaching, teaching, and disciple-making reflect this as our Fount and Focus.

Resources for revival
Men, we welcome you to join us via Zoom as we gather each Tuesday morning at 10:00 Eastern for 30 minutes of prayer, seeking the Lord for revival. This is one of the most exciting, most challenging, and most visionary times of my week, as men from all over the country unite their voices in seeking the Lord, using a psalm to guide our prayers. Come and pray with us. If you’d like to be added to the invitation list, just send me an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We’re offering three free resources to help in making revival, renewal, and awakening happen in our day. Click here to learn what revival is and why we need it, what you can do to prepare your church for revival, and how you can lead others to join you in seeking it. 

From the Celtic Revival
We’ve gathered a few resources about the Celtic Revival onto a single page at our website. Visit by clicking here to watch a video, listen to a podcast, download a resource, or ask a question about the Celtic Revival.

Check out our newest podcast, Celtic Legacy, which offers a more in-depth look at some of the writings from this period.

Here’s an excerpt from the current issue of Crosfigell, our twice-weekly teaching letter featuring insights from the writers of the Celtic Revival challenging us to think about what it means to love God:

You have nothing more precious
than the love of God, if you perform it:
you will not regret
adoring the King of clouds.

  - Oengus mac Oengobann, Féilire Oengusso, Irish, 9th century[1]

We don’t love God because we say we do. We love Him by performing the love He has for us, so that love for neighbors grows in us as love for God increases through worship and obedience.

What does Crosfigell mean? Here’s a little video explaining the name of our teaching letter.

T. M. Moore.

Please pray
Did you know that the ministry of The Fellowship of Ailbe is now reaching people in 180 countries? And that we are on schedule to distribute more than 3,000 free Kingdom resources by the end of the year? It is our privilege to provide resources and opportunities to equip and encourage church leaders in building the Lord’s Church and advancing His Kingdom.

Pray that God will bring to our Fellowship men who are committed to realizing more of the presence, promise, and power of His Kingdom. If you’d like to learn more about becoming a Brother in The Fellowship of Ailbe, click here to watch a brief video. If you’d like to talk about Membership, write to me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and I’ll send you some additional information.

Please pray that God will move many of those we serve through this ministry to share with us financially in its support. If the Lord moves you to give, you can use the Contribute button at the website to give with a credit card or through PayPal or Anedot, or you can send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 360 Zephyr Road, Williston, VT 05495.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

[1] Carey, p. 190.