I smiled at an email today saying this blog had the top clicked story by staff at Baptist House this year. Thank you to those who visit here and interact with what I write. But I also want to use this as an opportunity to say thank you to the staff who work for the... Continue Reading →
Advent: the collision of worlds
As we have moved though advent this year I’ve been struck by two texts, which don’t normally come to prominence at this time of year. The first is the start of Hebrews (well actually from 1:1 to 2:4). The writer with great rhetorical skill moves from considering how the coming of Jesus changed the way... Continue Reading →
Sermons, I’ve preached a few
Most of the time I don't blog about things to do with the church here, or about the routine of my life as a minister. But a couple of people have recently noted that it gives an entirely different impression of me than the one you get by reading this blog. So, for those who... Continue Reading →
Keeping up with BUGB debate (updated)
For those of you trying to keep up with the Baptist blogs and the various contributions Andy Goodliff has produced a summary here As far as I know there have only been three new contributions in the last couple of days. The first from Steve Holmes (here), the second from Simon Jones (here) and the... Continue Reading →
Questions for the Baptist Union
Recently this blog and others have carried items about leadership, listening, influence and involvement within the Baptist world. (see Andy Goodliff Juliet Kilpin Steve Holmes Nigel Coles) So what is going on in the BUGB that is making people think afresh? The current crisis is a lack of finance. Currently the BUGB (and many of the Associations) are... Continue Reading →
What’s influence?
Whilst the dictionary suggests it is about the power of producing effect, particularly in people and the ability to bring something about; it seems to me that influence is a bit more subtle than this. Even if it is, ultimately, about power it is about unacknowledged power rather than authority per se. As I’ve pondered... Continue Reading →
Influential English Baptists?
If I had a fiver each time someone in English Baptist life said ‘we need leadership’ I would have an impressive stock of single Islay Malts and a few cases of red wine by now. So who are voices we should be listening to? Noting we seek the mind of Christ, recognising the Spirit... Continue Reading →
German Baptist Mission
I’ve spent an interesting afternoon with a group from the mission department of the German Baptist Union. I was curious to learn how they structure and resource mission in Germany. In general they seem to have adopted a regional approach where the group gather together a couple of times each year (this time for a... Continue Reading →
Comments policy
Up to now I've not needed a comments policy and didn't think I would ever need one. But I have recently removed a number of comments. Some of these have been anonymous and have made specific comments or accusations against either the BUGB or people who are involved in Union or Association life. Posts which... Continue Reading →
Round up of BUGB Council
So it was not by final post on last weeks BUGB Council. Given the high level of internet interest I thought I would put a round up of other blogs and comments. I'm aware of two other bloggers who were at Council and who have blogged their own reflections: Sam Griffiths and Andy Goodliff. One... Continue Reading →
Distinct Reflections 