information for transformational people

Hot Topics


From time to time, issues arise in our society which warrant a deeper look. Please find some insights below.
 
 
Urban green 492
15 observations in disciple making movements in urban locations - 1 
Today, 4.4 billion people (56% of the global population) live in cities. People in cities are increasingly unreached. 15 insights for growth from research and questions to consider.. part 1. More ...
From research by Two Four Eight
Racism 492
How can we speak clearly and powerfully about racism? 
Reframing Race spoke to 20,000 people in England and Scotland about race and racism. They tested messages with the public. New ways of talking about racism lead to new ways of listening. A guide.. More ...
From a guide by Reframing Race
Questions 492
Believing but not religious 
We're seeing the decline in the number of congregations and in the number of religious vocations. However, we still have incredibly high numbers of people who believe in God or a higher power... More ...
From a session at Human Flourishing
Flow 492
Rethinking church planting: don't start with Sunday 
We must start with discipleship and mission and work toward church. Church planting is the outworking of engaging context and cultivating community. The church is formed by mission and is formed for mission. More ...
From an article by Missional Church Network
Human 492
How to live out the good news in our cultural conversations - part 2
Underneath our cultural conversations, we see a fundamental question, "What does it mean to be human?". There are four core aspects that bridge our cultural conversations and faith... More ...
From a video by the Evangelical Alliance
Talking Jesus 492
How to live out the good news in our cultural conversations - part 1
55% of non-Christians who know a practising Christian have had a conversation with them about their faith in Jesus Christ. 44% said they had not had a conversation about faith. More.. More ...
From a video by the Evangelical Alliance
Holyhurt 492
Holy/Hurt: Exploring spiritual trauma and healing 
A feature of trauma is loss of meaning and trust, undermining sense of self-worth, value, and humanity, while increasing the presence of guilt, shame, fear, and numbing, defensive strategies to mask it. More ...
From a podcast by Holy/Hurt Podcast
War 492
How to talk to your children about conflict and war 
Conflict or war can cause feelings such as fear, sadness, anger, anxiety wherever you live. Children look to their parents for safety and security – even more so in times of crisis. Here are 8 tips.. More ...
From an article by UNICEF
Small 492
What do smaller churches get wrong when they look at bigger churches? 
Eight suggestions. 1. Searching for silver bullets. 2. Copying the outcome, not the process. 3. Burying your Talents. 4. Reverse snobbery. and 4 more... More ...
From an article by the Affinity Network
Sunderland 492
Getting out of the fold into the flock
The Lord spoke to me and said. "You're entering a new season. I have something more for you, something different." There was a real cost to that and a real laying down but I have to say I was ready for it. More ...
From a podcast by Transform Our World
Three cords 492
7 insights from church plants working together
What could partnership between new churches look like? Key lessons from 3 church plant leaders about working together. More ...
From a video by FIEC
Revival 492
Three phases of revival
Teo Hayashi continually sees hearts awakened and thousands of people give their lives to Christ. He shares from experience growing up in the mission field of Brazil and what he believes are the three phases of true revival. More ...
From a video by ThinkQ
Culture 492
Crossing Cultures 101 
A free, online, self-paced course that gives you the basic information you need to know to work in another culture. General principles that apply widely to any cross-cultural experience. More ...
From a course offering by FieldPartner Internation
Mother Teresa 492
5 life lessons from Mother Teresa 
1. Never Quit. She persevered throughout all the adversities that she knew in her life. 2. Embrace the Power of Prayer. She said that if you're too busy to pray, you're too busy. For her, it all began with prayer. ..More More ...
Wave 2 492
Intimacy, imagination, innovation
Intimacy - create rhythms and patterns of intimacy - familial friendship with God. Imagination - take time to both dream and receive revelation. Innovation - try new things - prototype, test, learn. More ...
From a talk at Kairos Connextion
URC 492
Church at a crossroads: 6 lessons from the United Reformed Church 
A snapshot of URC today, exploring its identity rooted in practice, what flourishing looks like, what resources exist or need to be sought, what barriers there are to future flourishing. More ...
From a report by Theos
Press 492
Crisis Communications Course for Churches 
This free online course gives church leaders a foundational understanding of good crisis communications and application – from guidance on preventing a crisis, to how to respond and repair the damage. More ...
From a resource by Confident Church
Love 2 492
Letter from the Father
My Child, You may not know me but I know everything about you (Ps 139). You were made in my image (Gen 12v7). In me you live and move and have your being (Acts 17v28). I chose you when I planned creation (Eph 1v11). You were not a mistake (Ps 139)... More ...
Part of Thy Kingdom Come 2023
Underground 492
What we can learn from the persecuted church?
"We see discipleship in two ways within the church. First is an intense encounter with Jesus. This is quite common. That intense encounter brings out the second - a following of Christ and paying the cost." More ...
From a discussion at Ekklesia 23
Assessment 492
8 non-numerical ways to assess the health of a church 
Church 'success' is seen often as numbers - attendees, donations, etc. However, these are not the best way to measure church health and effectiveness. Here are 8 helpful ways to assess... More ...
From an article by Karl Vaters
Control 492
Giving parents authority over children's social media
Encouraging law on social media - an example for governments to follow. Gives full administrator-level access to parents, so that they can see everything that their children are doing on social media. More ...
From an article by the Institute of Family Studies
Small Group 492
Are microchurches just small groups with a different name?
There really is a big difference between typical small groups and microchurches. A look at 4 differences; what is church, reasons to gather, discipleship and equipping, and empowerment. More ...
From an article on Leadership Network
Carpets 492
That Night, I Had A Dream 
I said to God, “Jesus if you’re real, I need to see you”. That night when I was sleeping, I had a dream. I was standing in a courtroom and I was waiting to be judged... More ...
From an article by Unreached Network
Benefits 492
Breaking Free from Benefits
Julie Hawkins had to take benefits when she became a single mum. A system in which she was trapped by a lot of barriers at great cost - both financially to taxpayer and personally to individuals. Her suggestions for change... More ...
From a book by Julie Hawkins, Founder Single Mums'
Plan B 492
6 challenges that Christian leaders face
Insights into challenges that Christian leaders have faced, particularly those who are entrepreneurial in nature - keen to transform or develop projects or ministries within a Christian setting. More ...
From a talk from Stronger Network
Evangelism 492
9 ways of communicating the gospel to postmoderns 
Their world view states there is no objective, absolute truth; ”truth” is what you believe it to be. So how can we convey understanding of the One who is the “way, the truth and the life” to them? More ...
From an article by Free Ministry Resources
Migrants 2 492
Principles for asylum dispersal 
Ensuring that people seeking asylum receive adequate temporary accommodation and support while they wait for a decision on their application should be a fundamental aspect of a fair and just asylum system. 12 principles.. More ...
From a briefing by Asylum Matters and NACCOM
Village 3 492
Lessons for pioneer pastors
Benjamin Francis was a rural pastor. English wasn't his native tongue. He was a bivocational farmer-pastor who looked after a small congregation in a small village. Yet in his ministry, he baptised 450 people. Lessons... More ...
From a Twitter thread by Tim Wilson
Whitby 492
A story of ‘Regeneration and Rest’ 
It started with prayer. Little local ‘houses of prayer’ began praying in their geographic locations and prayer walking the streets all over Whitby and the surrounding villages asking God to send revival. More ...
From an article by Kairos Connexion
Mass media 492
Using mass media to create positive behaviour change and peacebuilding 
Mass media propaganda has been used to generate hatred and perpetuate conflict. Can it also be a tool to maintain and rebuild peace and change negative behaviour? Some insights.. More ...
From a report by the Behavioural Insights Team (BI
Standing 492
Standing firm
The risks and rewards of pioneering. We need to be a people who stand firm. Stand firm in our calling. Stand firm against the schemes of the enemy. Stand firm in our faith... More ...
From a talk at a Pioneer Europe Conference
Storybook 492
Storybook Dads and Mum
In UK, 300,000+ children experience the imprisonment of a parent. Storybook enables families to reconnect through magic of storytelling. Helping parents in prison to record bedtime stories, messages for their children on CD or DVD. More ...
From information from Storybook Dads and Mum and t
Abuse 4 492
Surviving domestic abuse: Sarah’s story 
“The coercive control I experienced was so subtle that I doubted myself. Struggling to trust my own judgement. The helpful thing the Church did was to make it clear that what I was experiencing was not normal.” More ...
From an article by the Diocese of Gloucester
Trends 492
Trends in Global Christianity, 1900–2050
Presentation given at the General Assembly of the World Council of Churches in September 2022. 150 years of global trends in 11 minutes. More ...
Presentation by Center for the Study of Global Chr
Micro 492
How nearly everyone can start a microchurch
Practical ideas based on Scripture, examples, context, to help your friends encounter God and help you lead microchurch. You can keep your job, remain linked to home church, and lead a small congregation. More ...
