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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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.
Read Now
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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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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?
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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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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?
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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?
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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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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?
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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?
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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.
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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
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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.
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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