Christian Selvaratnam
@selvaratnam.bsky.social
Developing the next generation of Christian leaders with sthild.org, sthildplanting.org, archbishopsevangelists.org and asburyseminary.edu. Old posts auto-delete; usual disclaimers.
linktr.ee/selvaratnam
linktr.ee/selvaratnam
Church in a post-Christendom society?
August 28, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Church in a post-Christendom society?
The next AI tool you use might not need a supercomputer—or even the cloud. It could run fast and locally on your phone or PC. Small language models are catching up, and they’re cheaper, leaner and apparently just as smart for many tasks.
arxiv.org/pdf/2506.02153
arxiv.org/pdf/2506.02153
arxiv.org
August 7, 2025 at 6:03 PM
The next AI tool you use might not need a supercomputer—or even the cloud. It could run fast and locally on your phone or PC. Small language models are catching up, and they’re cheaper, leaner and apparently just as smart for many tasks.
arxiv.org/pdf/2506.02153
arxiv.org/pdf/2506.02153
Happy #YorkshireDay—where the tea is strong, the pews are hard, and the sermons last longer than the roast.
August 1, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Happy #YorkshireDay—where the tea is strong, the pews are hard, and the sermons last longer than the roast.
I don't know of any other profession in which it is quite as easy to fake it as in ours. By adopting a reverential demeanor, cultivating a stained-glass voice, slipping occasional words like
"eschatology" into conversation …we are trusted, without any questions asked …
Eugene H Peterson
"eschatology" into conversation …we are trusted, without any questions asked …
Eugene H Peterson
July 22, 2025 at 3:47 PM
I don't know of any other profession in which it is quite as easy to fake it as in ours. By adopting a reverential demeanor, cultivating a stained-glass voice, slipping occasional words like
"eschatology" into conversation …we are trusted, without any questions asked …
Eugene H Peterson
"eschatology" into conversation …we are trusted, without any questions asked …
Eugene H Peterson
Bishop Martin Gorick is mistaken: removing Issues in Human Sexuality does not mean same-sex clergy need not be celibate. The House of Bishops Pastoral Guidance on Same Sex Marriage (2014) upholds that expectation.
observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
By reforming its position on sexuality of clergy, Church ...
Synod approves change that no longer requires openly gay candidates for priesthood to take vow of celibacy
observer.co.uk
July 22, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Bishop Martin Gorick is mistaken: removing Issues in Human Sexuality does not mean same-sex clergy need not be celibate. The House of Bishops Pastoral Guidance on Same Sex Marriage (2014) upholds that expectation.
observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
Reposted by Christian Selvaratnam
Congratulations to the eight newly appointed Honorary Canons of Manchester Cathedral, who have been recognised for their dedicated service to our diocese and the wider Church.
You can learn more about them here 👇
www.manchester.anglican.org/honorary-can...
You can learn more about them here 👇
www.manchester.anglican.org/honorary-can...
July 13, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Congratulations to the eight newly appointed Honorary Canons of Manchester Cathedral, who have been recognised for their dedicated service to our diocese and the wider Church.
You can learn more about them here 👇
www.manchester.anglican.org/honorary-can...
You can learn more about them here 👇
www.manchester.anglican.org/honorary-can...
I’m delighted to have been appointed by bishop David as an honorary canon of Manchester Cathedral, ‘in recognition of my contribution to church planting’. If you’re near Manchester, do join the installation service during evensong at Manchester Cathedral on Sunday 5 October 2025.
Celebrating our new Honorary Canons - Diocese of Manchester
Congratulations to the eight newly appointed Honorary Canons of Manchester Cathedral, who have been recognised for their dedicated service to the diocese and the wider Church.
www.manchester.anglican.org
July 10, 2025 at 10:17 AM
I’m delighted to have been appointed by bishop David as an honorary canon of Manchester Cathedral, ‘in recognition of my contribution to church planting’. If you’re near Manchester, do join the installation service during evensong at Manchester Cathedral on Sunday 5 October 2025.
Obviously I’m pleased, but a bit odd
July 1, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Obviously I’m pleased, but a bit odd
The Japan-inspired strawberries and cream sandwich 🍓🥪, have you tried one?
HMRC is investigating—if it counts as luxury finger food or a dessert, it could attract 20% VAT. Sweet treat or taxable snack?
HMRC is investigating—if it counts as luxury finger food or a dessert, it could attract 20% VAT. Sweet treat or taxable snack?
June 29, 2025 at 8:10 PM
The Japan-inspired strawberries and cream sandwich 🍓🥪, have you tried one?
HMRC is investigating—if it counts as luxury finger food or a dessert, it could attract 20% VAT. Sweet treat or taxable snack?
HMRC is investigating—if it counts as luxury finger food or a dessert, it could attract 20% VAT. Sweet treat or taxable snack?
