St Basil's Church: Recent Episodes
St Basil's
Georgi looks at Ephesians 3 and the message Paul lays out about the God of abundance. We see this passage sectioned into 1) Gods abundant plan, 2) His abundant love and 3) His abundant power.
Jonah continues our series on Ephesians by diving into the second chapter. In this chapter, Jonah claims that, we discover all hostility is relative to the final work of Jesus Christ. Paul’s letter shows us that because of Jesus’s great love for us, we have been taken from death to life and seated with him in the heavenly place.
Dan kicks of a new series in the book of Ephesians, highlighting the longing Paul expresses at the start of his letter for the church in Ephesus to inhabit the fulness of Christ’s story, instead of the lesser stories that surround them.
To end our series on the spiritual gifts, Jonah looks at love gifts. Love gifts manifest the love of God in practical ways. They include martydom, celibacy, administration, helps/service, giving and mercy. Jonah concludes by sharing a story of a priest in 17th century Colombia which shows the church alive in its gifting and operating in the power of the Holy Spirit.
In the fourth part of our Gifts of the Spirit series, Becky Callaghan explores the 'power gifts', encouraging us to eagerly pursue the Holy Spirit's empowering presence as God works through ordinary people to demonstrate His Kingdom through these gifts. Becky challenges us to fan into flame the gifts God has entrusted to us, using them to build up the church and point people to Jesus.
Dan explains how we can first discover our gifts, and then not bury them out of fear or comparison but share God’s joy as we become activated in them. Then he explores the purpose of the six word gifts, how we might recognise them in ourselves, and begin to use them to play our part in building up the Body of Christ.
Dan continues our series by considering Paul’s challenge to follow the way of love as we eagerly desire the spiritual gifts. When we use our gifts to serve one another and not ourselves, God builds us into a community that embody his love to a hurting, but increasingly curious and hungry, world around us.
Jonah begins our new series on the gifts of the spirit. In this introductory talk, Jonah points to 4 different viewpoints we may be inhabiting in our specific community. He then outlines a basic understanding of the spiritual gifts and finally lands by focusing upon Philippians 2. Jonah concludes that Jesus displays for us what it looks like to be radically human, empowered by the Spirit and operating in our unique gifts.
Pete James continues our series on being a church where everyone plays their part by meditating on Jesus' example of serving. Looking at Philippians 2:1-11, Pete encourages us away from "Success" mindset where we try and achieve over others or a "Scarcity" mindset where we withhold from others and enter into a "Serving" mindset where we invest our value into promoting others.
Pete kicks off a series on being a church where everyone plays their part. Pete looks at giving and how the scriptures call us to be worshipers, stewards and patrons with our finances
On Pentecost Sunday, Becky Callaghan unpacks the significance of the moment the Holy Spirit was poured out to form a people marked by the presence of God - living with expectancy, surrender, and dependence on His Spirit. Through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, ordinary people are transformed into a community that carries His presence, reflects Jesus and participates in His renewal of the world.
Liz Bewley, CEO of OneLife Youth charity, closes out our David series by looking at how David left a legacy for the next generation: one that speaks of God's grace not his own perfection. Liz challenged us as a church to be legacy builders in every environment we enter and to show up for the generation below us.
Dan explores how David’s strength in battle came from his strength in worship, but when his guard was down he allowed a distorted desire to eclipse his desire to remain in God’s presence. When he stops seeing clearly his resulting sin distracts and de-commissions him. Dan encourages us that even when we fail to resist the enemy’s temptations we can gain victory over him through repentance.
Pete continues our series on David by looking at the contrast between him and Saul when it comes to the relationship between their hidden lives and public lives. The revelation within the story is this: God’s not looking for height, he’s looking for heart. Pete encourages us to stop polishing our outer lives and instead, attend to our inner.
Becky opens a new series on the life of David through the story of David and Goliath, showing that the real battle is often for our identity and faith before we face life’s “giants,” through intimidation, accusation, and the temptation to rely on our own strength. She highlights that David’s victory flowed from a deep trust in God formed in hidden moments, teaching that true breakthrough comes through surrender and dependence on Him.
The Bishop of Exeter – Mike Harrison – continues our post-Easter reflections by looking at the Road to Emmaus story. Bishop Mike reflected beautifully on the reality that Jesus walked with them even though they were headed in the wrong direction. He also reflected on how meeting with Jesus can turn our lives around.
Dan Miles reflects on how we can live in light of the resurrection by trusting in Jesus and responding to his invitation to follow him through death and into abundant life.
Jules closes out our Lent series in Romans by looking at the beautiful reality that nothing can separate us from the love of God and how living from that truth enables us to live as "more than conquerors". Jules provides a vulnerable and honest account of her journey through the grief which has become the crucible in which she learned Paul's teaching to be profoundly and personally true.
Jonah focuses upon Romans 8: 12--27 and highlights St Pauls contention that there is a groan deep in each of us and on display in the world around us. But our culture is perfectly designed to dull the groans of our heart. Whether that’s with food, distraction or addiction. How to recover the commitment to groan as adopted children, with the Holy Spirit and anticipation for God’s inbreaking Kingdom.
Georgi Kapepula continues our exploration of Romans with Romans 6:1-12. Paul is encouraging the churchto no longer be slaves to sin but live in the freedom we receive through baptism in Him.
What are the implications for the belief that we are justified by faith? This phrase typically conjures up explorations of a mechanism of freedom. However, in this talk, Pete Davies explores the idea that God does what we cannot do. This enables us to live lives of vulnerability and liberation. This liberating power leads us out of our sin and shame through the freeing act of confession, in the presence of a loving God and his faithful people.
