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
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.
‘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
Football’s collusion with betting is gambling with people’s lives
There has probably never been a global sporting event surrounded by as much ethical controversy as the current FIFA World Cup in Qatar. In many people's eyes, the whole event is the most blatant illustration of football’s capitulation to greed and corruption. The important discussions on the conditions for immigrant construction workers, the human rights… Continue reading Football’s collusion with betting is gambling with people’s lives
Learning from difficult times: 9 lessons in leadership
This post is adapted from a talk I gave recently for Homeless Link to a group of CEOs and senior managers who lead homelessness charities. In the winter 2014/15, I went through a difficult time in the charity I led. We hit a crisis in one of our main residential services due to some… Continue reading Learning from difficult times: 9 lessons in leadership
Hollywood homelessness & festive sentimentality
If you are involved with charity which helps people affected by homelessness, then you will be bracing yourself for the busiest time of the year. Whilst there remains huge challenges to reduce the numbers of people sleeping rough, the busyness of this season is not necessarily because the number of people coming to the services… Continue reading Hollywood homelessness & festive sentimentality
Mixed-blessings & semi-skimmed faith
Every week, church buildings across the country host thousands of community projects: food banks, lunch clubs, parent & toddler groups and a host of work for people affected by loneliness, homelessness and poverty. But of course, just because these projects are church-based, it does not mean that all the volunteers are committed Christians. A huge… Continue reading Mixed-blessings & semi-skimmed faith
Grace + Truth 