Stepping Up: A devotional for stepfamilies

Author : Esther Kuku

£9.99

No one dreams of being a stepparent – and that is where the adventure begins. Through practical guidance and biblical pointers, stepmum and bio-mum Esther Kuku leads you towards peace and fulfilment in your day-to-day family life. Packed with pearls of wisdom and encouragement, as well as a good dose of reality, this devotional will strengthen and empower you to embrace the beautiful gift of family that God has entrusted to you.

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22 May 2026

Title	Stepping Up: A devotional for stepfamilies
Author	Esther Kuku
ISBN
Description	No one dreams of being a stepparent – and that is where the adventure begins. Through practical guidance and biblical pointers, stepmum and bio-mum Esther Kuku leads you towards peace and fulfilment in your day-to-day family life. Packed with pearls of wisdom and encouragement, as well as a good dose of reality, this devotional will strengthen and empower you to embrace the beautiful gift of family that God has entrusted to you.
Details	Product code: 9781800394247 Published: 22 May 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 80 Dimensions: 130mm wide and 198mm high

Author Information

{"id":15609491030396,"title":"Giving it Up: Daily Bible readings from Ash Wednesday to Easter Day","handle":"giving-it-up","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe idea of 'giving something up for Lent' is widely known and discussed today - yet how many know that the ancient discipline of the Lenten fast had several purposes? It was designed as a reminder of our daily dependence on God for all our needs, to draw us closer to God in prayer, to reconnect with the idea of community, and to help us follow Christ's journey through the wilderness and on to Jerusalem. How many of us simply abstain from some treat or other for a few weeks and fail to engage with this deeper meaning of Lent? This book shows how Lent can be a time for exploring a different kind of 'giving up', one that can transform our lives. If we are to draw closer to God, we have to be willing to give up some of our entrenched ideas about him, in order to see him more clearly. In a series of daily studies, Maggi Dawn shows how, throughout Scripture, people were radically changed by encountering the true God. If we follow their examples, we can allow the Holy Spirit to shed his light on our ideas of God that are too harsh, too small, too fragile, or too stern. Then God will graciously reveal himself to us and bring us to an Easter joy that is richer and more profound than ever before.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthor information \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaggi Dawn is a priest in the Episcopal Church in the USA. She is diocesan theologian in the Diocese of Rhode Island and professor of theology at Durham University. She was previously associate dean of Yale Divinity School.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReviews\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Church Times 30.01.26. Review by Peter McGeary\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eFor any Christian, of course, the Bible is our primary resource, and a daily discipline of scripture reading is as good a foundation for Lent (and, it is to be hoped, the rest of the year) as there can be. Once again, the Bible Reading Fellowship and Maggi Dawn have come up with the goods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eA reissue of a volume first published in 2009, Giving It Up is the BRF’s Lent Book for 2026, and a good thing it is, too. The simplest format is usually the best: each day from Ash Wednesday to Easter is given a scripture reading, followed by a short meditation. Questions for reflection end each week. A subtle thematic arc of entering into the wilderness and slowly being changed in heart and mind will prepare the reader more truly to perceive the change above all other that is Easter. Of course, this would be used in groups, but I think its primary value lies as a daily manual for the individual. I occurs to me that it would be especially helpful for someone separated from church or community for whatever reason, by illness or geography.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eReviewed by Peter McGeary, Vicar of St Mary’s, Cable Street, in east London\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2025-09-29T18:32:33+01:00","created_at":"2025-09-29T18:32:31+01:00","vendor":"Maggi Dawn","type":"Paperback","tags":["KCLC","Lent","New Titles","Prayer","seasonal","Upcoming titles","Women"],"price":999,"price_min":999,"price_max":999,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":55811116368252,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800395534","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Giving it Up: Daily Bible readings from Ash Wednesday to Easter Day","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":999,"weight":230,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800395534","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfresources.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/GivingItUp_2e.jpg?v=1759167242"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfresources.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/GivingItUp_2e.jpg?v=1759167242","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":66036469498236,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"width":1535,"src":"\/\/www.brfresources.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/GivingItUp_2e.jpg?v=1759167242"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfresources.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/GivingItUp_2e.jpg?v=1759167242","width":1535}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe idea of 'giving something up for Lent' is widely known and discussed today - yet how many know that the ancient discipline of the Lenten fast had several purposes? It was designed as a reminder of our daily dependence on God for all our needs, to draw us closer to God in prayer, to reconnect with the idea of community, and to help us follow Christ's journey through the wilderness and on to Jerusalem. How many of us simply abstain from some treat or other for a few weeks and fail to engage with this deeper meaning of Lent? This book shows how Lent can be a time for exploring a different kind of 'giving up', one that can transform our lives. If we are to draw closer to God, we have to be willing to give up some of our entrenched ideas about him, in order to see him more clearly. In a series of daily studies, Maggi Dawn shows how, throughout Scripture, people were radically changed by encountering the true God. If we follow their examples, we can allow the Holy Spirit to shed his light on our ideas of God that are too harsh, too small, too fragile, or too stern. Then God will graciously reveal himself to us and bring us to an Easter joy that is richer and more profound than ever before.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthor information \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaggi Dawn is a priest in the Episcopal Church in the USA. She is diocesan theologian in the Diocese of Rhode Island and professor of theology at Durham University. She was previously associate dean of Yale Divinity School.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReviews\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Church Times 30.01.26. Review by Peter McGeary\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eFor any Christian, of course, the Bible is our primary resource, and a daily discipline of scripture reading is as good a foundation for Lent (and, it is to be hoped, the rest of the year) as there can be. Once again, the Bible Reading Fellowship and Maggi Dawn have come up with the goods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eA reissue of a volume first published in 2009, Giving It Up is the BRF’s Lent Book for 2026, and a good thing it is, too. The simplest format is usually the best: each day from Ash Wednesday to Easter is given a scripture reading, followed by a short meditation. Questions for reflection end each week. A subtle thematic arc of entering into the wilderness and slowly being changed in heart and mind will prepare the reader more truly to perceive the change above all other that is Easter. Of course, this would be used in groups, but I think its primary value lies as a daily manual for the individual. I occurs to me that it would be especially helpful for someone separated from church or community for whatever reason, by illness or geography.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eReviewed by Peter McGeary, Vicar of St Mary’s, Cable Street, in east London\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}