Jonah begins our Lent series focusing upon Romans. In one of the most famous verses of the book, Paul claims “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” But what does this actually mean? What glory have we fallen short of and why is this important to a community in social upheaval? Jonah unpacks the social context and then extorts us to live a life of vocational glory, not falling prey to a subtle functional deism that relegates glory to the end of time and our lives to a task of sin-management.
Pete James wraps up a pairing of talks about how important it is as a church to move beyond our own strength and into God’s strength. Pete looks at the life of Peter and how he was shaken from the fragile foundations of self-confidence and – via failure – was set upon the firm foundation of Jesus’ strength. Pete aims to give us hope to search inside the shaking and find God’s loving, faithful, purifying activity at work there.
Pete James highlights how fasting wakes us from apathy, reveals the things that control us, trains us for joy in times of lack and facilitates a power surge as we intentionally embrace our weakness and rely on God’s strength. Fasting is more than just something for Lent: its a vital way of life for a Christian aiming to push back against the idol of comfort
Ben shares movingly from his own testimony of anchoring himself in Psalm 37 in the midst of a difficult circumstance. The Word of God can be a lamp to our feet when we consistently choose to immerse ourselves in it and let it form us.
Becky continues the BREAD series by exploring Scripture as the authoritative lens that grounds our identity and interprets reality, forming us over time into freedom as we submit to and abide in truth. By standing in the Word, we learn to discern and resist the distorted lenses of the world, the flesh, and the devil, following Jesus’ example of using Scripture to dismantle lies and remain secure as beloved sons and daughters.
Pete James kicks of a new teaching series called “Bread: The Word of God as a Way of Life”. In a world where it’s easy to get blown about by the “winds of life” we need a rope to hold onto: an anchor in the blizzard. With an insatiable cultural appetite for personal growth but a diminishing focus on the word of God as the guide to that formation, Pete highlights an “authority gap” that has developed and asks us to take a look at what we have filled that gap with: the idol of the self or the fear of man. This series is seeking a re-enchantment with the word of God.
Pete James helps us reflect on the events of 2025 using the milestones of Holy Week: naming the unmet expectations, deaths, silences and new life experienced. Pete encourages us to take the posture of the thief on the cross next to Jesus who couldn’t “improve himself closer to God” and had to simply rely on the “one way love” of Jesus.
Pete James highlights how easy it is for deeply held beliefs and values to remain largely theoretical and unpracticed. He encourages us to make the journey of courage that is moving "from believing to trying" and casts a vision for the whole church being activated in their authority so the power of God can move through the church into the world.
Speaking from the story of Daniel, Pete James highlights how – as Christ carriers – our distinctiveness is our relevance to the culture around us and encourages us to be bold and confident in a world searching for meaning right now. In particular, Pete highlights how Daniel's relevance was cultivated through refusals and rhythms.
In our final sermon in this series Jonah looks at how our words can become altars for God’s presence. In John 8, we see Jesus perfectly exhibiting restrained and liberated speech. By looking at why and how Jesus operated in this way, we discover how our words and our silence can become places of God’s power to move and unleash freedom in our lives and those around us.
“How do our emotions become altars of invitation for God’s presence? Jonah explores how our emotions are not meant to view individualistically. Instead, we learn from the biblical texts that our emotions, and specifically grief, enable us to witness to God’s resurrecting power as we surrender and confess them in the presence of God and the family of saints.”
Pete James continues our series looking at how we can practically hunger and thirst for righteousness in the ordinary parts of our lives. Taking Jesus in Gethsemane as a Biblical archetype for decision-making, Pete invites us to cultivate four things in our small and big decisions: decide from our belovedness; trusting the character of God; desiring God's will; and acting in line with the authority God has given to us. Pete makes the point that our daily decisions are a gymnasium for our discerned decisions and that we must learn to listen to God's whispers before we need him to shout.
Becky Callaghan continues our series by looking at the home, inviting us to see our homes as places of worship, formation and surrender—where God’s presence dwells in the ordinary unseen moments of life.
Si Topliss looks at how we spend our days somewhere, putting our hands to something, whether that's caring for a child, being in a workplace, paid or not paid. How do we learn to know who we are in God and work as His handiwork, in the work he's given us to do?
Dan encourages us to come to know the love of God in our mistakes, by coming out of hiding and being seen by him. We’re called to be a community that extinguish the power of shame as we mediate God’s love to each other through the practice of confession.
Sunday 21 September Pete James continues our series looking at how to turn everyday parts of our lives into altars for the presence of God. Pete looks at a Biblical vision for a 24 hour period and how each part - night, morning, day, evening - has significance. Pete exhorts us to learn to shape our days around union with God because how we spend our days is how, ultimately, we spend our lives.
Pete James kicks of our new series “from Ordinary to Altar: learning to make everyday aspects of life places of invitation to God” by looking at our money. Pete invites us to become worshippers, stewards and patrons with our money so we limit its destructive power and release its creative potential
Pete James shares about the posture we’re wanting to have as a community in the year ahead and the plans we are living and giving towards. Sorry about the poor audio quality!
Jonah explores the invitation to be still and know that God is God in the midst of a violent world. We find ourselves surrounded by violence and perpetuate cycles of violence. These cycles are rooted in our desire to make ourselves the centre of the universe. However, when we look to God, we realise we are not at the centre, he is; at the still centre of a turning world stands the cross.
Bex unpacks Psalm 22 and uncovers how the psalm teaches us how to pray and maintain intimacy with God, in the contradiction of our pain and His goodness. Looking at lamenting and questioning, vulnerably requesting things from God and being community in our pain. Psalm 22 offers a framework for us to follow in our prayer lives.
