Photo by cheptu00e9 cormani on Pexels.com I have had an encouraging response to my article Justice, Empowerment and Faith: the future direction for Christian social action. Christianity Magazine re-published it and I have had emails and messages from agencies around the world. And last month, a diverse group of 30 senior leaders of Christian social… Continue reading Clueless wanderers or confident explorers?
Category: Social action
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
When a church loses its power
Photo by Aa Dil on Pexels.com Last week I was on my way to my church for our Wednesday night drop-in meal called The Vine when I got a call from the church caretaker. He told me that the church building had no heat or light due to a complete loss of power in the… Continue reading When a church loses its power
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
Why ‘New Atheism’ grew old
Ten years ago, when I worked at the West London Mission, I invited an atheist sociologist to speak at our Annual Conference. His name was Carwyn Gravell and in a beautifully lyrical Welsh accent, he introduced himself: "I am an atheist, but I am not of the Richard Dawkins kind. I am not at the… Continue reading Why ‘New Atheism’ grew old
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
Feeding the hunger for community – by Simon Dwight
Photo by MART PRODUCTION on Pexels.com On the Friday before Christmas, I hurried from my office to our church's outreach meal. Over the past two decades, my work life has focused on ways to help people overcome homelessness. However, as my career and the issue of homelessness have become increasingly interconnected, I've naturally moved away… Continue reading Feeding the hunger for community – by Simon Dwight
Grace + Truth 