https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVZkgdt32u8 Matt and Beth Redman worked closely with Mike Pilavachi as the Soul Survivor church and festival grew in size and influence. This week they released a thirty minute film to share their experiences of his abusive behaviour. They speak candidly about the psychological impact of Pilavachi's tendency to bring people into his fold and… Continue reading ‘Let there be Light’: Matt & Beth Redman on Mike Pilavachi
Category: Ethics & Christian living
Following Jesus; seeking justice
This week saw the London launch of a new book from the Red Letter Christians UK. Each chapter is a story of how following Jesus has led people into activism for justice. My story recalls the start of the pandemic in March 2020. Below I share two excerpts which connect my role as a volunteer… Continue reading Following Jesus; seeking justice
What story are you living by?
Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com Less than two years ago, the BBC broadcasted a documentary about the Post Office scandal but the programme gained little public interest. In contrast, when ITV broadcast a dramatised version, Mr Bates versus the Post Office, it led to widespread public anger. It led to the scandal being widely recognised… Continue reading What story are you living by?
The secularisation of Martin Luther King
Photo by Wilson Rodriguez on Pexels.com Martin Luther King remains a hero to a wide range of people. But alongside the appreciation of his life and work, there is a consistent tendency of commentators to downplay or eliminate the Christian faith that King’s civil right’s activism was rooted in. A Baptist Minister Many people don’t even know that… Continue reading The secularisation of Martin Luther King
Dramatic impact & something bigger than justice
In 1966, the BBC play Cathy Come Home was a key moment in public perceptions about the reality of homelessness. This week, we have seen the ITV drama Mr Bates v The Post Office have a similarly seismic public impact. Its a moving and inspiring 'David v Goliath' story of a group of ordinary people’s… Continue reading Dramatic impact & something bigger than justice
Darkness cannot drive out darkness
Ever since I was at University, I have witnessed the anger and hatred that surrounds and underpins the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Nowhere in the world is there a deeper well of polarised bitterness and recriminatory violence.From Jewish friends I have learnt more about the reality of Anti-Semitism, its very recent impact on their… Continue reading Darkness cannot drive out darkness
The key to preventing leadership scandals
There is no shortage of articles, blogs and podcasts to dissect, analyse and rake over the entrails of Christian leadership scandals. The podcast The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill was a compelling account of Mark Driscoll's rise to fame and influence, and how his narcissism and arrogance led to a dramatic fall. It challenged… Continue reading The key to preventing leadership scandals
‘Do not impose today’s worry upon tomorrow’
Odette Prévost was a French nun who had joined the Little Sisters of the Sacred Heart at age 21, in 1953. She spent her lifetime working in Morocco and Algeria, living and serving among acutely poor communities. She studied Arabic and helped educate women and provided free tutoring for children to help them with their school work.… Continue reading ‘Do not impose today’s worry upon tomorrow’
Leadership is for other people – by Tobias Mayer
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com ‘And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?’ Exodus 3:11 Leadership is for other people. We hear this refrain, or some version of it, perhaps aloud but more often as a… Continue reading Leadership is for other people – by Tobias Mayer
Public leadership, private insecurity
One of the common assumptions people make is that those in positions of leadership or responsibility are confident and secure. Actually, feelings of insecurity are rampant among those who lead. What is externally projected and seen is not the same as how people feel inside. Performative This is especially relevant in church and charity leadership.… Continue reading Public leadership, private insecurity
Grace + Truth 