Guest speaker John Marker opens our Songs for the soul series looking at Psalm 86 and how Davids understanding of God’s character led him to pray and ask for an undivided heart.
Pete James rounds off our series in Galatians by looking at how we live into the formation and freedom described in chapter 5 in community; with intentionality; and over time. Pete particularly emphasises the power of speaking truth in love to help the church mature.
Becky Callaghan continues the series by looking at Galatians 5, where Paul urges the church to resist returning to the yoke of the law and instead live in the freedom Christ has already won. This passage teaches us that true transformation comes not through law or striving, but through the Spirit, who empowers us to walk in love and live from our secure identity in Jesus.
Galatians 3, continues the theme of salvation by faith alone, looking at unity within the church, the new family of God. Paul continues to urge the church to be unified. Georgi unpacks this and challenges us to look at what that means for us and our communities today.
In Galatians 2, Paul passionately defends Christ’s final and justifying work. Jonah explains that through a particular translation we can grasp more deeply the beauty and depth of Christ’s faithfulness, whereby we are swept up into His justifying work. This counters over-work, anxiety and the need to self justify.
Pete James kicks off our new series by giving an overview of the letter and what has got Paul so passionate. Three things rise to the surface: how we are saved; the nature of the church; and life in the Spirit. Pete closes with a question from chapter one: are we living more for the approval of man or of God?
We were privileged to have Revd Dr James Harding continue our series on the Holy Spirit, looking at how the Spirit gives gifts. Drawing on scripture and the incredible testimony of his own family history, James stirred faith in us and encouraged us to come to God with a hunger to be filled to overflowing
Jonah continues our series on a living, breathing theology of the Holy Spirit. We long to be led and guided by the Spirit however, fear, anxiety and grief often overwhelm us and we find ourselves grasping for control and as we turn to God our motivation can be an attempt to control our future rather than discover his faithfulness in the present. If we long to know how the Holy Spirit guides us, we must first and foremost learn to long for and meet with Jesus’s presence in the present moment.
Pete James continues our series on the Holy Spirit by diving into Galatians to understand how the Holy Spirit bears fruit in our lives. Contrasting to works of the flesh, Pete encourages us to stop working harder and harder to change and instead become "gardeners" who make our lives a great habitat for the fruit of the Spirit to grow: to fashion our lives into one big "yes" to the Holy Spirit.
In the second talk of the series, Dan encourages us that the Spirit will empower us to witness to Jesus and be obedient to the Father when we seek to keep in step with Him in an ongoing trusting relationship.
Becky kicks off our new series, "Our Life, Filled with His Life: A Living, Breathing Theology of the Holy Spirit”, with an overview of the Holy Spirit’s role throughout the biblical narrative, focusing on the promise of His presence in light of Jesus’ resurrection and the sending of the Spirit. Becky then explores how the Holy Spirit brings revelation into our lives by examining the story of John the Baptist—how the Spirit revealed the coming Messiah to him, and how John partnered with the Spirit to steward that revelation and proclaim it to the world.
Through the story of Lazarus, Dan explores how Jesus grows our faith in him when we choose to trust him in times of hardship. As we ask that even now he would bring life out of death we are formed into Easter people in a Good Friday world.
"Tim May, visiting from KXC in London, concludes our series by looking at the power and importance of forgiveness: both receiving it and extending it. He exhorts us to become a church famous for our forgiveness"
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Pete James
Guest preacher, Joshua Luke Smith, continues our series "Behind Closed Doors". He looks at how Jesus drew strength from times in the wilderness and encouraged us all to find our own 'daily desert'.
On Mothering Sunday, Jonah shares a New Testament understanding of motherhood. He looks at how Jesus exemplifies honouring his mother on the cross, instituting a new family marked by subversive relationships and how this act inspired and energised the early church social ethics. Jonah ends with how our material longings and fractured relationships will be made whole in the New Jerusalem.
Please note the first few seconds are missing. Jonah is reading from John 19 v 25
Dan continues our series by encouraging us to cultivate hearts that want what God wants. Fruitfulness comes from abiding in God - here we cultivate a desire to see his will come into fruition, and grow in trust that when we follow his will for us we will be fed, formed and able to participate in what he is doing.
Pete James kicks off our Lent Series "Behind Closed Doors". Looking at Jesus in Gethsemane, Pete invites us to strengthen our inner lives in the Lord so they are robust enough for our outer lives.
Pete James closes out our series on the life of Josiah by encouraging us as a church to a spiritual defiance embodied in practices that help us live in the story of God and not let our hearts be won over by idols.
Josiah’s personal repentance led to a corporate renewal that prepared a generation to thrive in exile. Dan explores how we can cultivate a humble and responsive heart like Josiah’s, so that we also can participate in the work God wants to do in and through us.
Jonah continues our series on lessons from Josiah's life by diving deeper into the discovery of the scriptures in 2 Kings 22. Highlighting the central role of the word of God in how God brings about renewal, Jonah asks us the question: are we living off historical words of God or the living word of God?
Pete James opens up our new series on Josiah, giving an overview of the storyline and the lessons we can all take from his life. Pete walked us through Josiah's "blueprint" for renewal: taking responsibility for what happened on his watch; recognising where they had gone astray through the revelation of the word of God, repenting and removing idols; replacing with practices in line with the covenant.
In the final instalment of the series, Georgi Kapepula speaks from her testimony about what is often termed a "dark night of the soul" and when it’s harder to "feel" God's presence. Georgi invites us to not give up, look for the deeper, maturing work God might be doing and trust he has not, in fact, left us after all.
