Dan's one of the dads I know from the school our kids go to. He's a great friend, faithful and committed husband and father, he likes beer and doesn't believe in God. I ask him my usual 10 questions and as we go through he gets increasingly sweary, so be warned(!!), but if you can cope with it (and if there's no younger ears listening), it's well worth listening right to the end! :)

A recording I took of a live event with Dorset Humanists where my friend David Warden and I discuss reasons why he's not a Christian and why I'm not a Humanist. The first 35 minutes has each of our opening statements, and the rest of the time is less structured discussion and Q&A covering a variety of topics.

It was a privilege to chat with one of the local lads I know from working in the schools. He's a deep thinker and had some interesting and very honest answers to my 10 questions.

Darcy's a friend of mine from Citygate who I would describe as overwhelmed by God most of the time. Many people would be thrown by it, but I think it's great. He regularly gets goosebumps on his arms because he says he's experiencing God's love again. Some might have all sorts of explanations for the way Darcy is but I think God is clearly at work in his life and it's a privilege to spend time with him. Hope you enjoy it!

Liam is the leader of Centrepoint Elim Church in Bournemouth and he has an incredible story of how God has transformed his life. In this episode we get to hear all about it!

Part 2 of a fantastic event hosted by Dorset Humanists in Dorchester in which I was invited to debate my good friend David Warden - Chair of Dorset Humanists, on the question: Does God exist?

Part 1 of a fantastic event hosted by Dorset Humanists in Dorchester in which I was invited to debate my good friend David Warden - Chair of Dorset Humanists, on the question: Does God exist?

Does God speak today? Can we hear him? How does that even work? And how do we know it's not all in our heads? Clare is a friend of mine who I got to know through Citygate Church in Bournemouth and we now see each other quite a bit because we serve together by visiting secondary schools to lead lessons about what Christians believe. Clare is part of Catch the Fire Church these days and had some fascinating stuff to say about going out and listening to God for people and letting them know what he says about them, offering to pray for them, etc. We mention a few things that I said I'd put links to here so... Catch the Fire Church, Bournemouth https://www.ctfbournemouth.com/ PACE (Programme for Applied Christian Education) www.pacetrust.org.uk Burn 24-7 prayer and worship movement https://www.burn24-7.com/ Bethel Church https://www.bethel.com/ IHOP (International House of Prayer) https://www.ihopkc.org/

PLEASE READ THIS DESCRIPTION. It's a long one with lots of helpful links to check out from Mark. Me and Mark were at Moorlands College together over 20 years ago studying theology and we recently caught up with each other. Mark agreed to do a podcast chat with me so people can hear something of his story and it's truly great stuff. Honest. Vulnerable. Brilliant. Hope you enjoy it! From Mark... Here is a list of videos, websites, books and authors I talked about when we chatted and some extras too: Spirituality Fr Richard Rohr: This is the speaker and writer who has influenced my personal spirituality journey over the last 4 years. His book ‘Falling Upward’ is the book which has (without trying to be corny) radically influenced my life. Page 50 & 51 is where he talks briefly about Liminal Space. His organisation is called ‘Centre for Action and Contemplation’ CAC and is certainly worth looking at. They issue a daily email based on Richard Rohr’s writings encouraging a contemplative life. This week (Sunday 15th to Friday 20th April 2018) he has been looking at Gender and Sexuality. https://cac.org Richard Rohr has been involved and developed men’s work. As I said, for me attending the rites was instrumental in my life as a man. I would recommend every man, especially those 40 and over regardless of his own spiritual journey to have a look at it. This is the site of the UK organisation: http://www.malejourney.org.uk/ The gay issue Matthew Vines This man has put together a very strong biblical case for same sex relationships. This video he made 8 years ago when he was 21 (wow!) and subsequently he has brought out a book ‘God and the Gay Christian’ which takes all these themes deeper. A very good place for those who are looking for an evangelical biblical analysis: https://youtu.be/ezQjNJUSraY Open church network Steve Chalke has done a lot of work in the UK in the area of sexuality and gender issues. His videos and writings are clear and easily accessible. Sadly rejected by those in the church who can’t agree to disagree, he is very strong advocate of LGTBQI+ inclusion: http://openchurch.network/ Justin Lee (be careful there are other writers, actors and comedians with the same name - don’t get him confused!) He is the author of a book called ‘Unconditional: rescuing the gospel from the gays v Christian debate’ (confusingly also called Torn) and also he set up the Gay Christian Network though I understand he doesn’t work for them now. He uses the side A / side B debate to frame the conversation and whilst he strongly puts his own views he encourages the dialogue for all gay Christians. Certainly a good read and speaker and worth looking at his website: http://geekyjustin.com/ One Body, One Faith This organisation in the UK was formally Lesbian and Gay Christian movement. Excellent organisation working on the journey of the church in the UK, primarily but not exclusively with the Church of England: http://www.onebodyonefaith.org.uk/ Greenbelt Christian Arts Festivals which has been very bold at being inclusive over the last 40 years. A highlight in my annual calendar, especially the OuterSpace Eucharist: https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/ True Freedom Trust This organisation in the UK would very much sit on the side B of the debate though they don’t like to use the framework of the discussion in such terms. I was very much involved in the organisation 25 to 15 years ago and I have a lot of respect for its founder Martin Hallett and I am thankful to God for him and tft. Their outlook in the church was radical 25 years ago though they would now be seen as conservative evangelical. Today I would not agree with their theological view (they probably wouldn’t agree with me either!) however some people will agree with them and will find huge spiritual support and fellowship from them. I know of people who are still involved and supportive of their ministry. We are all walking with God and learning what he has for our own lives and for the church. We can all learn from each other and I am often challenged by their spiritual writings in their newsletters: http://truefreedomtrust.co.uk/ Metropolitan Church This denomination has always been very inclusive and they do have a congregation in Bournemouth, which I have attended a few times and I found them to be very welcoming. They also have a presence at Bournemouth Pride, which is a very positive thing. http://www.inclusive.church/ And finally There is me. I don’t have all the answers nor am I a counsellor, but I am a Christian and I am a Gay man and I have my story of this journey and adventure with God. I don’t know of any organisations or forums based in Bournemouth which bring Christians who are LGTBQI+ together, my prayer one day is that there will be. My heart is to see - LGTBQI+ people ‘In’ the Church, and - The church ‘Out’ in the LGTBQI+ community, - All ‘shaken’ up ....