Phil Whittall
@simplepastor.bsky.social
Runner. Reader. Blogger. Leader.
thesimplepastor.co.uk
thesimplepastor.co.uk
Reposted by Phil Whittall
Is this some kind of sick joke?
January 27, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Is this some kind of sick joke?
This is by far one of the craziest bus journeys ever!
I just woke up from a nap and somehow while I was asleep, everyone on the bus has figured out we are not going to the right place
January 20, 2026 at 10:35 AM
This is by far one of the craziest bus journeys ever!
New post: thesimplepastor.co.uk/remember-the...
Remember the wondrous works : The Simple Pastor
I have trouble remembering things that happened earlier in the year. Now before you quickly put this down to my age, which I guess it could be, I think there are other things at work. One reason coul...
thesimplepastor.co.uk
December 27, 2025 at 12:06 PM
New post: thesimplepastor.co.uk/remember-the...
Most weeks, but not quite every week, I make a miscellany on my blog sharing a mixture of articles, photos, songs and videos. Here's a playlist of the songs I chose in 2025. It's a mix of whatever caught my fancy so best to use the randomizer
open.spotify.com/playlist/6Ke...
open.spotify.com/playlist/6Ke...
The Curiosity Index 2025
open.spotify.com
December 27, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Most weeks, but not quite every week, I make a miscellany on my blog sharing a mixture of articles, photos, songs and videos. Here's a playlist of the songs I chose in 2025. It's a mix of whatever caught my fancy so best to use the randomizer
open.spotify.com/playlist/6Ke...
open.spotify.com/playlist/6Ke...
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 @simplepastor.bsky.social
thesimplepastor.co.uk/entertaining...
Thought-provoking, NOT boring from the @simplepastor.bsky.social
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
December 8, 2025 at 3:32 PM
‘The greatest commandment is amongst other things a commandment to full engagement in the act of worship’
Thought-provoking, NOT boring from the @simplepastor.bsky.social
thesimplepastor.co.uk/entertaining...
Thought-provoking, NOT boring from the @simplepastor.bsky.social
thesimplepastor.co.uk/entertaining...
Reposted by Phil Whittall
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: