Trevor Huddleston was an English monk and priest who lived in South Africa during the 1940s and 50s. He became famous for his opposition to apartheid and his outspoken criticism of the South African government. He would later become a Bishop and Archbishop. As a white, Oxford-educated priest, his presence and commitment to racial justice… Continue reading The line separating good and evil
Category: Ethics & Christian living
Embracing Original Sin – by Tobias Mayer
"And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat." Genesis 3:6 I’m embracing sin… Continue reading Embracing Original Sin – by Tobias Mayer
3 lessons for the Church from the Yorkshire Cricket racism scandal
Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC) is one of the most famous sporting institutions in the world. They have won the County Championship a record 33 times and have produced cricketing legends such as Sir Len Hutton, Fred Trueman, Geoffrey Boycott and the current England captain, Joe Root. Stubborn But even within cricket’s conservative culture, YCCC… Continue reading 3 lessons for the Church from the Yorkshire Cricket racism scandal
The virus of celebrity Christianity
Chris Tomlin is a popular Christian composer and worship leader. For his forthcoming tour, he has partnered with Hillsong's worship band United. Their promotional material is another example of how the virus of celebrity culture has infected Christianity: The “Tomlin UNITED” Tour aims to not only bring the church back together but also bring faith… Continue reading The virus of celebrity Christianity
A tale of two vicars: one exploiting the status quo, the other challenging it
Jonathan Fletcher was the vicar of Emmanuel Church Wimbledon (ECW) and enjoyed a high-profile and influential ministry. But in recent years, his bullying, coercive and abusive behaviour has been exposed. A report by the Safeguarding Agency thirtyone:eight catalogued Fletcher’s long-running pattern of sexual and spiritual abuse. Much of the fall-out from this scandal has… Continue reading A tale of two vicars: one exploiting the status quo, the other challenging it
A tale of two vicars: one exploiting the status quo, the other challenging it
Jonathan Fletcher was the vicar of Emmanuel Church Wimbledon (ECW) and enjoyed a high-profile and influential ministry. But in recent years, his bullying, coercive and abusive behaviour has been exposed. A report by the Safeguarding Agency thirtyone:eight catalogued Fletcher’s long-running pattern of sexual and spiritual abuse. Much of the fall-out from this scandal has… Continue reading A tale of two vicars: one exploiting the status quo, the other challenging it
‘I am kind of a Big Deal’: insecure pride and confident humility
On the podcast, The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill, a former staff member of the church recounts a time when he accompanied the pastor, Mark Driscoll, to a preaching engagement at the Royal Albert Hall in London. After the event, a few people were waiting outside to get Driscoll’s autograph and a photo with… Continue reading ‘I am kind of a Big Deal’: insecure pride and confident humility
Charisma over character: life on Mars Hill
The podcast The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill makes for compelling listening. For those who don’t know, it tells the story of the mega-church in Seattle founded by Mark Driscoll in the mid-1990s. The church grew rapidly, had an incredible online reach and exerted huge influence. But, when Driscoll resigned in 2014 following disciplinary… Continue reading Charisma over character: life on Mars Hill
Whistleblow and the sheep-guarders: a parable
Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels.com Once upon a time in the district of Northrun, there was a shepherd called Whistleblow. He was one of many shepherds who worked for Lord Northrun who owned most of the land in the area. Each shepherd had their own flock to look after. Whistleblow was loud and… Continue reading Whistleblow and the sheep-guarders: a parable
The cross on the wall
For 8 years, I led a homelessness charity which was based in offices attached to a church. In these offices, there was a room that we frequently used for smaller meetings. On the end wall of this room there was a small cross. During the years I was in the job, many of the most… Continue reading The cross on the wall

