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
Category: Ethics & Christian living
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
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
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
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.
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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‘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’
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
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
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
Doing is a tricky thing – by Alan Carson
St Francis may have said “You do not know, what you have not practiced” I say may because I can only find it referenced in the writings of Dorothy Day but if it’s only her quote that’s still good enough for me. By the standards of St Francis, or at the very least Ms Day,… Continue reading Doing is a tricky thing – by Alan Carson
Grace + Truth 