Podcast
In:Dependence
Hosted by FIEC · EN
The official FIEC podcast, where you'll hear discussions and interviews on church leadership, theology, and current affairs from the FIEC Ministry Team and guests.
The Fellowship of Independent Evangelical (FIEC) is a fellowship of Independent churches with members of the family across England, Scotland and Wales. Our mission is to see those Independent churches working together to reach Britain for Christ. Being part of FIEC links you to a growing number of Independent evangelical churches and there are now more than 50,000 people who are part of churches affiliated to FIEC.
15episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
A Northern PM, Death Sentences, and World Cup Happiness // In the News
3w ago00:34:53Tap to summarizeWhat does the PM's northern office teach us about mission? What is a gospel response to the death penalty? Does football bring happiness?In this episode of In:Dependence, Phil Topham (FIEC Executive Director), John Stevens (FIEC National Director), and Adrian Reynolds (FIEC Associate National Director) discuss stories in the news over the past weeks.Show notes:Rising Lights 2027 (FIEC)Leaders' Conference 2026 (FIEC)Navigate Church Planting Challenges Together (cohorts) (FIEC)Behind the scenes at Number 10 as Andy Burnham becomes Prime Minister (BBC)What does Manchester think of new Number 10 North? (BBC)Ruth Ellis, last woman hanged in UK, granted posthumous conditional pardon (The Guardian)Infantino tells Fifa critics to 'meditate, pray or watch football' (BBC Sport)England and France players lauded for praying together after World Cup thriller (The Independent)About In:Dependence: In:Dependence is FIEC’s official podcast, where you’ll hear conversations on topics for church leaders.Podcast music: Drifting by Future Infinite.About FIEC: We are a fellowship of Independent churches with members of the family across England, Scotland and Wales. Our mission is to see those Independent churches working together with a big vision: to reach Britain for Christ.00:00 - Giving thanks for holidays02:49 - FIEC update09:49 - Andy Burnham, Prime Minister16:00 - Valuing the whole UK19:18 - Ruth Ellis' death sentence and the gospel27:18 - The World Cup and happiness
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The Leader as Preacher (with Colin Smith)
Jul 1000:32:55Tap to summarizeWe all value good preaching and want to encourage it in our churches. How do preachers develop and grow in this skill for the sake of the gospel?In this episode of In:Dependence, Adrian Reynolds (FIEC Associate National Director) is joined by Colin Smith (Founder and Teaching Pastor of Open the Bible) to talk about preaching.Colin shares his preaching experiences, advice, and encouragement from 46 years of pastoral ministry in London (Enfield Town Community Church) and Chicago (The Orchard Church).Show notesOpen the Bible (Open the Bible)About In:Dependence: In:Dependence is FIEC’s official podcast, where you’ll hear conversations on topics for church leaders.Podcast music: Drifting by Future Infinite.About FIEC: We are a fellowship of Independent churches with members of the family across England, Scotland and Wales. Our mission is to see those Independent churches working together with a big vision: to reach Britain for Christ.00:00 - Introduction03:59 - Developing a preaching style and strategy12:12 - Pace in preaching15:25 - Variety in preaching God's word18:24 - Using commentaries when preaching22:13 - Preaching different genres24:38 - A weekly pattern for preaching29:33 - Stand out sermons
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'Conversion Therapy' Again, Ben Stokes, and Dressing Correctly // In the News
Jul 300:35:47Tap to summarizeShould church leaders be fearful of another "conversion therapy" ban? How can you leave your role well? What should preachers wear?In this episode, Phil Topham (FIEC Executive Director), John Stevens (FIEC National Director), and Adrian Reynolds (FIEC Associate National Director) discuss stories in the news and what lessons we can learn for church leadership.Show notesLeaders' Conference 2026 (FIEC)Rising Lights 2027 (FIEC)Local Conference videos (FEIC)Jail time and unlimited fines planned under conversion practices ban (BBC)Ben Stokes: England captain reveals 'tough' decisions behind international retirement and why it is 'best thing' for him (Sky Sports)Angela Tilby: How clergy dress sends a message (Church Times)Pastoral Attire with Kyle McClellan (Practical Shepherding podcast)About In:Dependence: In:Dependence is FIEC’s official podcast, where you’ll hear conversations on topics for church leaders.Podcast music: Drifting by Future Infinite.About FIEC: We are a fellowship of Independent churches with members of the family across England, Scotland and Wales. Our mission is to see those Independent churches working together with a big vision: to reach Britain for Christ.00:00 - FIEC update02:52 - Revisiting a ban on 'conversion therapy'12:45 - Facing repeated opposition19:36 - Ben Stokes and leaving badly27:45 - What should church leaders wear?
