Category: Church life

“Do not judge…”

“Who are we to judge?” It’s one of those argument ending killer phrases isn’t it?  Usually the phrase is then followed up by two other phrases. “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.”[1] “let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”[2] The deployment of these phrases are designed to… Continue reading “Do not judge…”

Diversity and Discrimination

Here is today’s Afternoon Tea. We have started a conversation about race and diversity and hope to continue, hopefully with guests. Today we talked about Implicit bias. Prejudice can arise as much out of assumptions about our own superiority and experience as normal as it does out of hostility to others That in some cases… Continue reading Diversity and Discrimination

What I want for my enemies (reflections on Psalm 110 part 1)

How do we respond when people falsely accuse us, slander and gossip about us behind our backs, isolate us and attack our characters?  Psalm 109, helps us to give voice to the way that this makes us feel. There is the desperate cry for justice. David utters these words against his tormenters Appoint a wicked… Continue reading What I want for my enemies (reflections on Psalm 110 part 1)

Leaders Repent First

One of my concerns during Coronavirus has been the speed with which some were quick to announce God’s discipline and judgement on various countries, communities and on the church in those places. As I have previously explained, it is correct to say that we continuously experience God’s loving discipline as believers and that this fallen… Continue reading Leaders Repent First

Why I changed my mind about diversity and church

A few days ago, I republished an article I wrote sometime back about whether or not our churches should focus on reaching specific cultural groups based on things like ethnicity nd class.  In the article, I argue that we should aim to grow churches which are culturally diverse. I argue against the Homogenous Unit Principle… Continue reading Why I changed my mind about diversity and church

Assumptions, Lockdown and the urban church

A lot of the assumptions I hear made about Coronavirus, the lockdown and life ahead assume a middle-class, suburban perspective on things.  Those might sound like provocative words but let me explain why I am saying this. First of all, there is a tendency to talk about the virus not discriminating. I understand the sentiments… Continue reading Assumptions, Lockdown and the urban church

Church in long term lockdown

Here’s the recording of today’s #AfternoonTea as we talked through the implications of a long term lockdown for church. Here are my notes from the FIEC’s very helpful webinar with John Stephens on this subject. 1. He opened with Daniel 9 -not identical but some analogies esp the sense of being in a situation longer… Continue reading Church in long term lockdown

Don’t forget about children during Coronavirus Church

This is an appeal to all those leading churches and preparing for Zoom, Youtube and Facebook services.  It is also an appeal to parents. I appreciate there are so many reasons why we might put that a long way down the list.  Putting together an online service can be complex for those of us not… Continue reading Don’t forget about children during Coronavirus Church

An open letter to Boris Johnson

Dear Boris, First of all, I want to let you know that we are encouraged by your own recovery from the COVID-19 virus.  Many Christians around the country were praying for you each day as well as for Carrie and your baby boy. We continue to pray for you, for your ongoing recovery and for… Continue reading An open letter to Boris Johnson