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 →
Advent thoughts
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 →
Distinct Reflections 