Leadership
Is the last stained glass ceiling about to come down?
The Church of England needs a clean slate and a fresh pair of eyes, says Michelle Guinness. Is it time for a female Archbishop of Canterbury?
Rico Tice: ‘I didn’t leave the Church of England. It left me’
The Christianity Explored founder opens up about his psychological wounds, the reason he exited the Church of England and why, when it comes to equipping the Church for evangelism, he’s more confident than ever
Justin Welby has resigned. What happened?
The Archbishop of Canterbury has resigned after a week of mounting pressure following a report into a prolific child abuser that accused the Church of England of a cover-up. Tim Wyatt takes us through the events that led to Justin Welby’s decision to step down
For our daughters: When womanhood is defined by submission to men, it opens the door to abuse
A new documentary attempts to explain how abuse has been allowed to fester in US evangelical churches. Greg Garrett says For Our Daughters is urgent and important, and will challenge Christians to return to the way of Christ
'Comfort those who mourn' is the calling of every Christian
It’s sometimes easier to feed someone than grieve with them, says Natalie Williams. But Jesus asks us to do both
3 lessons from a summer of Christian festivals
Rich Martin has attended more Christian events than most this summer. There’s much to be encouraged by, he says
My church needs volunteers. But burnout is real, and I won’t make the same mistake again
From treasurers to trustees and sound technicians to sopranos, the requests for volunteers at church are coming thick and fast, says Deborah Sloan. Ask yourself these questions before agreeing to another commitment
The qualification for Christian leadership no one ever talks about
The early Church held this quality in high regard. We ignore it at our peril, says Peter Meadows
Why, as a Christian, I won't buy reduced food
Natalie Williams on how your weekly shop could look different if you applied the Old Testament principle of gleaning
Should I stay or should I go? Why Joe Biden reminds me of some pastors
Joe Biden isn’t the only leader in danger of hanging onto his role for too long. Pastors often make the same mistake, says Chris Kilby. Here’s what he’s discovered about the art of leadership succession
How your church can discern God’s voice together
Is it really possible for churches to reach a consensus on big decisions? Yes, says Peter Wilkinson. Writing from personal experience, Peter explains how every Christian can help discern the will of God for their congregation
There is a hunger for God’s presence in young people that we haven’t seen before
A Warwickshire youth leader explains what God is doing among Gen Z in her church
‘It’s bonkers’, ‘God is blowing my mind’: Is something special happening among Gen Z?
Despite the dire statistics around church attendance in the UK, stories of God working miracles are proliferating, especially among young people. Emma Fowle is joined by four ministry leaders to discuss what’s going on
‘We’ve given out over 4,000 Bibles on the streets of London’
Discover what God did when two Christian teenagers decided to hand out Bibles in the middle of London
Soul Survivors: The inside story of how Mike Pilavachi's abuse was uncovered
Megan Cornwell has spent the past twelve months investigating one of the most shocking scandals to hit the UK evangelical Church in recent years. Here she explains what her reporting for Premier Christianity’s critically acclaimed podcast series has uncovered
How to restore a fallen leader
As Tony Evans resigns from leading his megachurch following admission of sin, Justin Humphreys considers what a process of repentance, reparation and restoration should look like for fallen leaders
We’re living in the age of addiction. Here’s what every Christian needs to know
Whether its hard drugs, soft porn or just internet shopping, millions of us are addicts. But turning off the tap that supplies us with addictive substances won’t solve the problem. Instead, we need to ask why so many are so thirsty in the first place, says Andy Partington
Patrick Regan: ‘I’ve never felt God so close as when I was with a bunch of homeless guys’
The charity founder on mediating between Jamaican gang leaders, facing criticism from fellow Christians, and why the Bible is full of wisdom on mental health
‘I’ll never stop working for peace and justice’
It is 20 years since Rev Inderjit Bhogal OBE launched the first City of Sanctuary in his home town of Sheffield. But the work of welcome, hospitality and reconciliation is more vital now than ever, he says
You’ve read your Bible and prayed. Now do this
God’s heart for those in need is crystal clear throughout the Old Testament. In a cost of living crisis the call to love your neighbour as yourself is more relevant than ever, says Natalie Williams
How to root out narcissism from our churches
The catastrophic impact of leaders falling from grace is damaging the Church. But this isn’t just about sex scandals. In order to understand the problem we need to go much deeper
Is the Church facing a cost-of-serving crisis?
