Category: Church life

Focus on the desired outcome

I had an intriguing conversation with someone about lockdown this morning. As readers will know, I’ve argued that it makes little sense to require even stricter lockdown measures for those already under strict measures whilst those not under the same level of restriction continue without any change. I’ve particular focused on the way that schools… Continue reading Focus on the desired outcome

The current Evangelical scepticism about science and modelling could do long term harm

There is a narrative that is gaining traction at the moment which runs along the lines that we are resisting an authoritarian agenda led by “The Science” and fed by dodgy models.  From this perspective, attempts to model and forecast should be ignored as worthless trash whilst our efforts to control and defeat a pandemic… Continue reading The current Evangelical scepticism about science and modelling could do long term harm

Inviting the wolves round for tea

The first Steve Chalke controversy seems such a long time ago now (there have been so many since). Chalke now complains that Evangelicals kicked him out of their alliance because he welcomed LGBTQ people into his church. That is a bit of a misrepresentation of the situation.  The issue was never about welcoming LGBTQ people… Continue reading Inviting the wolves round for tea

Slander and Gnosticism

A little while back I observed that we can quickly start throwing charges of heresy and insults about.  You can read the article here.  I particularly observed that we were often quick to accuse people of being Gnostic or at least allowing Gnosticism to influence our beliefs and practices. The insult has replaced the long-standing… Continue reading Slander and Gnosticism

Why I signed a petition against closing Welsh Churches

The Welsh First Minister has announced a number of controversial measures over the past week. First of all he stated that people in Tier 2 and Tier 3 category areas from England would be banned from entering Wales. Then on Monday 19th October he announced that Wales would go into a Circuit Break and churches… Continue reading Why I signed a petition against closing Welsh Churches

Ableism and the Church (2) The Words we use

I was used to being called names like speccy four eyes at school and mocked and bullied because of my sight issues and asthma.  I didn’t expect those attitudes attending a comedy gig in our hall of residence at university.  Students tend to consider themselves right-on when it comes to prejudice yet there was the… Continue reading Ableism and the Church (2) The Words we use

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