Interview with Mick Taylor

Mick Taylor is the Teaching Pastor at King’s Church Catford, and has recently begun leading a Newfrontiers Theology Forum. We interviewed him to understand a bit more about what these roles involve.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your family

I grew up in south west London and became a Christian at 15.  I studied Town Planning in Coventry where I met my wife, and then went on to study theology at Spurgeon’s College. Later I did post-graduate studies at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia USA and helped pastor several churches. I was an elder at Bracknell Family Church for 12 years and moved to King’s Church Catford in 2004.  My wife Val and I have 2 adult daughters.

What is your job?

I am Teaching Pastor at Kings Church, Catford. I also oversee the Newfrontiers London training base for FP Impact and Leadership Training (Foundations). I have also travelled widely abroad to help train church leaders.

You teach on FP Impact – what does this mean?

Usually each day of FP training concentrates on one particular topic. Teaching involves facing around 30 energetic trainees, mostly in their twenties who are keen to grow spiritually and leading them for over five hours of learning each day.

What sort of teaching takes place?

The syllabus for FP Impact covers ministry skills, personal development and theological knowledge. I focus mainly on the theology. Through interactive teaching I endeavour to share a passion for understanding what God has revealed and show how that should affect every aspect of life.

What are the benefits for Newfrontiers in offering a programme such as FP Impact?

For many FP Impact training is a life changing experience. It accelerates learning and character development. People are equipped to continue to grow in God and serve the church with an increased passion. FP Impact has been the first step for many who are now leaders of Newfrontiers churches and it has equipped even more to become effective disciples in the market place.

You have also recently taken responsibility for a Newfrontiers Theology Forum – how often do you meet and what do you discuss?

The Theology Forum produces three substantial papers a year. This year we have considered ‘A Healthy Theology of Healing’, ‘The Church and Politics’ and ‘The Challenge of Mega Churches’. The group normally meets for two days each year. The papers are presented to the group which takes 60-90 minutes. There is then a couple of hours discussion exploring the issues raised and considering areas where opinions differ. It can be very lively! There are 15 members of the Forum and on average 10 attend each day.

How do you decide what should be presented?

The final decision as to what papers are produced is decided in a discussion between David Stroud, as leader of the team that oversees our UK churches, and myself. But this is not done in isolation as we both seek comments from regional leaders and other members of the Forum who have reflected on the issues that leaders are currently facing or likely to encounter in the near future.

What happens after the Forum has discussed a paper?

Once the paper has been discussed the author will revise it in the light of comments made at the Forum. The revised paper will then be presented to a wider group of senior leaders who have prophetic and apostolic gifting as well some other teachers. After these further discussions the paper will receive a final revision.

How does the Forum influence our churches?

The authors present their papers to regional meetings of leaders where they are further discussed and debated. The papers seek to guide and stimulate thoughtful Biblical reflection on important topics but they definitely don’t attempt to be the final word on a subject or to set out the Newfrontiers position. So the primary way the Forum influences our churches is through encouraging local elders to fulfill their responsibilities to rightly handle the Word of God and apply it relevantly in our day.

Some papers are available on the Newfrontiers website  - why do we make these available?

Over 20 papers have now been produced and they are gradually being made available on the website. We wanted to maximise the impact of the hard work and thought that has been put into the papers by allowing anyone who is interested in thinking seriously, deeply and biblically about such topics to be able to see the fruit of our thinking. Making the papers available on the web also gives an opportunity for those outside our circle of churches to see how we are grappling with these important topics. View these papers here.

How would you recommend someone go about studying a theological topic, particularly one that may be considered controversial at the time?

A good first step is jot down in note form:

I’d then find a good guide to introduce me to the terrain. Usually I read the relevant sections of Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology and Alister McGrath’s Introducing Christian Theology. These are both scholars I would trust even if I wouldn’t agree with everything they write.

It would be great if I found more time to do this!