In Context: Recent Episodes
A Medhurst Ministries Podcast
In Context is a Medhurst Ministries Podcast all about Christian life and mission in context to those living and serving in hard places.
In this episode of the In Context podcast, Mez McConnell—Pastor of Grace Church Orkney and Director of 20schemes—opens up Ephesians 3 and explores what it means for the church to know and experience the fullness of God.
Mez reminds us that true Christian unity is not built on personality, background or shared preferences, but on a deepening knowledge of Christ and his love. In the midst of the pressures, disappointments and trials of life and ministry, our greatest need is not simply greater comfort, visible success or easier circumstances. It is to be strengthened by God in our inner being.
This encouraging message calls us to become increasingly rooted and established in the love of Christ, to grow in our understanding of the gospel, and to seek spiritual depth before outward success. Mez challenges us to pray for more than relief from difficulty: to pray that God would fill us with his presence, deepen our faith and enable us to grasp more fully the immeasurable love of Christ.
In this episode of the In Context podcast, Jonathan Parkinson, Pastor of Grace Community Church in Leeds and CEO of Caring for Life, opens up 2 Timothy 2 and explores what it means for the church to live visible Christian lives.
Jonathan challenges believers to display the reality of the gospel through faithful endurance, godly character and everyday obedience. In a culture that often misunderstands or dismisses Christianity, how can local churches live in a way that makes Christ clearly seen?
A timely and practical message for Christians seeking to live faithfully and bear witness to Jesus in their communities.
Is sanctification simply the result of God’s grace, or does growing in holiness require real effort from us?
In this week’s episode of In Context, Ian and Steve discuss the relationship between grace, obedience and personal responsibility in the Christian life. They ask whether trying harder undermines the gospel, what it means to work out our salvation, and whether there is ever a right time to tell someone struggling with persistent sin to “man up” and take action.
A frank and practical conversation about resisting sin, pursuing holiness and depending on Jesus every step of the way.
In this week’s episode of In Context, titled Encouraged, Ian and Steve reflect on the recent Medhurst Ministries event. They share how uplifted they were by the turnout, the many new faces, the new venue, and the wonderful hospitality of their hosts, Caring for Life. From the brilliant children’s work to teaching and worship that was good for the soul, the whole event left Ian, Steve, and many others grateful for the fellowship, refreshed by the teaching, and reminded most of all that they are deeply loved by Jesus.
In this episode of In Context, Ian and Steve reflect on the challenges of finding a good local church after stepping down from pastoral ministry. They discuss the tensions involved in choosing a church: should we stay local and sacrifice some of our preferences for the sake of community and commitment, or travel further afield to find a church that better serves the needs of our families? With honesty and pastoral insight, they also ask whether, when we struggle to find a church we like, the problem may sometimes lie with us rather than the churches around us. Together, they explore what really matters when looking for a church family and how Christians can think wisely about belonging, serving, and worshipping in a local congregation.
In this emotive episode of In Context, Rachel speaks with Cee Kulemann as she shares her powerful story of coming to faith after setting out to disprove Christianity. From a life marked by chaos, childhood trauma, and its lasting effects into young and adult life, Cee reflects on how reading the Gospels led her to conviction, peace, and hope in Christ.
Now serving alongside her husband, Matt, as a ministry apprentice with 20schemes at Grace Church Orkney, Cee reflects on the vital role of women’s ministry, the importance of walking alongside women who may be suffering in silence, and her desire to see the love of Christ shared throughout the local community.
In this episode of the In Context podcast, Ian is joined by Justin Gill, Intercultural Ministry Advisor at FIEC. Born and raised in North Pakistan, Justin has worked in politics, relief operations, development, and cross-cultural church ministry, and now helps churches think carefully about intercultural mission in the UK.
Together, Ian and Justin take an honest and pastoral look at some of the most pressing and contested issues facing Britain today: Tommy Robinson, migration, poverty, illegal immigration, the white working class, and calls to “unite the nation.” Rather than offering easy answers or party-political slogans, the conversation asks how the UK church can listen well, speak truthfully, love courageously, and remain faithful to the mission of Christ in a divided society.
