I have reached the stage in life where I seem to be going to an awful lot of funerals. Many close friends of my husband Gordon and I have died in recent years. Some have seemed to be in good health until suddenly they are not around anymore. Some, like Gordon’s brother, have died after… Continue reading Finishing the race – by Olive Kuhrt
Words every church should have above their exit…
I recently visited a Salvation Army church centre in one of the poorest parts of London. It was a midweek day and the building was buzzing with various community activities. I met fantastic people doing great work in their neighbourhood: inclusive, deeply committed and fired by a passionate faith in Jesus. Earlier, I had noticed these… Continue reading Words every church should have above their exit…
Success comes through failing, well – by Caris Grimes
In our success-orientated society, failure has become something of a dirty word. Yet research from organisations, entrepreneurs, education and healthcare all tell a different story. We learn more from our failures than our successes. Success does bring benefits, such as increasing motivation, satisfaction and confidence. But it also has liabilities. These include complacency and a… Continue reading Success comes through failing, well – by Caris Grimes
Martin Luther King, breaking silos and facing fear: the search for synthesis #3
In the last article, I shared two theological ideas which have helped my search for synthesis between conservative and liberal Christianity. In this series' last article, I focus on the person whose practice of this synthesis has most inspired me in my journey. Although Martin Luther King's popular legacy has been secularised, his life and ministry is… Continue reading Martin Luther King, breaking silos and facing fear: the search for synthesis #3
How Tom Wright and Lesslie Newbigin have helped my search for synthesis #2
Many years ago my father-in-law passed on some advice to me “When you speak about your faith, you should always mention the ‘J-word’. Never be afraid to talk about Jesus.” I remember later sharing this with someone at the church where my work was based. While we were speaking, someone else overheard me talking about… Continue reading How Tom Wright and Lesslie Newbigin have helped my search for synthesis #2
The problem with urban theology: the search for synthesis #1
Over the last week there has been an interesting exchange of articles between Philip North, the Bishop of Burnley and Ian Paul, who writes the popular Christian blog Psephizo. It focused on the theology of mission in deprived areas, and whether or not Christians need to ‘take Jesus’ into these areas. It is good to… Continue reading The problem with urban theology: the search for synthesis #1
Eddie Izzard kicked me out of the Liberal Metropolitan Elite
Photo by Monica Silvestre on Pexels.com Guest post by Simon Hall Eddie Izzard gave me something to think about, but it wasn’t his jokes. I think I can count myself as a member of the Liberal Metropolitan Elite (let's call us the LME). After all, the BBC told me I was. I live in the bohemian… Continue reading Eddie Izzard kicked me out of the Liberal Metropolitan Elite
Enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world
Over the last week I have watched the Lord of the Rings film triology for the first time since seeing them at the cinema. What struck me again was the tiny glimmer of hope which Frodo and his friend Sam carry through the most hopeless of situations. They keep going through relentless violence, temptations, threats and arguments… Continue reading Enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world
‘The Church and Its Vocation: Lesslie Newbigin’s Missionary Ecclesiology’ by Michael W. Goheen [review]
In 2009 I attended a conference in Birmingham to mark a 100 years since the birth of Lesslie Newbigin. I found it a disappointing experience. The conference engaged with Newbigin as a theologian and thinker but neglected the thrust of his life as a missionary. There was a lot on his views on modernism and… Continue reading ‘The Church and Its Vocation: Lesslie Newbigin’s Missionary Ecclesiology’ by Michael W. Goheen [review]
How Lesslie Newbigin has helped me bring my faith to work
I have spent most of the last 20 years working for social action organisations founded on a Christian ethos. As they grew they developed services in some of the most complex areas of social care, such as housing high risk offenders, those with chronic addictions and those with acute physical and learning disabilities. Along with… Continue reading How Lesslie Newbigin has helped me bring my faith to work
Grace + Truth 