Senior Christian figures have written to the new work and pensions secretary Stephen Crabb urging him to reverse recent cuts to welfare spending, which they describe as uncompassionate.

The Christian think tank Ekklesia wrote the letter alongside the Centre for Welfare Reform. It is signed by several bishops as well as a number of priests and other Christian leaders.

They write "as fellow Christians" and congratulate Crabb on his recent appointment before telling him to reflect on the "impact of current welfare policies".

The Archbishop of Wales, Rt Rev Barry Morgan, is among the signatories to the letter published in the Mirror, alongside the Bishop of Willesdon, the Bishop of Hereford, the Bishop of Wakefield and the Bishop of Buckingham.

They quote James 2:15-16 in their plea and say: "We continue to believe that a supportive welfare state is an expression of Christian justice and compassion and that a nation should be judged on how well it treats those who require extra support."

They urge the Conservative minister, who is also a Christian, to "think of benefit claimants as being no different to you or a member of your family".

According to the letter, the UK "can afford the support necessary for everyone to live a dignified life".

Crabb's first move after being promoted from Wales secretary was to scrap planned cuts to disability benefit. He took over after Iain Duncan-Smith resigned from the post on Friday evening citing the cuts as a step too far.

Crabb, who grew up on a council estate in Wales, has frequently spoken of the government's "important mission to better support people making the transition into work".

"I saw for myself my mother going from being wholly dependent on welfare – somebody in crisis, raising three boys on her own in council housing, making that journey – first working four or five hours a week, and that was her stepping stone back into a life of full economic independence," he said.

Guardian columnist and south-London priest Giles Fraser signed the letter alongside 14 other clergy. Filmmaker Frank Cottrell-Boyce is also among the signatories. You can read the letter in full here.