Category: Church life

Why commitment to a local church matters

In conversation with one of the people who has decided to open up his church during lockdown, he was quick to talk about the positives because he was seeing growth during the past few weeks following the decision.  I asked him whether this growth was from hungry unbelievers desperate to find Gospel food, from discontent… Continue reading Why commitment to a local church matters

Is unity possible between church traditions?

This is the second part of my response to Moses’ guest article on denominations. A key part of Moses’ argument seems to be that an appeal to “Evangelical Unity” does not work because that pushes us down to the lowest common denominator and that people may have more in common with their non-evangelical colleagues within… Continue reading Is unity possible between church traditions?

Navigating the Denominations and Evangelical Unity

In yesterday’s guest blog, Moses Tutesigensi made a robust defence of denominations. Moses was responding to my argument that Evangelical Anglicans need to refocus their attention on relationships with other Evangelicals.  As it happens, I do not have particular issues with denominations per se.  My question is about where we set the right priorities in… Continue reading Navigating the Denominations and Evangelical Unity

Guest Post – In defence of Denominations

Yesterday I wrote about the relationship between evangelical Anglicans and evangelicals outside of the Church of England. I invited response and I’m delighted to share a guest post from Moses Tutesigensi. In his article, Moses focuses on a defence of denominations through interaction with my comments. Whilst the existence of denominations was not within my… Continue reading Guest Post – In defence of Denominations

Opening churches against lockdown rules

There have been further reports of churches defying the current lockdown regulations in England, including one in the Observer. Now, as I understand it, we have three possible options in terms of how we view the current regulations. We can accept that the regulations must be obeyed on the basis that this is the Law… Continue reading Opening churches against lockdown rules

Face mask experiments and asking the wrong question

A little while back I mentioned a study looking at cases of COVID-19 among families with children in the home. I observed that the study was being used by people to push conclusions that it did not and could not make. Something similar has been happening with a Danish study about mask wearing. The study… Continue reading Face mask experiments and asking the wrong question

How might the Psalms help us in our walk and worship?

Yesterday I wrote about why we do not need to sing the Psalms. In response, I’ve heard from people about how helpful they personally and their churches have found singing them.  It is important not to confuse two things here. It is very different to say “you don’t have to sing them”  to saying “you… Continue reading How might the Psalms help us in our walk and worship?

And breathe – you don’t need to sing The Psalms

One of the big changes with The Reformation was a movement towards congregational singing. Prior to that, the expectation was that the laity sat and observed whilst the clergy performed the mass.  So Reformed and Lutheran churches seeking to involve all members in gathered worship began to provide metrical versions of Psalms (with words set… Continue reading And breathe – you don’t need to sing The Psalms

Hymn Wars: What our contemporary worship lacks

There are some internal Christian disagreements that raise their head just when you least expect them to.  Worship wars is one of them. There has been a long history of seeing the contemporary music of your era as deficient to tradition and compromised. At the same time, those writing newer hymns and songs have determinedly… Continue reading Hymn Wars: What our contemporary worship lacks