Tag: Culture

In defence of complementarianism

One of the things I’ve seen coming up again and again is the suggestion that part of the problem with conservative evangelical culture that needs to change is complementarianism. Indeed, you will notice that the push is to argue that complementarianism is not only a risk factor for creating abusive cultures but furthermore is, in… Continue reading In defence of complementarianism

Changing our culture – the relationship between church leaders and church members

In my previous post, I talked about how to reform church culture towards a grace culture by focusing on our relationship towards one another as characterised by humility.   Today, I want to talk about how leaders and congregations should relate to each other. Here are two important scriptures on the subject.  First of all, we… Continue reading Changing our culture – the relationship between church leaders and church members

Calling men: – how will we respond to the Sarah Everard case?

This week we’ve been shocked by the horrific murder of Sarah Everard.  In the same way that the killing of George Floyd provoked a public conversation as well as outpouring of emotion and demonstrations on the streets to say that #BlackLivesMatter so too we are seeing a similar response here as women talk openly about… Continue reading Calling men: – how will we respond to the Sarah Everard case?

Elders should be above reproach

I’ve been sharing a few thoughts about aspects of church life over the past few days to help those who are seeking to plant or replant churches think through the practicalities of church life.  In this previous article, I wrote about elders and what they should do, today I want to talk about what elders… Continue reading Elders should be above reproach

Apologetics in its place and the need for Gospel reform of our culture

In the light of the Ravi Zacharias scandal, the debate has continued about what should happen to the vast empire of trusts and organisations that took his name.  The options so far have been: Disband all of the trusts quickly and completely Dissociate individual national trusts from the US one which is seen as the… Continue reading Apologetics in its place and the need for Gospel reform of our culture

Confronting abuse in the church – reforming towards a culture of grace

I’ve written from time to time about the issues of bullying and abuse within the church. That is because recent serious scandals relating to high profile leaders that include sexual, emotional and physical abuse, and sadly the accompanying failure of the church to deal with such issues over many years raise challenges about church culture. … Continue reading Confronting abuse in the church – reforming towards a culture of grace

More on logs and specks: What is the heartbeat of our church?

The other day, I began exploring the question about applying Jesus’ teaching on logs and specks corporately to churches and communities.  Steve Kneale has helpfully developed the conversation here. At this stage I am struck by two very helpful things Steve asks us to think about. The first one is that only true heart change… Continue reading More on logs and specks: What is the heartbeat of our church?

Biblical Manhood and Womanhood – Hierarchialism and Complementarianism are simply not the same

I am a complementarian in terms of my views of men and women and their roles in church and home.  This means that I believe men and women are not interchangeable.  This has two specific (and only two) applications. It means that Ephesians 5 talks about husbands sacrificially loving their wives, wives submitting to their… Continue reading Biblical Manhood and Womanhood – Hierarchialism and Complementarianism are simply not the same

Suppression

A significant conversation at the start of the coronavirus was about the distinction between seeking to manage the virus and seeking to suppress the virus. Along with most other governments, the UK took the suppression route because of the expected higher death tolls from management only,] It is therefore important to think carefully about what… Continue reading Suppression