It’s that time of year when preparing Christmas services comes to an end. Or, if you’re not into planning, starts with increasing levels of panic as the deadlines loom. Finding fresh ways of working familiar themes is always a challenge but also needs care as, for most UK churches, Christmas is a season where many... Continue Reading →
BUGB recuiting ministries team leader
The Baptist Union (Baptists Together) is looking to recruit a new team leader for the Ministries team based in Didcot. Someone who will be one of the new specialist team leaders involved in leading the Union. Details of the post are here Noteworthy in the details is that the person is likely to be someone... Continue Reading →
Sabbatical reflections
As I return to my role in Poynton after a six week sabbatical I do so with an interesting mix of feelings. I’ve blogged about my trip to New Zealand before so readers already know that I had a fantastic time, enjoying learning about church life there and having the chance to visit lake Tekapo... Continue Reading →
Lessons from UK / NZ baptist life
As I’ve pondered my trip to NZ there are a number of things about Baptist life in our two countries that we might learn from each other. So as a final post on NZ let me draw some threads together. Ministry led or congregational There is much in the healthy church / ministry led model... Continue Reading →
Observing Baptist life in New Zealand
In the last blog I looked at three elements which define Baptist life in Christchurch: activist / community orientated, minister led church structures and in the influence of Pentecostalism. These then flow into some other aspects of life there. Independence After the earthquakes churches, like the rest of the community, pulled together to get life... Continue Reading →
Learning about New Zealand Baptists
One reason for visiting New Zealand was to learn about Baptist life in Christchurch. Rob, my host, is Senior Minister of Opawa Baptist and he organised lots of opportunities for me to interact with other local pastors and people involved in Baptist life. Christchurch is, of course, a particular place with its own history and... Continue Reading →
BUGB / BMS Baptist Assembly 2015
Back in the UK I attended the annual BUGB/BMS Baptist Assembly on Saturday. This year it was a one day event, which worked better than I thought it might. Obviously reducing the events length means that there are lots of things there isn’t space for, such as opportunities for other Baptist Organisations, plenary sessions with... Continue Reading →
New Zealand trip
I’ve just returned from an amazing couple of weeks in New Zealand; most of the time being spent in Christchurch; the largest (only) city on the South Island. I went as part of a sabbatical to see what Baptist Church life looks like in New Zealand; but also because we have built a link with... Continue Reading →
Favourite worship songs
Recently I was asked what my favourite worship songs were and since it is already half term and I’ve not done much blogging recently I thought I’d blog a response - don't take it too seriously though. 'Favourite worship songs' is always difficult to answer because it depends on loads of factors (and worship is... Continue Reading →
Fresh Streams 2015 Encouraging, affirming, empowering
I’ve been at Fresh Streams annual conference this week where the theme was ‘Developing leaders, developing leadership’. Danielle Strickland was booked as the main speaker but had to withdraw and so a different person spoke at each main session. Roy Searle and Chris Duffett are well known in UK Baptist life; Ali Summers is on... Continue Reading →
Distinct Reflections 