In Praise of the Ostiarius, the Door Keeper

I’ve been reading a few texts recently from the English church in the Middle Ages and was interested in how one Anglo-Saxon Bishop of York believed there are seven ‘degrees’ or offices in the church. I’d heard about this in a general sense but I’ll quote the section I read so you can see it …

Trying to find a new Church when moving

The last few months have been unexpected for everyone, but for me I’ve been working from home most of this year and have the added joy that my wife is now expecting our second child. With this we’re realising that we will likely outgrow our two-bed flat and so we’re looking at potentially moving. Growing …

Whatever happened to discipleship?

The morning of writing this I watched a squat young blackbird following its parent through my cramped back garden. They'd often visited, at first the parent would leave and fetch food for its offspring, now they are looking for food together. Soon the young bird will be looking for food by itself, until it has its …

Is there a distinction between pastor and preacher?

Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. Acts 20:28 It isn't so much the case in the Anglican church but theres a convention out there for the elders of a non-episcopal church …

Sermons and Songs aren’t enough

Several years ago there was a phase going around Evangelical circles called 'The emerging church'. The thing that stood out to me about its adherents was (and this is a massive generalisation) they weren't that big on going to Church on a Sunday and being a part of the audience. There are several books and many good …