More FOAM less beer

I promised earlier in the week that I’d share a little acronym I use when thinking about illustration in preaching. Again, this isn’t mine, but is shamelessly stolen from communication Continue reading →

How to communicate with SUCCESH

I read a book a couple of years back by Chip and Dan Heath called Made to Stick looking at why some messages are ‘sticky’ while others aren’t. It’s got Continue reading →

The Importance of Soft Skills

I’ve almost finished Mike Brent and Fiona Dent’s The Leader’s Guide To Influence: How To Use Soft Skills To Get Hard Results. In essence it’s a book about working relationships – Continue reading →

Scholar, be charitable!

I was speaking yesterday morning about charity in its various forms. Primarily of course we need to recognise that we are all charity cases and require the charity of God Continue reading →

Why the FIEC is a good thing

Earlier in the week I spent 24 hours hanging out with some godly and gifted contemporaries who lead churches within the FIEC. The FIEC (for those who don’t know) is Continue reading →

The aesthetics effect

I know I bang on about this a bit but I’m increasingly persuaded that aesthetics have a more powerful effect on us than we realise. On Saturday the family and Continue reading →

Calvin on original sin

I’m trying to read through Calvin’s Institutes in a year (and am failing dismally!). From yesterday’s reading, here are a few striking quotes from the start of book 2 of Continue reading →

Leaders – your appraisal matters

So I had my appraisal last night, which, to my surprise was actually a rather enjoyable experience. I’m not a masochist or anything – I don’t get off by being Continue reading →

The 10 ‘p’s of good children’s talks

Here’s a little something I shared last weekend with our team of folks who do kids talks: The 10 P’s Preparation – don’t leave it til Saturday night – let Continue reading →

The stone that turneth all to gold

            We had a great time on Sunday evening with one of our leaders at Grace opening up George Herbert’s lovely poem “The Elixir.” Here Continue reading →