Service

It was a pleasure and a privilege to be part of the ordination of Stella, our curate, earlier in the summer. This was my sermon as she led us in celebrating Communion the next day.

Salvation

What is salvation? What do we want to be saved from? And what do we need to be saved from? And what does our fascination with superheroes tell us about all of this?

Treasure

What do we treasure? What regrets do we have? What difference does treasuring different things make? And in what way is the kingdom of God like hidden treasure?

Reflecting on politics

What do the terrible events of this week, particularly the murder of MP Jo Cox, tell us about the state of our politics? How should we, as Christians, respond? How should we approach the forthcoming EU referendum?

Pentecost

Pentecost is one of the major festivals in the church’s year. Unfortunately, it’s often the least celebrated of the festivals, so this is my exploration of Pentecost and the Holy Spirit, and the difference that he can make to us.

Five Marks of Mission sermon series

The Five Marks of Mission are a way of thinking about how all-encompassing the mission that God calls us to take part in. This sermon series helps us to explore what that means and our calling to take part in this mission.

Living water

Living water is one of the images for God, particularly the Holy Spirit, that we are given in the Bible. What does that tell us about what God is like? What does that mean for our faith?

The Syro-Phoenician woman

A woman from Syria needs help. How do those capable of giving that help respond? Do they feel her pain, or dismiss her because she is ‘different’ in some way? This was what happened 2,000 years ago, and what is happening today…

Transforming love

Jesus shows his love for Peter by challenging him as well as forgiving him. What does that look like for us? And, as we prepare for a General Election, what does that tell us about our actions and how to use our vote?

Treasure

What do we value? What is important to us? It is Back to Church Sunday today, so we were thinking about the things that we treasure, and any regrets that we have.

Wholeness

What is wholeness? What does it look like? The answer to that depends on your eschatology! (On what you think happens at the end of time) It depends on what you think God’s ultimate purpose is and what he is planning to do with his creation.

What does the Lord require?

David Cameron’s comments on Britain being a “Christian country” have sparked debate. But, there’s been less debate on what he thinks ‘Christian’ means. I think that this is where the challenge for Christians really lies…

Embodying the soul

What does it mean to have a soul? What does the word ‘soul’ mean anyway? Possibly not what we think it means…

Suffering

Suffering is one of those questions that people often struggle with. This is my attempt to tackle it. Not to give definitive answers, but at least to try and suggest ways of thinking about it and questions that we might want to think about the issue.

Review of How God became King

Tom Wright’s latest book, How God became King is his “surprising and radical” reassessment of the gospels. Whilst well-written and clearly argued, I was less surprised by the content of a book which promises to “revolutionize much Christian thinking”…