Opinions/Reflections July - December 2015

How should we as Christians think about magnificent buildings? By Colin Sedgwick

It's not the proposal to abolish collective worship in schools that's more dangerous, but our potential reaction to it

You're speaking to a group connected to the church, but rarely, if ever, join in Sunday worship. Here's what you could say

The centre or the heart beat?

Should our main Sunday gathering draw everything in, or be the place that gives life to one another and the activities we are involved in?

You were not on that beach in Tunisia…

And you were not in that church in Charleston… but the events there have changed you

Was this really a misguided zeal?

A dilemma with his hairdresser leads Colin Sedgwick to wonder whether we have lost our evangelistic nerve

Being a Christian in the Middle East

There is major concern, but not despair, writes Azar Ajaj

Our neighbours, and breaking the ice...

Heather Skull considers why we should be reaching out to those around us in friendship and what the result might look like...

Advice to a young pastor

Reflecting on his long ministry, an experienced Baptist pastor offers 25 tips for those just setting out

Were the Pharisees really so awful?

Better understanding of the Pharisees should give fresh insight into Jesus himself, writes a retired Baptist minister

Responding to a day in Calais

Teenage Baptist Matt Dominey visited the refugee camp in Calais last week. These are his reflections

Sort out your affairs, Ashley Madison

Why do people have affairs – it's all about SEX right? Well apparently not...

Jesus said, “I am the door...

General Secretary Lynn Green shares reflections on the recent Baptist World Congress held in Durban, South Africa

Are you happy in your church?

It may not be perfect, but here are five suggestions that could strengthen your commitment to your church

The pigeon: a metaphor for the Holy Spirit?

Six reasons why we should stop looking for doves, and start noticing pigeons

Where have all the APEs gone?

A strange sounding question, but one that explains why the Pioneer Collective has a vision to identify 400 Baptist pioneers

Euthanasia - can we live without it?

A look at Assisted Dying ahead of a Parliamentary debate on Friday (11 September)

Will autumn damage your church's health?

John Rackley questions the demands many churches place on themselves at this time of the year

Dialogue and dancing in Durban

Birmingham-based chaplain the Revd Dr Doreen Morrison shares reflections on the 21st Baptist World Congress

Spotlight on asylum seekers

The founder of a Christian organisation serving destitute asylum seekers shares insights into the UK's response to the refugee crisis

What's it like to be 375 years old?

A reflection on King's Stanley Baptist Church marking its 375th anniversary and its joint celebration with eight others

'The call needs to be lived out'

Paul Beasley-Murray introduces his new, four volume guide for pastors that draws on his 43-year career in ministry

How can God love me? Just as you are

Many people feel unworthy of God's love, which is why they need to be encouraged to approach God just as they are

Responding to war and the refugee crisis

Baptist responses to the multiple challenges of war, violent persecution, and the refugee/migrant crisis

All creatures great and small

Baptist minister Andy Goodliff reflects on a service where pets were invited

Israel and the returning King

Is God preparing Israel for the Messiah? Are the chosen people still chosen?

Ugly words about beautiful people

What matters most to me, how I look to others - or how I appear to God?

Reflections on Baptist Union Council

Our renewed culture is beginning to be embedded by the new-style Council, says General Secretary Lynn Green

And don’t let us yield to temptation

An excerpt from Sheridan Voysey's new book Resilient: Your Invitation to a Jesus-Shaped Life

Seasons of thankfulness

As the harvest is safely gathered in, Heather Skull looks at what it means to be living in thankfulness in all circumstances

Going to church will make you happy

Research shows that going to church regularly is a HUGE contributor to your wellbeing

We need to talk more about Jesus

How can we help contacts on the fringe of the church to become inquirers seeking Jesus?

Reflections from the Jungle

A sobering day in Calais leaves a Baptist minister lamenting our indifference and resolved to lobby the Government

God, Mammon and Climate Change

In the run up to the Paris Climate Change Conference some significant economic considerations are emerging, writes John Weaver

Equipping: Building bigger people

We all have something to offer in mentoring others – and a biblical mandate to do so, writes Clive Burnard

Reflections on Remembrance Sunday

Delving into Baptist history helped a church reframe its remembering in broader ways to include all who've suffered the consequences of war

Grey areas - and responding biblically

For many dilemmas there are no straight forward answers - so what principles can Christians adopt when deciding how to respond?

Discomfort with the comfort

The way young adults are re-thinking how they connect to church highlights how mundane it has become. Let's focus on what's true

Revisiting Thomas - how can we know?

Gethin Abraham-Williams ponders a question that still troubles our restless spirits, and finds a clue in a disciple too often overlooked

Another way of responding to ISIS

Militant non-violence is an alternative to bombing Syria, and it stems from Jesus' often misunderstood teaching about turning the other cheek

The care and guidance of souls

A Christian counsellor offers a glimpse of God’s grace and mercy in the life of a young man emerging from a crisis

Breaking a season of habits

We're creatures of habit, but, says Heather Skull, let's make sure they're good ones...

The virtue of keeping it simple

Many Christians tie themselves in all sorts of knots when thinking about their faith - but certain Bible verses can come to the rescue

What happened next? Elizabeth

It is tantalising to wonder whatever happened to the people left behind in the unfolding story of Jesus. Here's a look at Elizabeth

Jesus was an asylum seeker

But would we have welcomed him? The founder of a charity working with destitute asylum seekers doesn't think so

What happened next? The shepherds

John Rackley imagines a conversation between shepherds the morning after meeting the baby Jesus

Analysis of COP 21 Paris

As the White Queen offers Alice, is the Paris agreement an offer of ‘jam to-morrow’? By John Weaver

Mapping a clear direction of travel

Can churches take inspiration from the brilliant simplicity of the London Underground map?

“It’s the most peculiar time of the year”

Blogger of the year Chris Goswami shares directions for a contented January

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