From a book by Ralph Moore
Poverty Premium 2 492
Dismantling the poverty premium
Limited means of consumers on low incomes reduces their economic flexibility, creates costly choices, which then serves to reduce their overall means. This cycle of paying over the odds makes up the poverty premium. More ...
From a report by the Centre for Social Justice (CS
Team 492
'The Guy' versus the Five-Fold Team 
If you reimagine church as a decentralized network of multiplying missionaries, microchurches that fill a city, region with the fullness of Jesus, then this requires a shift from centralized leadership to decentralized. More ...
From a webinar by Multiplication
Discrimination 492
Reducing discrimination between groups 
A 'shared identity' helps bring people together. We may have institutions that make it hard for some to stay part of a common identity. People are not hardwired to be racist, etc - we are hardwired to be group-ish. More ...
From an article from Behavioral Scientist
Prophetic 492
Growing a healthy and mature prophetic culture 
10 years ago, God spoke to Cath very clearly and told her to start multiplying. Taking things that He'd been teaching them in their church, going to others and enabling them to grow a healthy prophetic culture. More ...
From a podcast from Accessible Prophecy
Abuse 3 492
Offering hope to domestic abuse victims 
What do churches need to consider when it comes to domestic abuse, and how can they walk alongside and help victims best? We want our churches to be communities of hope - places where the right kind of support can be given. More ...
From an FIEC podcast
Inman 492
Healing 'Church hurt' with coffee and community 
A common issue is ‘church hurt’ - pain stemming from experiences within a church community. For 10 years, The Salvation Army has been working to help heal these wounds through a relational ministry at a coffee shop... More ...
From Share Change - an initiative of the The Salva
Ripple 1 492
Increasing trust and engagement in fundraising 
Ripples asked the question, ‘What if donors could understand their impact in 5 seconds?’. They created an impact feed in their app - fast, personalized evidence. Donor feedback overwhelmingly positive. More ...
From a video at Digital Leaders
Kickstarter 492
'We heard God say He was going to connect us to the poor in spirit'
Using the Kickstarter scheme, they created job placements with Christian firms, for 18-24 year olds on universal credit, plus mentoring and a course. Many are now on a faith journey.. More ...
From an article by Kairos Connexion
Garden 492
'I’ve been looking for you! I’m healed!' 
When a delivery driver first knocked on my door, he had braces on both knees and wraps around both elbows. He was in pain and about to go on disability. I asked him, “Can I pray for you?” and he said, “Sure.” So, with very little faith I prayed.. More ...
From an article by Exponential
Metaverse 492
How the Metaverse is changing the way people attend church 
"People come to the Metaverse to connect with others, trying to deal with issues they're facing. As a pastor, that's my bread and butter. I'm reaching people who never go to a physical church." More ...
From a news segment on the Today programme USA.
Underground 492 yellow
'Worth dying for and therefore worth living in'
There's a strong sense in E Mediterranean churches that we know how to be a martyr church, how to stand our ground when pressure comes. Makes us aware of the pursuit of the commitments we hold. More ...
From a podcast by Embrace the Middle East
Audit 492
How accountants can help uncover modern slavery 
Asking the right questions, raising awareness and ensuring the right procedures might end up helping a trafficked person to freedom or preventing slavery in the first place. More ...
From an article on accountingweb
Events 492
In-person events - turnout has been mixed, for many a failure, but why?
An “Attitudes to Events" survey of delegates, speakers, event organisers and sponsors revealed four key takeaways... More ...
From an article by Digital Leaders.
Unity 492
Microchurches: co-existing with existing churches, working in partnership
Microchurches are adaptable, lightweight, and lay-led communities that live out their missional identity in a particular network or neighbourhood. They can co-exist with existing churches to reach all the nooks and crannies of society. More ...
From the 2022 Annual Tinsley Lecture
Hegetsus 492
He Gets Us
A campaign in USA designed to create cultural change in the way people think about Jesus and His relevance in their lives. After extensive research, it launched in March 22. Already ads have had 200m+ YouTube views, 2Bn+ impressions on TV/media. More ...
From a campaign by He Gets Us
TryPraying 492
He said, 'It's everywhere!'
Many people pray who would not consider themselves religious. ‘Trypraying’ is written for them. It’s in accessible language and is a simple challenge to try praying for 7 days and see what happens. More ...
From an article by trypraying
Addiction 2 492
Scottish churches and Christian groups have helped over 2,000 people recover from addiction
Research highlights the extraordinary efforts of Christians in Scotland to assist, care for those in addiction, bringing to light the scope of Christian services.. More ...
From the Evangelical Alliance and Serve Scotland
Missional 492
Turning small groups into missional communities 
"Over 10 years, we've discovered a vocabulary for mission, importance of each group ministering to city, doing things that build relationship with people beyond the walls of church, the priority of mission." More ...
From a talk by Sanjay Mahtani at Ekklesia ’22
online blue 492
Digital mission - 3
What is the 'ask'? Go and have a look at your church's social media presence. Realise that we can go to them and we can meet people where they are first - like Jesus did - rather than say 'come'. More ...
From a talk at Stronger Network
online yellow 492
Digital mission - 2
We need to be present at the wells, the pools and the marketplaces just as Jesus was in our online communities. Where could these be for you? Could it be the local Facebook group, local hashtags, local business social media? More ...
From a talk at Stronger Network
online green 492
Digital mission - 1
How can we as Christians, as church communities, mark success as digital missionaries? The danger is that we could get sucked into the influencer culture - narcissistic, chasing mass approval and likes. What can we do differently? More ...
From a talk at Stronger Network
Ripple 492
R;pple - suicide prevention technology
Alice Hendy lost her brother Josh, 21, on 25/11/2020 to suicide. Josh had been researching how to take his own life via harmful internet searches. In order to prevent more suicides, Alice set up R;pple to discretely intercept harmful searches. More ...
Geoff Knott
Chosen 492
It's not your job to feed the 5000. You only need to provide the loaves and fish
The Chosen is a crowdfunded, historical drama using the Bible as primary source of truth. It has had over 400M views. Director, Dallas Jenkins tells his story.. More ...
From a podcast on Faithdriven Investor
in the way 492 yellow
Contrasting 'Church as we know it' and 'Disciple-multiplying movements' - 4
Possible ways forward. Stop and Reflect, Fast and Pray, Hear God's leading, Respond. Plus some other insights. Let's get the R number above 1! More ...
From a talk by Simon Holley and a book In the Way
in the way 492 red
Contrasting 'Church as we know it' and 'Disciple-multiplying movements' - 3
What are the contrasts in the way the Church engages with people and how they engage with the Church? E.g. Appealing to consumer vs Calling. Extraction vs Infusion. And more... More ...
From a talk by Simon Holley and a book In the Way
in the way 492 blue
Contrasting 'Church as we know it' and 'Disciple-multiplying movements' - 2
What are the contrasts in Activities and How the Church is led and developed? E.g. Teaching vs Training. Congregation vs Small Group. Professional vs Bivocational. And more... More ...
From a talk by Simon Holley and a book In the Way
in the way 492
Contrasting 'Church as we know it' and 'Disciple-multiplying movements' - 1
In 33 AD, 120 followers of Jesus started a discipleship movement that ultimately converted an estimated 30M people to the faith in some 300 years. They called this movement, 'The Way'. How can the 'Church as we know it' become 'The Way'? More ...
From In the Way by Damian Gerke
Rest 492
That's why you're standing here looking at this.
I had a dream. I was surrounded by water and also many people who were overwhelmed. I'm standing in a raft with Jesus, and I said, "Do something." He says, "I did. That's why you're standing here with me." More ...
GenZ 1 492
Gen Z snapshot: 4 youth culture trends in 2021 
What are the latest trends for today’s young people, aka. Generation Z (born 1995 - before the early 2010s)? What's their world like and how are they spending their time? How are you connecting with them? More ...
From an article by Youthscape
Exclusion 492
Community life - a trade-off between inclusion and exclusivity 
Well-meaning communities erect barriers against families and households who wish to live in a community with thick social ties but who are unable to afford the price of admission. More ...
Based on an article by Patrick Brown, published by
Feast 492
Feast
Allows refugee chefs to have a pop-up kitchen for a day a week and cook the food from their country. They keep the proceeds and pay a below market rate for the kitchen hire. It helps them develop skills and prove their ideas. More ...
A film from Faith and Co
Meron 492
Meron -  a ministry of hospitality
One of a film series sharing stories of God at work through ordinary Christians in everyday places. For Meron, driving is a ministry of hospitality, not just transportation. She sees each customer as God-sent. More ...
From LICC
ACEs PHE 492
Are Adverse Childhood Experiences a public health emergency?
Many studies confirm link ACEs + health outcomes - psychological and medical conditions, risky behaviours, impaired functioning. Yet we treat the conditions rather than unhealed childhood wounds. More ...