Service is a vital part of the Christian faith. But if preachers are constantly challenging their congregations to ‘do more’ it will lead to burnout, says Andrew Horton
9 tips for better preaching
Comedian turned preacher Andy Kind shares his best pieces of advice
Fierce humility - Paul Friend
It may feel like an oxymoron to put the words ‘fierce’ and ‘humility’ together, but Paul Friend’s choice of title is a deliberate attempt to reframe the way we view leadership. Friend’s inspiration for this is Jesus himself, who not only fiercely pursued a lifestyle of humility that confounded the ...
Soft hearts, thick skin
Receiving criticism isn’t easy. But it’s vital if you’re to grow in leading well, says Natalie Williams
'If I have not love...' How to be a healthy leader
In unpacking New Testament teaching on tongues, Lucy Peppiatt observes how Paul combatted pride and elitism in the early Church
'I'm still healing from what happened at Soul Survivor'
When Kye* joined the staff team at Soul Survivor, he was a passionate believer in the ministry's values and mission. But his early optimism was soon dented by what he calls a "culture of control" overseen by the church's leader, Mike Pilavachi. Ahead of the release of Premier Christianity's new investigative podcast series, 'Soul Survivors', Kye shares his own story
I am asking in the name of God - Pope Francis
This is Pope Francis’ manifesto for divine transformation in a world that he suggests is in crisis. The tone is like that of a devoted but concerned father, passing on some of the wisdom and insights he has gathered over a long life, well lived.
How evangelicals are making their unpopular beliefs more palatable
During interviews with church leaders in England and Canada, Dr Sam Reimer uncovered a number of “softening strategies”, used by Christians to try and bridge the gap between traditional church teaching, and an increasingly liberal culture
Never again is now
David Hoffbrand explains why he attended a recent Pro-Israel rally outside Downing Street, and why he believes all Christians should be standing against antisemitism
3 ways to ensure your carol service is not a waste of time
Christmas is the time of year when people who never usually attend a Sunday service suddenly stream through the doors. But how can we ensure that at least some of them come back again? Derek Hughes offers his top tips
Leading like Jesus is the antidote to Church celebrity culture
We often see Jesus portrayed as meek and mild, but he actually led with a fierce humility and was often confrontational, says Paul Friend. In today’s celebrity-obsessed culture, the Church must return to Christ’s example of leadership if we are to model a better way
It’s not about you
A leader’s highest calling is to develop other leaders, says Natalie Williams
‘Don’t worry, God’s in control’ isn’t good enough
It is not enough to say that people should not worry because God is in charge, because – quite frankly – looking at the world, God doesn’t actually seem to be in charge at all, says Eddie Arthur
‘I prayed for ravers in Mallorca to give their lives to Jesus – this is what happened’
When 19-year-old Nathan Kosciecha travelled to Mallorca one summer, it wasn’t for the sex, drugs and alcohol, but rather to see lives transformed by Christ. In an area ruled by darkness, he witnessed Jesus’ power as chains of sin were broken
Kate Coleman: ‘When the Spirit is left to move, women rise up to lead’
As a student, Rev Dr Kate Coleman was open to all kinds of religions…but not Christianity. Being inexplicably drawn to Jesus took her by surprise
Abuse and violence against women is rife. Why does it keep happening?
From Lawrence Fox’s misogynistic comments to allegations against Russell Brand and the murder of Elianne Andam, there is one common thread. Men who see women as objects. It isn’t how God created us, says Bekah Legg
Too many Christians are feeding mouths but neglecting souls. I have a plan to change that
It's time to preach and witness the Gospel to a generation and society in desperate need of God, says Jonathan Oloyede
Boyzone’s Shane Lynch: ‘The music industry is Satanic’
Boyzone’s Shane Lynch talks demons, deliverance and working his way back to the light
Update: CofE substantiates allegations in Mike Pilavachi investigation
The Church of England's National Safeguarding Team has released its initial findings into allegations against Mike Pilavachi
Western Christians must stop talking about ‘unreached people groups’. Your problem is closer to home
Western mission agencies who use old language, like “conversion” or “unreached people groups” are putting lives at risk, says Bishop Joseph D’Souza. The majority world does need the gospel, he says, but so does the UK, Europe and the US
Explained: Why was Brian Houston taken to court and why did he quit Hillsong?
