Handover (Deuteronomy 31)

These last few weeks have been slightly peculiar for me.  Anyone who has come to the end of an employment position or even voluntary role will be familiar with this.  I remain employed at the Chapel until the end of the year and part of the eldership. There are lots of things that are happening… Continue reading Handover (Deuteronomy 31)

New Horizons – next steps (Early 2021)

Here’s the next update for our plans. As you will know, I finish with Bearwood Chapel on the 31st December.  We have said that we are open to wherever God leads us and over the past few weeks that has led to some fascinating conversations. We have been challenged and encouraged to hear about both… Continue reading New Horizons – next steps (Early 2021)

He is stronger than the Darkness

We’ve been learning this new song from Tommy and Eileen Walker over the past few weeks. Over the past few years, our Sunday Night Church congregation have grown fond of the worship songs provided by Tommy Walker.  The words that particularly struck me in this song are “He’s stronger than the darkness.”  Although this isn’t… Continue reading He is stronger than the Darkness

Mary did you know?

I love the lyrics to the carol “Mary did you know?”  I particularly love this version by Pentatonix. The Carol sets up an imaginary conversation with Mary asking her questions in order to highlight the contrast between the seemingly ordinariness of a little, fully human baby and the wonder of his divinity and his role… Continue reading Mary did you know?

The year we were given

2020 was not the year we asked for and not the year we expected.  A lot of people had focused on the big number year and its association with vision as a significant milestone to aim for. We all had 2020 visions.  Others also because of the symmetry of the year had planned big wedding… Continue reading The year we were given

Nobody puts the baby in a corner

Luke 2:1-7 tells us of the events surrounding Jesus’ birth. We meet up with Joseph and Mary again following her visit to see Elizabeth and the focus in chapter 1 turning to the birth of John.  Now they must go to Bethlehem and register for tax purposes. Whilst there, Mary gives birth, the baby is… Continue reading Nobody puts the baby in a corner

If someone says they have depression, please take them seriously

I saw this tweet the other day and would like to respond to it.  The background to the tweet is that the pastor concerned had a high celebrity profile due to Justin Bieber attending his church. Sadly, as with so many pastors over the years behind the public persona was something different and his marriage… Continue reading If someone says they have depression, please take them seriously

Pastors get depression too

I want to share with you the results of a little survey I did via twitter. It is important to emphasise that these twitter polls don’t count as scientific surveys with appropriate proportions of people and adjustments. Therefore, the percentages are a little meaningless. So, what I’d encourage you to do is to look past… Continue reading Pastors get depression too

A shepherd king for the whole world

In yesterday’s article, we saw how one of the Advent promises is that Jesus is the shepherd king from Bethlehem fulfilling Micah 5:1-5. One of the aims in Advent is not just to look forward to Christmas Day remembering Christ’s first coming (advent) but also to look forward to his Second Coming or Advent.  How… Continue reading A shepherd king for the whole world