Earlier this month, we hosted a series of prophetic conferences at Oxford Community Church, with guest speakers Ben and Heather Armstrong and Paul Manwaring, from Bethel Church, Redding California. These events were SO much fun – packed with great teaching that lay a strong foundation for growing in the prophetic and developing a culture where…
Tag: christianity
Returning to our First Love (Revelation 2.1–7)
“What if Jesus’ definition of thriving leaders and thriving churches is different to ours?” Last weekend I had the privilege of speaking at Thrive – a conference for the Salt and Light Advance churches of which Oxford Community Church is a part. It was a fantastic event – with powerful times of worship, great speakers, and some…
The light by which we see: Scrivener, Tomlin and the case for Christianity
“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen, not only because I see it but because by it, I see everything else.” C.S. Lewis – The Weight of Glory One of the challenges of apologetics is to ensure you are answering the questions that people are actually asking; addressing the ache…
The Rabshakeh Strategy
I’ve been reading through 1 and 2 Kings recently, and last week I reached the story of the Rabshakeh in 2 Kings 18. It struck me that it is something of a parable for our age. The story is set when Hezekiah is king of Judah. He is a rarity – a good king in…
Tracing the ripples from fallen pastors
It seems that hardly a month goes by without another scandal from a ‘Celebrity Pastor’. Abuse of power, sexual sin, financial irregularities, cover-ups. Each one a crushing blow; another straw heaped on the back of an already-straining camel, namely the public credibility of Christianity. I was talking to a friend the other day, and I…
The Woman Caught in Adultery (John 8:1-11)
A talk on John 8, shame, bad religion and the power of encountering Jesus (mp3).
On Enjoying Difficult Sermons
Five good reasons, and one bad reason, for why I enjoy preaching sermons on difficult passages.
A Cancelled Wedding Where All Are Welcome
Atlanta, August 2013. Tamara Fowler’s wedding day was fast approaching. The venue was booked, the catering arranged, the guests invited. Her parents were putting the final touches to this lavish event. Then 40 days before the wedding, Tamara called the whole thing off…
Feuerbach, Ferry and Wilson on Christianity and Physicality
A tantalising juxtaposition of three quotes on Christianity and ‘the physical.’
Learning to Live / A Brief History of Thought, by Luc Ferry
A review of Luc Ferry’s engaging history of philosophy.
Liam Thatcher 