FIEC Resources for Church Leaders

A series of crises over the last decade has caused a massive cultural shift. How can churches face the challenge of these times? John Stevens (FIEC National Director) speaks about the current state of the nation, the challenges faced by the church in these times, and suggests ways forward for the church to hear God's call to meet those challenges for the Kingdom. 00:00 - A massive cultural change 03:34 - Liberal progressivism and identity crises 10:16 - The resilience of evangelical churches 16:57 - The church's call in challenging times 21:51 - Keep your focus on the gospel 36:50 - Establish good order in the church 44:57 - Pursue and practice godliness 56:02 - God is greater than our challenges This talk was recorded on Thursday 5 May 2022. You can watch a video of this talk and access further resources for church leaders on the FIEC website. About FIEC: We are a fellowship of Independent churches with members of the family across England, Scotland and Wales. Our mission is to see those Independent churches working together with a big vision: to reach Britain for Christ. Being part of FIEC links you to a growing number of Independent evangelical churches and there are now more than 50,000 people who are part of churches affiliated to FIEC. Follow FIEC on social media: Instagram Facebook Twitter

What should you do as you make a decision about gospel ministry in the face of ridicule from the world? John Stevens gives the third of three talks at The Hub conference from 1 Corinthians 15. To the world, church ministry is a worthless, waste of time. Yet the gospel means that church ministry is worth it because it has eternal significance. You can watch a video of this interview and access further resources for church leaders on the FIEC website. About The Hub: The Hub conference is a weekend dedicated to serving those exploring the call to Independent church ministry or who have already started the journey. It is organised by FIEC and runs every January. About FIEC: We are a fellowship of Independent churches with members of the family across England, Scotland and Wales. Our mission is to see those Independent churches working together with a big vision: to reach Britain for Christ. Being part of FIEC links you to a growing number of Independent evangelical churches and there are now more than 50,000 people who are part of churches affiliated to FIEC. Follow FIEC on social media: Instagram Facebook Twitter

Christ loves his sheep and goes after the ones who walk away from him, and calls the church to be his search party. Sam Gibb gives the second of three talks at The Hub conference from Matthew 18:18-20. Jesus loves his sheep and searches for each one that wanders - with the church as his search party. You can watch a video of this talk and access further resources for church leaders on the FIEC website. About The Hub: The Hub conference is a weekend dedicated to serving those exploring the call to Independent church ministry or who have already started the journey. It is organised by FIEC and runs every January. About FIEC: We are a fellowship of Independent churches with members of the family across England, Scotland and Wales. Our mission is to see those Independent churches working together with a big vision: to reach Britain for Christ. Being part of FIEC links you to a growing number of Independent evangelical churches and there are now more than 50,000 people who are part of churches affiliated to FIEC. Follow FIEC on social media: Instagram Facebook Twitter

You will never see how Jesus sees people unless you daily let go of ego and come to him. Humility is the most important characteristic of a church leader. Sam Gibb gives the first of three talks at The Hub conference from Matthew 18:1-14. He shows us how pride and humility affect church leadership and encourages us that we have no idea how much Christ truly cares for us. You can watch a video of this interview and access further resources for church leaders on the FIEC website. About The Hub: The Hub conference is a weekend dedicated to serving those exploring the call to Independent church ministry or who have already started the journey. It is organised by FIEC and runs every January. About FIEC: We are a fellowship of Independent churches with members of the family across England, Scotland and Wales. Our mission is to see those Independent churches working together with a big vision: to reach Britain for Christ. Being part of FIEC links you to a growing number of Independent evangelical churches and there are now more than 50,000 people who are part of churches affiliated to FIEC. Follow FIEC on social media: Instagram Facebook Twitter

What are the important things to understand and consider in leading a leadership team well? In this interview, John Russell, Lead Minister at Cornerstone Church Nottingham, speaks with FIEC Church Leadership Consultant to share insights into how he leads the leadership team at the church, and his journey to full-time ministry. You can watch a video of this interview and access further resources for church leaders on the FIEC website. About FIEC: We are a fellowship of Independent churches with members of the family across England, Scotland and Wales. Our mission is to see those Independent churches working together with a big vision: to reach Britain for Christ. Being part of FIEC links you to a growing number of Independent evangelical churches and there are now more than 50,000 people who are part of churches affiliated to FIEC. Follow FIEC on social media: Instagram Facebook Twitter