Brian Houston has been cleared over charges arising from his decision not to report his paedophile father to police. But the former Hillsong leader is no longer part of the global church network he built. Tim Wyatt has the full story
The Musk vs Zuckerberg cage fight is preposterous. Jesus is the ultimate leader
As the rumours of a physical fight between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg persist, Sam Brown reflects of a better model of leadership that doesn’t involve preening and posturing like schoolboys in the yard
Sad, but not sorry: 5 lessons to learn from the Brian Houston trial
Hillsong Church founder Brian Houston has been acquitted of concealing the sexual abuse his father committed against a young male in the 1970s. While Houston was found ‘not guilty’ of the charge, he nevertheless has made mistakes which today’s church leaders should learn from, says Justin Humphreys
5 reasons why this Welsh Christian admires the Lionesses
England have stormed into their first ever Women’s World Cup final. And despite usually cheering for “anyone but England”, Ross Hendry will be backing the Lionesses in Sunday’s game against Spain. He believes the team are exhibiting values that Christians should be inspired by
AI can write a great sermon. But should you use it?
As a church in Germany engineers an entire service run by AI, Tim Wyatt speaks to experts in technology and ethics to find out whether Christians should be using tools such as ChatGPT within their ministry
Be careful of ‘instant evangelism’. Your friend probably won’t become a Christian immediately
Some approaches to evangelism assume that people are ready and waiting to accept Christ as soon as they hear the message. Gary Gibbs has been preaching the Gospel for four decades. He says the reality is very different
The Secrets of Hillsong
The latest TV docuseries to scrutinise Hillsong’s failings is the most thorough and fairest yet. As Carl Lentz gives his first interview since being fired from the megachurch, Sam Hailes argues that we can’t blame the media for wanting to shine a light on abuse and moral failings in the Church. It’s time to learn the lessons
Worn out and burdened? Jesus invites you to rest
Has there ever been a time when Christian leaders have needed to rest in God more? Rev Chris Jervis offers this encouragement from Jesus to lay down their heavy burdens
How you can discern good leaders from vicious wolves
The New Testament warns that savage wolves will attempt to deceive us and do damage to the Church. How can we be on guard against such deception? Marcus Honeysett, who has authored a book on “when church leadership goes wrong”, shares his insights
Talking about death: a pastoral guide by Sue Walker
Despite the title, this is not just a book for those in pastoral ministry. All of us have to face tough questions about death, and this offering from hospice chaplain Sue Walker will help.
How I stopped my chronic alarm-snoozing and learned to love early mornings with God
Want to be the best leader you can be? You need to sleep well, eat well, exercise well and pray well, says Natalie Williams. Here’s how she changed her daily habits
4 ways to tackle Church decline
If we do what we’ve always done, we’ll get what we’ve always got, says Rick Hill. It’s time to dream again, and let God reignite a vision for the evangelisation of the nation in each and every one of our hearts
Tim Keller (1950-2023): The evangelical statesman was a pastor first
Tim Keller had a soft spot for the UK, notes Krish Kandiah. The pastor, theologian and best-selling author exerted a worldwide influence while maintaining a humble spirit and modelling generosity towards those he disagreed with
Justin Welby: ‘Jesus put aside all privilege. He gave his life for us’
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Rev Justin Welby used his coronation sermon to speak about the nature of service and invite those listening to “choose God’s way today”. Here’s his message in full
When leaders fail, it makes me want to leave the church. Here’s why I’m still clinging on
Recent years have seen a number of prominent evangelical leaders fall from their pedestals. Jacinta Read says although such revelations have made her want to walk away from the church, she’s choosing to stay in the hope of rebuilding on more solid foundations
Dr Charles Stanley (1932-2023): Faithful and true to the word of God
The internationally renowned pastor Dr Charles Stanley has died at the age of 90. In a world where many try to be politically correct, Dr Stanley stood firm on the gospel, says Franklin Graham
The Archbishop of Canterbury must repent for abandoning biblical truth on sex
In his opening address to the Global Anglican Futures Conference (GAFCON), Most Rev Foley Beach had stern words for the leader of the Church of England. Here’s his speech in full
Is kindness killing the Church?
