Politics in the Pulpit

In this week's Politics in the Pulpit, Jo hosts her final episode before handing over to Angie Allport, Methodist deacon and tutor at The Queen's Foundation. Alongside Roo Stewart, Angie reflects on the readings for All Saints' Day:

📖 Revelation 7:9-17

📖 Psalm 34

📖 1 John 3:1-13

📖 Matthew 5:1-12

Together they explore the themes of seeing and looking, faithful presence and the Beatitudes. The discussion considers the challenge of being not only co-heirs with Christ, but also co-workers in God's mission, while reflecting on persecution, suffering, death and the witness of the saints. 

Listen now and join the conversation. 

What does faithful leadership look like when change comes slowly?

In this week's Politics in the Pulpit, Jo and JPIT's Erin Kennedy are joined by Rev. James Treasure, Bishop of St Germans in the Diocese of Truro, to discuss legacy, long-term social transformation, authentic leadership and Jesus' call to love our neighbour. 

From Moses seeing but never entering the Promised Land to the challenge of building community in a divided society, this episode reflects on what it means to serve faithfully, lead with humility and hold on to hope. 

Find out more about the Love Thy Neighbour Conference and book your ticket here: Love Thy Neighbour conference, 24 October 2026 – Joint Public Issues Team

This week on Politics in the Pulpit, Jo and JPIT's Adam are joined by theologian Anthony Reddie to explore the lectionary readings for Sunday 18 October.

As churches across the UK mark Black History Month, the conversation reflects on liberation theology and the colonial realities of the world Jesus inhabited. Together, they discuss what it means to speak truth in an age of political polarisation, how Christian faith calls us towards sacrificial love, and remembering that God's purposes do not depend on us alone.

Join us for a thoughtful conversation on faith, justice and hope.

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How do we understand the character of God? Can holy rage and peace sit alongside one another? And what does it mean to be co-creators with God in a world that desperately needs justice and hope?

This week on Politics in the Pulpit, Jo Cox Darling is joined by Simeon Mitchell and Roo Stewart to discuss the lectionary readings for 11th October. 

A thoughtful discussion for anyone preparing worship, preaching, or engaging with the week's scriptures. 

Join Joanne Cox-Darling, Simon Jones and JPIT Team Leader Simeon Mitchell as they explore the lectionary readings for Sunday 4th October. 

This week, the discussion focused on God's just economy and what the biblical vision of rest, wealth, and responsibility might mean for Christians today. 

Listen to our new episode of Politics in the Pulpit with guest Amanda Higgin! Hosted by Joanne Cox-Darling with JPIT's Adam Aucock, they discuss how power, politics, and authority relate to this week's lectionary readings.

Listen to our latest episode of Politics in the Pulpit to hear Joanne & Simon discuss faith, politics, and God's economy of grace

Host Eddie Boon closes the season with new host Revd Dr Joanne Cox-Darling and Roo Stewart from JPIT, exploring the lectionary readings for Sept 13 (Exodus 14, Psalm 114, Romans 14, Matthew 18).

The episode examines themes of justice, the danger of power, debt and forgiveness, and how worship and preaching can respond to climate disasters, social inequality and communal discipleship.

 

This episode of Politics in the Pulpit is hosted by Eddie Boon, and features our special guest Dr Coco Parkinson-Huggins!

 

Dr Coco Parkinson-Huggins is a researcher and writer currently based at Theos Think Tank. She recently completed her PhD on UK benefit policy at the University of Cambridge, where she also lectured on issues ranging from the role of media and culture in policymaking, to the NHS and public health, insecure work and the gig economy in the Department of Geography. Her current research at Theos includes Christianity, nationhood and “Christian Nationalism” in the UK, as well as global experiences of motherhood. This is alongside her work on policy and impact.

This week, Eddie, Coco, and Thomas explore the lectionary readings for Sunday 6th September.

 

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Intro
• 07:11 – Exodus 12:1-14
• 12:21 – Psalm 149
• 21:53 – Romans 13: 8-14
• 29:22 – Matthew 18: 15-20

 

 

Mentions

Better Story, JPIT, Christian Aid and Fellowship of Reconciliation’s ‘Love Thy Neighbour’ conference (October 2026) - https://jpit.uk/love-thy-neighbour-conference-2026

Eddie’s volunteering in Kosovo was with the NGO Smile International - https://www.smileinternational.org/

1 John 4 – ‘God is Love’ and Ephesians 6 ‘The Armour of God’ - Mentioned by Coco as helpful companion passages https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%204&version=NIV

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%206&version=NIVEphesians 6 NIV - Children, obey your parents in the - Bible Gateway

The poem ‘Forbearance’ by Samuel Taylor Coleridge – Holding on to bitterness – the opposite to the Matthew passage! - https://www.poetry.com/poem/34248/forbearance

The life of Edith Cavell – her famous quote ‘It is not enough love one’s own people, one must love all men and hate none’ as a reflection on the bitter hatred of the First World War - https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/story/26080

This episode of Politics in the Pulpit is hosted by Eddie Boon, and features our special guest Genesis Padgett!

Genesis is currently the Youth President of the Methodist Church in Britain, which involves meeting young people from across the UK and making their voices heard in the Church. They are a local preacher on trial in the Barnsley circuit in Sheffield. They also volunteer with the Exodus Project, which works with children and youth in deprived areas around Barnsley and Wakefield, who may be struggling with poverty or mental health issues.

This week, Eddie, Genesis, and Erica explore the lectionary readings for Sunday 30^th August.

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Intro
• 07:03 - Matthew 16: 21-28
• 16:21 - Romans 12: 9-21
• 25:12 - Exodus 3: 1-15

 

Mentions

The Exodus Project, Barnsley and Wakefield - https://exodusproject.org.uk/

Stop Rosebank’s campaign - https://www.stopcambo.org.uk/

Greenbelt Festival 2026, ‘Let it all go’ - https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/

Wealth tax campaigns - https://taxjustice.uk/campaign/taxing-wealth/

Better Story, JPIT, Christian Aid and Fellowship of Reconciliation’s ‘Love Thy Neighbour’ conference (October 2026) - https://jpit.uk/love-thy-neighbour-conference-2026

Church of England ‘Difference’ course - https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/difference