Feature articles published in 2020

What does it look like to love your neighbour as yourself when that includes sticky fingers, smelly nappies and tired parents? An introduction to mainly music

In God's company - Christian giants of business

Peter Lupson, the author of Thank God for Football! about the church origins of famous English football clubs, tells us about his new book In God's Company - Christian giants of business

Caring for the wider creation and one another

Creation is crying out – how will we, as the church, answer? Saying Yes to Life, the new book by Ruth Valerio, will help us explore a response

'A pessimist with your head, an optimist with your heart'

Interview with author, broadcaster and campaigner for conservation, Bob Gilbert, whose latest work Ghost Trees was longlisted for the Wainwright Prize

Cyber-security advice for churches from Baptist Insurance

Cyber-crime is on the rise and criminals are finding increasingly sophisticated ways to attack computer systems and extract valuable data

The voice of Disney, and another voice

What can Mary Poppins teach us about Lent? A surprising amount, says author Lucy Berry, whose new Lent group study guide is based on the film Mary Poppins Returns

What’s age got to do with it?

Faith in Later Life seeks to enable individual Christians and churches to reach, serve and empower older people in every community. Carl Knightly explains more

“Go where you’re really needed”

Our former President Kate Coleman in conversation with General Secretary Lynn Green

A Theology of Hospitality

Hospitality is at the very heart of who God is, writes Anthony Clarke. Not only is God the host, who welcomes us, God comes as the guest.

Can we be friends?

The three factors that play a part in how we exclude or include and welcome disabled people. By Martin Hobgen

Disability justice

Glen Graham explains the aims and the story of the Baptists Together Disability Justice Hub

'Home ed is more about learning than teaching'

Vivienne Sharkey, an experienced home educator and a member of Stanmore Baptist Church, offers this reflection for the thousands of families now home educating for the first time

Closed church buildings during COVID-19

In the context of a temporary closure, here are the top priorities to help you keep your church property safe, from Baptist Insurance

Schooling during Covid-19

There's a lot to balance - but don't panic, writes Moira Kleissner, a retired teacher and home school supervisor. Moira offers this reflection

A new song for streamed services

With congregations no longer gathering in person, Matthew Newman introduces a new worship song for our homes

Christians in the crisis

What are Christians to make of the world as coronavirus spreads and brings disruption? Terry Young introduces a new blog series exploring different aspects of our response

How do we as disciples of Christ respond to COVID-19?

Our former President John Weaver poses a number of questions for us to consider

God and the nations

How does a crisis challenge the global gods - and what can we learn from the Bible about disasters?

Fear not

The future is decided, not by our fear, but by our Father - the third blog in a five part series exploring Christian responses to the Coronavirus pandemic

The balance between trust and action

For us, as for Hezekiah, global events shine a spotlight on what or whom we really trust. By Terry Young

Blessings in disguise

The gift of time is probably the greatest bonus most of us will share this summer: what will we do with it?

Advice from Baptist Insurance

The latest article from Baptist Insurance highlights its new guidance in light of the current pandemic

Jesus the Emmaus Road Companion

Baptist ministers John Rackley and John Weaver have been working on a project called Faith Journey as Theology, exploring how their lived Christian lives shape their theology

Faith, God and Story

John Rackley explores the principles of faith as story - part 2 of The Emmaus Road Experience

Baptists Together and Young Adults

How are we working strategically to release young adults into missional ministry within the Baptist family? Carl Smethurst, author of last year’s Baptists Together Young Adults report, shares progress so far

'A wonderful, grass-roots collection of original worship material'

Gathering up the Crumbs is a new collection of prayers, liturgies, poems and reflections from women in Baptist ministry - here's an interview with one of its editors, Catrina Gorton

Travelling together - the story of our conversations

Baptist ministers John Weaver and John Rackley are exploring how their lived Christian lives shape their theology. In this third piece John Weaver highlights how a shared understanding began to develop

The unending conversation

Questions about God, faith, the Universe, Jesus as Son of God have been talked about for centuries, writes John Rackley. The fourth piece in The Emmaus Road Experience

We’re here to insure, reassure, and go the extra mile

The Baptist Insurance claims service has exceeded the expectations of Baptist minister the Revd Vic Jackopson for 50 years

'We need their energy, vision, passion and wisdom'

Baptist Union President Yinka Oyekan explains why a focus on young adults is a key element of his Presidential year

God’s heart for the generations

Our Joint Public Issues Team has been exploring the challenge of intergenerational injustice, writes Rosella Payne

The Emmaus story as a model for ministry

The Emmaus Road experience is more than a story of what happened once upon a time, writes John Weaver. It is a blueprint of what being a follower of the post-Resurrection Christ means

Supporting those who are shielding

Elderly people shielding at home are at risk of becoming invisible - developing meaningful support that helps them thrive and does so consistently is vital. By Alex Drew

Faith journey as story: an invitation for self reflection

The sixth and final piece in the series from Baptist ministers John Weaver and John Rackley, highlights the great value on the story of each person’s faith. As such, they offer questions to help you explore your own story of faith

Learning under lockdown: trying something new

The current crisis is giving an opportunity to reshape our practice of Bible reading and study. Terry Young explores options

The millennial way

For those in their 20s and 30s, culture beats programmes every time, writes Simon Barrington. Here’s what churches need to know, and how they can respond

Learning under lockdown: Just listening

As we listen to a whole Biblical narrative, we discover how those first disciples took in their teaching.

