Category: Church life

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

Church Unity in a time of Coronavirus

Crisis brings out the best in us and the worst in us. I remember some wise advice many years ago from a pastor. Similarly, a tragedy like Coronavirus will not magically (or mystically even) bring together disunited Christian tribes. This applies not just to different individuals and tribes but to specific issues. If we had… Continue reading Church Unity in a time of Coronavirus

HUP

How important is ethnic diversity to a church? At Bearwood Chapel, we place a great emphasis on this. People within the church have explicitly prayed that we would reflect the neighbourhood around us. Nb 3 there are parts to this. FIrst is seeing it in attendance and there id movement on this though there are… Continue reading HUP

A way out of lockdown (part 2)

In my first article, I argued that Evangelical churches should be proactively participating and making recommendations to the government about how we move out of lockdown. In part two I want to think through some of the scenarios and how we might respond. I notice that the church of England is already putting forward it’s… Continue reading A way out of lockdown (part 2)

A way out of lockdown?

People are now beginning to think more and more about what the exit strategy from lockdown might be like.  There are some concerns about the level of engagement with what this means for churches – especially as the secular media seems silent on this. Perhaps we should not be surprised. In more encouraging news, national… Continue reading A way out of lockdown?