Photo by Shayla on Pexels.com A while ago an atheist friend of mine who also works with homeless people said to me: ‘My motives are purer than yours. I do this work simply to help people, you do it so you can get into heaven.’ I did my best to explain that while I am motivated by my… Continue reading Endurance inspired by hope: why churches remain at the heart of tackling poverty
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.
I don’t Vow To Thee My Country: the difference between patriotism and nationalism
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com This week a lot of people will sing the hymn ‘I Vow to Thee my Country’ at Remembrance services. The hymn, which combines the words of a poem by British Diplomat Sir Cecil Spring-Rice with a beautiful tune by Gustav Holst, is enormously popular. And having been sung at both… Continue reading I don’t Vow To Thee My Country: the difference between patriotism and nationalism
Inequality is bad for EVERYBODY: its time to close the gap
Every day I am struck by the incredible inequality on display in the West End of London. I get off the bus outside Selfridge’s and see the £5,000+ designer handbags in the windows. I walk through Marylebone past the exclusive clubs and restaurants such as the Chiltern Firehouse with security guards and paparazzi outside. Every few minutes, Ferraris,… Continue reading Inequality is bad for EVERYBODY: its time to close the gap
Alan Henning: a ripple of hope in a world of injustice
"Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centres of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls… Continue reading Alan Henning: a ripple of hope in a world of injustice
Church on the Corner: an Oasis in the Blur of urban life
"Jesus did not write a book but formed a community" Lesslie Newbigin Just under twenty years ago, I borrowed my mum's car to visit my mate Giles who had moved to King's Cross. When I got to his flat, he said 'Sit down and listen to this' and he played me Wonderwall from Oasis' recently released album (What's the Story) Morning… Continue reading Church on the Corner: an Oasis in the Blur of urban life
Fighting dirty in the battle for school places
This week, a mother was convicted of forgery after she submitted a fake tenancy agreement in order to secure a place at a high performing school for her daughter. She was fined £500 and sentenced to 100 hours of community service. Many parents might have sympathy for her. The magistrate in the case, Michael Peacock, sounded… Continue reading Fighting dirty in the battle for school places
‘The Book of Forgiving’ by Desmond & Mpho Tutu [Review]
"Forgiveness is not easy, but it is the path to healing. It was not easy for Nelson Mandela to spend twenty-seven years in prison, but when people say to me what a waste it was, I say no, it was not a waste. It took twenty-seven years for him to be transformed from an angry, unforgiving… Continue reading ‘The Book of Forgiving’ by Desmond & Mpho Tutu [Review]
Loch Mess: the Caledonian Crisis, 2034 – a blog post from the future
Yesterday saw a marked escalation of the conflict between England and Scotland. In a statement released by Downing Street, Prime Minister Euan Blair confirmed the significant expansion of English military action: “I have ordered reinforcements to bolster the British troops placed along the Scottish border. Operation Hadrian has being stepped up to maintain the integrity… Continue reading Loch Mess: the Caledonian Crisis, 2034 – a blog post from the future
The dis-integration of Christian social action
In the last 15 years there has been huge growth in social action projects established by churches. The rise of Food Banks has probably been the most high profile example but there has also been a massive increase in Church-run Night Shelters and debt advice services. These newer initiatives have joined well-established projects which have… Continue reading The dis-integration of Christian social action
Pray in the tension
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com Today Many of us live A nation of strangers Aliens in cities, Trapped in societies Of rapid, social change. Constantly We face new problems With no clear answers. It's not happened To us before. Nobody’s behaved like that before. We’ve got no tailor-made pattern. It’s an itsy-bitsy life.… Continue reading Pray in the tension
Grace + Truth 