From an article by Psychology Today
Clarissa 492
Clarissa
Clarissa is a film created to improve the health of people affected by homelessness, through better understanding of their experiences. It has been woven together from real experiences of people. More ...
A film by Groundswell
Influence 492
Recognizing the impact you already have
What if we asked people before they engaged with another person what they expected their impact on the other person to be, and then immediately asked the other person how much they were actually impacted? More ...
From an article on Behavioral Scientist
BIgLife 492
From prisoner to preacher 
"One night, two police officers knocked on my door. They told me that if I continued preaching, they'd put me in jail.. I stood at my usual spot, proclaiming Jesus, then a police van came around the corner and my heart sank." More ...
From information by BigLife
Hack2Work 492
Using tech to help people get back into work 
Held over 3 days, Hack2Work brought together over 150 people from many backgrounds to develop innovative digital solutions to help people back into employment post-pandemic. There were 2 winning teams.. More ...
From an article by Digileaders
Takeovers 492
Charity takeovers
Should regulations allow dynamic charity takeovers? Currently, charities can consider merging but the number that do that is very small (0.1% of charities). Is the sector therefore risk adverse, inefficient with lots of duplication? More ...
Geoff Knott
collective 492
Let's continue to build community - collective intelligence
The advantages created when institutions mobilise the information, knowledge, skills and capabilities of the public to extend problem solving abilities. More ...
From a report by Nesta
Phones 492
The hidden impact of the smartphone industry 
20 years ago we couldn't imagine a smartphone and now we can't live without one. Our constant demand for newer and better phones has a huge impact on the environment. One manufacturer is trying to change this.. More ...
From a video by Fairphone
Forest 1 492
Bringing nature into your town
La Riche decided to plant an urban forest in the community to lower temperatures and bring the nurturing elements of nature into an urban setting. They launched an online engagement platform for residents to choose a location. More ...
Geoff Knott
Prodigal 492
Heart of This Place
A modern day re-telling of the parable of the prodigal son. In rural England, a father and his two sons run the family business. But their relationships are torn apart when the youngest son rebels... More ...
A video by Share Change
BEAM 1 492
Beam - crowdfunding new career opportunities for homeless men and women
Alex was Inspired to build this platform after getting to know a homeless man at his local Tube station. “What could we do to make a real difference to that man’s life?” The answer lay in giving him the skills to support himself. More ...
Geoff Knott
Wave 492
Different types of storms
In the New Testament we see three types of storms; First type - believers cry out, Jesus stops it. Second, Jesus invites us to face it, walk on water, and then rescues us, Third type is the most severe storm.. More ...
From an article by Ed Silvoso
Climate tools 492
Tools to help your organisation achieve net zero emissions
The B Corp Climate Collective has partnered with Oxford University to curate a set of tools to guide you on the path toward achieving net zero emissions by 2030 while taking a human-centric, climate justice-oriented approach. More ...
From a set of resources by B Corp
Shepherd 492
The Good Shepherd
A video of a friendly encounter with a shepherd in mountains of the Middle East. They had a chat about the parable of the Good Shepherd and caught it on a 2 minute video. It helps put the parable in the cultural context. More ...
From a video from Unreached Network
Sanctuary 492
Together Again app launched to help ease mental health worries
A game offering questions and conversation prompts to help us talk through the challenges we’ve felt during the pandemic, our anxieties about society reopening and our hopes for the future. More ...
From news from Sanctuary UK
Slavery 3 492
An inner-city, gospel-centred, anti-trafficking initiative 
The Lord gave me a vision of a prostitute walking around the red light district in Cardiff. And I audibly heard the voice of God shouting at me, "Go and rescue her. Go and rescue her. Go and rescue her." More ...
From an interview by Exponential
Renewal 492
You marry the mission and date the model
"Hey, we're out of the 'Here comes Sunday' rhythm. So what can we do with this time? What can we do with this energy? What can we do digitally? What can we do in the community to be the hands and feet of Jesus?" More ...
From a presentation at Future Church Summit 2021
Underground 1 492
The Underground - 2
The Underground now has over 200 microchurches across the city, each with its own distinct ministry - no two the same. What a group of people can do who conceive church in an entirely different way - from the vantage point of mission. More ...
Geoff Knott
Underground 1 492
The Underground - 1
A true story of a 10-year experiment that unpacks the possibilities of a church structured and streamlined for mission. Over the last ten years the church has been validating its ideas with sustained and growing results. More ...
Geoff Knott
Distance 492
Social distancing
Although we proclaim we hate social distancing, what we love is to be socially distant from those we consider to be different to us. But the Carpenter from Nazareth invites us to consider another approach. More ...
From an article by Geoff Shattock
Capetown 492
How resilient is your town?
Following drought in Cape Town, the council approved Cape Town Resilience Strategy. This addressed how to build resilience to future shocks. The City had, in effect, a broad framework with which to mount its Covid-19 response. More ...
From an article by Apolitical
Fruits 492
Scaling behaviour change 
Research found decisions were based on 2 variables: social proof + social pressure. People adopt new practices if they see successful adoption by others (social proof) or if they feel their use is expected by them (social pressure). More ...
From a blog by Behavioural Scientist
Purnaa 492
Do you know who made your clothes?
With increased transparency, brands and consumers can identify whether or not people are being exploited in the supply chain or if the environment is being harmed. An example social enterprise in Nepal. More ...
From an article by Purnaa
222 492
Are we willing to pay a price?
In 42 years, a very dark time of Iran's history, over a million people have turned to Christ. Persecution is increasing. Iranians are paying a price. A sacrificing church who knows how much Jesus has loved and sacrificed. More ...
From a podcast by Release International
KC 492
Repositioning church as a mission agency
Having experienced a movement that produced over 200,000 new disciples and 22,000 different microchurches - ordinary people who were making new disciples in new contexts, then, "Okay, why not here why not us?". More ...
From a talk by Rob Wegner, Microchurch Leader Kans
Internet 492
I met God online
To stress the importance of how this generation is using the internet to answer spiritual questions, listen to Kimberley's testimony. More ...
Geoff Knott
Housing 1 492
Resources to help you respond to local housing need
The Archbishop of Canterbury’s Commission on Housing, Church and Community has partnered with Housing Justice to release extensive resources to empower churches to respond to their local housing need. More ...
From Housing Justice
Poverty 2 492
Speaking of poverty, differently 
Poverty is really not a failure of the individual. We should see it instead as a failure of society. A society that fails to recognize the competence of people in poverty. A society that relies on a unhealthy conception of merit. More ...
From a video by a UN Special Rapporteur
shelter 1 492
Vancouver gave people experiencing homelessness £4,500. It changed their lives. 
Half of the cash recipients moved into stable housing one month after they received the money. After 1 year, participants had an average of £600 still left in the bank. More ...
From a blog by Next City
Muslim 492
A vicar meets his Muslim parishioners 
It is important that I can explain Christian truths to my Muslim friends. And I do so out of friendship, a relationship of mutual respect. They may not engage with it, but many have no idea what Christianity is about. More ...
From a podcast from Mahabba
borders 492
Look Beyond Borders
When you sit down opposite a specific person and look into their eyes, you no longer see an anonymous refugee, one of the migrants, and notice the human before you, just like yourself – loving, suffering, dreaming. More ...
From a video by Amnesty International
Identity 2 492
Who I am in Christ 
“I am no longer a product of my past, I am a product of the work of Christ on the cross.”. What does this mean? I am Accepted, Secure and Significant in Christ.. More ...
From the book, Living Free in Christ, by Neil Ande
Digital 492
Charity digital journeys 
Over the last year, COVID-19 has forced charities to move to remote working, deliver services online, invest in new tech and upskill staff faster than they ever anticipated. What works and what doesn't in digital transformation? More ...
From a report by Catalyst
magi 492
5 lessons from the wise men
We are all called to communion with God. Finding and living out this communion sometimes involves embarking on a journey without knowing where it will take us. More ...
From an article on Mind & Spirit
volunteer 1 492
Volunteering and human flourishing 
For many, engaging in volunteering can be a powerful way to contribute to the good of others, to the community, to the common good, and to the good of the person volunteering as well - with significant health benefits. More ...
From an article by Psychology Today
Praise 492
Shifting heaviness with praise
“Lord, what’s going on? Why, the sudden crying and feeling of despair and hopelessness, when I was feeling OK 10 minutes ago?” The Holy Spirit brought a scripture to mind that talks about a ‘spirit of heaviness’. How to lift? More ...
From an article in Heaven in Business
Cleanliness 492
The health benefits of cleanliness and being organised
It’s clear that staying clean and organized is a good thing. It helps us feel better about ourselves, it keeps us productive and it may very well keep us physically fit. More ...
From an article in Psychology Today
Burnout 492
Taking burnout and our minds more seriously  
Burnout is a complex set of experiences and reactions. If you know you are running near to the edge take it seriously. We are all human. We all have a limit. More ...
