The far-right campaigner, Tommy Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, claims to have become a Christian in prison. And this Saturday, his Unite the Kingdom movement has organised a Christmas Carol service in Whitehall. John Clifton wrote thoughtful article about Robinson's challenge to the church about how it engages men. He did not approve of Robinson… Continue reading Tommy Robinson’s Carol Concert: show naïve grace or face the ugly truth?
The gift of honest feedback – by Tim Ling
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com Advent is a season of waiting, a time when the Church pauses, not in passive resignation, but in hopeful expectation. We wait for light to break into darkness, for God’s Word to take flesh, for the world to be remade. Advent teaches us that waiting is not wasted time;… Continue reading The gift of honest feedback – by Tim Ling
‘I need money for a hostel bed’: how do we respond to such appeals?
Photo by Timur Weber on Pexels.com For many people living or working in towns and cities, being asked for money is an everyday experience. It can often cause feelings of distress, guilt and confusion - especially at this time of year. Last week I was on the underground platform at King's Cross in London and… Continue reading ‘I need money for a hostel bed’: how do we respond to such appeals?
Responding to Tommy Robinson’s Christmas rally – by Al Barrett
Revd Dr Al Barrett is Vicar of Hodge Hill Church, Birmingham. He has contributed to a new resource: Joy for All: Supporting churches to respond to the co-option of Christmas by the far right The sharp end People in my parish find themselves on the sharp end of national politics. Our area has been economically… Continue reading Responding to Tommy Robinson’s Christmas rally – by Al Barrett
Pain & happiness: the magnifying effect of Christmas
Last year the animated family film That Christmas written by Richard Curtis was released. A line in the film really struck me: “I always think that Christmas is a bit like an emotional magnifying glass. If you feel loved and happy, Christmas will make you feel even happier and more loved. But if you feel… Continue reading Pain & happiness: the magnifying effect of Christmas
Moral Revolution: Rutger Bregman’s ‘must-listen’ Reith lectures
Rutger Bregman is a Dutch historian who is giving the BBC Reith Lectures this year. I listened to the first lecture of the series, A Time of Monsters this weekend, and I was deeply struck by Bregman's moral force, conviction and clarity. I would encourage all G+T readers to listen to the full 30 minute… Continue reading Moral Revolution: Rutger Bregman’s ‘must-listen’ Reith lectures
Is Kemi Badenoch right: is the welfare system “unchristian”? – by Krish Kandiah
The leader of the Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, was asked in an interview whether welfare spending was unchristian and she replied: “In early Christian times there was no state or welfare so I think that you can argue that, actually. The Christian tradition is about communities and families and charity, not about compulsory taxation in… Continue reading Is Kemi Badenoch right: is the welfare system “unchristian”? – by Krish Kandiah
Ruinous empathy or radical candour? – by Anna Price
We have a growing cultural problem that affects the world of work and much of the church: we don’t like being challenged by others. Few of us want to go back to the days of aggressive bosses, stiff upper lips and stoicism. But the current cultural climate can mean we lack confidence in the vital… Continue reading Ruinous empathy or radical candour? – by Anna Price
Resisting BS & telling a Better Story
Taken from talk given at Streatham Baptist Church 23/11/25. Full text here: A Better Story: grace & truth or watch below. 15 years ago I was driving in south London and as I stopped at traffic lights, my son, who was 5 at the time, said: ‘Dad, what’s a marital affair?’ I wondered what he… Continue reading Resisting BS & telling a Better Story
The most rewarding 30 minutes of my week – by Stephen Kuhrt
The 'Tales from the Bible' team As a church leader, I’m incredibly fortunate to have a job that I love. After 22 years of ordained ministry, I still wake up each morning full of enthusiasm for the everyday tasks of being a vicar: planning services, writing talks, pastoral care, taking funerals and weddings, encouraging people’s… Continue reading The most rewarding 30 minutes of my week – by Stephen Kuhrt
