It was a great honour for me to be asked to preach the Annual 'Soper Sermon' at Hinde Street Methodist Church which remembers the life and ministry of Lord Donald Soper, who was Superintendent of the West London Mission (WLM) for over 40 years between 1936-1978. I never met Donald Soper but I have worked for… Continue reading ‘Goodwill on Fire’: Remembering Donald Soper
It’s true – we ask Prince Harry to be a killer
Prince Harry killed people in Afghanistan. It's true. Soldiers not only die protecting the UK and us, they also kill to do it as well. Underneath, sometimes far underneath we all know this, but we leave the thought mostly buried under a fiver in the tin for Help for Heroes and a sad unease as… Continue reading It’s true – we ask Prince Harry to be a killer
“Dad, you’re a nicer person without your iPhone”
It was just another busy Saturday in our house. Although I try to keep my weekends as clear as possible of work and spend time with my family, I always have my phone with me. This means that it can be hard to avoid seeing work emails on the weekend. And this particular Saturday morning… Continue reading “Dad, you’re a nicer person without your iPhone”
Sharing the gospel with Errol Flynn, Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart
It has been great to see the reaction to Corin Pilling's beautiful guest post about how his church has connected with a local care home for those with dementia. Its another reminder that some of the most important work that the church does is with those who society finds it easy to forget. Much of this… Continue reading Sharing the gospel with Errol Flynn, Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart
Gifts of Grace and Presence in a King’s Cross Care Home – by Corin Pilling
It all started a couple of years ago, when Dorothy (pictured) made an announcement in church. She’d decided that something had to happen. I, in turn, decided that I was not the person to argue. She might look delightful in this photo, but when Dorothy decides that action is required, you sit up and listen.… Continue reading Gifts of Grace and Presence in a King’s Cross Care Home – by Corin Pilling
The Amos Course: God’s Word to a World of Injustice
Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com Are you part of a home group at your church? Looking for some resources to help explore what the Bible says about poverty and injustice? Amos: God’s Word to a World of Injustice I wrote this 6 session course on the book of Amos back in 2011. No biblical… Continue reading The Amos Course: God’s Word to a World of Injustice
Robin Hood ethics: should I rob the rich to feed the poor? – by John Bavington
Photo by George Chambers on Pexels.com I work in a boarding school where the fees are nearly £28,000 pa (or only £19,000 if you come as a day pupil). “It’s not the real world”, some would say. But they are wrong. This is a part of the real world. The world in which rich and poor co-exist,… Continue reading Robin Hood ethics: should I rob the rich to feed the poor? – by John Bavington
Tranforming communities: what the world can learn from the Philippines – by Tom Graham
Photo by Marfil Graganza Aquino on Pexels.com It’s a village community Christmas party, and a bunch of over-enthusiastic men are on stage, dressed as lady boys, dancing enthusiastically to the repetitive and yet (dare I say it?) catchy tune of Gangnam Style. Whilst everyone enjoys the show, you imagine these Alpha-males will regret their performance… Continue reading Tranforming communities: what the world can learn from the Philippines – by Tom Graham
Infanticide…and other Christmas themes
This morning, I watched my five year old daughter make her acting debut in her school Nativity Play. It had everything to be expected – excitable shepherds, pretty Angels, proud parents and a clip-clopping Donkey. It was cute, fun and everyone had a good time. It's important to remember though that Nativity Plays, like Children's Bibles,… Continue reading Infanticide…and other Christmas themes
A vital subject but a narrow perspective: Tim Chester’s ‘Unreached’ [review] – by Greg Smith
Tim Chester and his group of collaborators are to be praised for the work they do in living incarnationally in some of the toughest neighbourhoods in Britain. They seek to bring the Good News of Jesus to local residents and to plant culturally relevant churches among them. The book draws on this experience and is… Continue reading A vital subject but a narrow perspective: Tim Chester’s ‘Unreached’ [review] – by Greg Smith
