Author Archives: Mark

I am excited and a little nervous about our teaching programme for this Autumn. We are thinking about big issues. The principle behind it we introduced at the end of last term, that the next step for Church on the Corner is to step outward and to engage with the culture that we are partContinue reading “Chaos Theology”

I realised today that the are some foundational principles that I am working on, that shape my thinking about church, but that many people may not be aware of these, or even agree with them. I love that phrase at the beginning of the US Declaration of independence ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident’Continue reading “Declaration of interdependence”

1 Corinthians has been making us think a lot about freedom. One of the tensions is the fact that freedom is risky. How much should we give people freedom to make mistakes? Lots of us are formed by our experience of being part of youth work at church, where a priority is keeping young peopleContinue reading “Grown up christianity”

This is one of the movements i am most inspired by. Can I recommend emergingchurch.info and also blogs by andrew jones and a friend of mine si johnson as starting points. It is a movement shaped within postmodernity, reimagining church incarnate in the 21st century. There are many overlaps between emerging church and what weContinue reading “emerging church”

I have had some good chats at tinderbox with people in the last week or so, and one of the themes that has struck me is that of ownership.there is a heirarchy in most churches based on theological punching power, the more bible knowledge, the more coherent in their orthodoxy the greater status and respect.Continue reading “ownership”

1 Corinthians 14.The essense of prophesy is knowing God and communicating that with others, not in second hand words, but through our own encounter with the living God.It can be what we say and the way we live. We need to be a prophetic church, hearing and knowing God and sharing that with each otherContinue reading “a prophetic church”

Over there on the side bar I have added links to the CofE’s orders of Morning prayer, evening prayer and night prayerI know that for many of you the idea of liturgy is a major turn off, but I have come to really appreciate these patterns of worship. The great strength of liturgy is itsContinue reading “Morning prayer”

‘And now I will show you the most excellent way.’ In time of crisis, at a time when religion is hijacked for evil purposes we need to remember the essense of Christianity. 1 Cor 13 feels like such an appropriate passage to be looking at in the light of last weeks bombings.When religion goes wrong,Continue reading “‘And now I will show you the most excellent way.’ …”

Now it gets personal. Preaching on the most controversial theological issue would be nothing compared to the potential pastoral fallout from getting wrong a sermon on 1 Corinthians 7 – Sex & singleness

What relative value do we place between orthodoxy and unity. As protestants we are defined by division, and it is hard to comprehend a call to put unity at the highest priority. 1 Corinthians 3:1-11 – Schism

We worried about the title of this sermon, that it might be in some way disrespectful, but in the end I felt it conveyed the shocking nature of the subversion of human wisdom that the passage communicates. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 – The madness of God

The opening sermon in our new series on Pauls first letter to the church in Corinth; an insight into a raw and passionate young church struggling to live as the people of God in a pagan culture. It pulls no punches, and says things we need to hear, as we like them struggle to beContinue reading “The opening sermon in our new series on Pauls firs…”

Good FridayWell done everybody who took part in our minimum wage challenge. It was hard work, and I think the thing we learned most of all is how much money we actually need to sustain the lifestyle that we consider normal. It will be a relief to go back to Starbucks and not feel guiltyContinue reading “Good Friday Well done everybody who took part in o…”

I have no idea where my money went. I really haven’t. Looked in my wallet to buy a drink last night, and I was out. I must have spent a few quid celebrating Liverpool beating Bayer Laverkusen, but that does not account for the whole £50 I got out on Monday morning. Meetings all week,Continue reading “I have no idea where my money went. I really haven…”

Its okay to fail. We said this at the beginning, but it is important to say it again now. This is not like new years resolutions, break it once and it is over. We fail, we start over.I was chatting to one of the lent challengers last night and they were looking a bit bashful.Continue reading “Its okay to fail. We said this at the beginning, …”

Acts 2:44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as they had need. I have been really convicted about the whole generosity thing in the last few weeks – not just with money, but with time & love. It is costly, and draining,Continue reading “Acts 2:44 All the believers were together and ha…”

I think steve is right – that this is getting easier. “I’ve come in well under budget and it didn’t seem a particular sacrifice.” I say that, with another admission of failure to come, but shifting your expectations does seem to work.Living more simply, not expecting to go out so often, allowing others to beContinue reading “I think steve is right – that this is getting eas…”

Interesting that the Lent challenge is challenging us to more than living on less.To Quote Garmon “Hmm, God really isn’t going to be let this purely be a game or an interesting academic exercise. I would like not just to get by on £50 a week but also to try and live the experience more.”IContinue reading “Interesting that the Lent challenge is challengin…”

£10 in my pocketWell not sure what happened, but it is Friday night, and I have still got £10 in my pocket to last until Sunday. I have been a bit ill this week, just an annoying cough & cold, so rather easier to just lay low. Doesn’t feel like such a bad week though,Continue reading “£10 in my pocket Well not sure what happened, but…”

Following Jesus in the Urban Desert A day in the life… by James Mortley The third bus is full to the gunnels again, it’s 8.37 and I am not sure I going to make it to work on time, taxi goes by with a light on, but the woman ahead in the sharp suit stepsContinue reading “Following Jesus in the Urban Desert A day in the …”