Author Archives: 1urcher

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About 1urcher

Erratic Vicar

Door to Door: easy evangelism

Posted on September 28, 2016 by 1urcher

‘It is the bread and butter of evangelistic work’ was a phrase often found on the lips of a London City Missioner referring to door to door evangelism. It is the simple practice of just knocking unannounced on someone’s door … Continue reading →

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The first Open Air preach

Posted on September 27, 2016 by 1urcher

TOWER HILL, October 1986. I gathered with experienced missioners and young Evangelists to take part in my first ever Open Air evangelistic event, in the surrounds of the Tower of London, the place which had seen the execution of many … Continue reading →

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My preaching was suspect too

Posted on September 26, 2016 by 1urcher

It was in 1986, so forgive me if I have forgotten exactly what I said. It was in Bermondsey, in the London City Mission Hall. The missioner, Terry Bedlow, would have been there and my two evangelist colleagues, David Mouncer … Continue reading →

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Starting out I was a rubbish evangelist

Posted on September 26, 2016 by 1urcher

As I said yesterday, I spent two years with the London City Mission Voluntary Evangelism Scheme (1986-1988). I have to say I was a rubbish evangelist. I was by disposition so introverted I would jump at a brown paper bag … Continue reading →

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1986 and all that

Posted on September 25, 2016 by 1urcher

It was sometime in August 1986 that I got the coach from Sheffield Bus Station to London Victoria. I was going to London for 3 weeks to be a summer evangelist with the London City Mission. I was met at … Continue reading →

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I still lament: one week on

Posted on July 1, 2016 by 1urcher

I decided I wanted to Remain. More people it seems wanted to Leave. I accept that I am democratically defeated at the ballot box. If you are with the centre-left politically, it is not an unusual experience. I do not … Continue reading →

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A question of belonging

Posted on June 22, 2016 by 1urcher

I am voting Remain. I don’t claim to be anymore patriotic than someone who is voting differently to me. In truth, this Referendum, which I regard as needless, has highlighted tensions in our nation that will take some time to … Continue reading →

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Words are not isolated

Posted on June 17, 2016 by 1urcher

When I was writing about childlessness many years ago now, I said the words to describe those who were involuntarily childless were always entirely negative: childless, infertile, impotent. Such words defined someone by what they are not. Words have in … Continue reading →

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Faith Pictures…. Give it a whirl

Posted on June 13, 2016 by 1urcher

When I was a child, even growing up within a bog standard Parish Church in Sheffield (if there is such a thing), I was used to people from time to time confidently (in an Anglican sort of way :-)) asserting … Continue reading →

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Godparents: in praise of them

Posted on June 12, 2016 by 1urcher

I sort of had godparents. That is to say I was baptised by a nurse. Anyone can baptise. You do not need to be ordained. I was then welcomed according to my baby book, which was amongst my mum’s things, … Continue reading →

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