Author: faithrootsdw

Reading Proverbs

It’s quite rare to see a church preaching/teaching series on Proverbs. So I’m pretty excited that our church are going to have a mini series on the book and looking forward to hearing Chris and Rich introduce us to a fantastic and crucial Old Testament book. We did work through much of Proverbs at my… Continue reading Reading Proverbs

What do you think about strikes and industrial action?

I’ve been trying to do a little bit of ethical and pastoral thinking around the question of industrial action and strikes recently. Whilst this was a significant issue during the 1970s and 80s, it really slipped down the agenda over the following decades. However, it looks like we are entering a period where we can… Continue reading What do you think about strikes and industrial action?

What does 1 Corinthians 7 actually say about slavery?

In  amongst what Paul has to say about singleness, celibacy, abstinence, non-Christian partners and divorce in 1 Corinthians 7, he talks about the situation that slaves find themselves in. Whilst our focus has been understanding the issue of sexual ethics, I want to pause on this particular example because the question of Paul’s attitude to… Continue reading What does 1 Corinthians 7 actually say about slavery?

How do we think Christianly about the junior doctors dispute?

After Easter, Junior Doctors in the NHS went on strike as part of an ongoing dispute concerning pay and working conditions.  I appreciate that there will be diverse and passionate views about the strikes among my readers.  Those views will reflect personal experience of the NHS, whether or not you personally know junior doctors. My… Continue reading How do we think Christianly about the junior doctors dispute?

What does 1 Corinthians 7 actually say about marriage to unbelievers?

I’m continuing my little series of articles looking at what 1 Corinthians 7 actually says about sexual ethics.  Remember that the starting point has been a question about abstinence.  Is it a good thing for men to abstain from sexual relations with women?  It is In this context that a question comes up about situations… Continue reading What does 1 Corinthians 7 actually say about marriage to unbelievers?

Out of scope?  Do your beliefs affect your views on controversial issues like Strike action?

This last week, Junior Doctors have been on Strike over pay and conditions.  This is against a backdrop of significant and increasing industrial unrest not seen in the UK since the 1970s and early 80s.  We’ve seen teachers, train drivers, bus drivers postmen and nurses take or consider industrial action.  More strikes and other forms… Continue reading Out of scope?  Do your beliefs affect your views on controversial issues like Strike action?

What does 1 Corinthians 7 actually say about singleness?

Previously I wrote about what 1 Corinthians 7 has to say about marriage and sexual abstinence.  The chapter is a key passage for our understanding of relational and sexual ethics in the light of the Gospel touching on marriage, sex, singleness and divorce.  It’s often cited but I’m not sure that it is always fully… Continue reading What does 1 Corinthians 7 actually say about singleness?

Attitudes to Church Planting

I’m currently running this little survey to find out a bit more about attitudes to church planting. I’m particularly interested to know whether there are people seriously considering the possibility of church planting in the near future. If you are interested in church planting, then I’d like to find out a bit more about what… Continue reading Attitudes to Church Planting

Board games and the missing step when interviewing potential pastors

My friend Richard Baxter has suggested that pastoral interviews should include a game of monopoly. He is not being completely serious about having board games but he is arguing that we need more than just an interview and a preach to get a feel for potential pastoral candidates. As it happens, whilst the interview process… Continue reading Board games and the missing step when interviewing potential pastors