Author: faithrootsdw

Would you baptise someone who didn’t want to become a member of your church

The following scenario was recently put forward: Someone becomes a Christian. They come to your church and they ask to be baptised. However, they make it clear that they do not want to formally become a church member. They simply want to attend for a bit. I appreciate that not every church will have something… Continue reading Would you baptise someone who didn’t want to become a member of your church

Surviving University as a Christian

It’s that time of year when lots of students head off to University and a big concern for Christian students is whether or not they’ll survive with their faith intact.  I’ve seen a few suggestions about how to make sure you get through University and these tend to include things like joining the Christian Union,… Continue reading Surviving University as a Christian

Why were there leftovers at the feeding of the 5000?

We know the answer don’t we? It’s obvious.  Ny providing an abundance, Jesus was demonstrating his ability to provide all that his people needed. The Twelve baskets meant that each disciple had something to take away. More than that, they symbolised the 12 tribes, so that we saw Christ’s abundant provision for his people. However,… Continue reading Why were there leftovers at the feeding of the 5000?

Diversity Quotas for books? Should every edited book have at least one female contributer?

A few years back, the BBC decided that they should insist on having at least one female on every panel show.  It was a well intentioned effort to correct an imbalance and specifically in the context of comedy to give more women comedians the opportunity to showcase their talents. The other day, I saw this… Continue reading Diversity Quotas for books? Should every edited book have at least one female contributer?

Safer Churches e-book

Here in one place are the studies and discussion questions helping us to think through what it means to plant safer churches Planting Safer Churches I would encourage Church leadership teams to work through these over a series of sessions. I am also currently preparing a series of YouTube videos to accompany the discussions

The man who went up a hill and came down a mountain to chaos

Which scene in the Bible do you think the heading is referring to?  In Mark 9, Jesus goes up  a hill/mountain with a few of his disciples. There at the summit, there is a revelation of God’s glory, an encounter with The Law (Moses) and The Prophets (Elijah) and God speaks.  When they come down… Continue reading The man who went up a hill and came down a mountain to chaos

How do we make sure that we are not spreading ourselves too thinly?

The morning, I preached on the feeding of the Five Thousand and I asked two questions. One important, practical question that came out of the sermon application was  “How do we know when to keep going with things and/or to take new things on and when to say no? Can we end up spreading ourselves… Continue reading How do we make sure that we are not spreading ourselves too thinly?

Jesus satisfies (Luke 9:10-17)

I want to ask you two questions.  We are heading into a difficult winter with rising prices, a cost of living crisis and an energy crisis. Even with the help offered by the government, many will struggle.  Are you anxious as we head into the winter?  Perhaps you’re thinking that even if domestic energy costs… Continue reading Jesus satisfies (Luke 9:10-17)

Teaching right worship and right feelings: The pastor’s responsibility as worship leader

If “the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever”[1] then that tells us a little about what the primary role and duty of pastors is all about.  If we were made and redeemed to worship God, to praise him and to enjoy and delight in his presence, then the pastor’s… Continue reading Teaching right worship and right feelings: The pastor’s responsibility as worship leader