How can we resist social action projects and mercy ministries becoming merely a department of church life? The seminar from the Churches that Change Communities Conference considers how we engage the whole church – pastors, prophets, evangelists, kids, leaders, those on the fringes – and get everyone involved in showing mercy towards the vulnerable.

With Steve Horne from Emmanuel Church Brighton, Emily Williams, pioneering a church in Southampton, Sean Green and Jo Kay from Reading Family Church and Natalie Williams from Jubilee+.

How can churches move beyond crisis support and enact a God-given vision of release and restoration for those living in poverty? In this seminar, we’ll hear from participants of Jubilee+ Voices and leaders of Three13 and the Oasis Centre about what is looks like to move beyond relief, and toward release as well as from Rosie Hopley from Jubilee+ who is hosting this seminar.

The Beveridge Report of 1942 outlined five ‘giants’ that held people in poverty – idleness (a lack of employment opportunities), ignorance (a lack of education), disease (a lack of access to adequate healthcare), squalor (a lack of adequate housing), and want (a lack of food and other essentials). More than 80 years on, what’s changed? What hasn’t? And what can we do? 

Helen Barnard is Director of Policy, Research and Impact at the Trussell Trust. She was formerly Director of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Research and Policy Director at Pro Bono Economics. She is a leading national expert on poverty, inequality and social policy. Her extensive body of research and policy work have covered poverty, destitution, labour markets, housing, social security and civil society. She is author of ‘Want (Giants: a new Beveridge Report)’ which examines modern day poverty and the institutions and reforms required to address it.

Thanks again to Owen O'Brien for permission to use his music: Living in the shadow (feat. Samu'el)

Many of us grew up being told that God wanted us to be world-changers, planet-shapers, or history-makers. God does call us to do good, and to make a difference, but it’s for His glory and fame, not ours. Some of us are disillusioned because we thought we’d change the world and we haven’t. If we can’t make a big impact, why do our lives matter?

Andrew Wilson is Teaching Pastor at King’s Church London, and has degrees in history and theology from Cambridge and King’s College London. He is a columnist for Christianity Today, and has written several award-winning books, most recently God of All Things. Views Andrew expresses here are his own, and do not represent those of Newfrontiers or any particular church.

People who are passionate about social action can sometimes find it hard when their church leader isn’t as focused on it as they are! In this seminar activist Natalie Williams and her senior pastor Paul Mann explore how to influence your leaders in ways that are helpful and bring about change.  

Paul grew up in Hastings and leads King’s Church, bringing experience in commerce from his previous career in the building industry.

Natalie Williams is the CEO of Jubilee+

The suicide rate in the most deprived areas of England is almost double the rate in the least deprived areas. What can we do as Christians and churches to reach out to those struggling with thoughts of suicide or self-harm? How can we become safe places where people can find freedom from shame and stigma?

Corin Pilling spent 20 years working with homeless people and is UK Director of Sanctuary, offering The Sanctuary Course; a free resource to help build churches that tackle mental health stigma and offer safe support to all.

If you need mental health support you can call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: [email protected] for a reply within 24 hours or text "SHOUT" to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line, or text "YM" if you're under 19.

If you're under 19, you can also call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline. The number will not appear on your phone bill.

Find out more about Jubilee+ here.

Grateful thanks to Owen O'Brien for permission to use his music: Living in the shadow (feat. Samu'el)

Many of our communities have become increasingly multicultural, multi-language and multi-faith. What does it look like to build a welcoming community with open and meaningful friendships? How can we connect, befriend, and serve people across cultures in our UK context?

Andy McCullough from the Unreached Network shares with us about loving our international neighbour, focusing on John chapter 4.

Find out more about Jubilee+ here.

Grateful thanks to Owen O'Brien for permission to use his music: Living in the shadow (feat. Samu'el)

From the Yorkshire Ripper to Sarah Everard, violence against women is a daily reality that should shock us deeply. Rosie Hopley from Jubilee+ hosts a seminar from the Churches That Change Communities conference, where we also hear from author Claudine Roberts about the impact of violence on her life. What can the Church do to speak up, reach out and support women impacted by violence?

Some listeners may find some of the content distressing. If you need any help and support yourself, please contact Women’s Aid via their website https://www.womensaid.org.uk

Claudine's important book, Violence Against Women, Discovering El Roi, The God Who Sees, can be found here.

It is increasingly difficult to get a GP appointment or see an NHS dentist and some are resorting to extreme measures. Health inequality isn’t just about access to healthcare – for people in deprived areas it impacts quality of health and even life expectancy. Why should the church care? And how can we make a difference?

Ben Parish he has been involved in church leadership for many years and currently works full time for the NHS as a physiotherapist as well as being on the Jubilee Plus core team.

Grateful thanks to Owen O'Brien for permission to use his music: Living in the shadow (feat. Samu'el)

Changing the culture of a church can be like turning a massive ship. It usually becomes necessary when demographics change, and we need to create space to stay healthy. How do we bring about culture shift? If we’re not the leader, how can we help with that and be a blessing?

Stef Liston, along with his family and a small team, planted Revelation Church London in 2006, and he now serves as an elder there.

Grateful thanks to Owen O'Brien for permission to use his music: Living in the shadow (feat. Samu'el)