Phil Whittall
@simplepastor.bsky.social
Runner. Reader. Blogger. Leader.
thesimplepastor.co.uk
thesimplepastor.co.uk
Goodbye Budapest
November 20, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Goodbye Budapest
Reposted by Phil Whittall
Nigeria has the world’s fifth-largest Muslim population and its sixth-largest Christian population. It is the only country that ranks among both the 10 largest Muslim populations and the 10 largest Christian populations.
November 11, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Nigeria has the world’s fifth-largest Muslim population and its sixth-largest Christian population. It is the only country that ranks among both the 10 largest Muslim populations and the 10 largest Christian populations.
Reposted by Phil Whittall
Generosity towards others was, and is, as essential mark of the New Testament way of life.
September 17, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Generosity towards others was, and is, as essential mark of the New Testament way of life.
Libraries are amazing & we shouldn't ever let them disappear. What a society where you could read thousands of books over a lifetime for FREE!
kottke.org/25/08/004732...
kottke.org/25/08/004732...
A Man Read 3,599 Books Over 60 Years, and Now His Family Has...
A Man Read 3,599 Books Over 60 Years, and Now His Family Has Shared the Entire List Online. That’s roughly a book a week. Th
kottke.org
September 17, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Libraries are amazing & we shouldn't ever let them disappear. What a society where you could read thousands of books over a lifetime for FREE!
kottke.org/25/08/004732...
kottke.org/25/08/004732...
Almost none of the songs I sing in church are drawn from the life of Jesus. There are very few based on what I read in the Gospels BEFORE the cross. Or at least I can't think of many
Give me your best hymns & songs that draw on the life/teachings of Jesus as we read in the Gospels BEFORE the cross
Give me your best hymns & songs that draw on the life/teachings of Jesus as we read in the Gospels BEFORE the cross
September 13, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Almost none of the songs I sing in church are drawn from the life of Jesus. There are very few based on what I read in the Gospels BEFORE the cross. Or at least I can't think of many
Give me your best hymns & songs that draw on the life/teachings of Jesus as we read in the Gospels BEFORE the cross
Give me your best hymns & songs that draw on the life/teachings of Jesus as we read in the Gospels BEFORE the cross
Reposted by Phil Whittall
‘The greatest commandment is amongst other things a commandment to full engagement in the act of worship’
Thought-provoking, NOT boring from ‘the Simple Pastor!
thesimplepastor.co.uk/entertaining...
Thought-provoking, NOT boring from ‘the Simple Pastor!
thesimplepastor.co.uk/entertaining...
Entertaining or engaging? : The Simple Pastor
Are the services at your church boring? Is it yes, no or sometimes? Are the sermons? In our church kids over 12 are in the service and so listen to the sermon along with everyone else. I’m the main pr...
thesimplepastor.co.uk
July 27, 2025 at 2:57 PM
‘The greatest commandment is amongst other things a commandment to full engagement in the act of worship’
Thought-provoking, NOT boring from ‘the Simple Pastor!
thesimplepastor.co.uk/entertaining...
Thought-provoking, NOT boring from ‘the Simple Pastor!
thesimplepastor.co.uk/entertaining...
Not shocked to see where Sweden comes on this list
When God listens to a random prayer he will most likely listen to an Indian accent. (Feel free to count the assumptions I’m making in this statement)
July 27, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Not shocked to see where Sweden comes on this list
Two of the most brutal sentences in the Bible:
"Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the Lord." (1 Sam 2:12).
God save us from religious leaders like that.
"Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the Lord." (1 Sam 2:12).
God save us from religious leaders like that.
July 27, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Two of the most brutal sentences in the Bible:
"Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the Lord." (1 Sam 2:12).
God save us from religious leaders like that.
"Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the Lord." (1 Sam 2:12).
God save us from religious leaders like that.
Reposted by Phil Whittall
While the summer was probably nice in Poland or Denmark this is yet another reminder that Europe must adapt to higher temperatures quickly.
July 25, 2025 at 10:27 PM
While the summer was probably nice in Poland or Denmark this is yet another reminder that Europe must adapt to higher temperatures quickly.
Reposted by Phil Whittall
I take time to read this blog whenever I remember. A shame it’s not on Substack as X is not somewhere I like to spend much time thesimplepastor.co.uk/god-is-pro-j... Thanks @simplepastor.bsky.social
God is pro-joy : The Simple Pastor
Christians are to be joyful people. As much as we are to be loving and kind we are to be joyful. It is one of the signs, outcomes, blessings that life in the Spirit produces. We are a people who echo ...
thesimplepastor.co.uk
July 25, 2025 at 7:31 AM
I take time to read this blog whenever I remember. A shame it’s not on Substack as X is not somewhere I like to spend much time thesimplepastor.co.uk/god-is-pro-j... Thanks @simplepastor.bsky.social
We've just passed the 1st anniversary of my father's death. This was, it turns out, his last annual Christmas newsletter reflection. Poignant to say the least.
thesimplepastor.co.uk/when-the-tim...
thesimplepastor.co.uk/when-the-tim...
When the time is right : The Simple Pastor
My parents write a family newsletter each Christmas and Dad sticks in a reflection before getting to the family news. This year’s struck me so I thought I’d share it (with permission) here. So this is...
thesimplepastor.co.uk
July 25, 2025 at 7:32 PM
We've just passed the 1st anniversary of my father's death. This was, it turns out, his last annual Christmas newsletter reflection. Poignant to say the least.
thesimplepastor.co.uk/when-the-tim...
thesimplepastor.co.uk/when-the-tim...
"O may this bounteous God
Through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts
And blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in his grace,
And guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all ills
In this world and the next."
