Grace + Truth
190 FOLLOWERS
Grace and truth are at the heart of the Christian faith. They are also practical values which are fundamental to how individuals change and society becomes fairer. I wanted a space to reflect on my work and my real-life experience. I believe that too much church culture is detached and dis-integrated from the real world. All theoretical and theological reflection is best done in light of..
Grace + Truth
1w ago
As the Soul Survivor church and festival grew in size and influence, Matt and Beth Redman worked closely with Mike Pilavachi for years. They have released a thirty minute film to share their experiences of his abusive behaviour. They speak candidly about the psychological impact of Pilavachi’s tendency to bring people into his fold and ..read more
Grace + Truth
3w ago
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. As Roman Governor of Judea Pilate had to manage a region simmering with religious extremism and ..read more
Grace + Truth
3w ago
A few weeks ago I saw this quote from Audrey Hepburn posted on social media: ‘The most important thing is to enjoy your life – to be happy – it’s all that matters’. I see lots of quotes posted on social media and usually I just scroll past. But this quote jumped out at me ..read more
Grace + Truth
3w ago
I wanted to reflect on three scenarios I have experienced this week: Scenario 1: Last Sunday I gave the talk at my church on the passage in John’s gospel when Jesus is tried by the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. I focused on Pilate’s question ‘What is truth?’ (Watch the sermon here). After the service, I ..read more
Grace + Truth
2M ago
This week saw the London launch of a new book from the Red Letter Christians UK. Each chapter is a story of how following Jesus has led people into activism for justice. My story recalls the start of the pandemic in March 2020. Below I share two excerpts which connect my role as a volunteer ..read more
Grace + Truth
2M ago
Previous instalment: The sound of breaking glass: my Tunbridge Wells winter #2 The shelter’s first night had seen one of our residents arrested for assault, criminal damage and threatening behaviour. The next morning, I woke up early in my YMCA room and spent some time praying for courage for whatever the day would bring. On ..read more
Grace + Truth
2M ago
Previous installment: Wealth, fear and nimbyism: my Tunbridge Wells winter #1 As I wrote in the last post, my first few weeks as Manager of Tunbridge Wells’ first ever winter shelter was dominated by dealing with disgruntled neighbours. But with the permission to open, we cracked on with recruiting the staff and volunteers who ..read more
Grace + Truth
2M ago
In the mid-1990s I worked in a large hostel in Hackney, East London for 140 homeless men and women. But the organisation I worked for had an opportunity for someone to be seconded for 5 months to a Housing Association in Kent who needed a manager to establish a new winter shelter for rough sleepers ..read more
Grace + Truth
2M ago
I’ve spent the last couple of decades working in social action and for the last 15 years almost exclusively with those experiencing street homelessness and its surrounding issues. In the last three years, I’ve moved into full time church leadership. For this reason that I was acutely struck by the points raised by Jon’s article ..read more
Grace + Truth
2M ago
The fly-dumping of unwanted rubbish is a big problem in my neighbourhood. The entrances to the park behind our house are a favourite place for people to leave mattresses, old toys and other waste. Added to this are the cowboy builders who leave construction debris, as well as those who are paid to dispose of ..read more