Ethics & Christian living

Finishing the race – by Olive Kuhrt

I have reached the stage in life where I seem to be going to an awful lot of funerals. Many close friends of my husband Gordon and I have died in recent years. Some have seemed to be in good health until suddenly they are not around anymore. Some, like Gordon’s brother, have died after… Continue reading Finishing the race – by Olive Kuhrt

Ethics & Christian living

Words every church should have above their exit…

I recently visited a Salvation Army church centre in one of the poorest parts of London.  It was a midweek day and the building was buzzing with various community activities. I met fantastic people doing great work in their neighbourhood: inclusive, deeply committed and fired by a passionate faith in Jesus. Earlier, I had noticed these… Continue reading Words every church should have above their exit…

Ethics & Christian living

Success comes through failing, well – by Caris Grimes

In our success-orientated society, failure has become something of a dirty word. Yet research from organisations, entrepreneurs, education and healthcare all tell a different story.  We learn more from our failures than our successes.  Success does bring benefits, such as increasing motivation, satisfaction and confidence. But it also has liabilities. These include complacency and a… Continue reading Success comes through failing, well – by Caris Grimes

Ethics & Christian living, Theology

How churches can avoid becoming strip clubs

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

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

Ethics & Christian living

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

Ethics & Christian living

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

Ethics & Christian living, Theology

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

Ethics & Christian living, Homelessness

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

Ethics & Christian living, Homelessness

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 Pete. 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