Just returned from a day led by Glen Marshall (nah-then) looking at the current state of evangelicalism and its future possibilities. Much of what Glen said used Bebbington’s quadrilateral as abase but it was interesting to consider the extent to which current trends are relativising the things Bebbington sees as core markers of evangelicalism. (For... Continue Reading →
More friends anyone?
Fewer blog posts recently due to pressure of work! At the Church Meeting earlier this week I asked, as a throw away question, how many people wished they had more friends in church. The answer, it appears, is almost everyone. If I had shown greater presence of mind I would have tried to get... Continue Reading →
If church was like Starbucks…..
I came across this clip whilst looking for sermon illustrations. Nuff said.
New Director for Evangelical Alliance
News is out today that Steve Clifford is to be the next General Director for the EA. (see here). I don't know Steve so can't really comment about his appointment but he is taking on a challenging role. Whatever you may think of the recent tensions within the evangelical scene in the UK (think of... Continue Reading →
Picking up the threads
I’m always surprised how many people ask if we had a restful Christmas. Perhaps it is a legacy of the fact that both sets of parents are separated that we seem to spend much of the time between Christmas and New Year travelling. Travelling to the Isle of Mull is always good; this year made more... Continue Reading →
Finally He comes….
The eyes of the world are on Rome. The media are looking to see what Caesar’s PR people do next but the real action is not in Rome, nor in Jerusalem where reporters are camped out, but in Bethlehem. Up till now God has spoken to gather up his people though fragments, occasional visions... Continue Reading →
Vision or imagination?
One bizarre element of this time of year is doing Christmas services whilst actually planning the church programme for the spring; it isn’t easy to decide on Easter message titles whilst everything around you cries out ‘Merry Christmas’. But within a week or two people will once again be asking ‘what’s your vision for the... Continue Reading →
Highly favoured?
My turn to advent blog today at Hopeful Imagination (clik link to see post) so I've posted some thoughts about Mary and the angel. Those readers who have heard me preach this advent from Luke 1 will probably recognise it.
Credit Crunch
If you want an analysis of the credit crunch and what is going on Robert Peston, the BBC business editor, often seems to have his finger on the issues. His article (here) is an interesting take on what will happen next.
Living what you believe
I’ve been fascinated by what the Cappadocians (Basil the Great, Gregory Nazianzus, Gregory of Nyssa) understood about the role of ministers and, for me, three things stand out: 1. Contemplating the fullness of God. Pointing people towards God so they apprehend Father, Son and Spirit; or, as Ephesians 4 puts it, so we might grow... Continue Reading →
Distinct Reflections 