Phil Whittall
@simplepastor.bsky.social
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Runner. Reader. Blogger. Leader. thesimplepastor.co.uk
reposted by
Phil Whittall
Les Howard
1 day ago
āThe greatest commandment is amongst other things a commandment to full engagement in the act of worshipā Thought-provoking, NOT boring from the
@simplepastor.bsky.social
thesimplepastor.co.uk/entertaining...
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Entertaining or engaging? : The Simple Pastor
Are the services at your church boring? Is it yes, no or sometimes? Are the sermons? In our church kids over 12 are in the service and so listen to the sermon along with everyone else. Iām the main pr...
https://thesimplepastor.co.uk/entertaining-or-engaging/
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reposted by
Phil Whittall
deāon
15 days ago
this is mesmerizing
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Goodbye Budapest
19 days ago
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reposted by
Phil Whittall
Conrad Hackett
28 days ago
Nigeria has the worldās fifth-largest Muslim population and its sixth-largest Christian population. It is the only country that ranks among both the 10 largest Muslim populations and the 10 largest Christian populations.
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reposted by
Phil Whittall
Les Howard
3 months ago
Generosity towards others was, and is, as essential mark of the New Testament way of life.
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Libraries are amazing & we shouldn't ever let them disappear. What a society where you could read thousands of books over a lifetime for FREE!
kottke.org/25/08/004732...
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A Man Read 3,599 Books Over 60 Years, and Now His Family Has...
A Man Read 3,599 Books Over 60 Years, and Now His Family Has Shared the Entire List Online. Thatās roughly a book a week. Th
https://kottke.org/25/08/0047322-a-man-read-3599-books
3 months ago
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Almost none of the songs I sing in church are drawn from the life of Jesus. There are very few based on what I read in the Gospels BEFORE the cross. Or at least I can't think of many Give me your best hymns & songs that draw on the life/teachings of Jesus as we read in the Gospels BEFORE the cross
3 months ago
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thesimplepastor.co.uk/tis-mercy-all/
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'Tis Mercy All : The Simple Pastor
The first time she stopped me I was coming out of a local shop having picked up a parcel. She was in her twenties or maybe thirties and a woman with some clear learning disabilities. She asked if I co...
https://thesimplepastor.co.uk/tis-mercy-all/
4 months ago
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Better late than never. Probably.
thesimplepastor.co.uk/the-curiosit...
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The Curiosity Index: Week 31 : The Simple Pastor
My kids went to Newday so my better half and I had a belated 50th + 21st anniversary few days away. The place was glorious, the weather less so. But no complaints! You Should Read These You Should Loo...
https://thesimplepastor.co.uk/the-curiosity-index-week-31-2/
4 months ago
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reposted by
Phil Whittall
Les Howard
5 months ago
āThe greatest commandment is amongst other things a commandment to full engagement in the act of worshipā Thought-provoking, NOT boring from āthe Simple Pastor!
thesimplepastor.co.uk/entertaining...
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Entertaining or engaging? : The Simple Pastor
Are the services at your church boring? Is it yes, no or sometimes? Are the sermons? In our church kids over 12 are in the service and so listen to the sermon along with everyone else. Iām the main pr...
https://thesimplepastor.co.uk/entertaining-or-engaging/
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Not shocked to see where Sweden comes on this list
add a skeleton here at some point
5 months ago
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Two of the most brutal sentences in the Bible: "Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the Lord." (1 Sam 2:12). God save us from religious leaders like that.
5 months ago
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reposted by
Phil Whittall
Simon Kuestenmacher
5 months ago
While the summer was probably nice in Poland or Denmark this is yet another reminder that Europe must adapt to higher temperatures quickly.
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reposted by
Phil Whittall
Virginia H
5 months ago
I take time to read this blog whenever I remember. A shame itās not on Substack as X is not somewhere I like to spend much time
thesimplepastor.co.uk/god-is-pro-j...
Thanks
@simplepastor.bsky.social
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God is pro-joy : The Simple Pastor
Christians are to be joyful people. As much as we are to be loving and kind we are to be joyful. It is one of the signs, outcomes, blessings that life in the Spirit produces. We are a people who echo ...
https://thesimplepastor.co.uk/god-is-pro-joy/
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We've just passed the 1st anniversary of my father's death. This was, it turns out, his last annual Christmas newsletter reflection. Poignant to say the least.
thesimplepastor.co.uk/when-the-tim...
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When the time is right : The Simple Pastor
My parents write a family newsletter each Christmas and Dad sticks in a reflection before getting to the family news. This yearās struck me so I thought Iād share it (with permission) here. So this is...
https://thesimplepastor.co.uk/when-the-time-is-right/
5 months ago
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"O may this bounteous God Through all our life be near us, With ever joyful hearts And blessed peace to cheer us; And keep us in his grace, And guide us when perplexed, And free us from all ills In this world and the next."
