Hi. My name is Neil Booth and I am 67 years old. I was born in Hartlepool, Tyne and Wear, in February 1942 to Greta and Charles Douglas Booth. For the last 31 years I have been married to Yvonne — an accomplished musician and quite the most wonderful person in my life.
By profession, I am a chartered accountant and, until my retirement from KPMG nearly 16 years ago following major heart problems and a quadruple heart bypass operation, I was a partner in that firm and a leading UK tax specialist.
(For anyone interested, my standard reference works include Residence, Domicile and UK Taxation published by Butterworths and National Insurance Contributions published by Tolleys. For several years I also wrote and published a monthly journal on Contribution law called Booth’s NIC Brief.)
Since retirement, I have developed what was once just a hobby into a full-time web design business, trading under the name of Wincy Dot.
Of more relevance to this Blog, however, is the fact that I am a Reader in the Church of England and, since 1992, I have been exercising my ministry at St James Church, Bolton, in the Diocese of Bradford. (For those of you who are visiting this page from outside the UK, Bradford is situated in northern Britain in the county of West Yorkshire; and contrary to popular belief, Yorkshire is not a county of dark Satanic mills where people wear cloth caps and breed whippets. It is in fact one of the most beautiful counties in Britain.)
I became a Christian as a result of an encounter with the Lord Jesus in 1953 in Manchester at a Scripture Union rally to which I was taken by one of my school-teachers. At the time I was only 11 years old, but my commitment was real and has endured for the last 56 years — partly, I’m sure, because of the wonderful follow-up and encouragement I received almost weekly by letter over several years from the amazing man of God who led me to Christ: R Hudson Pope, the celebrated children’s evangelist. During the greater part of that time I have exercised a preaching and teaching ministry to which the Lord called me at the age of 16 and, currently, I minister not only within the context of Sunday services but also in a house fellowship which meets in our home on a fortnightly basis.
I have not always been an Anglican. I started as a Methodist, became a member of the Plymouth Brethren for a while, returned to Methodism (which is when and where God called me to preach, and mentored me in that calling through a wonderful man called Alan Parker). Then, in my early twenties, I became a member of the Church of England.
But why this blog and why, in particular, is it called “Pass the Toast”? It is simply my response to a growing awareness that several friends of mine within the fellowship of the church feel the need for some form of daily spiritual sustenance but rarely get round to finding it for themselves. I, myself, however, for as long as I can remember, have started each day with Bible study and reading and prayer and am more than happy to share with others the stuff that feeds me each morning (the “toast”). Occasionally there is additional material (“marmalade”) and there are always my sermons for those who have time for something more substantial (“bacon and eggs”). And you can, if you wish, buy the books or read the articles that have fed me (“dining out”). My hope is that everyone visiting this blog will find something to help them grow.
I would value your thoughts and comments and suggestions.
Love it Neil
Can’t wait for the marmalade!
Blessings
I’ve been reading bit(e)s and pieces of this blog for a while now, (and you can find the link to Pass The Toast in my sidebar) and always leave Pass The Toast refreshed, encouraged, and edified. Neil Booth is the “cook” (click HERE for his “The Cook” page) at Pass The Toast, and serves up the finest of fare.
Neil is a gifted writer and teacher who communicates truths of God from the Scriptures in a warm and profound way. There are a few of his sermons available with audio as well, such as “Justified Through Faith”, which had me nearly in tears, as the truth of what Jesus has done for me was so beautifully communicated.
“Mr. White Suit” is a great teaching about how serious the Law is to the Jew, and how Jesus . . . . . well, I can’t begin to do the post justice here . . . just click on the link, read, and be blessed.
Neil’s “Crumbs” page has short snippets of profundities, inspiring videos and music. One can always find some encouragement and insight there, along with a bit of humor.
Pass The Toast – “A quick bite of spiritual food to help busy Christians start the day.” Good stuff!
Thank you so much Neil for stopping by. I am humbled to know my story can help make a difference in someone else’s life. I am more humbled that God would save a wretch like me. God is so good and I only hope my story will lead others to Him for His mercy and grace! It’s all about Him and it’s all for His glory!
