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

Social commentary

“Dad, you’re a nicer person without your iPhone”

It was just another busy Saturday in our house. Although I try to keep my weekends as clear as possible of work and spend time with my family, I always have my phone with me. This means that it can be hard to avoid seeing work emails on the weekend. And this particular Saturday morning… Continue reading “Dad, you’re a nicer person without your iPhone”

Films & music, Theology

Sharing the gospel with Errol Flynn, Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart

It has been great to see the reaction to Corin Pilling's beautiful guest post about how his church has connected with a local care home for those with dementia. Its another reminder that some of the most important work that the church does is with those who society finds it easy to forget.  Much of this… Continue reading Sharing the gospel with Errol Flynn, Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart

Social action, Theology

The Amos Course: God’s Word to a World of Injustice

Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com Are you part of a home group at your church?  Looking for some resources to help explore what the Bible says about poverty and injustice? Amos: God’s Word to a World of Injustice I wrote this 6 session course on the book of Amos back in 2011. No biblical… Continue reading The Amos Course: God’s Word to a World of Injustice

Social commentary, Theology

Infanticide…and other Christmas themes

This morning, I watched my five year old daughter make her acting debut in her school Nativity Play.  It had everything to be expected – excitable shepherds, pretty Angels, proud parents and a clip-clopping Donkey.  It was cute, fun and everyone had a good time. It's important to remember though that Nativity Plays, like Children's Bibles,… Continue reading Infanticide…and other Christmas themes

Ethics & Christian living, Poverty

Reversing the mad consumerism of Christmas

Photo by Szymon Shields on Pexels.com Every day, on the way to work, I get a bus up Oxford Street.  I get off just outside the famous department store, Selfridges, and walk round the corner to West London Mission offices.  The Christmas decorations, sponsored this year by Marmite, have been up since October. Walking in the… Continue reading Reversing the mad consumerism of Christmas

Recommended books & reviews

The Fifty Shades of Christian Fiction: ‘Cross Roads’ by Wm Paul Young [review]

What has Wm Paul Young, author of The Shack, got in common with EL James, author of record breaking series Fifty Shades of Grey? Well, for a start they have both sold millions of books. But also, both writers have catapulted a relatively marginal genre of literature, namely erotica and Christian fiction, into the global… Continue reading The Fifty Shades of Christian Fiction: ‘Cross Roads’ by Wm Paul Young [review]

Recommended books & reviews

So what fiction has inspired you most spiritually? Our competition winners…

Thanks to everyone who entered our competition this week and sent in emails in response to this question: Which works of fiction (book or film) have inspired you most in your spiritual journey? You can see the five winning responses below.  We selected a range of genres and themes, including Hollywood, humour and hell, and… Continue reading So what fiction has inspired you most spiritually? Our competition winners…