This post is taken from the 2025 Hook lecture 'Prophet or Provider?' delivered by Jon Kuhrt on 21st October at Leeds Minster. Read the full text here or watch the video below. When it comes to responding to poverty, should the church play the role of prophet or provider? Well, we should not accept the… Continue reading Keyboard warriors will not inherit the kingdom of God
Category: Social action
Living off the fumes of Faith (in the City)
Forty years ago, the Church of England published the Faith in the City report which focussed on the plight of the inner cities and urban poverty in the UK. The report hit the headlines, generated significant debate and sold 50,000 copies. A key reason was because it angered the conservative government, with one member of the… Continue reading Living off the fumes of Faith (in the City)
The contributory principle: everyone can do something for others
Our church runs a weekly drop-in meal called The Vine where we welcome a whole range of different guests. Some are homeless, many are vulnerable and lonely, and everyone seems to appreciate the fun, food and friendship we share. Last Wednesday was a great evening with the whole church building buzzing with life. The young… Continue reading The contributory principle: everyone can do something for others
Prophet or Provider: what is the church’s role to those on the margins?
On Tuesday 21st October, I am very honoured to be giving the annual Hook Lecture at Leeds Minster on the title: Prophet or Provider? How can we be a prophetic voice for change while meeting the needs of people at the margins. Watch this 90 second video introducing this topic: https://videopress.com/v/2VVdXYfZ?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&posterUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fvideos.files.wordpress.com%2F2VVdXYfZ%2Fdoc-20251010-wa0000-1_mp4_std.original.jpg&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true We are living in… Continue reading Prophet or Provider: what is the church’s role to those on the margins?
What does a ‘quiet revival’ mean for social action?
The Bible Society's recent report The Quiet Revival gives evidence of a significant rise in church-going in the last 6 years, most notably among younger people, 'Gen Z' aged 18-24. The research provides solid data of changing behaviour which supports the anecdotal, intellectual and media-driven indicators we have seen in recent years. It backs up… Continue reading What does a ‘quiet revival’ mean for social action?
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
Restorers of Hope: conference March 12th
The UK faces a homelessness and poverty crisis, made up of many different problems: Resources: the lack of affordable housing, debt, rising cost of living. Relationships: abuse, mistrust, family breakdown, loneliness, isolation. Identity: meaninglessness, low self-esteem, mental ill-health, addictions. We need a hope strong enough to respond to all three of these challenges. Hope into Action works with churches… Continue reading Restorers of Hope: conference March 12th
Bringing burdens to the foot of the cross
Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com On a freezing night this week, we opened up our church for our first community meal of the New Year. It was a quieter night than usual, but sometimes less can be more. Our aim to provide ‘food, connection and community’ and whilst fewer guests means less food is… Continue reading Bringing burdens to the foot of the cross
Cutting through the fog of untruth
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com On Monday night I spoke at the AGM of the brilliant Bristol homeless charity inHope which run a Hope into Action franchise in the city. Later I had to get a train up to Nottingham and my journey included an hours’ wait at Birmingham New Street Station between 10pm and… Continue reading Cutting through the fog of untruth
Grace + Truth 
