James

In making my contribution I feel like I am late to the party, and much that could be said has been. What I do know is that I now own a sense of discomfort and therefore hesitancy in using the term “Christian” as a self-identifier. In reality I suspect I will now only deliberately use it of myself once every 10 years on a census form! This is not because I am ashamed of the term or anything like that, I just wonder how it is received, heard and responded to by those to whom I might say it and if love is about willing the good of the other, then that matters!

The reality is that as a term, the word “Christian” will be heard in many different ways:

· Kemi Badenoch, whilst rejecting God, describes herself as a “cultural Christian” wanting to protect Christian-shaped values in the UK. I suspect that there are many who would have some sympathy with this stance.

· In Radio and TV dramas, the minister / vicar / Christian character is often portrayed as rather weak and ineffectual with a parsonic voice and thoroughly institutionalised.

· There are others who will assume that I am “EVANGELICAL” and am out to convert and these people will distance themselves quickly!

· Still others might associate the term with people who do good in the community through agencies such as food banks, debt advice, Street Pastors and community care and that is of course good.

So, using an AI engine*, I brought together a focus group of 10 people from across the Peak District which is where I live:

· Margaret — 72, a retired teacher, lives in Buxton

· Callum — 28, a barista from New Mills

· Janet — 55, a care worker in Glossop

· Imran — 41, a taxi driver from Whaley Bridge

· Chloe — 19, a college student in Chapel-en-le-Frith

· Dave — 63, a former quarry worker from Hope Valley

· Sophie — 34, a hospitality manager in Castleton

· Tom — 47, an IT contractor commuting from Hayfield

· Eileen — 69, a retired nurse in Chapel-en-le-Frith

· Lewis — 23, an apprentice mechanic from Glossop;

and I asked them to respond to me when I said “I am a Christian”. I gave them some time to think and then went round the circle

Margaret leans forward, hands folded. “To me it’s reassuring. If someone says, ‘I’m a Christian’, I think: decent, trustworthy, probably volunteers somewhere. It’s a positive thing. But I know younger people don’t hear it that way.” Her tone is warm, but she’s aware she’s speaking from a different era.

Callum shrugs, half-smiling. “Honestly? I’d wonder what kind of Christian. Like, are you chill and into community stuff, or are you going to tell me off for swearing? It’s not a bad thing, but it’s . . . loaded.” He gestures as if holding a heavy rucksack — the baggage metaphor made literal.

Janet is nodding vigorously, “I’d think of kindness first. The carers at work who are Christian are often the ones who go the extra mile. But I’d also think: “please don’t try to convert me.” There’s laughter around the table — the gentle, knowing kind.

Imran speaks thoughtfully. It is almost as if he has had to summon up courage to do so, because he is going to use his own self-identifier, “As a Muslim, I hear it as someone saying they have a faith. That’s fine. Respectable. But I know some people hear it as political — like American politics. That’s not fair, but it’s there.”

Chloe, maybe because she is aware that she is the youngest looks slightly embarrassed to speak. “I’d think they’re probably nice . . . but maybe a bit judgy? I know that’s a stereotype. It’s just what comes to mind.” She glances around, checking she hasn’t offended anyone.

Dave then clears his throat. We wait for him to speak and in turn he makes sure he has the attention of the circle, “Round here, most people were brought up Church of England whether they went or not. So if someone says ‘I’m a Christian’, I think: alright, you’re one of us. But I don’t want preaching.” That word “preaching” is said with a grin, but the boundary is real.

Sophie speaks with the briskness of someone used to being in charge, “In tourism, you meet all sorts. If someone said it at work, I’d think they’re signalling values — honesty, fairness. But if they said it too early in a conversation, I’d wonder why.” And that word “why” is emphasised with a raised eyebrow.

Tom leans back. He’s been listening and analysing – that’s what he does! “It depends on context. If someone says it in a meeting, I’d think: “why bring religion into this?” If they say it in a personal conversation, I’d think: “okay, that’s part of who you are.” He’s the one who wants categories tidy.

