A Biblical Perspective on Asylum and Immigration

This report is not about politics, it is about policies.  It does not favour one political stance over another or agree with one party or another, but instead asks those in power to think about where do we begin from?  What is the lens through which you are seeing this issue?  What should the founding principles of any asylum policy be?

We do do God

Twenty years ago this week that Alastair Campbell famously said “We don’t do God”.  On 5th May 2003 Tony Blair was giving an interview to Vanity Fair when his head of communications interrupted the interview with what was probably a throw away quip but it has gone down in history as a mantra to live by for many politicians.
Twenty years on, do politicians still not do God or have times changed?

Grief is the price we pay for love

So, echoing down through the ages, from the death and resurrection of Christ to the five stages model proposed by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross in the 1960s, right up 9/11 attacks in the early 2000s and upon the recent death of our most beloved Queen Elizabeth II, the enduring message is thus:

“Grief is the price we pay for love”

Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory

Her life was one of duty and service, but never a burden, never did she feel that her calling was a burden or heavy. She felt God’s calling on her life and to her it was a joy. How much then can we learn from this life of service, this life of duty.

Should Christians go on strike or cross a picket line?

It looks like we are about to embark on a turbulent time for public sector workers.  Strikes on our railways over the last few weeks and months, post office workers, waste operators all striking and more ballots happening every week.

Every church and every congregation in Scotland is likely to have someone who is facing the decision on whether to withdraw their labour or cross a picket line and continue to work. 

Leadership Qualities – What do we want from our politicians

Politicians are a funny breed (I should know as I was one and know lots).  You have to be a certain kind of person to put yourself willingly through selection and an election campaign.  Having your face on tens of thousands of leaflets, walk miles and miles delivering them, put yourself through local husting meetings, put yourself out there on social media, make speeches to rooms of people who disagree with you, only to lose very publicly, humiliatingly, and with crowds of people cheering your defeat – I’m not selling this am I…?

The Breakfast that Brought Down a Government

Over croissants and bacon rolls participants heard a sermon referencing Psalm 23, led by Rev Isaac who is the founder and CEO of Ascension Trust and also a pioneer of Street Pastors. Many politicians were there including all the main players in what is now a leadership race, one of them has said that it was this sermon that moved him to resign and effectively put the final nail in the coffin of Boris Johnson’s Prime Ministership.

And we are off

We are entering yet another time of turmoil in Scottish society, after what has been a tumultuous couple of years.  Lets pray that throughout this campaign we can work together, listen to eachother, respect eachother and have a meaningful debate in a way that is honouring to God and eachother.

Erosion of Trust – UK today

For over a century modern global peace and security has been governed by a system of treaties and international agreements.  Events like COP26 and organisations like the G8 give nations hope that by working together we can build a better world, and combat some of the global challenges that exist.  These are founded on trust.  Trust that nations will stick to their agreements, and trust that a change of Government in any nation will not affect that commitment.

Chicken or egg – ethics in public life

The question that has been in my mind though is are we getting the politicians that we deserve?  When we expect little do we get little, when society is divided do we get a divisive message from our parties.  Which came first the chicken or the egg?

Break the Bias

International Women’s Day on 8 March is rightly focused on events in Ukraine this year.

Watching over them

So what can we do in the midst of this crisis but trust that someone is watching over us, someone is in control and put our faith in one much higher than us. The people of Ukraine are strong and faithful people. Let us Pray for their safety and that God will watch over them.

Hubble Bubble, Toil and Trouble

a lobbying group called Witches of Scotland, is calling on the Scottish Government to support its campaign for witches to be pardoned. But what of modern day witch hunts?

So What?

Well that is my first day done as the new Chief Executive of Logos Scotland. Website is up and running, twitter and facebook all good to go. Board all contacted and some key stakeholders all emailed. Its all very exciting. There is so much to do and really looking forward to getting stuck in.

Welcome to Logos

Logos Scotland is a brand new think tank in Scotland.  Set up by a group of like minded Christians we want to bring a new voice to the public sphere in Scotland.  We are currently developing our website so check back regularly for updates.

Programme for Government

Last week was a big week in the Scottish Parliament.  Humza Yousaf delivered his first Programme for Government which sets out the proposed Bills and policies for the coming year for the SNP/Green coalition Government.  We asked some of friends to tell us whet
her they think it will deliver for Scotland.