The New Testament book of James challenges the idea that Christianity is chiefly about what is going on inside of our heads: our thoughts, beliefs and feelings. Faith is easily turned into an intellectual exercise, a doctrinal debate or an emotional experience. But abstract thoughts, beliefs and feelings cost us little and don't change… Continue reading Hope doesn’t house people. Action does.
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.
Reflecting God’s generous justice
I want to tell you about two inspiring people I have got to know over the last few years through my work. Pastor Alex in Tottenham The first is Alex Gyesi (pictured left), Pastor of Highway to Holiness, a Pentecostal church in Tottenham, North London. Back in 2009 the church was growing but Pastor Alex,… Continue reading Reflecting God’s generous justice
‘Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story’ by Bono [review]
I remember walking back from the shops after buying U2’s The Joshua Tree as a 14 year old and bumping into someone from my church who was about 10 years older than me. He said "Umm, I’m not really sure about U2" and started reading the album’s lyrics sheet. He read out these words from… Continue reading ‘Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story’ by Bono [review]
The political roots of the Watch Night New Year church service
Photo by Luis Quintero on Pexels.com The tradition of a New Year's Eve church service was originally started by Moravian churches to reflect on the year that has past and to contemplate the one to come. John Wesley adopted the practice for his Methodist followers. But it was given new significance by African-American communities on… Continue reading The political roots of the Watch Night New Year church service
Zuzu’s petals: reminders of what’s most important
In the movie It’s a Wonderful Life, the main character George Bailey faces bankruptcy and scandal. After a life of service and sacrifice, someone else’s negligence takes him to the brink of ruin. On Christmas Eve, in the midst of his angst and desperation, George goes home and sees his family. His young daughter, Zuzu, has… Continue reading Zuzu’s petals: reminders of what’s most important
‘Individual sovereignty is over-stated by the right and underemphasised by the left’
The relationship between social justice and personal responsibility is an inescapable subject in discussions about poverty. Where is the line between what is the state’s responsibility and the responsibility of the individual? Most of the conferences and events I attend focus on ‘systems change’ and how resources are allocated and managed. Focussing on the failures… Continue reading ‘Individual sovereignty is over-stated by the right and underemphasised by the left’
‘Time to face reality’: C of E safeguarding has ‘no functional leadership’
In the last 18 months I have published a number of articles related to safeguarding issues in the Church of England. As someone who grew up within the C of E and continues to have close links, it is a subject that I care deeply about. Last year, I wrote a parable Whistleblow and the… Continue reading ‘Time to face reality’: C of E safeguarding has ‘no functional leadership’
‘Away with the Manger’: the Streatham Common crib controversy
At every Christmas since 1956, a nativity scene has been on display 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 was being overlooked. John built the first crib and Albert painted… Continue reading ‘Away with the Manger’: the Streatham Common crib controversy
Taking the hand-brake off
Photo by shoreline vehicles on Pexels.com Last summer Ben Stokes took over a failing England cricket team and went full-throttle in pursuit of a completely different way of playing. It has been a dramatic turnaround and the new, hyper-attacking approach is like nothing seen before in the history of Test cricket. England have broken numerous… Continue reading Taking the hand-brake off
Detoxifying resentment
I was with a rough sleeping outreach worker this week in a coastal town in the south of England. It was about 1.00am in the morning and we went to an area where he knew someone was living in a tent. As we approached the tent with our torches illuminating the ground, I noticed the… Continue reading Detoxifying resentment
Grace + Truth 