Photo by Sides Imagery on Pexels.com In 1983 Michael Foot was leader of the Labour Party at the General Election when the Conservatives, under Margaret Thatcher, won a landslide victory. The recent victory in the Falklands War undoubtedly helped, but despite the harsh economic policies, massive unemployment and civil unrest of the early 80s, Labour’s… Continue reading ‘The longest suicide vote in history’: Why I have left the Labour Party
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.
Losing their religion: why Christian charities lose their ethos
It cannot be disputed that Churches are very good at establishing social action projects. In recent years this is illustrated by the high-profile rise of church-based Food Banks, Night Shelters, debt services and a whole range of street outreach. Organisations like The Trussell Trust, Street Pastors and Christians Against Poverty have seen their work grow at an incredible… Continue reading Losing their religion: why Christian charities lose their ethos
Love without structures: learning from the collapse of Kid’s Company
Photo by Afta Putta Gunawan on Pexels.com This week the BBC screened a fascinating documentary, Camila’s Kid’s Company: the Inside Story, on the demise of the famous children’s charity. What made the programme so compelling was its intimate portrayal of the Chief Executive, Camila Batmanghelidjh. We see her close-up, as she lived through the collapse of the… Continue reading Love without structures: learning from the collapse of Kid’s Company
Now is the time to make our voice heard about the scandal of homelessness
I live in Streatham, a residential area in south London and every day I walk the short distance to my local train station to go to work. Last week, just near the station, I saw a man huddled up, sleeping in the telephone box. It was bitterly cold and he looked horribly uncomfortable. I was… Continue reading Now is the time to make our voice heard about the scandal of homelessness
Concrete faith: A review of ‘Dietrich Bonhoeffer as Youth Worker’ by Andrew Root
At the start of this book, Andrew Root outlines ‘The Bonhoeffer Phenomenon’, the term coined for the divergent Christian tribes who have bestowed hero status on the German theologian. One consequence is that books on Bonhoeffer are warped by the theological commitment of the authors, whether they be radical, liberal or conservative. Bonhoeffer's legacy easily falls victim to the tribal propaganda rife in… Continue reading Concrete faith: A review of ‘Dietrich Bonhoeffer as Youth Worker’ by Andrew Root
Comforting the disturbed, and disturbing the comfortable
There are plenty of reasons why Christianity, especially in Western countries, is perceived as a religion of the rich and powerful. Over the last two thousand years, a huge amount of unhelpful cultural and historical baggage has accumulated around Christianity. The best antidote is to return to the Bible and be reminded of what Jesus actually said and… Continue reading Comforting the disturbed, and disturbing the comfortable
Fat Cat Tuesday: top bosses have already made more money by today than the typical UK worker will earn in a year
I work for a charity that helps homeless people in the West End of London. A few weeks ago I walked out of my office and saw this car parked outside - a gold Bentley. I am used to seeing flash cars in the area - like people sleeping rough, it's a hallmark of central London life.… Continue reading Fat Cat Tuesday: top bosses have already made more money by today than the typical UK worker will earn in a year
Five Helps for the New Year
I was really struck by reading these 'Five Helps for the New Year' shared on Facebook recently by Mark Bryant, the Bishop of Jarrow. They were written by Michael Ramsey, (right) who was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1961-74, for his clergy. They are full of deep spiritual insight and good sense. I want to hold onto them as… Continue reading Five Helps for the New Year
Honour where it’s due: Neil Jameson & the difference between profile & real influence
I am not a big fan of the Honours system which awards Knighthoods, CBEs, OBEs and MBEs every year. Again this year there has been controversy over political bias in the awards as the director of the Conservative election campaign, Lynton Crosby, was given a knighthood. And as The Times reports, despite only 7% of the… Continue reading Honour where it’s due: Neil Jameson & the difference between profile & real influence
R&R’s Christmas Quiz: Activists who have changed the world
Time for an R&R Christmas quiz! Can you name these 12 activists who have put their Christian faith into action and helped to change the world: How many do you reckon you have got? For the answers and a little bit more about each of them see here. Many of these people are now relatively famous for their achievements.… Continue reading R&R’s Christmas Quiz: Activists who have changed the world
Grace + Truth 