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God’s Big Promises Bible Storybook (Book Review)
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Adrian Reynolds

Drawing biblical faithfulness and delightful visuals together for children is a tough task. This new book is a great option that does just that.

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5 Ways to Make the Most of the Leaders' Conference
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Joel Murray

A national conference can be exciting but overwhelming, and we want you to make the most of your time with us. Here are some things to bear in mind.

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Bad Shepherds and Good Shepherds
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Johnny Prime

Sheep need shepherd-leaders provided by and patterned on the Good Shepherd, Jesus. Without them, sheep will be harmed, malnourished, and vulnerable.

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An Even Playing Field to Share the Bible
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Rachel Land

The Word One to One provides an opportunity for Christians to confidently share the word of God with their friends and family.

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A Gospel-Hearted Love for Smaller Churches
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Simon Medcroft

A large church in Essex has sacrificially taken steps to partner with smaller churches in the county to reach more people with the gospel.

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Church in a Weekend
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Adrian Reynolds

The breadth and depth of local churches in FIEC was encouragingly reflected this weekend by where FIEC staff were serving.

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Know Your Flock Before You Preach
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Johnny Prime

A wise pastor-teacher seeks to share their life with and take time to know those they preach to.

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Raising Confident Kids (Book Review)
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Joel Murray

Ed Drew’s book sets out principles for every Christian parent to help their children know who they are and whose they are.

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Buying Too Small
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Joel Murray

What are the benefits of buying a building that your church can’t fit into?

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Caring for Widows (Book Review)
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Gareth Lewis

A book that deserves to be read by all church leaders to help prepare them for the growing number of widows in our congregations.

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Road Map to Jesus (Book Review)
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Paul Mallard

How do the God and events of the Old Testament relate to Jesus? Alistair Chalmers’ short and very helpful book gives answers to this and more.

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Refreshed (Book Review)
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Adrian Reynolds

John Hindley’s ‘Refreshed’ is a super holiday devotional book to come back to each year.

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Advice from a Retiring Minister
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John Samuel

John Samuel offers some words of advice for young (and old) pastors after 37 years of church ministry.

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Ministry Couples at the Leaders' Conference
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Vicky Cockram, Will Cockram

Why you should think about coming to the Leaders’ Conference with your spouse, and how to make the most of it if you do.

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Priscilla, Where Are You? (Book Review)
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Elinor Magowan

Natalie Brand’s book is a timely and helpful challenge to women in our churches to commit to joyful theology.

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Busy (Book Review)
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Rachel Sloan

In a world of being busy, Ian Carmichael helps us understand what God’s plan is for our busyness and our rest.

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Why a Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches?
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Derek Prime

The reasons for independent evangelical churches to be in fellowship are just as valid now as they were 50 and 100 years ago.

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Unconventional (Book Review)
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Rachel Sloan

A practical resource for starting or reviewing a robust women’s ministry that teaches, equips, and cares for women in the church.

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Confessions of a Moderator
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Bob Cain

What lessons are there to learn through the process of searching for a new pastor with help from a moderator?

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Holding Out Hope for Hidden Sufferers
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Alison Woods

A church in Scotland has produced some thoughtful and sensitive posters to enable domestic abuse victims to disclose safely and find hope and healing.

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Your Church's Digital Presence (Why, Who, What)
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Joel Murray

A church's digital presence is almost as important, if not more so, than their physical presence in their community. How can we make the most of it?

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A New Building for a Cheshire Church
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Joel Murray

After outgrowing their old building, and outgrowing their rented building, it’s time for a brand-new building for a church in central Cheshire.

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How to Pray for One Hundred
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Joel Murray

Here are some different ways you can pray for gospel mission across the UK using the Pray for One Hundred guide.

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Christmas Praise! (Resource Review)
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Adrian Reynolds

A spiral-bound collection of well-known and less-known Christmas songs for your Advent programme.

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Can I Have Friends at Church?
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Elinor Magowan

Some ministry wives are given the advice not to make friends at their church. But is that really the right way?

