Search results for .sue
Dare to have the difficult conversations
Watching our words is a principle many of us take seriously, and with good reason. When it comes to difficult conversations, however, it can become something of an excuse to avoid speaking out or a shield to protect us from being misheard. This has been especially true when it comes to having…
Jo Frost
Are you training for the mission field?
American sports broadcaster Bob Costas once said, “The best thing about sports is the sense of community and shared emotion it can create.” We can see the truth of that statement in many ways, whether it’s about following a team, watching a sports game, or even participating in it. There’s no…
Carolyn Skinner
Euro 2020: A chance to unite after a tough season
After a strong start some people suddenly seem full of something that has been lacking for well over a year: hope. It was Aristotle who said that “hope is a waking dream”; it seems that some are daring to dream again. I fully fell in love with the beautiful game as a boy way back in the summer of…
Gavin Calver
Churches muted by government inconsistency and intransigence
When churches were allowed to resume meeting in July last year a number of restrictions were put in place through both law and guidance to ensure they could operate safely and limit the spread of coronavirus. Churches have diligently followed these rules and advice, from limiting numbers, tracking…
Danny Webster
Salt and light in a mental health crisis
In the Queen’s speech, which marked the opening of a new session of parliament, the issue was addressed as the Government set out its Mental Health Recovery Action Plan. There will be a one-off targeted investment of £500 million to ensure that support is in place over the coming year for everyone…
Jo Evans
NI 100: “We can and must build a new society”
Our history is painful, bloody and contested, and yet our people are generous and welcoming. Our problems are the same as many other places – our healthcare system is stretched by unrealistic demands and our education system is failing far too many. There is no such thing as a unionist or…
Peter Lynas
The gospel: true and good but rejected
There are generally two elements in people’s responses: first, the gospel centres around an event in history and it is good news; second, the gospel is both true and good. For a long time, apologetics focused on the question of whether the gospel is true: did Jesus live, die and rise again from the…
Peter Lynas
Speaking the truth in love
For me, one of the strangest shifts during this season of lockdown has been the move from preaching in person to preaching into a device. I can clearly remember my first time. I thought, what on earth am I doing? How will this have an impact? Yes, I’ve been on camera before, but this was different:…
Gavin Calver
Counting the cost of being counter-cultural
Christian leader John Stott, whose legacy was recently commemorated on the centenary of his birth, spoke frequently of double listening, of holding the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other. Our commitment to follow what the Bible teaches does not negate the need to listen and to…
Danny Webster
Our Christian witness in a scandalous time
For the director and evangelist at Speak Life, this scandal serves as a sobering wake-up call, especially for evangelists, and an opportunity to, once again, learn the way of the cross. I spoke with Glen to find out more. For readers who are unfamiliar with Speak Life, tell us a little about the…
Naomi Osinnowo
Rev Dr Joel Edwards CBE: his lasting legacy
Joel Edwards leaves behind an inspiring legacy of unity in diversity, social engagement and Christ-centred service. A unifier across evangelical constituencies, he confidently promoted his evangelical faith and values in the public square, as general director of the Evangelical Alliance and in…
Evangelical Alliance
Job Creation Project: a ministry for the local church
“I love the idea that helping young people get back into work could be seen as part of the ministry of the local church,” he says. Mike shares different ways the local church can help connect the dots between work and the Christian faith. Through serving the local community as people seek…
Jo Evans
Back to the future: Maximising mission on re-entry
The ‘new normal’ has been unlike anything that we were used to before. Some of us haven’t stepped into a church building in over a year. Many of us have had to show admirable restraint while listening to ‘How great Thou art’ and only humming or whispering the words behind our masks. Few of us have…
Phil Knox
Job Creation Project: Life when work stops
If losing a job is rather like a bereavement, then my wife and I felt triply hit. How do you cope when life continues but your work stops? What does it mean to be a fruitful frontline disciple if your frontline suddenly changes? What is the Bible’s perspective on all of this? And what practical…
Steve Osei-Mensah
Confessions of a hypocritical pro-lifer
Polls suggest that most people (women in particular) oppose such a move, and as one who affirms the value of human life both before and after birth, I am relieved that this is the case. As one who cares about how we might better host diversity of thought and belief in public life, I have been…
Damilola Makinde