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?
Category: 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
‘Does charity work?’ Challenging the non-profit comfort zone
Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com A number of years ago I was co-leading a seminar at the Greenbelt festival on homelessness. In this context, we knew there was a danger that it would simply be full of people agreeing that homelessness was ‘A Bad Thing’ and that ‘the government should do more’. So to mix it… Continue reading ‘Does charity work?’ Challenging the non-profit comfort zone
‘Life to the Full’: Labour Party Conference sermon
The text of a sermon I gave at the Labour Party Conference Church Service on 22/9/24. The bible readings were Isaiah 65: 17-25 & John 10:7-18 In the field of homelessness, where I have worked for 30 years, you cannot avoid the twin issues of politics and faith. Rough sleeping is a sensitive political issue… Continue reading ‘Life to the Full’: Labour Party Conference sermon
The messy reality of grace & truth: seeking justice in my community – by Nick Graves
I clearly remember that Friday. It was a typical Food Stop day at our church, a time when we open our doors to offer local people struggling financially the opportunity to choose £20-30 worth of food and interact with experts and support services. But that day, amid the familiar sea of faces, a new group… Continue reading The messy reality of grace & truth: seeking justice in my community – by Nick Graves
‘Christian social action may have grown but it needs to mature’: Grace, Truth & the Common Good
Last Monday I gave a lecture titled Grace, Truth and the Common Good: the future of Christian Social Action, in memory of Frank Field at the London Jesuit Centre. You can watch the lecture below. I am introduced by Jenny Sinclair who leads Together for the Common Good and the lecture starts at 5 mins… Continue reading ‘Christian social action may have grown but it needs to mature’: Grace, Truth & the Common Good
Grace + Truth 