Author: faithrootsdw

Watch out for wolves

This is the bit we don’t really like to talk about because we don’t like to be personal. But your church will face attacks from wolves.  Paul makes it clear that not only might happen but that it will happen. “after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own… Continue reading Watch out for wolves

It’s time we learned to talk about death and dying

I wanted to share some thoughts about how we approach death and dying.  Our last church, Bearwood Chapel had the full range of ages with plenty of children and young people but also a significant number of people in their 80s and 90s. That meant we saw a fair few deaths and funerals for people… Continue reading It’s time we learned to talk about death and dying

What do you need to see? (Mark 8:8-12)

Yesterday we saw Jesus willingness to repeat a sign to help his disciples get the point.  Today, we find him refusing to play the Pharisee’s game and meet their demands for a sign.  Are those two things in tension? Do they contradict each other? On the one hand, we’ve just said that Christ is more… Continue reading What do you need to see? (Mark 8:8-12)

Freedom of speech, decorum and breach of the peace

There is in the UK widespread seemingly widespread support for the monarchy.  Now, there is an important distinction between “widespread support” and “unanimous support.”  There is a significant proportion of people who would prefer the crown to be replaced with a republic.  Readers of Faithroots will know from past articles that I sit closer to… Continue reading Freedom of speech, decorum and breach of the peace

Worth doing twice (Mark 8:1-7)

Sometimes I wonder what tone Mark expects us to read different episodes from his Gospel in and where the emphasis is.  I imagine that 8:1 is meant to sound something like: “and the people ran out of food AGAIN.” We’ve been here before, and at first sight it looks like Galileans were poor planners.  This… Continue reading Worth doing twice (Mark 8:1-7)

Planting Safer Churches

This may seem like an unusual title.  On the one hand, we would hope that churches are safe, loving and accepting places.  This is where the Gospel is preached and where people whose lives are being changed come.  On the other hand, can we really expect church to be safe? Isn’t there something intensely dangerous… Continue reading Planting Safer Churches

Chris Kaba

Whilst our thoughts have been focused on Balmoral, her Majesty the Queen was not the only person to die this week and whilst crowds were gathering in London on Saturday, not all were there to pay their respects to her.  In fact a Sky reporting mistakenly assumed that people in Trafalgar Square were on their… Continue reading Chris Kaba