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Sing a New (Centenary) Song
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Adrian Reynolds

FIEC has commissioned a new song to mark its 100th year.

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Embracing Complementarianism (Book Review)
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Rachel Sloan

A welcome addition to the thinking on how complementarianism can be put into practice for the flourishing of the church.

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The Universe is Made of Stories
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Matt Lillicrap

The stories we tell reveal the life we long for and can point to the Lord who alone can satisfy us.

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Leaders Who Follow (Book Review)
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Ray Evans

Trusting, following, and experiencing the love of Jesus keeps us humbly serving his cause, rather than our own.

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Support For and From Ministry Wives
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Caroline Haley

The role of a ministry wife can be incredibly lonely at times. Getting together with other women who understand what it’s like can be a great support.

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How to Have Difficult Conversations
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Ray Evans

When a difficult conversation is needed, how can we go about them to reach a resolution, whilst avoiding an abuse of power?

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Difficult, Inevitable, and Necessary
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Ray Evans

Understanding that difficult conversations need to be had, and how people may respond, is key to a good resolution.

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When Can I Say 'No' in Church Life?
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Elinor Magowan

A good ministry wife is sacrificial and always willing to say "yes" in church life... aren't they?

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Why Difficult Conversations Are Getting More Difficult
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Ray Evans

Challenging someone about their beliefs, choices, or actions feels more and more problematic. What has caused this shift?

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Gospel-Driven Wills and Legacies
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Ray Evans

How often are you advising, teaching, and envisioning believers in your church about how they should use their wealth?

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How to Make the Most of Your FIEC Church Profile
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Joel Murray

Your church profile on the FIEC website is an effective and free tool to reach church-searchers and welcome them in.

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The Freedoms of Independency
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John Stevens

There are significant advantages to being an Independent, autonomous, and self-governing church.

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Releasing Women for Ministry
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Rachel Sloan

FIEC churches have long valued women serving in ministry. How can your church release, develop and champion this essential work?

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Great Gain
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Adrian Reynolds

Disaster can come when godliness is left in the shadow of gifting. But the New Testament urges church leaders to pursue both.

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A Prayed-For Plant
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Joel Murray, Kenny Rogan

Prayer has played a key part in the launch of Hope Church Aviemore – from initial discussions, to launch, and now into the future.

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Small Changes for a Big Difference
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Stui Chaplin

Whether part of your church family or not, the whole congregation needs to be equipped to welcome people with additional needs and love them well.

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Who was Edward J Poole-Connor?
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FIEC has been helping churches work together for 100 years, since its first meeting was convened by Edward J Poole-Connor. Who was this pioneer?

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Insuring Your Church
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Barry Walker

Few of us are concerned about insurance until we make a claim. What should church leaders be considering before a claim is needed?

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The Problem with Hymns
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Sam Smith

We are blessed to have a treasure trove of old hymns in the history of the church. So why do so many sit dormant in dusty hymnbooks?

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6 Ways to Keep Church Seven Days a Week
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Joel Murray

The church is called to gather, but also to encourage, to pray, to witness. Online technology can help us do that all through the week.

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Church in a Box (Lessons for Meeting in a Rented Building)
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Adrian Reynolds

Five practical issues for churches who meet in rented premises to grapple with.

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Friendship Lessons from the Royal Navy
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Adrian Reynolds

It might be difficult to spot how investment in friendship can help your ministry, but it is worth its weight in gold.

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Making Faith Magnetic (Book Review)
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Rachel Sloan

Dan Strange’s excellent book encourages us to engage with the questions people are asking in order to point them to Jesus.

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5 Lessons for Churches Hosting Refugees
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Brian Whittaker

As homes across Britain are opened to host Ukrainians fleeing the war, what do church leaders need to do to welcome refugees into church life?

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Three Books to Read on Leadership in 2022
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Ray Evans

Three important Christian leadership books were published in 2021 which would be a good addition to your reading list this year.

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The Nearly Impossible Task
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Ray Evans

Leading your church in mission and evangelism is a difficult but important job. How can we avoid guilt whilst pushing it to the top of our agenda?