From an article by the Mind and Soul Foundation
Bins 492
Let's continue to build community - when 'helping' hurts
When is an issue really for neighbours to sort out? In an eagerness to help, do Councils tend to debate neighbour issues, form committees, develop rules instead of helping people talk to each other? More ...
From an article by Strong Towns
barrier 492
The contact hypothesis 
Prejudice, hatred and racism stem from a lack of contact. We generalise wildly about strangers because we don’t know them. So the remedy seems obvious: more contact. More ...
From an article in The Correspondent
everything 492
Everything course
A 7 week small group course exploring how to play your part in the renewal of culture. As followers of Jesus, we are called to seek the renewal of our world. It’s part of our call to shape our culture for the common good. More ...
From an article by Everything Conference
Tightrope 492
Practical wisdom helps us cope with uncertainty
Begin with our knowledge about what the risks are, and self-knowledge about what risks we are willing to take and what benefits we’d like to prioritize. 4 ways to guide us.. More ...
From an article by Behavioural Scientist
grief 492
At a Loss - bereavement support
A coalition of Christian organisations has developed resources to help the Church support the bereaved. Especially important due to Covid-19 and the large number of people who are, and will be, seeking help. More ...
From the Loss and Hope initiative
Poverty 1 492
Money Can't Fix Everything - a relational approach to poverty
Poverty is best understood as a symptom of relational dysfunction, especially in families, rather than a purely financial condition. A relational approach requires that we recognise 3 principles.. More ...
From a report by Jubilee Centre
blueprint 492
CEO blueprint for achieving racial equity
Ideas on themes; Designing HR practices that are actively anti-racist, Expanding worker power, Designing products and services, operations and supply chains that ensure racial equity. More ...
From an article by Just Capital
Universe 492
The fine-tuning of the Universe
There are fundamental constants + quantities that determine the structure of the Universe. Scientists have realised that each of these numbers have been carefully dialled to an astonishingly precise value. Accident or design? More ...
From a video by Reasonable Faith
Well 2 394
Are we really well?
Have we created environments that help us to be well? How can we build wellness together where we live? There are four key foundations on which we need to build.. More ...
From a TedX talk by Dr Andy Knox
Take a step 492
Take a step - learn how to share the best news ever
A way to get started on the journey to sharing your faith regularly. For most of us it can seem so daunting but all of us can have a go and see ourselves start to grow as a result. More ...
From a course by Relational Mission
Deeply 492
Deeply Rooted: A Wellbeing Resource for Leaders 
We all maintain our health through multiple means.The last weeks will have disrupted our usual strategies for self-care. It’s therefore vital that we take an honest look at how we are doing... More ...
From a resource by Sanctuary Mental Health Ministr
ptsd 492
Drowning in empathy: compassion fatigue
Compassion fatigue is experienced by those in a helping profession or ministry, whether paid or not. What puts you at a greater risk is empathy - putting yourself in someone else's shoes.. More ...
From a TEDx talk
Deliberation 492
Let's continue to build community - adding deliberation
Deliberation - debate used together with participation e.g. voting ensures meaningful engagement on a large scale giving a central place to citizens in decision-making processes. More ...
From articles by CitizenLab
Social 492
Turning online attendance to deeper engagement
Turning online attendance to deeper engagement. The transition from cyber church to physical church is not necessarily a smooth or fluid one. Recognise the audience. It's a different audience with a different set of needs. More ...
From a discussion with Mal Fletcher
HNUC 492
Let's continue to build community - by pursuing the Common Good
A free Guide shows you how to run 4 short group sessions locally with people from across the community as a basic introduction to Common Good principles and develop an action plan for your context. More ...
From a resource by Together for the Common Good
Food 492
Let's continue to build community - food provision
In local efforts re food donations, are we focused on supermarkets? In efforts to cook meals, are we focused on charity kitchens? Including small high street retailers + restaurants would help our towns.. More ...
PB 4 492
Let's continue to build community - participatory budgeting
Seven steps that are shared by most successful participatory budgeting processes. They are relevant regardless of the size of your city/town and the themes citizens are involved with. More ...
From a report by CitizenLab
Cleaner 2 492
The colonel and the cleaner
Jason Denney had severe Covid-19. A priest administered the last rites. He said goodbye to his family via FaceTime. But Rosaura Quinteros, a hospital cleaner, urged Jason not to lose hope. She said God was not done with him.. More ...
From an article on CNN
Bias 492
Retraining your brain to stop prejudice
We all have unconscious biases - the stuff you don't even know your brain is doing - quick to spot characteristics like age, race, social class and sort into groups that we might be wary of. You can change this. More ...
From a video by Nationswell
wellbeing 2 492
Let's continue to create community - a wellbeing economy
Wellbeing is the outcome of a convergence of factors, including good human mental and physical health, greater equity and fairness, good social relationships and a flourishing natural environment. More ...
From an article by the The Solutions Journal
Prayer 2 492
Answered prayer - when a nation prays
May 24th 2020 was the 80th anniversary of the King calling the nation to pray. Subsequently, something happened which was incredible and it's a story that has impacted us deeply as a country. More ...
From a video by The Wall of Answered Prayer
Petri 492
AI has discovered a new antibiotic to kill bacteria
In laboratory tests, the drug killed many of the world’s most problematic disease-causing bacteria, including some strains that are resistant to all known antibiotics. More ...
From an article by MIT
alert 492
Stay Alert - know the risks and avoid them
We've heard very little about the findings of contact tracing from other nations. From these, can we see commonality of outbreaks of COVID-19? Yes. This knowledge can help us keep safe and lessen risk as we enter a new phase. More ...
From an article by Dr Erin Bromage
Lighting 492
Carbon-neutral church buildings - lighting
With the advent of affordable and aesthetic pleasing LED lighting, five churches within the Diocese of Durham have devised new lighting schemes whilst keeping costs to a minimum by using existing lighting wiring. More ...
A guest blog by Astley Fenwick, Trinity Energy Man
Cleaner 492
God sent a cleaner
Pastor Lee McClelland recently contracted Covid-19 and was in a critical condition in hospital. "I remember really crying to the Lord and asking him to help me and somehow encourage my heart and strengthen me." The next morning a cleaner came in.. More ...
Geoff Knott
Connected 492
The Connected Generation?
What values are Millennials, and now Gen Z, bringing with them into adulthood? What kind of world are they already building? What is their relationship to faith? Results from interviews with 15,000 18-35s in 25 countries. More ...
From a report by Barna and World Vision
Couple 2 492
Cohabiting families’ disadvantage
Many cohabiting couples with children doubt their current relationship will last, especially compared to married parents. And they are less likely to see their relationship as a vital part of their life. More ...
From a study by Institute of Family Studies
Making 492
The Making of Us
A film created by many, purely to spread a message of positivity and hope. Proof that even apart, we’re in this together. This could be the making of us. More ...
A video by The Making of Us
Chains 492
Setting up a prayer chain for your community 
As people in our communities turn to prayer, regardless of whether they attend church, they could be very interested in knowing about prayer support and churches may be interested in setting up prayer chains and publicising this to local households. More ...
Geoff Knott
Bloom 492
Bloom
An award-winning, touching story of Nadine, depressed and alone. A gift from a neighbour gives Nadine something to live for. Brings us back to the essentials of being human - kindness and thoughtfulness to others. More ...
From a video by students at the Animation/Illustra
inequality 2 492
Is Britain a fair country?
Wealth inequality has been rising rapidly in Britain for the past 30 years. Is the public aware of the extent of this growth in inequality? Do we think we live in a fairer society than is the reality? More ...
From a video by High Pay Centre
relationship 1 492
Protecting your relationship from becoming a Covid-19 victim  
Due to lockdown, we are going to have multiple opportunities to share aspects of ourselves with our spouses and loved ones. There will probably be times when we are not at our best. 5 tips to help. More ...
From an article by the Institute of Family Studies
Cotton 492
Homeless shelter plus - the Cotton Street Project
A centre that gives the guests a home, with a bed and their own clothes behind a lockable door, a community are where they can eat and a joinery and upholstery workshop, that has given them hope. More ...
From a video by Cotton Street Project
nhs 492
Why are people ignoring expert warnings?—Psychological Reactance 
When you tell me what to do, a part of me feels compelled to do the opposite. 5 things we can do about the effect of this resistance. More ...
From an article by Behavioral Scientist
Climate 492
Becoming a carbon neutral church
There are various sources of information to help you to manage and reduce the carbon footprint of the church i.e. the people and the buildings/events. What actions can you take? More ...
From materials by Eco Congregation
Stats 492
Religious Change in Britain -1991 to 2018 
Data from British Social Attitudes (BSA) surveys. The questions gauge different aspects of religion in wider society: religious authority, belief in God, other religious beliefs, and religious activity. More ...
