Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com ‘And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?’ Exodus 3:11 Leadership is for other people. We hear this refrain, or some version of it, perhaps aloud but more often as a… Continue reading Leadership is for other people – by Tobias Mayer
Begging: the question…
Recently I was in Birmingham New Street station when a man approached me, saying he was homeless and asking for money for food. We were right next to a Greggs so I suggested I buy him some. As there was a queue, we got talking and he said: ‘I’m not really homeless you know,… Continue reading Begging: the question…
Public leadership, private insecurity
One of the common assumptions people make is that those in positions of leadership or responsibility are confident and secure. Actually, feelings of insecurity are rampant among those who lead. What is externally projected and seen is not the same as how people feel inside. Performative This is especially relevant in church and charity leadership.… Continue reading Public leadership, private insecurity
Faith to confront human trafficking – by Paula Cornell
My third night in South Asia I crawled into bed in my hotel with a heavy heart. It’s hard to describe the pervasive sense of darkness and despair I felt. Since arriving there, my coworkers and I had heard story after story of total disregard for the value of human life. Men forced to work… Continue reading Faith to confront human trafficking – by Paula Cornell
Grief, anger & being convinced by the love of God
This is a sermon I gave this week at Bristol Cathedral in a service to remember people who have died affected by homelessness. Reading: Romans 8:35-39 - read by Leo, Hope into Action tenant "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or… Continue reading Grief, anger & being convinced by the love of God
‘Truth works’: a lesson for Boris Johnson (and everyone)
Photo by Brett Jordan on Pexels.com The former Australian cricket coach Justin Langer spoke this week about a lunch he had with Sir Alex Ferguson, the legendary Manchester United football manager. Within two minutes of meeting Ferguson looked him directly in the eye and said: “Just remember son, truth works…always tell the truth” Langer was… Continue reading ‘Truth works’: a lesson for Boris Johnson (and everyone)
Cheap grace & the lie of love without cost
Photo by Brett Jordan on Pexels.com Why does an ordinary glass crack when boiling water is poured into it? Its because of the pressure caused by the difference in temperature between the inside and the outside. The structural integrity of the object cannot bear this scale of difference. It’s a good metaphor for the human… Continue reading Cheap grace & the lie of love without cost
Why you should watch ‘The Chosen’
In recent weeks I have loved watching the series The Chosen, a brilliantly produced series about Jesus and his core group of followers. Depth and quality I have always found dramatic adaptations of the Bible helpful. The gospel narratives are very lean and allow for plenty of imaginative speculation about people's back stories, motivations and… Continue reading Why you should watch ‘The Chosen’
The opposite of toxic masculinity
Carl Beech is the founder of Christian Vision for Men and Edge Ministries which builds Christian communities in areas of deprivation. I have been deeply struck by how Carl has shared news of his recent diagnosis of Early Onset Parkinson's disease. I have found his insights an inspirational example of how God's power is often… Continue reading The opposite of toxic masculinity
Burning disagreement: the Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling
In the early 2000s, I worked for a large Christian charity where I organised an optional prayer meeting that started each working week. On one occasion, a colleague used a quote from Harry Potter as part of a reflection. As I recall it was Albus Dumbledore saying: ‘We are protected, in short, by our ability… Continue reading Burning disagreement: the Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling
Grace + Truth 