Ethics & Christian living, Theology

Cheap grace & the lie of love without cost

Why does an ordinary glass crack when boiling water is poured into it? Its because of the pressure caused by the difference in temperature between the inside and the outside. The structural integrity of the object cannot bear this scale of difference. It’s a good metaphor for the human need for integrity. When there is… Continue reading Cheap grace & the lie of love without cost

Ethics & Christian living, Wellbeing

The opposite of toxic masculinity

Carl Beech is the founder of Christian Vision for Men and Edge Ministries which builds Christian communities in areas of deprivation. I have been deeply struck by how Carl has shared news of his recent diagnosis of Early Onset Parkinson's disease.  I have found his insights an inspirational example of how God's power is often… Continue reading The opposite of toxic masculinity

Ethics & Christian living, Wellbeing

Inspiration v integrity

The emerging allegations relating to the behaviour of Mike Pilavachi, church leader and founder of the Soul Survivor festival, have sent seismic shocks through the church. The accusations of coerced massages of young interns, along with bullying and an intense favouring-then-freezing-out of colleagues, sound similar to the behaviour of Jonathan Fletcher. I hope all those… Continue reading Inspiration v integrity

Ethics & Christian living, Social commentary

A crowning ambivalence

‘VIVAT REX EDUARDUS! They crowned a king this day, and there has been great rejoicing and elaborate tomfoolery, and I am perplexed and saddened… Thus wrote the American author Jack London who came to England in 1902 to write about poverty and homelessness. His visit coincided with the coronation of King Edward VII. The 1902… Continue reading A crowning ambivalence

Ethics & Christian living

Honour where it’s due: Neil Jameson & the difference between profile & real influence

I am re-posting this article from 2016 because I heard yesterday the tragic news that Neil Jameson, the founder of Citizens UK, has died. Neil’s work and legacy is quite rightly receiving great praise and I wanted to re-post this blog with deep respect to all he achieved for community building and social justice.

For more details see the Citizen’s UK website.

Grace + Truth

I am not a big fan of the Honours system which awards Knighthoods, CBEs, OBEs and MBEs every year. Again this year there has been controversy over political bias in the awards as the director of the Conservative election campaign, Lynton Crosby, was given a knighthood.

Andas The Times reports, despite only 7% of the country attending private schools, over 50% of the top awards went to people with that background.

Citizens UK

But one name stood out when I looked at the list of who had been awarded gongs this year – and that was Neil Jameson, the Executive Director of Citizens UK who received a CBE ‘for services to community organising and social justice.’

For those of you who don’t know, Citizens UK is a network of different community organising groups across the country. They bring churches, mosques, trade unions and other civil organisations together to create…

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Ethics & Christian living

‘I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty’

"I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security. I do not want a Church concerned with being at the centre and which then ends by being caught up… Continue reading ‘I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty’

Ethics & Christian living, Sport

The power of personal conviction

This Easter I read For the Glory, a biography of Eric Liddell by the brilliant sports writer, Duncan Hamilton. Eric Liddell was the Scottish sprinter who famously refused to run in the 100m in the 1924 Olympics because the heats were on a Sunday. Liddell was subject to severe ridicule for his stance from some… Continue reading The power of personal conviction

Ethics & Christian living, Social commentary

An insurgency against individualism – by Jenny Sinclair

There is much being said about the decline of the West. Those who say it is exaggerated may prefer to avert their eyes, but the decay is real and things are likely to get worse. Lent is typically a time of reflection, repentance and spiritual growth: this year it calls us to reflect and repent… Continue reading An insurgency against individualism – by Jenny Sinclair

Ethics & Christian living

Empowering change: carrying the burdens of others so each can carry their own load

I sat in a church listening to a woman tell me about the horrific domestic violence that she had experienced from her former partner.  It had left her so scared that even when she had moved out she slept in the wardrobe of her new room to try to feel safe.  But she then told… Continue reading Empowering change: carrying the burdens of others so each can carry their own load