Visit Greece in the footsteps of St Paul in April 2027
PLEASE NOTE: This trip is now fully booked! If you would like to be on a waiting list for our future trips to Greece (likely April 2028), Turkey (September 2027) or Israel (possible 2028), please email Steve Upton at at st***@************ca.com I am planning to lead a study trip to Greece in the footsteps of St Paul, from Tuesday 20th to Thursday 29th April 2027 inclusive visiting Thessaloniki, Philippi, Berea, Meteroa, Delphi, Corinth, and Athens. It is a great time of year to go, as the weather is warm but not too hot, the sites are less busy, and for…
Gospel commentary index Lectionary Year A
On this page, you can find an index to all the commentary articles on the gospel lectionary readings for the whole of Year A, together with links to the video discussions between Ian and James. The articles will be reposted with updates during the year—but they are listed here for convenience and planning ahead.
What did humour in preaching ever do for us?
Can we use humour in preaching? What does it do to help in engaging the listeners? What are the dangers and pitfalls? Was Jesus funny? Last Sunday week, after I preached at a church I am supporting through vacancy, one member of the congregation commented: “Thank you—that was really funny!” I don’t remember anyone ever saying that before as sermon feedback! But it reminded that I often deliberately use humour, both in preaching and teaching, and it made me go back to think about why it is important. The sermon was on the epistle for Trinity 14, Romans 13.8–end, and…
The reckless generosity of God in Matthew 20
The lectionary reading for Trinity 16 in Year A is the parable of the workers in the vineyard in Matt 20.1–16. The epistle is Phil 1.21–30, Paul’s remarkable expression of…
Paul’s passion for life in Christ in Phil 1 video discussion
In the epistle for Trinity 16 in Year A, Philippians 1.21-end, we turn from the practical application at the end of Romans back to Paul’s more usual style, using dense…
Where have all the clergy gone?
The harsh reality of demographics means that the numbers of stipendiary clergy will continue to decline significantly over the next ten years. What will that mean in practice for the…
Sanctions, policy, and moral choices
International relations and the moral choices that go with them are complex. On what basis do we continue to trade with other countries with very different values from our own,…
The heart of forgiveness in Matthew 18
On what basis should we forgive others? What can help us when sometimes forgiving another seems so hard? Jesus addresses these questions in his parable in Matthew 18. The lectionary…
When should we agree to disagree in Romans 14? video discussion
The lectionary epistle for Trinity 15 in Year A is Romans 14.1–12, and it follows on from our reading last week, offering further practical working out of Paul’s theology expressing…
Tyndale NT Study Group 2027: The Book of Revelation and apocalyptic in the New Testament
The theme for the Tyndale Fellowship New Testament Study Group in 2027 is the Book of Revelation and apocalyptic in the New Testament, and we are meeting from Wednesday 30th…
Does your faith have ‘crumple zones’ and ‘safety cells’?
What does car design have to do with Christian faith? Actually quite a lot! Cars are designed to keep people safe when disaster strikes—and our faith should do the same….
How we are responsible for one another in Matthew 18
The gospel reading for Trinity 14 in Year A, Matt 18.15–20, comes within the fourth of the five collections of teaching organised by Matthew to, in some sense, present Jesus…
Love and law, waking and dressing in Romans 13 video discussion
The epistle for Trinity 14 in Year A is Romans 13:8–14. It is a further bundle of practical teaching in the light of God’s grace, but clusters around two ideas….
