I want to tell you about two inspiring people I have got to know over the last few years through my work. Pastor Alex in Tottenham The first is Alex Gyesi (pictured left), Pastor of Highway to Holiness, a Pentecostal church in Tottenham, North London. Back in 2009 the church was growing but Pastor Alex,… Continue reading Reflecting God’s generous justice
Category: Poverty
We need to dig deeper in our response to poverty – by Greg Smith
Jo Moore's recent article on Grace + Truth highlights a significant issue: that unconditional generosity can so easily lead to dependency for the recipient. Those of us who have been active in this kind of work recognize the sense of entitlement which easily develops in response to whatever welfare provision or charity that is offered.… Continue reading We need to dig deeper in our response to poverty – by Greg Smith
Feeding poverty: are we doing a dis-service to those in need? – by Jo Moore
A while ago, a lady came into the office of the charity I work in demanding a food parcel. I sat her down and gently told her I needed to find out a little more about why she needed the food. She was not happy with any questions being asked. I tried to explain there… Continue reading Feeding poverty: are we doing a dis-service to those in need? – by Jo Moore
‘Individual sovereignty is over-stated by the right and underemphasised by the left’
The relationship between social justice and personal responsibility is an inescapable subject in discussions about poverty. Where is the line between what is the state’s responsibility and the responsibility of the individual? Most of the conferences and events I attend focus on ‘systems change’ and how resources are allocated and managed. Focussing on the failures… Continue reading ‘Individual sovereignty is over-stated by the right and underemphasised by the left’
Fuelling the problems? – by Corin Pilling
Churches and their community projects are often the first to spot a problem and act. Churches run the vast majority of food banks, as well as community pantries, debt services, homelessness provision, not to mention youth clubs, parent and toddler groups, pre-schools and groups for older people. It may seem incongruous in this current heatwave,… Continue reading Fuelling the problems? – by Corin Pilling
The best book on poverty I have ever read
This book was given to me by a former colleague 3 years ago, but I must confess that I only read it in the last few weeks. Being honest, the delay was caused by a misjudged assumption that it would be a grim rant about structural inequality: long on problems and blame, short on hope… Continue reading The best book on poverty I have ever read
How I learnt about structural advantage
In my summer holidays between the ages of 19 to 23, I volunteered on a holiday club for kids run with local churches in Islington in London. Growing up in more suburban areas, going into the ‘inner city’ was like venturing into another world. I helped run a group for 11-14 year olds who lived… Continue reading How I learnt about structural advantage
The poverty that creates knife crime
My community in south London lives in the shadow of knife crime. Young people have been killed on our street and the threat of violence continually affects the young people we know and care about. As a father of three children, including two teenage boys, I am more anxious than ever about their safety. Like… Continue reading The poverty that creates knife crime
Foodbanks have saved Harvest celebrations from nostalgic irrelevance – by Simon Cansdale
I’ve been doing Harvest assemblies and celebrations for 22 years. I think they’re much richer and more authentic now, and Foodbanks are partly responsible. Nostalgia and guilt Harvest celebrations used to be overshadowed by nostalgia and a vague guilt that we were losing connection to the land. People used to turn up at urban and… Continue reading Foodbanks have saved Harvest celebrations from nostalgic irrelevance – by Simon Cansdale
Prophet warning: a response to Matt Bird – by Justin Thacker
Matt Bird recently wrote an article titled Be for the poor, but not against the rich. According to Matt, God’s material riches of Solomon is evidence that ‘God is not opposed to wealth or the disparity of wealth’. He chastises a development charity for describing as ‘unacceptable’ the fact that the richest eight people in the… Continue reading Prophet warning: a response to Matt Bird – by Justin Thacker
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