Politics, Power and Protest

The late Archbishop Desmond Tutu once famously observed, “When people say that religion and politics don’t mix, I wonder which Bible it is they are reading.” Engagement with politics is one vital way that Christians can live out the commandment to love our neighbours, seek justice and peace, and pursue God’s kingdom.  

 This can daunting, dangerous or a diversion when the political world is often shouty and toxic and there seems little common ground. Yet this is a time when we need politics – and good people willing to serve in public life – to rise to the many complex long-term challenges facing us locally, nationally and globally. 

 We’ll spend some time exploring the relationship between faith and politics, and looking at lessons from the Bible and history about different ways of engaging with power and politics – from protest to participation. 

 We’ll hear about the reality of life as a politician, and how some church communities have been able to build purposeful relationships with MPs, modelling an approach to politics characterised by listening, kindness and truthfulness. 

Throughout we will have opportunities to reflect on our own experience, context, power and calling, and how we might use them to further the causes we believe in. 

Programme facilitators

Simeon Mitchell leads the Joint Public Issues Team, which helps the Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed Churches, and the Church of Scotland, to work together for justice and peace. He is a Methodist, living in Oxford, with a background is in international development. 

Simeon will be joined by another colleague from JPIT, details TBC. 

Cost