Homelessness, Recommended books & reviews

‘Stories from the Street: A Theology of Homelessness’ by David Nixon [Review]

As a Christian who has been working with homeless people over the last 20 years, I was very excited to see the publication of this book.   Christians working and volunteering in this field need a strong theology to inform, guide and nourish their activism. Despite the fact that the majority of homelessness organisations and projects… Continue reading ‘Stories from the Street: A Theology of Homelessness’ by David Nixon [Review]

Recommended books & reviews, Theology

The power of the F-word

On Sunday at our youth group we were looking at forgiveness. It is such a big issue for everyone: How can we find forgiveness for the things we feel guilt for? And how can we forgive others who have hurt us? Forgiveness in South Africa One of the other leaders had just got back from… Continue reading The power of the F-word

Ethics & Christian living, Recommended books & reviews

Do Hard Things – a rebellion against low expectations

Do Hard Things is an unusual book.  It was written by two teenagers for other teenagers. Its message is blunt and challenging: that young people should rebel against the culture of low expectations of what teenagers are capable of. The book starts like this: ‘Most people don’t expect you to understand what we’re going to… Continue reading Do Hard Things – a rebellion against low expectations

Recommended books & reviews, Theology

‘Christians cannot be passive about hunger, sickness and injustice’ Tim Keller

On holiday recently I read Tim Keller's book The Prodigal God. This is a short, accessible and beautifully fresh description of the heart of the Christian faith. I would recommend it to anyone - but especially to those who those who are outside of the church and who are sceptical about Christianity. The book focusses… Continue reading ‘Christians cannot be passive about hunger, sickness and injustice’ Tim Keller

Theology

What is your response to the word ‘Evangelical’?

I was having an conversation with someone the other day about the word 'Evangelical' and how it is perceived by people.  In my experience, perceptions and responses to the word 'Evangelical', especially from those outside the church, are almost entirely negative. The context I hear these comments are often people saying to me things like 'Oh, you're not one… Continue reading What is your response to the word ‘Evangelical’?

Politics

The day I met Margaret Thatcher

It was June 1990. I was 18, had just left school and had started work for Office Cleaning Services (OCS). I joined a mobile cleaning ‘hit squad’ which each day rendezvoused in a van on the Strand every morning at 6.30am. I had just finished my ‘A’ Levels but my new colleagues gave me a… Continue reading The day I met Margaret Thatcher

Theology

I saw Jesus resurrected in Trafalgar Square

On Good Friday, my nine year son and I went up to Trafalgar Square to watch The Passion of Jesus. It was an epic production performed by the Wintershall Trust and sponsored by The Bible Society. Over 5000 others were packed in to the Square watch the play aided by a crystal clear giant screen… Continue reading I saw Jesus resurrected in Trafalgar Square

Ethics & Christian living

Guilty by association: is this the end of R&R?

I have just taken 6 weeks off facebook, twitter and blogging to mark Lent. But one unintended consequence of not checking blog related emails was that I missed an important legal letter sent to me three weeks ago. On Good Friday, I found an emailed letter from lawyers representing a US company called AF BioCorp.… Continue reading Guilty by association: is this the end of R&R?

Ethics & Christian living

Farewell facebook, twitter and blogging. See you at Easter

Over the last year, I have written about busyness being the enemy of spirituality and reflected on my son’s feedback that I am a nicer person without my iPhone. But do I really believe in what I am writing? It is incredibly easy for those who write blogs to sound off on all kinds of… Continue reading Farewell facebook, twitter and blogging. See you at Easter

Theology

‘Goodwill on Fire’: Remembering Donald Soper

It was a great honour for me to be asked to preach the Annual 'Soper Sermon' at Hinde Street Methodist Church which remembers the life and ministry of Lord Donald Soper, who was Superintendent of the West London Mission (WLM) for over 40 years between 1936-1978. I never met Donald Soper but I have worked for… Continue reading ‘Goodwill on Fire’: Remembering Donald Soper