Dan unpacks Jesus’ parable about waiting for the bridegroom in Matt 25, inviting us to see that God prepares us in times of waiting - He’ll grow our faith if we continue to cry out to him instead of reducing our expectations or taking things into our own hands.
Pete James continues our series of short reflections on how to prioritise the presence of God in our lives. Speaking from 1 Corinthians 10 – "everything is permissaible but not everything is beneficial" – he calls our attention to the things in our lives we hardly even notice but which are slowly decaying our soul and stealing our worship. We were made for more than wasting our lives on the trivial!
Dan Miles describes how praying The Examen can help us to see how Jesus has been at work in the day (or year) just gone, which helps us to grow in seeing him at work in each present moment. As we then choose to follow him in trusting obedience, keeping in step with the Spirit, we become the children of God.
Speaking from Deuteronomy 11, Pete James offers a brief reflection on the difference between “footpumps from the Nile or rains from heaven” and offers an invitation to not live dependant on our own strength and skill in the year ahead.
Sunday 17 November | As Jesus was sent proclaiming the Kingdom and demonstrating it with signs that lead to wonder, so are we. Ele Mumford unpacks this principle in a faith-stirring, commissioning talk.
Sunday 10 November | Becky Callaghan continues our series unpacking how Jesus’ passionate pursuit for proximity both to his Father and to humanity, fuelled his mission on earth. By walking in true holiness and love, He challenged religious oppression, exposed injustice and restored people to their Father.
Jonah Horne continues our series ‘For the Sake Of’by looking at how we often neglect and ignore people in our lives much like Simon in Luke 7. Simon is intrigued by the person Jesus, but not captivated by him. To love those everyone else rejects we must continually return to the feet of Jesus, the one who first extends mercy and love, and empowers us to do the same.
This week we celebrated harvest festival together and Pip Campbell-Clause spoke to us – in a theologically rich and deeply practical talk - about how we should see Jesus not just as saviour but also as creator. Pip unpacked the importance of creation care in our understanding of mission and, in keeping with our harvest theme, specifically invited us to play our part in challenging broken food systems with the way we live and purchase.
Sunday 22 September | Dan Miles begins a series reflecting on how we can become a church for the sake of those around us. He unpacks how God invites us as the church to participate in the movement of his love towards a hurting world. He also explores how Jesus begins his ministry and continues in it, with a particular focus on how he calls us to be found where he is found, often on the other side of boundaries that divide.
Sunday 29 September | Continuing our "For the Sake Of" series, Pete James unpacks the moment Jesus washes the disciples feet alongside the stunning theology of Philippians 2. Jesus, taking the form of a servant, redefines the culturally accepted "course of honour" from the accumulation of success, power and wealth to a life of humility and service of others. Within the beauty of this, there is also a challenge: as Jesus was sent in humility to display God's heart, so are we.
To kick off the new term, Pete James speaks about the season we have ahead as a community, emphasising the invitation to courageous mission for the sake of the hurting world around us. He also speaks to how we are pivoting some of our structures as a church to get ourselves in the right shape to fulfil our calling and seek God's renewal in the region. If you are a committed part of this church, this is a key one to listen back to!
Meg Loney continues our current series by sharing how in her journey with Him, Jesus has been confronting obstacles and healing her so that He can establish His kingdom in and through her life.
Content warning: This episode carries a content warning for abuse and suicide. We do not go into details but both are mentioned in Meg’s story.
Dan Miles considers perfectionism as one self-destructive and addictive belief system among others whereby we strive to earn love and avoid shame. When instead we adopt the approach of the prodigal son who recognises his lostness, repents and receives love and forgiveness, we are strengthened to take risks for God’s kingdom.
Continuing our series “Seize the Day”, Pete James looks at the topic of pain. He outlines a Christian vision for pain and how our pain can either be a prison or a portal into God’s presence; it can either be the epicentre of God’s in-breaking Kingdom in our lives or the headquarters of a resistance to that kingdom.
Becky Callaghan continues our series exploring the question: “is your fear holding back the kingdom of God?” and looking at how fear can shape the way we think about God, ourselves and the world around us. Drawing upon the story of Moses, Becky looks at the way a secure attachment with God leads us away from responses to fear, such as control, and instead leads us towards a life of surrender. When we learn to live with trust and dependency on God, his kingdom advances in and through our lives.
Content warning: This episode carries a content warning for eating disorders. We do not go into details but anorexia is mentioned as part of an illustration.
On Sunday, Pete James continued our series "Seize the Day" by looking at the question: "is your money helping grow the kingdom of God?". Speaking from the parable of the Rich Fool in Luke 12, Pete highlights how significant a discipleship issue money is because of its destructive power but also its creative potential. He speaks about how giving can limit the former and release the latter and calls us into the New Testament vision of being "stewards" (oikonomia) of the money that flows to us that it might flow through us and bless the community around us.
Pete James continues our series "Seize the Day" by looking at the critical discipleship issue of how we use our time. Outlining how Jesus lived from identity and toward purpose, Pete unpacks the vision of the New Testament to have our lives purposed toward union with God. Pete then explores three diversions from this way of life and how they effect how we use our time: living with a victim narrative; sleep-walking through life; and investing in idols.
Pete James opens up our new teaching series "Seize the Day: confronting the causes of us putting off God's Kingdom" with a look at what happens when we experience shame and unworthiness. Pete unpacks the parable of the prodigal son and how the embrace of our heavenly Father "whilst still far off" is what should define us, not our shame.
Speaking from both Hebrews 11 and the Exodus narrative, Pete Hughes encourages us as a church that spiritual maturity takes a lifetime and comes from trusting God's power, provision and presence.
