Yesterday marked the start of Advent. I'm not going to blog lots of advent thoughts: simply point to the hopeful imagination blog which will have advent reflections by a number of people, including me. However, if you want to join others in some further prayer and biblical reflection why not joint the Northern Baptist College... Continue Reading →
Ministry: remember who you are.
Will Willimon notes the main danger in ministry is not ‘burn out’ but rather ‘black out’; it is not that we run out of energy but rather we loose consciousness of why we are here and what we are called to be. What ministers do is a function of who ministers are. St Basil... Continue Reading →
They like Jesus but not the church
It’s not an academic book but I’ve recently finished this book in which Dan Kimball seeks to address the negative impressions he believes emerging generations have about the church. His thesis is people are turned off the church because they perceive that: - The church is an organised religion with a political agenda - The church... Continue Reading →
The most stupid thief ever?
Associated Baptist Press are running a story about a man who has been charged with stealing the collection from a Baptist Church in Florida. Grabbing the collection from the treasurer and running away. Unfortunately for Harold Williams, he was recognised as someone who came as a visitor the previous week, helpfully filling out a visitor... Continue Reading →
Good worship songs
I've had a number of conversations recently with people who lament the quality of songs that we use in worship. For some it is the words that get to them, for others it is the musical style and for others it is the limited range of material (how many new songs are laments or confession?)... Continue Reading →
Declaring a principle
When do someone’s beliefs become so different to our own that we can’t be members of the same church or denomination together? How do we handle people who read the Bible differently to us, especially when that means they live differently to us? Some church networks speak of sharing the vision and only welcome those... Continue Reading →
Surviving Council
Baptist Union Council is now over till March. I will blog some reflections over the next few days but there are two questions that lie behind much of the discussion we had. First, what is the relationship between the Union, the Associations and the Churches? In many discussions this is either the unnamed elephant in... Continue Reading →
Off to council
Tomorrow I'm off to Baptist Union Council. I recognise that Council is a minority sport but confess that I usually enjoy it. It is a great opportunity to meet and talk with people especially in the bar at the end of the day. This time the agenda doesn't look too full but, as those of... Continue Reading →
A momentous week
I've spent a lot of time this week following the news from the US and am moved and excited by the election of Barack Obama with his message of hope, inclusion and change. It has been fascinating to watch over the last year as he has energised young people, signing them up and involving them... Continue Reading →
Finally got started
I've been thinking about starting a blog for ages but just never got round to it. My aim is to blog about things which relate to theology and church life which is, after all, the world that I'm immersed in most of the time. Having said that caravans, family and comments on random topics will... Continue Reading →
Distinct Reflections 