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Powerful Leaders? (Book Review)
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Ray Evans

Marcus Honeysett’s important book on spiritual abuse is challenging, humbling, and full of insights to help you serve others, and Christ, better.

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Leading the Church in Response to Ukraine
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Adrian Reynolds

Four things church leaders can do to lead their churches in response to the situation in Ukraine as it continues to deteriorate.

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The Least, the Last, and the Lost (Book Review)
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Alistair Chalmers

Mez McConnell’s new book is a must-read for pastors, church planters, and those trying to reach people in schemes or council estates with the gospel.

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Podcasts for Church Leaders (2022 Edition)
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Joel Murray

If you’re an avid podcast listener, or you don’t know where to start, here are some recommendations to help you in your church ministry.

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Time Well Spent (Book Review)
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Adrian Reynolds

Colin Webster’s short book gives practical and encouraging advice to help make the most of your quiet times.

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Why You Should Mix Up your Small Groups (and How to Do It)
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Andy Hunter

Mixing up a church's small groups can be wise but is there a way to do it without losing all the relational benefits already built up?

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How to Spot a Healthy Church
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Jonathan Bond

What does a church look like that is truly growing and knowing God’s grace upon it?

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Serving in a Smaller Church
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Jonathan Bond

The best place for you to serve is where the Lord wants you, not where the biggest church is.

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The Answer to the Loneliness Epidemic
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John Stevens

The birth of Jesus is a foretaste and anticipation of God’s dwelling with his people. God is with us: then, now, and forever.

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How to Receive Criticism and Respond Well
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Lewis Allen

Receiving criticism is part of pastoral ministry and is the Lord’s appointed means of change as you respond well to it.

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The Glorious Future
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Jonathan Thomas, John Russell, Raymond Brown, Colin Adams, Steve Robinson

The church of Christ has a glorious future! At the 2021 Leaders' Conferences, local pastors each encouraged us with this truth.

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How Innocence/Guilt and Honour/Shame Cultures Collide
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Andy Paterson

[Part 21] In cross-cultural evangelism we need to understand someone's cultural paradigm. Here is how the two dominating paradigms interact.

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In Praise of Smaller Churches
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Jonathan Bond

Nearly half of all FIEC churches have 35 or fewer members. It may seem that these fellowships are failing but in fact many are healthy and thriving.

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Primer 12: In the Flesh
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Understanding and celebrating the person of Christ.

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Brave by Faith (Book Review)
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Rachel Sloan

Alistair Begg shows us how discovering the message of the book of Daniel enables us to stand firm and live bravely.

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Finding My Father (Book Review)
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Elinor Magowan

Blair Linne’s personal story of fatherlessness is compelling, instructive, and insightful. A must-read to help you disciple those that are hurting.

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Cultural Paradigms in Evangelism
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Andy Paterson

[Part 20] We must be careful to understand where someone is coming from when engaging in cross-cultural evangelism.

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How Should I Respond to Criticism?
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Elinor Magowan

Ministry wives can be acutely aware of criticism of their husbands - and themselves - that may escalate into conflict. How should they respond?

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Getting Out of a Church Rut
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Ray Evans

Serious issues in church life that go unaddressed can end up getting you stuck in a rut. How do you change things for the better?

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How to Welcome Students into Your Church Family
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Sophie Cornes

As students begin a new academic year, what are some of the ways the local church can help them feel welcome and part of the family?

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How Can I Be Content as a Ministry Wife?
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Elinor Magowan

There are many challenges that threaten our contentment as ministry wives. When we encounter difficulties, Paul directs us to Christ.

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The 5 Cs of Church Revitalisation
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Steve Robinson

The story of a revitalised church in Liverpool which has now multiplied to four church plants has important lessons for churches in need of some help.

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Answer Questions Like and With Jesus
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Andy Paterson

[Part 19] The best way to respond to many questions we face in evangelism is with a question. And then to point the questioner to the ultimate answer.

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Speaking Jesus at Reading Festival
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Richard Baxter

What do you do when 90,000 festival-goers descend on your town? Find out how a local church took the opportunity to show love and share the gospel.

