St Michaels Church Podcast

Jamie Mulvaney sits down with Associate Vicar, Simon Watkinson to explore human flourishing and the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the church. Following the launch of St Michael's new Flourish series, they reflect on what it means to receive life from God rather than trying to manufacture it ourselves. You can catch up on Jamie's talk from Sunday: https://youtu.be/whCF79Ugyd4?si=5bdl1QNlnWwTLy1a Jamie shares what didn't make it into Sunday's talk, including the connection between being rooted in Scripture, delighting in God, and being sustained by the life-giving presence of the Holy Spirit. Simon and Jamie discuss the pressure many people feel to create their own identity, control their future, and chase the next “life hack”, and how Christianity offers a different vision: receiving who we are from the God who knows and loves us. The conversation also looks at why flourishing is never purely individual. From gathering as a church to waiting faithfully on God, Jamie and Simon explore how the Holy Spirit forms people not in isolation, but in community. They reflect on prayer ministry, the importance of creating space for God to move, and how both giving and receiving prayer can become places of encounter, growth, and blessing. This conversation is for: –anyone feeling spiritually dry or unsure where God is in their current season –church leaders thinking about how to create space for the Holy Spirit in gathered worship –those wrestling with the pressure to define themselves, control their life, or find the next fix for flourishing –anyone curious about prayer ministry, the Holy Spirit, and what it means to meet with God in community Make sure to subscribe, and we'd love to see you on a Sunday soon. https://stmichaelschestersquare.org/ https://www.instagram.com/stmichaelschestersquare/ https://www.tiktok.com/@st.michaels.chester.sqr

We all long to flourish, yet life can leave us feeling restless, scattered, and unrooted. The Holy Spirit roots us in God's story, draws us into real community, and helps us flourish together rather than alone. True flourishing comes from being filled with the Spirit, staying connected, and living with purpose wherever God has placed us.

Jamie Mulvaney sits down with Associate Vicar, Simon Watkinson to look back on their 12-week journey through the book of Nehemiah in the Rebuilders series. What began as a systematic walk through an Old Testament book became a catalyst for transformation at St Michael's Chester Square—culminating in an unexpected outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the series' final weeks. You can catch up on the Rebuilders series: • Rebuilders Jamie unpacks why he chose to move slowly and deliberately through Nehemiah rather than cherry-picking favourite passages. Simon and Jamie discovered unexpected treasures and challenges in chapters about marriage, Sabbath, and finances that might otherwise have been overlooked. Jamie explores the paradox at the heart of rebuilding: how do we partner with God in building His church when ultimately it's Christ who does the building? Simon identifies complacency as the series' most persistent challenge, asking penetrating questions: What have we settled for that's 'okay but not the best'? Where have we allowed God's renown to take second place to our comfort? Meanwhile, Jamie reflects on how prayer emerged as the undergirding theme—not prayer as passive waiting, but prayer as the furnace that fuels action and ensures God defines both the ‘what' and the ‘when' of ministry. This conversation is for: --church leaders navigating seasons of change and rebuilding --anyone wrestling with what it means to work hard while trusting God completely --those who want to see beyond the immediate project to the deeper work God is doing in building His people --pastors and ministry teams planning sermon series and wondering whether to go topical or systematic Make sure to subscribe, and we'd love to see you on a Sunday soon. https://stmichaelschestersquare.org/ https://www.instagram.com/stmichaelschestersquare/ https://www.tiktok.com/@st.michaels.chester.sqr

In the final week of our Rebuilders series in Nehemiah, we looked at Nehemiah 13. Rebuilding requires us to give all of ourselves, not just a part.

