There's an interesting debate opening on the web about the question, 'are UK Christian conferences sexist'? It started off when Rachel Held Evans in the US challenged the organisers of the NINES conference on twitter, (a summary of the tweets are on storify ) which has then prompted some UK folk to look at what... Continue Reading →
Christians and new media #cnmac13
My twitter feed has been filled today with comments from #cnmac13 the Christian new media awards and conference. I’d wanted to go but lack of time and an unwillingness to pay £100 in rail fares got the better of me. Conferences like this bring out the good and the bad in us. Do we really... Continue Reading →
My experiences of Iquitos
Before I last went to Iquitos I agreed to write about it for the Baptist Times. The article's now on line: training pastors in Peru
Keeping perspective in church needs distance
One thing I’ve noticed about being a minister is that the longer you are in a church the harder it is to separate your own thoughts about the church situation from your own sense of identity. In the early day’s it easier to see things because you approach them with fresh eyes; though you have... Continue Reading →
The Regional Minister bus
There are more interesting things to blog about than Baptist Associations appointing Regional Ministers but I can’t help but notice the large number of appointments being made at the moment. I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in one here in the North West myself, so I know that many of these folk are gifted... Continue Reading →
Hi from iquitos
I’m currently back in Iquitos, the heart of the Peruvian Amazon jungle, where I’ve been teaching and encouraging church leaders (well trying to anyway). But time here always prompts me to think of home and the differences between the church in the UK and here. Whilst there are many things people lack here, decent medical... Continue Reading →
Should Baptists be political conservatives?
It’s the conference season for UK political parties at the moment – so perhaps an opportunity for a more controversial blog post. Controversial because my observation is the majority of Baptist Ministers lean politically towards the Labour party, something I want to question. Whilst our history and theological roots can be contested perhaps Baptists ought... Continue Reading →
Lynn Green’s induction
It was a privilege to attend Lynn's induction as the BUGB's new General Secretary yesterday afternoon at Sutton Coldfield Baptist Church. Following a resume of the story leading up to Lynn's appointment, told by Jenny Royal (moderator of the trustee board and of the search group) and Lynn, the formal part of the induction was... Continue Reading →
New(ish) worship songs
As part of our autumn preaching plan 'touches of heaven' we have also set about learning some new songs for use in worship. Since I've not had time to blog anything reflective this week I thought I'd share some video clips of the songs we've learnt. It's not exactly a balanced selection of modern hymnody... Continue Reading →
Autumn preaching theme: touches of heaven
September is usually a busy month and this year is proving to be no exception. It is one of two moments in the church year where you get a chance to set a direction and communicate enthusiasm for the journey ahead; but it is also the point where lots of activities restart after the summer... Continue Reading →
Distinct Reflections 