Joy in Participation One of this year’s joys was co-facilitating a training of trainers’ programme in Kenya for a group of 22 Anglican clergy. They showed huge commitment by overcoming a national public transport strike in order to travel to the conference venue. And their enthusiasm for learning insights for transforming tension and conflict was … Read more
Why is peace not welcome? This was a great question asked by Isabelle Hamley at a conference at Coventry Cathedral this week. True, shalomic, just-peace is not welcomed because it’s hard work and entails that we practice a range of disciplines. As I set out in my first book, Bridgebuilding, these include practices of: knowing oneself … Read more
Keep Going Are there times when you feel like giving up? When life, work or ministry all seem too much? If so, then you may resonate with the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19. He’s had enough and doesn’t want to keep going. Despairing, he falls asleep under a broom tree. God sends an … Read more
Dark Weeping As we approach Holy Week, it is worth revisiting the experience of Jesus in Gethsemane. In the hours before his arrest and execution, as he prays in the garden, Jesus is deeply disturbed. This disturbance finds expression in his body. Luke records that, “in anguish of spirit he prayed more urgently; and his … Read more
The Suffering Servant Writing many centuries ago, the prophet Isaiah spoke of a suffering servant who was oppressed and afflicted, yet did not open his mouth; and who was cut off from the land of the living, and stricken for the transgression of God’s people. Early Jewish theologians saw Israel as the suffering servant, journeying … Read more
Cultivating Fruitful Soil Soil which bears good fruit typically needs some effort at cultivation. It will likely benefit from the addition of nutrients and organic matter. It will also need to be tilled. The same is true if our churches are to be places of fruitfulness. In our Reconciling Mission programme we highlight the benefits … Read more
Risen? On Easter Day we boldly proclaimed that Christ is risen. But, as the first witnesses questioned, what does ‘risen’ actually mean? What does Christ’s resurrection mean for those on the sharp end of the cost of living crisis? Or for those who’ve fled crises in their home country and are landing on England’s beaches, and … Read more
New Chapters? A new year can provide an opportunity to start a new chapter. After three and half years with RI, our administrator, Debbie Niblett is taking up the opportunity of a full-time role with Coventry Diocese. It’s good news for Debbie. And means a new chapter for RI as we recruit a new half-time … Read more
A Life of Service ‘A life of service’ has kept recurring in the commentaries about Queen Elizabeth II. As the nation has mourned her death, we have been reminded that a life well-lived is one which is given in service of others. Like Elizabeth, if we choose such a path, we are also following Jesus, … Read more
The Spirit blows where it chooses The Holy Spirit can’t be controlled. But we can attune ourselves to the way that the Spirit is blowing, listening to how it’s at work in the world, and seeking to align ourselves and join in with what God is doing. That’s at the heart of what we facilitate … Read more