As I drove from Sutton Coldfield to West Bromwich on Monday's bank holiday (a distance of eight miles) I passed dozens of Union Jacks and St George's Crosses fluttering on lampposts.
This phenomenon is not unique to the West Midlands. It’s spreading across England.
I don't know anyone who has put up a flag, so I can't speculate on the particular reason for why the flags have been displayed. But we can reflect on the reasons why there is a rise in English or British nationalism and four corresponding ways the church must respond.
The comforting doctrine of the necessity of affliction
The untidiness of life - the mess, chaos, accident or whatever label we choose to describe the lack of order …