Letter from the Manse

2005 is at an end. For all of us this is a time for looking back. What have we learned over the past year? What work have we done for Christ? What mistakes have we made? What sins have shadowed our walk with God? What blessings am I most grateful for?

As part of my review of the year, I try to list out things I’ve prayed for over the past twelve months. In many cases I find I can say happily, ‘Yes, that prayer’s been answered. I was given what I …

It was in autumn 1981 that a handful of folk began to meet in Edgeley, Cheadle Heath and Cheadle Hulme for worship, Bible-study and prayer.

We had left a church that was evangelical in name but divided in doctrine and torn apart by conflicts of personality.  We had no idea what the future held for us.  We met together simply because there was no other church in the area which we could imagine joining. There was no strategy, no plan for the …

I’ve been thinking about hymnbooks.  And I’m not the only one. 

Christians everywhere are discussing hymnbooks.  In fact, they’re not just discussing hymnbooks.  They’re having blazing rows about hymnbooks.  Christians are leaving churches because of disagreements about hymnbooks.  Churches are splitting in half because they can’t agree about hymnbooks.  Pastors are being sacked because of their views on hymnbooks. 

Most of the arguments are about how modern a hymnbook should be.  Some Christians argue that since we live in a rapidly changing society, we need to be constantly …

A couple of weeks ago, I went to the zoo -  or rather, the ‘Wild Animal Park’, just outside Dalton in Cumbria.  We were away on holiday in our ‘home-from-home’ in Haverigg.  From there it’s three quarters of an hour’s drive to Dalton.  So we decided to take Jesse and John to see the animals. Carl & Wendy had been planning a trip to the park too, so they joined us for the day and we went together.

It’s a very worthwhile …

Monday 28th November, I expect to be in London to speak at a seminar organised by the John Owen Centre, a study-centre associated with the London Theological Seminary. Perhaps of all the meetings I’m preparing for, this could be the most vital. I’ve been asked to speak on the subject of ‘Worship’. Or rather, I’ve been asked to discuss a view of worship which has suddenly become very popular.

What’s the line all these folk are taking? Well, essentially they’re saying that it’s a mistake to talk of our …