So, the Prime Minister has announced the roadmap route out of lockdown, arguing that it is a cautious route but hopefully irreversible. Much of what he said had already been leaked in advance and that’s something we keep saying needs to change but is unlikely to. The leaking of actual measures was not helped by… Continue reading One step forward? Let’s hope it’s not two back
Tag: lockdown
Is it too early to come out of lockdown?
Understandably, there is still some nervousness about whether or not we should be coming out of the current lockdown just yet or whether it is too soon. I thought it might be helpful to have a look at the available data. The key information is as follows. First of all, the rolling 7 day average… Continue reading Is it too early to come out of lockdown?
What would it help to know?
Yesterday I commented on the need of the pastor to be informed on a whole range of issues outside of their specific expertise in Biblical studies. We cannot and should not seek to become experts in every field but there are things we can do to help pastors be prepared for this aspect of ministry.… Continue reading What would it help to know?
COVID and Cold Contact Evangelism
I’ve been writing about how we go about building back our outreach as we move out of lockdown. In a recent post, I wrote that I didn’t think we should rush to put back some of of our traditional outreach ministries such as children’s clubs and Toddlers groups. The reason for this is that we… Continue reading COVID and Cold Contact Evangelism
We need a way out of costly social distancing measures, not just lockdown (open letter to Boris Johnson)
Dear Boris, I’ve written open letters to you throughout the pandemic. As we approach the end of what we all hope will be the last lockdown, I want to write to you again concerning some of the rumours and hints that are currently going around. Over the past few weeks, the narrative has built up… Continue reading We need a way out of costly social distancing measures, not just lockdown (open letter to Boris Johnson)
Building back better -discipleship after lockdown
Some of our churches are going to need to do some building back after lockdown. I’ve mentioned before that I don’t think that we were pandemic proof and so COVID-19 hit us like a full on Tsumani. Yet, in many respects, what the pandemic took out for our churches was not the real stuff. We… Continue reading Building back better -discipleship after lockdown
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?
Did we grow to love the fringe too much?
I resisted for a while, especially when I hoped lockdown would be short but eventually I succumbed. I realised that my hair was beginning to look like I was channelling Boris Johnson. So, I bought some clippers and in a dramatic, bold move set them to number one before unleashing them on my head. I’ve… Continue reading Did we grow to love the fringe too much?
Come with me – simple discipleship
I have often been struck by John’s description of the first disciples being called. I would sum up his description of discipleship being that it is people following Jesus to be in his presence and inviting others to come with them and follow Jesus. That’s discipleship in a nutshell. I was reminded of this again… Continue reading Come with me – simple discipleship
Has COVID exposed our problem with legalism?
I remember a conversation with someone who came from a fairly strict church background about when it was permissible to not say grace. They explained how church leaders in the past had gone to great lengths to talk about the size of the meal. It was a bit like the gymnastics the government went through… Continue reading Has COVID exposed our problem with legalism?