Photo: Flickr The Makin Report, published this week, chronicles the appalling, sadistic and spiritualised abuse carried out by John Smyth and the abject failure of the Church of England to respond adequately to this. John Smyth’s abuse represents pure evil. But just as evil is the vast number of professing Christians who knew about Smyth’s… Continue reading Why Justin Welby must resign – by Stephen Kuhrt
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’
Cutting through the fog of untruth
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com On Monday night I spoke at the AGM of the brilliant Bristol homeless charity inHope which run a Hope into Action franchise in the city. Later I had to get a train up to Nottingham and my journey included an hours’ wait at Birmingham New Street Station between 10pm and… Continue reading Cutting through the fog of untruth
Engaging with the dark; bringing light to Halloween – by Anna Price
On Halloween this year, our church, St Mary Magdalene Gorleston will be preparing to welcome around 200 families from our estate, to pass through our annual 'Light on a Dark Night’ event. This has become a hugely popular community gathering point for those out trick or treating, as well as for those trying to perhaps… Continue reading Engaging with the dark; bringing light to Halloween – by Anna Price
“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
What is the point of church?
A while ago I visited a church in East London doing great work with people who are homeless and vulnerable. I saw these words above the inside of the door: "You are now entering a place of worship" At first I assumed it was the standard wording you see in religious buildings asking for respect.… Continue reading What is the point of church?
Sex, power & cheap grace: a short film everyone should watch
"We wake up tomorrow in a Christian nation...will women have the vote tomorrow if we could wave that magic Christian wand?" "No" For Our Daughters is a short film about sexual abuse of women in the US evangelical church and how church culture perpetuated these injustices and covered it up. It contains powerful testimonies of… Continue reading Sex, power & cheap grace: a short film everyone should watch
World Homeless Day: 7 ways Christians can respond to the crisis
In 2010 Ed Walker had recently returned to the UK after working for many years with Tearfund in Africa. He was in his local park with his daughter when he met a man sitting on a bench who was homeless after just being discharged from prison. The man had nowhere to go because he had… Continue reading World Homeless Day: 7 ways Christians can respond to the crisis
‘Does charity work?’ Challenging the non-profit comfort zone
Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com A number of years ago I was co-leading a seminar at the Greenbelt festival on homelessness. In this context, we knew there was a danger that it would simply be full of people agreeing that homelessness was ‘A Bad Thing’ and that ‘the government should do more’. So to mix it… Continue reading ‘Does charity work?’ Challenging the non-profit comfort zone
The deepest grace & truth: the crux of Christian faith
Review of The Wood Between the Worlds: a Poetic Theology of the Cross – by Brian Zahnd (IVP, 2024) There is nothing more central to Christian theology than Jesus’ death on the cross. As Brian Zahnd puts it: “Everything about the gospel message leads to the cross and proceeds from the cross…the crucifixion of Jesus… Continue reading The deepest grace & truth: the crux of Christian faith
Grace + Truth 