In Christ,
Michelle
Hi Neil!
Is there any way you could email me your latest blog entries? I really love your blog and I basically copy what you write and email it to myself. I hope you don’t mind. Thanks!
In Christ,
Michelle
Neil…. having read you mini-bio… it occurs to me why your posts come accross differently than some other dialogues I have had with Christians…
First off, you are British. I am Canadian. We get a lot of ministry teaching from our own country and a ton from the U.S. I experience a lot of North American ministers as being of a particular style that … well frankly…. lets just say I feel somewhat allergic to based on some of my experiences.
Second, your background appears to be far more … shall we say from more “conservative” denominations. I have experienced a lot of Christianity served up to me from what I will call “Charismatic Enthusiasts”. I choose the word “Enthusiast” because to use the word “Extremist” is a little strong and feels judgemental and I do not wish to be.
Frankly, in the “Charismatic North American Church” experience, we tend to hear teaching served with a particular cultural style that frankly lacks authenticity to me. I gotta say it. My trust has wained in this culture. Yet I think it is aparent that I still wish to seek truth as I have experienced it.
I experience some from more “conservative” denominations as more studious, calm and genuine. The absence of the extreme cultural wrapper is refreshing. I think what I am saying is that God doesnt need our help to sell his truth by wrapping it in an appealing or flashy or dynamic culture.
In AA, whe have a tradition that states that “Our public relations policy is based on ATTRACTION rather than PROMOTION”. Simply meaning that AA has grown by people being attracted to what we genuinely are, not by what we promote ourseves to be. The difference may seem subtle, yet it is critical.
Promotion can become manipulation in a hurry. Promotion says that the underlying product needs help to be recognized. Early AA’s tried to promote the program but it failed disasterously. Founder Bill W, in fact declined the nominaiton of Time Magazine man of the year and also an either Nobel or Pulizer prize nomination I believe. Because it brought distractionary “issues of money, property and prestige that divert us from our primary purpose” (carrying the message to alcoholics who still suffer).
Yet what does our North American church do so frequently? Promote, promote, promote. We have huge buildings, signs, TV shows, Books, tapes, and advertising budgets, titles, offices, staffs. Is the simple gospel not good enough to stand on its own. Particularly in a sick and dying world filled with gross complexity and confusion.
Anyway…. getting a little sidetracked.
My third and final observation is that you write as a lay-minister. Frankly, I have experienced more authenticity from non-professional ministers. Basically, those who do not require “the ministry” to make their living. My personal jury is still out on to what degree “full-time professional ministry” is the model that God ever intended.
In AA, we get sober by “one alcoholic helping another”. There are no professionals and our AA regional offices employ only a small number of people to do only the most essential of duties to keep the fellowship alive. There are few opportunities to become a professional AA teacher. And even so… AA will does not connect itself to any professional speakers, teachers, treatment centres etc. AA is run by members “being of service” to their fellow members and newcomers. It is run by the people it serves and nobody gets paid for this work. (other than the few central office employees). But on the meeting level, it is all volounteer and funded only by donations of members. No outside support is accepted or asked for. A non-member may not donate to AA.
So I experience ministry and teaching from those who have lived out their faith successfully in a trade, profession or vocation of some kind as … well …. it simply seems to reach me.
A friend of mine, a former Pastor at a Mega-Church (who had formerly been a very successful lawyer), left “The ministry” in order to return the the practice of law for this very reason. He simply felt he could be more effective if he made his living in by applying his skills as a lawyer and then minister to people out of the abundance of his heart.
Anyway…
All that to say… my pathway seems to be leading in a new direction from where I grew up in my Christianity. Away from the organzied “North American Charismatic Mega-Church” for sure. Away from hype and promotion. And toward more simple and pure truth-seeking.
The only thing we can offer God is our obedience. He doesnt need our help with our efforts to promote. That is my experience anyway.
Thanks again and see ya on the blogs. Ciao. Chaz
I miss your posts…Hope everything is ok.