In Depth:  Tom Forryan

All topics
When their teaching is healthy, but their behaviour isn't
lessons from Jude

When their teaching is healthy, but their behaviour isn't

Tom Forryan
Tom Forryan

What does it mean to 'contend for the faith once for all delivered to the saints' (Jude 3)?

Here is a clear call to disagree, to argue, to oppose, to speak against, to condemn – but is this only a matter of doctrine?

'Once for all': the sufficiency of Scripture
lessons from Jude

'Once for all': the sufficiency of Scripture

Tom Forryan
Tom Forryan

It was the first Sunday of the year and we were visiting a large church in our town. After the service an enthusiastic young man came up and told me, 'The Lord has shown me you are in full-time Christian ministry.'

(How did the Lord do that? Was it a miracle? Was it because I sat at the front with a big Bible open in front of me?) Then he said, 'I have a word from the Lord for you: you will go to the next level this year!' I can’t honestly say that prediction was false – presumably I did indeed go to the next level in something that year, even if it was only my favourite computer game – but it didn’t trouble me. Why not? Because I believe in the sufficiency of Scripture.

3 ways to respond when your leader falls
lessons from Jude

3 ways to respond when your leader falls

Tom Forryan
Tom Forryan

A new church starts in your city. It seems to be everything a church should be. The lead pastor is full of 'can do'. He has an uncanny ability to relate to young people, with humour, energy and a feel for contemporary trends.

Soon, his alternative-style services are drawing young people from a wide radius. He launches one innovative initiative after another, each one more audacious than the last and each one more spectacularly successful. The feel is that his church is really the only one to be at; and he is the only one who can run it. 'This is where God is at work', people say.

France: Priez pour Paris

France: Priez pour Paris

Tom Forryan
Tom Forryan

Et moi, je n’aurais pas pitié de Ninive, la grande ville? (Jonah 4:11). God asks the reluctant prophet to agree that, yes he should indeed take pity on the great city.

With that divine concern in mind, 14 Brits came together recently in Paris for the second ‘Pray for Paris’ weekend. The group met with an experienced Parisian pastor and his wife for news and prayer requests, and also prayed with a UK missionary in Paris. One participant said: ‘I have always loved Paris, but I had never prayed for Paris.’

Different kind of anniversary

Tom Forryan
Tom Forryan

Supported by a team from the Grace Baptist Partnership, a church in Hitchin decided to celebrate its anniversary by reaching out to the community, putting evangelistic preaching at the heart of their outreach.

Addressing questions relevant to people who aren’t yet Christians, the church saw outsiders coming in to what the church had phrased ‘a small church with a big message’.

Eternal perspective

Eternal perspective

Tom Forryan
Tom Forryan

Book Review TEACHING 2 TIMOTHY From Text to Message

Read review
Watford: out of the fire

Watford: out of the fire

Tom Forryan
Tom Forryan

After the premises of Derby Road Baptist Church, Watford were set on fire in an arson attack (see the report in the March issue of en), with great joy, the church held a thanksgiving service on September 20 to celebrate the reopening.

As well as Watford’s mayor and MP, a number of local people attended. Some had links with the church (one couple who were married there in 1958), others came into the building for the first time. The service gave the opportunity to thank various people who had helped the church after the fire, and a presentation was made to Philip Jordan, the elder responsible for overseeing the work on the building. There was a message from John 3 to close the service. Please pray for the arsonist, who has not been caught.

Watford: deliberate fire

Watford: deliberate fire

Tom Forryan
Tom Forryan

A large fire badly damaged the floor and caused smoke damage throughout the inside of Derby Road Baptist Church, Watford, on February 1.

A break-in was followed by what appears to be a fire started deliberately, causing damage to the church hall, which was laid out for a wedding the following day. The fire was lit in the central area of the church, burning a hole in the floor construction as well as a destroying a good number of chairs. The area affected was extensive, although the church hall and kitchen largely escaped the flames. The exterior of the building is unaffected, and remains structurally sound, but the interior wooden floor has burnt through badly.

Finished salvation?

Finished salvation?

Tom Forryan
Tom Forryan

Book Review BACK TO THE SOURCE 30 Challenges to Be, Say and Do Life the Jesus Way

Read review

A living hope

Tom Forryan
Tom Forryan

It must be a nightmare of a job to be Prime Minister. Everybody expects you to fix everything.

Apparently, Gordon Brown recently received a letter from an 11-year old girl, telling him she was worried that she might not get work when she left school. His answer was like this: you are 11 years old, so try not to worry too much. Forget about the future and enjoy your life. But, of course, the problem is we can’t help thinking about the future. I can enjoy my life now but what about tomorrow — where is it all going? Peter says to his readers, when you believed in Jesus Christ and the resurrection, living hope came into your life.

The personal touch

Tom Forryan
Tom Forryan

Book Review JUST WALK ACROSS THE ROOM

Read review

One and only God

Tom Forryan
Tom Forryan

’Hear O Israel, The Lord our God, the Lord is One’ (Deuteronomy 6.4).

In the NIV Bible our verse has some variations listed: the Lord our God is one Lord, or the Lord is our God, the Lord is one, or the Lord is our God the Lord alone.

Compassionate, not judgemental

Tom Forryan
Tom Forryan

Book Review WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT GOING OUT, MARRIAGE AND SEX

Read review

Sola...

Tom Forryan
Tom Forryan

Book Review THE CASE FOR TRADITIONAL PROTESTANTISM

Read review

The losers who win with the work that is rest for the Master who is slave

Tom Forryan
Tom Forryan

'Come to me', Jesus said, 'all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.'

First, the losers who win. Jesus is talking to people who are weary and burdened - people who have tried repeatedly and failed.

New thoughts & strategies

Tom Forryan
Tom Forryan

Book Review MISSION AFTER CHRISTENDOM

Read review

Are we Britain's bogeymen?

Tom Forryan
Tom Forryan

Book Review CHOSEN PEOPLE The big idea that shapes England and America

Read review

Half decent

Tom Forryan
Tom Forryan

Book Review BLUE

Read review

Be blessed

Tom Forryan
Tom Forryan

Book Review SORTED

Read review

Stress Family Robinson 2 - The Birthday Party

Tom Forryan
Tom Forryan

Book Review STRESS FAMILY ROBINSON 2: the birthday party

Read review

Nehemiah's renewal

Tom Forryan
Tom Forryan

Picture the scene. Now that their 70-year exile in Babylon is officially over, some small groups of Israelites have begun to return to their homeland.

In the face of considerable opposition, this handful has completed stages one and two of their national renewal: they have rebuilt the Temple and the walls of Jerusalem.

JUDGES AND RUTH

Tom Forryan
Tom Forryan

Book Review By Stephen Dray

Read review