2024 T4CG Lecture Series #02
Grace, Truth and the Common Good: The Future of Christian Social Action
A Lecture with Jon Kuhrt, in memory of Frank Field
From time to time, Together for the Common Good holds public events. This is the second in our 2024 series of public talks exploring how Catholic Social Thought helps us stay human and build the common good in these uncertain times. News of forthcoming talks will appear in the Events section of this website.
In this lecture, Jon Kuhrt examines the relationship between churches, Christian charities and communities trapped in poverty, asking challenging questions around impact, power and authentic witness. Held at the London Jesuit Centre on 15 July 2024 before an invited audience of seventy leaders across the Christian traditions, the event was also livestreamed.
Watch VIDEO here | LISTEN to PODCAST here | Download Jon’s TEXT here
Download a report of the event here
INTRODUCTION
Christian charity plays a significant role in alleviating the symptoms of poverty.
But are we on the right road?
Growing poverty, homelessness and destitution in the UK bring us to a crossroads. With profound social and political change and increasing inequality, there is a need to examine the relationship between churches, Christian charities and communities trapped in poverty. Questions about impact, power and authentic Christian witness need to be addressed.
‘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.’ Jer. 6:16
At such a crossroads, it seems important to prompt an examination of conscience. To help us engage with these important questions, I invited Jon Kuhrt to give a talk that would prompt a conversation across the churches and beyond. Grounded in his extensive experience as a practitioner, Jon interrogates the issues for us, and in doing so, draws on the wisdom of the Christian traditions, including Catholic social thought, the thinking of Bonhoeffer and the theology of Lesslie Newbigin.
Jon Kuhrt is Chief Executive of Hope into Action and host of the Grace and Truth Blog. Formerly Jon was the Rough Sleeping Adviser to DLUHC, CEO of West London Mission, and Director of Community Mission for Livability. He lives with his family in Streatham, and loves cricket.
The lecture was held in memory of the late Frank Field, MP for Birkenhead for forty years. A committed Anglican, Frank was an outstanding parliamentarian and social reformer, unequalled in his dedication to improving the lives of people trapped in poverty. His work ranged from the groundbreaking Child Poverty Action Group, to lobbying for jobs in Birkenhead, from legislation for the Minimum Living Wage, to co-founding Feeding Britain. Frank thought deeply about putting Christian theology into practice in a way that balanced grace and truth, and it was this that connected Jon with Frank.
Frank Field (16 July 1942 – 23 April 2024). His memoir, Politics, Poverty and Belief was published in 2023. Read an essay by Frank on his vision for the common good here
Frank was a good friend of my mother’s and he and I became friends too. He always encouraged the work of Together for the Common Good. In organising this lecture in Frank’s memory, my hope is that, just as he was courageous in pursuit of justice, this initiative might agitate Christians to have an honest conversation that leads to positive change.
This lecture was delivered on 15 July 2024 with an invited audience of seventy Christian leaders across denominations and opinions, representing many charities and organisations*. It was also live-streamed for public viewing. I am very grateful to CCLA for their generosity in sponsoring the event, and to the London Jesuit Centre for hosting.
We are discerning how best to take this forward and are open to responses.
Let us know what you think.
Jenny Sinclair | Founder and Director, Together for the Common Good
*Organisations represented included: Christians Against Poverty, Trussell Trust, Daughters of Charity Services, Salvation Army, National Estates Churches Network, ChurchWorks Commission, Kings Arms Project, CARE, Housing Justice, Good Faith Partnership, Caritas Social Action Network, Caritas Westminster, Hope into Action, Methodist Church of Great Britain, Joint Public Issues Team, St Martin’s in the Fields, St Vincent de Paul Society of England and Wales, Sanctuary Mental Health, The Eden Network, Oasis Community Housing, Church Urban Fund, Bonny Downs Community, Theos, The Gratitude Initiative, The Catholic Union of Great Britain, The Ecological Conversion Group, Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales, Blackfriars Hall, Radio Maria, Archdiocese of Westminster Justice and Peace Commission, Prison Advice Care Trust, Cardinal Hume Centre, Common Good Foundation, LICC, Cafod, Social Market Foundation.
Supported by
This is the second event in our 2024 series. Check out our Events pages for our previous events and for forthcoming dates for your diary.