From an article by British Religion in Numbers
Slavery 2 492
Case studies of modern slavery
Izna was not paid properly for her work. She was unable to leave because the family she worked for had bought a small house for her family in India. She would had to stay to work for decades in order to pay off the debt. More ...
From a guide by Together Free
Grief 1 492
Down to Earth - support before a funeral has taken place
The Quakers have launched an advisory service to try to ease the stress caused by rising funeral costs. They can support people to plan a meaningful funeral that is more affordable. More ...
From an article by Quaker Social Action
Hack 492
2019 Homelessness Hackathon
Participants with a wide range of life and professional experience collaborated in teams to come up with innovative suggestions and solutions. The ideas were voted on by the event audience and the winning idea announced... More ...
From an article by Chartered Institute of Housing
slavery 492
Detecting modern slavery in your supply chain
Modern slavery is often invisible, hidden in factories, small farms, plantations, etc. It is challenging to detect and hard to eradicate. Two apps are emerging to help detect issues. More ...
From an article on Business Fights Poverty
Good News 492
99 good news stories in 2019 
Good news stories of conservation, health, rising living standards, tolerance, peace, cleaner energy and environmental stewardship. We need to change the stories we tell ourselves. More ...
From an article by Future Crunch
OLIO 492
Aiming to help one billion people reduce food wastage 
Olio's app prevents food waste by connecting neighbours with each other and with local businesses so surplus food can be shared, not thrown away. More ...
From an article by Digital Agenda
Resonance 492
Funding stable housing for the homeless - Paul's story 
"God, if I didn't have this place, I dread to think where I would be, maybe back on the street. Maybe back drinking, I wouldn't know what I would be. Lost." More ...
Geoff Knott
Toolkit 492
Toolkit for setting up a housing project for asylum seekers
NACCOM has launched a Housing Toolkit – a comprehensive resource for existing and proposed housing projects that accommodate destitute people who are seeking asylum, refugees and other migrants. More ...
Geoff Knott
Mental Health 5 492
Learning about faith and mental health
A couple of training/learning resources to help churches/small groups learn about mental health from a faith context. More ...
Geoff Knott
SEUK 2019 492
Presents with purpose
A Gift Guide featuring products from 50+ social enterprises - gifts that make a real social or environmental impact. More ...
Geoff Knott
powerhouse 492
Powerhouse - a house which is 100% off-grid
A solar powered, ready-to-move-in, eco-friendly, smart home in India. Pre-fitted with electrical and plumbing systems that can be controlled remotely. For £18,000, buyers can have clean energy for their home and e-vehicle, free for life. More ...
Geoff Knott
Ethiopia 492
Last Sunday in month is car free day in 20 cities in Ethiopia
Designed to reduce pollution, improve health and encourage socialising, cities are now going car-free on one Sunday a month and running community workouts on newly traffic-free roads. More ...
From a BBC report
funding 492
Case studies of local regeneration through crowdfunding
Examples of crowdfunding models used to fund projects which are owned and run by the communities they serve, enabling community-led regeneration and boosting local resilience. More ...
From an article by Nesta
green 492
Capturing more carbon
Two initiatives that will help remove carbon from the atmosphere. 500 billion new trees and a bioreactor to capture carbon - 1x1 metre x 2 metres - equivalent to 1 acre of trees. Opportunity to lower carbon for all communities. More ...
From articles on Singularity and Good News Network
ACH 492
Changing perceptions of UK refugees 
"People did not see the ambition within me. I wanted to be seen as somebody who has got talent, skills and aspirations and, if given the opportunity, can and will contribute to UK society." More ...
From an article on Pioneers Post
iceland 492
Stopping teen substance abuse in Iceland
The %age of 15-16-year-olds who had been drunk in a month fell from 42% in 1998 to 5% in 2016. The %age who have ever used cannabis is down from 17% to 7%. Those smoking cigarettes every day fell from 23% to just 3%. More ...
From an article on Mosiac Science
right 492
Videos for asylum seekers about the asylum process.
Cover four key stages in several languages; An introduction to claiming asylum, The asylum screening interview, The asylum substantive (big) interview and After a refusal of your asylum claim. More ...
From an article by Right to Remain
Youthwork 492
Innovation in youthwork
The world is changing-and fast-and young people are connecting and gathering in different spaces and places, both real and virtual. Understanding, interest and perceptions about Christian faith are shifting. How affects youthwork? More ...
From an article by Youthscape
trees 492
There will soon be more trees than people in Milan 
The Italian city revealed plans to plant 3 million trees by the year 2030. If successful, they will absorb an additional 5M tons of CO2 a year, 3000 tons of small particulates over 10 years and lower temperature by 2C. More ...
From an article by Green Matters
Launched 492
Launched: Journeying Through Uni with God 
A group study giving students a vision for whole-life discipleship at uni - the understanding, the tools, and the confidence to live for Christ in every area of uni life. More ...
From an article by LICC
World 492
7 surprising trends in global Christianity in 2019 
Facts and trends from The Status of Global Christianity, published by The Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. More ...
From Facts and Trends
LovethyNeighbour 492
Love Thy Neighbour pack
The Love Thy Neighbour pack is designed to help and inspire you to reach out to the people around you. Whether you have just moved into your area, are struggling to connect with your neighbours, or have lived in your street for years. More ...
Geoff Knott
Kindness 2 492
Kindness in public policy?
Talk about kindness and public policy in the same breath and you get one of several reactions including embarrassment, dismissal, irritation. However kindness matters and it makes a huge difference. More ...
From a report by Carnegie UK Trust
Citizenlab 492
CitizenLab 
A citizen engagement platform for local governments. It helps reach more citizens, manage their ideas efficiently, and make decisions based on real-time data. It introduces local democracies to the digital age. More ...
From an article by CitizenLab
knives 492
Swords into ploughshares
In an event organised by Bonny Downs Baptist Church in East London, 800 Londoners joined forces to chant ‘no to violence’ and melt down knives seized from London’s streets to make new garden tools and sculpture for display in a community garden. More ...
From an article by Red Letter Christians UK
Deaf 492
9 useful apps for people who are deaf or have hearing loss 
In the last five years, advances in automatic speech recognition have opened up communication options for people who have hearing loss. Here are some of the latest tech options available. More ...
From a blog by AbilityNet
Loneliness 492
One in five Britons have nobody to open up to about problems 
Men are more likely than women to feel they don’t have someone they can confide in: a quarter (24%) say they have no one to turn to, compared to 17% of women. More ...
From an article by YouGov
hubbub 492
Community fridges
More than 50 Community Fridges have popped up across the UK helping thousands connect to their communities, access nutritious food, save money and reduce waste. More ...
Geoff Knott
AI 492
Ethics and artificial intelligence 
AI systems learn by looking at data from millions of examples. It is difficult to predict how they’ll behave in new scenarios outside these examples. How can we get artificial intelligence systems to behave ethically? More ...
From an article on Digital Insurance
debt guide 492
How to deal with debt - a 3-step guide 
A new guide which uses behavioural insight techniques and has gone through extensive user-testing to maximise the chances of people using it taking the steps they need to deal with their debts. More ...
A resource from The Money Advice Trust
Bible 492
Pitching the Bible to the online generation
For 2,000 years, the Bible has been communicated in reimagined ways to reach new audiences. Today's pioneers are making the Bible more accessible and attractive to those shaped by a world of visual content. More ...
Geoff Knott
north 492
Estates evangelism
In February 2019, the Bishop of Burnley, Philip North, spoke on a motion to have a church community on every significant social housing estate in the nation. More ...
From the Synod address by Bishop Philip North
Transform 1 492
Transforming Poverty - small group course
Six sessions for churches and house groups using the film 'I, Daniel Blake' to engage with God’s heart for poverty in your community. More ...
A course from Church Action on Poverty
NACCOM 492
The feeling of “charity” turns into spontaneous, personal solidarity 
You meet refugees who are mums, dads, students, sons, fellow lovers of coffee or old movies… you stop seeing them as refugees and start seeing them as individuals. More ...
From an article by NACCOM
Cafe 1 492
Ten ways to keep your church focused on evangelism 
Evangelism is meant to be a normal part of the life of a church. We need to recognise that this activity is not an occasional set of actions but remains in the DNA of a church’s life. More ...
From an article by Great Commission
Roofers 492
Giving a homeless person a chance
In the summer of 2017, some roofing contractors in north London spotted a homeless man sleeping on a bench close to their latest job. The man asked if they might need some help with their roofing job one morning.. More ...
Geoff Knott
Prayer 1 492
The power of prayer for families
A practice that is beneficial to individual and family well-being. Strengthens marriages, unites family members, and boosts adolescent decision-making and health. More ...
From a blog by Institute for Family Studies
stopper 492
Ways to reduce compulsive spending  
An update on a trial of an online tool which provided people with the ability to close online shops at times of their choosing and limit temptation to spend. Some good recommendations. More ...