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The Leader as Steward (with Colin Smith)
Jun 2500:30:05Tap to summarizeChurch leaders can be described as stewards of the mystery of God and his church. How does this description help leaders in their ministry?In this episode, Adrian Reynolds (Associate National Director) is joined by Colin Smith (Founder and Teaching Pastor of Open the Bible) to discuss the parable of the faithful manager in Luke 12:42-48.This episode was recorded at the 2026 European Leadership Forum where Colin preached from this passage. In this episode, he helps to unpack a little more of the parable and see how it applies - in both its warnings and encouragements - to leaders serving in our churches.Show notesOpen the Bible (openthebible.org.uk)About In:Dependence: In:Dependence is FIEC’s official podcast, where you’ll hear conversations on topics for church leaders.Podcast music: Drifting by Future Infinite.About FIEC: We are a fellowship of Independent churches with members of the family across England, Scotland and Wales. Our mission is to see those Independent churches working together with a big vision: to reach Britain for Christ.00:00 - Introducing Colin Smith03:48 - Church leaders are stewards07:29 - The parable of the faithful steward11:03 - The temptation to be harsh13:43 - The temptation to self-indulgence17:00 - Stewarding your time21:16 - Serving food at the proper time23:49 - Stewarding in the light of the Lord's return26:43 - Advice for faithful stewards
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Choosing Leaders, Adoption & Abortion, and Banning Social Media // In the News
Jun 1900:33:34Tap to summarizeWhat is the best way to choose our leaders? How do we pastor those impacted by adoption and abortion? Is social media that bad for us?In this episode, Phil Topham, Adrian Reynolds, and John Stevens discuss stories in the news from the past weeks and what lessons we can learn from them for church leadership.Show notes:FIEC Leaders' Conference 2026 - earlybird price ends 20 July (FIEC)Burnham says Labour has final chance to change after Makerfield by-election win (BBC)Church of England apologises for role in forced adoptions (BBC)How will Starmer’s social media ban work? (The Telegraph)Japanese fans deliver incredible gesture after World Cup clash with Netherlands (Independent)About In:Dependence: In:Dependence is FIEC’s official podcast, where you’ll hear conversations on topics for church leaders.Podcast music: Drifting by Future Infinite.About FIEC: We are a fellowship of Independent churches with members of the family across England, Scotland and Wales. Our mission is to see those Independent churches working together with a big vision: to reach Britain for Christ.00:00 - FIEC update03:56 - Andy Burnham: MP or PM?14:54 - Forced adoptions, abortion, and supporting pregnant mothers19:46 - Pastoring people impacted by adoption and abortion23:42 - Social media ban for under 16s31:35 - Culture change from rules and laws
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Replanting and Revitalisation (with John James)
Jun 1200:34:17Tap to summarizeYou might know faithful but smaller churches that are struggling to keep going. Replanting and revitalisation could be the Lord's provision to bring new life to that gospel work.In this episode of In:Dependence, FIEC Associate National Directors Adrian Reynolds and Graham Beynon are joined by John James - current Lead Pastor at City Church Birmingham but formerly involved in a revitalisation or replant at Crossway Church.John shares his experience of joining Helier Chapel in Northfield, Birmingham, and leading a revitalisation - including a name change to Crossway Church - and the ingredients needed for such a replant or revitalisation.This is the fourth in a series of podcast episodes to explore different ways to plant a church.About In:Dependence: In:Dependence is FIEC’s official podcast, where you’ll hear conversations on topics for church leaders.Podcast music: Drifting by Future Infinite.About FIEC: We are a fellowship of Independent churches with members of the family across England, Scotland and Wales. Our mission is to see those Independent churches working together with a big vision: to reach Britain for Christ.00:00 - Introduction05:35 - Ingredients of a revitalisation11:05 - The desire to replant13:40 - Making changes in a replant21:07 - Church structures and church dreams25:42 - Vision, leadership, and core team at Crossway30:08 - Managing group dynamics in a revitalisation
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Embezzlement, Mandelson Files, and Spygate // In the News