In this episode of In Context, Rachel chats with Natalie Williams, CEO of Jubilee+, about what it means to live intentionally in a world where it has become easier than ever to avoid one another. From contactless payments and self-service tills to headphones and busy schedules, everyday life is often designed to keep us from noticing or speaking to the people around us.
Natalie encourages the church and Christians to resist that drift and to be intentional about reaching out, especially to those who may feel ignored, overlooked, or pushed away. This conversation is a reminder that following Jesus means making space for people, choosing connection over convenience, and seeing those whom others might miss.
Rachel interviews Sharon Dickens from 20schemes about her ministry in Scotland’s housing schemes. A member of Niddrie Community Church, Sharon serves as Director of Women’s Ministry with 20schemes and is one of the directors of the Ragged School of Theology. She shares what motivates her to serve communities often marked by poverty and spiritual need, and why planting and strengthening healthy local churches in Scotland’s schemes is so urgent—especially where many have never heard the gospel.
In this episode of In Context, Rachel interviews Miriam Mc Connell about her remarkable ministry journey, from serving in the favelas of Brazil to gospel work in the schemes of Scotland, and now to the Orkney Isles. Miriam shares how the Lord has led and sustained her and her family through different cultures, communities, and seasons of ministry. Today, she serves alongside her husband Mez at Grace Church Orkney and with 20Schemes, seeking to make Christ known in some of Scotland’s most overlooked places.
20schemes
https://20schemes.com/
Grace Church Orkney
https://gracechurchorkney.org/about-us/
Ian sits down with Aaron Reyes, a pastor and church planter from Texas now serving in Birmingham, to hear his journey from El Paso to gospel ministry in the UK. Aaron reflects on growing up in a Latino, working-class context, coming to faith as a young American football player, and being called to serve among working-class, multi-ethnic communities.
Together, Ian and Aaron explore class, culture, ethnicity, fatherlessness, church planting, and how the gospel creates a new family that unites people across deep social and political divides. A rich and honest conversation about ministry, identity, and building churches centred on Christ among the overlooked and underserved.
You can visit the website of the church that Aaron pastors by following the link below:
https://charltonroadchurch.org.uk/
Matt Kuhlmann, who is married to Cee, joins the podcast to share testimony and ministry journey with 20 Schemes in Orkney, Scotland. He speaks honestly about his troubled past in London, marked by addiction, mental health struggles, and broken relationships, and how God graciously saved him and led him into full-time ministry.
In the episode, Matt reflects on the churches and influences that shaped his faith, including the damage caused by unhealthy teaching and the life-changing impact of faithful biblical preaching. He also talks about serving alongside Cee in a 20 Schemes-supported church and the creative ways the church is seeking to reach their remote island community through initiatives like a drop-in café, football group, and poetry group. It is a thoughtful and encouraging conversation about grace, perseverance, and gospel ministry in a challenging place.
Visit Grace Church Orkney
https://gracechurchorkney.org/
If you want to support Matt and Cee, click the relevant link and select Matt & Cee Kuhlmann from the drop down box.
USA Donations
https://app.aplos.com/aws/give/20schemesInc/British
UK Donations
https://20schemes.infoodle.com/f/OnlineDonationsFormBritishWorkers
The Most Precious Gift – In Context Podcast (Medhurst Ministries)
Rachel Williamson speaks with Jas Goodyear about her experience growing up as a pastor’s child on a council estate in Brighton, and now raising her own children on an estate in London. Jas reflects on both the challenges and blessings of her journey, sharing why the most precious gift we can give our children is to introduce them to Jesus and to be part of a loving Christian community that loves Jesus, one another, and the lost.
Jas and her husband Shane are part of Hope Church Vauxhall and are prayerfully looking to join a church planting team that will serve the council estate where they live.
In this weeks episode Ian interviews Kris Baines about his life and ministry journey that is full of twists: from being a musician in a band in the USA, to coming to faith, to returning to the UK where he met his wife, and then spending 26 years in New Zealand as a pastor and church planter. Now back in the UK, he serves as associate pastor and resident church planter at Grace Community Church, Loftus. Tune in for stories of faith, music, life, and building community.
