New book from author of The Shack – ‘Cross Roads’ + your chance to win a free copy
Today, WM Paul Young is launching his second novel Cross Roads. His first novel The Shack was a global bestseller, shifting over 600,000 copies in the UK and 18 million copies globally. I must confess that I was not a huge fan of the style of writing of The Shack but the book still had… Continue reading New book from author of The Shack – ‘Cross Roads’ + your chance to win a free copy
Why the Church of England must say YES 2 Women Bishops – by Stephen Kuhrt
These are exciting times for the Church of England. The appointment of Justin Welby to be the next Archbishop of Canterbury has been met with considerable enthusiasm across the Church. There is a desire to reflect his optimistic vision for the relevance of the church and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Before then, we face… Continue reading Why the Church of England must say YES 2 Women Bishops – by Stephen Kuhrt
Congo violence is closer to home than we think
Fighting in the Congo between the ‘M23’ rebels and FARDC government troops reached Goma on the border with Rwanda today. The city of almost 400,000 people, almost the size of Bristol, has so far escaped direct fighting. Hundreds of thousands have already fled their homes in the East of the country this year trying to… Continue reading Congo violence is closer to home than we think
Gaza, London, Streatham & the randomness of violence
Photo by Roy Reyna on Pexels.com After a meeting this Thursday, I got the underground from London Bridge station back to my office. As I walked onto the platform, a man spat on the ground just as I walked past. Instinctively I glanced up but I continued walking along the platform and a few yards… Continue reading Gaza, London, Streatham & the randomness of violence
Conviction and tolerance…in an age of bigotry
What theme could more appropriate on November 5th than religious tolerance? After all it is the night when we remember the failure of Catholic activists to blow up Parliament and kill the King. An event we have celebrated for over 400 years by gleefully burning effigies of the most celebrated conspirator, Guy Fawkes, who was… Continue reading Conviction and tolerance…in an age of bigotry
Halloween: a time to confront our real fears (of young people)
Photo by Yaroslav Shuraev on Pexels.com We spent last week on holiday so we were out of London for Halloween for the first time in years. We were in a quiet village but we received a warning about what to expect from one of the locals: "You should expect to be busy, all the kids… Continue reading Halloween: a time to confront our real fears (of young people)
What should Mission look like in the 21st Century?
Christians have repeatedly tied themselves in knots about Mission. At various times we've boxed it, felt guilty about it, outsourced it and pretended to do it whilst running in the other direction. Mission as we often think of it came of age in 17th Century, but what should it look like in 2012? To start… Continue reading What should Mission look like in the 21st Century?
Lament, protest and resistance – by Keith Hebden
Photo by kailash kumar on Pexels.com I met recently with Manohar, a South Indian priest and activist, in his office in central Bengaluru (Bangalore). Manohar is a Dalit and a determined champion of the rights of the Dalits whose spiritual and political solidarity with the oppressed are integral to each other. He told me of a… Continue reading Lament, protest and resistance – by Keith Hebden
Homelessness: how the Church still offers hospitality and hope
Two major events happening in November show why the Church continues has such an important role in addressing homelessness. Firstly, on November 8th there is the Annual Service of Commemoration for homeless people who have died in the past year which is held every year at St Martins-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square. This is always a… Continue reading Homelessness: how the Church still offers hospitality and hope
Grace + Truth 