Phil Topham
Executive Director
Phil started working for FIEC in the role of Head of Communication, but then became our Executive Director at the start of 2019.
Before taking up his position with FIEC he used to read the news for Heart FM in North Wales and has also worked as a football commentator and reporter. His most recent role was with the Anglican Church as Communication Officer for the Diocese of St Asaph.
Phil is married to Kath and they live near Market Harborough and attend ChristChurch in the town. He became a Christian in 1999 and served as an elder in his previous church – Gwersyllt Congregational just outside Wrexham.
In his spare time Phil has a worrying passion for Bolton Wanderers – so much so that he can often be spotted with his head in his hands at their stadium on a Saturday afternoon.
Author Content
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Changes to the FIEC Constitution, The Pastors' Network, and Women in Ministry Ethos Statement
Changes to the FIEC Constitution, The Pastors' Network, and Women in Ministry Ethos Statement
Phil Topham
FIEC is holding an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) in 2026 to ask member churches to vote on four constitutional changes.
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'Conversion Therapy' Again, Ben Stokes, and Dressing Correctly
'Conversion Therapy' Again, Ben Stokes, and Dressing Correctly
Phil Topham , John Stevens , Adrian Reynolds
Should church leaders be fearful of another "conversion therapy" ban? How can you leave your role well? What should preachers wear?
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Choosing Leaders, Adoption & Abortion, and Banning Social Media
Choosing Leaders, Adoption & Abortion, and Banning Social Media
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
What is the best way to choose our leaders? How do we pastor those impacted by adoption and abortion? Is social media that bad for us?
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Rachel Sloan Takes Up Role at Charlotte Chapel
Rachel Sloan Takes Up Role at Charlotte Chapel
Phil Topham
Rachel Sloan, one of our Directors for Women’s Ministry, will be leaving FIEC to serve full-time at Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh.
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Embezzlement, Mandelson Files, and Spygate
Embezzlement, Mandelson Files, and Spygate
Phil Topham , John Stevens , Adrian Reynolds
How can we ensure church money is spent wisely? What are the dangers of leadership being influenced? How should we treat junior team members?
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Religious Violence, Trump's AI Imagery, and Leicester City's Decline
Religious Violence, Trump's AI Imagery, and Leicester City's Decline
Phil Topham , John Stevens , Adrian Reynolds
How do we respond to religious violence? How should leaders post on social media? What can we learn from the decline of former champions?
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Quiet Revival Issues, AoC Installation, and Social Media Addiction
Quiet Revival Issues, AoC Installation, and Social Media Addiction
Phil Topham , John Stevens , Adrian Reynolds
Should we now disregard the Quiet Revival findings? What kind of leader will Sarah Mullally be? How can we combat social media addiction?
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Conflict in Iran, "Anti-Muslim Hostility", and Wes Huff
Conflict in Iran, "Anti-Muslim Hostility", and Wes Huff
Phil Topham , John Stevens , Adrian Reynolds
How do we lead through the Iran War's complexity? Does the government definition curb free speech? How can reframing questions help share the gospel?
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By-Election, Royal Arrest, and Church Toilets
By-Election, Royal Arrest, and Church Toilets
Phil Topham , John Stevens , Adrian Reynolds
How do we deal with polarising views? What can we learn from the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor? What does a toilet say about a church?
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Intercultural Stories: Trinity Church
Intercultural Stories: Trinity Church
Phil Topham , David Ojeabulu , Peter Comont
The story of how Trinity Church, Oxford are becoming an intercultural church and what they do to welcome those from different cultures.
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Ignoring Abuse, Racist Social Media Posts, and Foolish Vows
Ignoring Abuse, Racist Social Media Posts, and Foolish Vows
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
Is ignoring abuse a case for resignation? How can we ensure caution when speaking in public and online? When is it appropriate to make a vow?
Listen Now
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Opposition in Leadership, New Archbishop of Canterbury, and Tennis Coaches
Opposition in Leadership, New Archbishop of Canterbury, and Tennis Coaches
Phil Topham , John Stevens , Adrian Reynolds
How do you lead well under opposition? What impact will the new Archbishop of Canterbury have? What is the importance of coaching and mentoring?
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Leading in Instability, Ministry Disqualification, and FA Cup Giant Killings
Leading in Instability, Ministry Disqualification, and FA Cup Giant Killings
Phil Topham , John Stevens , Adrian Reynolds
How do we lead our churches through global instability? How should we respond to Philip Yancy's affair? What can we learn from an FA Cup upset?
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Help! My Church is Changing (Steps Towards an Intercultural Church)
Help! My Church is Changing (Steps Towards an Intercultural Church)
Phil Topham , Tim
As our communities become more diverse, how do we take the first steps towards becoming an intercultural church? From the 2025 Leaders' Conference.
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Moving Towards Intercultural Church
Moving Towards Intercultural Church
Phil Topham , Justin Gill , Tim
What do we mean by 'intercultural church ministry'? What steps can churches make to move from being 'mono-cultural' towards being 'inter-cultural'?
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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.
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Partnerships Across Contexts
Partnerships Across Contexts
Phil Topham
What does a church in a leafy London suburb have in common with a church in an ex-mining town in west Cumbria?
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Engaging with Intercultural Ministry
Engaging with Intercultural Ministry
Phil Topham
A group of ministry workers gathered to discuss how FIEC can support churches in welcome, evangelism and discipleship to people of all cultures.
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Church Policies: Mere Distraction or Essential Ministry?
Church Policies: Mere Distraction or Essential Ministry?
Phil Topham , Becky Thomas , Gavin Smith
Church governance can feel like a distraction from gospel ministry. How can we see it in its rightful place as part of that ministry itself?
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Theological Publication 'Primer' Available Online
Theological Publication 'Primer' Available Online
Phil Topham
All 12 issues of Primer, FIEC’s theological publication which ran between 2015 and 2021, have been made available for free as PDFs.
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London Leaders Thank Trevor Archer
London Leaders Thank Trevor Archer
Phil Topham
More than 100 people gathered at Stockwell Baptist Church in London to honour Trevor Archer as he stepped down from his role with FIEC.
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Emmanuel in Exeter
Emmanuel in Exeter
Phil Topham
A brand-new Independent church is going to be launched in Exeter this year.
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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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The Ministry of Administration
The Ministry of Administration
Phil Topham , Gavin Smith
Administration is a spiritual gift to serve the church. What is the role of an administrator in church life, and how can they be supported best?
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