Giving it Up: Daily Bible readings from Ash Wednesday to Easter Day

£9.99

The idea of 'giving something up for Lent' is widely known and discussed today - yet how many know that...

Details

{"id":15248575889788,"title":"The Cost of Christian Living: Currency in kingdom life","handle":"the-cost-of-christian-living-currency-in-kingdom-life","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe gospels are full of references to coins, money, taxes, costs, pricing, wages, bribery and gambling.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eThe Cost of Christian Living\u003c\/i\u003e, Martyn Percy explores the different meanings and uses of money in the gospels. Through parables, miracles, and encounters, Martyn offers a unique perspective on the intersection of faith and finance, helping readers to engage in new ways with the stories of Jesus’ life and death. Ultimately, God’s economy is one formed through the currency of love.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIncludes stories from Holy Week and discussion material suitable for Lent.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Very Revd Professor Martyn Percy writes and teaches on culture, faith and values in public life. A former dean of Christ Church, Oxford, he was principal of Cuddesdon (Oxford) from 2004 to 2014. Martyn lectures at the University of Saint Joseph in Macao (where he serves as the distinguished Morrison chair in religion and culture) and at Ming Hua Theological College, Hong Kong, where he serves as their provost-theologian.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e‘Martyn is not in thrall to anyone except God and he is quite brilliantly articulate, biblically literate and anchored in the struggle of actual living… With much courage he discusses currency, money and debt.’ \u003cem\u003eIain Torrance, president emeritus of Princeton Theological Seminary\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e‘You will find much you thought you understood stood on its head by Percy’s determined “monetising” of biblical material – because to his eyes the myriad references to money matters are already there, if only we let ourselves look.’ Peter Selby, formerly bishop of Worcester, author of An Idol Unmasked\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e‘This book is a challenging read for any Christian. Based on deep scholarship and vividly written, it helps us bridge the centuries and imagine afresh the real flesh-and-blood Jesus and his uncomfortable message.’ \u003cem\u003eStephen Green, BRF Ministries’ vice president and former group chief executive of HSBC\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e‘Percy uses biblical stories… to explore the intersection of faith and finance. This book is a timely call to readers and the church to embrace God’s radical, abundant love for a truly inclusive kingdom.’ \u003cem\u003eJeremy Greaves, archbishop of Brisbane\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e‘This inspiring and moving book maps new spaces for theological thinking on the nature of God’s kingdom currency… Martyn brings readers constructively beyond their accepted way, engaging their understanding, ideas and patterns of thought.’ \u003cem\u003ePaul Kwong, archbishop emeritus, Hong Kong\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e‘This book will not only change your thinking about money – it may even change your thinking about God’s church.’ \u003cem\u003eMark Edington, bishop in charge, The Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e‘Percy’s accessible writing and profound theological reflections inspire a renewed understanding of Christian discipleship, rooted in love, service and the abundant grace of God.’ \u003cem\u003eThe Very Revd Dr Isaac Pooblan, provost of St Andrew’s Cathedral, Aberdeen\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 30.01.26. Review by Peter McGeary\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eThe son of a bank manager, I find money a subject very close to my heart. Something similar is true of contemporary Church, in which sometimes monetary considerations can seem to outweigh missionary ones. It was ever thus, I suppose: money makes the world go round; but is it right for Christians to be bothered about all that? Shouldn’t we just give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and leave it at that? or let the PCC treasurer worry about the Common Fund and get on with whatever we imagine 'mission' to be?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eThankfully, we have Martyn Percy’s latest book, The Cost of Christian Living, to address these and other questions. Actually, it is much more than that. What we have here is a series of really rather high-quality exegeses of a series of Gospel passages that allude to money, transaction, debt, payment, riches, generosity ,and so on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eThe book is intended for group or individual use and is divided into two parts, of which the second uses themes that are more orientated to Lent and Holy Week. This is the book that I will probably reread more slowly in Lent, albeit in order to be discomforted again. 