Category: Opinion

Bounced

Too often we can feel bounced into announcing and taking action before we are ready to. I’ve seen it in church life where someone suddenly pushes a major decision to a vote well before all of the information is on the table and before people are ready, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually to make a discernment. … Continue reading Bounced

Welcoming Refugees – The extra mile

There were about 35,000 asylum seekers who came to the UK last year. Some of them will have ended up at churches, some because they were Christians, whether nominally or as heart believers. Others will have come looking for help, advice, practical support  and ESOL classes. Some will have been avoided to kids clubs Toddlers… Continue reading Welcoming Refugees – The extra mile

The problem with Christian Exceptionalism and the distinction between submit and support

From this Sunday, church buildings in England will be closed again for public worship due to a second lockdown.  I expect that most church leaders will comply with this, all with a heavy heart.  Some will do this quietly. Others will have raised objections through blog posts, letters to MPs, petitions and possibly a legal… Continue reading The problem with Christian Exceptionalism and the distinction between submit and support

What does not change

This is based on an article I wrote just after the Brexit vote. Today the US goes to the polls in the US Presidential election. For good or bad the election will affect most of us in some way, all around the world. However, we should keep the result in perspective If the Gospel is… Continue reading What does not change

An open letter to Boris Johnson: Please reconsider the impact of lockdown 2 on churches, businesses and community groups

Dear Boris, I know that what I’m about to say will go against the grain in terms of where the pressure on you is coming from. I understand as well that your decision to move to another national lockdown will have been taken reluctantly. However, I am writing even at this late stage to ask… Continue reading An open letter to Boris Johnson: Please reconsider the impact of lockdown 2 on churches, businesses and community groups

lockdown scepticism v COVID scepticism

You may increasingly be hearing people described as, or even describing themselves as lockdown sceptics. These are people likely to be disagreeing with the Government not (as seems to be the majority case) for doing too little too late about the virus but for doing too much.  A lot of the suspicion comes from a… Continue reading lockdown scepticism v COVID scepticism

#BeliefWeCanChangeIn

In my article about election choices the other day, I mentioned the option of “write in votes” and then referenced a tongue in cheek attempt on twitter to get an Australian elected as the US President.  Well, that campaign has provided a little light-hearted distraction from the grind of lockdown life for some of us.  … Continue reading #BeliefWeCanChangeIn

“You’re joking … not another one?” Lockdown 2?

Remember Brenda from Bristol’s reaction to the General Election in 2017. A lot of us are no doubt feeling like that about the prospect of another national lockdown. Of course there are a lot of people pushing heavily for one too. As a Christian and a church leaders I believe it is important that we… Continue reading “You’re joking … not another one?” Lockdown 2?

The deeper infection that has contaminated our political system

Let me just remind you again of the EHRC charge sheet against the Labour Party “The Party is responsible for three breaches of the Equality Act (2010) relating to: political interference in antisemitism complaints failure to provide adequate training to those handling antisemitism complaints harassment”[1] I want to ask you to consider the unprecedented seriousness… Continue reading The deeper infection that has contaminated our political system