Eileen speaks softly. “I’d hear it as someone saying they try to be good. That’s lovely. But I also know the Church has hurt people. So I’d wonder what they mean by it.” Her voice carries both affection and caution.

And finally

Lewis. He laughs before speaking, not really used to being in such an environment. “I’d think: fair enough, mate. Just don’t make it weird.” and the room laughs with him

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So there is a warmth towards the idea of faith, but a suspicion of an institution and what “kind” of Christian I might be. It matters too as to where and when I might say this and clearly there are differences between generations.

We continue the conversation with a more nuanced slant – one that perhaps reflects something of the thinking of Simon and Craig!

“Rather than ‘Christian’, if I were to describe myself as ‘someone who is trying to follow Jesus’, would that make a difference to what you might think?” and round the circle we go again.

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Margaret smiles warmly. “Oh that’s lovely. Much gentler. It sounds like you’re talking about a way of life, not a label. More like trying to live the Jesus way. I’d feel more invited into conversation.” It’s very obvious that it’s personal for her.

Callum nods immediately. “Yeah, that lands better. ‘Christian’ feels like a club. ‘Trying to follow Jesus’ sounds like a journey. More human. Less . . . loaded.” He gestures as if setting down the rucksack of baggage he “picked up” earlier.

Janet tilts her head thoughtfully. “It sounds humbler. Like you’re not claiming to have all the answers. I’d be more open to hearing what that means for you.” The emphasis is on “you” – she wants story, not slogans.

Imran smiles appreciatively. “As someone from another faith, I’d respect that. It’s similar to how Muslims talk about trying to walk the right path. It’s about intention, not identity. Much easier to relate to.” He seems genuinely moved by the phrasing.

Chloe visibly relaxes and brightens. “Yeah, that’s way less scary. ‘Christian’ makes me think of rules. ‘Trying to follow Jesus’ makes me think of kindness and helping people.”

Dave scratches his chin like the archetypal wise man! “I like it. Sounds like you’re not preaching, just saying what guides you. More down-to-earth. More Peak District, really.” and finishes with a chuckle.

Sophie nods briskly. “It’s more specific. And more positive. ‘Christian’ is vague — could mean anything from evangelical stereotypes to someone who just likes carols. But following Jesus? That’s clearer.” and she clearly appreciates the clarity.

Tom leans forward, analytical as ever. “It reframes it. Less institutional, more personal. I’d assume you’re talking about values — compassion, forgiveness, that sort of thing — rather than membership.”

Eileen nods slowly. “It softens it. Makes me think of someone who’s trying their best. And it avoids the Church baggage. I’d feel safer asking what that means for you.” She

emphasises that word safer — clearly that is important for her and I wonder what her past experience of Christianity might have been.

Lewis grins. “Yeah, that’s sound. More normal. More like you’re just being honest about what you’re aiming for. Doesn’t feel like you’re trying to sign me up” and gives a thumbs-up.

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I am grateful for the insight of this imaginary AI convened group, not least because it offers some content for the blog!!

When I am meeting people from my locality and if the conversation gets to a place where it is okay to express it, I say “I am someone who is trying to follow Jesus.”

I find that is a phrase that:

· comes from a place of humility. It signals effort, not superiority. People respond well to the idea of trying.

· shifts from identity to journey and so reduces defensiveness and increases curiosity.

· avoids institutional baggage. It seems to me that people would want to distance themselves from church politics, scandals, and stereotypes.

· feels relational because Jesus is a person; “Christian” is a category. People prefer the person.

· invites conversation as often I am invited to share what that might mean for me.

And so in summary “trying to follow Jesus” humanises faith. It communicates humility, aspiration, values, story and a lack of judgement

It also subtly signals that I am not aligned with the more negative associations of the word Christian — but without disowning the tradition.

Try it – see where it leads! 

* This focus group is purely imaginative and was convened with the help of Microsoft Copilot. The foundational criteria for the group were that we should engage in a discussion in which the group is asked to respond to my self-descriptive statement of “I am a Christian”. The AI engine was told that the focus group should comprise about 10 people who are a mixture of people from across the Peak District. They should reflect the local socio-economic statistics of people from this area.