My last blog on Authority and Power hit the spot with a number of readers. ‘This almost exactly mirrors the situation I’m in’. ‘You must have written this just for me’, to mention a couple of comments. And I’ve been told some harrowing tales of charities where there’s been a […]

Last night we popped out to watch ‘Doubt; a Parable at the Festival theatre. A 5 star performance from 4 players who worked hard to produce a memorable experience. It came at a time when I’ve been reflecting on Authority and Power.  The play was all about the interplay of […]

I’d quite forgotten that a new Charities Act is underway until I was reminded by a question that arrived recently. The bill is still in the committee stage and will be a while before it becomes an act. It’s a considered attempt by the government to make life simpler for […]

For the first time ever, I go into a new year with no major responsibilities, outside of Anita my wife and Millie, a small dog who thinks she’s a big dog. I’ve stood down my trustee responsibilities and, though I’m still useful to my old business, I’m very happy to […]

Sometimes I have to write difficult e-mails. Millie had me up at 5.30 am today, when she’s gotta go, she’s gotta go; she makes this abundantly clear. Climbing back into bed I decided it was time to tackle that tricky e-mail that had been keeping me awake into the small […]

Many years ago, I was part of a church leadership team in Essex. In the office, we had a young lady who worked hard and took care of much of the admin. What I never forgot was her tactic of how she would deal with any request from one of […]

My last blog gently encouraged us to press the pause button as we come out of lockdown. I meant every word at the time and still do, but I probably need to revert to my usual grumpy self or my friends might start to worry about me. So this time […]

Some years ago I did some work with a Baptist minister who had got himself rather tucked up. The church ran a pre-school. It was growing quickly and a decision was made to spin it off into an independent charity. At that stage, they should have gotten advice, which would […]

If we’re involved in running a charity or a church or anything at all we have to see everything as a start up; we have to take it all apart and put it back together again. Yesterday I joined a live service from a big church in Surrey that I’ve […]

There’s a time to give and a time to receive: • a time to breathe in and a time to breathe out • a time to wake up and a time to go to sleep • a time to speed up and a time to stop • a time to speak […]