From an article by Money and Mental Health
barrier 492
Preaching to middle-class can hurt the poor
A good deal of the sermon applications are aimed at the middle class and this can be especially damaging for Christians who come from lower-income situations. Some nuggets. More ...
From a series of tweets by Timothy Isaiah Cho @tis
Hidden 492
Hidden in plain sight
How one church found abundance in a community of material poverty. Viewing people - not programmes, finances, etc - as their most valuable resource moved church members beyond their own walls and out into the streets, where they discovered.. More ...
suicide 492
Online suicide prevention training
Free 20 minute training on how to recognise the warning signs and safeguard someone that could be contemplating suicide. More ...
From an article by the Zero Suicide Alliance
NACCOM 492
Pathways out of destitution
Stories of destitute asylum seekers and organisations and people helping them. "Over the course of the first week that someone stays with you the person literally transforms." More ...
From a video by NACCOM
Cooking 1 492
Cooking on a bootstrap
Simple recipes carefully costed for people to cook at home and incorporate more veg and plant-based foods on a budget. More ...
Geoff Knott
Village 492
Creating a full circle solution to homelessness 
The Social Bite Village will create an innovative, low cost, safe living environment for up to 20 people for around 12 -18 months. During this time the residents will receive extensive support. More ...
Geoff Knott
Why 492
why on earth...? 
A lively collection of sessions that opens up some of life’s hardest questions in an accessible way. Each session offers simple first steps in exploring a difficult subject. More ...
Resources from Church Army and SPCK
Shelter 492
Shelter design can help people recover from homelessness  
The interior design of homeless shelters or transitional accommodation can either support or hinder people’s ability to assert control over their future and their self-esteem. More ...
Geoff Knott
Cranes 492
Employment reduces re-offending but not just any job 
Individuals are less likely to reoffend if they happen to be released at a time when the local low-skilled labour market is strong and when well-paying entry-level jobs are available. More ...
From an article by Econofact
Embark 492
Connecting talented young refugees with business leaders 
Embark is a reverse mentoring scheme that connects Turkish business leaders with young Syrians to exchange ideas, develops understanding and builds meaningful connections. More ...
From a video by Unilever
Illuminate 492
Illuminate your city
Illuminate is a mission to young people in the UK and beyond. They do this nationwide, through music, mainstream presence, schools tours, using music to connect with young people and effective follow up. More ...
From an article by Illuminate
Basics 492
Behind on the basics  
For some people, just keeping up with basic household costs can be a real struggle. In 2017, 140,000 people who received debt advice from StepChange were behind on at least one of their essential household bills. More ...
From a report by StepChange
Fair pay 492
Fair pay for fair work 
A look at executive compensation by St Pauls Institute. Companies need to balance justice and self-interest in a way that society perceives as fair and supporting the common good. More ...
From a report by St Pauls Institute
refugee 3 492
Navigating the asylum system
The Refugee Resource Centre for Churches (R2C2) was set up at the request of many Christian groups working with refugees in Britain, bringing together the expertise and experience of those involved in this vital work. More ...
From and article by R2C2
houses 492
Financing a house 
If you are a church or a church worker, finding finance is daunting but there could be help.. More ...
From an article by Kingdom Bank
humility 492
The benefits of admitting that you don't know 
How much is intellectual humility associated with learning outcomes? More ...
From a blog by Behavioral Scientist
volunteer 1 492
9 key findings on impact of volunteering on volunteers 
The impact of volunteering across four main areas: mental health and wellbeing, physical health, social connections, and employability and skills. More ...
From a blog by NCVO
everything 492
Culture Makers 
A call to Christians not to forget the rest of life and ask the question: ‘What should I be doing in my world to bring God’s redemptive love and power into it?’ More ...
Geoff Knott
microphone 492
What MPs say are best ways to lobby 
Charities face the constant challenge of how to best use funds to get their message heard by politicians. Which approach is best? More ...
From a blog by nfpSynergy
Muller 492
What George Mueller can teach us about prayer 
He often struggled to get into the spirit of prayer - to really feel like praying. Until, that is, he made one slight alteration in his method. More ...
From an article on Crossway
Freed 492
Freed from Shame 
Real-life stories from Christians struggling with various mental health issues and suggestions for churches and individuals supporting people. More ...
From a blog by Dawn Holmes
Prayer 492
Prayer signs 
Barry Schoder broke the Lord's Prayer down, part by part, posting it onto ten red and white signs that could be read progressively as one drove down the main avenue of his town.. More ...
From a blog by Transform our World
Neighbour 492
Empty-handed ministers - 2
Are You a Good Neighbour? is an online course designed to help you apply the principles of helping without hurting in everyday life—and take the first steps toward building personal relationships with people in poverty. More ...
Geoff Knott
hands 492
Empty-handed ministers - 1 
In stripping your team of their basic resources, Jesus is forcing you to rely completely on the local resources of those you visit due to your posture of dependence. More ...
From a blog by Fresh Expressions USA
CAM 492
Trust in the Church 
The Charity Awareness Monitor includes a regular module on trust in public bodies and institutions. How is the Church perceived? More ...
From a report by nfpSynergy
Mental Health 4 492
Time to Change
Around 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem this year yet the shame and silence can be as bad as the mental health problem itself. More ...
Geoff Knott
Inequality 492
Insights into poverty and inequality - 4 
Since the early 1990s, inequality, as shown by the Gini coefficient, has stayed relatively level. In other words, although there is inequality there has not been a large increase in recent years. More ...
Geoff Knott
Inequality 1 492
Insights into poverty and inequality - 3
Pay is not a strong satisfier but an employees’ perceived lack of pay or unfairly administered pay is a serious dissatisfier. More ...
Geoff Knott
Measure 492
Insights into poverty and inequality - 2
What measures give a better indication of poverty and help focus attention on areas needing improvement as well as showing us what is working well? More ...
Geoff Knott
Inequality 1 492
Insights into poverty and inequality - 1
The amount of money you have is not the main determinant of well-being; what matters is how you feel about it. People who feel relatively poor have behaviours which lead to poverty. More ...
From an article in the New Yorker magazine
18-25s 492
Mission with young adults 
Not as difficult as you think. Research on successful, unsuccessful, and unproven mission with young adults (aged 18 to 30) in various church groups. More ...
From research by Church Army
Lid 492
Lifting the Lid 
Livability has launched a new, free church Bible study resource regarding mental health. ‘Lifting the Lid’ helps churches engage with the mental health challenges faced by those in their communities. More ...
From a blog by Livability
Emergency 492
Emergency Use Only: Update 2017  
Foodbank use update - what more had been learned, what initiatives were working locally, what policies had been changed and what still needs to be done. More ...
From a report by CPAG
phone 492
What happens when we can't use our phones?
When we can’t access our devices, we learn what they provide for us and our social life. More ...
Geoff Knott
interdependence 492
Interdependence
Individualism says that it is someone else’s job to make the world better, and it’s my job to put some coins in their bucket. Interdependence says that it’s my job to make the world better. More ...
From a blog by James Perry
Presence 492
Presence is better than presents 
A recent study suggests that small acts of kindness, not grand overtures, make people feel most loved and supported. More ...
From a study in the Journal of Social and Personal
debt 2 492
In Too Deep: an investigation into debt and relationships 
Struggling with problem debt can lead to relationship distress, increased conflict, decreased positive communication, mistrust and relationship breakdown. More ...
From a report by Relate
Birds 492
Society's excluded people ten times more likely to die early 
Research highlights the extreme rates of death and disease faced by excluded people and lays out clear evidence for interventions that can help save lives. More ...
From research by Pathway and UCL
CHT Guide 492
How to help homeless people 
Church Housing Trust practical step by step guide for churches. Information on helping people at different stages of homelessness. More ...
From a booklet by Church Housing Trust
Knock 492
Stop the knock 
The use of bailiffs to collect council tax and other debts has risen 14% in two years. They should only ever be used as a last resort. More ...
From a report by Money Advice Trust
Religion 492
GB is one of the least religious nations in the world 
23% claimed their religion defined them as a person, while 62% agreed that religion did more harm than good More ...
From a global survey by Ipsos Mori
commute 492
We need to talk 
What's most enjoyable - striking up conversations on a commute or just remaining solitary, alone with your smartphone? More ...
From a blog by Behavioural Scientist
Tour 492
A hidden history of women in the East End tour
Beyond the Streets have organised a walking tour of London's East End in connection with the East End Women: The Real Story Exhibition to raise awareness of sexual exploitation. More ...
From Beyond the Streets
covered 492
Is the social role of churches invisible? 
75% of UK adults cannot name any of the activities that take place inside their local church other than regular services and religious festivals. More ...
From research by Ecclesiastical
least 492
For the least of these 
Jesus calls on us to care for the poor. How do we do that when we live in a modern industrial society? More ...
