Spirituality

A past decade that leaves us guessing for the future

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A past decade that leaves us guessing for the future By Elaine Storkey, Chair of Fulcrum Smart social theorists used to be good at forecasting future trends. They could be relied upon for recognizing the likely impact of demographic changes, shifts in values and lifestyle, technology and communication. When everyone else was living in an … Continue Reading

Proper confidence in the gospel: The theology of Lesslie Newbigin

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Proper confidence in the gospel: The theology of Lesslie Newbigin by Jon Kuhrt This month marks the hundredth anniversary since the birth of the great missionary theologian Lesslie Newbigin. There have been few people who have reflected more deeply on the missionary task of the Church and grappled with its challenges than Newbigin. I believe … Continue Reading

Coping for Christmas

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The Vestry Busy, anxious, checking, calming Dressing, processing, light bearing Waiting, announcing   The aisle Silence as the full church waits The silence deepens, becomes experience of itself Attentive, expectant, delight brimming over, flowing into waiting   The nave Candles burn, choir poised, parents proud, daughters excited The story is repeated Hodie Christus natus est … Continue Reading

The Long Life of an Un-confessed Lie

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The Long Life of an Un-confessed Lie by Elaine Storkey first published by Church Times It is interesting how long a lie hangs around. It is more than ten years since tennis icon Andre Agassi used a forbidden drug, but now he admits he lied to the Association of Tennis Professionals to escape a ban. … Continue Reading

David Watson: a legacy

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David Watson: A Legacy by Thomas Marshall This year marks the 25th anniversary of the death of Canon David Watson, one-time vicar of St. Michael le Belfrey York; pioneer behind the Renewal movement within the Anglican Church during the 1960s-80s; and much-loved international evangelist. There is so much that the Evangelical Church in Britain today … Continue Reading

The Pharoah’s Concubine and the Egyptian Slave

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The Pharoah’s Concubine and the Egyptian Slave by Jody Stowell (this article was first published in an abbreviated form on sophianetwork and is published with permission) Quite often when we start to look at the thorny issue of the place of women in the Church, we forget that this debate is intensely personal.It is easy to talk ‘theologically’, … Continue Reading

The Playful God

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The Playful God by John Watson A little while ago a young child of six years old blew my mind away – asking my then six year old son ‘What does your daddy do?’ to which my son replied he is a Vicar – this penetrating and wonderfully subversive comment came back ‘WOW – he … Continue Reading

the cup

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the cup holds all things my hopes, my dreams is it empty or full? the cup holds all things the stuff of life that overwhelms filled to the brim what if it spills? the cup holds all things the wrath which will save me if I drink will I stand? the cup holds all things … Continue Reading