Urban Church planter Cris Rogers on the powerful 'social credit' of housing estates

Cris Rogers is an 'urban theologian' best known for reviving church life on one of East London's toughest estates. He was born and grew up in a working-class environment in West Yorkshire and studied art before moving onto theology at Trinity College, Bristol, and later King's College London. He became a priest in 2008 and was among the first clergy commissioned specifically to the Church of England's newly created "pioneer minister" track for planting churches in non-traditional settings. In 2010, he and his wife Beki moved to Tower Hamlets to take on All Hallows Church in Bow, then down to around seven members. Under his leadership the church grew into a diverse, deeply rooted estate congregation. Rogers has become a leading voice on Church planting in working-class contexts, arguing that no single model transfers between neighbourhoods and that planters must work "shoulder-to-shoulder" with residents rather than arrive as outside saviours. He champions small, relational congregations, incarnational mission rooted in local need, and multi-ethnic inclusion, while warning against imported megachurch or multisite models that can alienate working-class communities. In this episode of The Profile he talks about his latest book: Positive Urban Theology: Finding God in the Grit and Glory of the City, realising that his humble beginnings were exactly what God had made him and how the 'social credit' of housing estates is close to heaven and the early church. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Enjoy thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary on all that God is doing in the world today. Grab the next 3 issues for just £6. Subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.