THE LOOP

The Loop is a regular set of short articles about life and mission here at Emmanuel Community Church.

Update: Pastoral Care

Update: Pastoral Care

Apr 7, 2024

Most people will be aware that over this last term, we’ve been holding a number of evening meetings to explore pastoral care in the life of the church. Honestly, it’s been so heartwarming to see the number of people attending and then to read/hear the responses that I’ve received. What a wonderful sign of the love and care that is already being expressed in the church. Praise God! As we’ve tried to say on a number of occasions, the purpose of setting up a pastoral core team is not to try and...

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Update: GROW

Update: GROW

Apr 7, 2024

I can’t quite believe it, but we’re now three months into our newly-formed (pilot) GROW leadership community. Leadership development is one of the greatest needs any church or movement has. In light of this, we as elders have made this a significant focus for me and for the whole team. As a result of this, I’m so pleased with how our pilot is developing. We have a brilliant group of ‘guinea pigs’ who are diving into the conversations and learning (and, at times!, grappling) together as a...

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Grow 2024

Grow 2024

Jan 3, 2024

Over the last two months it’s been brilliant to share how several people from Emmanuel Community Church are participating in different forms of training. Well, guess what? This month I have even more news about training! For those of you who were at the recent church...

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LONG READ: SEEING CHRIST AMID THE SUFFERING

LONG READ: SEEING CHRIST AMID THE SUFFERING

Dec 10, 2023

A reflection on Psalm 42 Note: This is a long article! However, I’ve written it to help us as a church consider the place of grief and hope in the life of a local church. Most of you will know that  our dear friend and fellow church member recently passed away! He...

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BIBLICAL COUNSELLING UK

BIBLICAL COUNSELLING UK

Dec 10, 2023

Last month I shared the exciting news that four people from Emmanuel Community Church have started the North West Gospel Partnership training course. Well this month I’ve got more training news! Katie, Sara and Fran are all going to be starting the Biblical...

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Anatomical Conversations

Anatomical Conversations

Nov 5, 2023

On Wednesday, 11th October, the elders, deacons and some ministry leads spent an evening eating a simple (but delicious) meal together and then briefly exploring the team-like nature of the church (‘Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is part of it’, 1...

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North West Gospel Partnership

North West Gospel Partnership

Nov 4, 2023

You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.  (1 Peter 2:9) Did you know that this academic year we have four...

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The Gathered Church

The Gathered Church

Oct 9, 2023

WHAT’S THE LOOP? That’s a good question! Over the coming months, I’d love to take some time to regularly write a few ideas down for you. Some of them will be teaching, some will be news items and others will be ‘pencil sketch’ ideas that I would really value your...

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