KRIS BAINES MINISTRY LINKS:
- Sign up for the Baines Family Church Plant Update Email list: https://tinyurl.com/4jrxwsaa
- Grace Community Church Loftus (where Kris currently serves): https://www.gracechurchloftus.co.uk
- Donate to the Church Planting Fund: https://donate.stripe.com/4gM14p2MX6hr61t9K3c3m03
KRIS BAINES MUSIC LINKS:* The Church Piano Player Website: https://thechurchpianoplayer.com
CONNECT WITH KRIS:* Facebook (Church Piano Player): https://www.facebook.com/thechurchpianoplayer * Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/kris.baines.16
New Episode: Don't Forget the Positives!
It’s easy to focus on the challenges of life and ministry in deprived communities—the statistics, the hardships, and the uphill battles. But if we only look at the struggle, we miss the profound beauty of what God is doing in our schemes and council estates.
In this episode of the In Context podcast, Steve Kneale and Gary Matthews look to shift the lens toward the joys of estate ministry. Together, they explore the unique blessings of living and serving in these tight-knit communities.
In this episode, we’re doing things a bit differently. Our Midlands Director, Gary Matthews, and Director of Communications, Steve Kneale, sit down for a candid conversation about the 'why' behind the work.
Though their roles are focused on supporting and advocating for ministry rather than being the boots on the ground, the heart for the estate remains the same. They discuss their personal journeys to Medhurst, the unique challenges of building a support structure for council estate churches, and their shared hopes for what the future of Medhurst will look like.
If you are part of a council estate church and would like to contact Gary about attending the pastors lunches or joining the Medhurst Church Network, then you can contact him via email: gary@medhurstministries.org
Jude joins Ian to talk about growing up between middle- and working-class cultures, the challenges of fitting into middle-class churches, and how she eventually found a welcoming home at New Life Church in Middlesbrough. As a single mum of three living on a council estate, Jude reflects on the strength of community, how her children adapted, and why working-class culture is defined less by income and more by shared values and relationships.
In Part One of What Is Working Class?, Ian talks with Steve Kneale about growing up in a traditional working-class Christian family. Steve reflects on attending a middle-class church while holding onto his working-class roots, exploring the tensions between faith, community, and social identity. They discuss how assimilation, assumptions, and prejudice shape the perception of class, showing that the term working class encompasses far more than a single experience or culture.
In this episode of In Context, Ian sits down with Steve Kneale to explore his journey from growing up in a working-class Christian family to pastoring a church in one of the UK’s most deprived communities. Steve shares the challenges, lessons, and faith-driven insights that shaped his ministry and discusses how these experiences will be used to guide him in his new role with Medhurst Ministries. Join us for a candid conversation about resilience, community, and the calling to serve.
You can find Steve Blogging here: https://buildingjerusalem.blog/
and you can support his new role financially through Stewardship below: https://account.stewardship.org.uk/gift/start/Steve_Kneale
This week, Ian and Gary conclude the discussion on the findings of Ian’s research on C. H. Spurgeon’s teaching methods and their relevance for training preachers from working-class communities. This episode how the working-class are facing the same issues in today's church and how, if the church, replicated the ministry of Spurgeon, we could see a more inclusive church.
Please find the links as described in the podcast:
The Research
Preaching Like the Working-Class
The Books
Letters to My Students, Spurgeon & The Poor and Spurgeon The pastor
This week, Ian and Gary continue to discuss the findings of Ian’s research on C. H. Spurgeon’s teaching methods and their relevance for training preachers from working-class communities. The episode highlights how middle class preachers need to acknowledge cultural barriers and the need for contextualisation when preaching to the working class.
This week, Ian and Gary dig into the findings of Ian’s research on C. H. Spurgeon’s teaching methods and their relevance for training preachers from working-class communities. The episode highlights key cultural markers within working-class contexts and reflects on how these shape the task of preaching.
Many people come to faith amid chaos, brokenness, and little church experience. In this episode of The In Context Podcast, Ian and Gary unpack why consistent discipleship and realistic expectations are essential for helping new believers grow in faith. Listen in for practical insight and honest conversation.
Ian and Gary discuss how life's circumstances and experiences can impact your prayer life for better and for worse, and how, despite our struggles and failures with prayer, Jesus is persistently and perfectly praying for us.
Ian speaks with Gary Matthews about his life growing up on several council estates in the North West of England, his experiences as a council estate Christian, and what he expects from his new role as the Medhurst Ministries Regional Director for the Midlands.