Becky Callaghan concludes our series “God Has a Name” looking at Yahweh Shalom: God our Peace.
In our penultimate talk in the series "God Has a Name", Pete James look at Yahweh Rohi: God is our Shepherd. Unpacking Psalm 23, Pete outlines how this tells us God is with us, leads us, provides for us, looks for us when we go astray, protects us and faithfully brings us home.
Dan Miles continues our God Has a Name series with 'Yahweh My Banner'. In the heat of the battle Moses adopts a posture of prayer and surrender to direct the Israelite’s attention onto God, his banner. Like Moses, in times of trial we’re invited by God to put weight on his promise and character - that he is present, he is good and that he is able - such that our lives would also point others to him.
This week Meg Loney continues the ‘God has a name’ series, unpacking the name ‘Jehovah Mekadesh’ (The Lord who Sanctifies). This talk focuses on God’s holiness, and how through contact with Him, we become set apart and repurposed for His Kingdom.
Jonah Horne continues our series looking at God’s names found in the Old Testament. Ezekiel declares Yahweh Shammah from a place of exile, despair and hopelessness. Jonah asks, how can we as God’s people hear the hopeful voice of God in the places of hopelessness in our lives?
Dan Miles explores how God is our healer in the face of spiritual blindness and deafness. In moments of trial God allows us to experience the consequences of not trusting in him, here we have a chance to trust afresh, to know him more fully, and begin to perceive the new thing he’s doing.
Pete James begins a series focussing on the character of God, revealed in the names for God that he gives to his people to draw them into relationship with him. In Genesis 22 God demonstrates to Abraham that He is faithful to provide for all of his needs and Pete shares a practical way that he is currently choosing to live in that reality.
On the first Sunday of the year, Becky Callaghan unpacks what it might look like for us as a church to partner with a move of God through prayer. Focusing on what prayer does in us (growing intimacy and surrender) and what prayer does through us (living lives of intercession and being sent with authority).
As we gathered on New Years Eve, Pete James walked through the Easter narrative as a way of reviewing 2023 by naming where we experienced unmet expectations (Jesus on a donkey), deaths (Good Friday), silences (Holy Saturday), new life (Easter Sunday) and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost).
Dan Miles suggests that in order for the good news that the angels announce to the shepherds to cause great joy in us, we need to receive it with humility and obedience as Mary did, and follow the example of Jesus who laid down his life for the joy set before him.
Pete Hughes, leader of KXC in London, shares stories from the Asbury revival and three ways in which we can align with what God is doing and offer a more hopeful story to the world around us.
Jonah Horne continues our current series in 1 John, chapter 4, where we’re challenged afresh to love those we encounter in and out of the church. However, there are counter forces, antichrists and spirits of the age that convince us to love in our own strength. Jonah points us back to the cross to see what love looks like in our day-to-day.
Dan continues our new series in 1 John about how in chapter 3 John invites each of us to know how lavishly God loves us and affirms us that we are all called his children.
Pete James tackles 1 John 2 and highlights how John calls followers of Jesus to both a high standard of purity and a high standard of grace before unpacking the importance of obedience in how we mature our communion with God.
Pete James began our series in 1 John by giving an overview of the letter's context and diving into chapter 1. Pete highlights for us how the chapter should inspire awe at the beauty of God and confidence in the victory of Christ as well as inviting us to "take a sledgehammer to shame" through confession."
Pete James wraps up our series by challenging us not just to agree with the message of Jesus but align our lives with it. He explains how that involves making costly choices and overcoming that modern desire for quick results with little cost.
On Sunday Pete James kicked off a new teaching series in our new Sunday venue. He painted a picture of a God who is constantly desiring to be at work in our lives making us new. The invitation for the christian is to be people who can discern the ways God is at work and make our lives like new wine skins to receive the new wine he has for us.
Dan shares a reflection from Psalm 63, encouraging us to cultivate hunger for God’s presence and transformative power, by choosing to wait on him in whatever circumstance we face.
Bill shares from the story of Mary Magdalene, and his experience of ministering in prison, how God’s transformative love in action can bring freedom in the areas of our lives where the enemy would want to steal, kill and destroy.
We are made in, made for and find fulfilment in love. But as we move through life we become fractured and build a false sense of self. This deeply effects the way in which we engage with community. Jonah reminds us that we must continually recover a deep understanding of union with God to be able to engage in love with one another
Pete James continues our vision series "This is us" by talking about our new "common life" language and how we want to be marked out by God's presence. He encourages us to make our lives a "landing strip" for God's empowering presence.
In the second talk of our vision series, Pete James unpacks from Colossians 1 how following the way of Jesus will always be the centre of "who we are, wherever we are"
The first talk in a new series about the sort of community we’re called to be whatever our future looks like. This week Dan explores how we believe we’re called to operate - as a Church of Many Workers in which everyone plays a part.
Pete wraps up our series by looking at how we can live out of both identity and purpose in order to use our strength to be re-creative not de-creative, focussing on the idea of surrendering our abilities and resources and power
In our third instalment in the series, Pete James looks at worshipping God with our mind/thinking particularly looking at how both lies and distraction steal our worship
This week Pete James kicked off a new teaching series called "The Battle for our whole lives" which is based in Mark 12:30: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength". Throughout the series we are asking the question: What is stealing your worship?"
Bishop Robert visited St Basil’s on Palm Sunday and shared an Easter reflection at the start of Holy Week
Following up the announcement last week, Pete unpacks Joshua 3 and the lessons we can learn from it in the months ahead.
