Category: Church life

Lessons in lockdown 1. Reach and Engagement are not the same

In the early days of lockdown, people were quickly talking about a possible revival. Surveys suggested that a high percentage of people had accessed online church content, the number of views of our Facebook and Youtube streams were double, if not quadruple our normal Sunday morning attendance. The problem is that there is a huge… Continue reading Lessons in lockdown 1. Reach and Engagement are not the same

Coming out of lockdown may require a re-plant mindset

One of the responsibilities of leaders is to see and prepare for what may lie ahead. That’s a double challenge because we are not given infallible foreknowledge, we are dealing for possibilities and probabilities. That means we have to be ready for multiple scenarios. It also means that we will need to be ready to… Continue reading Coming out of lockdown may require a re-plant mindset

Families, Children and Childlessness (Responding to Kevin DeYoung)

The other day, Kevin DeYoung penned these words in an article for the Gospel Coalition “Here’s a culture war strategy conservative Christians should get behind: have more children and disciple them like crazy. Strongly consider having more children than you think you can handle.”[1] Kevin was writing primarily for a US audience. The concept of… Continue reading Families, Children and Childlessness (Responding to Kevin DeYoung)

A phased return out of lockdown for churches (a draft proposal)

Over the past few months, churches have willingly complied with COVID-19 lockdown measures. We have done so because we believed it was the right thing to do as we sought to love our neighbours. Throughout the lockdown we have sought to continue to care for the communities around us often providing practical and emotional support… Continue reading A phased return out of lockdown for churches (a draft proposal)

Leaders set the tone -sometimes it is about us

In a previous article I said that we set the tone by recognising that things are not always about us. However, sometimes they are.  One of the things that concerned me about early comments during coronavirus was the speed with which some church leaders and prominent speakers and writers were quick to suggest that the… Continue reading Leaders set the tone -sometimes it is about us

Leaders set the tone

Here’s another article dug up from the old Faithroots sight which I think is particularly poignant for now. I’ve seen memes about the many pressures on pastors at the moment and they are true. Church leaders have faced their own personal battle stories in coronavirus. Then there are the challenges of responding to the events… Continue reading Leaders set the tone

Church health check (Revelation 2-3)

Last time, we talked about the pressures that we face which might discourage and even overwhelm us. We saw that the churches, John was writing to were under intense pressure too. They were the minority in a cruel, Godless empire.  They faced opposition and persecution. We will see some of that this week. However, you… Continue reading Church health check (Revelation 2-3)

Pride, Prejudice and Privilege in The Church

Yesterday, we talked about pride, prejudice and privilege in society. Today, I want to think more about it in the context of the church.  One church that particularly struggled with division, rivalry and pride was the church at Corinth. Right at the start of 1 Corinthians, Paul has to rebuke the church because of this. … Continue reading Pride, Prejudice and Privilege in The Church

Private Prayer in a place of Public Worship is an oxymoron

The UK Government has said that it aims to see places of public worship opening from the 4th July at the earliest. That’s promising. However, before you get too excited, check the detail.  Comments from those involved in consultations suggest that we will not be opening for public worship, rather church buildings will be allowed… Continue reading Private Prayer in a place of Public Worship is an oxymoron