#dailyhymn
Through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts
And blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in his grace,
And guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all ills
In this world and the next."
#dailyhymn
June 14, 2025 at 4:49 AM
"O may this bounteous God
Through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts
And blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in his grace,
And guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all ills
In this world and the next."
#dailyhymn
Through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts
And blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in his grace,
And guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all ills
In this world and the next."
#dailyhymn
I was recently interviewed for the New Ground Leadership podcast. Fascinating to reflect that we're having this topic whereas five to ten years ago we wouldn't!
thesimplepastor.co.uk/ai-in-minist...
thesimplepastor.co.uk/ai-in-minist...
AI in ministry: Trust, truth & kindness : The Simple Pastor
Yesterday I included AI in my list of trends to shape the rest of the decade (and beyond) which is not exactly a revelation but we do need to be clear about it and not just respond to it but think the...
thesimplepastor.co.uk
June 10, 2025 at 11:18 AM
I was recently interviewed for the New Ground Leadership podcast. Fascinating to reflect that we're having this topic whereas five to ten years ago we wouldn't!
thesimplepastor.co.uk/ai-in-minist...
thesimplepastor.co.uk/ai-in-minist...
Reposted by Phil Whittall
UPDATED: Our interactive table shows the religious makeup of 201 countries and territories. pewrsr.ch/43usV6q?ut...
Religious Composition by Country, 2010-2020
Find how many people identify with each religious group and what percent each made up in 201 countries and territories, and by region, in 2010 and 2020.
pewrsr.ch
June 9, 2025 at 7:40 PM
UPDATED: Our interactive table shows the religious makeup of 201 countries and territories. pewrsr.ch/43usV6q?ut...
Reposted by Phil Whittall
You can explore our new estimates of the religious composition of every country, by count and share here: www.pewresearch.org/religion/fea...
For example, here's a clip showing countries with the highest unaffiliated shares in 2020:
For example, here's a clip showing countries with the highest unaffiliated shares in 2020:
June 9, 2025 at 7:56 PM
You can explore our new estimates of the religious composition of every country, by count and share here: www.pewresearch.org/religion/fea...
For example, here's a clip showing countries with the highest unaffiliated shares in 2020:
For example, here's a clip showing countries with the highest unaffiliated shares in 2020:
"Finish then thy new creation,
Pure and sinless let us be;
Let us see thy great salvation,
Perfectly restored in thee:
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heav'n we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise!"
#dailyhymn
Pure and sinless let us be;
Let us see thy great salvation,
Perfectly restored in thee:
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heav'n we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise!"
#dailyhymn
June 8, 2025 at 9:30 AM
"Finish then thy new creation,
Pure and sinless let us be;
Let us see thy great salvation,
Perfectly restored in thee:
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heav'n we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise!"
#dailyhymn
Pure and sinless let us be;
Let us see thy great salvation,
Perfectly restored in thee:
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heav'n we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise!"
#dailyhymn
Reposted by Phil Whittall
A graphic showing hyper-extremes of how “church” is experienced - working on next book which addresses how wrong understandings of church drastically can impact our spiritual growth. - Any feedback appreciated.
June 7, 2025 at 8:20 PM
A graphic showing hyper-extremes of how “church” is experienced - working on next book which addresses how wrong understandings of church drastically can impact our spiritual growth. - Any feedback appreciated.
Looking for fresh blogs & sources of interesting writing. Could be about almost anything if well written.
- Slight bias towards being from a Christian perspective.
- Slight bias against substacks as I can't afford/am unwilling to pay for any more subscriptions
Hit me with your best reads.
- Slight bias towards being from a Christian perspective.
- Slight bias against substacks as I can't afford/am unwilling to pay for any more subscriptions
Hit me with your best reads.
June 7, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Looking for fresh blogs & sources of interesting writing. Could be about almost anything if well written.
- Slight bias towards being from a Christian perspective.
- Slight bias against substacks as I can't afford/am unwilling to pay for any more subscriptions
Hit me with your best reads.
- Slight bias towards being from a Christian perspective.
- Slight bias against substacks as I can't afford/am unwilling to pay for any more subscriptions
Hit me with your best reads.
Reposted by Phil Whittall
The wider the gap, the harder to find a partner. This should in turn further drive down birth rates. On top of this, the UK now has a reverse gender pay gap for young workers. Considering that women still prefer an equally or higher earning partner, birth rates should take yet another hit.
June 5, 2025 at 7:04 PM
The wider the gap, the harder to find a partner. This should in turn further drive down birth rates. On top of this, the UK now has a reverse gender pay gap for young workers. Considering that women still prefer an equally or higher earning partner, birth rates should take yet another hit.
"Lord of all power, I give thee my will,
In joyful obedience thy tasks to fulfil.
Thy bondage is freedom; thy service is song;
And, held in thy keeping, my weakness is strong."
#dailyhymn
In joyful obedience thy tasks to fulfil.
Thy bondage is freedom; thy service is song;
And, held in thy keeping, my weakness is strong."
#dailyhymn
June 1, 2025 at 10:24 AM
"Lord of all power, I give thee my will,
In joyful obedience thy tasks to fulfil.
Thy bondage is freedom; thy service is song;
And, held in thy keeping, my weakness is strong."
#dailyhymn
In joyful obedience thy tasks to fulfil.
Thy bondage is freedom; thy service is song;
And, held in thy keeping, my weakness is strong."
#dailyhymn
Proper timeline cleanser this: Owls in Towels
owlsintowels.org
owlsintowels.org
May 28, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Proper timeline cleanser this: Owls in Towels
owlsintowels.org
owlsintowels.org