John Stevens
National Director
John Stevens is the FIEC National Director, a role he has held since September 2010. Alongside his FIEC responsibilities, he is one of the pastors of Christchurch Harborough and a member of the Affinity Council.
John teaches on courses at Oak Hill Theological College, Edinburgh Theological Seminary, Union School of Theology and the Cornhill Training Course. He is the editor of Independent Church: Bible-Shaped and Gospel-Driven and the author of How Can I Be Sure?: And Other Questions About Doubt, Assurance and the Bible.
Born and raised in Birmingham, John studied Law at Cambridge University where he became a Christian in his final year. He then taught Law for sixteen years and served as the Deputy Head of the Law Faculty at the University of Birmingham.
John is married to Ursula and they have four children. He writes regularly for his blog Dissenting Opinion at john-stevens.com.
Author Content
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Public Square Debates, Abuse in the Church, and Disqualifying Demeanors
Public Square Debates, Abuse in the Church, and Disqualifying Demeanors
Phil Topham , John Stevens , Adrian Reynolds
How should we conduct debates in the public square? Could abuse happen in FIEC churches? Should past actions disqualify you from present service?
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"I Am the Resurrection and the Life"
"I Am the Resurrection and the Life"
John Stevens
Jesus the life-giving Shepherd reveals the glory of God as he brings dead people to life. From the 2024 Leaders' Conference.
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Makin Report, Donald Trump, and Gladiator II
Makin Report, Donald Trump, and Gladiator II
Phil Topham , John Stevens , Adrian Reynolds
How can we reflect on the Makin Report? Is the US election result good for the gospel? Can we watch Gladiator II?
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The Budget, US Elections, and Infinite Monkeys
The Budget, US Elections, and Infinite Monkeys
Phil Topham , John Stevens , Adrian Reynolds
What implications will the budget have for churches? Should you vote for a rock or a hard place? Can monkeys type Shakespeare?
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Evangelism Conference, Obesity Crisis, and Church Votes
Evangelism Conference, Obesity Crisis, and Church Votes
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
What encouragements came from the Evangelism Conference? Should we lose weight through medicine? What can the Tory vote teach us about church votes?
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A Small Part of the Worldwide Church
A Small Part of the Worldwide Church
Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
The Lausanne Congress gathered 5,000 evangelical leaders from around the world. What lessons can UK church leaders learn from it?
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Lessons from the Global Church
Lessons from the Global Church
John Stevens
Eleven reflections from the Fourth Lausanne Congress on World Evangelisation which brought together 5,000 church leaders from across the world.
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Middle East Conflict, Church Abuse, and Catastrophising
Middle East Conflict, Church Abuse, and Catastrophising
Phil Topham , John Stevens , Adrian Reynolds
How do we keep praying for the Middle East? What lessons are there from recent church abuse scandals? Why should we try to stay optimistic?
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Evangelical Unity, Escalation of War, and Assisted Suicide
Evangelical Unity, Escalation of War, and Assisted Suicide
Phil Topham , John Stevens , Adrian Reynolds
How do evangelical church leaders work together? How can we pastor people in the midst of war? How should churches respond to assisted suicide?
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Grenfell Blame, Keir Starmer's Realism, and Paralympic Inspiration
Grenfell Blame, Keir Starmer's Realism, and Paralympic Inspiration
Phil Topham , John Stevens , Adrian Reynolds
How holistic should our care of the flock be? How do you lead with bad news? What do the Paralympics teach us about church life?
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Holiday Theology, Equal Olympics, and Dudley-Smith's Hymns
Holiday Theology, Equal Olympics, and Dudley-Smith's Hymns
Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
Why are holidays important? Have the 2024 Olympics been equal? What is the legacy of Timothy Dudley-Smith?
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Assassination Attempts, Changes from Government, and Resigning After Success
Assassination Attempts, Changes from Government, and Resigning After Success
Phil Topham , John Stevens , Rachel Sloan
Did strong rhetoric lead to the assassination attempt on Trump? How do you deal well with change? What can we learn from Southgate's resignation?
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General Election Results, 'Conversion Therapy' Bans, and Baton Passing
General Election Results, 'Conversion Therapy' Bans, and Baton Passing
Phil Topham , John Stevens , Andy Hunter
What do the general election results mean for church leaders? What might a 'conversion therapy' ban look like? What can leaders learn from Joe Biden?
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Majority Government, Churches for Sale, and McIlory's Reconciliation
Majority Government, Churches for Sale, and McIlory's Reconciliation
Phil Topham , John Stevens , Adrian Reynolds
How can we lead fairly when one group has a majority of power? Why are Scottish churches being sold? How does McIlroy's marriage reflect the gospel?
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D-Day 80, Election Debates, and Rob Burrow
D-Day 80, Election Debates, and Rob Burrow
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
What reflections are there from D-Day's anniversary? How can we learn from election debates? What can we take from Rob Burrow's heroism & friendship?
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Pastoring Through a General Election
Pastoring Through a General Election
Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens , Justin Gill
As we approach a general election, we need to help our churches to be confident in God's sovereignty, prayerful, and thoughtful in decision-making.
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Cover-ups, Pope Francis, and Football Managers
Cover-ups, Pope Francis, and Football Managers
Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens , Graham Beynon
Why do we so often try to cover-up scandals? Are people 'fundamentally good'? How are pastors like football managers?
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Social Media Dangers, Leading While Losing, and Eurovision
Social Media Dangers, Leading While Losing, and Eurovision
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
How can we protect children from the dangers of social media? How can we lead while losing? Has Eurovision gone for style over substance?
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Illegal Immigration, Leadership Styles, and Blackpool Rock
Illegal Immigration, Leadership Styles, and Blackpool Rock
Phil Topham , John Stevens , Adrian Reynolds
What is a Christian response to illegal immigration? What can we learn from Liz Truss and Humza Yousaf? Will we be able to buy rock from Blackpool?
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Welcome to the Family (Winter 2023/24)
Welcome to the Family (Winter 2023/24)
John Stevens
Find out more about the five churches and three church plants that affiliated to FIEC over the winter.
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Gospel Coalition UK, Cass Review, and Rishi Sunak's Trainers
Gospel Coalition UK, Cass Review, and Rishi Sunak's Trainers
John Stevens , Adrian Reynolds , Phil Topham
Why is a Gospel Coalition UK being considered? What are the implications of the gender services review? Why should we care about the PM's trainers?
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Boring Leaders, Secular Neutrality, and Ramadan at King's Cross
Boring Leaders, Secular Neutrality, and Ramadan at King's Cross
John Stevens , Adrian Reynolds , Phil Topham
Is there something to say for being a boring leader? How is the secular world struggling to stay neutral? Why did King's Cross celebrate Ramadan?
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Defining Extremism, Slavery Reparations, and Deep Fakes
Defining Extremism, Slavery Reparations, and Deep Fakes
Phil Topham , John Stevens , Graham Beynon
What is the definition of extremism vs free speech? How do we differentiate between guilt and consequences? How can we discern the truth of media?
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Independency: the Freedom to Be Faithful
Phil Topham , John Stevens
Independent churches are free to stand firm for biblical truth whilst reflecting the diversity of their individual contexts.
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