So Council draws to a close till later in the year. It has been dominated by questions of pensions, which are going to be a significant issue over the next few months. But for me the highlight has been a presentation by the Younger Leaders Forum; a Baptist 18-30 group who grapple with issues relating... Continue Reading →
BUGB Council
As Council works through its business two questions stand behind much of what we do. 1. Snog, Marry, Avoid? Asks one BBC TV series; what are the limits of diversity and inclusivity in how we handle people who disagree with us is less snappy Baptist version. As Baptists we believe in the Lordship of Christ... Continue Reading →
BUGB Council
Off to BUGB Council again tomorrow, so expect a few blog comments over the next three days from me and other baptist bloggers. At first reading the agenda looks routine with few surprises but when you dig a bit deeper it may not be as straightforward as expected. Monday’s highlight maybe the Faith and Unity... Continue Reading →
Rob Bell: Love Wins
As mentioned in an earlier post Rob Bell's book is causing quite a stir. My Amazon order hasn't arrived yet and I will blog some thoughts when I've read the book (but not before). However, I note that some UK based comments are starting to emerge. This month's Christianity magazine has a brief book review... Continue Reading →
Distrust larger churches?
As comments to my Home Mission post demonstrate there is some distrust of larger Baptist Churches in the UK. As someone who was previously a minister of a Home Mission supported small church I have some experience on both sides of this; there is something dispiriting about the suspicion that the life of your congregation... Continue Reading →
BUGB Home Mission 2
In a previous post I promised some thoughts on the way ahead so here goes: Home Mission depends on voluntary contributions from churches. In the last couple of years the Union has changed its appeal to encourage each church to give 5% of income to Home Mission. I’m sure this is the right strategy; it... Continue Reading →
NWBA ministers’ conference
I’ve spent the last couple of days commuting between home and the NWBA ministers conference so a couple of reflections. 1. One speaker: the Rt Rev Chris Edmundson Bishop of Bolton drew a distinction between a balanced life and a life with rhythm. Too often we compartmentalise life into different areas and seek to give... Continue Reading →
Religious Studies: A letter to Michael Gove
A number of petitions seem to be doing the rounds at present, encouraging the Government to include Religious Studies in the list of subjects included within the new English Baccalaureate qualification they are introducing. Rather than sign a petition I thought I would write my own letter which follows: Rt Hon Michael Gove MP... Continue Reading →
Fissiparousness alert: Rob Bell makes waves
Rob Bell’s latest book isn’t even published but is already making waves in the US. No doubt this is exactly what the publishers wanted when they wrote this blurb (source Amazon.com): Fans flock to his Facebook page, his NOOMA videos have been viewed by millions, and his Sunday sermons are attended by 10,000 parishioners—with a... Continue Reading →
BUGB Home Mission 1
In recent weeks there have been letters in the Baptist Times concerning the Baptist Union’s Home Mission fund, the size of the deficit and how money is used. So I thought I might write a post or two about Home Mission. This post looks at some questions and another will comment on possible ways forward.... Continue Reading →
Distinct Reflections 