A few years ago, I was on the top deck of London bus on my way to work and saw a school boy sitting across from me, furiously graffitiing the back of the seat in front of him. Without thinking too much, I instinctively said: ‘Don’t do that’ He glared back a look of venomous… Continue reading ‘What it’s got to do with you?’: noisy phones on public transport
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.
Pope Francis: ‘We are tired of systems that produce poor people’
The death of Pope Francis today has created an incredible wave of sadness and appreciation for his life and ministry. Since becoming Pope in March 2013, Jorge Bergoglio's generosity, simplicity and passion for social justice has inspired those both inside and outside the Church. But as Paul Vallely's superb biography, Pope Francis: Untying the Knots shows, Bergoglio's journey to becoming… Continue reading Pope Francis: ‘We are tired of systems that produce poor people’
Humble confidence
Photo by Isaac Taylor on Pexels.com In Luke's account of the last supper, just after Jesus has shared the bread and wine, an argument about their comparative status breaks out among the disciples: “A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.” In response, Jesus says: “The kings… Continue reading Humble confidence
Divine hope, dusty religion
Photo by David Besh on Pexels.com Everyone reading this will have some good reason to be disillusioned with the church. I know so many people of my generation who have given up on church. Some have deconstructed their theological beliefs, others have become ground down by conflict or disappointment. Many continue to 'believe' in theory… Continue reading Divine hope, dusty religion
The best reason for keeping Christian distinctiveness
Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com I bet everyone reading this knows a charity or community project which was started by the church, but which over time lost its connection with the faith which birthed it. When you dig into the history of so many charities, whether related to children, youth work, older people,… Continue reading The best reason for keeping Christian distinctiveness
Challenging Power, Changing Practice & Deepening Spirituality: The future of UK Christian social action
by Jenny Sinclair and Jon Kuhrt Download full paper as a PDF Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.’ Jeremiah 6:16 Poverty is getting worse Christian social action… Continue reading Challenging Power, Changing Practice & Deepening Spirituality: The future of UK Christian social action
‘Adolescence’ could be the ‘Cathy Come Home’ for our generation
Cathy Come Home was a BBC1 drama broadcast in 1966 which shocked the nation by its portrayal of a family’s descent into homelessness. It was watched by a quarter of the population and produced a storm of phone calls to the BBC, discussion in Parliament and inspired the start of the homeless charity Crisis. One… Continue reading ‘Adolescence’ could be the ‘Cathy Come Home’ for our generation
Who are the positive male role models?
Recently I went to a local friend’s birthday party. In amongst the usual chat and catch ups, my friend Ian, whose sons were in primary school with mine, raised a great question to a group of us standing at the bar: “There are so few good male role models these days. Who are my boys… Continue reading Who are the positive male role models?
The dehumanising denial of work
Photo by Andrew Neel on Pexels.com Scenario 1: Pete At our church drop-in meal recently, one of our regular guests Pete* was telling me about how he lost his job. He was a lorry driver and loved the work until the company was taken over by a bigger firm. In order to maximise profit, the… Continue reading The dehumanising denial of work
‘Paul’s Letter to American Christians’ by Martin Luther King Jr
Photo by Hugo Magalhaes on Pexels.com Below is an excerpt from a Martin Luther King sermon which imagined the apostle Paul writing a letter to American Christians in the 1950s. This sermon is re-produced in the book Strength to Love, a brilliant collection of King's sermons, which are still relevant and inspirational today. I am… Continue reading ‘Paul’s Letter to American Christians’ by Martin Luther King Jr
Grace + Truth 