Welcome to our first episode of the Equip Podcast from St Michael's Chester Square in central London. We want to equip the local and global church in ministry and mission through longer form conversations and talks. In today's episode, Vicar Jamie Mulvaney sits down with Worship Pastor, Dwaine Morgan, for a candid conversation about authentic worship, sacrifice, and encountering God's presence. Dwaine brings his insight from stepping into the Church of England from a Pentecostal worship background, and what he's learnt from both. You can catch up on the talk referred to in this episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weJjwLqBfoU And you can catch up on the Rebuilders series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFbwp0n7VmNQweTMXIL4UjnCTR0Zf1Rig&si=fpXVa0dCDbsBRs1l Following an extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit during Sunday services, Dwaine shares his insights on what it means to truly worship God—not just through music, but through our entire lives. Drawing from the church's Rebuilders series on Nehemiah, this conversation explores the tension between traditional and contemporary worship, the role of emotions in encountering God, and why dedication must precede celebration. Dwaine opens up about his personal journey through unimaginable grief after losing his daughter, revealing how worship became not just an act of service, but a weapon of faith in the darkest moments. He challenges listeners to move beyond preference-based Christianity to a life of radical surrender. This episode is for: --anyone wrestling with what authentic worship looks like in a culture of convenience --worship leaders seeking to create space for genuine encounter rather than manufactured moments --worship leaders looking to bridge the gap between traditional and contemporary forms of worship --believers who want to experience the transformative power of God's presence in both the mundane and miraculous moments of life --believers who are unsure about manifestations of the Holy Spirit in church services Make sure to subscribe to the St Michael's podcast, and we'd love to see you on a Sunday soon. https://stmichaelschestersquare.org/ https://www.instagram.com/stmichaelschestersquare/ https://www.tiktok.com/@st.michaels.chester.sqr

From our 9.30am service. Worship is more than a song or a Sunday expression. It is a life of surrender, joy, sacrifice, and recognising God's goodness in every part of our lives. Through Nehemiah's dedication of the wall, we are reminded that even the places of brokenness, shame, and vulnerability can become platforms for praise. God invites us to worship Him with our whole lives, not because we always feel like it, but because He is worthy.

Worship is more than a song or a Sunday expression. It is a life of surrender, joy, sacrifice, and recognising God's goodness in every part of our lives. Through Nehemiah's dedication of the wall, we are reminded that even the places of brokenness, shame, and vulnerability can become platforms for praise. God invites us to worship Him with our whole lives, not because we always feel like it, but because He is worthy.

Wholehearted faith is more than a general desire to follow God, it is worked out in the details of our everyday lives. Through our relationships, rest, resources and commitments, God invites us to give Him every part of who we are. As we trust His goodness and open ourselves to His Spirit, our lives can become a clearer witness to His glory and blessing for the world around us.

Real renewal does not begin with politics or performance, but with hearts turned back to God. God restores people through celebration, honest confession, and a shared commitment to live faithfully together. It is a reminder that repentance is shaped by God's kindness, and that faith was never meant to be lived alone. As the church remembers God's goodness, it is called to become a community that brings hope and healing to the city around it.

The cross is not a story of an angry God needing to be persuaded to love, but of divine love moving first to rescue, restore, and bring people home. This talk explores how Jesus' death reveals victory over sin and death, the true cost of human brokenness, and the justice of God standing with those who suffer. At the centre of it all is the truth that nothing can make God let go of His creation. Holy Week invites us to see the cross not as weakness, but as the clearest picture of a love powerful enough to transform everything.

A true homecoming is not just about rebuilding what is around us, but allowing God to rebuild what is within us. This reflects on our deep need for God's presence and his word, showing how real renewal begins when our hearts are awakened to him again. It also reminds us that conviction is never meant to drive us into despair, because God welcomes us with joy, grace, and open arms. In Jesus, we find the home, hope, and lasting joy our souls have been searching for.

Easter speaks hope into a world that feels shaken, reminding us that Jesus did not stay distant from our pain, fear, and brokenness but entered it fully. Through the cross and resurrection, he defeats sin, fear, and death, making a way for us to know God and live with courage and joy. Whatever feels unstable in life right now, the risen Jesus meets us there and calls us not to be afraid, but to live with purpose and hope.

Good Friday | Simon Watkinson | 03.04.26 by St Michael's Church, Chester Square

Palm Sunday | Mark Beard | 29.03.26 by St Michael's Church, Chester Square

The beauty of redemption is that forgiveness is not something we earn, but something God freely gives through Jesus. We do not need to fix ourselves before coming to God, because it is God who restores, forgives, and makes us whole. Redemption is both the beginning of new life and the ongoing work of God shaping us into who we were made to be.

Sian Brookes spoke to our women's brunch about Living as a New Creation, looking at Ephesians 4:22-24.

