Unforgiveness, pain, hatred, anxiety, gang violence... These were some of the issues that young people in our youth group wrote down as examples of things which spoil and scar our world. Perhaps most precious were the things written down which were too personal to share publicly. These were folded over. Each one was nailed to… Continue reading Young people are dying for hope – Easter is more relevant than ever
Category: Theology
A great gift to the Church: ‘Paradoxology’ by Krish Kandiah [Review]
The Bible is central to the Christian faith. But it’s also long, complex and parts of it are offensive to many people. And that includes a lot of Christians… I have always found much of the Old Testament difficult, especially books like Joshua which contain so much God-instructed genocide. What are we to make of… Continue reading A great gift to the Church: ‘Paradoxology’ by Krish Kandiah [Review]
‘If the grain of wheat dies, it bears much fruit’ – Remembering Oscar Romero
Today is the anniversary of the assassination of the Oscar Romero, the Archbishop of El Salvador. He was murdered by government agents while presiding over mass on the 24th March 1980. He was shot dead at the altar in the chapel of the hospital in which he lived. Romero had used his position to speak up about the… Continue reading ‘If the grain of wheat dies, it bears much fruit’ – Remembering Oscar Romero
The Cross: the ultimate place of grace and truth
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com This week I went to see a Salvation Army Officer who runs a church centre in London. As I walked in, he and a colleague were speaking with three women. As I waited, it became obvious that the women had problems with homelessness and drug addiction and that he knew… Continue reading The Cross: the ultimate place of grace and truth
Why the Church needs these Alpha males
In her memoir of her journey into (and then out of) church leadership, theologian Barbara Brown Taylor writes about young people leaving her congregation: ‘One way or the other, most of the children had left by the time they were thirteen. Twelve was the traditional age for confirmation...it was their turn to decide, we told… Continue reading Why the Church needs these Alpha males
Does everyone need a saviour?
Artwork at St Martin's service by Don Pollard We sing a song at my church with the words: ‘Everyone needs forgiveness, the kindness of a saviour’. Most people today acknowledge the importance of kindness. Even atheists often respect the church for running food banks and night shelters. Being kind is generally appreciated. But the idea… Continue reading Does everyone need a saviour?
Grace, truth and the tricky task of people management
Photo by Nathan Cowley on Pexels.com 'Management' is not a concept that sits well within the Church. After all, church leaders are called to be priests, pastors, and preachers, not CEOs of mini-corporations. But over the past 20 years, in attending, working for and with many churches and Christian organisations, I have consistently seen the… Continue reading Grace, truth and the tricky task of people management
Royal wedding sermon: stop the internal church critique & use the opportunity
Photo by Anna Tarazevich on Pexels.com At my church on Sunday afternoons, I lead a youth group which mainly consists of children whose families don't go to church. Most of them are boys aged between 12-14 and many know me from a football club that I have run for many years. Types of love This… Continue reading Royal wedding sermon: stop the internal church critique & use the opportunity
Rev. Curry’s sermon summed up why I am a Christian
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels.com There has been an incredible reaction to Bishop Michael Curry's sermon at the Royal Wedding today. Both the content and the manner of his talk broke the formality which so easily straight-jackets Anglican services and especially any religious events involving the Royalty. There was power, authority and a bold… Continue reading Rev. Curry’s sermon summed up why I am a Christian
Beauty arising from the ashes of despair – by James Mercer
Behind All Saints’ church in Harrow Weald, North London, a woodland has been transformed into a Forest School for local children. It is only a few hundred yards from a busy London road, but for the children who visit the school established within the woods, it is a place of magic and surprise. The small,… Continue reading Beauty arising from the ashes of despair – by James Mercer
Grace + Truth 