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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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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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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