I know many of you have been following this on other blogs but the situation now seems to be as follows: Authentic Music based in Milton Keynes has been bought by Kingsway Communications operating from Eastbourne. Authentic Book Publishing and 8 Wesley Owen Stores (Bath Birmingham, Bristol, Bromley, Coleraine, Derby, Glasgow and York ) have... Continue Reading →
PBC Christmas message
For those who are interested my Christmas message is now on the church website here (click on the link on RHS).
Interactive church?
I’ve been thinking recently about the ‘interactive’ option that we sometimes have as part of our morning services; an option where people get opportunity to discuss a topic over coffee & croissant whilst the rest of the church prays, sings and listens to my preaching. The feedback is very positive (which may simply be a... Continue Reading →
An Epic Advent
It is my turn to blog at the advent blog hopeful imagination today. My post is below but you can follow the rest here. Being a minister at this time of year is an odd experience. Preparing services that fit the advent season whilst making plans for the period from Christmas to Easter. Yesterday I... Continue Reading →
What makes an evangelical?
It is a sign of desperation to blog about other people's blogs but this by Steve Holmes is worth it! I'm sure Steve's suggestion of a contoured approach to defining evangelicalism might helpfully re-frame the debate. I need some time (which I don't have this week) to think about:Despite Steve's approach isn't the nature of... Continue Reading →
Advent: living patiently in a world of impatience
I sometimes use video clips in preaching; searching for something suitable for advent I came across this by Stanley Hauerwas here. I'm not sure if I could use it, though the idea of sharing Hauerwas with the congregation is attractive.
Advent
As far as Christmas goes my attitude is best summed up as ‘bah humbug’; not to the incarnation but all the other trappings. But, over the last decade, I’ve come to appreciate Advent. Advent expresses an important dimension of the Christian life; a life of expectant waiting and a period of hopeful purpose. As... Continue Reading →
Building a ministry team
We are searching for an Associate Minister, a more stressful task than I anticipated. I’ve been through the Baptist settlement process twice as a candidate and once as a church moderator but looking for someone to join the team here brings out different questions. Some while ago I came across Bill Hybel’s 3 C’s for... Continue Reading →
IBS-STL an opportunity?
I’m saddened to see the financial problems of IBS-STL who run Wesley Owen, Authentic Media and others. The temptation is to view financial difficulty as a wholly bad thing but it is an opportunity to take a fresh approach and I hope there is a positive outcome. Finding a buyer for the Wesley Owen chain... Continue Reading →
Watching Christian TV makes me grumpy!
Twice in recent weeks I’ve wasted some free time watching Christian Satellite TV; on both occasions someone speaking at well known evangelical Christian events in the UK. The first programme made my heart sink. The speaker, who I hadn’t heard before, talked complete rubbish making comments that are contrary to the Biblical text (how is... Continue Reading →
Distinct Reflections 