Dear Lord and Father of Mankind has been my favourite hymn for a long time. 25 years ago, my wife and I chose to sing it at our wedding. At the time, my Mum did question whether singing the words 'forgive our foolish ways' immediately after saying our vows was a good idea, but we… Continue reading ‘The silence of eternity, interpreted by love’: reflections on my favourite hymn
Author: Jon Kuhrt
Jon Kuhrt has worked with people affected by homelessness for over 30 years. He is a former government adviser on how faith groups address rough sleeping and is now CEO of Hope into Action. He lives with his wife in Streatham, south London and they have 3 children. He likes football....but loves cricket.
Protecting Lampwood: a Narnian parable
The village of Lampwood had a library full of ancient stories which was run by a kind librarian. These stories told of amazing adventures: one of how the village was once freed from a cruel tyrant, and another how a brave rebellion overthrew an occupying army. One story even told of how the land itself… Continue reading Protecting Lampwood: a Narnian parable
Preach the gospel. Use words. They’re necessary.
St Francis, photo by Ngu1ecdc on Pexels.com Over the last 30 years in countless conferences, gatherings and meetings, I have heard the following quote shared more times than I can remember: "Preach the gospel at all times. Use words if necessary." It's usually attributed to St Francis of Assisi, and it often gets sage nods… Continue reading Preach the gospel. Use words. They’re necessary.
Narnia Nerds: Hold your Nerve
In February, my favourite Narnia book finally reaches the cinema. Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew will be the first ever screen version of the 'creation story' of Narnia, where Aslan sings a new world into being. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDJ-ini7fF0 As a self-confessed Narnia nerd, I am excited. But many hardcore Narnia fans are not happy. To… Continue reading Narnia Nerds: Hold your Nerve
Put the phone away: let’s get back to reading real, physical Bibles
Photo by el jusuf on Pexels.com At Sunday services, home groups and Christian conferences, physical Bibles have quietly disappeared from church life. It’s not that Christians have abandoned scripture, but they have sub-contracted it to an app on their phone. Why carry around a brick of a book when it's all available on your mobile… Continue reading Put the phone away: let’s get back to reading real, physical Bibles
Consumer Church or Community Church?
"You can do more with 12 disciples than with 1,200 religious consumers." Alan Hirsch I used to be in a church with someone who was never happy with how things were run. People tried hard to include her but nothing was ever good enough. Once, in a discussion about how we could serve the local… Continue reading Consumer Church or Community Church?
Some truth, little grace: ‘Suicidal Empathy’ by Gad Saad [review]
Review: Suicidal Empathy: Dying to be Kind by Gad Saad (HarperCollins, 2026) I am drawn to books which explore the complexities in how we help others: Toxic Charity, When Helping Hurts, The Kindness that Kills, Beware of Pity. So after just hearing the title, I ordered Suicidal Empathy without knowing much about it. The first… Continue reading Some truth, little grace: ‘Suicidal Empathy’ by Gad Saad [review]
The problem with Andy Burnham’s pledge to end rough sleeping
Photo by Pedro Silva on Pexels.com Andy Burnham could not have been any clearer about his priorities in his first few hours as the UK’s new Prime Minister. On his first morning as PM he visited The Passage, a homeless charity in Westminster, and then announced from the steps of No10: “I will soon go… Continue reading The problem with Andy Burnham’s pledge to end rough sleeping
Community, commitment & conviction (and cake). A week I’ll never forget…
Over the last 18 summers, being a part of the Lee Abbey Youth Camp in Devon has been a great blessing to our whole family. However, last year I had a clear sense that it should be my last one, partly because of a growing idea to be involved in something more local. A vision… Continue reading Community, commitment & conviction (and cake). A week I’ll never forget…
Faith expressed through love: my favourite ever ‘work’ day
Images from Adam @norfolkweddingphotography / tomorrownight.com Almost 18 months ago, I arrived at one of Hope into Action's houses in Norwich to meet some of our tenants. A woman called Susie opened the door, welcomed me in and made me a cup of tea. Susie had not been in the Hope into Action house for long but… Continue reading Faith expressed through love: my favourite ever ‘work’ day
