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Opinions/Reflections January - June 2014

 

Resolving to be brave for the New Year...
As people make resolutions for 2014, Heather Skull is nervously making a different sort of choice...
Distressed - but counting blessings
My son has a behavioural condition which hinders his ability to communicate. Despite this, I know I've been blessed
I believe in...what exactly?
If we are truly going to share the truth with our children, we’ll need to ask some hard questions of ourselves first
Prayer: Be still... and know
You want to pray, but have nothing left to give. Simply focusing on God’s word is one response
When prayer 'doesn't work' - what next?
There are times when it seems that God has stopped listening to our prayers. Do we persevere... or turn away?
Facing redundancy - but the call hasn't gone
In May I have to leave the church and area to which I feel a sense of call. Moving on doesn't seem right
Fresh Streams Conference 2014
'An atmosphere where being a "Charismatic Baptist" is celebrated and not just tolerated'
Deeper exploration of tax dodging
'Tax evasion is a violation of the citizenship that belongs to God' - Christian Aid publishes resources on tax dodging
Towards a discipleship culture
Andy Glover outlines the role and purpose of the pilot missional community at Hoole Baptist Church in Chester
Stranger danger or angel stranger?
How do we, as parents and church, model the gospel call of welcoming the stranger in a world that's fearful of them?
Pouring out your heart in prayer
Beginning a new role with government targets and an empty diary, Sally Claydon poured out her heart to God...
Going above and beyond
Ahead of Education Sunday the Baptist Education Group highlights the importance of connecting with schools
Withdrawing from church
What happens when you're in a small church and one of your key members has to take a step back?
Time to rub out the battle lines?
Can we become entrenched in our positions, particularly with regard to children and the church?
Let's stop playing the Blame Game
We can be all too quick to blame others for misfortune. Have we forgotten the Second Commandment?
The Temptations of Jesus Revisited 
And how the story of Jesus’s temptations helps us today. By John Rackley
When rain falls like lead
The unexpected death of his sister led Andy Percey to explore the presence of God in the darkness of suffering
Missionary leadership is vital
As he retires from full-time stipendiary ministry, Paul Beasley-Murray reflects on the keys to that ministry
Rugby World Cup - a golden opportunity
It's coming to the UK in autumn 2015 - can the church engage its local community as it did around the Olympics?
Our journey with Today not Tomorrow 
How Kingswood Baptist Church has been working through what it means to be intergenerational
Taking action on climate change
A familiar phrase so easy to gloss over, yet indicative of a worsening reality – what can I do about climate change?
Free from Mother's Day?
Asking some questions about the appropriateness of the church doing "Mother's Day"
Time to make a change?
Stuck in a rut? Sometimes change can be tough but the effects can also be remarkable
A Very British Mission: Review
Israel Olofinjana is pleasantly surprised by a Channel 4 documentary on West African Pentecostal Churches
Sending the best - the Antioch prayer
I know what needs to be done, but how can my church respond? Why we are praying that God sends key people
A reflection for Easter 2014 
"John seems to be saying that we’ve got to read Jesus from the end, not the beginning."
What the resurrection appearances reveal
They don't simply show that Jesus rose from the dead, but the nature of the relationship we can all have with him
Father Frans of Homs - a reflection 
"A time when to refuse common sense is more important... a time to empty self as did their Lord"
#BrightenYourDay: Spreading Good News
In a world filled with darkness, we should take opportunities to spread light and purvey some good news...
Immigration: truth and justice 
Struck by negative portrayals of Romania as it became a full EU member, Phil Jump reflects on kingdom values
No liberal: in defence of Rev
Ministry in the inner city is challenging, which is why we need more pragmatists like Adam Smallbone
Where the sacred and scary meet 
Is God really in the unexpected places …like horror films?
We need God time, not me time
21st century Britain is all about me, me, me. But surely God deserves our time and love more than we do?
Church response to the kidnapped schoolgirls
It's welcome that some Nigerian church leaders have spoken out, but I wish more would, writes Israel Olofinjana
Contending for the Christian faith
Seun Kolade takes a fresh look at the challenges facing Christians today, and the call to be bold in the face of them
Reflections on the 2014 Assembly
It was a privilege to minister to the children: our heart is that one day all will appreciate the ministry each child has
The Ascension should have its own Sunday
It is the time to celebrate the outer reaches of our human understanding of Christ, writes John Rackley
They worshipped him, but some doubted
Worshipping doubters are called to see God and humanity with very different eyes to the world
The groups who use our church buildings
Are we interacting with them as much as we can, asks Sally Claydon?
Pentecost, and a strategic move 
Pentecost Sunday is not only about ‘tongues of fire’ - it is also a time to see the work of the Spirit in the world
How small is your world?
As she visits projects tackling gender-based violence in Zambia, Heather Skull reflects on how small the world can be
Living cross-shaped lives
What if we really followed the example of Jesus?
Homeless spikes, vulnerable people
Behind each person seeking shelter in a doorway is a human being loved by God - like my friend Suzy
A toolbox (blog) for small churches
Small churches can feel neglected - which is why I've set up a blog specifically dedicated to resourcing them
The bus evangelist - did I do wrong? 
I cringed when a lady began to evangelise loudly on a packed bus. But what happened next raised some serious questions
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