Jamie Jones-Buchanan MBE is a former Rugby League player for Leeds Rhinos who has played internationally for England and Great Britain. Despite winning numerous accolades on and off the pitch, Jamie shares how his biggest rewards are God and his family.
Mike McKinley is the author of Friendship with God and several other books, including Church in Hard Places and Church Planting is for Wimps. He has been the Sterling Park Baptist Church pastor in Sterling, Virginia, since 2005. Before that, he served on the pastoral staff of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., having received his MDiv from Westminster Theological Seminary. Mike is married to Karen, and they have five children.
Kevin Greer shares his experiences as someone who has moved into a deprived inner-city community in Baltimore, Maryland, to start a family and support his wife (a gospel worker) his local church in taking the gospel to his neighbours.
Preaching from the book of James
A sermon by Ian Williamson from James 1:12-18, Banstead Community Church.
Dr. Mark Pickett shares his experiences as a cross-cultural worker in India and Nepal and looks at the cross over between his work abroad and in the UK
Preaching from the book of James
A sermon by Ian Williamson from James 1:9-11, South Bank Baptist Church, Middlesbrough.
Preaching from the book of James
A sermon by Ian Williamson from James 1:2-8, Grace Community Church, Loftus.
This weeks episode features an interview with Gloria Furman for Medhurst Women Module 5: Value Others Above Yourself.
Matt Searles preaches from 1 Tim 4:11-14 as part of the Medhurst Women Training for Session 5, Module 5, Year B.
Ian Williamson preaches from Phil 2:1-11 as part of the Medhurst Women Training for Session 1, Module 5, Year B.
Dan Green preaches from Romans 12:3-8 as part of the Medhurst Women Training for Session 1, Module 5, Year B.
Dan Green preaches from John 13:13-17 as part of the Medhurst Women Training for Session 1, Module 5, Year B.
Ian Williamson preaches from 2 Tim 2:14-26 as part of the Medhurst Women Training for Session 4, Module 5, Year B.
This week Ian speaks with Dr Anthony Bradley. Dr Bradley was most recently professor of religious studies and director of the Center for the Study of Human Flourishing at The King’s College, Theologian-In-Residence at Redeemer Presbyterian Church—Lincoln Square, and now serves as a distinguished research fellow at The Acton Institute and Research Professor of Interdisciplinary and Theological Studies at Kuyper College.
You can find more about his work here https://www.dranthonybradley.com
This week Ian speaks with Natalie Williams. Natalie is the co-author of four books, including A Call to Act (2020) and Invisible Divides (2022). She is passionate about the church being a place of overflowing mercy, especially for those trapped in poverty.
Natalie grew up in relative poverty in the deprived seaside town of Hastings. She became a Christian at 15, which changed her life completely. Natalie has been involved with Jubilee+ since its first year, and took over from founder Martin Charlesworth as Jubilee+ chief executive in April 2021.
You can find her books here
https://jubilee-plus.org/books/
and more about Jubilee Plus here
https://jubilee-plus.org/about/
This week Ian speaks with Alex DiPrima about his latest book Spurgeon and the Poor and they discuss taking the gospel to and training there working class for gospel ministry.
Alex is the Senior Pastor of Emmanuel Church in Winston Salem, NC. He holds a PhD from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in historical theology with an emphasis in the ministry of Charles Spurgeon.
You can purchase Spurgeon and the poor here
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Spurgeon-Poor-Compels-Christian-Concern/dp/1601789459
and follow Alex on Twitter here
https://twitter.com/Alex_DiPrima
Mofiyinfoluwa (Mo) Aina recently moved from Lagos, Nigeria to Middlesbrough, England and shares about he and his family have navigated the cultural differences in a new country and church. He also shares about the positives and negatives of both the British and Nigerian Christian cultures and explains how we as a church can benefit from one another.
You can find Mo's YouTube Channel below
https://www.youtube.com/@sold-outworship
Dawn Thomson is a gospel worker at Spen Valley Church in Cleckheaton and shares about her ministry and life as a church planters wife and a mother in a former mill town in West Yorkshire. You can find out more about Dawn and her church here www.spenvalleychurch.org
In this episode, Ian interviews Charles Patterson from California. He finds out how he first became involved with Medhurst Ministries and why he volunteers to promote our work as a Ministry Ambassador.
