The power of gospel and partnership. Archbishop-elect Sarah Mullally explores the unique value of Christian social action
Date Posted: Jan 14, 2026.
Archbishop-elect Sarah Mullally has had coffee with neighbours in rural Devon. She’s shared a hot meal with people facing the housing emergency at a night shelter in Ealing, that also offers financial and mental health advice. She’s worked with a group of churches, other faith groups, local government and the NHS in London on a health inequalities action group.
But what is the golden thread that runs through these very different churches, large and small, in very different parts of the country, all tackling unique local challenges, but ultimately serving their community?
In an interview before her election at the end of January 2026, Archbishop-elect Sarah Mullally shares her thoughts on the very distinct value of church social action, and how we can all take part.
‘As you go, proclaim the good news, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.”’
Matthew 10:7
Archbishop-elect Sarah is clear about what sets church community support apart: “Christian social action is rooted in the gospel imperative to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God.” She helps us understand that the Kingdom of God is in the here and now, and not just something that happens after death.
That it emphasises justice and eradicating poverty, and that everyone deserves dignity and respect.
But how do we proclaim the Good News in our everyday work?
Partnership and simplicity
Bishop Sarah advises starting by listening to the community, working in partnership, and recognising that simple solutions can be effective. That these approaches work regardless of a community's size or setting.
“At the heart of churches is that we can't do it to people. We have to do it with people.”
Starting and persevering
She suggests asset based community development - a tool we know well here at CUF
– to: “build from our strengths, not our deficits.” To ask, what is it that our community has strength with, where are our assets, and what is it that we can build on? How do we find out what's already going on, and how do we listen?
And when we’re ready to work together:
- What are the things that we have in common?
- What are our strengths?
- What do we know?
- What are the challenges?
And if this feels like too much, she champions simplicity.
Her experience in Devon taught her that tackling loneliness doesn’t have to be sophisticated: “Loneliness is providing a coffee morning, which we're probably providing already.” Homelessness support in Hackney shows us that yes, “it's the ability for volunteers to provide food, but also a listening ear and enabling people to encounter the Gospel itself.”
She reminds us that our greatest asset is often our buildings, that we have an environment where support can also be provided by someone else.
And if we’re struggling, recognising that community projects take time to flourish, and that tenacity and prayer are key.
The Parable of the Sower, Matthew 13: 3-9
And he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up.
Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away.
Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.
Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.’
Addressing injustice
Along with advice for tackling the very immediate challenges in our communities, Bishop Sarah is resolute that the church has a role in speaking up about injustice and addressing systemic issues.
That individual churches can voice concerns to local MPs, write to her with issues, and the Church of England can raise issues in the House of Lords.
£55 billion
of social value is enabled by UK churches every year
+£16 of social good
is created in communities by £1 invested in churches
The message from Bishop Sarah seems clear – we’re in it together, and our power lies in the Gospel and each other.
A prayer from Archbishop-elect Sarah Mullally
Almighty God, we give you thanks for your commission to be part of building the Kingdom of heaven on earth.
And we pray for those who, day in, day out, volunteer their time, give their time in paid employment, to bring your kingdom in, whether that is through advice, providing services, or whether it's through challenging systems in our communities and in our country.
We pray now for their work and the work of CUF, that you may water it and nourish it, that it may flourish from a mustard seed into that wonderful tree that provides support and shelter for so many, and we ask your blessing upon our work that your name may be known.
Amen
Starting your journey, and being tenacious
Whether you’re researching a new community project, or seeking help with something underway, we have the tools to help:
- Understanding the challenges in your community: Look Up Tool
- Exploring Asset Based Community Development
- Growing Good: Exploring the connection between social action, discipleship & growth
- Tools for growing participation
- Developing your coffee morning with Places of Welcome
- Working well with volunteers
Shine & Grow
Tools and resources for your journey from insight to impact, helping you transform communities for lasting change
Social value data
Source, The House of Good: https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/house-good-research