Opinions/reflections January - June 2016
| Our celebrations of Christmas may be over but the story of our Lord’s arrival and life continue |
| What does it mean to "walk with God?" Here are five suggestions |
| Covenant isn’t easy, but an important mark of our commitment to walk together, with God, writes Catriona Gorton |
| Have we at times prized our independence over our commitment to relating to each other, asks Lynn Green? |
| Doesn't actually work, because that's not what Jesus said. The call to sacrifice just might |
| “I choose a church where they play the songs I like, worship the way I want, where I do what I choose” |
| Our celebrations of Christmas may be over but the story of our Lord’s arrival and life continue |
| Introducing Eco Church, Christian charity A Rocha's new scheme to help churches become eco-friendly |
| The future of our witness as Baptist people depends on our shared life together, writes Andy Goodliff |
| Mainstream church attendance is in the news again: it has declined over the past 100 years or so, but consider these three points |
| Voices and lessons from the margins need to be heard by all of us, for they shape our mission and discipleship, and are actually at the heart of faith |
| A couple of things we shouldn't do, and a couple we should |
| The famous doll has evolved to reflect millennial concerns for social justice. That's a language the church knows – and needs to rediscover |
| As we grow God shows us more of himself, and more of ourselves - why it's OK for our relationships with God to change |
| Knowing the backgrounds to the hymns which fed our ancestors adds a rich layer of understanding to our spiritual lives, writes Mark Woods |
| Tony Peck invites British Baptists to reflect on aspects of our Baptist story and identity that might inform our vote in the EU referendum |
| The decision is a 'purely political one', writes a Baptist minister who highlights three key areas why he will vote to leave |
| When all around are losing it and causing panic, Heather Skull looks at why a field of sheep can teach a lesson about standing firm... |
| It’s good to pray - every Christian knows that. But it’s a real joy too to be the answer to someone else’s prayer |
| In telling her story Chizor Akisanya is openly vulnerable in the hope that it will inspire and encourage those struggling with life’s challenges |
| Is there a specifically Christian view of laughter, asks Colin Sedgwick? |
| The way we picture God will direct church identity and our missional effectiveness, writes Andrew Hardy |
| Our calling from Christ to go and make disciples must begin and continue in prayer, writes Lynn Green |
| Evangelism is getting on with life in such a way that people have a chance to discover Jesus for themselves |
| The potential closure of the Port Talbot steelworks has far reaching consequences for all involved: here are ways we can pray into the situation |
| As Baptists, can we live in the tension of our differences, bound together in our common love of the Risen Christ? |
| There's a good reason why children have a special place in the heart of God - and, as Heather Skull reflects, they have much to teach us |
| How can we perceive, with heightened awareness, God’s perspective on the world and other people? |
| Technology gives – and takes away. What impact is it having, and how can we recalibrate our lives in this new and complex culture? |
| Reflection from Liverpool fan and Regional Minister after an inquest concludes the fans who died in the 1989 disaster were unlawfully killed
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| God sets the lonely in families - here are the people to be looking out for in our churches and beyond |
| There is power in communally creating a song, our song - and it's something we might consider giving more time to |
| The way we communicate our culture has altered completely, but key elements of communication haven't |
| Being told I should be passionate about the Holy Spirit slightly jarred |
| The EU referendum debate is about relationships and that is why it is a matter on which we need to seek insights from our faith, writes Keith Clements |
| Prayers in the wake of the weekend's atrocities at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida |
| Chaplain Anna Spiegel was among those to share her reflections on the recent Yorkshire Baptist Association Assembly |
| Christian faith is about truly encountering God and other people, on a human level – as Jesus did |
| Dave Smith, the founder of a Christian organisation serving destitute asylum seekers, explains why he was compelled to tell their stories |
| … three things Jo Cox taught us |
| In post-EU Referendum United Kingdom, churches are well-placed to demonstrate the mutual benefits of being part of diverse communities |
| With so many refugees trapped in Europe, the Exodus story is being re-enacted: the situation calls Christians to a dual response |
| Chris Goswami reflects on how Christians might engage constructively in the politics currently unfolding |