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The Times newspaper carried an article this week which highlighted the response of people to the church in this lockdown period. They essentially made two points. First, many churches have been highly creative in their responses to lockdown…

The events of the last 10 days in America have touched us all to some degree. Revd Al Sharpton at the memorial service that marked the life of George Floyd spoke from Ecclesiastes about the times and the seasons…

Do you enjoy change? Mega pastor/author Rick Warren often says the only people who really like change are babies with dirty nappies – and some of them are not that bothered! I read recently Pope Francis has said “We are no longer in an era of change, but a change of era…

These last few days, the three days before Ascension Day and last Sunday, are called Rogation Days in the church calendar. It’s not a term that is familiar to most of us, but it has a fascinating history. In rural areas, Rogation days are when the church blessed the land, partly to protect it from…

Churches in the FCC network are doing some extra-ordinary things in ordinary ways. We keep hearing about the “war” against the virus. Chris Ibbs shares from the “front line” in Riddings and Selston – two villages in Nottinghamshire…

There are increasing reports of a greater degree of openness to God, to prayer, and to discussions about faith. A few days ago, I was on a Zoom conversation with Christians leaders from the UK, Frankfurt, Budapest and Athens. A consistent theme was their experience of a willingness…

Although it’s hard to imagine it just now, there are indications that lockdown will begin to lift in a few weeks’ time. Why mention it now? Businesses, schools, local authorities and other agencies are beginning to plan for what that might look like…

As attention begins to move towards the lifting of the lockdown, church leaders are asking a range of questions, some hopeful, some not so hopeful. Business leaders, politicians, economists, educationalists and significant church leaders are all clear that we will not be going back to…

We are now entering the fourth week of lockdown with all the challenges and opportunities that this time is bringing. Alan Roxburgh reflects on a post East passage of scripture and relates it to our times…

As we approach Easter, I was sent a reflection by Jeff Fountain who is the facilitator of the ForMission College MA in Missional Leadership campus in Amsterdam. Jeff writes:

“What is the connecting thread through these stories and actions? Surely it is the fate of Israel…