WelcomeHomelessness: Are We Really Helping?

The importance of grace and truth in helping people change

A theology of grace and truth

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son,

who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

Grace Truth

Emphasis on grace

Unconditional acceptance

Giving another chance

Showing compassion

Providing support and care

Focus on rights

Treated as a Guest

Hospitality  

Emphasis on truth

Enforcement of rules

Maintaining boundaries

Administering justice

Challenging and empowering

Focus on personal responsibility

Treated as a Client

Assessment

Challenge and empowerment

Understanding each other better and working together

1. The need for confidence2. The need for coordination3. The need for creative

tension

1. The need for confidence

The relevance of Christian theology

The key role the church has to play (Housing Justice)

Humility, self-awareness and generosity

2. The need for coordination

Faith-based / independent

charities

Local Authorities &

commissioned agencies

3. The need for creative tension

Faith-based / independent

charities

Local Authority

Discussion

What challenges or difficulties need to overcome?

What are the key changes needed to improve how we help homeless and vulnerable people?

Action

•Ideas and proposals for group actions

•Commitments to personal steps

‘The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state.

It must be the guide and the critic of the state, and never its tool. If the church does not recapture its prophetic zeal, it will become an irrelevant social club without moral or spiritual authority.’

Rev. Dr Martin Luther King JnrStrength to Love, 1963

Websites

Housing Justice:www,housingjustice,org,uk

West London Mission www.wlm.org.uk

‘Resistance & Renewal’ blogwww.resistanceandrenewal.net

WelcomeHomelessness: Are We Really Helping?