#dailyhymn
6 months ago
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thesimplepastor.co.uk/why-ai-shoul...
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Why AI should never write your sermon : The Simple Pastor
Since the interview released and I gave it another listen Iāve been reflecting further on trust & the output of AI, especially in relation to sermons. If youāre using it for research for all sorts of ...
https://thesimplepastor.co.uk/why-ai-should-never-write-your-sermon/
6 months ago
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I was recently interviewed for the New Ground Leadership podcast. Fascinating to reflect that we're having this topic whereas five to ten years ago we wouldn't!
thesimplepastor.co.uk/ai-in-minist...
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AI in ministry: Trust, truth & kindness : The Simple Pastor
Yesterday I included AI in my list of trends to shape the rest of the decade (and beyond) which is not exactly a revelation but we do need to be clear about it and not just respond to it but think the...
https://thesimplepastor.co.uk/ai-in-ministry-trust-truth-kindness/
6 months ago
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reposted by
Phil Whittall
Pew Research Center
6 months ago
UPDATED: Our interactive table shows the religious makeup of 201 countries and territories.
pewrsr.ch/43usV6q?ut...
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Religious Composition by Country, 2010-2020
Find how many people identify with each religious group and what percent each made up in 201 countries and territories, and by region, in 2010 and 2020.
https://pewrsr.ch/43usV6q?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fedica-Main
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reposted by
Phil Whittall
Conrad Hackett
6 months ago
You can explore our new estimates of the religious composition of every country, by count and share here:
www.pewresearch.org/religion/fea...
For example, here's a clip showing countries with the highest unaffiliated shares in 2020:
add a skeleton here at some point
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thesimplepastor.co.uk/trends-that-...
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Trends that will shape the rest of the decade : The Simple Pastor
Thatās an ambitious headline isnāt it? Yet I think the question is a helpful one. Iām sure Donald Trump and Taylor Swift will have their moments in the headlights. There will be World Cups & another O...
https://thesimplepastor.co.uk/trends-that-will-shape-the-rest-of-the-decade/
6 months ago
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"Finish then thy new creation, Pure and sinless let us be; Let us see thy great salvation, Perfectly restored in thee: Changed from glory into glory, Till in heav'n we take our place, Till we cast our crowns before thee, Lost in wonder, love, and praise!"
#dailyhymn
6 months ago
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reposted by
Phil Whittall
Dan Kimball
6 months ago
A graphic showing hyper-extremes of how āchurchā is experienced - working on next book which addresses how wrong understandings of church drastically can impact our spiritual growth. - Any feedback appreciated.
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Looking for fresh blogs & sources of interesting writing. Could be about almost anything if well written. - Slight bias towards being from a Christian perspective. - Slight bias against substacks as I can't afford/am unwilling to pay for any more subscriptions Hit me with your best reads.
6 months ago
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reposted by
Phil Whittall
Simon Kuestenmacher
6 months ago
The wider the gap, the harder to find a partner. This should in turn further drive down birth rates. On top of this, the UK now has a reverse gender pay gap for young workers. Considering that women still prefer an equally or higher earning partner, birth rates should take yet another hit.
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"Lord of all power, I give thee my will, In joyful obedience thy tasks to fulfil. Thy bondage is freedom; thy service is song; And, held in thy keeping, my weakness is strong."
#dailyhymn
6 months ago
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Proper timeline cleanser this: Owls in Towels
owlsintowels.org
7 months ago
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"Normalize not looking at porn."
newsletter.oalannoble.com/p/pornograph...
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Pornography and the Threat of Men
Why men don't want to be viewed as threats and why porn condemns them
https://newsletter.oalannoble.com/p/pornography-and-the-threat-of-men
7 months ago
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"Lord, for that word, the word of life which fires us, speaks to our hearts and sets our souls ablaze, teaches and trains, rebukes and inspires us, Lord of the word, receive your people's praise."
#dailyhymn
7 months ago
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thesimplepastor.co.uk/untroubled-a...
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Untroubled and unafraid : The Simple Pastor
There is a shortlist of words that end up describing a generation and itās not a good sign when one of those is anxious. Thereās a much discussed book with that title (not read it yet) which touched a...
https://thesimplepastor.co.uk/untroubled-and-unafraid/
7 months ago
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"Life-imparting heavenly Manna, Stricken Rock with streaming side, Heaven and earth with loud hosanna Worship thee, the Lamb who died, Alleluia! Risen, ascended, glorified!"
#dailyhymn
7 months ago
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I've done it again. "Hey AI give me the brutal no holds barred feedback on this message. Don't sweet talk me." "Itās like three different talks had a car crash and you read the wreckage aloud." It might need a little work then.
7 months ago
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thesimplepastor.co.uk/if-youre-goi...
