Photo by Markus Spiske on Pexels.com Nothing reveals the health of a culture more than how well people disagree with each other. And this is especially true within local communities. This is why terms like community cohesion and social capital have become important because they describe a vital sense of relational connection and commonality that… Continue reading Rage stoked by the Machine: the algorithms are against us
Exclusive Inclusivity – by Tobias Mayer
Photo by Susanne Jutzeler, suju-foto on Pexels.com "It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences" Audre Lorde, September 1979 I like inclusivity. Who doesn't? But I've started noticing an interesting paradox in inclusive spaces. By going to any length to include the traditionally excluded… Continue reading Exclusive Inclusivity – by Tobias Mayer
Disunited kingdom: peace-making in a time of polarisation – by Tony Uddin
Photo by Efrem Efre on Pexels.com Last weekend’s ‘Uniting the Kingdom’ march underscored just how divided our nation is. Amidst the accusations and counter-accusations, demos and counter-demos, most of us are left asking how on earth we got here? I certainly have a dog in this fight. I am half-Bangladeshi and half-British, and a hundred… Continue reading Disunited kingdom: peace-making in a time of polarisation – by Tony Uddin
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
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
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?
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
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
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
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
Grace + Truth 