The more I read the bible, the more convinced I am that Jesus, on the whole, wouldn’t fit in our churches.  He had a major leaning towards the underdog, almost to the extreme.  It’s one of the things I love about him.  He just wasn’t interested in the ‘religious crap’ that had become associated with … More Edgy

And so, to finish this weeks ‘V’ themed posts, I turn to volume!  There are two lots of volume that are a struggle to juggle in the course of ministry.  Firstly, the amount of stuff that always wants done in contrast to what we should really be focussed on.  Secondly, there is the volume at … More Volume

Today I was reminded of Augustine’s phrase: “Love God and do whatever you please: for the soul trained in love to God will do nothing to offend the One who is Beloved.” When I heard it, it was a word of grace to me.  It is easy to become preoccupied with the question of whether we’re … More Vision

I’ve been enjoying a few days off again, using up my remaining annual leave entitlement.  Not planning to be away anywhere, just chilling at home, reading, writing, and generally taking time out.  My brain needs space to function…time to recalibrate, evaluate and just find bearings. Today I’ve been thinking a lot about the bigger things … More Vocation

It has taken me a long, long time to be able to openly admit that I struggle.  I struggle with depression, difficult days, sometimes difficult seasons, sometimes even difficult years.  I used to be very much ashamed of the whole thing…I believed, firmly, that Christians didn’t get depressed and that it was just the case … More Victorious?

There are some people that leave a lasting impression on your life.  They aren’t all saints, high flyers or anything like that…I think of people that I’ve just had the utter privilege of being able to ‘sit in’ on their lives.  Let me tell you about a few (names changed). Jimmy – lived on the … More The Mark of People

Every now and again someone asks you a stonking question that gets you thinking.  Today, someone asked me to talk to them about my theology of mission…and having thought about it, I simply came back to the pattern I’ve been trying to live in these recent years.  My concept/idea of mission has been most inspired … More Mission Possible

The dust is settling, I think.  The dust of a very long period of intentionally disturbing my settled theology to see what can be unlearned and relearned.  It has been traumatic at times, an intentional emptying, a detox.  Its not that I plan to stop unlearning and relearning, but I have a sense of big … More Detox

There are few things more invigorating and inspirational than the opportunity my job gives to get alongside people and accompany them on their Jesus following.  The privilege of those moments when people come with open questions, ponderings, doubts, and expressions of faith beyond what I can even imagine! And what a privilege to be able … More Privilege

‘The Scheme’ was a recent BBC Scotland fly on the wall documentary about life on the Onthank council estate in Kilmarnock.  Having grown up in Dreghorn nearby, and having gone to school there and in Kilmarnock, although the levels of poverty and deprivation were a bit better where I lived, the culture was more or … More The Ayrshire Scheme