This Sunday Pete James shared a significant update for our church and invited us to a period of increased hunger for God, surrender, unity and prayer.
Bex unpacks the story of the mustard seed - when we are sure of the end of the story we are free to play a creative part in the unfolding of God’s Kingdom. We’re called to be a community of hope made up of ordinary people, filled with God’s extra-ordinary presence.
Through the story of the “Ten Lepers” in Luke’s gospel, Jonah outlines how often the things that interrupt us and force us into a Christ-like surrender of our conceptions of what the world perceives as worthwhile, are usually the places where the kingdom is to be found.
Dan begins our series by looking at the rich young ruler trying to anxiously earn his way towards eternal life, and Jesus’ challenge to him to give up his source of security and comfort. In a similar way we find God’s presence and receive the Kingdom of God when we relinquish the illusion that we can control our future and trust Jesus in the present.
In the drama of Christmas story we confess that what we imagine can’t save us. Jonah explains how the seemingly impossible is found to be possible at Christmas: God becomes man to redeem us to Godself. We can take heart and find hope in the great light shining in the darkness.
Pete invites the church not to live in reaction to the ups and downs the year will hold, but to consistently prepare for the circumstances we’ll face in the ‘public place’, by fostering intimacy with Jesus through prayer in the ‘private place’.
What do we do with our doubts, our fears and our deepest longings? On the third weekend of advent, Jonah looks at John and Jesus’s exchange in Matthew for a way to navigate through wilderness periods. We discover in scripture that we need not fear, we can find hope in the birth Jesus Christ.
We are called, like John the Baptist, to stand on the frontier of the in-breaking kingdom and watch for signs of Jesus’ arrival in our midst. To be a people that live in solidarity with those in darkness, but are characterised by a hope of those who expect the dawn.
Pete takes us through a reflection on the lives of David and Mephibosheth from 2 Samuel 9 and what they teach us about justice, mercy and kinship whilst offering a beautiful reflection on the role of betrayal in the process
Pete unpacks the connection between contemplation, revivalism and activism in Philippians 3 and calls us to hold the three together in order to be a prophetic presence in the world.
Jude concludes our series with Peter’s closing thoughts in chapter 5 - as citizens of heaven we’re invited to cast our anxieties onto God, called to ‘put on’ humility, and warned to stand firm in our faith.
Pete James guides us through chapter 4 and three particular threads in Peter's reflections on how to be citizens of heaven: don't waste your time on emptying things; prioritise prayer; and love and serve one another.
Dan unpacks Peter’s advice in chapter 3 to sit under societal structures so that we might see their redemption. And then explores how we can live distinct and proximate lives in an ‘age of authenticity’ that provoke questions about the living hope we carry.
In week 2 of our series on 1 Peter, Pete James encourages us to live lives in line with our identity as citizens of heaven: co-operating with grace; being alert to what either fills or empties our souls; and living confidently distinctive lives.
Jonah Horne opened our new series on 1 Peter by calling us to place our trust in the “living hope” of Jesus. He invited us to reflect on stories from within the church that show people living alternative lives in the kingdom of God. Jonah asked us, how can we orientate our lives to be one defined by holiness, formed by the Kingdom of God rather than the competing kingdoms of the world? Please note that we experienced some technical difficulties during the talk, which will explain some slight strange noises in the middle of it. We are sorry about this!
Pete James concluded our pastoral series "depth in a time of growth" by looking at how important it is for our depth to be in Jesus. He described the biblical invitation to spiritual maturity and how that is contested in daily life. He outlines the risk of unintentional spiritual formation and the need for us to therefore be highly intentional to be formed in the way of Jesus.
In the penultimate talk in our series on “depth in a time of growth” Pete James highlights the need for us to retain a sustained hunger for a move of God in our time and not succumb to apathy as the church gets more established.
Dan explores the dangers of convenience, security and comfort, and how the practice of being faithfully present to those who Jesus calls ‘the least’ can enable us to become the church we are called to be - a family on a mission.
Pete James continued our series on "depth in a time of growth" by looking at the risk of consumerism as a church grows and how we can subtly swap church as "a people" for church as "a product"
Pete James kicked off our latest teaching series called "Depth in a time of Growth" on Sunday. It is a pastoral series naming the opportunities and challenges of the season we are in as a community. He spoke about the need for depth and not just growth and how important curious faith will be as we face uncertainties and questions as a community moving forward.
Dan reflects on Peter’s denial and reinstatement. Jesus doesn’t dwell on Peter’s failure but loves him in his brokenness; he gives Peter a fresh opportunity to trust in his love and reaffirms his calling to share the love he’s received with others.
Pete James closed out our series on the parables of Jesus by looking at the story of the Prodigal Son. His short reflection looked at the relational inheritance we have through Jesus; the radical nature of the Father's Love; and the risk of remaining "outside" the Father's House despite pursuing moral purity.
Bex shares how God has been speaking to her through the parable of the Good Samaritan. Instead of prescribing who we need to love as our neighbour, Jesus challenges us to become neighbours - to be those who share the mercy we’ve received with others.
Dan unpacks the parable of the wise and foolish builders - we enter the kingdom of God and build our lives on a secure foundation by trusting in Jesus and putting his words into action.
Si Topliss continues our series The Words and The Way of Jesus by looking at the parables of the lost sheep. Si outlines how we all have the capability to get lost and the ease at which this happens but the extraordinary loving grace that is extended to us in our ‘lostness’.
Bill Birdwood continues our series The Words and The Way of Jesus by looking at the parables of the hidden treasure and pearl of great price. Bill unpacks how the treasure is Jesus and tells stories of lives changed by discovering him.
