Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com At the church where my work is based, over 200 people come into the building every day for 12 Step fellowship groups. The most famous of these is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) but there is also Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Over-eaters Anonymous (OA), Debtors Anonymous (DA) and Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA). … Continue reading ‘Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference’
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.
This could Welby ‘the best decision anyone can ever make’
Photo by James Wheeler on Pexels.com Last week I went to a lecture given by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, at Lambeth Palace. Since becoming the C of E’s top man, Welby has caught the public’s imagination and headlines through his attacks on pay day lenders, his concern for food poverty and his willingness… Continue reading This could Welby ‘the best decision anyone can ever make’
Low pay or Living Wage: does the Church practice what it preaches?
Some Christians might be delighted that today’s front page headline in Britain’s most popular newspaper is a direct quote from Paul’s Letter to the Romans. But the article titled ‘Wages of Sin’ highlights the Church of England’s inconsistency in simultaneously calling for the Living Wage but not paying this to all of its staff. True… Continue reading Low pay or Living Wage: does the Church practice what it preaches?
For God’s Sake Make a Difference
It cannot be disputed that Churches are very good at establishing social action projects. Recent years have seen a huge growth in projects such as Foodbanks, Night Shelters and a wide range of other initiatives. The big challenge is how these projects maintain their Christian ethos and integrate this alongside their high quality practical service. I know… Continue reading For God’s Sake Make a Difference
‘I have come to see that there is good in every situation’ – Kayla Mueller’s hope in captivity
Photo by Tu00fcrker Burak TURGUT on Pexels.com The family of Kayla Mueller, a US aid worker who was being held by ISIS, have confirmed that she has been killed. Before she was captured, she told her hometown paper in Prescott, Arizona: “It’s important to stop and realize what we have, why we have it and how privileged we are.… Continue reading ‘I have come to see that there is good in every situation’ – Kayla Mueller’s hope in captivity
The Church, gay relationships and the truth
Photo by Alexander Grey on Pexels.com All Christians have to grapple with the challenge of how the truth revealed in the Bible relates to the truth revealed in our experiences. Over the years truths that are accepted in previous eras are challenged and church practice evolves. For example, few Christians still believe that St Paul's instructions in 1 Corinthians mean that women… Continue reading The Church, gay relationships and the truth
‘I just want to do God’s will’ – Martin Luther King’s final speech
Photo by Hugo Magalhaes on Pexels.com Every day around 100 homeless people come to the day centre run by the West London Mission for a hot breakfast, showers, clothing or to see our in-house doctor or nurse. Every Tuesday a Spirituality Discussion group takes place in the TV room led by our Chaplain. I love it… Continue reading ‘I just want to do God’s will’ – Martin Luther King’s final speech
The personal cost of injustice: review of ‘Selma’ (12A)
Few people have integrated activism, theology and personal commitment in such an inspiring way as Martin Luther King. ‘Selma’ is the first major feature film made about King. It focuses on his campaign in Selma, Alabama in 1965, where the restrictions and obstacles enforced on black people meant that, despite having a constitutional right to vote, hardly… Continue reading The personal cost of injustice: review of ‘Selma’ (12A)
The secularisation of Martin Luther King
Ahead of Martin Luther King day tomorrow in the US and the release of the film 'Selma' in the UK, I am re-posting this article from 2013.
A journey of radical humility: ‘Pope Francis: Untying the Knots’ by Paul Vallely [review]
Recently I was talking with someone who was brought up a Catholic but it now an atheist. Although he has rejected the church of his upbringing, he was fascinated and excited by the approach of Pope Francis. It was just one example of the impact that Jorge Bergoglio has had since becoming Pope in March 2013. His generosity,… Continue reading A journey of radical humility: ‘Pope Francis: Untying the Knots’ by Paul Vallely [review]
