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, a member of the Affinity Council, and on the Word Alive Event Organising Team.
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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Leading the Church in Reflection on Elizabeth II
Leading the Church in Reflection on Elizabeth II
–Phil Topham, Adrian Reynolds, John Stevens
As we enter a period of national mourning after the death of Elizabeth II, how can we lead the church well as we respond to her life and service?
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Matt Chandler, The Frankfurt Declaration, and Religious Freedom
Matt Chandler, The Frankfurt Declaration, and Religious Freedom
–Phil Topham, Adrian Reynolds, John Stevens
Where are the edges of religious freedom? Should you sign the Frankfurt Declaration? What can we learn from Matt Chandler's leave of absence?
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The Freedoms of Independency
The Freedoms of Independency
–John Stevens
There are significant advantages to being an Independent, autonomous, and self-governing church.
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Cost of Living Crisis, Transgender Clinics, and Climate Change
Cost of Living Crisis, Transgender Clinics, and Climate Change
–Phil Topham, John Stevens
Are we sleepwalking into a national crisis? What should we make of the closure of the Tavistock Centre? Do heat waves warn us about climate change?
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Resignations, Democracy, and Cricketing Revivals
Resignations, Democracy, and Cricketing Revivals
–Phil Topham, Justin Gill, John Stevens
What should we make of chaos in Downing Street? What does the the fallout of the Arab Spring teach us? How does England cricket point us to revival?
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Pulpit Politics, Accessibility & Diversity, and Women's Sport
Pulpit Politics, Accessibility & Diversity, and Women's Sport
–Phil Topham, Rachel Sloan, John Stevens
Should we allow politics in the pulpit? Does the church have a diversity problem? Should transgender athletes compete in women's sport?
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Trust in Leadership, Social Mobility, and Lonely Students
Trust in Leadership, Social Mobility, and Lonely Students
–Phil Topham, Adrian Reynolds, John Stevens
What is the importance of trust in leadership? How should the church respond to the idea of social mobility? How can we help students who are lonely?
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The Church's Call in Challenging Times
The Church's Call in Challenging Times
–John Stevens
A series of crises over the last decade has caused a massive cultural shift. How can churches face the challenge of these times?
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Eastern European Churches, Abuse in the SBC, and the Fear of Marriage
Eastern European Churches, Abuse in the SBC, and the Fear of Marriage
–Phil Topham, Adrian Reynolds, John Stevens
How have churches across wider Europe responded to Ukraine? What do we do with the news of abuse in the US? Why are people afraid of getting married?
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Roe v. Wade, the Royal Family, and 'Talking Jesus'
Roe v. Wade, the Royal Family, and 'Talking Jesus'
–Phil Topham, John Stevens, Adrian Reynolds
How should church leaders respond to abortion laws? How does the royal family fit into Christian life? How Christian is the UK population?
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Keep Believing and Keep Serving
Keep Believing and Keep Serving
–John Stevens
The world says that church ministry is a waste of time, but in fact it has eternal significance. The third of three talks at the 2022 Hub Conference.
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The Archbishop of Canterbury, Elon Musk, and Praying for Ukraine
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Elon Musk, and Praying for Ukraine
–Phil Topham, John Stevens, Andy Hunter
Can Christian leaders speak in the public square? What is the future of free speech online? How can we keep praying for Ukraine?
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Conversion Therapy Ban, Opposing War, and Public Image
Conversion Therapy Ban, Opposing War, and Public Image
–Phil Topham, Adrian Reynolds, John Stevens
What can church leaders learn from the confusion over the conversion therapy ban, and how can they pastor people who are being impacted?
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Zelensky's Leadership, Rising Living Costs, and Gender Identity
Zelensky's Leadership, Rising Living Costs, and Gender Identity
–Phil Topham, Adrian Reynolds, John Stevens
How has President Zelensky shown good leadership? How can we lead our churches through rising living costs and in response to gender identity issues?
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Praying for Ukraine, Leadership at Boeing, and John Bercow
Praying for Ukraine, Leadership at Boeing, and John Bercow
–Phil Topham, Adrian Reynolds, John Stevens
How have churches responded to the war in Ukraine? What can we learn from the leadership culture at Boeing and John Bercow's time in Parliament?
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Preventing Abuse in Local Church Leadership
Preventing Abuse in Local Church Leadership
–Adrian Reynolds, John Stevens
What sorts of issues should church leaderships be thinking about to guard against false shepherds? How should they plan to protect the flock?
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Russian Invasion, the Post-Covid World, and Curling Gold
Russian Invasion, the Post-Covid World, and Curling Gold
–Phil Topham, Adrian Reynolds, John Stevens
How should churches respond to the invasion of and conflict in Ukraine? What should we bear in mind now that Covid restrictions have all been relaxed?
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Boris Johnson's Leadership, Jimmy Carr's Comedy, and the Winter Olympics
Boris Johnson's Leadership, Jimmy Carr's Comedy, and the Winter Olympics
–John Stevens, Phil Topham
What should we make of the leadership in Number 10? Is there a right to freedom of speech in all circumstances? What can we learn from curling?
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Does Independency Enable Abuse?
Does Independency Enable Abuse?
–Adrian Reynolds, John Stevens
Does Independency have a weakness when it comes to dealing with abuse? Does it allow abusers to thrive through a lack of external accountability?
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Is Complementarianism Abusive?
Is Complementarianism Abusive?
–Adrian Reynolds, John Stevens
What is complementarianism? Is it inherently abusive?
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The Answer to the Loneliness Epidemic
The Answer to the Loneliness Epidemic
–John Stevens
The birth of Jesus is a foretaste and anticipation of God’s dwelling with his people. God is with us: then, now, and forever.
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The Glorious Normal
–John Stevens
We may need to contextualise the gospel but the heart of the message does not change. John Stevens preaches from 2 Timothy 3 and 4.
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Christianity and the Church in 2021 Britain
Christianity and the Church in 2021 Britain
–Adrian Reynolds, John Stevens
How has the church fared in 2021 as the United Kingdom moves out of lockdown? What is the church's state of play going into 2022?
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When Use of Power Becomes Abuse of Power
When Use of Power Becomes Abuse of Power
–Adrian Reynolds, John Stevens
Are evangelical churches like ours particularly prone to abusive leaders? What are some of the warning signs that abuse may be happening?
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