Category Archives: General

We are desperately sad at the news of Anthony and Peachy’s tragedy. Thank you to all of you who have promised to pray throughout the day. Even if you can only pray for them for a few minutes at your given time we want the Davids to know they are surrounded by our prayers. PleaseContinue reading “Coralie Grace Davids”

As you may be aware we are in the process of reworking the vision and direction of our Evening Service at the moment, and we would value your prayers. As part of that we would be interested in your responses to a couple of questions… If our goal is making and maturing disciples, are weContinue reading “Vision”

Had lots of conversations about this Theological worldview quiz recently, so I thought I would post it on this blog too. It isn’t too serious, and neither is it flawless, but it is interesting and a good discussion starter. Take it here, and post your results in the comments below.

If you are not aware of Kurt Vonnegut you should be. His article in the Guardian last saturday was fantastic writing. Speaking of the hypocrisy in American politics he writes:For some reason, the most vocal Christians among us never mention the Beatitudes. But, often with tears in their eyes, they demand that the Ten CommandmentsContinue reading “If you are not aware of Kurt Vonnegut you should …”

One of the coolest free apps around was until recently only available for windows, but Google earth is now being developed for Mac (hooray!). It is not officially releaced but the Beta version got leaked, and you can pick it up here. They seem to be improving the resolution and you can now see COTCContinue reading “COTC from Space”

I really enjoyed this piece written by Jo, which ellie performed in response to the question What do I fear? I’ve reached the conclusion that what I fear most is constantly chasing down the many things in life which seem to be in perpetual motion – my career for one. What if I never getContinue reading “Chaos Theology: Fear”

Perhaps you have read Polly Toynbee’s passionate article on the new Narnia film. Well worth a read. It is not one of her more measured responses, and all the more interesting for that. Every one of those thorns, the nuns used to tell my mother, is hammered into Jesus’s holy head every day that youContinue reading “‘Narnia represents everything that is most hateful about religion’”

Notes from last nights final sermon in the Chaos Theology series are available here.

Last night we hosted one of a series of Quake Gigs in aid of the victims of the South east Asia earthquake. It was an amazing night, with a wonderful mix of homegrown talent and special guests. Enjoy these video clips.More photo’s and video to follow (email me pictures if you have them), but thankContinue reading “Quake Gig”

The fundamental challenge of any serious appreciation of the environmental crisis facing our generation is that we cannot hope to sustain the lifestyle we cling to, while denying it to others on the planet.Perhaps for us the least comfortable aspect of Jesus call to kingdom living is the commitment to simplicity. Is there life afterContinue reading “Chaos Theology: environment”

Imagine life was a Waterstone’s bookshop…Spirituality is a huge growth industry in our Culture, yet christians are unwilling, or afraid to engage. This sermon was intended to help us understand and connect with the secular spirituality of our age. I am not so sure how well the sermon recording thing is going, so someone suggestedContinue reading “Chaos Theology: Spirituality”

“Taking the remarkable life and moral teachings of this profound religious thinker, Howard Brenton explores the extraordinary phenomenon of faith. While offering a secular reading of the story of Christ’s resurrection, at the play’s heart Paul preaches from his Letter to the Corinthians, the eloquence of which cannot fail to move.” The Creative communications homegroupContinue reading “Paul – A new play by Howard Brenton”

The extraordinary first century figure of Jesus of Nazareth has been largely subsumed in the west by the economic and political wrangling of seventeen centuries of Christendom. Jesus became an icon, typifying the ideals of a dominant culture and manipulated from age to age to suit the cultural landscape. The reality of the man wasContinue reading “Doxology”

It is late october – so it must be time for the Christmas lights on Oxford street to go up! Count down the seconds to Christmas with this site!Anyway – we want your creative ideas for Christmas this year. Here is what we have already…1) Carol concerts – Two again? 11th and the 18th areContinue reading “Only 5,028,672 seconds till Christmas!”

I was tracking where people visit the COTC blog from, and I was amazed to see lots from North American, and even one from South America. Click on the picture above to see the last 50 visits. You are all very welcome, it is amazing to have so many international guests, but who are youContinue reading “COTC Global”

I had to do a presentation at the Bishops Council last night [spaced out with jet lag!] on new ways of being church, and I included a video intended to give a flavour of COTC. It is a bit thrown together, but the oldies at the Council loved it, and were very excited about us.Continue reading “New forms of Church”

I am waiting for my delayed flight in Ronaldsway airport, on the way back from Roseanne and Stuarts wedding. The one consolation is free wifi so here are a few photos from the wedding of the new Mr & Mrs Mclean. Congratulations you two!

An old friend of mine from vicar factory has been appointed to a new job in Brighton, and is being supported by the diocese to plant a new type of church in the city centre. They are meeting in a pub, and have a focus on the sort of people who would not normally goContinue reading “Pub church Brighton”

“The world itself is the will to power – and nothing else! And you yourself are the will to power – and nothing else!” Friedrich Nietzsche.A right theology of power understood through the Bible narrative and exercised in our real lives is the intention of this sermon. We all have mechanisms for dealing with theContinue reading “Chaos Theology: Power”

This is a lovely piece of work on aspects of creative worship, even if it starts a bit cheesily. A is for Ambience, good. B is for Beanbags… hmmm. Bible, bravery or brokenness would be my immediate suggestions. I like K is for kleptomania and G is for Graceful particularly.