Church, Recommended books & reviews, Theology

Untruthful cultures eat safeguarding for breakfast

A review of Safeguarding the Institution: how the culture of the Church of England facilitates abuse by Stephen Kuhrt (2025) Leadership guru Peter Drucker famously said: “Culture eats strategy for breakfast” What Drucker meant was that whatever values an organisation articulates, or whatever  plans, policies or aspirations it has, will always be trumped by its… Continue reading Untruthful cultures eat safeguarding for breakfast

Ethics & Christian living, Wellbeing

Discipleship takes Practice: the best Christian course I have ever done

Earlier this year, I reviewed the book Practicing the Way and said it was the best book I read in 2024. And earlier this summer, as a church we completed the 8 week Practicing the Way course. In many ways the course has been even more significant experience as I have travelled on this journey… Continue reading Discipleship takes Practice: the best Christian course I have ever done

Church, Ethics & Christian living, Theology

On what is faith based: escape or divine renovation?

I find many contemporary Christian songs difficult. I find them too fluffy, too sentimental, too individualistic, too escapist. They may contain words of radical aspiration but do not seem drawn from the genuine struggles of life. Rarely do our songs reflect scripture’s lament for the injustices and brokenness of the world. My friend Andy Flannagan… Continue reading On what is faith based: escape or divine renovation?

Ethics & Christian living, Social commentary

The flag is up: the Good Samaritan versus Lazarus – by Jonathan Thomas

Photo by vectors icon on Pexels.com Immigration to the UK continues to be a big story, with many sub-plots. The most recent episodes involving asylum hotels, local protests and flags.   ‘France is not war’ The asylum system leaves the public confused. They tend to be most sympathetic to those fleeing from war. But those people… Continue reading The flag is up: the Good Samaritan versus Lazarus – by Jonathan Thomas

Ethics & Christian living, Theology

Prophet or loss? Counting the cost of speaking truth – by Stephen Kuhrt

Amos lived in the 8th century BC in a village called Tekoa. He was called to proclaim God’s Word to the political and religious elites of the time.  This is a fictional imagining of the personal cost involved...and what this means for speaking up for truth today. Tension Amos was late home that evening from… Continue reading Prophet or loss? Counting the cost of speaking truth – by Stephen Kuhrt

Politics, Social commentary

George Orwell and (Culture) War

Why is George Orwell my favourite author? Because he had the bravery and conviction to channel his creative genius into genuinely independent thinking. Today, more than ever, we need thinking which challenges the cultural silos and echo chambers we become stuck in. Orwell was a socialist, firmly on the political left-wing and was fiercely critical… Continue reading George Orwell and (Culture) War

Homelessness, Social commentary

The kind of leadership needed to end homelessness

Photo by Timur Weber on Pexels.com Yesterday, the Minister for Homelessness, Rushanara Ali resigned after media reports emerged that she evicted tenants from a property she owned and then sought to re-let the property with rents increased by £700 a month. She stood accused of profiteering off the backs of tenants - the very thing… Continue reading The kind of leadership needed to end homelessness

Theology

Losing faith in a silent God

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com By Tony Anthony I was listening to BBC Radio 2 earlier today, with Tina Daheley sitting in for Jeremy Vine, and the conversation turned to the experience of losing faith (starting at 1.05). The phone lines were open, and one by one, people shared stories. These weren’t shallow grievances. They… Continue reading Losing faith in a silent God

Personal, Wellbeing

Mental health, faith & grief: Remembering Graham Thorpe – by Andrew Ryland

Photo by Nathan Cowley on Pexels.com Please be aware that this article covers themes of suicide. The second day of the England versus India Test match at the Oval was designated A Day for Thorpey in honour of Graham Thorpe, who died a year ago at the age of 55. Initiated by his family, this… Continue reading Mental health, faith & grief: Remembering Graham Thorpe – by Andrew Ryland

Ethics & Christian living, Homelessness

The path less travelled (& what we can learn from younger people)

Ethan Malcolm is a 22 year old student who decided earlier this year to take up the challenge to walk the entire length of the country, from Land’s End to John O’Groats. He doing it to raise funds for Hope into Action and is aiming to cover the 12oo miles in 60 days. Hope into… Continue reading The path less travelled (& what we can learn from younger people)