12 contributors look at Biblical+economic answers
Keller 492
Justification and justice are joined at the hip 
Tim Keller speaks into possible polarisation between 'justification people' and 'justice people'. More ...
From a talk by Tim Keller at QIdeas
estate 492
Lessons from churches in deprived areas 
Flourishing estate churches are right at the heart of what the gospel means, and if things work on an estate, then they can work anywhere. More ...
Geoff Knott
Debt toolkit 492
Nudging tools for money advisers 
A toolkit, which uses behavioural science to better engage and support people with unmanageable debt. More ...
Geoff Knott
Community 492
Insights into community life
Results of the 2016-17 Community Life Survey exploring levels of community cohesion and engagement. More ...
From research Department of Digital, Culture, Medi
Therapy 492
The Church as a therapeutic community 
Overcoming social isolation is really important to help people recover from addiction. Therapeutic communities are very powerful because of the interactions between people More ...
Geoff Knott
Divorce 492
Adult children of divorce speak about their experiences 
Not only does the pain of divorce continue into adulthood, but the suffering is not lessened even if the child experienced a 'good divorce'. More ...
From a blog by Leila Miller
Limbo 492
Living in Limbo - the life of a refused asylum seeker 
What is day-to-day life really like for refused asylum seekers? They tell their stories and voice their opinions on the way they are treated. More ...
From a report by NICRAS
debt 1 492
Opportunities and challenges in the debt advice sector 
Some highlights from a July 2017 report on research on the debt advice sector commissioned by the Money Advice Service. More ...
From a report commissioned by the Money Advice Ser
Steps 492
7 steps to become a church of and for the poor 
In his talk at New Wine, Philip North, Bishop of Burnley, suggests the answer to Church decline is a straightforward one. It’s because we have forgotten the poor. More ...
From a talk by Philip North, Bishop of Burnley at 
NUJ 492
NUJ guidelines on reporting poverty 
A film emphasises guidelines for journalists to use when reporting poverty. This builds on a pack launched in April 2016 More ...
From a pack and a film produced by National Union
CFTP 492
A Church for the Poor 
A new book presents a vision for and practicalities of becoming a church where people from all sections of society can find a home and play a part. More ...
Geoff Knott
Chan 492
Letting go of a megachurch - taking on a new adventure
I now want to gather people. Gatherings where they can actually use their gifts. Starting with just leading a small group, maybe I can just start multiplying that, teaching other people to lead and shepherd these groups. More ...
From a talk by Francis Chan
thrive 492
Learning to Thrive - Beyond Inequality + Poverty 
Poverty is simply a symptom of what is going wrong. Rather than fixing what is going wrong, we have to imagine what we would want. More ...
From a talk by Barry Wright, Principal, Webb Memor
Lights 492
Beacons of light across the nation 
At a recent prayer day in Westminster Chapel, Terry Virgo was asked to talk about revival. These are some edited notes of his short talk. More ...
From a talk by Terry Virgo at a prayer day July 20
Debt 492
Credit Cards - the minimum payment trap 
In April 2017 the FCA estimated that there are four million credit card accounts in what they call long-term, persistent debt. More ...
Geoff Knott
poverty inc 492
Global poverty 2 - Poverty Inc. 
When a film wins 30 worldwide Film Festival honours and 11+ awards and it's about poverty, we should sit up and take notice. Such a film is Poverty Inc., drawn from over 200 interviews filmed in 20 countries. More ...
Geoff Knott
Camel 492
Global poverty 1 - a test
How informed are you about global poverty? Answer 3 multi-choice questions and see how much you know. More ...
Geoff Knott
Booth 492
Church for the poor - William Booth 
William Booth 1829-1912, revivalist, champion of social reform and friend of the poor and downtrodden, speaking on the importance of practical Christian action. More ...
A rare recording of William Booth, founder of the
WillVDHart 492
A theology of mental health
A theology of mental health is an integrated biopsychosocial one. One that integrates mind, body, spirit, community, and family. More ...
From a talk at a CapitalMass event by Rev Will van
invisible 492
The largest part of the Church in the UK
We have been living through a period of exceptional change and transition in the Church in the UK resulting in a large invisible church. More ...
Geoff Knott
Bowery 492
5 tips to help those on the street 
Lessons from The Bowery Mission, New York, established in 1879 and seeing lives changed every week. More ...
From an article by The Bowery Mission, New York
housing first 1 492
Housing First - experience of a pilot 
In Manchester, Shelter are running a 2 year Housing First pilot working with people with complex needs. Some results are being seen. More ...
A blog by Sarah Walters who works for Shelter Manc
mental health 3 492
Mental health and the Church 
Difficult emotions and challenging experiences are part of normal life, and we'll probably all have them at some point. More ...
From an interview on Radio 4
Support tool 492
Web tool for advisers working with destitute migrant families 
Voluntary sector advisers and families can use the tool to find out if and when a family may be eligible to get help. More ...
From an article by NRPF Network
16-24s charities 492
Facts + Figures: Young People and Charities 
A quick overview of volunteering and charitable activities by 16-24 year olds in the UK from nfpSynergy More ...
From a report by nfpSynergy
activity 492
The impact of activity groups
How is resilience, health and well-being affected by membership of church groups such as lunch clubs, choirs, etc? More ...
From research by CUF
Home 492
A place to call home? 
A set of six bible studies for small group discussion focusing on a range of issues around housing. More ...
Joint Public Issues Team
Housing First 492
An end to rough sleeping? 
Overwhelming evidence supports Housing First, which provides homes alongside support to homeless people with complex needs. More ...
Geoff Knott
JFTP 492
Justice for the Poor Bible study 
Poor families waited to come in for food. "Lord, we know that you will be coming through this line today, so help us to treat you well." More ...
From a video by Jim Wallis
World Map 492
The World Family Map 2017 
Confirms family stability and marriage but it also contains some observations which run counter to media headlines. You may be surprised. More ...
From a report by The Institute for Family Studies
Turn 492
Want a long-lasting relationship? Turn towards one another 
Such kindness makes each partner feel cared for, understood, and validated—feel loved. More ...
Geoff Knott
Shopper 492
Shopper Stopper
Giving people control over the shops that never close.  More ...
Geoff Knott
Freedom 492
Debt help buys financial freedom for years 
CAP's The Freedom Report - research on importance of debt advice in building financial capability, resilience to stay free of problem debt.  More ...
From The Freedom Report CAP UK
Ekklesia 492
Tradition - ballast for the voyage or an anchor? 
A radical break from tradition led to something on the order of an evangelistic tsunami so powerful that many Corinthians “were believing and were being baptised” (Acts 18:8). More ...
From an article by Ed Silvoso
bikehub 492
In London? Have you space for a Bike Hub? 
The Bike Project's mission is simple: to get refugees cycling. A bike can help them reach the many resources that London has to offer. More ...
Geoff Knott
Diversity 492
How diversity makes us smarter 
Decades of research by organizational scientists, psychologists, etc show that socially diverse groups have better outcomes than homogeneous ones. Affects a church? More ...
From an article in Scientific American
Fin Exclusion 2 492
The use of digital technologies to tackle financial exclusion
The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) hosted a roundtable discussion in July 2016 to discuss how digital skills and technology can help tackle the problem of financial exclusion. More ...
From a report by CSJ
Homelessness 492
Church and homelessness survey report
What are churches are doing for homeless people and what are the challenges they face in meeting the seemingly increasing demand? More ...
Geoff Knott
MHF Facts 492
Fundamental Facts about mental health 2016 
The Mental Health Foundation have published a comprehensive summary of mental health research in November 2016. It provides a unique handbook of key facts and figures, covering all key areas of mental health. More ...
From a report by The Mental Health Foundation
Funders 492
Christian funders and grant-making: an analysis
Who are the Christian funders who give to multiple organisations, what they are doing and what the future of the sector might look like? More ...
From a report by Theos
top10 492
Top 10 blog posts 2016
I've been looking at the tens of thousands of visits to the Word on the Streets website since starting in April 2016 and the number of visits to each blog. Which ones were of most interest across the site? More ...
Geoff Knott
Welcome 492
Clergy Hosting 
Clergy Hosting is clergy offering hospitality to homeless migrants or refugees. More ...
Initiative of CapitalMass, DioLondon. Housing Just
NACCOM 492
Rising capacity and demand for migrant accommodation 
NACCOM, the No Accommodation Network annual accommodation survey. 1,707 individuals accommodated by 36 NACCOM Members, an increase of 28.5% since 2015. More ...
From a news item by Lucy Smith, NACCOM
Darlington 492
If your church closed, would your community notice?
Phil Hillsden leader King's Church, Darlington was challenged by that question and set about changing the church. The church's strap line is now, "Transforming Lives, Changing Communities". More ...
Geoff Knott
depression 492
Poverty and Mental Health
Many people in the UK live in poverty. Many people will experience a mental health problem each year. What's the link between the two? More ...
