The plight of another human being sleeping rough is one of the most visceral and obvious expressions of poverty and social exclusion. The instinctive empathy it provokes makes rough sleeping a potent subject on social media. For example, a few years ago a video went viral which showed how Amazon Prime could be used to… Continue reading Rough sleeping & the inverse reality of social media
Jumping out of the boat – by Danny Kuhrt
Based on a talk given at the Lee Abbey Youth Camp, August 2022 on Jonah 1: 6-16 Can you think of a time you’ve run away from something? Last night I felt something at the bottom of my sleeping bag. I grabbed it expecting to find my torch. But it wasn't a torch. It was… Continue reading Jumping out of the boat – by Danny Kuhrt
‘A toolbox for peace & liberation’? An activist reads the Bible
Review of Open for Liberation: an activist reads the Bible – by Tim Gee (Christian Alternative, 2022) Tim Gee believes the Bible is chiefly a narrative of liberation for the oppressed. In Open for Liberation, he claims Jesus led an anti-colonial movement of the dispossessed which affirmed women's leadership, racial equality and sexual diversity. Gee… Continue reading ‘A toolbox for peace & liberation’? An activist reads the Bible
Ronald Sider 1939-2022: an obituary by Elaine Storkey
With the death of Ronald Sider we say ‘adieu’ to one of the most significant Christian voices of the last 60 years. Born in in Erie, Ontario, Canada in 1939, he became known for his rejection of any dichotomy between evangelism and social action and his claim that the gospel encompassed the whole of life.… Continue reading Ronald Sider 1939-2022: an obituary by Elaine Storkey
Pure Class: Flintoff’s challenge to cricket’s elitism
The issue of class is woven into the history of cricket like no other sport. As a non-contact game, it was more socially acceptable for the English upper classes to play alongside the working class. It was a shared sporting endeavour but without the potentially awkward physicality of rugby or football. Thus cricket helped forge… Continue reading Pure Class: Flintoff’s challenge to cricket’s elitism
Fuelling the problems? – by Corin Pilling
Churches and their community projects are often the first to spot a problem and act. Churches run the vast majority of food banks, as well as community pantries, debt services, homelessness provision, not to mention youth clubs, parent and toddler groups, pre-schools and groups for older people. It may seem incongruous in this current heatwave,… Continue reading Fuelling the problems? – by Corin Pilling
Transforming leadership: the power of a fresh approach
New England Captain, Ben Stokes and new Coach, Brendan McCullum Just a few weeks ago, English Cricket was in deep crisis. The team had only won one Test match in 17 games. The team was thrashed by Australia last winter and beaten by the West Indies in the spring. The Director and Coach were sacked… Continue reading Transforming leadership: the power of a fresh approach
Colluding with chaos or maintaining healthy boundaries?
In my 20s, I was a member of a church near King’s Cross where we started a community project called Decorating and Gardening to do practical jobs for vulnerable local people. We called it D&G for short and borrowed the Dolce & Gabanna logo. We never heard from their lawyers. The first person we did a job for was a… Continue reading Colluding with chaos or maintaining healthy boundaries?
Faith don’t live here anymore
It could be logical to assume that belief in God, life after death or anything supernatural would lead to people who are less committed to issues in the here and now. Surely ‘pie in the sky when you die’ displaces a concern for ‘steak on your plate while you wait’? But actually, it is extraordinary… Continue reading Faith don’t live here anymore
Why I am not celebrating this jubilee – by Neil Charlton
Dear Elizabeth II, I genuinely wish you and your family well, but I will not be participating in your Platinum Jubilee celebration. I and many others see no reason to celebrate 70 years of your ascension to the British throne because your leadership, and that of your predecessors, have presided over one of the greatest… Continue reading Why I am not celebrating this jubilee – by Neil Charlton
Grace + Truth 