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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FIEC Distinctives: our Ethos Statements
John Stevens
FIEC's Ethos Statements bring clarity to our life and ministry as a Fellowship, covering gospel unity, women in ministry, and same sex marriage.
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Trust in the Police, Ofsted Evaluations, and The Apprentice
Trust in the Police, Ofsted Evaluations, and The Apprentice
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
Can we trust the police? Is there merit in the Ofsted model of evaluation? Can we learn about leadership from The Apprentice?
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Illegal Immigration, Lockdown WhatsApps, and Nepo Babies
Illegal Immigration, Lockdown WhatsApps, and Nepo Babies
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
How do we respond to illegal immigration? What can we learn from the government's lockdown WhatsApp messages? Do nepo babies cause marginalisation?
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Nicola Sturgeon, Christian Illiteracy, and John Motson
Nicola Sturgeon, Christian Illiteracy, and John Motson
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
Could we have an evangelical Scottish First Minister? What is the effect of Christian illiteracy in Britain? What can John Motson's passion teach us?
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Natural Disasters, War in Ukraine, and Worldliness in the Church
Natural Disasters, War in Ukraine, and Worldliness in the Church
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
How can we answer questions about suffering? What is a right response to the ongoing war in Ukraine? How do we avoid worldliness creeping into church?
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Same Sex Blessings, Integrity in Government, and the Value of Work
Same Sex Blessings, Integrity in Government, and the Value of Work
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
Will same sex blessings in the Church of England bring unity? Is there integrity in the government? How much should Christians value work?
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Prince Harry, NHS Crisis, and New Year's Resolutions
Prince Harry, NHS Crisis, and New Year's Resolutions
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
Can there be reconciliation after Harry's memoirs? How do we help our churches through a healthcare crisis? Are New Year's resolutions Christian?
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Christianity and the Church in 2022 Britain
Christianity and the Church in 2022 Britain
Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
After Covid, war in Europe, "wokeism", and more, how has life changed in 2022? And what effects has this year had on church ministry in Britain?
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Welcome to the Family (Autumn 2022)
Welcome to the Family (Autumn 2022)
John Stevens
It was very encouraging that five new churches joined FIEC at our September National Recognition Team meeting.
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Stephen Sizer Tribunal, Migrant Crisis, and Artificial Intelligence
Stephen Sizer Tribunal, Migrant Crisis, and Artificial Intelligence
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
What should we take away from the Stephen Sizer Tribunal? What is the church's role in the migrant crisis? Can a chat bot write a sermon?
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Regathering and Restarting (Annual Review 2021/22)
Regathering and Restarting (Annual Review 2021/22)
John Stevens
A review of the past year - in which we emerged from lockdowns - and a look forward as we continue to serve God in FIEC's 100th year.
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Census Figures, Institutional Racism, and Winter Strikes
Census Figures, Institutional Racism, and Winter Strikes
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
What should we make of the figures from Census 2021? Do we have a problem with racism in Britain? Should Christians go on strike?
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Contending for the Faith
Contending for the Faith
John Stevens
Today, just as in Jude’s day, we must fight against apostate false teachers. From the 2022 Leaders' Conference.
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Autumn Budget, the World Cup in Qatar, and the Bishop of Oxford
Autumn Budget, the World Cup in Qatar, and the Bishop of Oxford
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
Caring for churches in a cost of living crisis, supporting persecuted Christians in Qatar, and responding to bishops supporting same-sex marriage.
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Rishi Sunak, Repressive Regimes, and Jürgen Klopp
Rishi Sunak, Repressive Regimes, and Jürgen Klopp
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
How do we respond to another new Prime Minister? Should Christians boycott the World Cup in Qatar? How can we learn from Jürgen Klopp's leadership?
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Mermaids Criticism, the State of Theology, and Conspiracy Theories
Mermaids Criticism, the State of Theology, and Conspiracy Theories
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
Is criticism of transgender ideology growing? What can we learn from the beliefs of US evangelicals? How should we respond to conspiracy theories?
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Mini-Budget Lessons, The Queen's Funeral, and Brother Andrew
Mini-Budget Lessons, The Queen's Funeral, and Brother Andrew
Phil Topham , Justin Gill , John Stevens
How can church leaders learn from Liz Truss' mini-budget? How was the gospel seen at The Queen's funeral? What legacy did Brother Andrew leave?
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The Queen's Funeral, Swearing on the Bible, and Lessons from Warfare
The Queen's Funeral, Swearing on the Bible, and Lessons from Warfare
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
How should we prepare for the Queen's funeral? Is swearing on the Bible biblical? What lessons does the war in Ukraine have for Christians?
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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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