How can retiring church leaders deal well with handing on the baton and stepping back from ministry? In this interview, Peter Lewis, retired Lead Minister of Cornerstone Church in Nottingham, is joined by his successor John Russell to talk with FIEC Church Leadership Consultant Ray Evans about how he marked the end of a long ministry and approached retirement. You can watch a video of this interview and access further resources for church leaders on the FIEC website. About FIEC: We are a fellowship of Independent churches with members of the family across England, Scotland and Wales. Our mission is to see those Independent churches working together with a big vision: to reach Britain for Christ. Being part of FIEC links you to a growing number of Independent evangelical churches and there are now more than 50,000 people who are part of churches affiliated to FIEC. Follow FIEC on social media: Instagram Facebook Twitter

After a long and faithful ministry, how do you know when and how to move on? In this interview, Peter Lewis, retired Lead Minister of Cornerstone Church in Nottingham, is joined by his successor John Russell to talk with FIEC Church Leadership Consultant Ray Evans about considering retirement from ministry and how to transition leadership to the next generation. You can watch a video of this interview and access further resources for church leaders on the FIEC website. About FIEC: We are a fellowship of Independent churches with members of the family across England, Scotland and Wales. Our mission is to see those Independent churches working together with a big vision: to reach Britain for Christ. Being part of FIEC links you to a growing number of Independent evangelical churches and there are now more than 50,000 people who are part of churches affiliated to FIEC. Follow FIEC on social media: Instagram Facebook Twitter

With the 2021 Leaders' Conferences taking place in five different locations, a local pastor was asked to preach in the second session of each conference on the glorious future of the church. In Manchester, Steve Robinson, Senior Pastor at Cornerstone Church in Liverpool, preached from 1 Peter 1:3-9 on the hope that the church has for the future. You can watch or listen to all the talks at the 2021 Leaders' Conferences on the FIEC website.

With the 2021 Leaders' Conferences taking place in five different locations, a local pastor was asked to preach in the second session of each conference on the glorious future of the church. In Edinburgh, Colin Adams, Pastor-Teacher at Greenview Church in Glasgow, preached from Revelation 7:9-17 on God's people and their shepherd in the New Creation. You can watch or listen to all the talks at the 2021 Leaders' Conferences on the FIEC website.

With the 2021 Leaders' Conferences taking place in five different locations, a local pastor was asked to preach in the second session of each conference on the glorious future of the church. In London, Ray Brown, Senior Minister at Grace Church Brockley in London, preached from Psalm 87:1-7 on the heavenly city of God to which the church belongs. You can watch or listen to all the talks at the 2021 Leaders' Conferences on the FIEC website.

With the 2021 Leaders' Conferences taking place in five different locations, a local pastor was asked to preach in the second session of each conference on the glorious future of the church. In Birmingham, John Russell, Lead Minister at Cornerstone Church in Nottingham, preached from Revelation 7:1-17 on the church's protection by God and praises to God. You can watch or listen to all the talks at the 2021 Leaders' Conferences on the FIEC website.

With the 2021 Leaders' Conferences taking place in five different locations, a local pastor was asked to preach in the second session of each conference on the glorious future of the church. In Cardiff, Jonathan Thomas, Pastor of Cornerstone Church in Abergavenny, preached from Ephesians 5:25-33, on the church as the bride of Christ. You can watch or listen to all the talks at the 2021 Leaders' Conferences on the FIEC website.

Are we missing God's glory in his provision for the ordinary? At the 2021 Leaders' Conference, we considered how God's glory is seen in the ordinary and sets us free for ministry. Johnny Prime preached from Exodus 16:7 (and the wider context) at each of the 2021 FIEC Leaders' Conferences to help church leaders see that, although there is nothing ordinary about the glory of God, his glory is seen in the ordinary. You can watch or listen to the other talks at the 2021 FIEC Leaders' Conferences on the FIEC website.

We need not a new approach but to keep our heads and continue in the ordinary gospel ministry. At the 2021 Leaders' Conference, we considered what the church's response should be to the change of context after the pandemic. John Stevens preached from 2 Timothy 3:1 - 4:8 at each of the 2021 FIEC Leaders' Conferences to help church leaders see that we may need to contextualise the gospel but the heart of the message does not change. You can watch or listen to the other talks at 2021's Leaders' Conference on the FIEC website.