Pete James wraps up our series on Ephesians by looking at chapter 6 and Paul’s encouragement to be on the front foot in the spiritual battle for your soul.
Pete James continues our series looking at the warning in Ephesians 5 that the enemy works in "footholds and hints" and how the counter-formative life in the way of Jesus involves being filled with the Holy Spirit; declaring worship; and giving thanks constantly.
To mark Pentecost Sunday, Pete James speaks about how the breathe of God brings life to dry bones and invites us to be a community that goes on being filled with the Spirit
As we look at the fourth chapter of Ephesians, Jonah Horne articulates a vision for distinctive Christian unity founded upon the grace of God and living out of the true self.
Pete James continues our series on Ephesians with chapter 3. Pete looks at how Paul's identity gave him clarity of purpose; how we are called to steward God's grace that flows to us; and how everything we do externally flows from whats going on internally. Paul's invitation is to grasp the magnitude of the love of God and to be filled with "dynamite" power for life
This week we took a break from our Ephesians series to hear from one of our Trustees, Pete Hughes. Pete leads KXC in London with his wife Bee and was instrumental in the planting of St Basil's. Pete spoke on the importance of undivided devotion as the foundation for the Christian life
Jo Soper, Co-Leader of ENC, continues our series on Ephesians. Jo brilliantly unpacks chapter two and highlights three truths to counter three lies: there is always enough in God; we never have to earn our way to him; and we are not outsiders in the God's family.
Pete James kicks off our teaching series with an overview of Ephesians by diving in to chapter 1. He unpacks the beautiful reality of being “in Christ”; adopted into the family of God and filled with the same power that raised Christ from the grave.
On Palm Sunday at the threshold of Holy Week, Pete looks at Jesus' entry into Jerusalem and how in the week to come Jesus' faithfulness would triumph over our fears and fickleness.
As we near the end of our teaching series on becoming a praying church, Pete talks about how important contemplative prayer is in an age dominated by distraction. Giving God our attention may just be the modern day equivalent of pouring an alabaster jar of perfume on Jesus' feet.
Continuing our series on prayer, Abi Horne shares about how as a community we can press into praying for revival. From looking at Habakkuk and Elijah in the Bible and sharing stories of the Hebridean revival she looks at threads and themes which seem to run through them and what we can learn so we can pray to see a move of the power of God "in our time".
Pete James continues our series on prayer by looking at the parable of the persistent widow. Pete explains that Jesus teaches us that to live in the "now and the not yet" of the arriving kingdom of God, we will need persistence and to trust in both the character and timing of God
We continue our series on becoming a praying church by looking at Hungry Prayer and the practice of fasting. Pete outlines four reasons why fasting has always been woven into the tapestry of the people of God: it breaks off apathy; reveal what controls us; trains us for joy in times of lack; and facilitates a power surge. Why not explore it for lent?
Dan considers our calling to share God’s heart with those around us through ministering prayer. Jesus shares his anointing and authority with us and instructs his disciples to listen and obey ‘as we go.’ We heard from Rhiannon, who experienced God’s kindness recently as others prayed with her, and Dave, who has been learning to cultivate faith and intimacy with Jesus by praying with others.
This week in our series on prayer we shift a gear and look at Intercessory Prayer. Pete James looks at how we have a role to play our part in the renewal of the world around us by taking up a posture of intercession. Pete explains how praying for others is both an expression of love and an act of spiritual warfare. Taking inspiration from Elijah's life, we explore how intercessory prayer is a midwife for the kingdom of God.
Pete James continues our journey into becoming a praying church by looking at the idea of "maturing prayer". Pete explains that prayer is the means by which life's events mature us and not just age us and invites us to exchange seeing the world and life through an achievement lens but instead through a transformation lens. If we do, we will realise that every single thing that happens in our life – through prayer – has the stunning potential to mature us into the image if Jesus.
Pete James continues our teaching series on prayer by looking at Devotional Prayer. Looking at Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, Pete casts vision for cultivating a union and intimacy with God by deliberately and regularly bringing our whole, true self in front of God in conversational prayer. He also takes a look at five different drivers of disconnection many of experience
Pete James began our teaching series Becoming a Praying Church by inviting us at the beginning of a New Year to make prayer our "first move" not an after thought. Pete looked at how in Jesus' wilderness experience and 40 days of prayer in Luke 4, he enjoyed union with his Father and a fruitfulness upon returning to the world. We are determined to be a praying church and this talk marks the beginning of a couple of months of diving deep into the world of prayer. Do join in the adventure!
Pete James speak at our evening carol service on how Jesus offers us a peace like no other. Reflecting on Jesus' statement that he gives peace "not as the world gives" (John 14:27), Pete explains that much of the peace we seek involves escaping or controlling circumstances but the peace Jesus offers us comes right in the midst of our circumstances.
Pete James concludes our series on the letter to the Philippians by unpacking how we are invited by the Apostle Paul to shape our worries into prayers and as we do so, a beautiful exchange takes place and we receive God's peace
In chapter 3 Paul spurs the Philippians on toward the prize of knowing Christ - responding to God’s faithfulness by living as faith-filled citizens of heaven. Dan Miles considers what this challenge means for us
In the third instalment of this series in Philippians, Jon Soper from Exeter Network Church takes us through Paul's poetic passage on the humility of Jesus. Jon boldly invites us to embrace a humility that is not based on offering less of ourselves but one based on offering all of ourselves but in the service of others.
Jude Jones continues our series exploring Paul's letter to the Philippians. Despite finding himself in prison, Paul operates with so much faith and Jude shares how we can learn from him to lean on God in challenging times.