Jun 200:33:32Tap to summarizeHow can we ensure church money is spent wisely? What are the dangers of leadership structures being influenced? How should we treat junior team members?In this episode of In:Dependence, Phil Topham (FIEC Executive Director), John Stevens (FIEC National Director), and Adrian Reynolds (FIEC Associate National Director) discuss stories in the news from the past weeks and what lessons we can learn from them for church leadership.Show notesLocal Conferences 2026 (FIEC)Leaders' Conference 2026 (FIEC)Rising Lights 2027 (FIEC)We now know how Peter Murrell embezzled from the SNP - but not why (BBC)Mandelson files: What you need to know (BBC)Spygate latest: Southampton boss Tonda Eckert 'loved' information gathered when intern spied on opponent, panel's written reasons reveal (Sky Sports)About In:Dependence: In:Dependence is FIEC’s official podcast, where you’ll hear conversations on topics for church leaders.Podcast music: Drifting by Future Infinite.About FIEC: We are a fellowship of Independent churches with members of the family across England, Scotland and Wales. Our mission is to see those Independent churches working together with a big vision: to reach Britain for Christ.00:00 - FIEC update06:21 - Peter Murrell, embezzlement, and where the buck stops17:33 - The Mandelson files and influencing leadership25:34 - Southampton FC spygate and mistreating interns
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Parachute Church Planting (with Mark Selby)
May 2900:31:30Tap to summarizeTo reach people in areas without a gospel presence, we need to plant new works, often starting with a very small team.In this episode of In:Dependence, Adrian Reynolds (FIEC Associate National Director) and Graham Beynon (FIEC Associate National Director) are joined by Mark Selby, pastor at Grace Church Hilton.Grace Church started in Mark's living room in 2013 with a small team of four adults, one child, and a dog, planted in Hilton to reach an area with no gospel presence. Mark shares the reasons why you might "parachute plant" into a new area, what the benefits are, and what the challenges are.This is the third in a series of podcast episodes to explore different ways to plant a church.Show notes:The Goal of Mission (Leaders' Conference 2025)About In:Dependence: In:Dependence is FIEC’s official podcast, where you’ll hear conversations on topics for church leaders.Podcast music: Drifting by Future Infinite.About FIEC: We are a fellowship of Independent churches with members of the family across England, Scotland and Wales. Our mission is to see those Independent churches working together with a big vision: to reach Britain for Christ.00:00 - Introduction03:20 - Reaching Hilton, Derbyshire, with the gospel11:09 - Mark's church planting journey16:01 - Starting with a small team18:31 - Early stages of growth24:13 - Grace Church 12 years on27:46 - Difficulties with parachute planting
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Single-Sex Spaces, Married at First Sight, and Premier League Lessons // In the News
May 2200:33:35Tap to summarizeWhat does the guidance on single-sex spaces mean for churches? What should we think of reality TV abuses? What can we learn from successful football managers?In this episode of In:Dependence, Adrian Reynolds (FIEC Associate National Director) and John Stevens (FIEC National Director) discuss stories in the news and lessons we can learn from them for church leadership.About In:Dependence: In:Dependence is FIEC’s official podcast, where you’ll hear conversations on topics for church leaders.Podcast music: Drifting by Future Infinite.About FIEC: We are a fellowship of Independent churches with members of the family across England, Scotland and Wales. Our mission is to see those Independent churches working together with a big vision: to reach Britain for Christ.00:00 - Thrive and Ministry Wives Retreat04:01 - European Leadership Forum09:44 - Visiting Auschwitz and acknowledging evil12:45 - Equality Act guidance on single-sex spaces20:04 - Married at First Sight sexual abuse24:01 - Leadership lessons from Premier League football managers
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Mother-Daughter Church Planting (with Steve Baraniak)
May 1300:33:55Tap to summarizePlanting a church from a larger church can have advantages as well as challenges. The story of Rylands Community Church in Beeston, Nottinghamshire gives examples of both.In this episode of In:Dependence, Adrian Reynolds (FIEC Associate National Director) and Graham Beynon (FIEC Associate National Director) are joined by Steve Baraniak (minister, Rylands Community Church) to discuss mother-daughter church planting: when a core group from a larger church start a new church nearby.Rylands Community Church was planted in 2013 from Beeston Free Church and began as a congregation of Beeston Free, before becoming fully independent itself.This is the second in a series of podcast episodes to explore different ways to plant a church.About In:Dependence: In:Dependence is FIEC’s official podcast, where you’ll hear conversations on topics for church leaders.Podcast music: Drifting by Future Infinite.About FIEC: We are a fellowship of Independent churches with members of the family across England, Scotland and Wales. Our mission is to see those Independent churches working together with a big vision: to reach Britain for Christ.00:00 - Series introduction02:40 - Rylands and Beeston in Nottingham06:14 - Why plant a church in the Rylands?15:40 - Starting a new church19:08 - When does the daughter church leave the mother church?25:29 - Challenges of mother-daughter plants30:27 - How to recruit a planting team
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