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 the Macron Stadium on a Saturday afternoon.

Author Content

Gospel Coalition UK, Cass Review, and Rishi Sunak's Trainers

Gospel Coalition UK, Cass Review, and Rishi Sunak's Trainers
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John Stevens, Adrian Reynolds, Phil Topham

Why is a Gospel Coalition UK being considered? What are the implications of the gender services review? Why should we care about the PM's trainers?

Watch Now
Theological Publication 'Primer' Available Online

Theological Publication 'Primer' Available Online
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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.

Read Now
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?

Watch Now
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.

Read Now
Emmanuel in Exeter

Emmanuel in Exeter
–

Phil Topham

A brand-new Independent church is going to be launched in Exeter this year.

Read Now
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?

Watch Now
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.

Watch Now
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?

Watch Now
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?

Watch Now
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?

Watch Now
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?

Watch Now
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?

Watch Now
Help and Support for Church Admin

Help and Support for Church Admin
–

Phil Topham

FIEC has launched a new partnership to help churches with template policies – and we have a new member of staff to help you implement them.

Read Now
Doctrinal Basis and Constitutional Changes Approved

Doctrinal Basis and Constitutional Changes Approved
–

Phil Topham

Member churches have voted to make changes to the FIEC Doctrinal Basis, Women in Ministry Ethos Statement, and our CIO Constitution.

Read Now
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.

Watch Now
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?

Watch Now
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?

Watch Now
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?

Watch Now
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?

Watch Now
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?

Watch Now
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?

Watch Now
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?

Watch Now
Clarifying Our Fellowship

Clarifying Our Fellowship
–

Phil Topham, Ian Jones, Adrian Reynolds

The proposed changes to FIEC's Doctrinal Basis, Ethos Statement, and Constitution are designed to clarify our beliefs and fellowship.

Watch Now
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?

Watch Now

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Phil Topham

Author Content

Gospel Coalition UK, Cass Review, and Rishi Sunak's Trainers

Gospel Coalition UK, Cass Review, and Rishi Sunak's Trainers–

Theological Publication 'Primer' Available Online

Theological Publication 'Primer' Available Online–

Boring Leaders, Secular Neutrality, and Ramadan at King's Cross

Boring Leaders, Secular Neutrality, and Ramadan at King's Cross–

London Leaders Thank Trevor Archer

London Leaders Thank Trevor Archer–

Emmanuel in Exeter

Emmanuel in Exeter–

Defining Extremism, Slavery Reparations, and Deep Fakes

Defining Extremism, Slavery Reparations, and Deep Fakes–

Independency: the Freedom to Be Faithful–

Alexei Navalny, Parliament Chaos, and Life from Conception

Alexei Navalny, Parliament Chaos, and Life from Conception–

Leadership Opposition, Capital Punishment, and Secular Schools

Leadership Opposition, Capital Punishment, and Secular Schools–

The Ministry of Administration

The Ministry of Administration–

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–

Same-Sex Blessing Vote, 'Conversion Therapy' Bill, and Suella Braver-gone

Same-Sex Blessing Vote, 'Conversion Therapy' Bill, and Suella Braver-gone–

Help and Support for Church Admin

Help and Support for Church Admin–

Doctrinal Basis and Constitutional Changes Approved

Doctrinal Basis and Constitutional Changes Approved–

Covid Inquiry, Leaders' Conference, and Q&A

Covid Inquiry, Leaders' Conference, and Q&A–

Israel-Gaza Conflict, 'Conversion Therapy', and Plagiarism

Israel-Gaza Conflict, 'Conversion Therapy', and Plagiarism–

Terror Attacks in Israel, Responding on Sunday, and Prayer

Terror Attacks in Israel, Responding on Sunday, and Prayer–

Multiculturalism, Free Speech, and Wes Anderson

Multiculturalism, Free Speech, and Wes Anderson–

Human Tragedy, Extra-Terrestrial Life, and Evidence for the Gospel

Human Tragedy, Extra-Terrestrial Life, and Evidence for the Gospel–

Misogyny in Football, Clergy Survey, and Building Responsibilities

Misogyny in Football, Clergy Survey, and Building Responsibilities–

Debanking, Climate Change Policy, and Oppenheimer

Debanking, Climate Change Policy, and Oppenheimer–

BBC Scandal, Riots in France, and Bazball

BBC Scandal, Riots in France, and Bazball–

Clarifying Our Fellowship

Clarifying Our Fellowship–

Windrush 75, Abortion Pills, and Lockdown Parties

Windrush 75, Abortion Pills, and Lockdown Parties–

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Gospel Coalition UK, Cass Review, and Rishi Sunak's Trainers
–

Theological Publication 'Primer' Available Online
–

Boring Leaders, Secular Neutrality, and Ramadan at King's Cross
–

London Leaders Thank Trevor Archer
–

Emmanuel in Exeter
–

Defining Extremism, Slavery Reparations, and Deep Fakes
–

Independency: the Freedom to Be Faithful
–

Alexei Navalny, Parliament Chaos, and Life from Conception
–

Leadership Opposition, Capital Punishment, and Secular Schools
–

The Ministry of Administration
–

Post Office Scandal, Strikes in the Middle East, and Conversion Therapy in Scotland
–

Same-Sex Blessing Vote, 'Conversion Therapy' Bill, and Suella Braver-gone
–

Help and Support for Church Admin
–

Doctrinal Basis and Constitutional Changes Approved
–

Covid Inquiry, Leaders' Conference, and Q&A
–

Israel-Gaza Conflict, 'Conversion Therapy', and Plagiarism
–

Terror Attacks in Israel, Responding on Sunday, and Prayer
–

Multiculturalism, Free Speech, and Wes Anderson
–

Human Tragedy, Extra-Terrestrial Life, and Evidence for the Gospel
–

Misogyny in Football, Clergy Survey, and Building Responsibilities
–

Debanking, Climate Change Policy, and Oppenheimer
–

BBC Scandal, Riots in France, and Bazball
–

Clarifying Our Fellowship
–

Windrush 75, Abortion Pills, and Lockdown Parties
–