Dan Miles kicks off a new series on Paul’s letter to the Philippians. We’re considering the secret Paul has learned - a secret that enables him to journey through all circumstances of life with faith, in the strength of the Lord, and with deep contentment.
Pete James wraps our mini-series on Intentional Spiritual Formation by looking at living with shared rhythms: a trellising of spiritual practices that help us be with Jesus, become like Jesus and do what Jesus did.
Pete James continues our mini-series on intentional spiritual formation by outlining the need to know our story and share our story. Pete explains that when we allow Jesus' story to collide with ours, healing and redemption are always on offer
This week at St Basil's Pete James kicks off a mini-series on Intentional Spiritual Formation looking at how we are spiritually formed by Jesus. In doing so, he points out how some of the "easier alternatives" might feel attractive but don't actually lead to us into life.
This week Pete James talks about how important it is we understand the influence of money in our lives: both its destructive power and its creative potential. He invites everyone at St Basil's to consider establishing a spiritual practice of giving and explains the different projects we are looking to fundraise for as a church. If you are part of St Basil's this is a key talk to catch up on!
This week Pete James outlines the priorities of the season we are heading into as a church community: becoming a church of many workers; being the hands and feet of Jesus in the world; and beginning the journey back to emotional and spiritual health. It is a key one to catch up on if you are a part of the St Basil’s community.
Bill Birdwood continues our teaching series on the '“Goodness of God” by explaining that the good news of Christianity should not be pictured as a set of scales on which we are judged, but a cross through which we are forgiven. He shares an inspiring story about his friend, who experienced dramatic transformation in his life through a revelation of God’s mercy.
Helen Hamilton continues our August sermon series on the "Goodness of God". Helen shares vulnerably from her own story to testify to the goodness of God in the midst of disappointment.
Abi Horne begins our new teaching series '“The Goodness of God” by sharing how God uses the weak and foolish things of the world, and that no matter how empty, broken or fragile we might feel, God longs to meet us in that place and bring us to a deeper understanding of who we are, in Christ. Nobody is disqualified or discounted, but welcomed, loved and vital in the Kingdom.
"This is Us" is a teaching series exploring the vision and values of St Basil's. This week we wrapped up the series by looking at The Imaginative Life.
Pete James describes how living with prophetic imagination – believing what could be in the face of what currently is – is one of the primary tasks of the church. If we are to live like this we have to push back against the tides of desensitisation, discounting ourselves and demoralisation.
"This is Us" is a teaching series exploring the vision and values of St Basil's. This week we looked at one of the four ways of living that we want to define us: The Open Life.
"This is Us" is a teaching series exploring the vision and values of the church. This week Dan Miles looks at our calling to live a “Presence Driven Life” – exploring the consistent calling on God’s people to live distinctive lives, hosting God’s presence for the sake of the world around them.
"This is Us" is a teaching series exploring the vision and values of the church. This week we shift to exploring the "Common Life" of the church: four ways of living that we want to define us. First up, Pete James takes a look at how Jesus lived a counter-cultural "descending life" and invites us into the same radical way of life.
"This is Us" is a teaching series exploring the vision and values of the church. In this third talk, Pete James unpacks the grand narrative of scripture as one moving from creation to renewal and explains how we are invited to join God in his mission to make all things new. He outlines the call on us to live lives characterised by kinship with the marginalised; showing mercy in the face of symptoms and seeking justice in the face of causes.
"This is Us" is a teaching series exploring the vision and values of the church. In this second message, Pete James explains how critical it is that we follow the way of Jesus, together. He explains how the rise of individualism has created a preference based society but that the church has to swim against that tide to create a Christ-like community that will be a witness in the world.
“This Is Us" is a teaching series exploring the vision and values of the church. In this first instalment, Pete James looks at what it means to be "apprentices" who are "following the way of Jesus" in our every day lives.
Ele Mumford concludes our series on Pentecost Sunday by celebrating the role of the Holy Spirit in the church. By unpacking Acts 2 and sharing stories of God at work, Ele reminds us afresh that the Holy Spirt changes us, empowers us and fills us.
Dan Miles continues the series by looking at how we’re called to be a Community of Gifts. The Spirit of God within each of us seeks to impart and activate gifts, so that as followers of Christ we can fulfil our purpose in mobilising the Church, His body, to be an agent of kingdom renewal in the world.
In the second talk in the series "One body, many parts" Pete James looks at the importance of being a Community of Unity. Pete explains that empathy – sharing in sufferings and joys – is at the heart of Paul's vision for the body of Christ and invites us to prioritise vulnerability, forgiveness and prayer.
Pete James kicks off our new teaching series called "One body, many parts: everyone is significant in the kingdom of God" by talking about being a Community of Difference. Pete explains that a weak understanding of difference leads to comments, comparison and competition whereas when we understand God designs and delights in difference, we can celebrate each other and play our part in the unfolding story of the church."
In the final talk of this mini-series looking at the dynamics of life after lockdown, Pete James look at the opportunity this time presents to let Jesus reshape our priorities in life. As our lives are "put back together again" the invitation is towards rightly-ordered loves and diaries that reflect the values of Jesus.
In part two of our teaching series called “Emerging: dynamics of life after lockdown”, Pete James looks at “emerging to people”. Observing that people seem to be experiencing both excitement and anxiety about emerging to community again, Pete explains there is grace for this moment and yet an invitation to courage too.
In part one of our teaching series called “Emerging: dynamics of life after lockdown”, Pete James looks at “emerging through pain”. Making the point that the year to come will largely be shaped by how we deal with our pain from the year that’s just gone, Pete invites us to bring our pain to Jesus to be transformed.