Author: faithrootsdw

Mental Health, spiritual warfare and demons

Traditionally one of the tensions and taboos around mental health has been the perception that this is primarily a spiritual issue with people believing that mental illness from depression through to schizophrenia is caused by sin or even by demonic oppression and possession. When I’ve written about mental health before, I’ve urged care in this… Continue reading Mental Health, spiritual warfare and demons

Beyond Repair? (Mark 3)

Here’s my sermon outline from today. Introduction We loved our little Citroen C3.  It took us everywhere and we spent thousands of pounds on annual repairs.  Until one day, on a journey to Bradford after a decade and 100k miles, it decided to die. We crawled up the M6 and M62 at a dangerous snail’s… Continue reading Beyond Repair? (Mark 3)

A day made for you

When challenged about what his disciples are doing by picking and eating corn on the Sabbath, Jesus says: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27 At the time Jesus was speaking, the Jewish Sabbath was in force. Jews observed Saturday as a day of rest from work remembering that God… Continue reading A day made for you

Food from around the worldwide web

From baby boom to missions boon – this one caught by eye as my own parents found themselves involved in cross-cultural mission, spending their 50s in China before continuing to visit regularly right up until 2019. You can build but it will crumble – Alistair Chalmers reflect on a visit to Ephesus Essentially significant –… Continue reading Food from around the worldwide web

Sturgeon, Sinn Fein and why an end to sectarianism is urgently needed

The image at the top of this article is one that will trouble many people.  It’s the image of Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish First Minister meeting with Michelle Collins, the leader of Sinn Fein.  Now in the years since the 1997 Good Friday Agreement, Sinn Fein have certainly had an image make over. However, it… Continue reading Sturgeon, Sinn Fein and why an end to sectarianism is urgently needed

Do we need an emergency budget?

A lot of politicians – mainly opposition ones – have been calling urgently for the Chancellor of the Exchequer to deliver an emergency budget.  It’s barely a few months since Rishi Sunak delivered his budget so why do we need another one so soon after? Ostensibly, the reason is the dramatic change we are seeing… Continue reading Do we need an emergency budget?

Further reflections on men, women, training and the church

The other day I mentioned a little bit of controversy around the question of whether women should go to seminary.  John Steven’s, the National Director of the FIEC and a staunch complementarian has added his voice in support of women training at seminary sharing an article from Michael Bird who happens to be an egalitarian.… Continue reading Further reflections on men, women, training and the church

Buildings, buildings, buildings  -short term and long term thinking

There’s been a bit of a discussion over the past few days about church planting and the importance of owning your own building.  There have been two big prompts for this. First of all, the FIEC posted this article from Adrian Reynolds discussing the pros and cons of not owning your own building: Secondly, David… Continue reading Buildings, buildings, buildings  -short term and long term thinking