Category: Uncategorized

The (church) body keeps the score

I recently referred to the book “The body keeps the score” which talks about how mental health issues and in particular trauma related health is not just in the mind. The physical brain, nervous system and the body are affected by trauma, respond to it and keep score of the damage inflicted. So, I’ve begun… Continue reading The (church) body keeps the score

Finding the right hill to die on in practical pastoral leadership

I’ve been enjoying reading Gavin Ortlund’s “Finding the right hill to die on” about theological triage. The concept of Theological Triage was coined by Al Mohler to describe how Christians go about distinguishing first, second and third order issues. In other words, there are theological issues that are central to the Gospel itself, it is… Continue reading Finding the right hill to die on in practical pastoral leadership

Cancelled?

Sometimes a story can become about something completely different, it takes a sudden twist and turn.  We thought that the story at the start of the week was about Meghan and Harry. Depending upon your overall sympathies, you thought that it was either about an unfair and inappropriate interview and the negative impact on the… Continue reading Cancelled?

Why I’m in favour of COVID Passports (with one essential provision)

The big debate over the past few days has been as to whether or not the Government should allow COVID-19 vaccine passports. In other words, should people be required to supply proof that they have received a vaccine before participating in certain activities. There have been three arguments made against this. The first is a… Continue reading Why I’m in favour of COVID Passports (with one essential provision)

What (if anything) have we learnt about God’s Sovereignty during lockdown?

One of the charges laid against those who are seen as most enthusiastic about lockdowns and vaccines is that they have forgotten about God’s Sovereignty over life and death and so are doing everything they  can to cheat death.  Furthermore, the argument is that belief we can control the virus is “hubris.” I’ve argued in… Continue reading What (if anything) have we learnt about God’s Sovereignty during lockdown?

Trusting God with our Tears (1) Happiness when unhappy

“We Can Trust God with our Tears” This was the application that Pete Scamman (Christ Church Fulwood, Sheffield) gave to a talk on Psalm 126 on Sunday 31st January 2020.[1] For anyone who has been through extreme suffering, physical or emotional, anyone who has found themselves in the depths of depression and despair, for anyone… Continue reading Trusting God with our Tears (1) Happiness when unhappy

Censorship, criticism and editing

Well, that’s twice in a row now! On two separate occasions I’ve been accused of trying to get someone censored.  The first was when I challenged David Robertson’s  Premier Christianity article about Donald Trump’s twitter account being suspended. The second follows my suggestions for a bit of editing to an article by John Benton for… Continue reading Censorship, criticism and editing

Are ethnic minorities to blame for COVID-19? (Panel discussion)

Yesterday, I took part in a panel discussion with Jose Galindes, pastor of Nueva Vida Con Cristo, the Spanish speaking church we helped plant a few years back. The starting question was “Are BAME communities to blame for the spread of COVID-19) in the UK? Jose also invited along some local councillors in Sandwell and… Continue reading Are ethnic minorities to blame for COVID-19? (Panel discussion)