Scenario planning for an unknown future

How a simple planning tool might give churches some useful insights for the road ahead

Learning under lockdown: Fast and slow reading

Learning to slow down, dig deep, or skim ahead - Terry Young continues his series exploring different ways of engaging with the Bible

Learning under lockdown: Driven by curiosity

The internet offers us a wealth of options in learning more about the Bible. And while being curious always means wasting some time, these seeds of waste often bloom into fascinating flowers later on

Learning under lockdown: Bible study in a socially distanced world

Doing a Bible study online? Consider these pointers, writes Terry Young, as he ends his series exploring ways of engaging with the Bible now

Where politics meets the apocalypse

Martyn Whittock assesses US evangelical support for President Donald Trump in a time of chaos

'There’s an excitement about what millennials can offer the church'

Interview with Hayley Young, the Regional Minister/Mission Enabler at the South Wales Baptist Association

'It really is church with a difference'

A number of Baptist ministers serve as voluntary chaplains in their communities. In this short feature, several give an insight into these roles, including what's happened during lockdown

'We need to be developing their gifts'

Interviews with four students at Bristol Baptist College

10 reads for your summer

Last year I offered 10 possible books to read over the summer, writes Andy Goodliff. I wonder what kind summer we will all have this year — different no doubt. If you have any time to read, here are ten books that will stimulate faith

5 parables from science and technology that illustrate the nature of God

Insights from science and technology can help us comprehend some of the truths of God for the better, writes Chris Goswami

Fundraising support during COVID-19 and beyond

Our latest article from Baptist Insurance focuses on fundraising support for churches

How your church could support local care homes

Tina English, founder of Care Home Friends, shares ideas about how we can come alongside residents and staff at care homes during this extended lockdown

Black Lives Matter

Joe Kapolyo shares a historical, sociological and theological perspective

Discerning the prophetic: perspectives of Majority World theologies on suffering and discipleship

If the church is going to do discipleship and mission well in this Corona-climate, we need to grasp Jesus’ understanding of suffering and sacrifice – and listening to Majority World voices is essential, writes Israel Olofinjana

Exodus 1620 - The Mayflower Story

In September 1620 The Mayflower transported the first English Puritans, known today as the 'Pilgrim Fathers', from England to the New World. Presenting the context in which that voyage was made, Derek Wilson says the story has become 'gilded myth'

The question we should all be asking…

As restrictions begin to lift now is a good time to ask "What do people need from churches right now?" - then consider how best we can use technology to meet those needs. By Rob Beamish

Reflections on ministry with children, young people and families

Jodie Thorpe shares some of the emerging themes for churches with a focus on children, youth and families ministries

Know your why; choose your narrative; live out your DNA

Three timely lessons, shared by our Pioneer Ambassadors

Where early missionaries got it wrong

Using local music is a powerful tool for communicating the Gospel, writes ethnomusicologist Rob Baker. Thankfully, African forms of worship are increasing year by year, and the church continues to grow and thrive

Small churches and lockdown

The Small Church Connexion held its first zoom webinar earlier this month (Saturday, 12 September) with 47 attendees from across the country to explore connections in lockdown, and what lies ahead

'A really helpful glimpse into the life of our churches during lockdown'

Mike Lowe and Carmel Murphy share insights from a research project exploring how our churches have responded to the current crisis

Black history month 2020

A selection of resources to help Baptists reflect on and mark Black History Month

Poverty-busting inclusivity

Intentionally increasing our proximity to the underdog, those who are disadvantaged or in need will call us to step out of our comfort zones - but these are steps we must take if we are to make room for a wider range of social backgrounds in our churches

Stepping outside to listen, learn and engage

Introducing Muddy Church, an intergenerational approach to connecting with God in and with our communities. By Lucie Hutson

'Some struggling, others thriving through the lockdown'

Notes from a recent Baptist Union Smaller Church online gathering, which featured representatives from Associations

50 Lessons in Ministry

Paul Beasley-Murray discusses his new book, 50 Lessons in Ministry: Reflections after fifty years of ministry, and reflects on five decades of fruitful ministry experiences

Your handy Risk Calendar

The latest feature from Baptist Insurance has an autumnal focus

'How could you like dark things while also trying to be a kind of symbol of light?’

Interview with Peter Laws, an ordained Baptist minister who talks horror, Halloween - and how more Christians are acknowledging a spooky gene

Why is it SO challenging to live through this pandemic?

A look at four reasons why our minds are struggling in these strangest of times

Zoom ecclesiology: the Church scattered and gathered

Baptist theologian Paul Fiddes explores the forms covenant, fellowship and body are taking virtually

Fill your street with friendliness

Churches can lead the way, in partnership, in embedding a positive experience of community for a post-Covid world. Martin Graham introduces as one, which provides a comprehensive service to help them go about it

Reflections on the Baptists Together Prayer Broadcast

We have hosted 60 live prayer events since March, and they have created a space for so many gifted and passionate people from across our movement to offer spiritual leadership to us, writes Lynn Green

Review of the year 2020

Highlighting the ten most clicked pieces in The Baptist Times this year

A new song

'Worship is more than the songs we can sing’, writes Shona Shaw

Home alone for Christmas?

Sadly, double the number of people as normal are expecting to spend Christmas alone. If this includes you, Louise Morse offers some suggestions for making the day a blessing

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