Geoff Knott
paraclesis 492
Changing church to be 'love with skin on'
Paraclesis is a term that is found over 140 times in the New Testament. It means to come alongside. A new resource helps a church develop a fresh culture of care. More ...
Geoff Knott
refugees 2 492
Church as sanctuary to refugees 
The Bishop of Manchester, David Walker, spoke recently of why Christians are mandated to offer welcome to all and how churches can support refugees and asylum seekers new to this country. More ...
Geoff Knott
fx 492
The missional impact of fresh expressions 
In November 2016, the Church Army published research about fresh expressions of Church - an initiative of the Church of England. What did they discover? More ...
From the Church Army Research Unit
Shelter 492
Night shelter
As winter draws near, many churches will be participating in running night shelters for those on the streets. Here's the story of a Night Shelter provided each night by one of 6 churches in Manchester. More ...
From CofE Manchester
dont shut eyes 492
Don't shut your eyes
Human trafficking and other forms of exploitation are all around us. Victims may be washing your car, painting your nails, picking your food, etc. How do you spot the signs? More ...
From the European Freedom Network
rules 492
Hidden rules among classes
Hidden rules are the unspoken cues and habits of a group. If you are in a group, you understand these hidden rules and the danger is you take these for granted that they for everyone. More ...
From A Framework for Understanding Poverty Dr Ruby
prison 492
1000+ facts about the prison system
Prison Reform Trust produced a fact file about prisons in England+Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in autumn 2015. It contains a huge number of insights and would inform prayer and other initiatives. More ...
From a report by The Prison Reform Trust
Teen 492
Insights into teen health and well-being
Dept of Education research. It is clear that the year 10 students in 2014 have markedly different attitudes and behaviours than those in 2005. How have things changed in those nine years? More ...
Geoff Knott
online 492
Online Church - extending gospel reach
Everyday Church based in south-west London launched an online church in September 2015. Everyday Church has planted many churches and the online church is seen as another church plant. More ...
Geoff Knott
talk jesus 492
Talking Jesus - perceptions of Jesus, Christians and evangelism
What do people in this nation know and believe about Jesus? What do they really think of us, his followers? Are we talking about Jesus enough? These are just some of the questions asked More ...
from research for CofE, Hope, EA
refugees 1 492
Top 10 facts about refugees and asylum seekers 
The Refugee Council recently published some myth-busting facts about refugees and asylum-seekers based on latest available statistics. Here are the top 10: More ...
The Refugee Council
Conversation 492
Reaching parts of the community others can’t - part 2 
The gospel is not something we come to church to hear, it is something we go from church to do. How can we all be equipped to talk about faith matters naturally and honestly? More ...
Geoff Knott
Secret Garden 492
Social action and church growth
With the growth of social action in recent years, there have been many opportunities for Christians to express love and compassion to their neighbours, but how does that relate to evangelism? More ...
Geoff Knott
Addiction 492
Supporting those in addiction 
The Community Church Honiton have a team of over 60 volunteers working in a wide variety of social action initiatives. One of these ‘Walk the Talk’ is supporting those in drug / alcohol addiction. More ...
From a blog by Commission/Community Church Honiton
Loneliness 492
How can churches best respond to loneliness? 
In July 2016, CUF published a briefing paper 'Connecting Communities: The impact of loneliness and the opportunities for churches to respond'. The information is helpful for creating effective actions. More ...
From a report by Church Urban Fund
Refugee Camp 492
Made for goodness: A faithful response to the refugee crisis
Briefing produced by the Joint Public Issues Team: Baptist, Church of Scotland, Methodist and United Reformed Churches working together: "A Christian response to the unfolding refugee crisis must begin with More ...
Joint Public Issues Team: Baptist, CoS, Meth., URC
SA Stepney 492
An agent of reconciliation
"We felt convicted that relational poverty, like material poverty, is a form of injustice. Without reconciliation this wonderful neighbourhood could never reach its potential and Jesus’ prayer for it to “be on earth as it is heaven” More ...
From a blog by The Centre for Theology and Communi
refugee scheme 492
Community sponsorship scheme launched for refugees in the UK 
The Home Secretary and the Archbishop of Canterbury have launched a new scheme to encourage community groups to sponsor a refugee family. More ...
Home Office, DCLG, DFID
InControl 492
Money and mental health - a consultation
People with mental health problems are far more likely to face financial difficulty than others. The Money and Mental Health charity have launched a consultation on policies to protect such consumers. More ...
Geoff Knott
Reconciliation 492
A time for reconciliation
Steve Clifford, Director General of the Evangelical Alliance speaks about how the church needs to model reconciliation in these times of divided opinions, upheaval and uncertainty. More ...
Geoff Knott
Budget 492
Helping financial management
There are some financial products that could be useful for those struggling with budgeting and managing their finances. If you are involved in debt advice or helping vulnerable people you may want to investigate further. More ...
Geoff Knott
John Wesley 492
Church of the poor: A fierce heart for people in poverty 
John Wesley had a fierce heart for people in poverty and said some things which are deeply challenging to us, to our politics and our Church today. He said that “one great reason why the rich have so little sympathy for the poor is More ...
Liam Purcell
Safe Haven 492
Safe Haven? Responding to Europe's refugee/migration crisis.
An excellent 5 minute film by Jubilee Centre/CPFE setting out the main issues surrounding the refugee crisis, priorities for public policy and options for Christians to make a difference. More ...
Jubilee Centre CPFE
Elderly event 492
Getting older...
About 3.8m older people live alone. Over one in ten older people are in contact with family friends or neighbours less than once a month. Two-fifths of older people say that their main company is the TV. What can a church do? More ...
From a blog Graham Tomlin and Sian Brookes
Housing Affordability 492
Housing affordability - costs undermine living standards
New research by the Resolution Foundation goes beyond the question of house prices and looks at the proportion of household income spent on housing – including rent, mortgage repayments and service More ...
Lindsay Judge - Resolution Foundation
askthequestion 492
#AskTheQuestion
Today over 45 million people are trapped in modern slavery around the world. We have the power to change this and make slavery history. From 1st April 2016, companies must disclose what steps they are taking to deal with slavery in their supply chains. More ...
Geoff Knott
ESOL Action Language 738
Challenges, successes and barriers accessing ESOL provision
Some of the barriers which prevent people from accessing ESOL (and other services) are culture, limited availability of classes, lack of confidence, immigration status, cost and location. More ...
Ayesha Afzal, Beverley Brooks, Julian Prior
migrants 492
A Church for the poor? Letting go of power
Inspired by Pope Francis’ vision of “a poor church, for the poor”, Church Action on Poverty is exploring how churches can do more to stand in solidarity with people in poverty. Reflections of many prominent Christians will shortly be published More ...
Liam Purcell
Syrian Refugees and the UK 738
Syrian Refugees and the UK - House of Commons Briefing Paper
As the Syrian crisis gets ever deeper, there is ongoing pressure for the UK to accept more Syrian refugees. Over 13.5 million Syrians need help More ...
Geoff Knott
StepChange debt 492
A look at the lives of 300,000 people in debt in the UK
Nearly 550,000 people contacted the StepChange Debt Charity for help in 2015. Their Statistic Yearbook 2015 gives some real insights, through simple infographics, into the personal debt of clients in this year. More ...
Geoff Knott
Welcoming the stranger 492
A guide: refugees, asylum seekers and migrants
Churches Together Merseyside region. A very comprehensive briefing paper and guide triggered by the international refugee crisis and inspired by the need to respond to the Gospel, to the injunction to ‘welcome the stranger’ and More ...
Geoff Knott
houses 492
Hosting a refugee or an asylum seeker
As Christians volunteer to open up their homes to refugees and asylum seekers, here are some thoughts regarding arrangements churches may want to put in place to set expectations and protect both the hosts and the guests. More ...
Based on a handout by Action Foundation
From Houses to Homes 492
From houses to homes 
It is impossible to work for social justice in cities today without addressing the issue of housing. What will happen if the poorest residents of our cities are priced out of their neighbourhoods by soaring housing costs? More ...
Geoff Knott
The Bike Project 246
Riding on a smile: a Syrian refugee and his bike
Getting around London is expensive for everyone, let alone for a refugee living on the weekly government asylum allowance of £36.95. Whilst seeking asylum, it is vital that people are able to access More ...
The Bike Project
Baggage Hall 738
Factors in successful resettlement of refugees
A summary of findings from refugee resettlement programmes shows the following: More ...
Geoff Knott
syrian family 738
Refugees - what churches are doing
We are seeing a refugee crisis across Europe. So far a relatively small number have arrived in the UK, but over the coming months the number is likely to increase dramatically. In December 2015, Jubilee+ launched a short survey to understand what actions More ...
Geoff Knott
RSS Feed for latest articles

To submit a story or to publicise an event please contact us. Sign up for email here.