'Mission and ministry are not for the benefit of the church,' the author reminds the reader. Another Lent book that is not just for Lent…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Peter McGeary, \u003c\/em\u003e\u003ci\u003ethe Vicar of St Mary’s, Cable Street, in east London\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePremier Christianity online 20.01.26. Review by Paul Valler\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis provocative book may unsettle church treasurers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIf your goal is to have stable finances, Martyn Percy suggests you have misunderstood the gospel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003ePercy, former Dean of Christ Church Oxford, is a practical theologian known for challenging Church of England institutional practices. He argues that the currency of God’s kingdom is love, not money, and love is sacrificial. This kingdom currency of love cannot be hoarded, earned, or depleted – it must flow freely or become worthless. Percy contrasts this with human economies built on scarcity, competition, and accumulation. He challenges churches obsessed with survival and financial security, arguing they misunderstand stewardship as preservation rather than taking risks for the right reasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003ePercy’s central conviction in The Cost of Christian Living (The Bible Reading Fellowship) is that faithful stewardship is rooted in a love willing to take risks. Drawing on gospel scenes of extravagant generosity and the costly love revealed during Holy Week, he invites readers to rethink how value, faithfulness, and devotion are measured. His reflections consistently resist reducing love to monetary terms, instead pointing to a generosity shaped by grace rather than calculation. Although Percy describes himself as “more towards the Bible-busker end of the spectrum rather than the symphony concert standard”, his writing yields rich sermon material and fresh biblical insight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003ePercy reframes familiar gospel stories into encounters with economic justice and reflects deeply on them. For instance, he points out that making a whip takes time. So Jesus’ temple clearing was planned, not spontaneous – a deliberate attack on religious commercialisation. This kind of careful reading characterises his work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eFor the author, whenever there is any tension between prudence and generosity, generosity must win, and he cites many gospel examples. God’s radical generosity trumps merit-based reward systems in the parable of the vineyard workers. The extravagant worship of the woman who anoints Jesus with expensive perfume is affirmed. The burial costs for Jesus paid by Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea are sacrificial. All these show that expressions of love cannot be assessed or measured by money. Percy convinced me that God’s ‘love economy’ operates by different rules – freely given, lavishly spent, never hoarded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003ePercy’s plea is for churches to empty their coffers to take risks in mission rather than institutional preservation. Good stewardship, he argues, means taking more risks with resources, not fewer. The parables of talents and minas teach that putting our resources to work is much better than hoarding them, and Percy criticises churches that prioritise institutional survival, calling this the equivalent of the servant who buries his talent. A especially valid point for wealthy denominations, but perhaps less relevant for small independent churches already practicing radical generosity despite limited resources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis is deliberately disruptive material for institutional church leaders caught between mission and maintenance. Percy makes the provocative claim that the church’s greatest financial crisis isn’t empty coffers but full ones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAs a church trustee I found myself wondering how to square Percy’s radical generosity with sensible governance and our obligations under charity law. There are undoubtedly some gaps in the book between vision and what to do in practice. But his theology does helpfully force difficult and important questions: How large do our reserves really need to be? Does our building maintenance consume more than our community service? Are we protecting our assets or burying our talents? Percy doesn’t attempt to resolve these tensions or close the gap between the vision for radical generosity and implementation. He simply argues that God’s abundant, paradoxical kingdom economy works by different rules than trustees typically think.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003ePercy offers what many churches need but rarely want: theological challenge to risk everything for the kingdom’s sake. In God’s economy, faith-filled and generous spending out of love can bring unexpected abundance, but anxious hoarding leads to spiritual bankruptcy. This is a wake-up call for any institutional churches who are dying rich while the kingdom starves outside their doors. Percy himself calls this book ‘only a tiny contribution’ – a provocation, not a practical manual. But it feels like a breath of fresh air, even if it won’t calm nervous treasurers or help balance budgets. And it might just provide enough theological disruption to break us free from the kind of excessive prudence that can hinder the mission of God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e4 stars\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePaul Valler is a mentor\/executive coach, author and speaker. He is a former Chair of the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.premierchristianity.com\/reviews\/this-provocative-book-may-unsettle-church-treasurers\/20765.article\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003ehttps:\/\/www.premierchristianity.com\/reviews\/this-provocative-book-may-unsettle-church-treasurers\/20765.article\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2025-05-08T09:27:43+01:00","created_at":"2025-05-08T09:27:43+01:00","vendor":"Martyn Percy","type":"Paperback","tags":["Devotional","Discipleship","Easter","For churches","For individuals","KCLC","Lent","New Titles","seasonal","Upcoming titles"],"price":999,"price_min":999,"price_max":999,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":55200952123772,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800393493","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"The Cost of Christian Living: Currency in kingdom life","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":999,"weight":200,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800393493","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfresources.