One of the things coming out of the recent bullying and abuse scandals within the evangelical church has been the beginning of a conversation about church culture and the need for reformation. I am going to give a little bit of attention to the question here. At this stage, it is important to emphasise theContinue reading “Talking about church culture -and how to change it”
Tag Archives: #ChurchToo
Scandalised
One of the really sad things about recent abuse scandals in the church is the way they mirror some of the horrific things we see in the world around us. We should be able to respond and to offer something that is beautifully counter cultural. Yet instead, we are seen to ape some of theContinue reading “Scandalised”
Conservative evangelical theology SHOULD mean there is no excuse for abuse
Predictably, one of the responses to two high profile cases of abuse has been for some to identify a specific problem with conservative evangelicalism and therefore with its underlying theology.. conservative evangelical, or more properly, “Reformed Theology” holds that. God is the great and glorious Lord, the Triune God who is love, holy and just. Continue reading “Conservative evangelical theology SHOULD mean there is no excuse for abuse”
#churchtoo, abuse bullying and culture – let’s have the conversation
In the light of the Timmis, Fletcher, Smyth and RZIM reports, there does seem to be a level of willingness amongst church and network leaders to talk about church culture and how we encourage reformation in this area. I will be including some more articles next week addressing this subject further but at this stage,Continue reading “#churchtoo, abuse bullying and culture – let’s have the conversation”
Responding to the abuse reports -what next?
We’ve been hit hard by a series of reports and investigations into abuse and bullying over the past few month including Acts29 and Steve Timmis, RZIM, John Smyth and Jonathan Fletcher. The response has been intense and emotional. It’s included a lot of good, helpful and right things Deep probing questioning as people have wantedContinue reading “Responding to the abuse reports -what next?”
The church is still the bride of Christ
Imagine turning up at a wedding, heading towards the groom and telling him he was a great mate, a general all round good guy and your favourite friend. Then after a short pause you tell him “but your bride is a hideous troll isn’t she. Can’t stand her mate.” A few minutes later you findContinue reading “The church is still the bride of Christ”
The bruised reed and the chosen servant
#TheDailyDose Isaiah 42:1-9
The detached head
“That Hideous Strength” is the last in CS Lewis’s science fiction trilogy. It’s aa grim and shocking read if you are used to the Narnia stories or even the first two of the science fiction books. Central to the plot is the severed head of a man which some involved in the project is stillContinue reading “The detached head”
The Love Factor
Back last week when picking up on the Jonathan Fletcher report, I noted that one of the central issues raised was a sense of fear among those who had been most affected by the abuse which affected their ability to come forward. I concluded my article on “fear” with these words If perfect love drivesContinue reading “The Love Factor”
The pastor king?
I’m continuing to reflect on some of the lessons arising from the 31:8 review of the Jonathan Fletcher case. The case relates to an Anglican minister in London who has been identified as engaging in systemic abuse of young men over a number of years. Leaders within what is often referred to as “the conservativeContinue reading “The pastor king?”
