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
-
Rumours of War, Abortion & Assisted Suicide, and Festival Season
Rumours of War, Abortion & Assisted Suicide, and Festival Season
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
How do we lead churches through uncertainty? What do parliamentary votes tell us about society? How can festivals remind us of the glorious normal?
Watch Now
-
Welcome to the Family (Autumn 2024)
Welcome to the Family (Autumn 2024)
John Stevens
We were delighted to welcome seven new churches to FIEC from across Great Britain in September 2024.
Read Now
-
Reviewing Spending, Leading Through Tragedy, and Obituaries
Reviewing Spending, Leading Through Tragedy, and Obituaries
Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
How do we lead our churches well in the use of money? What happens when a tragedy affects the church? How has the world been changing?
Watch Now
-
Trump's Tariffs, Masculine Church, and the Professor of Dishonesty
Trump's Tariffs, Masculine Church, and the Professor of Dishonesty
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
How can Donald Trump help us to be aware of overstepping? What is the place of masculinity in church? How does integrity affect our ministry?
Watch Now
-
Immigration Rhetoric, Assisted Dying Bill, and AI Hallucinations
Immigration Rhetoric, Assisted Dying Bill, and AI Hallucinations
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
How should church leaders think & speak about immigration? How should we engage with the Assisted Dying Bill? What does AI teach us about being human?
Watch Now
-
Reaching Catholics, Transgender People, and Liverpool FC Succession
Reaching Catholics, Transgender People, and Liverpool FC Succession
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
How do we reach Catholics with the gospel? How should Christians respond to the Supreme Court ruling on gender? What can we learn from Liverpool FC?
Watch Now
-
Trump's Economics, Freedom of Speech, and a Quiet Revival
Trump's Economics, Freedom of Speech, and a Quiet Revival
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
What can church leaders learn from Trump's economic u-turn? How can churches freely preach in public? Can we be gospel optimistic for the UK?
Watch Now
-
The Quiet Revival: Growth in the UK Church
The Quiet Revival: Growth in the UK Church
John Stevens
Signs of new evangelical life in the UK should encourage us to have confidence in the gospel and to persevere in gospel ministry.
Read Now
-
Signal Chats, Political Arrests, and Independency
Signal Chats, Political Arrests, and Independency
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
How can we balance confidentiality and integrity? Is democracy under attack in Turkey? What are the benefits of independency?
Watch Now
-
Ceasefire Peace, Cutting Welfare, and Longing for Justice
Ceasefire Peace, Cutting Welfare, and Longing for Justice
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
What can a ceasefire teach us about biblical peace? How can we pastor people affected by welfare cuts? Where can we find the true justice we long for?
Watch Now
-
The Power for Ministry
John Stevens
It is right to ask whether you have what it takes for church ministry. You don't. But Jesus does and will give you the grace you need.
Watch Now
-
The Purpose of Ministry
John Stevens
Knowing the purpose of church ministry will help you understand what it involves and ensure you go into it for the right reasons. From Journeys 2025.
Watch Now
-
Ukraine Anniversary, ARC, and Kitchen Islands
Ukraine Anniversary, ARC, and Kitchen Islands
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
What is God doing in the war in Ukraine? What impact does 'Christian speaking' in culture have on the church? What is a true marker of wealth?
Watch Now
-
Welcome to the Family (Summer 2024)
Welcome to the Family (Summer 2024)
John Stevens
We were happy to welcome eight churches to FIEC in summer 2024, along with one newly recognised church plant.
Read Now
-
Holocaust Memorial, David Fletcher, and the Catholic Jubilee
Holocaust Memorial, David Fletcher, and the Catholic Jubilee
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
Why is it important to remember the holocaust? How can we respond to another church abuse scandal? Are there true believers in the Catholic church?
Watch Now
-
Responding to Evil, Trump's Orders, and The Traitors
Responding to Evil, Trump's Orders, and The Traitors
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
How can we think wisely about stories of evil? Should we hold church and political leaders to the same standard? What can we learn from The Traitors?
Watch Now
-
Lessons from Leaders Who Left
Lessons from Leaders Who Left
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
The past year has had several stories of leaders who left their leadership positions which can give us lessons to learn for leadership in church life.
Watch Now
-
Californian Fires, Fact Checkers, and Joe Rogan
Californian Fires, Fact Checkers, and Joe Rogan
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
How do fires illustrate biblical ideas? What do we need to beware of on social media? What can we learn from Wes Huff's Joe Rogan podcast episode?
Watch Now
-
Welcome to the Family (Spring 2024)
Welcome to the Family (Spring 2024)
John Stevens
Six independent churches and five church plants were welcomed into FIEC last spring.
Read Now
-
2024: Year in Review
Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
What have been the trends in the world and in church life during 2024? How can they help us look forward to 2025?
Watch Now
-
Fall of Assad, Netflix's Mary, and a Scrabble Champion
Fall of Assad, Netflix's Mary, and a Scrabble Champion
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
What impact will Assad's fall have for Christians? Should we engage with biblical stories in pop-culture? Can we have the words without the heart?
Watch Now
-
Kingdom Shepherds
Kingdom Shepherds
John Stevens
The parables of Jesus are kingdom stories which answer key questions about the kingdom of Christ. A seminar from the 2024 Leaders' Conference.
Listen Now
-
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?
Watch Now
-
"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.
Watch Now