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/9781800393493.jpg?v=1746692929"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfresources.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/9781800393493.jpg?v=1746692929","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":64656155148668,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"width":1000,"src":"\/\/www.brfresources.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/9781800393493.jpg?v=1746692929"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfresources.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/9781800393493.jpg?v=1746692929","width":1000}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe gospels are full of references to coins, money, taxes, costs, pricing, wages, bribery and gambling.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eThe Cost of Christian Living\u003c\/i\u003e, Martyn Percy explores the different meanings and uses of money in the gospels. Through parables, miracles, and encounters, Martyn offers a unique perspective on the intersection of faith and finance, helping readers to engage in new ways with the stories of Jesus’ life and death. Ultimately, God’s economy is one formed through the currency of love.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIncludes stories from Holy Week and discussion material suitable for Lent.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Very Revd Professor Martyn Percy writes and teaches on culture, faith and values in public life. A former dean of Christ Church, Oxford, he was principal of Cuddesdon (Oxford) from 2004 to 2014. Martyn lectures at the University of Saint Joseph in Macao (where he serves as the distinguished Morrison chair in religion and culture) and at Ming Hua Theological College, Hong Kong, where he serves as their provost-theologian.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e‘Martyn is not in thrall to anyone except God and he is quite brilliantly articulate, biblically literate and anchored in the struggle of actual living… With much courage he discusses currency, money and debt.’ \u003cem\u003eIain Torrance, president emeritus of Princeton Theological Seminary\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e‘You will find much you thought you understood stood on its head by Percy’s determined “monetising” of biblical material – because to his eyes the myriad references to money matters are already there, if only we let ourselves look.’ Peter Selby, formerly bishop of Worcester, author of An Idol Unmasked\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e‘This book is a challenging read for any Christian. Based on deep scholarship and vividly written, it helps us bridge the centuries and imagine afresh the real flesh-and-blood Jesus and his uncomfortable message.’ \u003cem\u003eStephen Green, BRF Ministries’ vice president and former group chief executive of HSBC\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e‘Percy uses biblical stories… to explore the intersection of faith and finance. This book is a timely call to readers and the church to embrace God’s radical, abundant love for a truly inclusive kingdom.’ \u003cem\u003eJeremy Greaves, archbishop of Brisbane\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e‘This inspiring and moving book maps new spaces for theological thinking on the nature of God’s kingdom currency… Martyn brings readers constructively beyond their accepted way, engaging their understanding, ideas and patterns of thought.’ \u003cem\u003ePaul Kwong, archbishop emeritus, Hong Kong\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e‘This book will not only change your thinking about money – it may even change your thinking about God’s church.’ \u003cem\u003eMark Edington, bishop in charge, The Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e‘Percy’s accessible writing and profound theological reflections inspire a renewed understanding of Christian discipleship, rooted in love, service and the abundant grace of God.’ \u003cem\u003eThe Very Revd Dr Isaac Pooblan, provost of St Andrew’s Cathedral, Aberdeen\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 30.01.26. Review by Peter McGeary\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eThe son of a bank manager, I find money a subject very close to my heart. Something similar is true of contemporary Church, in which sometimes monetary considerations can seem to outweigh missionary ones. It was ever thus, I suppose: money makes the world go round; but is it right for Christians to be bothered about all that? Shouldn’t we just give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and leave it at that? or let the PCC treasurer worry about the Common Fund and get on with whatever we imagine 'mission' to be?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eThankfully, we have Martyn Percy’s latest book, The Cost of Christian Living, to address these and other questions. Actually, it is much more than that. What we have here is a series of really rather high-quality exegeses of a series of Gospel passages that allude to money, transaction, debt, payment, riches, generosity ,and so on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eThe book is intended for group or individual use and is divided into two parts, of which the second uses themes that are more orientated to Lent and Holy Week. This is the book that I will probably reread more slowly in Lent, albeit in order to be discomforted again. 