Is it true that although the UK church doesn’t require you to cut off your foreskin or follow the mosaic laws, it does require to cut off your culture and follow the middle-class social norms?
This weeks podcast is a recording of a sermon on Acts 15:1-35 preached by Ian Williamson at Emmanuel Church, Northstowe.
SESSION 2 | Pray {Colossians 1:3-14}
This weeks podcast features Graham Thomson preaching at Session 2 of the Medhurst Ministries 2020 Weekender. Graham is the pastor of Spen Valley Church in Cleckheaton and he speaks about how you can support Medhurst Ministries through prayer.
Ian Williamson shares about how we find joy in all situations by reminding ourselves of the good things Gods has done for us.
Matt Searles shares about how we can enjoy God by spending time with God in song.
Matt is based in Oxford and leads on Biblical Studies as a member of Crosslands faculty. His doctorate is in Biblical Theology and he is the author of several books. He particularly loves teaching from the Psalms, helping people see how they are a gift from God to us to help us relate to him in all areas of life.
Dan Green is the pastor of Banstead Community Church and in this weeks episode he shares about how we can enjoy God by spending time studying the bible.
This is a talk taken from the Medhurst Family Retreat and is part of the Medhurst Women Module, Loving God.
Dan Green is the pastor of Banstead Community Church and in this weeks episode he shares about how we can enjoy God by spending time studying the bible.
This is a talk taken from the Medhurst Family Retreat and is part of the Medhurst Women Module, Loving God.
This week Ian speaks with Andy Constable about his recent academic research on how the church should respond top addiction. Andy is the associate pastor of Niddrie Community Church, Edinburgh and co-director of 20Schemes
SESSION 5 | Stay (Mark 5:18-19)
This weeks podcast features Ian Williamson preaching at Session 1 of the Medhurst Ministries 2020 Weekender. Ian is the Executive Director of Medhurst Ministries and he speaks about the need and challenges for council estate Christians to stay and minister to their communities.
This week our guest host, Dan green interviews Rachel about Medhurst Ministries new training program for women.
This weeks podcast was recorded at the 2022 Medhurst Ministries Weekender and features a Q&A Session with Matthew Spandler-Davison, Steve Kneale, Steve Walker, Matt Oliver and Al Gooderham
This week Ian and Graham discuss the dangers of laziness, burying your head in the sand and leaving the important things till the last minute.
This week Ian speaks with Sharon Dickens about the challenges and blessings that she has experienced during her ministry journey. Sharon has worked in the community for over 28 years and since 2012 has been working with 20schemes, speaking, teaching, training and mentoring women in the schemes and internationally.
This week Ian and Stephanie Greer discuss the need for spiritual mothers in the church, glorifying God through gospel community and why if we are asking people to come, we should also be asking people to stay.
Stephanie lives in west Baltimore and works as a "Life Coach" at The Garden Church. In her role, Stephanie builds relationships with people in the community both in formal and informal settings. She oversees the job readiness-training program, mentorships, and jobs network. She enjoys discussing the sufficiency of Scripture for all things pertaining to life! Stephanie is married to Kevin Greer.
http://www.onehope.gives
Aaron Carr is the pastor of First Pres Church in Trenton, Michigan and talks about the blessings of partnering for the gospel for the sake of God's Kingdom rather than your own and his heart for supporting gospel ministry in the UK.
You can find the website for First Pres Church below
https://fpchurch.com/
This week Ian speaks with Jon Norwood one of the elders of Beechwood Chapel in Birkenhead, Merseyside. Jon shares about his experiences of church revitalisation and how sacrifice and humility is essential for a successful ministry.
You can find more about Beechwood Chapel here
https://beechwoodchapel.org/
and you can follow Jon on Twitter here
@JSNorwoo
This week Ian speaks with Sam Wilkins, a pastoral assistant at Niddrie Community Church in Edinburgh, Scotland. Together they discuss how sanctification can be scary and how when you become a Christian, the biggest battle is often in your head.
Nicky grew up on a tough council estate without a father and lived a chaotic lifestyle until finding faith in Jesus. Nicky shares how God has used his upbringing, mistakes and hardships to prepare him for ministry and how he and his wife Krista run a gospel outreach called the Open Well in their home town of South Bank in Middlesbrough.
