This will vary depending on context but if you are serving in an urban context, then the issue of immigration is likely to play a significant part in your ministry. What are the kinds of things you need to be aware of and thinking about? First of all, I think it will help you to… Continue reading Ministry nuts and bolts: What the pastor needs to know about asylum and immigration
Tag: refugees
How can we persevere in prayer for Ukraine?
As the war in Ukraine continues but also slips down the news headlines, it is easy for us to forget about it or at least to allow it to slip down our prayer priorities. Other things take over the news headlines and we become focused on needs nearer home, some such as aspects of the… Continue reading How can we persevere in prayer for Ukraine?
Aren’t most asylum claims fake?
I’ve been writing a little this week about asylum, responding particularly to arguments about the UK’s policy of removing asylum seekers arriving across the channel to Rwanda for processing. One of the assumptions I frequently hear is that the vast majority of claimants are not genuine that they are really economic migrants using the asylum… Continue reading Aren’t most asylum claims fake?
Why I consider the Rwanda policy immoral
Yesterday, I wrote responding to the criticism that opponents of the Government’s “Rwanda policy” haven’t come up with any proposals of their own. Well, it seems that having stated what some of those proposals are, the criticism switched back to “but in your article, you didn’t offer a critique of the Government’s policy.” It seems… Continue reading Why I consider the Rwanda policy immoral
Is there really no alternative to the Rwanda policy for refugees?
It seems increasingly rare to hear supporters of the Government’s policy of removing asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing defend the policy. Instead what you tend to get are comments along these lines: And … Now, first of all, a couple of preliminary responses. You will notice that the presumption is that anyone who opposes… Continue reading Is there really no alternative to the Rwanda policy for refugees?
What the Archbishop didn’t say
Last weekend, before we got back to things like parties in Downing Street and whether the Prime Minister tells the truth, the media and social media were full of reports and debate about what the Archbishop of Canterbury had said in his Easter Day sermon. Reports focused on some statements critical of the UK’s Rwanda… Continue reading What the Archbishop didn’t say
It’s not the opponents of the refugee scheme that are howling
I was not going to add anything new here on the UK government’s announcement on Thursday regarding asylum seekers. I’ve already written before about offshore processing, why it’s a bad idea and why it doesn’t deal with the crisis. However, today has been a day for the tabloid press to lower its game even further… Continue reading It’s not the opponents of the refugee scheme that are howling
Welcome Churches -interview
Here’s a Faithroots Podcast special. I had the privilege of interviewing Sue Butler from Welcome Churches. We talked about The church’s response to the Ukrainian Refugee crisis The current situation with Afghanistan refugees Why Churches and Christians should be involved in social justice issues including on issues like asylum and immigration. How partnering with Welcome… Continue reading Welcome Churches -interview
Don’t forget about Afghanistan
It’s not long back that the return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan and the disorderly withdrawal of British and American troops. At the time I wrote about being Afghan ready . I expressed concern that it was easy for us to virtue signal our concern for refugees and announce our readiness but harder… Continue reading Don’t forget about Afghanistan
What can we do for Ukraine?
As we watch on the situation in Ukraine, no doubt like me you feel completely helpless. There seems to be nothing we can do. We can use hashtags to say that we #StandWithUkraine and we can change our profile pictures to incorporate the Ukrainian flag on our social media but what good does that do? … Continue reading What can we do for Ukraine?