Yesterday, I wrote about the importance of physically blessing our communities. In particular, I am keen to start businesses in our neighbourhood that serve the
Stephen Kneale
My name is Stephen Kneale. I am married to Rachel and have a son called Clement. My wife and I also have a second child on the way. I am the pastor at Oldham Bethel Church, an FIEC church in the Greater Manchester area of the UK which is also affiliated to the North West Partnership.
I hold qualifications in History & Politics (BA, University of Liverpool), Religious Studies & Philosophy (PGCE, Edge Hill University) and Theology (MA, Kings Evangelical Divinity School). I have also contributed to the academic journal The Evangelical Review of Theology and Politics.
My theological convictions can be described as Modern Reformed Evangelical. I hold to the doctrines of grace, credo-baptism (significantly informed by my Grace Baptist/strict & particular baptist background) and subscribe to the traditional tenets of Evangelicalism.
My political convictions can be described as left-leaning. I favour public ownership, wealth distribution and a regulated economy. I believe in fairness in the markets and freedom for the individual.
The importance of presence and physically blessing our communities
I have increasingly been challenged by the need to be a real and active presence in the community. Don’t get me wrong, our church is
Prepare yourself with a better answer than ‘just don’t’
I was just coming off the back of a chronic and severe mental health episode that had been raging for just over a couple of
Four reasons church discipline matters
Many people view church discipline negatively. Words like unloving or unkind frequently get bandied about whenever it is mentioned. The culture of affirmation – that
So, I’ve preached my last sermon for a while
It seems I have preached my last sermon for a month and a bit, which feels like a weird place to be. I remain the
Snippets from the interweb (25th April 2021)
How to be a successful failing pastor I think there is something worth considering in this one: ‘Success might be the worst possible thing that