Paul is a working as a missionary in West Middlesbrough and shares about church, discipleship and some of the obstacles that he has faced on his journey from coming to faith in prison to full time Christian ministry.
You can support Paul and Stella through Stewardship
https://www.stewardship.org.uk/partners/ChristianPaulKing
Ian and Robin discuss discipleship, hospitality and church planting in areas of rural deprivation.
Find out about the church that Robin pastors here:
Grace Community Church
https://www.gracechurchloftus.co.uk
Ian and Nathan discuss the pitfalls of planting on council estates without having a clear vision and realistic timeframe for launching.
This week Ian speaks to Joel Kurz about the challenges and joys of ministering in an inner city church in Baltimore, USA. Joel is the Pastor at The Garden Church and the Director of ONE HOPE a church planting ministry for inner cities. Find out more about his ministry here http://thegardenbaltimore.com ~ http://onehope.gives
Ian interviews Steve Bray, Lead Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in St. John’s, a small but growing Church with a passion for biblical preaching, missions and church planting in one of the most unchurched provinces in Canada
Ian and Eddie talk about growing up in the North East of England, ministry in the Ivory Coast, the disconnect between mission and the local church and how unity is threatened by theological tribalism.
Check out Eddie's ministry website here
https://www.kouya.net
Check out his running blog here
https://oldmanintights.blogspot.com
Follow him on Twitter
@kouya
In this weeks episode, Ian and Acts 29 European Director Phil Moore,
discuss how churches affiliated to A29 are collaborating for mission in Europe and beyond.
Follow Phil on Twitter
@moore_philip
Find his article on Brexit here
https://www.acts29.com/gospel-reflections-on-brexit/
Find out more about A29 here
https://www.acts29.com/who-should-apply/
This week Ian speaks with Mario Maneville. Mario has been serving as Pastor-teacher at Reformed Faith Mission Community Church in Cape Town, South Africa, since 2013 and is also a co-hort leader for Church in Hard Places.
You can support Mario here
https://20schemes.infoodle.com/f/OnlineDonationsFormInspired
Find him on Twitter and email here
@MarioManeville
mfmaneville@gmail.com
Find his church here
https://reformedfaith.org.za
Over the coming weeks we will be speaking with each of the trustees that serve on the Medhurst Ministries board. This week we are speaking with Matthew Spandler Davison.
Nathan and Ian explore how long preachers should spend on preparing sermons and discuss if biblical languages are a distraction from doing proper ministry.
Ian and Graham discuss the recent gospel and abuse conference and what it means for our churches.
If you have been affected by some of the issues that we have been speaking about and if you would like to speak to somebody, please contact info@20schemes.com and they will try to put you in contact with someone who can help.
Graham asks the question, "Why would somebody who promotes vocational training for pastors in a local church setting choose to study for a postgraduate qualification at a bible college?"
Ian and Matt discuss the need for keeping yourself right mentally, physically and spiritually
After reading a blogpost by former guest Al Gooderham, Ian and Graham discuss how a zeal for the ideal can lead to discouraging pastors/planters as well as church members.
Ian, Graham and Nathan have recently returned from a retreat and share how they have all benefitted from taking some time out with friends to have a laugh and praise God.
How do you avoid jumping ship too soon or outstaying your welcome? Join Ian and Nathan as they look at choosing the right time to step down.
In this weeks episode, Ian and Graham jump on the Mars Hill Bandwagon. Join them as they discuss how even though the church appears to be appalled at the behaviour of Mark Driscoll, it continues to be seduced by the celebrity, personality and academia of those in the pulpit whilst ignoring their character and lifestyle.
This week Ian and Ste Walker discuss their experiences of dealing with anxiety whilst in pastoral ministry.
Recommended Resources
Running Scared by Ed Welch
https://www.10ofthose.com/uk/products/2515/running-scared
Hope In An Anxious World by Helen Thorne
https://www.10ofthose.com/uk/products/27126/hope-in-an-anxious-world
On this weeks episode Ian speaks with Joel Morris about how taking risks and generosity is at the heart of the gospel. Joel is the Executive Director of Union School of Theology and is the author of the books Big Hearted and Revolutionary God and you can buy his books here:
https://www.10ofthose.com/uk/authors/joel-morris
and you can find out more about Union School of Theology here:
https://www.ust.ac.uk
Pastor and blogger Al Gooderham chats with Ian about being in council estate ministry for the long game, how gentrification affects contextualisation and how a middle class church from Doncaster has helped with church planting on council estates in South Yorkshire, Teesside and Edinburgh.
