Yet again, we find ourselves at this juncture – the end of one year and the beginning of another. 2024 is performing its last soliloquy, and 2025 is waiting in the wings to take its place.

I know that there are many of these kinds of posts – summaries of the year just gone. But this one isn’t like any of those. Because I didn’t write any of those. But I did write this one. Now, that’s no guarantee of any higher quality. But it is technically true.

This year, I have chosen 24 highlights of the year past, along with 24 related goals for the year ahead. You know the drill by now. I have chosen the number 24 in honour of Kiefer Sutherland, as he comes to terms with his father’s death. Also, because 24 is part of the only nontrivial solution pair to the cannonball problem, and the kissing number in 4-dimensional space. Obviously.

I became a kept man. That’s right. Emily started working as a fully-fledged, full-time midwife. She gets paid the big bucks now. And I just sit at home browsing Vinted for pretty things. Two incomes no kids, baby.
Next year: She’s had enough of work now and is going to stop for a while

I led worship with Martin Smith. There was a 16-year old version of me genuinely trying to keep his excitement in check. In actual fact, it felt very normal. It was great, and he was lovely – very good at what he does. But there was no moment where the heavens clouds parted. He didn’t turn to me and say ‘Mikey I think you’re the most handsome, talented worship leader since me, here’s the keys to my Ferrari’. Still, singing Majesty on stage with Martin Smith is a real bucket-list moment.
Next year: I’m going to wheedle my way in to the Smith inner sanctum. I’ll become an au pair for his grandkids. He’ll get me to do odd-jobs and run errands for him. And just when he trusts me completely, I’ll start hiding tiny rubber ducks around his house. It’s the perfect crime.

I sang an old Newsboys banger while leaders from around the Pioneer network stood at the front of the hall banging large sticks on the floor. It was ‘He Reigns’. There was a scary Irish lady in very high heels and big glasses. Nothing more to add to this really. What more context could you need?
Next year: Best not to try and predict Pioneer conferences, I find.

I went on a caravan holiday. In Essex. It was not glamorous, but it was relaxing, and I loved it. Would recommend. Nothing else to say about it. It was just a real highlight of my year.
Next year: I think I’m going to upgrade to a castle.

I turned 34. This is getting very serious now. These numbers go up every year and it’s not even notable anymore. You know you’re getting old when even the big numbers are boring.
Next year: I will turn 35

I became an Uncle. I’ve always thought I would make an excellent uncle. Just the right amount of grown-upness required. But due to my lack of siblings, this was never a given. But Emily’s brother and his wife had a beautiful baby girl in April, and now I have a lifetime ahead of making ridiculous jokes, sending her silly birthday cards and generally trying to stop her from turning out too American. So far, I’ve changed her nappy and she has fallen asleep on me once, so we’re off to a good start.
Next year: I hope to build on this solid start and try to steal her nose next year.

Successfully raised funds for my EP. If you know me, you know I hate having to do the fundraising thing to release music. Asking for money feels so vulnerable. But I believe it’s worth taking the risk. And this was the most I’d ever had to aim for. But I’m always staggered and humbled by people’s generosity and belief in me. In the end we actually smashed through the goal and well beyond it. I’m so grateful to everyone who contributed. Genuinely moved.
Next year: Best get on and release the thing, eh?

I went to Paris. I’d never been before (I have it on good authority that Disneyland doesn’t count) so we saw all the sights. Eiffel Tower, Champs Élysées, Moulin Rouge, Le Louvre, a little crêpe shop on a street corner. We went fine dining, ate French onion soup and each morning we walked round the corner to get a coffee and some pastries.
Next year: I want to eat all the national onion soups – Portuguese onion soup, Kenyan onion soup, Scottish onion soup. No soup left uncovered.  

