Bishop of Bolton, the Rt Revd Dr Matthew Porter on Evangelism: 'Just tell your story'
Dr Matthew Porter admits he may not be a greatest or even the most natural Evangelist himself but says his own passion for sharing The Gospel tends to override that. It must be this quality that has lead him to his current position as Champion Lead Bishop in Mission and Discipleship in the Church of England.
Porter is also Bishop of Bolton and serves as one of three Anglican bishops within Greater Manchester bringing over 30 years of ministry experience with spells serving as Honorary Chaplain to both Queen Elizabeth II and Charles III.
He grew up in a Christian Methodist household and says he heard the voice of God quite early on, much like Samuel, also learning that prayer was powerful- it could do things. The call to ministry came at university and with a move over from his Methodist childhood to the Anglican Church.
Bishop Porter is also the author of number of books including The Art Of Journalling and the A-Z of Prayer, providing practical guides on some of the key elements of faith.
In this interview he talks to David Senior, a Church of England vicar himself in the Diocese of Guildford, about his early life and coming to faith, his love of journaling and how sharing faith and evangelism is simply speaking about the joy that exists within you.
The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity Magazine, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Through our publication, you’ll access thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary. Take advantage of our special offer - just £6 for 3 issues plus full digital access to our website and back issues. Enrich your faith journey and subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.
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Leadership Special: Todd Korpi: ‘Leading and studying with AI’
Andy Peck talks with the missiologist and assistant professor about how AI might assist pastoral care and theological study, from his book ‘AI Goes to Church: Pastoral Wisdom for Artificial Intelligence’. How might AI serve as a tool for pastors and will AI revolutionise College study? Todd shares principles from his vital book.
The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com
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Writer Stephanie Duncan Smith on grief, Advent and the cycle of the Church year
The writer and publisher Stephanie Duncan Smith was raised by Christian parents in the state of Maryland in the US, so from a very young age faith was woven into her life. Smith likes to talk about in terms of 'rhythms' and says there were three that dominated her early life: Church, dinner and reading. It didn't take long for her to develop an instinct for 'the word'.
She is now the senior editor for HarperOne which produces books on religion, spirituality and growth, among other things, and is part of the Harper Collins publishing house stable.
She also writes herself publishing the Slant newsletter on Substack which is aimed at writers hoping to hone their craft.
Her book, Even After Everything: The Spiritual Practice of Knowing the Risks and Loving Anyway, explores her personal experiences of loss alongside themes of joy, and hope.
In this conversation with Emma Fowle, Associate Editor of Christianity Magazine, she talks about the changing of the seasons and the sacredness of the year focussing particularly on Advent and how it ended up having deeper meaning to her after a period of personal grief.
The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity Magazine, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Through our publication, you’ll access thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary. Take advantage of our special offer - just £6 for 3 issues plus full digital access to our website and back issues. Enrich your faith journey and subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.
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Leadership Special: Andrew Whitman: ‘Lessons from a 70s revival’
Andy Peck talks with the author of ‘When Jesus Met Hippies: The Story and
Legacy of the Jesus People Movement in the UK’
They look at what we might learn about revival from those days. What are the similarities between 70s and today? What might we learn about the sad fall outs that occurred and what is the key message for church leaders today?
The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com
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Dr Francis Collins the Christian scientist who worked on the Covid-19 vaccine and the human genome
"God gives us human curiosity" says the renowned American physician-geneticist Dr Francis Collins whose is best known for his leadership of the Human Genome Project and his contributions to finding a vaccine for Covid. It's curiosity which has helped Collins play a part in some of the most extraordinary scientific discoveries of the modern age.
Born in 1950, Collins trained as a physician and geneticist, eventually becoming the director of the Human Genome Project. Under his leadership, scientists successfully mapped the entire human genome providing the first complete blueprint of human DNA. He went on to serve as director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) being a guiding force in the medical advances in the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic. He was also a pivotal member of the team that discovered the gene responsible for cystic fibrosis.
Collins’ grew up in a secular home but embraced Christianity, finding that faith and scientific inquiry are not enemies but complementary paths to truth.
His latest book The Road to Wisdom: On Truth, Science, Faith and Trust examines the challenges society faces and suggests a way forward that emphasises the importance of truth, science, faith, and trust.
In this episode of The Profile he talks to Premier Christianity Editor Sam Hailes about his work and the resistance he has had to it in recent years, how he sees politics divide people - especially Christians- and how he believes studying science is worship.
The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity Magazine, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Through our publication, you’ll access thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary. Take advantage of our special offer - just £6 for 3 issues plus full digital access to our website and back issues. Enrich your faith journey and subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.
Find out what makes influential Christian leaders tick! Hear the faith stories of a huge range of church leaders, musicians, preachers and more, as they share how God has led and guided them through both valleys and mountain-top experiences.
The Profile brings you in-depth interviews to help you learn from the wisdom and experiences of people who have gone all-in for God.
Past guests include church leaders such as HTB’s Nicky Gumbel, the world renown DJ Moby, Bible teachers Joyce Meyer and John Mark Comer, missionary Jackie Pullinger, Gospel superstar Fred Hammond and worship leaders Martin Smith and Tim Hughes. New episodes are published every Friday, PLUS check out bonus episodes every Wednesday, where our resident leadership expert Andy Peck interviews a range of pastors, preachers and practitioners on the topic of Christian leadership.
The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. If you enjoy The Profile you’re sure to love Premier Christianity magazine which will help you understand the changing culture around us and what God is doing through his Church today, read for free now at premierchristianity.com.
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