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Is it Worth the Effort?
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Elinor Magowan

During seasons when the pressure of ministry is keenly felt, the privileges of ministry can escape you. Considering your purpose can help you hold on.

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Pursuing Biblical Generosity
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Jonty Allcock

In a culture which isn’t very good at talking about generosity, a church in London ran a week of activity to think about what it means to be generous.

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Servant-Hearted Team Meetings
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Ray Evans

There is more to effective team meetings than simply good time keeping. Leaders must have a servant heart.

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Reach, Views, and Clicks (How to Interpret Video and Social Media Data)
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Joel Murray

Online has become a significant part of church life. What do all the numbers mean and how can they help develop our ministry?

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Do I Have What It Takes to Be a Ministry Wife?
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Elinor Magowan

Feelings of inadequacy and inability can cause huge pressure in the lives of ministry wives. Considering calling and character can help.

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A COVID-19 Risk Assessment Template
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Phil Topham

Download a template Risk Assessment which churches can use to help them to decide on how to safely start meeting again after lockdown.

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High-Quality Team-Based Decision Making
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Ray Evans

If senior leaders can create an open environment for their teams to make better decisions, their churches can really benefit.

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The Habit of Time Management
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Ray Evans

Good discipline in time-keeping is needed for church leaders to avoid wasting time in church ministry. Seek to make good time-keeping a habit.

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Anticipating the Questions
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[Part 18] We need to be ready to respond to questions others have about faith. Considering the issues we might face can help prepare ourselves.

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Software for Effective Ministry
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Justin Gill

As hybrid and remote working becomes more commonplace, what are the best software options for church staff teams and volunteers to work effectively?

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How Can Churches Care for Creation?
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Alan Young

As delegates from around the world gather in Scotland to discuss climate change, how should churches respond?

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Users, Sessions, Pageviews (How to Interpret Website Data)
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Joel Murray

Views, channels, and visits can give great insight into who you are reaching with your website. Here’s how to move from numbers to knowledge.

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Illustrating the Culture
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Andy Paterson

[Part 17] The gospel story intersects with many of the issues that are facing our friends and family, offering opportunities for evangelism.

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3 Ways to Make the Most of Every Opportunity
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Andy Paterson

[Part 16] When opportunities for evangelism arise, how should we respond to make the most of them?

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Vital Questions about the Character of Leaders
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Ray Evans

Character is more important than gifting in Christian leadership. We may know this instinctively, but how should it shape church practice?

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Health & Safety After Lockdown
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Manny Kemp

The legal coronavirus restrictions that churches in England have gotten used to have been removed. Is it now back to pre-pandemic business as usual?

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Gospel Intentionality
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Andy Paterson

[Part 15] Every believer should give thought to how evangelism extends to and shapes every area of their lives. And be intentional about acting on it.

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God of All Things (Book Review)
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Adrian Reynolds

Andrew Wilson has written a simple but profound book that will do you the world of good.

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Spirit-Led, Relational Leadership
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Johnny Prime

At the Local Leaders’ Conferences this year we considered how good leadership is relational leadership.

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Does Election Kill Evangelism?
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Andy Paterson

[Part 14] Why should we bother sharing the gospel if those who are going to be saved are already chosen?

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Caring for the Chronic Post-Covid
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Ray Evans

How leaders can care for their churches post-pandemic by considering the difference between acute and chronic.

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Who is in Charge of Evangelism?
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Andy Paterson

[Part 13] What is the decisive factor in evangelism? What does the Bible teach about it?

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Creation Care (Book Review)
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Alan Young

Douglas and Jonathan Moo provide a thrilling, challenging, and inspiring invitation to explore the place of the natural world in God’s purposes.

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14 Years of Faith and God’s Provision in Broadstone
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Joel Murray

Fourteen years in the making, and in the midst of a global pandemic, a church in Dorset has moved into its new, purpose-built home.

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Mortgages, Savings, and Insurance for the Kingdom
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Paul Houghton

How can churches use Kingdom Bank to help steward their money for the good of the kingdom?

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