Photo Tina Nord on Pexels.com When I was in my twenties, I lived in Kings Cross in London and was a member of a local church. There, I got to know a man who was a former crack addict. We'll call him Ian. He was doing his best to put his life back together and… Continue reading The need for grace and truth: the complexity of compassion #1
G+T: the book. How has grace and truth helped you?
Grace+Truth is almost 15 years old and I continue to be encouraged by the response and engagement with the articles I share. In December, the site had its 2 millionth visit. During these years, many different people have urged me to write a book which draws together the key thinking around grace and truth in… Continue reading G+T: the book. How has grace and truth helped you?
Old wisdom for a New Year: “Thankfulness is a soil in which pride does not easily grow”
Michael Ramsey was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1961-74. He wrote these Five Helps for the New Year for his clergy. I first read them about 10 years ago and was struck by their deep spiritual insight and good sense. I have them pinned above my desk. The line about thankfulness as an antidote to pride… Continue reading Old wisdom for a New Year: “Thankfulness is a soil in which pride does not easily grow”
Freely I have received: the grace of 150 nights of hospitality
Three years ago, I started a new job with Hope into Action, a Christian charity providing homes for people who have been homeless, based in Peterborough. There are always anxieties in taking on a new job, but one main concern I had was geographic: the charity is based nowhere near where I live in south… Continue reading Freely I have received: the grace of 150 nights of hospitality
The honesty we need in the King’s Speech this year – by Stephen Kuhrt
As a church leader, last year’s Christmas Day was very different from normal. After the Christmas morning service, rather than relaxing into the normal routine of family, food and festivities, I got into a cab and went to central London to appear for three hours on live television. GB News had invited me to join a… Continue reading The honesty we need in the King’s Speech this year – by Stephen Kuhrt
Christmas is not cancelled: the Streatham Common crib controversy
The Nativity crib on Streatham Common, south London At every Christmas since 1956, a nativity scene has been on display in my local community, in Streatham Common, south London. The crib was the idea of Albert Steiert and John Taylor, both members of a local catholic church, who were concerned that the true meaning of Christmas… Continue reading Christmas is not cancelled: the Streatham Common crib controversy
‘No one too lowly, no one too important’: Jesus’ birth breaks barriers of race, class & culture
Text of a talk by Eman Tabbasum, aged 16, at Streatham Baptist Church on 14th December When Jesus was born, God didn’t choose the mighty or the powerful to welcome Him. Instead, he chose people from opposite ends of society: the shepherds and the wise men. God brought them both to Jesus and their inclusion… Continue reading ‘No one too lowly, no one too important’: Jesus’ birth breaks barriers of race, class & culture
“If you charge me, I’m going to bring 50 homeless people here to eat the meal I have paid for”
A few Christmases ago, when I was running a homeless charity in the West End of London, we took a phone call from a businessman that I will never forget. He was due to host a major Christmas event for 50 colleagues and clients in a prestigious local member’s club. A number of guests were… Continue reading “If you charge me, I’m going to bring 50 homeless people here to eat the meal I have paid for”
The blog in my own eye
"Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?" Jesus, Matthew's Gospel 7:3 If I blog with sparkling wit and powerful prose, but do not have love, I am just a blaring horn or a screech on a blackboard. If I… Continue reading The blog in my own eye
The Polar(isation) Express: reflections on Tommy Robinson’s carol concert
My article on Tommy Robinson’s Christmas carol service created all kinds of responses. BBC Radio 4 and The Times Radio got in touch and the organisation Stand Up to Racism asked me to speak at their counter-demo on Whitehall held just before Tommy Robinson’s event. Criticism But as with any widely read article, I also… Continue reading The Polar(isation) Express: reflections on Tommy Robinson’s carol concert
Tommy Robinson’s Carol Concert: show naïve grace or face the ugly truth?
The far-right campaigner, Tommy Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, claims to have become a Christian in prison. And this Saturday, his Unite the Kingdom movement has organised a Christmas Carol service in Whitehall. John Clifton wrote thoughtful article about Robinson's challenge to the church about how it engages men. He did not approve of Robinson… Continue reading Tommy Robinson’s Carol Concert: show naïve grace or face the ugly truth?
Grace + Truth 