This message reflects on the holiness of God and the reality of sin, showing how easily we can become numb to what pulls us away from Him. It points to the hope of Jesus, who takes our brokenness and offers forgiveness, freedom, and a new way to live

This message reminds us that rebuilding is not just about structures, but about becoming a people with a heart for God and a heart for others. It calls the church to put worship, integrity and stewardship at the centre, while also showing up for people with presence, welcome and practical love.

Rebuilders: Rebuilding with Perseverance | Mark Beard | 01.03.26 by St Michael's Church, Chester Square

Injustice often creeps in quietly—even among God's people—and that righteous anger should move us to action. Where has God placed influence, resources, or opportunity in your life to bring change? You don't have to fix everything—just be faithful with what's in your hands. As a church in the heart of London, may God break our hearts for what breaks His—and send us out as peacemakers this week.

Nehemiah 4 shows what it looks like to keep rebuilding when resistance hits from the outside and fatigue rises within. The message encourages us to face the reality honestly, but to lift our eyes and remember the Lord who fights for us, giving us courage to keep building. It ultimately points to Jesus, who took the full weight of opposition so we can be rebuilt with hope and resilience.

Nehemiah 3 shows God rebuilding through ordinary people from every background simply showing up and doing their part. The talk challenges us to see our everyday front line (home, work, neighbourhood) as real kingdom work, and not get distracted by those who opt out. It also invites anyone who feels disqualified or has drifted to come back, because God uses willing people, not perfect ones.

Rebuilders: Rebuilding on pause | Simon Watkinson | 01.02.26 by St Michael's Church, Chester Square

Today Jamie starts a new series as Rebuilders with a heart for London. We reflect on Nehemiah's response to a broken city and what it means for us today. Repentance helps us face the brutal reality honestly while grounding our hope in God, not ourselves. From that place, boldness grows and we are called to take responsibility in rebuilding our lives, our church, and our city for God's glory.

Peter and John show how being with Jesus changes ordinary people in extraordinary ways. Their faith couldn't be silenced because what they had seen and experienced was too real to keep to themselves. The passage challenges us to live a faith that naturally speaks through both our lives and our words.

Get Ready: Equip (The Quiet Revival) | David Walker | 11.01.26 by St Michael's Church, Chester Square

As a new year begins, we're invited to make prayer the foundation of everyday life, bringing every situation before God. This reflection reminds us that prayer starts with who Jesus is and the victory He has already won, not with our anxiety. The challenge is to carry simple, specific prayers into daily rhythms and let them shape the year ahead.

Christmas Day | Mark Beard | 25.12.25 by St Michael's Church, Chester Square

Midnight Communion | Simon Watkinson | 24.12.25 by St Michael's Church, Chester Square

God's desire has always been to be near His people, from the tabernacle in Exodus to the opening of John's Gospel. That longing is fully realised in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh who comes to dwell among us. Using the beauty of architecture as a picture, this invites us to rediscover the wonder of Christ at Christmas and to fix our eyes on Him above everything else.

Christmas points us back to God as creator, not only of the world, but of each of us. It reminds us that Jesus is the one who made us, knows us, and longs to restore what feels broken or worn down. True renewal does not come from reinventing ourselves, but from reconnecting with our creator. In doing so, we rediscover our identity, worth, and fullness of life.

This talk reflects on what it means to belong to a church shaped by the life and love of God, rather than something humans invented. Drawing from Ephesians and Matthew, it shows how baptism draws us into God's family and builds us into one people with Christ at the centre. It explores how the early church wrestled with truth, unity and worship, and how those foundations still form our identity today. It ends by pointing us to the hope of resurrection and the life we are being prepared for as we grow together in Christ.

This talk explores what it means to be part of a global and historic church shaped by the life of God himself. It traces how the early councils, baptism, and the Creed all reveal a God who draws us into his love and forms us into a people, not isolated individuals. It highlights how the church, though imperfect, is built on Christ and called to reflect his unity, holiness, and purpose in the world. It closes by pointing us toward the hope of resurrection and the life to come, where we are fully united with Christ and fully ourselves.

Even small offerings can become meaningful when we place them in Jesus' hands. Shared commitment and thoughtful structure help create space for the church to grow and thrive. At the centre of it all is Jesus himself, our provider and our provision, whom we meet again at the table of grace.

