Author: faithrootsdw

Our decisions about who serves where tell people what we value

This is a further follow up on my article about serving, believing and belonging.  The decisions we make here tell us something about how we regard ministry and gifts.  Thinking back, I’m more likely to have been pressurised to include someone who isn’t a member or not yet a Christian to either help with children’s… Continue reading Our decisions about who serves where tell people what we value

Using social media as a shop window into your church

Churches put a lot of effort into the appearance of their buildings, particularly taking time to create inviting entrance foyers that enable people to see in and feel able to come in. We know the effect of a church building with closed, heavy, austere doors.  We know the impact of walking into a building which… Continue reading Using social media as a shop window into your church

The problem with asking people to serve before they belong

How you come in will be how you go on I’m sure you’ve heard this or something similar said about evangelism. If we rely on big events and entertainment to attract people to the Gospel, then we shouldn’t be surprised if that’s what it takes to hold them going forward. Your church will find that… Continue reading The problem with asking people to serve before they belong

Pastor: Preach grace to yourself

It was just after I’d preached my first placement sermon whilst studying at Oak Hill and the pastor of the church, Joe Kapolyo came over to me to give me a little bit of feedback. “Well I’ve got some good news for you.  It wasn’t perfect.” My initial mental response was “Well if that’s the… Continue reading Pastor: Preach grace to yourself

Be careful little lips – on the language of political debate

Over the weekend, there was significant discussion about political culture and how politicians talk about each other and how the rest of us talk about politicians.  Now, given that it looks likely that the person who attacked and murdered Sir David Amess was motivated by Islamist extremist, there is a reasonable response to this. Namely,… Continue reading Be careful little lips – on the language of political debate

What is happening with COVID cases and should we be worried?

Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen COVID19 cases in the UK increase significantly again up to the kinds of levels we were seeing back in June/July. Here’s the UK wide picture. Primarily the case growth has been driven by English case numbers. Here’s the plot of reported cases and the growth in reported cases… Continue reading What is happening with COVID cases and should we be worried?

Why are people attending church less frequently?

One of the trends that quite a few people have noticed in recent years has been the change in definition of what it means to attend church regularly. To those of us in church leadership, who have been Christians for some time, regular attendance tends to mean “at least once a week.” However, the reality… Continue reading Why are people attending church less frequently?

Is anyone thirsty? (John 4:1-25)

Were you there in the petrol queues panic buying fuel the other week? I wonder how you would have reacted if someone promised you access to a secret stash of petrol or diesel? What if they could guarantee that once you filled up, the fuel wouldn’t run out.   It’s a relief that the crisis has… Continue reading Is anyone thirsty? (John 4:1-25)

I’m not convinced we need a public inquiry on COVID

We’re expecting a full public inquiry to follow the COVID-19 pandemic and that is generally seen to be a good thing. Some people want an inquiry because they believe that there are people culpable either through intent or at least wilful neglect and they should be held to account. Others are looking for lessons learnt… Continue reading I’m not convinced we need a public inquiry on COVID