Middling

In a world that is becoming increasingly polarised, Emma Ineson's characteristic wit, wisdom and compassion help us reclaim the middle ground as a creative and courageous place to stand.

From St Augustine to Shakespeare, and from the wisdom of Scripture to the example of Jesus himself, many of our greatest voices have praised the virtue of moderation. In Middling, Emma invites readers to rediscover the creative, faithful power of living in the middle. The middle is where most of us spend much of our lives - between certainty and doubt, conviction and compassion, what has been lost and what is yet to be found. Yet we are often taught to apologise for this space, to rush toward extremes or easy answers. Middling challenges that assumption, revealing the middle as a place of integrity, nuance, and deep humanity. Drawing on her experience as a bishop, Emma reflects on the difficult questions faced by leaders and disciples alike: when to speak, when to remain silent, and how to hold tension without losing hope. She explores waiting as a fertile, creative space - one in which life can unfold in unexpected and transformative ways. At the heart of the book is Christ as the ultimate "middle" figure, holding all things together. In choosing to dwell intentionally in this space, Middling shows that the middle is not only fruitful - but quietly, profoundly joyful.