The Heartbeat Of A Movement

In the corner of the office was how I imagined it. A quiet room where I could get on with some background tasks and mind my own business. Instead, when approaching the location of CSM, I was to be greeted with a sight that should give hope to every one of CSM’s members. In the middle of Labour Party HQ is where CSM operates, at the heartbeat of a moving party, exactly where we as Christians need to be.
I found the experience of working in the heart of the office to be a constant reminder of what CSM stands for and its aims. It’s hard not to be inspired and motivated when you have the likes of Harriet Harman and Peter Hain regularly walking past your desk!
Having the presumptions that I initially had about the location blown away, the work I envisaged to be undertaking was thrown away when I was told that on my first day I would go to Ed Miliband’s speech on Coin Street based on Welfare. Having the potential next Prime Minister speaking gave me what would be the beginning of a brief glimpse into the Westminster world.
The tasks that I was assigned by Andy and Rob, the paid staff of CSM, were varied and interesting; allowing me to look into the Westminster world and begin to interact and understand the membership of CSM. One of the tasks that I was given can be viewed by yourselves. I was asked to spend a bit of time doing some research into the Biblical evidence for Progressive Taxation. Aside from it being a great chance to actually use some of the researching skills that I have acquired at University this year it was fascinating to get deep into Scripture and look at how the word of God can really be practically applied to our ideals and policy. The article can be seen by clicking on the Blog tab and then Guest Blog option, the article titled ‘Theologically Taxing’.
One of the highlights of my brief sojourn in the political sphere was the Tuesday lunchtime Bible study that was spent in the incredible building of the Chapel just off Westminster Hall. Off limits to the public tours; it was my first visit there. It was amazing to see not only the detail that was put into the decoration but that the Christians who call Westminster their workplace come together, put aside party political differences and focus on the Word  to centre their thoughts on our maker.
I would wholeheartedly recommend to Christians with an interest on the left side of politics to get involved with CSM and think about spending some time with them volunteering. It’s a great way of grasping the vision of CSM and understand that when we focus together as Christians we can make a difference.
(Author: Sam Brown)

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