Most read opinions/reflections 2019

Two blogs exploring longstanding questions asked of the Christian faith received the most attention in The Baptist Times in 2019. Why does God allow bad things to happen? written in the aftermath of the terrorist attack in Sri Lanka by Chris Goswami, received the most hits, closely followed by Colin Sedgwick's reflection on horrible passages in the Bible - Bad things in God’s word.

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1 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. By Chris Goswami

2 Bad things in God’s word What are we, as followers of Jesus, to make of the horrible passages of the Bible? Colin Sedgwick offers a reflection on Judges 19

3 A new year, new possibilities September is a good time to consider the deeper change God longs for in our churches, writes Trevor Neill

4 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...

5 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

6 Christians and the pursuit of perfection Can we be real in our churches about the reality of mental health struggles?

7 Women in Ministry: still a sticking point? Ali Taylor was invited to create a mosaic at the recent Baptist International Conference on Theological Education

8 The difference a church can make Faith Bowers on the impact of Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church's support for her son Richard throughout his 50 years

9 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

10 The radical economics of scripture Our economic system is fundamentally unjust. Can we imagine a just economics in line with the grace of scripture?

Baptist Times, 16/12/2019

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'A wake-up call for courage and community'

Andy Glover reports from the Fresh Streams Vision Summit 2025

'Work out what it says to your own contexts'

Mark Woods is a Baptist minister and head of communications at Bible Society, which produced The Quiet Revival. He offers this reflection on what it is saying, and encourages careful reading of the report

'When God brings renewal, leadership is vital'

Citing a cautionary experience from his time in Peru, Steve Finamore emphasises the importance of identifying the next generation of ministers, pastors, pioneers, church planters, evangelists, teachers and prophets

Ministry on mission: thriving as a part-time pastor in a full-time world

Sam Ackerman shares his calling to and advocacy for part-time ministry. Sam is the part-time minister of Horndean Baptist Church, Waterlooville, and also works in the local junior school

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AI, TikTok - how do we equip our children to make good choices?

Technology is advancing at such a speed that we sometimes struggle to navigate each new turn, writes Katharine Hill. So how do we equip our children to deal with the dangers, as well as to take hold of the opportunities?