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 →
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 →
A missional church. Step 1
I was shocked how long it’s been a while since my last blog. I’ve not given up on blogging but it has taken a back seat whilst I recover from my cardiac event and, if I’m honest, the swirl of questions which accompany getting back to work after a heart attack: ‘what am I doing?’... Continue Reading →
BUGB Paul Goodliff steps down
Personally, I'm sad to see news of Paul Goodliff stepping down as the leader of the BUGB's ministries team. Web article here Someone leaving a role suddenly always causes some uncertainty. The Union has been undergoing signficant transformation in the last few years and Paul's commitment to Ministry and ministers has meant he as been... Continue Reading →
Full time ministers: a dying breed?
I had the pleasure of chairing a conversation day run by the Baptist Ministers’ Fellowship this week. Entitled “Pathways for Baptist ministry” speakers shared their varied experience of ministerial life, training / formation and ways of working. Although the conversations ranged wide, two things stood out for me from the day: 1. The majority of... Continue Reading →
BUGB / BMS Assembly #bapt14 (one year on but looking forward)
It's the BUGB / BMS annual assembly this weekend. This time we are meeting in West Bromwich, which will make a change from the run down seaside venues often chosen. It will also mark the first anniversary of Lynn Green’s appointment as General Secretary. Sadly Lynn’s been receiving medical treatment over the last few weeks... Continue Reading →
Fresh Streams 2014 some early reflections #fsnc14
I’ve spent the last 48 hours at the Fresh Streams conference. Although I’ve been to the odd day over the last few years it is the first time I’ve been to the whole thing for 5 years. It hasn’t changed much over that time (though the leadership has become more plural and has a better... Continue Reading →
Lead a movement; what’s that mean?
Earlier this month I blogged that one of my New Year dreams was to lead a movement not an organisation. Recently I’ve heard plenty of talk about the need for a ‘Baptist movement’ which poses the question what do I/we mean by movement, particularly when used in distinction to organisation or institution? A movement is... Continue Reading →
Blue Christmas service outline
I know we've now moved on to New Year but this year I experimented with a 'Blue Christmas' event; something I think we might do again in future years. I did it as an opportunity to reflect on Jesus incarnation for those who don't always rejoice at the thought of Christmas, perhaps because of loss,... Continue Reading →
UK Christians sexist?
There's an interesting debate opening on the web about the question, 'are UK Christian conferences sexist'? It started off when Rachel Held Evans in the US challenged the organisers of the NINES conference on twitter, (a summary of the tweets are on storify ) which has then prompted some UK folk to look at what... Continue Reading →
Distinct Reflections 