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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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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Covid Inquiry, Leaders' Conference, and Q&A
Covid Inquiry, Leaders' Conference, and Q&A
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
In a live episode, recorded at the 2023 Leaders' Conference, we discuss the Covid-19 inquiry, the conference, and take questions from the audience.
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Israel-Gaza Conflict, 'Conversion Therapy', and Plagiarism
Israel-Gaza Conflict, 'Conversion Therapy', and Plagiarism
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
How should we continue to respond to the Israel/Gaza conflict? What could a conversion therapy ban mean for church leaders? Can we plagiarise sermons?
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Terror Attacks in Israel, Responding on Sunday, and Prayer
Terror Attacks in Israel, Responding on Sunday, and Prayer
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
How can church leaders help their churches respond to the terror attacks in Israel? How can Christians stand with the Jewish community in response?
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Multiculturalism, Free Speech, and Wes Anderson
Multiculturalism, Free Speech, and Wes Anderson
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
Has multiculturalism failed in Britain? When does free speech become unacceptable speech? What can Wes Anderson's new film teach us about preaching?
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Human Tragedy, Extra-Terrestrial Life, and Evidence for the Gospel
Human Tragedy, Extra-Terrestrial Life, and Evidence for the Gospel
Phil Topham , Graham Beynon , John Stevens
What can we do in the face of stories of human tragedy? Do UFOs and extra-terrestrial life exist? How are conspiracy theories and the gospel linked?
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Misogyny in Football, Clergy Survey, and Building Responsibilities
Misogyny in Football, Clergy Survey, and Building Responsibilities
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
What are our responsibilities with our buildings? What is the answer to misogyny in football? What can we learn from a survey of clergy?
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Pakistani Politics, Remembering Prisoners, and the Women's World Cup
Pakistani Politics, Remembering Prisoners, and the Women's World Cup
Adrian Reynolds , Justin Gill , John Stevens
What can we learn from politics in Pakistan? What does remembering those in prison look like? How are women's sport and complementarianism related?
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Debanking, Climate Change Policy, and Oppenheimer
Debanking, Climate Change Policy, and Oppenheimer
Phil Topham , Justin Gill , John Stevens
What could the implications be of the debanking scandal? How can Christians wisely respond to climate change? What can we learn from Oppenheimer?
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BBC Scandal, Riots in France, and Bazball
BBC Scandal, Riots in France, and Bazball
Phil Topham , Rachel Sloan , John Stevens
How should we respond to headlines about scandal? How do the riots in France remind us of the role of justice? What does Bazball teach us about joy?
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Windrush 75, Abortion Pills, and Lockdown Parties
Windrush 75, Abortion Pills, and Lockdown Parties
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
What lessons can we learn from Windrush 75? How can we respond to late term use of abortion pills? How do Johnson's lockdown parties reflect on him?
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Anti-Gay Laws, Trump's Arrest, and Man City Envy
Anti-Gay Laws, Trump's Arrest, and Man City Envy
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
What is a pastoral response to anti-gay laws in Uganda? Is anyone above the law? How can we fight against envy?
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Speeding Tickets, 'Misgendering', and the Influence of Tim Keller
Speeding Tickets, 'Misgendering', and the Influence of Tim Keller
Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
What do speed limits teach us about sin? What is a wise way to live in public-facing work? What influence did Tim Keller have on the UK church?
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