Last Monday I gave a lecture titled Grace, Truth and the Common Good: the future of Christian Social Action, in memory of Frank Field at the London Jesuit Centre. You can watch the lecture below. I am introduced by Jenny Sinclair who leads Together for the Common Good and the lecture starts at 5 mins… Continue reading ‘Christian social action may have grown but it needs to mature’: Grace, Truth & the Common Good
Category: Poverty
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
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
The problem of proselytism; the urgency of evangelism
I want to reflect on three scenarios I have experienced this week: Scenario 1: Last Sunday I gave the talk at my church on the passage in John's gospel when Jesus is tried by the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. I focused on Pilate’s question ‘What is truth?’ (Watch the sermon here). After the service, I… Continue reading The problem of proselytism; the urgency of evangelism
The sins of social action
On a cold night in late November, I was running our church’s drop-in evening meal called The Vine. Each week, around 30 people come along for company, a quiz and a good hot meal. It’s a modest but positive contribution to our community’s well-being. Our guests have a wide range of needs, but what most struck me… Continue reading The sins of social action
Soothing poverty or slaying it? – by Phil Conn
Photo by Timur Weber on Pexels.com I’ve spent the last couple of decades working in social action and for the last 15 years almost exclusively with those experiencing street homelessness and its surrounding issues. In the last three years, I’ve moved into full time church leadership. For this reason that I was acutely struck by… Continue reading Soothing poverty or slaying it? – by Phil Conn
Empowered: faith that makes a lasting difference, Conference 7th March 2024
I have been very encouraged by the response to my longer article Justice, Empowerment & Faith: the Future Direction of Christian Social Action. It has been read by over 4000 people so far and I have had a pile of emails and messages with lots of support and agreement as well as plenty of thoughtful critique… Continue reading Empowered: faith that makes a lasting difference, Conference 7th March 2024
Fences or ambulances on the cliff-edge of poverty? – by Juli Thompson
Photo by Enrico Perini on Pexels.com I have worked for twenty years in Bradford tackling homelessness and food insecurity. Reading Grace+Truth over the years has helped me to reflect on the approach I have taken. Its good to be self-critical and I have always been challenged by the thought that our work might be part… Continue reading Fences or ambulances on the cliff-edge of poverty? – by Juli Thompson
Justice, Empowerment & Faith: the future direction for Christian social action
This is a longer article written to provoke discussion about the key challenges and future direction for Christian social action in the UK. A PDF version can be downloaded at the bottom of the article. Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for ancient paths, ask where the good way… Continue reading Justice, Empowerment & Faith: the future direction for Christian social action
Coming for warmth, but staying for the welcome – by David Barclay
As temperatures drop and the nights close in, many of us may start to think about Christmas plans or cosy nights watching Strictly with the family. But for millions in the UK, the winter season comes with a creeping dread. For many, the cold and dark leaves them increasingly isolated and lonely and they contemplate… Continue reading Coming for warmth, but staying for the welcome – by David Barclay
Grace + Truth 