This morning, I travelled back from Norwich to London. There were some signal problems on the mainline, so I came back via Cambridge. I had a 1st class ticket (work-related travel!), and sat in this relatively spacious, comfortable area with just a couple of other people. The 1st class area had its own doors, so [...]
In preparation for this weekend's Back to Church Sunday, Stephen Cottrell (Bishop of Reading) has suggested that the Church of England has become the equivalent of Marks and Spencer, even though Jesus would be just as happy purchasing his provisions in Aldi.
I was listening to the Worship Central podcast this week, where Nicky Gumbel was talking about priorities of ministry. He believes that the priority order is: Your relationship with God Your relationship with your husband/wife Your relationship with your children Your paid employment Your church ministry This really spoke to me. I think its really easy to get these the wrong [...]
Damian Thompson at the Telegrahph has blogged about the priest at St John’s (RC) Church Horsham has decided to remove the crucifix from the outside of the church building because it is felt to scare off people. Now the protestant in me completely agrees with Rev Ewen Souter, and I have to admit to being a [...]
The Bishop of Tonbridge, Brian Castle has issued a statement about the recent military action in Israel/Palestine: TO THE CLERGY AND THE PEOPLE OF THE DIOCESE OF ROCHESTER Statement on the crisis in Israel/Palestine by the Bishop of Tonbridge A few short weeks ago I visited the Holy Land with a group from the Diocese of Rochester. [...]
The Church of England has this week published its draft measure that brings female bishops a step closer to reality. Included is the plan for “complimentary” bishops to provide alternative oversight to those parishes who have a conscientious objection to a female diocesan. Ruth Gledhill gives some interesting thoughts as to what these “complimentary” bishops may [...]
We got back home on Saturday from New Wine. It was our first venture into the adult Christian festival world, having been regular Soul Survivorites since our teens. I have to confess I wasn’t sure what to expect, and was probably thinking it would be a bit of a quiet, staid affair. In some ways, it [...]
There’s reports on the net that Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio from the Passion Movement in the States are going to set up a church in Atlanta. Man of Depravity suggests that this will become the fastest growing church in America. I’ve heard Louie speak many times, and think both he & Chris are extremely anointed individuals. [...]
Today, I’ve spent the day at a Diocesan Gathering where people from across the Rochester Diocese have been discussing Fresh Expressions and new ways of being church. It was amazing that there are people from across the area who are prepared to give up a warm, sunny Saturday to look at the future of the [...]
Frog has posted a really interesting commentary on some of Brian McLaren’s latest thinking. I’m quite relieved that I’m not the only evangelical who thinks that McLaren isn’t the best thing since sliced bread! Of course Christianity needs to be relevant, and preaching hell, fire & brimstone isn’t giving a true picture of what our faith [...]
