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
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.
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
How should our faith affect the way we live?
This morning I listened to a short reflection* about how small actions can make a big difference. The example used was how significant it was for Desmond Tutu when as a young boy he saw a white priest doff his hat in courtesy to his mother who was a domestic worker. Growing up under apartheid in South Africa… Continue reading How should our faith affect the way we live?
‘The Human Propensity to F*** things Up’
“One of the major obstacles to communicating what belief feels like is that I’m not working with a blank slate. Our culture is smudged over with half-legible religious scribblings. The vocabulary that used to describe religious emotions hasn’t gone away…instead, it’s still in circulation, but re-purposed, with new meanings generated by new usages... Case in… Continue reading ‘The Human Propensity to F*** things Up’
Cranmer and the toxic nature of anonymous blogging
For those of you who don’t know, Cranmer is the name of a blog which comments on religious and political issues. He describes himself as “Bishop of the Blogosphere, Pastor of the World Wide Web and Chaplain to the Digital Archdiocese”. Cranmer has won a large following by expressing right-wing, traditionalist perspectives on both religion and… Continue reading Cranmer and the toxic nature of anonymous blogging
If a picture is worth a thousand words…
Today's Church Times cover is an absolute classic.
The worst decision ever made by English cricket
Photo by Patrick Case on Pexels.com One of the key reasons that the Football World Cup captures people's imagination is because everyone can watch each match as they are broadcast on free-to-watch channels. This means it is a collective, national experience. Imagine what it would be like if the World Cup matches were just on Sky and the rest… Continue reading The worst decision ever made by English cricket
When the church leaves the building (for real this time)
My last post shared a great clip from a Hollywood film which featured a powerful example of the church sharing its message beyond the doors of its building. But at the end of the day, it is a film clip. It's not actually real. So, its great to share another video of a real example of the church getting out of… Continue reading When the church leaves the building (for real this time)
When the church leaves the building…
This is my favourite scene from the Oscar-winning 1954 film On the Waterfront, starring Marlon Brando. One of the key characters is a priest who is encouraging the dock workers to stand up against the corruption of the Union bosses. One docker, Kayo Dougan, is prepared to testify in court against the violence and extortion. But the day… Continue reading When the church leaves the building…
Chalke and cheese: Oasis and the Evangelical Alliance
Just over 20 years ago I went to the Christian festival Spring Harvest for the first time. One of the seminars I went to during the week was on ‘Green Issues’ and was part of a series entitled Soapbox. The speaker was highly engaging and charismatic and I still vividly remember some of his lines: “Green… Continue reading Chalke and cheese: Oasis and the Evangelical Alliance
Grace + Truth 