A weekly series for preachers, ministers and worship leaders, discussing the dimensions of justice present in the Bible readings explored by many churches each Sunday, and reflecting on how they connect with current affairs and our calling to be justice seekers.
Episodes
Monday Jan 26, 2026
Monday Jan 26, 2026
The next episode of this season of Politics in the Pulpit for Spring 2026 is hosted by William Gibson, and features our special guest, Cat Whitehouse!
Cat Whitehouse is the Faith in Action Project Worker for Student Christian Movement. Her work is shaped by a deep interest in how faith and politics meet in everyday life, and how this shapes the ways we build community, support both our neighbours and those we disagree with, and work for justice. The focus of Cat’s year at SCM is on loving our neighbour and enemy, and they have run workshops with students on the rise of the far right and how it conflicts with Christian faith, as well as on LGBTQ+ rights in the face of hate, titled Love Over Fear. As a queer Christian, Cat is particularly passionate about LGBTQ+ inclusion in faith spaces and creating environments where people feel safe to be fully themselves. Some of her highlights in the role so far have been the ‘Ace and Faith’ panel which she hosted in collaboration with Ace Space London and organising the SCM Virtual Candlelit Vigil for Trans* Day of Remembrance 2025.
This week, William, Cat and Alex explore the lectionary readings for Sunday 1st February.
Mentions
Student Christian Movement - https://www.movement.org.uk/
Constituency Action Network – jpit.uk/can
The Canticle of the Turning by Rory Cooney - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9QeTmRCpW4
Nadia Bolz Weber’s Beatitudes - https://thecorners.substack.com/p/salty-d99
The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Enfleshed Liturgy’s Beatitudes - https://enfleshed.com/blogs/liturgies/beatitudes-remix/
Monday Jan 19, 2026
Monday Jan 19, 2026
The third episode of this season of Politics in the Pulpit for Spring 2026 is hosted by William Gibson, and features our special guest, Dave Hardman!
Revd David Hardman is currently serving as the Methodist Liaison Office, Jerusalem for the Methodist Church in Britain. Ordained in 1994 he has served churches and circuits in the city centre, inner-city and suburbs of Manchester and London. He has also worked for Christian Aid as Senior Regional Coordinator in the North West of England and most recently as Methodist Team Leader of the Joint Public Issues Team. Justice and Peace have been at the heart of David’s ministry, he is an accredited mediator with Place for Hope and a committed activist.
This week, William, Dave and Simeon explore the lectionary readings for Sunday 25th January. This conversation highlights David’s experiences with Palestinian Christians under occupation.
Timestamps
06:13 - Matthew 4: 12-23
11:10 - Isaiah 9: 1-4
19:58 - Psalm 27: 1, 4-9
29:10 - 1 Corinthians 1: 10-18
Mentions
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (18-25th in UK; 25th-2nd in Jerusalem) - https://www.lpj.org/en/news/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-in-jerusalem
Bridging the Gap: Has the Church failed the poor? by John Harvey
Kairos Palestine II document (November 2025) - https://www.kairospalestine.ps/images/Kairos_Palestine_II_English_Final.pdf
Monday Jan 12, 2026
Monday Jan 12, 2026
The second episode of this season of Politics in the Pulpit for Spring 2026 is hosted by William Gibson, and features our special guest, Adam Aucock!
Adam Aucock is a new member of the JPIT team working as the Advocacy Coordinator within the Methodist Church. Adam is from a Baptist background and has worked on advocating for policy change for several years, particularly focussing on the climate and environmental crises and their impacts on those living in poverty around the world. Through work in different organisations, including the international development agency Tearfund, Adam has campaigned for policy changes in spaces from local governments to global policy negotiations.
This week, William, Adam and Thomas explore the lectionary readings for Sunday 18th January.
Timestamps
07:03 - Psalm 40: 1-11
16:20 - John 1: 29-42
25:00 - Isaiah 49: 1-7
32:33 - 1 Corinthians 1: 1-9
Mentions
Letters from a Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King Jr.
Reading the Gospel of John Through Palestinian Eyes by Yohanna Katanacho
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity resources - https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/d...
JPIT collaborative response to Unite the Kingdom (December 2025) – jpit.uk/joyforall
Wednesday Jan 07, 2026
Wednesday Jan 07, 2026
The first episode of this season of Politics in the Pulpit for Spring 2026 is hosted by Stephen Ansa-Addo, and features our special guest and new host, William Gibson!
William is a candidate for ministry in the Church of Scotland and a PhD student in Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Glasgow. Prior to this William worked at Apple where he led unionising efforts in the first unionised Apple store in the UK before working for the Student Christian Movement as their theology and resources project worker for a year. William is also an Iona Community member.
This week, Stephen, William and Erica explore the lectionary readings for Sunday 11th January.
Timestamps:
6:58 – Isaiah 42: 1-9
12:42 – Psalm 29
16:20 – Matthew 3: 13-17
24:40 – Acts 10: 34-43
Sunday Dec 28, 2025
Sunday Dec 28, 2025
Alex, Christine, Erica, and Thomas discuss the readings for 4 January. Don't forget to listen to parts 1 and 3 of our Christmas special and watch this space for a new host and a return to our traditional format in the new year.
Sunday Dec 21, 2025
Sunday Dec 21, 2025
Alex, Christine, Erica, and Thomas discuss the readings for 28 December. Don't forget to listen to parts 1 and 3 of our Christmas special and watch this space for a new host and a return to our traditional format in the new year.
Friday Dec 19, 2025
Friday Dec 19, 2025
Alex, Christine, Erica, and Thomas discuss the readings for Christmas Day. Don't forget to listen to parts 2 and 3 of our Christmas special and watch this space for a new host and a return to our traditional format in the new year.
Tuesday Dec 16, 2025
Tuesday Dec 16, 2025
The fourth episode of our Advent specials of Politics in the Pulpit is hosted by Thomas Niblett, and features Hannah Fremont-Brown and JPIT member Roo Stewart! This week, Thomas, Hannah, and Roo explore the lectionary readings for Sunday 21st December.
Timestamps
00:00 – Intro
26:30 – Romans 1: 1-7
35:47 – Psalm 80: 1-7, 17-19
41:59 - Isaiah 7: 10-16
Monday Dec 08, 2025
Monday Dec 08, 2025
The third episode of our Advent specials of Politics in the Pulpit is hosted by Erica Lees-Smith, and features Neil Thorogood and JPIT member Steve Tinning!
This week, Erica, Neil, and Steve explore the lectionary readings for Sunday 14th December.
Timestamps
00:00 - Intro
06:33 – Luke 1: 47-55 (Magnificat)
12:04 - Isaiah 35: 1-10
21:14 – James 5: 7-10
25:33 - Matthew 11: 2-11
30:52 – Psalm 146: 5-10
This episode includes particular discussion of the Tommy Robinson event due to take place this weekend, and what preachers could say from the week's readings to speak out for compassion and justice. For more resources please visit our recent blog - jpit.uk/is-this-love.
Monday Dec 01, 2025
Monday Dec 01, 2025
The second episode of the Advent season of Politics in the Pulpit is hosted by Thomas Niblett, and features guests and JPIT team members Erica Lees-Smith and Simeon Mitchell. We are trialling some live on-site episodes during advent.
This week, Thomas, Erica, and Simeon explore the lectionary readings for Sunday 7th December.
Timestamps
00:00 – Intro
05:15 - Matthew 3: 1-12
11:35 - Romans 15: 4-13
17:40 - Isaiah 11: 1-10
24:40 - Psalm 72: 1-7, 18-19