Author: faithrootsdw

Were we prepared?

I remember the pastor of a church I used to attend commenting that rarely when people are in the midst of the crisis is that the time to try and teach them how to face the situation.  Rather, if we are going to get through the challenge of a health, work or relationship crisis then… Continue reading Were we prepared?

What drives false teachers, bullies and abusers?

False teachers also tend to be bullies and abusers. The reverse is also true, abusers and bullies tend to be false teachers if they happen to be involved in church life and leadership. There are a couple of reasons for this. First of all, false teaching is itself a form of spiritual abuse, secondly false… Continue reading What drives false teachers, bullies and abusers?

Ableism, society and the church

In recent years, there have been strong and persistent campaigns against “Ableism”. Like sexism, ageism and racism, ableism is about prejudice against people seen as of less value than others. As the word suggests, it is about prejudicing able bodied people against those with physical and mental disabilities.  As with other prejudices, ableism can include… Continue reading Ableism, society and the church

Are we commanded to sing?

This is a little follow up to my articles on singing in our hearts and on the Creeds. One of the questions that keeps coming up is about the command to sing corporately.  This is particularly important for people who follow what is sometimes referred to as “The Regulative Principle.”  There are two approaches to… Continue reading Are we commanded to sing?

You can’t stop a virus from spreading that has already spread

This week the Welsh First Minister announced that people living in Tier 2 and 3 areas in England would be banned from entering Wales. Ostensibly this is to help prevent or reduce a spike of cases in Wales. I suspect that in reality, this is more about the type of political posturing I complained about… Continue reading You can’t stop a virus from spreading that has already spread

This isn’t the pandemic we were expecting

Whilst pandemics are frightening things we dread, when one strikes it can send a bit of an adrenaline rush can’t it?  That’s why we have been hooked by films and TV dramas like 28 Days Later and the Last Ship. Did the adrenaline kick in for you just a little bit back in February/March when… Continue reading This isn’t the pandemic we were expecting

Is it really unhelpful to recite the creeds?

On Steve Kneale’s blog is an article arguing against reciting the Creed in Church.  You can see his arguments here.  In this article, I’m going to offer a response. To be clear up front, I’m from a non-conformist background and am most comfortable in “non-liturgical” churches. However, I am not anti-liturgy. I think it can… Continue reading Is it really unhelpful to recite the creeds?

Depression tells you that you are weak – and that’s okay

It’s the funny thing about Sertraline.  Every morning if you’ve been pre-scribed it, the box sits there on the breakfast table as a reminder that you need to take your medication. And each morning, it shouts out to you “You are so weak.” It’s funny because you don’t think that when you get up and… Continue reading Depression tells you that you are weak – and that’s okay

You don’t have to be my Facebook friend

I was asked a brilliant question the other day. The questioner explained that they have friends on social media who they really struggle with, they find their regular comments about immigration hard to stomach and often there is an undercurrent of racism.  For balance, they observed that they find some of the Black Lives Matter… Continue reading You don’t have to be my Facebook friend