If you don't read the Baptist Times (or even if you do) then Glen Marshall's latest four offerings (here, here, here and here) are worth a look.  One of the things that I find challenging, though, is trying to hold the four of them together.

Only this week I was told that churches don't want theologians, they want someone who will be nice to them; that while ministers might know that the church exists for mission, what congregations desire/require is a chaplain to the faithful.  All this is rather demoralising if you are a mission-focussed, theologically-energised minister in a small church.  I read Glen's stuff and found myself agreeing with a lot of what he said but wondering how on earth you bridge the gap to reality.

So, how do you join up all the thinking?  Answers on a postcard please...