Riot Week diary
PS: Caught up in a real mix of venues and atmospheres: Quite a few prayer meetings; Out on the street with the #riotcleanup crew (found myself alongside a BBC presenter who lives in Peckham); In Emergency Meetings of the council, police and community leaders at the Town Hall; Planning with local leaders for a Southwark Service of Peace; On a telephone conference call with network leaders from across London; Interviewed on a BBC London radio show. Wondering when the large plate glass window of our High Street café would attract a random brick. Encouraged by the unity, genuine prayer and soul searching among leaders that I’ve not seen in quite awhile. Frustrated that I couldn’t get hold of many colleagues due to the summer evacuation of Christians to camps and (it must be said, largely well earned) breaks. Deeply saddened by the deep harm to both perpetrators and victims of the riots.
What questions and challenges do the events of this week raise for the church?
PS: All the big questions are now rattling around in the wider community. We need to speak thoughtfully and with authority right now – to the nation, to local communities, and to the Lord. This is the role of the Church – to bring hope and issue a prophetic challenge; to us as the church as well as the wider community. The urgent action of practical help… followed by the urgent debate and mature discussion with community leaders…alongside the urgent prayer for all who influence the culture of our times.