I saw Taylor Swift. Me and everyone else, I suppose. We went to the Cardiff gig. It was one of the most spectacular shows I have ever experienced. Should have brought earplugs for the screaming though. Paramore were also incredible.
Next Year: Maybe we’ll find out why she kept a picture of Cardiff in her cleaning cart with her

We got to hang out with all Emily’s siblings and spouses. The last time all the siblings had been together was our wedding. And the spouses had never been all together. As I don’t have siblings myself, this felt quite emotional, quite significant. I love being married to Emily and one of the unexpected joys has been getting these siblings thrown into the bargain as well. I always wanted brothers and sisters.
Next year: We’ll have to introduce the cousins I guess

I got weirdly into Planet of the Apes for a bit. Can’t tell you why. Watched all the new ones plus the classic original. Not the one with Mark Whalberg. Don’t be silly.
Next year: I will continue to bring it up in conversation, just to annoy Emily

I saw Elbow. Very different from Taylor, but no less wonderful in their own way. Guy Garvey made lots of Batman jokes. There’s something almost spiritual and wonderfully communal at an Elbow gig. If a little middle class. What a perfect waste of time.
Next year: I will go for a pint with Guy and we’ll set the world to rights.

I attended a surprise late-night outside Hawaiian party. What do you mean you don’t know what that is? We ate Chinese, used plastic cutlery, drank stout and were lit by a professional video lighting light. The camping authorities had to come and tell us to turn our light down.
Next year: I’m going to order Chinese at least once more. Duck in plum sauce, am I right?

Emily got pregnant. And I’m the father! It’s exciting and terrifying, as all the best things are. And, I hear you ask, is this really how I’m announcing it? Well, I guess so. Now we’ll see if anyone actually reads these blogs. I don’t mind though. I’m going to be a dad!
Next year: Got to raise the little blighter ain’t we?

I started studying Theology. With WTC, on a Monday night. I’ve thought about it for a while. I always enjoyed academia, and I’ve enjoyed combining that with my faith. WTC is great – I can’t recommend it highly enough, and I’m very blessed that I get the chance to do this.
Next year: I’m going to be the first person to fully complete theology. Then I’m going to move on to studying frogs.

I released Vigilante Half-Blood Prince. If you love Taylor Swift and Harry Potter and haven’t seen it, you really should. Sometimes you just get an idea y’know? And there’s no-one to stop you from making it a reality (as long as you don’t tell your wife). I feel like this may be one of the greatest things I’ve ever made. The internet reacted with the usual shoulder shrug as you’d expect. Unappreciated in my own time, I tell you.
Next year: I’m going to put footage of Andrew Garfield and Amelia Dimoldenberg to a backing track of Nat King Cole’s ‘Unforgettable’

I went to Crete. It was hot and dry. We laid by the pool most of the time. I finished 4 books and saw 4 kingfishers. I loved it. Can recommend Souvlaki.
Next year: I’ll probably have to look for kingfishers on the river Test

I preached on Romans 9-11. In one sermon. And so far, zero complaints.  If you don’t think that’s impressive, you should go and read that bit.
Next year: I’m hoping that Theo will finally give me an easy passage to speak on. Maybe Psalm 23, or Philippians 4 or something.

I climbed a mountain. And it only cost me the use of both of my knees. Can recommend the views, the mountain air, and the mist lifting just for a few minutes as you reach the summit. And Mikey Oldfield as a guide.
Next year: I’m going to climb another, less Welsh mountain

I saw Switchfoot. Of the three gigs, perhaps the least glamorous. But the band I’ve been listening to longest. There was something quite moving about a room of 30-something millennials still singing ‘This is your life, are you who you want to be?’ 20 years after they first sang those words as fresh-faced teenagers. Even stayed for the after show with Jon Foreman.
Next year: Jon and I are going to co-write a musical together about the life of Bradley Walsh. I expect Jon doesn’t know who that is, so I’ll have to help him quite a bit.

I recorded an EP. Seemed like the best thing to do after raising all that money for it. Loved working with Ben Trickey and others in making it happen. And I really do think this will be the best music I’ve released.
Next year: Best get on and release the thing eh?

I helped put together a Christmas Choir. And it was actually stunning. Most of the credit should go to Nemuel, who was amazing. But I played my part. This probably caused me the most stress of anything else this year, but the moment when we first got the choir together with the band and it WORKED. My word, the relief. I think I cried. Then on the night, it was spine-tingling. The moment where it cut to just the vocals. Then when all the lights came on. You can watch it all here.
Next year: If we don’t do it again, I think the congregation will riot

I read 34 books. I was aiming for 32. Quite unintentional that it ended up being the same number of years I’ve been alive. But that feels like a good thing to aim for each year, now. What a happy little accident. The best fiction I read was Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. And the best non-fiction was Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker
Next year: Let’s aim for 35 shall we?