One of my favourite parts of my job is when I am asked to facilitate the spirituality discussion group at West London Mission's Day Centre for homeless people. We see around a hundred rough sleepers every day who come in for breakfasts, showers, medical help and appointments with our team. The spirituality discussion group meets every Tuesday. At… Continue reading What would the prophet Amos say to Donald Trump?
“In reaching out to the lost, I think I have found myself” – The Genius of the Poor [review]
“Somewhat ironically, my 12-month journey amongst the unlearned and unschooled has taught me more insights and life lessons than all my privileged education had achieved back home.” In 2012, Londoner Thomas Graham arrived in the Philippines expecting to stay one month. His assignment was to write an investment report on the Philippines, ‘one of the… Continue reading “In reaching out to the lost, I think I have found myself” – The Genius of the Poor [review]
‘The longest suicide vote in history’: Why I have left the Labour Party
Photo by Sides Imagery on Pexels.com In 1983 Michael Foot was leader of the Labour Party at the General Election when the Conservatives, under Margaret Thatcher, won a landslide victory. The recent victory in the Falklands War undoubtedly helped, but despite the harsh economic policies, massive unemployment and civil unrest of the early 80s, Labour’s… Continue reading ‘The longest suicide vote in history’: Why I have left the Labour Party
We need Sport Relief from corporate injustice – by Andy Turner
So another Sport Relief has come and gone. An unrelenting mash up of fun, sporting heroics, comedy and conviction, highlighting poverty and raising money. The banter, unlikely competitions, silly stunts, and comedy sketches are fun. The heroic feats, especially Eddie Izzard's incredible 27 marathons in 27 days, are inspiring. The short, beautifully crafted films capture eye-watering poverty… Continue reading We need Sport Relief from corporate injustice – by Andy Turner
Losing their religion: why Christian charities lose their ethos
It cannot be disputed that Churches are very good at establishing social action projects. In recent years this is illustrated by the high-profile rise of church-based Food Banks, Night Shelters, debt services and a whole range of street outreach. Organisations like The Trussell Trust, Street Pastors and Christians Against Poverty have seen their work grow at an incredible… Continue reading Losing their religion: why Christian charities lose their ethos
Love without structures: learning from the collapse of Kid’s Company
Photo by Afta Putta Gunawan on Pexels.com This week the BBC screened a fascinating documentary, Camila’s Kid’s Company: the Inside Story, on the demise of the famous children’s charity. What made the programme so compelling was its intimate portrayal of the Chief Executive, Camila Batmanghelidjh. We see her close-up, as she lived through the collapse of the… Continue reading Love without structures: learning from the collapse of Kid’s Company
Being a voice for the voiceless in politics – by Alison Hill
The last few months have seen some huge political decisions being made: whether to extend airstrikes against ISIS, the response to the refugee crisis, the UK’s commitments in the UN Climate Change Talks, or the reaction to the flooding seen over the Christmas period. These are political decisions which impact the lives of millions of… Continue reading Being a voice for the voiceless in politics – by Alison Hill
Now is the time to make our voice heard about the scandal of homelessness
I live in Streatham, a residential area in south London and every day I walk the short distance to my local train station to go to work. Last week, just near the station, I saw a man huddled up, sleeping in the telephone box. It was bitterly cold and he looked horribly uncomfortable. I was… Continue reading Now is the time to make our voice heard about the scandal of homelessness
Concrete faith: A review of ‘Dietrich Bonhoeffer as Youth Worker’ by Andrew Root
At the start of this book, Andrew Root outlines ‘The Bonhoeffer Phenomenon’, the term coined for the divergent Christian tribes who have bestowed hero status on the German theologian. One consequence is that books on Bonhoeffer are warped by the theological commitment of the authors, whether they be radical, liberal or conservative. Bonhoeffer's legacy easily falls victim to the tribal propaganda rife in… Continue reading Concrete faith: A review of ‘Dietrich Bonhoeffer as Youth Worker’ by Andrew Root
Comforting the disturbed, and disturbing the comfortable
There are plenty of reasons why Christianity, especially in Western countries, is perceived as a religion of the rich and powerful. Over the last two thousand years, a huge amount of unhelpful cultural and historical baggage has accumulated around Christianity. The best antidote is to return to the Bible and be reminded of what Jesus actually said and… Continue reading Comforting the disturbed, and disturbing the comfortable
Grace + Truth 