In this episode you'll hear Colin Smith, senior pastor of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church in Chicago Illinois, speaking at the 2019 FIEC Leaders' Conference. Colin drew leadership principles from John chapter 10. You can watch a video of this talk and access further resources on the FIEC website.

In this episode you'll hear Colin Smith, senior pastor of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church in Chicago Illinois, speak at the 2019 FIEC Leaders' Conference. Colin was speaking about the character of a leader from Deuteronomy chapter 17. You can watch a video of this talk and access further resources for church leaders on the FIEC website.

In this episode you'll hear Tope Koleoso, lead pastor at Jubilee Church in Enfield, London, speaking at the 2014 FIEC Leaders' Conference. He was leading a seminar on how to embed prayer into the life of your church. You can watch a video of this talk and access further resources for church leaders on the FIEC website.

In this episode you'll hear Jon Risbridger, Minister at Above Bar Church in Southampton, speak at the 2015 FIEC Leaders' Conference. His message was part of a series titled ‘Grace Under Pressure'. He was speaking from John chapter 21 verses 1-23. You can watch a video of this talk, and access further resources for church leaders, on the FIEC website.

In this episode you'll hear Jeremy McQuoid, Teaching Pastor at Deeside Christian Fellowship Church in Aberdeen, speak at the 2015 FIEC Leaders' Conference. His message was part of a series titled ‘Grace Under Pressure'. He was speaking from John chapter 13 verses 1-17. You can watch a video of this talk, and access further resources for church leaders, on the FIEC website.

In this episode you'll hear Paul Gamston, pastor at South Craven Evangelical Church in North Yorkshire, speaking at the 2015 FIEC Leaders' Conference. His message was part of a series titled ‘Grace Under Pressure'. He was speaking from John chapter 6 verses 60-71. You can watch a video of this talk, and access further resources for church leaders, on the FIEC website.

In this episode you'll hear Ed Stetzer, professor and dean at Wheaton College close to Chicago Illinois, speak at the 2016 FIEC Leaders' Conference. This is the second of two messages in which he helped church leaders grasp a deeper understanding of the theology of evangelism as they seek to minister in a contemporary context.

In this episode you'll hear Ed Stetzer, professor and dean at Wheaton College close to Chicago Illinois, speak at the 2016 FIEC Leaders' Conference. This is the first of two messages in which he helped church leaders grasp a deeper understanding of the theology of evangelism as they seek to minister in a contemporary context. You can watch a video of this talk, and access further resources for church leaders, on the FIEC website.

In this episode, you'll hear Don Carson, research professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois, and president of The Gospel Coalition, speaking at the 2018 FIEC Leaders' Conference. Defeater beliefs are beliefs that defeat other beliefs. As our culture frees itself more and more from Christian moorings, it adopts many defeater beliefs that make Christian witness an increasing challenge. This second of two seminars identifies some of the strongest of the current, clamouring, defeater beliefs, and explores ways of responding to them. You can watch a video of this talk, and access further resources for church leaders, on the FIEC website.

In this episode, you'll hear Don Carson, research professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois, and president of The Gospel Coalition, speaking at the 2018 FIEC Leaders' Conference. Defeater beliefs are beliefs that defeat other beliefs. As our culture frees itself more and more from Christian moorings, it adopts many defeater beliefs that make Christian witness an increasing challenge. This first of two seminars identifies some of the strongest of the current, clamouring, defeater beliefs, and explores ways of responding to them. You can watch a video of this talk and access further resources for church leaders on the FIEC website.

In this episode you'll hear Tim Chester, pastor at Grace Church Boroughbridge in Yorkshire, speak at the 2013 FIEC Leaders' Conference. Sanctification is the work of the Spirit. What does this look like and how should we encourage people to respond to the Spirit working? You can access further resources for church leaders on the FIEC website.

In this episode you'll hear Tim Chester, pastor at Grace Church Boroughbridge in Yorkshire, speak at the 2013 FIEC Leaders' Conference. Colossians 2v6-7 says we grow as Christians in the same way that we first received Christ – through faith. But what does this mean in practice? How does faith lead to change? You can access further resources for church leaders on the FIEC website.

How might there be a potential blind spot in our churches of ministry by and to women? In Galatians 2:11-21, Paul records how he had to confront Peter and Barnabas for not acting in line with the gospel in the way they were behaving towards Gentile believers. Paul calls it an 'hypocrisy' (2:13) which has led others astray. It was a blind spot that needed to be exposed. God forbid we should do likewise. We used this talk to introduce a potential blind spot with help from Rachel Sloan, our part-time Women's Ministry Coordinator, and also a part-time staff member at Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh. She helped us think about ministry by and to women. You can watch this video, along with questions to discuss with your church leadership team, on the FIEC website.

