Opinions/reflections - January - June 2019
| The best, worst and most surprising voices from the past 12 months – with no mention of the “B word”. By Chris Goswami |
| We often talk about ‘safeguarding’ children in relation to digital technology; let's think about marriages too |
| Do we routinely do what is right, even when no-one is watching us, asks Baptist minister Colin Sedgwick? |
| A report from this year's Fresh Streams conference, which was all about moving further along and deeper into God’s gifting |
| People can be convinced that God works in the big rather than the small, but we mustn't lose faith in the local church |
| Helen Paynter explains why Bristol Baptist College has established the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence |
| How does your faith motivate you to get involved in tackling poverty? Introducing Tearfund's Restoration Story |
| However strong our faith, there are times when the “meaning” is completely lost to us: we simply don’t understand |
| A death leads to lament and the importance of the poor, whose existence should stir up a raging for justice |
| Roo Stewart shares his struggles as he attempts to live without single-use plastic as part of the Living Lent initiative |
| Can we be real in our churches about the reality of mental health struggles? By Chris Munday |
| While Jesus rejected worldly values, his parables showed he thought some worldly methods worth a second glance |
| As I left the barber’s shop that day I was inwardly fuming at those “Bible-bashers” who had behaved so appallingly |
| People try it on at foodbanks - but labelling them as skivers is no answer. Our attitude to the poor needs to change |
| Minister Shaun Lambert explains how mindfulness helps us live life in all its fullness, and addresses Christian objections |
| In the face of continuing news about the effects of global warming, younger people are increasingly campaigning |
| For many of us who are pastoring churches the day gives us much to celebrate - and much to navigate |
| What can churches learn from the workspace about decisions, development, and supporting good people? |
| A simple habit that has seen hundreds of people in shops, parks, and trains reminded of God’s love for them |
| Why a new approach is needed - and how that should be informed by workplace developments |
| The Church has an underused mandate for entrepreneurial wealth creation to the benefit of others |
| Cruel to be kind? How willing are we to speak, and be spoken to, with candour, asks Colin Sedgwick
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| Christians experience an inspirational conference, but what will it achieve? What does it mean to encounter Jesus? |
| 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 |
| This is my body, this is my blood: With his words he held out broken bread and the cup of wine... |
| What can be a creative space where effort generates wealth that blesses society, is often a meaningless grind |
| Ultimately not a question we can answer satisfactorily, but there are things we can say that might help
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| Humans were created for connection, with each other and with God. Belonging is something that can be learnt |
| Not only do other people not know the true us, even we don’t know the true us. Not till we are tested |
| This amazing privilege of being in ‘their’ world is what I believe schoolwork to be about, writes Martin Sweet |
| How does it feel to live with dementia? And where is God in this? A new book says all you need to know |
| A new Panorama programme has highlighted the deepening adult social care crisis. Louise Morse reflects on the film |
| Chris Evans claims he heard the voice of God – should we believe him? Chris Goswami reflects on how God speaks |
| In this age where social media has diminished communication skills, there is an even greater need to listen well |
| Our economic system is fundamentally unjust. Can we imagine a just economics in line with the grace of scripture? |
| Three recent works that might help Baptists discover a way of being church that's true to their heritage |
| The view from a local church, by Dr Sally Mann, Minister of Bonny Downs Baptist Church in East London |
| Faith Bowers on the impact of Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church's support for her son Richard |