Jesus is the one who calls us ‘come follow me’. The call to be a disciple of Jesus demands a wholehearted, whole life response, which identifies Jesus Christ as Lord.
What would Jesus look like in your shoes and situation? From the very first disciples until now, Jesus has been shaping and forming disciples to follow him in every place. Seventy-two recognises the nature of being life-long followers of Jesus gets tough for all of us, in different seasons of life. We aim to be a community of like-minded Jesus followers and invite all who recognise the Lordship of Jesus Christ to share in our journey of mutual discovery and encouragement. We follow as individuals, but if you have a leadership role within the church you will want to do your very best to cultivate an environment in which other disciples can grow and thrive. Today, personal discipleship is the most crucial issue for the church across the UK and we are calling everyone to this priority.
Inspiring Discipleship Articles and Resources
“Living with the Tuscans has made you weak”
For my entire life, as a child of the early Seventies, I have been a Star Wars fan. I remember my Dad showing me soundless reels of Star Wars (A New Hope) on his cine camera. I had every Star Wars figure and my uncle would often bring back cheap Star Wars toys when he...
Covenant with God
What might the Methodist Covenant Prayer mean to you this new year? Numerous church communities have recently chosen to pray this prayer together. In doing so we celebrate our relationship with God and affirm that we give over our day to day lives and choices to him....
Revive us Lord
It is not difficult to see the need for the church to be revived across the UK. The numerical strength of the church has continued to decline to a point where there are currently great swathes of the countryside without any meaningful Christian presence. This is not...
Hope: it’s good to see you again
If you like cricket, you’ll probably have been following the England men’s team attempting to regain the Ashes from Australia ‘down under’. Even if you don’t, you’ll probably know it hasn’t been going too well. Yet there have been moments of encouragement. The third...
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it
The realisation of what darkness really is has become much more real for me the last five years. It was five years ago Maggie and I moved into the countryside after 35 years living in two of our greatest cities: London and Bristol. These days, if I take something to...
What Really Matters
‘Do not take a purse or bag or sandals’ Luke 10:4 My followership is what really matters. Certainly way more than my leadership. That’s where I’ve landed following a couple of months sabbatical recently. I’ve preached a few times since re-starting and whilst I’ve...
Twelve Steps To Freedom: Good Cop, Bap Cop or Fair Cop?
The annual jamboree that is COP - the UN Climate Conference - is over. World leaders and representatives of the nations have returned home. Those from global corporations and business have gone back to their day jobs making the world go round. Scientists are back...
Twelve Steps Towards Freedom: Towards Glasgow 2021
The climate is changing. Not the political climate. Nor the economic one. Nor the cultural or social climate of our nation. Well, truth be told, these are always on the move. But no. I mean the Earth’s climate is changing. Unless you have failed to watch the news,...
Equipping Missional Disciples at Bristol Baptist College
Calling all lay leaders, preachers or indeed anyone wanting to be a more fruitful disciple of Christ in today’s rapidly changing world. Leadership, especially church leadership, can sometimes feel like a ministry of ‘spinning plates.’ We dare not stop to reflect on...
Moving Beyond Tribal Boundaries: Part 2
I start this blog at the place I finished part one, ‘The Failings of Tribes’: Here’s where I’m at… I am done with tribal boundaries and the exclusion they foster. I am done with tribal boundaries and the small god they defend. I worship an immeasurable, untethered,...