Great to celebrate four new deacons in the Diocese of York today, or St Hild students
June 28, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Great to celebrate four new deacons in the Diocese of York today, or St Hild students
Interesting to see new HFEA data: 1 in 32 children—roughly one in every British classroom—now born via IVF. What was once ethically controversial is now normalised, raising questions about future technologies like gene editing and selection.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Equivalent of one child in every British classroom now born via IVF, data shows
Proportion of women giving birth after fertility treatment up by more than a third in a decade, figures reveal
www.theguardian.com
June 26, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Interesting to see new HFEA data: 1 in 32 children—roughly one in every British classroom—now born via IVF. What was once ethically controversial is now normalised, raising questions about future technologies like gene editing and selection.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
I hear the Bishop of Manchester suggests that increasing stipendiary posts across the board could lead to a further ‘brain drain’ to the south. With vocations in decline, are there enough priests?
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
Shrink grants in favour of funding parish clergy, Bishop of Hereford urges Church Commissioners
‘Clear evidence that maintaining stipendiary clergy levels leads to church growth’ he says
www.churchtimes.co.uk
June 14, 2025 at 12:05 PM
I hear the Bishop of Manchester suggests that increasing stipendiary posts across the board could lead to a further ‘brain drain’ to the south. With vocations in decline, are there enough priests?
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
It’s become easier to plant a church, but harder to do effective evangelism.
#churchplanting
#churchplanting
June 14, 2025 at 9:51 AM
It’s become easier to plant a church, but harder to do effective evangelism.
#churchplanting
#churchplanting
A new word for our era: ‘p(doom)’—the estimated probability that superintelligent AI will destroy human civilisation.
June 8, 2025 at 8:31 PM
A new word for our era: ‘p(doom)’—the estimated probability that superintelligent AI will destroy human civilisation.
This was a striking quote in this interesting article:
“Western Anglicanism is, mostly, more comfortable with decline than growth. It tends to accept an ecclesiology of palliative care, in which shrinking Churches are seen as inevitable.”
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
“Western Anglicanism is, mostly, more comfortable with decline than growth. It tends to accept an ecclesiology of palliative care, in which shrinking Churches are seen as inevitable.”
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
How much influence does the global Anglican Communion have in choosing the next Archbishop of Canterbury?
Overseas Anglicans are to play a larger part than ever before in the decision, writes David Goodhew. But their representation does not reflect where the growth is
www.churchtimes.co.uk
June 6, 2025 at 4:23 AM
This was a striking quote in this interesting article:
“Western Anglicanism is, mostly, more comfortable with decline than growth. It tends to accept an ecclesiology of palliative care, in which shrinking Churches are seen as inevitable.”
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
“Western Anglicanism is, mostly, more comfortable with decline than growth. It tends to accept an ecclesiology of palliative care, in which shrinking Churches are seen as inevitable.”
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
Loved this tactile way to remember the 10 Commandments from Summit Church.
www.instagram.com/reel/DIepzO_...
www.instagram.com/reel/DIepzO_...
Instagram
Create an account or log in to Instagram - Share what you're into with the people who get you.
www.instagram.com
June 5, 2025 at 5:54 AM
Loved this tactile way to remember the 10 Commandments from Summit Church.
www.instagram.com/reel/DIepzO_...
www.instagram.com/reel/DIepzO_...
If you haven’t read Diarmaid MacCulloch’s ‘Lower than the Angels: A History of Sex and Christianity’ (688 pages), this 42 min podcast with the author is a good intro to some of the themes.
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
What has religion to do with sex? In conversation with Diarmaid MacCulloch by Reading Our Times
One of the major changes in Western society in the last half century is the so-called sexual revolution, and one way of understanding that is to see it as the long, withdrawing roar of a Christian sex...
https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/readingourtimes/episodes/What-has-religion-to-do-with-sex–In-conversation-with-Diarmaid-MacCulloch-e33m79l
June 5, 2025 at 5:37 AM
If you haven’t read Diarmaid MacCulloch’s ‘Lower than the Angels: A History of Sex and Christianity’ (688 pages), this 42 min podcast with the author is a good intro to some of the themes.
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
‘Catch for us the foxes,
the little foxes…’ Song of Songs 2.15.
Each year, the same pair of foxes returns to nest near our garden. We often catch them on our wildlife webcam, and occasionally in daylight. This year, it looks like there’s just one cub.
the little foxes…’ Song of Songs 2.15.
Each year, the same pair of foxes returns to nest near our garden. We often catch them on our wildlife webcam, and occasionally in daylight. This year, it looks like there’s just one cub.
May 30, 2025 at 9:35 AM
‘Catch for us the foxes,
the little foxes…’ Song of Songs 2.15.
