The question ‘what is on your heart?’ is another lovely opening question I might use at the beginning of a spiritual direction session or a pastoral conversation. It is an invitation to explore longing, frustration, sadness, joy, gratitude, hopes, aspirations…whatever it is our current experience is. If I were to answer it, at this point … More What is on your heart?

The practice of Spiritual Direction, as classically understood, is a process of being attentive to the movements of God within the heart of the believer.  That’s my definition of it, at least.  It is a privilege to do it alongside others, but it has been an invaluable gift in my own experience too. The shift … More Soul Work

I came at Lent a little unprepared this year, coming as it did in the half-term week that I’d set aside for completing my Masters Dissertation.  I duly got the first draft into a decent recognisable shape that I’ll visit again before sending, to add bits here and there, but because of it, arrived at … More Lent 2018!

Let me take you back. Maybe it’s the late 90s.  I’m a teenager and I’m sitting at my place in the band at the Salvation Army hall.  It has been a great meeting.  Songs of celebration, worship, prayer, praise, testimony, and the Captain has just preached. He’s preached about the intimacy of God, perhaps; about … More Expectant Encounter…

When I explain my rather long-winded dissertation title that I’m currently working on, 9 times out of 10 I can see the eyes glazing over.  It doesn’t sound particularly jazzy or sexy.  Phrases like ‘critical discussion’, ‘contemporary monastic mission’, ‘societal engagement’, and ‘The Benedict Option’ don’t necessarily grab you. But let me tell you what … More Sinking the Ark…

Having reflected on the process and patterns of discipleship yesterday, I guess in a way I didn’t get to the heart of my real reflections on the matter. I see that the reason I was intentionally discipled by some good people in my early days walking with Jesus wasn’t simply the culture of discipleship, however … More The Heart of it…

I’ve been thinking a lot, lately, about Christian formation – discipleship.  More specifically: thinking about how churches go about it; how the church I’m in goes about it; and models of what I see and have seen.  And, in particular, I’ve been thinking about it in the context of children and young people a) because … More Formation

Sometimes you just have to take a few moments for awe. As I get older I guess I’m finding I’m much more on the look out for God’s glory and grace shining through in the most surprising places…not that it comes just with physical age, but I guess I’m begining to look for different things … More Glimpsing Glory

  Availability. Vulnerability. Creativity. Authenticity. If you asked me what I was about, that’s what I would tell you.  I don’t always live up to these values, but I seek to live out of them. The values help me to live out the core purpose of my life: to be a committed and passionate disciple … More What are you about?

I was praying for a renewal of passion for the gospel, fervency in prayer, and increased effectiveness in ministry amidst God’s people.  In many ways it was a prayer that I hadn’t prayed in quite the same way for some time, but I had to come to it again because I can’t function without God’s … More Fanning into flame…