Don’t be presumptuous about the future

Do you know what today is the anniversary of? It’s probably not a biggy in most people’s calendars but today marks the anniversary of John Major’s return to Downing Street having narrowly won the 1992 General Election contested on the 9th April.  It was an election he was expected to lose and even up until… Continue reading Don’t be presumptuous about the future

The Valley of Vision

Here’s the first of a series of videos I’m producing which take us through The Valley of Vision, a collection prayers from The Puritans. Each video includes a reading of a prayer, some suggested Bible readings to link in with the prayer and a short reflection.

Friday is here

There’s a famous sermon that has the rhetorical line that says “It’s Friday … but Sunday’s coming”  You can listen here. It’s powerful stuff and helpfully points us forward to the good news of the resurrection. The words have sustained many people in the dark hours of trouble. The preacher is right to point us… Continue reading Friday is here

The census that matters

It’s census day in the UK.  The idea is that every decade, each household must complete a form declaring who is at the address on the day, their race, gender, religion etc.  The data is used for planning and policy making purposes as part of public life. It also is eventually released online and can… Continue reading The census that matters

Women teaching men revisited – another look at 2 Timothy 2:12

One of the key verses in the debate about the role of men and women in the church, especially in relation to teaching, preaching and leadership is 2 Timothy 2:12 which says: “12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.” There has… Continue reading Women teaching men revisited – another look at 2 Timothy 2:12

Building back better -discipleship after lockdown

Some of our churches are going to need to do some building back after lockdown. I’ve mentioned before that I don’t think that we were pandemic proof and so COVID-19 hit us like a full on Tsumani.  Yet, in many respects, what the pandemic took out for our churches was not the real stuff. We… Continue reading Building back better -discipleship after lockdown