Jesus meets people in their hunger, offering rest, compassion and guidance to those who feel worn out or lost. The message invites us to bring our needs to him and trust his power rather than our own limits. Dwaine's story shows how Jesus can heal deep wounds, bring freedom and reshape a life from the inside out. We're reminded that encountering Jesus changes us and helps us become a community that reflects his love to others.

This message lifts our eyes to Jesus, who stands above us and stays close to us even when the world feels heavy. Revelation is framed not as something to fear, but as a reminder of hope and a wake-up call to live with purpose as we wait for his return. We're encouraged to let our lives shine by keeping Jesus at the centre and choosing courage and faith in the everyday. At its heart, it's an invitation to know him, walk with him and be ready for the day he comes again.

The resurrection of Jesus gives us a hope that holds steady in every season. It shapes how we live today and how we see the future. This hope rests on God's love and power, not wishful thinking. We're encouraged to trust that nothing placed in God's hands is ever wasted. Jess Norman is Assistant Lecturer and Tutor in Theology at St Mellitus, and leads the Beginning Theology Course. She is currently undertaking a PhD in Paul's letters, having completed an MA in Biblical Study at King's College London and a BA in Theology & Youth Ministry too.

This Remembrance Sunday message reflects on Jesus and the Canaanite woman as a picture of love that crosses every border. Her faith reveals Christ's mercy that reaches even those once seen as outsiders. Just as soldiers gave their lives for our freedom, Jesus gave His for His enemies. True freedom comes through self-sacrificial love that breaks down walls and brings peace.

This message unpacks who the Holy Spirit is. Not an abstract force, but the Lord and giver of life who draws us into God's love. It reminds us that the Spirit is personal, powerful, and worthy of worship. Through Him we receive life, gifts, and freedom to glorify God and build his church. As we invite the Holy Spirit to lead us, we encounter God in a deeper, life-changing way.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ. Fully God. Fully man. The hero who came not to demand our reach upward, but to reach down to us. This message reminds us that God is not distant, that His glory lives within us.

The Creed: The Father, The Creator | Louisa Mulvaney | 19.10.25 by St Michael's Church, Chester Square

The creed reminds us who God is and what we believe, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God through all generations. As the church in the heart of London, we're called to hold fast to this truth with faith, love, and courage, sharing it afresh with every generation.

Faith isn't neat or polished. It's raw, grateful, and poured out in love. When we bring our whole selves to Jesus, our pride, our shame, our past, He meets us with forgiveness and grace

We believe God is calling us to be a guardian city. A church of prayer, peace, and protection in the heart of London. Just as St Michael points us to Jesus, we want to be a people who are bold, empowering, and loving, standing together for our city and celebrating God's goodness.

God calls us to be bold, empowering, and loving. As we settle, sow, and serve, we seek the peace of London. Trusting that when the city flourishes, we too will flourish.

When God sees London, He sees a garden. A city renewed and filled with His presence. We're called to be bold, empowering, and loving, so that London and the world would know Jesus' heart.

London doesn't need optimising, it needs transforming. This talk calls us to be bold: to stay salty, grow in number, and spread out across the city, bringing growth and guarding against decay. We're invited to repent, shine publicly, on the street and online, and welcome people to encounter Jesus through community, courses, and Sundays. Let's be a church that can't be hidden! The salt of the earth and light of the world.

God's presence filled the tent—so tangible Moses couldn't enter. This message calls us to live a presence-led life: staying when He stays, moving when He moves, and trusting Jesus as the bridge who brings us near.

We all chase the “best version” of ourselves, but real transformation doesn't come from striving — it comes from God's presence. This message explores how, like Moses, we can reflect His glory and be changed into the likeness of Jesus.

So often we settle for substitutes, things that feel familiar but never truly satisfy. Yet God offers us something real: His presence. This message reminds us that through Jesus, we can meet with God any time, anywhere, about anything. Just as Moses spoke with God “as a friend,” we too are invited into that kind of closeness. No elaborate rituals. No perfect conditions. Just an open step of faith into His presence.

Many see God's commands as a checklist or a reason to keep Him at a distance. But what if they were actually an invitation? This message explores how God calls His people to draw near and live in holy reverence, an awe that doesn't push us away in fear, but pulls us closer in trust. Through Jesus, we can approach the God whose presence once shook Mount Sinai with both intimacy and confidence. Discover how nearness and reverence can shape your everyday walk with Him.