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If you're going to be weird don't also be dull : The Simple Pastor
What do you think of as weird? Itās not a universal. Wearing multiple layers of clothing every time you go outside and heating your home to 20+ degrees is weird if you live at the equator, not so much...
https://thesimplepastor.co.uk/if-youre-going-to-be-weird-dont-also-be-dull/
7 months ago
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thesimplepastor.co.uk/sinners-func...
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Sinners, functional atheists & being truly spiritual : The Simple Pastor
Does your faith have any power? Yes or no? Of course what do I mean by power? What do you mean by power? What can your Christianity actually do? You might argue that it can make you a new person and f...
https://thesimplepastor.co.uk/sinners-functional-atheists-being-truly-spiritual/
7 months ago
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I asked for the brutal no holds barred evaluation of my sermon from AI and I was told, "There are moments where fire is needed and you bring a wet match." Well, I did ask.
7 months ago
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"King is he, yet born a servant, Lord of all in human guise, Truly man, yet God revealing, God as love, to mortal eyes; God with man, he leads and feeds us, He the power and he the prize."
#dailyhymn
7 months ago
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reposted by
Phil Whittall
Conrad Hackett
7 months ago
Even in countries where few people view religion as very important, many hold beliefs in spirits and/or life after death. For example, few Swedes (7%) say religion is very important to them but nearly two-thirds believe in spirits in animals, parts of nature or objects.
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Believing in Spirits and Life After Death Is Common Around the World
Belief in an afterlife, God and spirits in nature is widespread globally. Older adults are more likely than younger adults to believe in God. Pew Research Center.
https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/05/06/believing-in-spirits-and-life-after-death-is-common-around-the-world/
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thesimplepastor.co.uk/in-defence-o...
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In defence of the shopping list : The Simple Pastor
Youāve probably heard the complaint, maybe even made it yourself, āI donāt want to always pray with a shopping listā. It expresses a desire to pray out of a deepening relationship with God. A longing ...
https://thesimplepastor.co.uk/in-defence-of-the-shopping-list/
7 months ago
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"Spirit of our God, descending, Fill our hearts with heavenly joy, Love with every passion blending, Pleasure that can never cloy; Thus provided, pardoned, guided, Nothing can our peace destroy."
#dailyhymn
7 months ago
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"Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom, Lead thou me on; The night is dark, and I am far from home, Lead thou me on. Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see The distant scene; one step enough for me."
#dailyhymn
7 months ago
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"Just as I am, without one plea But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come."
#dailyhymn
7 months ago
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reposted by
Phil Whittall
kottke.org
7 months ago
From Kirkus, a list of the Best Books of the 21st Century (So Far). Iāve read some of these but want to add the rest to my pile.
[kirkusreviews.com]
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thesimplepastor.co.uk/disputable-m...
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Disputable matters : The Simple Pastor
Thereās quite a lot of New Testament Christianity that seems to have gone missing nowadays. At least it would seem that way if you have spent any time on social media. Or even tried to disagree with s...
https://thesimplepastor.co.uk/disputable-matters/
7 months ago
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"Where he displays his healing power Death and the curse are known no more; In him the tribes of Adam boast More blessings than their father lost."
#dailyhymn
7 months ago
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thesimplepastor.co.uk/the-greatest...
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The greatest question : The Simple Pastor
It seems to be a generally accepted notion that comparing yourself to others is a bad idea. Itās a notoriously tricky notion that leads to either self-pride or self-condemnation neither of which is go...
https://thesimplepastor.co.uk/the-greatest-question/
8 months ago
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thesimplepastor.co.uk/the-curiosit...
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The Curiosity Index: Week 17 : The Simple Pastor
A few brief notes on life over the past week: You Should Read These You Should Look At This Some astonishing images here: 2025 Sony World Photography Awards You Should Listen To This This Johnny Cash ...
https://thesimplepastor.co.uk/the-curiosity-index-week-17-5/
8 months ago
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Another brilliant thing about living in Stockholm - Culture Night! Once evening a year everything culture related in the city is free & open to all. Just brilliant.
kulturnattstockholm.se
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Kulturnatt Stockholm
En natt. Hela Stockholms Kulturliv. Helt gratis. 26 april 2025
https://kulturnattstockholm.se
8 months ago
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"Jesus lives! my heart knows well Nought from me His Loves shall sever; Life, nor death, nor powers of hell, Part me now from Christ for ever: God will be a sure defence; This shall be my confidence."
#dailyhymn
8 months ago
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thesimplepastor.co.uk/the-rolled-a...
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The rolled away stone : The Simple Pastor
I have a very specific order when it comes to walking through a doorway. First I open the door, or make sure it is already open, and then I walk through. This method has served me very well, some enco...
https://thesimplepastor.co.uk/the-rolled-away-stone/
8 months ago
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"Jesus calls us from the worship Of the vain world's golden store, From each idol that would keep us, Saying, 'Christian, love me more.'"
#dailyhymn
8 months ago
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