Advent dawns on a cold crisp morning (it is minus 7 degrees celcius here). A number of folk, including me, are taking part in an advent blog again this year. Hopeful imagination is a great series of reflections writen by a range of people with different perspectives and styles. This year it appears that Andy... Continue Reading →
Dress appropriately
I came across this blog which reminds me why I'm thankful that vestments have not been part of my church tradition. Baptists may produce a number of cringe worthy things but wierd forms of dress have not usually been among them.
Good worship?
I see that the Free Kirk of Scotland has decided to change its practice and allow some musical instruments in worship here and transcript of proceedings Interestingly the debate seems to have focused on Scriptural warrant for the actions rather than a theology of worship but it will be facinating to see what emerges in the months... Continue Reading →
Hopeful mission
As previously mentioned I spent the early part of the week at a conference for leaders of ‘larger’ Baptist Churches. Credit for stirring most of the thoughts of mission and discipleship should really go to Neil Hudson , Project Director at LICC. Anyway having posted some thoughts about discipleship here are a few about mission.... Continue Reading →
Valuing discipleship
This week I’m at a conference for the ministers who are team leaders in larger Baptist churches. I don’t go to many conferences but this gathering is always worthwhile. It is great to get together with people whose experience of ministry is similar to mine who share many of the same strains and tensions, joys... Continue Reading →
Big Society
Interesting piece about Big Society here by Luke Bretherton (HT Andy) and the opportunity it presents for churches, which covers similar ground as a talk by Malcolm Duncan to BUGB Council earlier this week. As far as I’m concerned the jury is still out. In principle I like the idea of small government and communities being... Continue Reading →
Positive intent
In blogging about the life of the BUGB it is always easier seeking to critically evaluate what others do than making positive proposals. So here is an attempt to set out some of the things that I think are important about our life together. Valuing Ministry: A core part of the Union’s life is recognising,... Continue Reading →
Connecting ministers and churches
The BU has a system, led by the National Settlement Team, which seeks to help ministers find churches to settle in and churches find a new minister. Recently the church here has been looking for a new Associate Minister; a process which I’ve found far more stressful than I expected. And it is not over... Continue Reading →
Minister gets it wrong?
An interesting piece in today's Guardian here The comments are also fascinating for the way in which they give an insight into some of the issues the church needs to grapple with if we are to become missional communities of virtue in a post-christian world. Not to mention the observation that as a minister you... Continue Reading →
Small groups
As I forwarded this link to our small groups co-ordinator I thought I might blog it as well. Those of you who are on the BUGB E-news sweep will know how it came to my attention - thank you to the communications team. On my long list of things to do is to try and... Continue Reading →
Distinct Reflections 