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Opinions/reflections - January - June 2019

What can we learn from the voices of 2018?
The best, worst and most surprising voices from the past 12 months – with no mention of the “B word”. By Chris Goswami
Digital technology and marriages 
We often talk about ‘safeguarding’ children in relation to digital technology; let's think about marriages too
Living a lie: a reflection on hypocrisy
Do we routinely do what is right, even when no-one is watching us, asks Baptist minister Colin Sedgwick?
'Learn to sing in the broken places you’re in'
A report from this year's Fresh Streams conference, which was all about moving further along and deeper into God’s gifting
Generosity, hospitality and joy
People can be convinced that God works in the big rather than the small, but we mustn't lose faith in the local church
Working against bad theology  
Helen Paynter explains why Bristol Baptist College has established the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence
Playing your part in God's restoration story
How does your faith motivate you to get involved in tackling poverty? Introducing Tearfund's Restoration Story
Whoever said life was fair? 
However strong our faith, there are times when the “meaning” is completely lost to us: we simply don’t understand
Vast as the sea is your ruin
A death leads to lament and the importance of the poor, whose existence should stir up a raging for justice
A fantastic (less plastic) world   
Roo Stewart shares his struggles as he attempts to live without single-use plastic as part of the Living Lent initiative
Christians and the pursuit of perfection    
Can we be real in our churches about the reality of mental health struggles? By Chris Munday
Bringing the workplace into my faith   
While Jesus rejected worldly values, his parables showed he thought some worldly methods worth a second glance
A sorry story from the barber’s chair   
As I left the barber’s shop that day I was inwardly fuming at those “Bible-bashers” who had behaved so appallingly
Ditch binary narratives of good and bad
People try it on at foodbanks - but labelling them as skivers is no answer. Our attitude to the poor needs to change
Mindfulness and flourishing 
Minister Shaun Lambert explains how mindfulness helps us live life in all its fullness, and addresses Christian objections
Out of the mouths of babes and grandfathers
In the face of continuing news about the effects of global warming, younger people are increasingly campaigning
Navigating Mother's Day
For many of us who are pastoring churches the day gives us much to celebrate - and much to navigate
Making better decisions and developing people
What can churches learn from the workspace about decisions, development, and supporting good people?
The gospel in your pocket 
A simple habit that has seen hundreds of people in shops, parks, and trains reminded of God’s love for them
Evangelism and the workplace 
Why a new approach is needed - and how that should be informed by workplace developments
What role the Christian entrepreneur?
The Church has an underused mandate for entrepreneurial wealth creation to the benefit of others
'Wounds from a friend can be trusted'
Cruel to be kind? How willing are we to speak, and be spoken to, with candour, asks Colin Sedgwick
Following Jesus to the poor
Christians experience an inspirational conference, but what will it achieve? What does it mean to encounter Jesus?
That Easter Saturday Experience   
The Saturday of Easter is a day that is easily overlooked, the ultimate in grey days. It's a picture where many of us are
A reflection for Maundy Thursday 
This is my body, this is my blood: With his words he held out broken bread and the cup of wine...
Redeeming the workplace  
What can be a creative space where effort generates wealth that blesses society, is often a meaningless grind
Why does God allow bad things to happen? 
Ultimately not a question we can answer satisfactorily, but there are things we can say that might help
The power of belonging   
Humans were created for connection, with each other and with God. Belonging is something that can be learnt
How would you react in a time of crisis?
Not only do other people not know the true us, even we don’t know the true us. Not till we are tested
The right time and place        
This amazing privilege of being in ‘their’ world is what I believe schoolwork to be about, writes Martin Sweet
Dementia from the Inside
How does it feel to live with dementia? And where is God in this? A new book says all you need to know
Panorama, and the collapse in social care
A new Panorama programme has highlighted the deepening adult social care crisis. Louise Morse reflects on the film
Did God speak to Chris Evans?
Chris Evans claims he heard the voice of God – should we believe him? Chris Goswami reflects on how God speaks
Nurturing the gift of a listening ear
In this age where social media has diminished communication skills, there is an even greater need to listen well
The radical economics of scripture
Our economic system is fundamentally unjust. Can we imagine a just economics in line with the grace of scripture?
A theological vision for Baptists
Three recent works that might help Baptists discover a way of being church that's true to their heritage
What can Christians do about knife crime?
The view from a local church, by Dr Sally Mann, Minister of Bonny Downs Baptist Church in East London
The difference a church can make  
Faith Bowers on the impact of Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church's support for her son Richard
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