Read his blog
https://algooderham.wordpress.com
Visit his church
https://graceinthecommunity.org
Follow him on Twitter
https://twitter.com/algooderham?lang=en
Buy Saints, Sufferers and Sinners
https://www.10ofthose.com/uk/products/26366/saints-sufferers-and-sinners
Ian and Matt discuss the benefits of being part of the FIEC and the FIEC's Pastors Network.
https://fiec.org.uk
Chris Davidson is the nicest church planter with 20Schemes and the Free Church of Scotland and this week he spends time with Ian talking about his experience of discipleship, disappointment and death.
Some of the Medhurst lads are back as Ian, Matt, Nathan and Graham discuss the need for gospel workers to build and maintain friendships.
This weeks guest Dr. Matt Searles, shares his love of the Psalms and covers topics such as; finding comfort in the Psalms, the difference between joy and happiness and why is it so hard to admit you are miserable if you're a Christian.
Matt is an author and musician and he is currently Director of Training for the South Central Gospel Partnership, primarily overseeing and teaching courses in Bible knowledge and handling. His passion is to communicate the deep truths of the faith in a clear and accessible way to normal Christians of all backgrounds.
You can find links to his books below
https://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/authors/matt-searles
This weeks guest Dr. Robert Smith Jr, shares his wisdom on preaching and covers topics such as preaching to the heart and head, preaching through tragedy and finding your identity as a preacher.
Dr Robert Smith Jnr. holds the Charles T. Carter Baptist Chair of Divinity at Beeson Divinity School where he teaches Christian Preaching and is the author of Doctrine that Dances and The Oasis God.
You can find links to his books below
Doctrine that Dances
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Doctrine-That-Dances-Doctrinal-Preaching/dp/0805446842
The Oasis of God
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Oasis-God-Mourning-Biblical-Insights/dp/193667095X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=The+Oasis+of+God%3A+From+Mourning+to+Morning%2C+Biblical+Insights+from+Psalms+42+and+43&linkCode=gs3&qid=1622705430&sr=8-1
This weeks episode is an interview with Jason Nelson. Jason is a church planter serving at Niddrie Community Church in Edinburgh, Scotland. He and his family are from Laramie, Wyoming. Jason is married to Gretchen and they have five children.
You can support his ministry here
https://20schemes.com/give/
You can watch Jason and his family serving with 20Schemes Music here
https://youtu.be/GXvtCcv1PVs
In this weeks podcast Ian and graham discuss what makes a good sermon and how we need to teach people to listen to sermons as well as preach them.
Ian and Graham discuss how to avoid becoming a preaching clone and the danger of confusing contextualisation with assimilation.
Dennae Pierre shares about her role as a board member of the Crete Collective and the executive director of the Surge Network and how an addiction to comfort and idolatry of personal and cultural preferences are some of the reasons why the church is failing to reach the forgotten black and brown communities of the USA.
The Crete Collective
https://thecretecollective.org
The Surge Network
http://surgenetwork.com
The book divided by faith
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Divided-Faith-Evangelical-Religion-Problem/dp/0195147073
Ian and Graham discuss how to keep going when preaching a Sunday sermon is the last thing you want to do
DR. Mark Picket shares his experiences as a cross-cultural missionary in India and Nepal and looks at the cross over between his work abroad and in the UK
Jeremy Marshall is an author, preacher and philanthropist who talks about how having cancer and being a former banker has equipped him to support ministries in deprived areas.
You can find
Jeremy's books here
https://www.10ofthose.com/uk/authors/jeremy-marshall
His Twitter account here
@jeremysmarshall
Kingdom Bank
https://www.kingdom.bank
Stewardship
https://www.stewardship.org.uk
This week Ian is joined by two women called Cat and the hosts of the Plumb Line Podcast and as well as constantly complementing each other on their podcasts, they discuss Banter, Gilets, women's ministry and the motivation for podcasting.
