I’m gradually getting into the swing of things after a post Christmas break but before I get completely overwhelmed by my ‘to do’ list a couple of thoughts about why the year ahead may prove to be a good year for BUGB. Mind the gaps: Looking afresh at what we do creates some pain and... Continue Reading →
Thank you BUGB
I smiled at an email today saying this blog had the top clicked story by staff at Baptist House this year. Thank you to those who visit here and interact with what I write. But I also want to use this as an opportunity to say thank you to the staff who work for the... Continue Reading →
Keeping up with BUGB debate (updated)
For those of you trying to keep up with the Baptist blogs and the various contributions Andy Goodliff has produced a summary here As far as I know there have only been three new contributions in the last couple of days. The first from Steve Holmes (here), the second from Simon Jones (here) and the... Continue Reading →
Questions for the Baptist Union
Recently this blog and others have carried items about leadership, listening, influence and involvement within the Baptist world. (see Andy Goodliff Juliet Kilpin Steve Holmes Nigel Coles) So what is going on in the BUGB that is making people think afresh? The current crisis is a lack of finance. Currently the BUGB (and many of the Associations) are... Continue Reading →
Influential English Baptists?
If I had a fiver each time someone in English Baptist life said ‘we need leadership’ I would have an impressive stock of single Islay Malts and a few cases of red wine by now. So who are voices we should be listening to? Noting we seek the mind of Christ, recognising the Spirit... Continue Reading →
German Baptist Mission
I’ve spent an interesting afternoon with a group from the mission department of the German Baptist Union. I was curious to learn how they structure and resource mission in Germany. In general they seem to have adopted a regional approach where the group gather together a couple of times each year (this time for a... Continue Reading →
Scotland’s impact on BUGB Council
Probably my last blog on BUGB Council till March but I was really impressed by the Baptist Union of Scotland’s presentation on Tuesday. The BUS have been on a journey of restructuring and they have experiences to share about keeping the focus on what matters, handling change and saving money in the process. It seems... Continue Reading →
BUGB Council – reasons for optimism
OK I’m not sure I feel optimistic yet for this is proving to be a Council like no other. But, as with the Council in which the Union made the ‘Apology’, this suggests that God is at work even if we can’t yet see it. Nevertheless, I think some trends are discernable which might shape... Continue Reading →
Baptist Times – RIP
This news became public yesterday so I feel I can now share it. Link here for the details.
2012 The making of a modern denomination
BUGB Council meets again next week; the curious combination institutional process, denominational politics and corporate perspicacity. One item on the agenda is finance and its implications for the future structure of the Union. I’ve lost count of the number of hours I’ve sat in meetings when we have talked about this over the last couple... Continue Reading →
Distinct Reflections 