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
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Fall of Assad, Netflix's Mary, and a Scrabble Champion
Fall of Assad, Netflix's Mary, and a Scrabble Champion
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
What impact will Assad's fall have for Christians? Should we engage with biblical stories in pop-culture? Can we have the words without the heart?
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Public Square Debates, Abuse in the Church, and Disqualifying Demeanors
Public Square Debates, Abuse in the Church, and Disqualifying Demeanors
Phil Topham , John Stevens , Adrian Reynolds
How should we conduct debates in the public square? Could abuse happen in FIEC churches? Should past actions disqualify you from present service?
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On the Journey Into Ministry
On the Journey Into Ministry
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds
Journeys is our re-imagined conference for those considering, or already on the journey into, Christian ministry.
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Makin Report, Donald Trump, and Gladiator II
Makin Report, Donald Trump, and Gladiator II
Phil Topham , John Stevens , Adrian Reynolds
How can we reflect on the Makin Report? Is the US election result good for the gospel? Can we watch Gladiator II?
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The Budget, US Elections, and Infinite Monkeys
The Budget, US Elections, and Infinite Monkeys
Phil Topham , John Stevens , Adrian Reynolds
What implications will the budget have for churches? Should you vote for a rock or a hard place? Can monkeys type Shakespeare?
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Evangelism Conference, Obesity Crisis, and Church Votes
Evangelism Conference, Obesity Crisis, and Church Votes
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
What encouragements came from the Evangelism Conference? Should we lose weight through medicine? What can the Tory vote teach us about church votes?
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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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Middle East Conflict, Church Abuse, and Catastrophising
Middle East Conflict, Church Abuse, and Catastrophising
Phil Topham , John Stevens , Adrian Reynolds
How do we keep praying for the Middle East? What lessons are there from recent church abuse scandals? Why should we try to stay optimistic?
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Evangelical Unity, Escalation of War, and Assisted Suicide
Evangelical Unity, Escalation of War, and Assisted Suicide
Phil Topham , John Stevens , Adrian Reynolds
How do evangelical church leaders work together? How can we pastor people in the midst of war? How should churches respond to assisted suicide?
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Grenfell Blame, Keir Starmer's Realism, and Paralympic Inspiration
Grenfell Blame, Keir Starmer's Realism, and Paralympic Inspiration
Phil Topham , John Stevens , Adrian Reynolds
How holistic should our care of the flock be? How do you lead with bad news? What do the Paralympics teach us about church life?
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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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Southport Violence, Olympic Offence, and Pastoral Transparency
Southport Violence, Olympic Offence, and Pastoral Transparency
Phil Topham , Andy Hunter
How should we respond to the news in Southport? What is there to learn from the Olympic Games? How transparent should we be in pastoral matters?
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Assassination Attempts, Changes from Government, and Resigning After Success
Assassination Attempts, Changes from Government, and Resigning After Success
Phil Topham , John Stevens , Rachel Sloan
Did strong rhetoric lead to the assassination attempt on Trump? How do you deal well with change? What can we learn from Southgate's resignation?
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General Election Results, 'Conversion Therapy' Bans, and Baton Passing
General Election Results, 'Conversion Therapy' Bans, and Baton Passing
Phil Topham , John Stevens , Andy Hunter
What do the general election results mean for church leaders? What might a 'conversion therapy' ban look like? What can leaders learn from Joe Biden?
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Majority Government, Churches for Sale, and McIlory's Reconciliation
Majority Government, Churches for Sale, and McIlory's Reconciliation
Phil Topham , John Stevens , Adrian Reynolds
How can we lead fairly when one group has a majority of power? Why are Scottish churches being sold? How does McIlroy's marriage reflect the gospel?
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D-Day 80, Election Debates, and Rob Burrow
D-Day 80, Election Debates, and Rob Burrow
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
What reflections are there from D-Day's anniversary? How can we learn from election debates? What can we take from Rob Burrow's heroism & friendship?
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Social Media Dangers, Leading While Losing, and Eurovision
Social Media Dangers, Leading While Losing, and Eurovision
Phil Topham , Adrian Reynolds , John Stevens
How can we protect children from the dangers of social media? How can we lead while losing? Has Eurovision gone for style over substance?
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Illegal Immigration, Leadership Styles, and Blackpool Rock
Illegal Immigration, Leadership Styles, and Blackpool Rock
Phil Topham , John Stevens , Adrian Reynolds
What is a Christian response to illegal immigration? What can we learn from Liz Truss and Humza Yousaf? Will we be able to buy rock from Blackpool?
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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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Gospel Coalition UK, Cass Review, and Rishi Sunak's Trainers
Gospel Coalition UK, Cass Review, and Rishi Sunak's Trainers
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?
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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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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?
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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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