Category: Discipleship

What’s worse: consumer Christianity or self-reliant Christianity?

A friend of mine asked this question recently. I think it’s a really good question to consider.   He later gave a bit more of an explanation about what he meant by self-reliant Christianity. He was describing those who become so buy in church life and ministry that they forget our ongoing dependence on Christ’s grace… Continue reading What’s worse: consumer Christianity or self-reliant Christianity?

In his name

Quite a few worship songs talk about “the name of Jesus.”  Classics include:  “There is power in the name of Jesus” “There is a name, who reigns without contention …” “What a wonderful;/beautiful/powerful name it is.” “I speak Jesus” There is a risk with these kinds of song lyrics that they could be perceived superstitiously… Continue reading In his name

Trusting God in troubled seasons

You can now listen to some of the Faithroots Podcasts on Spotify. A while back I did a series on the book of Habakkuk. As well as working through verse by verse, I also included three short reflection talks. I think that the content is particularly helpful as we face tough and even fearful days… Continue reading Trusting God in troubled seasons

Would you baptise someone who didn’t want to become a member of your church

The following scenario was recently put forward: Someone becomes a Christian. They come to your church and they ask to be baptised. However, they make it clear that they do not want to formally become a church member. They simply want to attend for a bit. I appreciate that not every church will have something… Continue reading Would you baptise someone who didn’t want to become a member of your church

Surviving University as a Christian

It’s that time of year when lots of students head off to University and a big concern for Christian students is whether or not they’ll survive with their faith intact.  I’ve seen a few suggestions about how to make sure you get through University and these tend to include things like joining the Christian Union,… Continue reading Surviving University as a Christian

How do we make sure that we are not spreading ourselves too thinly?

The morning, I preached on the feeding of the Five Thousand and I asked two questions. One important, practical question that came out of the sermon application was  “How do we know when to keep going with things and/or to take new things on and when to say no? Can we end up spreading ourselves… Continue reading How do we make sure that we are not spreading ourselves too thinly?

The Queen’s last lesson

There’s been a lot of talk about the Archbishop of Canterbury’s sermon at today’s funeral for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.  Some people have expressed hope that he’ll really hit home with the Gospel.  Others have expressed the same but with a strong conviction he will fail and almost a desire to see that happen. … Continue reading The Queen’s last lesson

Between Legalism and Licence: Wisdom and the Billy Graham Rule

Yesterday I wrote about why speculation is not necessary and not helpful in response to the speculation following Matt Chandler’s announcement. Some people have asked then whether we can or should say anything at all.  I think we can respond to things that are in the public domain. The story is unavoidably there, not just… Continue reading Between Legalism and Licence: Wisdom and the Billy Graham Rule

You are not just a number (a message for those getting GCSE results)

Eleven (Millie Bobbie Brown) is  one of the lead characters in the Netflix blockbuster series, Stranger Things.  Taken from her mum and used partly for experimentation and partly as an anti-Soviet weapon due to her psychokinetic powers, Eleven loses her birth name and becomes known by the number tattooed onto her. It enables the lab… Continue reading You are not just a number (a message for those getting GCSE results)