'Mission and ministry are not for the benefit of the church,' the author reminds the reader. Another Lent book that is not just for Lent…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Peter McGeary, \u003c\/em\u003e\u003ci\u003ethe Vicar of St Mary’s, Cable Street, in east London\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePremier Christianity online 20.01.26. Review by Paul Valler\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis provocative book may unsettle church treasurers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIf your goal is to have stable finances, Martyn Percy suggests you have misunderstood the gospel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003ePercy, former Dean of Christ Church Oxford, is a practical theologian known for challenging Church of England institutional practices. He argues that the currency of God’s kingdom is love, not money, and love is sacrificial. This kingdom currency of love cannot be hoarded, earned, or depleted – it must flow freely or become worthless. Percy contrasts this with human economies built on scarcity, competition, and accumulation. He challenges churches obsessed with survival and financial security, arguing they misunderstand stewardship as preservation rather than taking risks for the right reasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003ePercy’s central conviction in The Cost of Christian Living (The Bible Reading Fellowship) is that faithful stewardship is rooted in a love willing to take risks. Drawing on gospel scenes of extravagant generosity and the costly love revealed during Holy Week, he invites readers to rethink how value, faithfulness, and devotion are measured. His reflections consistently resist reducing love to monetary terms, instead pointing to a generosity shaped by grace rather than calculation. Although Percy describes himself as “more towards the Bible-busker end of the spectrum rather than the symphony concert standard”, his writing yields rich sermon material and fresh biblical insight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003ePercy reframes familiar gospel stories into encounters with economic justice and reflects deeply on them. For instance, he points out that making a whip takes time. So Jesus’ temple clearing was planned, not spontaneous – a deliberate attack on religious commercialisation. This kind of careful reading characterises his work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eFor the author, whenever there is any tension between prudence and generosity, generosity must win, and he cites many gospel examples. God’s radical generosity trumps merit-based reward systems in the parable of the vineyard workers. The extravagant worship of the woman who anoints Jesus with expensive perfume is affirmed. The burial costs for Jesus paid by Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea are sacrificial. All these show that expressions of love cannot be assessed or measured by money. Percy convinced me that God’s ‘love economy’ operates by different rules – freely given, lavishly spent, never hoarded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003ePercy’s plea is for churches to empty their coffers to take risks in mission rather than institutional preservation. Good stewardship, he argues, means taking more risks with resources, not fewer. The parables of talents and minas teach that putting our resources to work is much better than hoarding them, and Percy criticises churches that prioritise institutional survival, calling this the equivalent of the servant who buries his talent. A especially valid point for wealthy denominations, but perhaps less relevant for small independent churches already practicing radical generosity despite limited resources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis is deliberately disruptive material for institutional church leaders caught between mission and maintenance. Percy makes the provocative claim that the church’s greatest financial crisis isn’t empty coffers but full ones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAs a church trustee I found myself wondering how to square Percy’s radical generosity with sensible governance and our obligations under charity law. There are undoubtedly some gaps in the book between vision and what to do in practice. But his theology does helpfully force difficult and important questions: How large do our reserves really need to be? Does our building maintenance consume more than our community service? Are we protecting our assets or burying our talents? Percy doesn’t attempt to resolve these tensions or close the gap between the vision for radical generosity and implementation. He simply argues that God’s abundant, paradoxical kingdom economy works by different rules than trustees typically think.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003ePercy offers what many churches need but rarely want: theological challenge to risk everything for the kingdom’s sake. In God’s economy, faith-filled and generous spending out of love can bring unexpected abundance, but anxious hoarding leads to spiritual bankruptcy. This is a wake-up call for any institutional churches who are dying rich while the kingdom starves outside their doors. Percy himself calls this book ‘only a tiny contribution’ – a provocation, not a practical manual. But it feels like a breath of fresh air, even if it won’t calm nervous treasurers or help balance budgets. And it might just provide enough theological disruption to break us free from the kind of excessive prudence that can hinder the mission of God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e4 stars\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePaul Valler is a mentor\/executive coach, author and speaker. He is a former Chair of the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.premierchristianity.com\/reviews\/this-provocative-book-may-unsettle-church-treasurers\/20765.article\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003ehttps:\/\/www.premierchristianity.com\/reviews\/this-provocative-book-may-unsettle-church-treasurers\/20765.article\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}

