Photo by Jeswin Thomas on Pexels.com Every era is characterised by an animating idea – and in our era it is liberalism. This is the sea we swim in. We don't really see it because it's all around us. Much of its influence has been positive, but it becomes a problem when it goes too… Continue reading The de-humanising effects of liberalism – by Jenny Sinclair
Category: Politics
Prince William & ‘ending homelessness’
Watch: Prince William: We Can End Homelessness (ITV) Last week, ITV broadcasted two hour-long programmes Prince William: We Can End Homelessness in which the future King outlined the ambition of his initiative Homewards. The programme included plenty of footage of the Prince talking about why he cares about homelessness and the influence of his mother… Continue reading Prince William & ‘ending homelessness’
“This is my life. I want no other”: faith, politics & belonging – by Ian Geary
“This life therefore is not righteousness, but growth in righteousness, not health, but healing, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it, the process is not yet finished, but it is going on, this is not the end, but it is… Continue reading “This is my life. I want no other”: faith, politics & belonging – by Ian Geary
‘Life to the Full’: Labour Party Conference sermon
The text of a sermon I gave at the Labour Party Conference Church Service on 22/9/24. The bible readings were Isaiah 65: 17-25 & John 10:7-18 In the field of homelessness, where I have worked for 30 years, you cannot avoid the twin issues of politics and faith. Rough sleeping is a sensitive political issue… Continue reading ‘Life to the Full’: Labour Party Conference sermon
Rough sleeping: what Starmer can learn from Blair – by David Christie
When Labour came to power in 1997, huge and unprecedented numbers of people were sleeping rough in every town and city across Britain. The appalling sight of people bedding down in shop doorways across the nation was widely considered a ‘national disgrace’. Labour gave a high priority to homelessness and set itself the aim of… Continue reading Rough sleeping: what Starmer can learn from Blair – by David Christie
Grace, Truth & the Common Good: a lecture in honour of Frank Field
"Church-based social action has grown significantly in the last 20 years, but it needs an appraisal. Too often social action projects can become disconnected from efforts for justice, deepen a sense of dependency in those they serve, and end up drifting in a secular direction." I am very honoured to have been asked to give… Continue reading Grace, Truth & the Common Good: a lecture in honour of Frank Field
‘Am I going to be sent to Rwanda?’ Thinking Christianly about asylum
by Benjamin Welby & Andy Brims Vineyard English School, run by Croydon Vineyard church In the nondescript hotel lobby doubling as our makeshift classroom, Tariq*, a new student, lingered after class. Anxiety etched on his face, he asked: “Am I going to be sent to Rwanda? I’ve got a domestic worker visa…my wife is pregnant.”… Continue reading ‘Am I going to be sent to Rwanda?’ Thinking Christianly about asylum
Why the government has failed to ‘end rough sleeping’
Photo by James Frid on Pexels.com The Conservative Manifesto for the 2019 election said this: "We will end the blight of rough sleeping by the end of the next Parliament.” (p.30) With today’s announcement of a General Election in July, we will have a new Parliament this summer. And, as anyone who spends time in towns… Continue reading Why the government has failed to ‘end rough sleeping’
Let’s be more Frank about the politics of poverty
Last week saw the passing of one of my political heroes, Frank Field, the Labour MP who represented Birkenhead for 40 years. We were both graduates of Hull University and I first came across him when studying Social Work because of his work as Director of the Low Pay Unit and the Child Poverty Action… Continue reading Let’s be more Frank about the politics of poverty
‘What is truth?’ Pilate’s enduring question
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. As Roman Governor of Judea Pilate had to manage a region simmering with religious extremism and… Continue reading ‘What is truth?’ Pilate’s enduring question
Grace + Truth 