Photo by Lum3n on Pexels.com This week I was in my local park with my youth football club. One of the kids found something left next to a tree and called me over. He had found a weapon. It was a jagged knife blade which had been bound with gaffer tape to a foot-long handle.… Continue reading Lives on a knife-edge
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.
Why the Church needs these Alpha males
In her memoir of her journey into (and then out of) church leadership, theologian Barbara Brown Taylor writes about young people leaving her congregation: ‘One way or the other, most of the children had left by the time they were thirteen. Twelve was the traditional age for confirmation...it was their turn to decide, we told… Continue reading Why the Church needs these Alpha males
Confidence in the difference faith makes
Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com I read this in the Christmas Eve edition of The Times' newspaper earlier this week - written by a journalist who is not a regular church-goer: 'Come with me...to the schools, hospices and care homes where thousands of Christians do good work every day. Seek out the grittiest, grimiest… Continue reading Confidence in the difference faith makes
Faith in addressing homelessness: reflections on leaving WLM
Photo by Taufiq Klinkenborg on Pexels.com This coming week is my last at the West London Mission (WLM) after 8½ years leading their work with people affected by homelessness, poverty and trauma. It has been a deeply rewarding job. I have worked alongside many brilliant people and WLM has travelled a long way. In term… Continue reading Faith in addressing homelessness: reflections on leaving WLM
Does everyone need a saviour?
Artwork at St Martin's service by Don Pollard We sing a song at my church with the words: ‘Everyone needs forgiveness, the kindness of a saviour’. Most people today acknowledge the importance of kindness. Even atheists often respect the church for running food banks and night shelters. Being kind is generally appreciated. But the idea… Continue reading Does everyone need a saviour?
‘They Shall Not Grow Old’ – a film by Peter Jackson [review]
I will never forget talking with an old school friend in the pub after he got back from the first Gulf War in 1991. He had left school at 16 and joined the army just as I went into the Sixth Form. In the Gulf he served as an officer in a tank regiment. At… Continue reading ‘They Shall Not Grow Old’ – a film by Peter Jackson [review]
Grace, truth and the tricky task of people management
Photo by Nathan Cowley on Pexels.com 'Management' is not a concept that sits well within the Church. After all, church leaders are called to be priests, pastors, and preachers, not CEOs of mini-corporations. But over the past 20 years, in attending, working for and with many churches and Christian organisations, I have consistently seen the… Continue reading Grace, truth and the tricky task of people management
Eugene Peterson’s Subversive Spirituality
Twenty-five years ago I bought Eugene Peterson's book Subversive Spirituality. I had not heard of Peterson at the time as it was before his paraphrase of the Bible, The Message, became popular. I only bought it because I was intrigued by the title. It turned out to be a great purchase. It's a book that… Continue reading Eugene Peterson’s Subversive Spirituality
Bridging the gap between churches and professionals: the complexity of compassion #3
Photo by fauxels on Pexels.com There are now over 100 night shelter schemes in the country where groups of churches work together to provide accommodation - last year these schemes helped an estimated 3000 homeless people. Alongside this there are the many soup kitchens, drop in centres and huge amount of informal one-to-one support that… Continue reading Bridging the gap between churches and professionals: the complexity of compassion #3
Carrying burdens, maintaining boundaries: the complexity of compassion #2
Photo by lalesh aldarwish on Pexels.com One of the most important truths I have learnt from the last 25 years of working with people is this: Nobody can change anyone else. People must want to change. Remembering this truth enables us to help people in a way which truly helps them. Accepting this reality helps… Continue reading Carrying burdens, maintaining boundaries: the complexity of compassion #2
Grace + Truth 