Back in July 1878, the Rev E.T. Prust laid the foundation stone of Abington Square Mission in the centre of Northampton. The 1870s was an era when non-conformist missions made a massive impact in towns and cities in the UK. As well as Sunday services, many of these missions ran 'ragged schools' to educate poorer… Continue reading How churches can avoid becoming strip clubs
Category: Ethics & Christian living
Purpose and hope: how faith has changed me – by Andrew Ryland
Photo by Valentin Antonucci on Pexels.com About 2 years ago I wrote a blog post about how I became a Christian. My intention was mainly to be transparent about why I chose this path with family, friends, colleagues and those in my social networks. I hoped to inspire a few people along the way. I… Continue reading Purpose and hope: how faith has changed me – by Andrew Ryland
Friendship is the answer to hatred and violence – by Dave Andrews
When I was last in Christchurch, I went to the Masjid Al Noor mosque. I sat at the back on a chair with the older believers during their Friday prayers. It was these believers who were specially targeted and systematically slaughtered by Brenton Tarrant this week. At the time of writing, I do not know… Continue reading Friendship is the answer to hatred and violence – by Dave Andrews
Confidence in the difference faith makes
Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com I read this in the Christmas Eve edition of The Times' newspaper earlier this week - written by a journalist who is not a regular church-goer: 'Come with me...to the schools, hospices and care homes where thousands of Christians do good work every day. Seek out the grittiest, grimiest… Continue reading Confidence in the difference faith makes
Grace, truth and the tricky task of people management
Photo by Nathan Cowley on Pexels.com 'Management' is not a concept that sits well within the Church. After all, church leaders are called to be priests, pastors, and preachers, not CEOs of mini-corporations. But over the past 20 years, in attending, working for and with many churches and Christian organisations, I have consistently seen the… Continue reading Grace, truth and the tricky task of people management
Carrying burdens, maintaining boundaries: the complexity of compassion #2
Photo by lalesh aldarwish on Pexels.com One of the most important truths I have learnt from the last 25 years of working with people is this: Nobody can change anyone else. People must want to change. Remembering this truth enables us to help people in a way which truly helps them. Accepting this reality helps… Continue reading Carrying burdens, maintaining boundaries: the complexity of compassion #2
The need for grace and truth: the complexity of compassion #1
Photo Tina Nord on Pexels.com When I was in my twenties, I lived in Kings Cross in London and was a member of a local church. There, I got to know a man who was a former crack addict. We'll call him Ian. He was doing his best to put his life back together and… Continue reading The need for grace and truth: the complexity of compassion #1
Steve Chalke speaking at WLM’s Annual Meeting
Regular readers of R&R will know that I often post articles which relate to my work at West London Mission. We are part of the Methodist Church and run a wide range of social and community projects for people affected by homelessness, poverty and trauma. Activism and controversy One of the 'big characters' from WLM's… Continue reading Steve Chalke speaking at WLM’s Annual Meeting
I love being a dad, its being a son that I’ve struggled with – by Michael Palin
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com I have been reflecting for a number of years on what it means to be a dad. But to do this, I have had to work through the struggles I have faced in being a son. It wasn’t that I didn’t get along with my dad. It was more that… Continue reading I love being a dad, its being a son that I’ve struggled with – by Michael Palin
The Only Way Is Ethics: ‘Christian Today’ has to drop dodgy adverts
Over the last few years the website Christian Today has grown in prominence in the UK. It carries a wide range of religious news and commentary and high profile Christian leaders, like Krish Kandiah and Youthscape's Martin Saunders, regularly write on the site. Ruth Mawhinney, a former Editor, is now Head of Media for Justin Welby,… Continue reading The Only Way Is Ethics: ‘Christian Today’ has to drop dodgy adverts
Grace + Truth 