Author: faithrootsdw

Positive reasons for the cautious to return to in person church

Over the past few weeks I’ve been updating readers about what we are seeing in terms of the COVID pandemic (my reporting here is UK specific). My reason for doing this is to help church leaders and trustees plan carefully in order to move increasingly towards full re-opening whilst minimising risks associated with the virus.… Continue reading Positive reasons for the cautious to return to in person church

The offence of the cross should be enough offence for us

Did you see the news reports about he woman at Hyde Park speakers corner who was stabbed by a Muslim? Initially it was presented as a faith issue. Christian brings the Gospel in words, Muslim responds with violence. Did you see the further detail? Yes the confrontation was around Christians and Muslims but no it… Continue reading The offence of the cross should be enough offence for us

Neo Nazis, far right conspiracy theories and our responsibility as Christians to check our sources and our allies

Throughout COVID, Christians have taken quite strong and at times opposing views on issues such as lockdowns. This is understandable because those views probably mirror the attitudes within society.  Sometimes I’ve been concerned about some of the sources of evidence or rationale for positions on all sides.  Recently I picked up on a video being… Continue reading Neo Nazis, far right conspiracy theories and our responsibility as Christians to check our sources and our allies

COVID data tracking for church risk assessments

I hope that your first Sunday after the lifting of restrictions was encouraging and that you had more freedom to gather for worship inline with your context and tradition.  I’ve been arguing for a cautious but optimistic approach to in person re-gathering following the lifting of lockdown and I’ve argued that we need to be… Continue reading COVID data tracking for church risk assessments

A different world?

“Could God have created another world?”  It was a classic question set for theological students when I was at Oak Hill.  The question concerned God’s sovereignty and providence.  On the one hand it was argued that this world is exactly the kind of world that you would expect to see, it is fitting to God’s… Continue reading A different world?

On calling people liars

Last week, MP Dawn Butler was removed from the House of Commons for calling the Prime Minister a liar.   “What was the problem with her accusing him of lying?” you may well be asking. Isn’t Mr Johnson notorious for having a questionable relationship with the truth? Hasn’t that been the problem for him so… Continue reading On calling people liars

COVID trends update for church risk management

Over the past couple of days we’ve seen the first fall in the daily figures for new COVID cases by reported date for a long time. Now, we need to approach the data with some caution recognising that The reported date is not the same as the actual specimen date when the test was taken.… Continue reading COVID trends update for church risk management

Virtue Reality

One of the strongest accusations you can make about others is that they are “just virtue signalling.”  Joining a demonstration, using a hashtag, taking the knee, tweeting your disgust at this or that behaviour. It’s just virtue signalling. The point of virtue signalling is that I can signal my position on something without it actually… Continue reading Virtue Reality