Each year, the same pair of foxes returns to nest near our garden. We often catch them on our wildlife webcam, and occasionally in daylight. This year, it looks like there’s just one cub.
the little foxes…’ Song of Songs 2.15.
Each year, the same pair of foxes returns to nest near our garden. We often catch them on our wildlife webcam, and occasionally in daylight. This year, it looks like there’s just one cub.
Loved this talk by @richvillodas.bsky.social on ‘Resisting Racism’. His context is North American, which has its own story, but there’s so much in here that’s thoughtful, nuanced, and deeply rooted in the Christian vision. Well worth a listen.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=YC1i...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=YC1i...
Resisting Racism | The New Family of Jesus | Pastor Rich Villodas
YouTube video by New Life Fellowship Church NYC
m.youtube.com
May 26, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Loved this talk by @richvillodas.bsky.social on ‘Resisting Racism’. His context is North American, which has its own story, but there’s so much in here that’s thoughtful, nuanced, and deeply rooted in the Christian vision. Well worth a listen.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=YC1i...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=YC1i...
Other than the small detail that I can’t surf, I’m tempted to apply for this! More seriously, it looks like a fascinating role for a surfer who loves Jesus and wants to share the Christian faith:
networksuffolk.org.uk/2025/05/norf...
networksuffolk.org.uk/2025/05/norf...
Norfolk Surf Church Planter & Missional Pioneer
North Norfolk Methodist Circuit and East Anglia Methodist District are looking for a visionary, enthusiastic and faith-filled Surf Church Planter & Missional Pioneer to launch and lead Wavestation Sur...
networksuffolk.org.uk
May 19, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Other than the small detail that I can’t surf, I’m tempted to apply for this! More seriously, it looks like a fascinating role for a surfer who loves Jesus and wants to share the Christian faith:
networksuffolk.org.uk/2025/05/norf...
networksuffolk.org.uk/2025/05/norf...
The 2023 killings and abductions of Israeli civilians by Hamas—many of them young adults—were horrific. So too is the current situation in Gaza, where children are starving and innocent civilians are dying in ongoing attacks.
May 15, 2025 at 2:51 PM
The 2023 killings and abductions of Israeli civilians by Hamas—many of them young adults—were horrific. So too is the current situation in Gaza, where children are starving and innocent civilians are dying in ongoing attacks.
What brilliant news: last year, over 2 million people participated in Alpha, run by 43,000 churches and organisations across 146 countries.
I suspect this is part of the wider story of renewed interest in exploring the Christian faith that we are currently seeing.
partners.alpha.org/yearinreview
I suspect this is part of the wider story of renewed interest in exploring the Christian faith that we are currently seeing.
partners.alpha.org/yearinreview
Year in Review — Alpha Partners
partners.alpha.org
May 15, 2025 at 11:35 AM
What brilliant news: last year, over 2 million people participated in Alpha, run by 43,000 churches and organisations across 146 countries.
I suspect this is part of the wider story of renewed interest in exploring the Christian faith that we are currently seeing.
partners.alpha.org/yearinreview
I suspect this is part of the wider story of renewed interest in exploring the Christian faith that we are currently seeing.
partners.alpha.org/yearinreview
The EA’s ‘Changing Church’ report strikes me as a more realistic account of church growth than the Bible Society’s.
Church attendance among these churches rose by an average of 13% between 2020 and 2025, and churches are now seeing twice as many people coming to faith.
www.eauk.org/changing-chu...
Church attendance among these churches rose by an average of 13% between 2020 and 2025, and churches are now seeing twice as many people coming to faith.
www.eauk.org/changing-chu...
Changing Church 2025 - Evangelical Alliance
What is the state of the UK evangelical church five years on from the Covid pandemic?
www.eauk.org
May 14, 2025 at 3:01 PM
The EA’s ‘Changing Church’ report strikes me as a more realistic account of church growth than the Bible Society’s.
Church attendance among these churches rose by an average of 13% between 2020 and 2025, and churches are now seeing twice as many people coming to faith.
www.eauk.org/changing-chu...
Church attendance among these churches rose by an average of 13% between 2020 and 2025, and churches are now seeing twice as many people coming to faith.
www.eauk.org/changing-chu...
Car vs. bollard in Villanueva de Arousa, Spain.
@worldbollardassoc.bsky.socia
@worldbollardassoc.bsky.socia
May 13, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Car vs. bollard in Villanueva de Arousa, Spain.
@worldbollardassoc.bsky.socia
@worldbollardassoc.bsky.socia
The future is an uncertain country, but I’m fairly confident this is one of the few jobs unlikely to be replaced by AI.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Bedford
Samii Wood believes snuggling with strangers can benefit your health.
www.bbc.co.uk
May 11, 2025 at 1:00 PM
The future is an uncertain country, but I’m fairly confident this is one of the few jobs unlikely to be replaced by AI.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...