In this episode you'll hear Thabiti Anyabwile, one of the pastors of Anacostia River Church in Washington DC, speak at the 2017 FIEC Leaders' Conference. Thabiti addressed three paths toward becoming a transforming church by the grace and power of God. This is the third of three talks: considering the greatest path of transformation from 2 Corinthians chapter 3. You can watch a video of this talk, and access further resources for church leaders, on the FIEC website.

In this episode you'll hear Thabiti Anyabwile, one of the pastors of Anacostia River Church in Washington DC, speak at the 2017 FIEC Leaders' Conference. Thabiti addressed three paths toward becoming a transforming church by the grace and power of God. This is the second of three talks: considering the neglected path of transformation from Titus 2 and 3. You can watch a video of this talk, and access further resources for church leaders, on the FIEC website.

In this episode you'll hear Thabiti Anyabwile, one of the pastors of Anacostia River Church in Washington DC, speak at the 2017 FIEC Leaders' Conference. Thabiti addressed three paths toward becoming a transforming church by the grace and power of God. This is the first of three talks: considering the old path of transformation from Acts 2. You can watch this talk, and find more resources for church leaders, on the FIEC website.

Many of the coronavirus restrictions across Britain have now been relaxed. What does this mean for churches now and in the future? FIEC National Director John Stevens and FIEC Scotland Director Andy Hunter give an update and summary of the current coronavirus guidance for Scotland, Wales, and England, and consider what ministry might look like in the coming months. You can watch this webinar and access further resources on the FIEC website.

How might there be a potential blind spot in our churches of minority cultures? How we can serve one another well in church life? In Galatians 2:11-21, Paul records how he had to confront Peter and Barnabas for not acting in line with the gospel in the way they were behaving towards Gentile believers. Paul calls it a 'hypocrisy' (2:13) which has led others astray. It was a blind spot that needed to be exposed. God forbid we should do likewise. We used this talk to introduce a potential blind spot with help from Inonge Siluka, a member at Greenview Church in Glasgow, and a regular blogger and speaker. She helped us think about minority cultures and how we serve one another well in church life. You can watch this talk, along with questions for discussion with your church leadership team, on the FIEC website.

During this week's Leadership in Lockdown webinar, FIEC National Director John Stevens gave an update on the relaxation of coronavirus restrictions in England and the implications for churches. You can watch this presentation along with the webinar, on living in a post-Christian culture, on the FIEC website.

How do we live as "bad guys" in a post-Christian culture? In this Leadership in Lockdown webinar, FIEC National Director John Stevens is joined by pastor and author Steve McAlpine from Perth, Australia, to talk about the themes in his book 'Being the Bad Guys'. You can watch this presentation and access further resources on the FIEC website.

As we look ahead from the Covid crisis to continue church ministry after lockdown, FIEC National Director John Stevens is joined by Ed Drew, from Faith in Kids, and Mel Lacy, from Growing Young Disciples, to think about how we develop children's and youth ministry in the coming months. You can access further resources from this webinar on the FIEC website.

There has been an immense burden and impact on older people during the coronavirus pandemic. There is a real opportunity to reach out to more than 11m people who are aged over 65 in the UK. In this Leadership in Lockdown webinar, FIEC National Director John Stevens was joined by Carl Knightly, CEO of Faith in Later Life, and Pippa Cramer, Pastoral Care and Seniors Minister at Holy Trinity Church Claygate, in Surrey, to discuss how our churches can reach older people well with the gospel. You can watch this webinar and access further resources on the FIEC website.

During this week's Leadership in Lockdown webinar, FIEC National Director John Stevens gave an update covering the latest situation with coronavirus restrictions in England - including corporate singing. You can watch this presentation - and the webinar on reaching and serving older people in our churches and communities - on the FIEC website.

Earlier this week, the government announced a four-week postponement of Stage 4 out of lockdown. During this week's Leadership in Lockdown webinar, FIEC National Director John Stevens gave an update on what the implications are for churches in England. You can watch this presentation on YouTube. You can access more resources for church leaders on the FIEC website.

How can we care well for people in our churches who have experienced trauma during the pandemic? During this webinar, FIEC National Director John Stevens was joined by Catherine Haddow, a Chartered Psychologist and part-time Women's Worker at North Bradley Baptist Church, to think about how church leaders can care best for those in their churches who have experienced trauma. This is an especially important topic as the effects of the coronavirus pandemic are felt as society opens up more in the coming weeks and months. You can watch the webinar and access further resources from the FIEC website.

Jonathan Thomas, the pastor at Cornerstone Church Abergavenny, explains what the implications of the coronavirus restrictions are for churches in Wales, and how Cornerstone has been serving during lockdown. You can find more resources for church leaders on the FIEC website.

During this week's Leadership in Lockdown webinar, FIEC National Director John Stevens gave an update covering the latest situation with coronavirus restrictions in England. Also during the webinar, Jonathan Thomas, pastor at Cornerstone Church in Abergavenny gave an update on the situation in Wales. You can access more resources for church leaders on the FIEC website.

Orlando Saer, the pastor at Christ Church Southampton, shares how the church has been serving during lockdown. You can watch this presentation, and find more resources for church leaders, on the FIEC website.

During this week's Leadership in Lockdown webinar, FIEC Scotland Director Andy Hunter shared the latest coronavirus restrictions for churches in Scotland and FIEC National Director John Stevens gave an update covering the restrictions in England. You can watch this presentation as a video, along with this week's webinar, on the FIEC website.

Colin Smith, pastor of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church in Chicago, USA, joined us for this week's Leadership in Lockdown webinar to preach from Malachi 3:13-18 as an encouragement to church leaders that their labour in the Lord is not in vain. You can watch this webinar, and find further resources for church leaders, on the FIEC website.

Coming out of lockdown will be much harder than going in to lockdown. What do we need to think about now as we do come out of lockdown? FIEC National Director John Stevens spoke to local churches in the South West Gospel Partnership in March 2021 to help them think about what to consider as lockdown restrictions are eased. You can watch a video of this presentation, and access further resources for church leaders, on the FIEC website.

The Queen's Speech to Parliament in May 2021 announced plans to bring forward legislation to ban “conversion therapy”. Though there are many practices evangelical Christians should rightly reject as abhorrent, there is also a real threat to ordinary gospel ministry. In this episode, you'll hear FIEC National Director John Stevens speaking to Paul Hammond on UCB's Friday Round Up (recorded 19 March 2021) about the proposed ban to "conversion therapy". For a written, biblical response to conversion therapy, visit the FIEC website.

In this Leadership in Lockdown webinar, FIEC National Director John Stevens is joined by social entrepreneur Dr Krish Kandiah to discuss why the issue of race is such a big deal at the moment, how it has impacted church leaders, and how churches can be part of the welcome reception for the many thousands of Hong Kong new arrivals. You can watch the video of this webinar and access further resources on the FIEC website.

Step 3 of the Government's Roadmap Out of Lockdown from 17 May sees a change in tone in relation to the guidance for places of worship. While churches (along with wider society) are still being urged to exercise caution with regards to indoor interaction, the emphasis is now switching from laws and guidance to personal responsibility. That said, there are still mitigations churches need to consider in holding worship services and events at church. FIEC National Director John Stevens shares how the changes in Step 3 will impact church ministry. You can watch the video of this presentation on the FIEC website.

Mez McConnell, pastor at Niddrie Community Church in Edinburgh, shares how his church has been serving through lockdown. This talk was given during the Leadership in Lockdown webinar on the theme of domestic abuse in lockdown. You can watch the full webinar, with Mez and Sharon Dickens, on the FIEC website.

In light of the announcement by the Prime Minister this week, that the Roadmap out of Lockdown is going ahead on 17 May, FIEC National Director John Stevens gives an update on the implications for church leaders and their churches. You can watch the presentation on YouTube. This talk was given during this week's Leadership in Lockdown webinar on the topic of domestic abuse in lockdown. You can watch the webinar and access further resources on the FIEC website.

How can churches and church leaders respond to hidden domestic abuse in church life? The problems of domestic abuse have been highlighted through the Covid crisis, and many church leaders feel inadequate to know how to respond. Mez McConnell and Sharon Dickens, from Niddrie Community Church and 20 Schemes join FIEC National Director John Stevens to help us think about how we can pastorally serve our churches and people in the area of domestic violence. You can access further resources on the FIEC website.