Category: Church life

Songs for a COVID Generation

I thought I’d share with you some of the songs on my playlist that have kept us going through the pandemic. This is the stuff I’ve been sticking on YouTube and singing along to.  I’m looking forward to singing them, and other songs again together with others when we finally get free from all restrictions… Continue reading Songs for a COVID Generation

Why It’s time to return to in person church

Since the delay to the completion of England’s roadmap out of lockdown, I’ve been including regular updates on Faithroots to help church leaders stay up to date with the data and plan ahead. Today I want to write to church members generally and explain why I would encourage you, if you haven’t already, to begin… Continue reading Why It’s time to return to in person church

Our responsibility when there are accusations of abuse and bullying

Today I’m attending an online conference organised by Church As Refuge.  The organisers want to encourage pastors and church leaders to think about how we make churches safe and welcoming refuges for victims of abuse. However, the context is also that sadly we have seen too many cases of abuse within the church. We’ve seen… Continue reading Our responsibility when there are accusations of abuse and bullying

Do we really believe that God is sovereign?

You know that verse about mission in the hymn “I cannot tell”, do we really believe it?  The words go: I cannot tell how He will win the nations,  How He will claim His earthly heritage,How satisfy the needs and aspirations  Of east and west, of sinner and of sage. We sing it with gusto – or… Continue reading Do we really believe that God is sovereign?

Walking away from gossip and slander

In a recent study of Romans 6, I talked about sanctification and how we are tempted to see the Gospel in the following terms. I enjoy sin, it brings me pleasure but at a great cost, the penalty of death. Christ pays that price so I am free from hell but in return he expects… Continue reading Walking away from gossip and slander

Maybe we can sing a bit sooner …

This is a postscript to yesterday’s post about singing. No sooner was it up on the blog to read and the Welsh Government changed the dynamics a bit. They put out new guidance allowing for congregational singing. There were specific conditions attached including thorough risk mitigation and guidance about the prevelance of the virus in… Continue reading Maybe we can sing a bit sooner …

Hope in the midst of disappointment

I mentioned in a previous post about how God’s Word acts as the VAR that revises our otlook on what we are seeing and experiencing. This week has not been a good week for hope. We should have been preparing for the final lifting of restrictions this coming Monday. Instead we are likely to be… Continue reading Hope in the midst of disappointment

How not to be a heretic – be teachable

One of the people who has been right at the centre of the EFS controversy has been Wayne Grudem. When the charge of heresy is made it is primarily targeted against Grudem and Bruce Ware. This is understandable because I have to admit that out of the “EFS” proponents, it has been their language that… Continue reading How not to be a heretic – be teachable

Use the delay to re-opening wisely

Many of us had pinned our hopes on June 21st being “Freedom Day”and so we may be feeling a little crushed and disappointed at the moment.  Of course, the 21/06 was never really the make or break “Freedom Day” that the media had foolishly built it up to be. WE have already substantially unlocked the… Continue reading Use the delay to re-opening wisely