The Cost of Christian Living: Currency in kingdom life

£9.99

The gospels are full of references to coins, money, taxes, costs, pricing, wages, bribery and gambling. In The Cost of...

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Growing in Prayer: Exploring 15 different ways to pray for individuals and groups

£9.99

All of us pray in different ways at different stages in our lives. Sometimes our way of praying changes as...

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{"id":15664871342460,"title":"Christian. Mother. Working: Your practical, prayer-filled companion","handle":"christian-mother-working","description":"\u003cp\u003eChristian. Mother. Working – in that order. It’s easy to look at life only through the lens of being a Christian mum. But could we weave our other important work into the equation? In Christian. Mother. Working, Naomi Aidoo considers how family and faith impact our work in each of life’s seasons. With more and more mothers in the workforce, she shows how working motherhood is something to be celebrated as we display our gifts and the call on our lives in areas which extend beyond our families, offering prayerful, practical prompts to encourage flourishing and fulfilment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor information: \u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNaomi Aidoo is a coach and the founder of Time \u0026amp; Pace®, where she helps people with big goals and little time. Through her signature T.I.M.E. framework, Naomi helps clients reframe their mindset, build momentum toward their goals, and thrive. She is also Director of Digital \u0026amp; Wellbeing for education company Innerscope, and has regularly been featured on Premier Christian Radio, Premier Praise and Premier Gospel.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2025-10-24T11:10:38+01:00","created_at":"2025-10-24T10:36:03+01:00","vendor":"Naomi Aidoo","type":"Paperback","tags":["2026","For Women","KCLC","New Titles","Parenting","Upcoming titles","Women"],"price":899,"price_min":899,"price_max":899,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":55900568486268,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800394384","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Christian. Mother. Working: Your practical, prayer-filled companion","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":899,"weight":170,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800394384","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfresources.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/ChristianMotherWorking.jpg?v=1761298467"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfresources.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/ChristianMotherWorking.jpg?v=1761298467","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":66247759495548,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"width":1535,"src":"\/\/www.brfresources.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/ChristianMotherWorking.jpg?v=1761298467"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfresources.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/ChristianMotherWorking.jpg?v=1761298467","width":1535}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eChristian. Mother. Working – in that order. It’s easy to look at life only through the lens of being a Christian mum. But could we weave our other important work into the equation? In Christian. Mother. Working, Naomi Aidoo considers how family and faith impact our work in each of life’s seasons. With more and more mothers in the workforce, she shows how working motherhood is something to be celebrated as we display our gifts and the call on our lives in areas which extend beyond our families, offering prayerful, practical prompts to encourage flourishing and fulfilment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor information: \u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNaomi Aidoo is a coach and the founder of Time \u0026amp; Pace®, where she helps people with big goals and little time. Through her signature T.I.M.E. framework, Naomi helps clients reframe their mindset, build momentum toward their goals, and thrive. She is also Director of Digital \u0026amp; Wellbeing for education company Innerscope, and has regularly been featured on Premier Christian Radio, Premier Praise and Premier Gospel.\u003c\/p\u003e"}