You can find their podcast here https://theplumblinepodcast.buzzsprout.com
and you can follow them on Twitter and Facebook here
https://twitter.com/PlumbPodcast
https://www.facebook.com/ThePlumbLinePodcast/
Ian, Shane Goodyear (London City Mission) and Johnny Prime (The FIEC) talk about the difficulties of being raised without a father, the blessing of having a good father and the joy of knowing adoption by God the Father.
Mez McConnel is a Pastor, Author, Director of 20schemes and Global Urban Poor Strategist for Church in Hard Places. Both he and Ian discuss some of the problems and solutions of gospel ministry in deprived areas.
www.20schemes.com
John Onwuchekwa, author and lead pastor of Cornerstone Church in Atlanta, Georgia, speaks with Ian about the need for mentors who look like their mentees, diversity in the church and winning allies instead of arguments.
Follow John onTwitter @JawnO
Buy his books here https://www.10ofthose.com/uk/authors/john-onwuchekwa
Find his podcast and business here https://linktr.ee/jawno
Ian and Graham talk to Will Savory about the pro's and cons of working as a nightclub bouncer, discipleship and doing online church when your congregation don't have the internet and some don't even have a home.
Follow will on Twitter @WillSavoryMPBC
Get updates about soul Church Neath
https://en-gb.facebook.com/SoulChurchNeath/
The book Grace, Grit and Gumption can be purchased here https://www.christianfocus.com/products/293/grace-grit-gumption
Ben Falaja a former boxer, grew up in a fatherless family in the 90's and has been mentored by Eric Young a former pro-footballer and policeman. They both talk about how their love of Jesus, sport and experiences of fatherlessness has led to friendship between two men of differing ages, ethnicities and cultures.
Ian and Nathan talk to Steve Kneale about how you have to shout loud if you want to be heard, the danger of small churches having to fight over the scraps and how promoting the gospel needs of Northern England can often lead to people taking offence.
Steve's blog and podcast can be found here
https://buildingjerusalem.blog
More info about the church plant in Rochdale can be found here
https://www.rochdaleevangelicalchurch.com
Find out how Sam "Speeks" Anderson, a London born Husband, Father and Rapper, somehow ended up north working as a gospel worker in Oldham.
CHECKOUT HIS MUSIC HERE
https://lnk.bio/SpeeksUK
CHECKOUT HIS CHURCH AND SUPPORT HIM HERE
https://www.oldhambethelchurch.org.uk/give/
In this episode Dan, Ian and Nathan discuss why guilt should never be a motive for ministry to the poor and how posh people need Jesus too.
From discipleship to ministry opportunities, Sue, Rachel and Jude talk about what it is like to be a lone parent in the church.
How the biggest obstacle for a church planter isn't a lack of finance, resources or people, it's an unchecked heart.
From banter to portion sizes, Ian, Matt and Nathan discuss cultural differences between the North and South and the middle and working classes.
Homeschool in Hard Places (Part 2)
This week's guests are Rachel, Stella and Jude. Three homeschool mums discussing some of the highs, lows and myths of homeschooling in a hard place.
A Good site for UK homeschoolers including a useful FAQ page 1
https://www.educationotherwise.org
Deut6v7 is a mailing list for Christian home-schoolers in the UK.
Web: www.hayletts.net/deut6v7.html
Paid Resources
https://www.conquermaths.com
https://www.catherinemooneytutoring.co.uk
Esther and Faith share about their experience of being homeschooled by parents who are ministering in a hard place.
A Good site for UK homeschoolers including a useful FAQ page 1
https://www.educationotherwise.org
Deut6v7 is a mailing list for Christian home-schoolers in the UK.
Web: www.hayletts.net/deut6v7.html
Paid Resources
https://www.conquermaths.com
https://www.catherinemooneytutoring.co.uk
Dan Green, pastor of Banstead Community Church talks with Graham and Ian about how church partnerships involve much more than wealthy churches giving money to poorer churches.
Matt Oliver, Nathan Young and Ian Williamson discuss some of the differences and challenges between church planting and church revitalisation.
Ian, Nathan and Matt discuss some of the reasons why churches struggle to recruit pastors to the north of England.
Prince Harry and Fat Karl Pilkington discuss why Medhurst Ministries is basically a rip off from 20Schemes