Simon Benham’s Blog
Hello, and thanks for making it to my blog. My name is Simon and I am the Senior Pastor here at Kerith Community Church.
This blog is a place for me to share thoughts on pretty much anything which takes my interest. This will often be related to things happening in our church community or life lessons I am in the process of learning. It could also be reflections on current world events, reviews of books I am reading or commentary on how well Newcastle United are doing in the league! You just never know what you're going to get...
I hope you find this blog interesting and insightful. If you have any ideas on topics you'd like me to write about, then please email me and I’ll see what I can do. Also, if you’d like to get these blogs sent straight to your email inbox, you can subscribe using the button below.
Happy reading,
Simon
Using your voice for good
How many of you enjoy watching talent programmes on the television and feel envious of those brave individuals who have the confidence to stand on a stage in front of a crowd and sing solo? I know that I have great admiration for anyone who can share their voice in that way, despite the jangling nerves they feel as a lone voice in the silence. However there are many ways we can use our voices, even if not singing solo on a stage.
The cost of living crisis is here, but how can we respond?
There’s no denying that we are in a cost of living crisis and sadly, we know that things are only going to get worse. So how do we respond? I want to suggest two responses that I’ve pulled from the early Church; firstly for those who are struggling and then for those who may be in a position to help.
How full is your bath? An honest talk about mental health
At the beginning of the first lockdown back in 2020, we had the privilege of hosting an online evening with Dr. Kate Middleton who did an online talk about mental health in lockdown. I know that many people found it incredibly helpful and timely.
I am a leader and I am a failure. Looking at making mistakes and asking for forgiveness
What was your biggest ever failure? One of mine came early in my preaching career. I was giving a talk at church and for some reason I was telling a story about Sir Alex Ferguson, who was manager of Manchester United.I was explaining that Sir Alex threw a boot at David Beckham and hit him on the head, and how it left a mark on Beckham’s ‘carefully manicured forehead’.
Proposed new elders – an exciting day for Kerith
Whenever God wants to create life, he first creates a structure which will provide an environment for that life to flourish. Said another way; God never sows life into nothingness or chaos. A key part of our structures at Kerith are our elders are entrusted with the oversight of the church in terms of spiritual direction, pastoral care, theology, protection of the church and more.