Another week has passed with painful and damaging arguments within the Church of England. The Church’s governing body, the General Synod, voted against ‘taking note’ of the Bishop’s recent report on sexuality. The report followed three years of ‘shared conversations’ about how the church views gay relationships. The argument between influential blogger Ian Paul and… Continue reading Sexuality, the C of E and the myth of Christian unity
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.
It is nice when religion and politics are kept apart…
It is nice when issues of religion and politics can be kept apart. Religion is unsullied by worldly concerns. Going to church can be an inspiring escape from reality. We can focus purely on God and listening to the Holy Spirit. We can reflect on our future hope in heaven. We can think really theologically. We can… Continue reading It is nice when religion and politics are kept apart…
Jesus did not write a book but formed a community
Last year I spoke at a weekend away for St Mary's Church in Islington. When I arrived in my room at the conference centre, there was an envelope on my bed with a card welcoming me. And inside the card was a single piece of a jigsaw puzzle. The card asked me to bring the… Continue reading Jesus did not write a book but formed a community
‘I Didn’t Meme to Hurt You’: disagreeing better online
I am facebook friends with people with a very wide range of views: rabid right-wingers and loony lefties and everything in-between. Raving charismatics, fluffy liberals and hard-bitten atheists. Millie Tants, Chardonnay Socialists and Gary Lagers. Our on-line followers represent to some extent the worlds we move in. And for many of us, these worlds vary greatly.… Continue reading ‘I Didn’t Meme to Hurt You’: disagreeing better online
Poverty is many things…
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Poverty is not entertainment, it’s not noble or romantic.Poverty is... heavy.It’s heavy hearts and heavy legs.It’s sore skin and hollow eyes.It’s upset and downhearted.It’s hunger. Malnourishment. It’s always thinking about the next meal.Poverty is bailiffs, it’s food banks, it’s queues and lists,it’s never being told what you’re entitled to but… Continue reading Poverty is many things…
It’s up to each of us to resist the cynicism of ‘post-truth’ culture
Post-truth was chosen as the Oxford Dictionaries Word of the Year 2016. It's a word which has sprung into prominence mainly due to Donald Trump's election win. I heard a good example the other day on the radio when a US political commentator was talking about Trump’s promise to build a wall on the US/Mexico border. His… Continue reading It’s up to each of us to resist the cynicism of ‘post-truth’ culture
‘Dossers’ who choose to sleep rough and the ‘professional weepers’ who care: ‘The Sun’ on homelessness in 1990
I was clearing out some old paperwork this week at the West London Mission and I found some fascinating old newspaper clippings relating to homelessness. One clipping particularly struck me. It was from The Sun, March 1990. It starts: IT's time we stopped feeling guilty about the plight of dossers sleeping rough on our streets. Professional weepers… Continue reading ‘Dossers’ who choose to sleep rough and the ‘professional weepers’ who care: ‘The Sun’ on homelessness in 1990
Wallowing in nostalgia or facing up to the challenges of today?
This week I was invited to an event at Parliament to mark the 50th anniversary of the famous film Cathy Come Home in the company of MPs and its director Ken Loach. In 1966, it was watched by over 12 million people and had a massive impact on people's views about homelessness. It led to the creation… Continue reading Wallowing in nostalgia or facing up to the challenges of today?
Closet Christianity and the parable of the religious candles
Photo by Pelageia Zelenina on Pexels.com "There was a power cut the other night. When the lights went out, I fumbled to the cupboard where we keep the candles for nights like this. I grabbed four of them. I was turning to leave with the large candle in my hand when I heard a voice, "Now,… Continue reading Closet Christianity and the parable of the religious candles
What’s more important, what the Church SAYS or what it DOES?
At Streatham Baptist Church last week, I had a debate with the senior Pastor, Phil Robinson about our mission as a church. Should we emphasise proclamation or social action? What is more important - what the Church says or what it does? As a preacher, Phil insisted that proclamation and evangelism was the fundamental imperative - people need to hear clear… Continue reading What’s more important, what the Church SAYS or what it DOES?
Grace + Truth 