Christian. Mother. Working: Your practical, prayer-filled companion

£8.99

Christian. Mother. Working – in that order. It’s easy to look at life only through the lens of being a Christian...

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{"id":15602576589180,"title":"Bless the Work of Our Hands: Prayers and reflections for creatives","handle":"bless-the-work-of-our-hands-prayers-and-reflections-for-creatives","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePausing to think, pray and yield to God at every stage is a natural, vital element of the creative process.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eBless the Work of Our Hands\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e offers prayers, reflections and biblical character studies to encourage Christian creatives to commit themselves and their projects to God. Written for hobbyists and paid professionals alike, playing and working in every genre, it encourages an honest, open-handed and open-hearted approach, in order that all we produce and all we become from our creative toil may bring glory to God.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJane Walters is Chair of the Association of Christian Writers and enjoys supporting emerging talent through leading retreats and workshops. Her twin loves are being creative as a musician, skilled textile craftworker and qualified interior designer, and drawing on her love and understanding of scripture, communicating it honestly and accessibly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2025-09-26T15:55:12+01:00","created_at":"2025-09-26T15:23:03+01:00","vendor":"Jane Walters","type":"Paperback","tags":["For individuals","For Women","Gift","KCLC","New Titles","Prayer","Spirituality","Upcoming titles"],"price":1299,"price_min":1299,"price_max":1299,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":55797440545148,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800394186","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Bless the Work of Our Hands: Prayers and reflections for creatives","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":1299,"weight":240,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800394186","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfresources.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/Bless_the_Work_of_Our_Hands.jpg?v=1759346505"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfresources.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/Bless_the_Work_of_Our_Hands.jpg?v=1759346505","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":66061526073724,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.624,"height":2102,"width":1311,"src":"\/\/www.brfresources.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/Bless_the_Work_of_Our_Hands.jpg?v=1759346505"},"aspect_ratio":0.624,"height":2102,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfresources.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/Bless_the_Work_of_Our_Hands.jpg?v=1759346505","width":1311}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePausing to think, pray and yield to God at every stage is a natural, vital element of the creative process.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eBless the Work of Our Hands\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e offers prayers, reflections and biblical character studies to encourage Christian creatives to commit themselves and their projects to God. Written for hobbyists and paid professionals alike, playing and working in every genre, it encourages an honest, open-handed and open-hearted approach, in order that all we produce and all we become from our creative toil may bring glory to God.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJane Walters is Chair of the Association of Christian Writers and enjoys supporting emerging talent through leading retreats and workshops. Her twin loves are being creative as a musician, skilled textile craftworker and qualified interior designer, and drawing on her love and understanding of scripture, communicating it honestly and accessibly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}

Bless the Work of Our Hands: Prayers and reflections for creatives

£12.99

Pausing to think, pray and yield to God at every stage is a natural, vital element of the creative process.Bless...

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Stepping Up: A devotional for stepfamilies

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