⁶ This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour. 8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except …
Politics and Elections
Getting to the heart of the general election
Any election is about choices. But the widely different visions for the future course of the UK on offer at this general election mean its result will have decisive repercussions for years to come. We consider some of the major issues at stake and explore how Christians might approach them, in the …
Churches hosting hustings: a good opportunity?
In a guest blog, Rev Bryan Kerr explores his experience of leading hustings events during elections. It was during an interview, as Tony Blair was answering a question on his faith, that his former director of strategy and communications Alastair Campbell, interrupted and quipped, “We don’t …
How many children are “Growing up Poor”?
There are a number of measures of child poverty and all agree that child poverty is rising. Tonight’s Channel 4’s Dispatches programme “Growing up Poor” gives some of the children affected by poverty the chance to tell their own stories – and is incredibly powerful as a result. It is great …
Preaching on the General Election
This December, many church leaders will find themselves with the opportunity to speak with their communities about the General Election. For some, this will be expected, and congregations will be looking for guidance. For others, this will be a step into new territory, and may face hostility from …
Love Pray Vote
As we approach a General Election on 12 December 2019, we’re inviting you to Love, Pray, Vote. But what does that look like? Love “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” John 15:12 Politics plays an important role in how our society is run. It helps to …
Called to bridge the divide: church leaders at the Conservative Party Conference
Delegations of church leaders from the Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed Churches, the Quakers and the Salvation Army attended the conferences of the main political parties this autumn. Revd Beth Allison-Glenny, Public Issues Enabler for the Baptist Union, reflects on her experience at the …
‘Days of challenge and vulnerability’: church leaders at the Labour Party Conference
Delegations of church leaders from the Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed Churches, the Quakers and the Salvation Army attended the conferences of the main political parties this autumn. Here, Simeon Mitchell reports on the Labour Party Conference. “It’s just horrendous, there is such an …
Is there a Brexit we can all live with?
Our constitution should enable us to make controversial decisions that we don’t all agree on but are generally regarded as legitimate. For example, I passionately hate the Welfare Reform Act that brought in huge benefit cuts and the disastrous Universal Credit, but I accept that legislation’s …
Meet Your MP – Adventures in Asking & Action (Day 5)
“Listened well… but didn’t change her view” This week we are celebrating some of the stories of congregations from our churches who have taken up the challenge to meet their local MP. Each congregation was able to demonstrate their concerns for the local area, express their hopes and dreams, …