Crumbs from the Table

I have been interested in Eastern Orthodoxy ever since spending my linguist's year abroad in Novosibirsk in 1995/6. On my return, I began to read up about church history, and was later encouraged in that by my friend, Donald Fairbairn, who was at that time a PhD student at Cambridge. I have pursued this interest ever since then, researching and teaching the church history course at Novosibirsk Baptist Seminary, and later completing an MTh thesis accredited by Glasgow University on the missionary work undertaken from Constantinople 397-1453. As evangelical Christians, we have a huge amount to learn from our Orthodox brethren, past and present. As much as is possible, I try to engage in dialogue with Orthodox brothers and sisters, both finding common ground and also identifying areas of disagreement which prevent full communion at the present time.* 'Orthodox exclusivism' However, it is one thing to recognise some Orthodox as brothers and sisters in Christ, and to seek a meas...

When I moved to Greater Manchester in 2021, I was surprised to discover that the major evangelical churches, in particular City Church Manchester and Grace Church Manchester, were only recently planted. I wanted to find out about the historic Manchester evangelical churches. (This timeline focuses on non-Anglican churches.)   (1649) A Baptist congregation met on the grounds of what is now  Chetham's school of Music  during the English civil war and early Commonwealth years under the leadership of John Wigan. (1657) During the time of the Commonwealth, Henry Newcome, a Presbyterian, served as minister at the Collegiate church (now Manchester Cathedral ). Around the time of the Great Ejection in 1662, Henry Newcome's ministry at the Collegiate church came to an end.   (1670) Having been banished in 1665 under the Five Mile Act, Henry Newcome returned to Manchester and obtained a licence to hold services of worship in his home.  (1687) A barn on what is...

This post was inspired by a talk given by James Mollitt at a recent pastors' fraternal in Bolton. It is also based on the book "Assist me to proclaim" by John Tyson.  Charles Wesley was an Anglican Christian pastor who lived in the 1700s. He is best known as a hymn-writer, and as the brother of John Wesley. Both brothers were leading figures in what is known as the Methodist Revival, a revival of Protestant faith in Britain which began around the time of Charles' and John's conversion in 1738.  Charles was born in 1707, the son of Christian parents, Samuel and Susannah Wesley, who had become High Church Anglicans from a non-Anglican background. Samuel Wesley was the Christian minister of the parish of Epworth. It was a large family and they lived in the rectory (pastor's residence). One day the rectory caught fire and all the children had to be rescued.  Having studied well at school, Charles won a scholarship (paid place) at Oxford University. At university C...