There have been a few recent articles examining the relationship between two significant puritan figures, John Owen and Richard Baxter. John Steven’s recently commented on Facebook about their falling out and described them as “puritan greats”. This led to one person challenging whether or not we could describe Baxter as “a great”, his assessment was… Continue reading What do we value more, the theologian or the pastor? …and is it possible to be a great pastor but a poor theologian
Category: Leadership
Cities need walls but they need more than walls
The other Sunday I was preaching on Nehemiah 11. It struck me that there was a crucial link between what was happening here and what the situation was described as back in Nehemiah 7 where we are told: 4 Now the city was large and spacious, but there were few people in it, and the houses had… Continue reading Cities need walls but they need more than walls
In defence of Executive Pastors
I saw this article the other day and I’m not completely unsympathetic to the concerns. However, I’m not completely convinced by the arguments either. So I thought it was worth saying something in defence of the executive pastor. It’s worth saying two things up front. First of all, the term tends to refer to a member… Continue reading In defence of Executive Pastors
Church leadership should reflect not mitigate the home
I’m a complementarian in regard to church leadership because I believe two things, first that this label best describes the pattern for relationships between husbands and wives in the home. Secondly, that the local church is mean to function as an extended family. Let me expand on that a little. First, complementarianism is based on… Continue reading Church leadership should reflect not mitigate the home
Remember, you don’t have a helicopter
David Robertson tells Evangelicals Now readers that he likes to try and take a helicopter view of the UK church scene. He explains that he tried to do this whilst in Scotland and continues to do so now that he lives and works in Australia. He goes on to say that he doesn’t like what… Continue reading Remember, you don’t have a helicopter
Healthy theological training: Is it possible to restart a failed conversation?
I’m rounding off my little series of articles on the health of theological training by coming back to the article that prompted them. In the article in Evangelicals Now, James Robson made three statements that I think need a little bit of response from practitioners in the local church. The key related quotes are: “Not… Continue reading Healthy theological training: Is it possible to restart a failed conversation?
Healthy theological training – learning from the strengths and weaknesses of the college system
In my last post on the topic I reflected on the way in which theological college helped because: In effect these two things are closely linked. We want to make sure that if training happens primarily in house that this does not happen in a silo. First of all, Theological Colleges and academics have a… Continue reading Healthy theological training – learning from the strengths and weaknesses of the college system
How not to concede
Watching the US presidential election as an outside observer has been fascinating. I am not a US citizen but despite not having a vote that doesn’t mean I’m completely disinterested. The decision that US voters makes has far reaching implications for the rest of us. The US president is often referred to as the leader… Continue reading How not to concede
Healthy Theological training. The benefits and challenges of College
There’s much I appreciate about my training at Theological College. A key benefit for me was the support and discipline provided to help me learn the Biblical languages. There was access to a phenomenal theological library and more importantly there were lasting friendships with fellow students and with staff, not just faculty. One particular advantage… Continue reading Healthy Theological training. The benefits and challenges of College
If we are looking for Healthy Theological Training we should not underestimate the place of long term experience of ordinary church life
Following my article last Saturday about whether we need healthy theological colleges, I’ve been developing some further thoughts. I thought first of all, that it might be helpful to say something about my own theological training and pathway into Gospel ministry. It’s fair to say that I didn’t completely follow the current primary pipeline exactly,… Continue reading If we are looking for Healthy Theological Training we should not underestimate the place of long term experience of ordinary church life
Faithroots 