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The Baptist Union > The Baptist Times > Archive > Opinions / Reflections > Opinions/reflections - January - June 2021
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Opinions/reflections - January - June 2021

A Happy New Year? 
How three words might be a better alternative to making resolutions. By Darren Blaney
A reflection on the events on Capitol Hill 
The strange mixture of religion and politics in the US, and what it has to do with us here in the UK. By Michael Shaw
A time of opportunity, a time of reflection
We remain in the midst of a crisis, one that is not going to pass anytime soon. In exploring how churches have responded so far, Ian Stackhouse expresses both gratitude and concern
Is your church Hong Kong ready? 
The UK is about to welcome hundreds of thousands of people from Hong Kong. Simon Goddard explores how Baptists are responding, and what your church can do
Do we have enough hope? 
The first legally binding international agreement to ban nuclear weapons enters into force on 22 January 2021. None of the nine nuclear states, including the UK, have signed the treaty. Martin Tiller explains how the church can respond
Donald Trump and the heresy of white evangelical Christianity  
As Donald Trump leaves the White House in disgrace, the time has come for the evangelical Christians who supported him to examine their consciences and embark on the road to repentance, writes Joshua Searle
We are what we sing 
Our theology is often shaped more by our singing than it is by teaching. In this period when many of us have had to start again with our church’s worship repertoire, writing your own hymn is a project that could nourish and sustain your congregation
Fake news and conspiracy theories 
John Weaver explores why disinformation exists and is believed - and how Christians can measure the truth
The haves and the have nots
We live in an unequal world, a fact heightened by technological differences in the latest lockdown. Here are ways larger churches could support smaller ones in a way that blesses both. By Michael Shaw
Leaving prison with faith
Serena Bailey highlights the power of supportive faith communities for prison leavers with faith
Babbling for Jesus 
I spent a very interesting hour recently in a lively, full-on discussion about religion in general and Christianity in particular with people who do not share my faith. Here are some reflections, writes Colin Sedgwick
Christian charity offers advice on supporting adolescents in lockdown
Fegans counsellor Louise Tantam shares some advice for families with teenagers struggling at this time
Revisiting what following Jesus means
Andy Goodliff offers reading recommendations to deepen discipleship this Lent
Why it's time to shift the centre of youth discipleship
Have young people been leaving the church not because we made discipleship too difficult, but because we made it too easy? That's the premise behind a new movement developed by Youthscape - Martin Saunders explains more
Hugs from above  
Baptist minister Patrick Coghlan introduces his latest book, a resource of reflections and prayers for those who have entered into retirement and later life
How do you normally observe Lent? 
“Wilderness” is a rich and layered idea in the Old Testament - reflecting on it may offer some helpful ways forward as we seek to engage with Lent this year. By Helen Paynter
Made to Belong
Andy Percey introduces his new book exploring the human need to find a group of people who will accept and welcome us
Felix trembled 
The Gospel has been known to make grown men tremble but that is not enough. Repentance and faith in Jesus are required.
Learning to tell our story afresh
A reflection on the place of faith within a culture and history and how we understand the place of the church in the wider world. By Ruth Gouldbourne
Capt Sir Tom Moore - a reflection on a meaningful life  
It struck me that we can learn some spiritual lessons from Captain Tom's life that will stand us in good stead for our own lives. By Darren Blaney
Jesus who shares our pain 
If God is present in the darkness reaching out for us, then light and hope are not something to be found when the darkness has gone - they are already there present when the darkness is at its deepest
Forty days and forty nights   
Continuing our Lent series, Simon Woodman explores the significance of the number forty in the Bible - and what it means for us today
Renewing our vision and instincts 
What ideas about human living do you need to ‘give up’, and ‘put on’, to help your vision to see, and your instincts to show, signs of God’s coming Kingdom? By Michael Peat
The one Easter character we never think about 
Why the actions of Joseph of Arimathea pose questions for us all, writes Chris Goswami
Rainy-Day
Could we be doing more to prioritise giving to Home Mission? Here's a plea from a Baptist minister
The Church post Covid 19 
We often hear about a new way of doing or being church - but where to begin? Asia’s quest for ‘new ways of being church’ as they emerged from the missionary era might have something to say to us, writes Alec Gilmore
How can we build friendships with our UK Muslim neighbours?
It's Ramadan, and Alan Hallmart reflects on reaching out to develop relationships and build bridges of understanding
Hope in a time of crisis
A reflection on Elijah from Charmaine Mhlanga
As you love yourself
A cautionary tale by Matt Nott
Why should Christians vote on Thursday?  
Tim Farron MP outlines why you should use your vote this week
Prayers of Lament
Although uncomfortable, the pattern of biblical lament has much to offer at this time - by Gale Richards
Learning to communicate [again] - finding fruit 
The lack of in-person meeting has meant we have forgotten how to communicate with understanding. Inspired by the book of Galatians, here are some things to keep in mind as we begin to see one another again. By Claire Nicholls
Critiquing Critical Race Theory
The current discourse about racism is underpinned by a belief system that actually prevents us from identifying the real barriers to communities thriving, writes Mike Thomas
The way we care for older people
On 11 May the Queen will give a speech to mark the state opening of Parliament. Stephen Hammersley from Pilgrims’ Friend Society says putting a spotlight on the way we care for older people is vital
Eco therapy and our mental health  
It's Mental Health Awareness Week, with a focus on nature - Shaun Lambert explores why we need to be paying attention
Seeing the Kingdom of Heaven in everyday living
Jesus taught and demonstrated the Kingdom of Heaven - so it makes sense for us to think about it, look for it in the Bible, search out its treasures and then learn to live in its culture, writes Martin Young
Women without walls  
Baptist minister Mary Cotes introduces her new book, which looks at women as bringers of God’s Kingdom, both from the gospels and in Christian history
Calling all worship-leaders 
An appeal to anyone who has responsibility for choosing worship material: Give us breadth! Give us variety! Long hymns and short songs. Happy songs and sad songs. Bouncy tunes and peaceful tunes. Ancient hymns and modern. By Colin Sedgwick
Can I grieve too?  
A reflection on loss in its many forms during Covid, by Baptist church member Daph Appleby
Has lockdown changed the way we serve?  
As things open up and “easedown” begins, make a decision to step out, to choose to love and care for those others don’t see, writes Hugh McNeill
I am a minister, and I can be hurt like anyone else  
A Baptist minister highlights bullying and spiritual abuse
Jesus is Lord 
How often do we forget that Jesus, not us nor our ideas, is Lord? Each of us, whoever we are, whatever our calling, is to live in the light of this reality, writes Joe Haward
Unwanted and wanted - a Father's Day reflection
Lisa Bond is the children's worker at Mexborough Baptist Church, where she shared these thoughts on Father's Day (20 June)
A journey towards inclusion and affirmation
Mike Parker shares developments in his ministry and that of the church he co-pastors, Worthing Baptist Church
People who are grieving need the Holy Spirit, not Spiritualism     
People whose loved ones died during the pandemic are often suffering complicated, unresolved grief - but turning to Spiritualism isn't the answer. By Louise Morse
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