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 Market 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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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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Alexei Navalny, Parliament Chaos, and Life from Conception
Alexei Navalny, Parliament Chaos, and Life from Conception
Phil Topham , John Stevens , Adrian Reynolds
What can we learn from Alexei Navalny's life? What does chaos in Westminster teach us? How can we show that life is valuable from conception?
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Leadership Opposition, Capital Punishment, and Secular Schools
Leadership Opposition, Capital Punishment, and Secular Schools
Phil Topham , Graham Beynon , John Stevens
How should leaders react to opposition? Where should Christians stand on capital punishment? Should secular schools make space for religious practice?
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Post Office Scandal, Strikes in the Middle East, and Conversion Therapy in Scotland
Post Office Scandal, Strikes in the Middle East, and Conversion Therapy in Scotland
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
What can we take from the Post Office scandal? How should we respond to conflict in Yemen? How could conversion therapy plans affect church ministry?
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2023: Year in Review
Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
A look back at the encouragements and challenges for FIEC and FIEC churches in 2023.
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Optimism for Gospel Growth (Annual Review 2022/23)
John Stevens
There are reasons for optimism when we look at the growth of the gospel in FIEC and its churches over the past year.
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Welcome to the Family (Autumn 2023)
Welcome to the Family (Autumn 2023)
John Stevens
We are delighted to have welcomed thirteen churches and two church plants into the Fellowship during the second half of 2023.
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Are We Allowed to Disagree About Justice Issues?
Are We Allowed to Disagree About Justice Issues?
Paul Mallard , Daniel Strange , Bill James , John Stevens
Are we at liberty to reach different conclusions about cultural engagement and issues of justice? A seminar from the 2023 Leaders' Conference.
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Justice Displayed
Justice Displayed
John Stevens
The work of the church is not simply to enjoy God’s justice, but to display it to the world as servants of Christ. From the 2023 Leaders' Conference.
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Same-Sex Blessing Vote, 'Conversion Therapy' Bill, and Suella Braver-gone
Same-Sex Blessing Vote, 'Conversion Therapy' Bill, and Suella Braver-gone
Graham Beynon , John Stevens , Phil Topham
How significant is the Church of England vote? How should we respond to another 'conversion therapy' bill? What can we learn from the reshuffle?
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