When doctrinal disputes arise it's easy to politely agree to disagree. But Dr Hugh Osgood believes such "kindness" is detrimental to the health of the Church. We need to start listening to one another, he says, because each denomination has something valuable to offer. Let's trust that the unity of the Spirit will undergird us, even in the toughest of conversations
Rev Les Isaac: ‘I get bored if I’m in church too much. I need to be out there’
As Street Pastors celebrates its 20th anniversary, founder Rev Les Isaac OBE says it’s time for the Church to get up out of the pews and work together
John Lewis’ member-owned business model was the gospel in action
John Spedan Lewis was one of many philanthropist business owners birthed by the Victorian era. Whether his desire to create a wealth structure that benefitted all came from a Christian faith or not, there is much to commend it, says George Pitcher. And much to miss if it is diluted
As I hand over leadership of New Wine, here’s what I believe God is saying
After leading New Wine through tough times, including financial difficulty following the Covid-19 pandemic, Paul Harcourt is stepping aside and passing the baton on to Rich Johnson. Here, Paul reflects on the past seven years and looks ahead to what God might be doing in the UK Church
Leading a charity turned out to be surprisingly brutal. Here’s what I learned about handling pressure
The first thing I noticed when I started leading Jubilee+ was how tired I became. Formerly a night owl, suddenly I just couldn’t handle working late. It started out as mental tiredness – at the end of the working day, my brain ached. But it soon progressed to physical and ...
Why Christian leaders should stop building their platform
Publicising your blog, book or conference schedule may look like kingdom work, but what if Christians just trusted God to lead them instead? asks William Wade
The Jehu Plan - Alvin Davies
Alvin Davies describes his eight-week daily reading plan as “Biblical wisdom for racers, speed-junkies, grease monkeys and pilgrims in a fast world”. The title of the book is taken from 2 Kings 9:20: “The driving is like that of Jehu son of Nimshi – he drives like a maniac.”
Ram Gidoomal: How the Hindu turned Christian entrepreneur raised £5m for charity
The former mayor of London candidate speaks to Abi Thomas about arriving in England as a refugee, encountering Jesus in a pub and what motivated him to raise millions to help those in poverty
‘God told me to build a business worth millions’
Megan Landreth-Smith explains how a vision from God prompted her to start a soft drinks company that is helping to end sexual slavery
As a single, working-class woman with a history of depression I tried to disqualify myself from leadership
In her her debut ‘Lessons in leadership’ column, Natalie Williams says God calls the unlikely
Your pastor is not a punch bag: 5 ways to better support your church leader
For every fallen leader, there are thousands of hard-working, honest ones that will never make the headlines. And they are leaving the Church in droves. Rick Hill offers his top tips for stopping the exodus
Burnout caused me to deconstruct my Christian faith, but liturgy helped me put it back together again
When tragedy caused Aaron Damiani to doubt everything he believed, it was ancient church practices that provided him with the space and safety he needed to believe again
‘Quitting booze was the best leadership decision I ever made’
Twelve months after he decided to stop drinking, Carl Beech explains why being a sober leader is something he’ll never regret
Learning from Moses: 4 lessons every Christian leader needs to know
Leadership is a gift from God, but we’re not meant to go it alone. Alan Wilson unpacks four key insights from the life of Moses to help us along the way
25 lessons from 25 years in church leadership
Pastor Duncan Clark, an Elim minister from Coventry, shares one lesson from every year of his experience as a Church leader
Want to get better at personal evangelism? Here’s how
Everyone we meet is somewhere on the journey towards or away from faith, says neighbourhood chaplain, Colin Johnson. Here’s how you can share yours
From Hillsong to Mars Hill: there is a leadership crisis in the Church. Here’s how to fix it
Barely a month goes by without another controversy involving a prominent Christian leader in the West. The lack of depth and training among our leaders is a serious problem, says Simon Foulds
7 leadership lessons for pastors after Liz Truss' disastrous mini-budget
Our new Prime Minister’s recent behaviour is a masterclass in how not to lead radical change, says John Stevens
A respected Christian leader has been caught in serious sin. Now what?
When the sins of church leaders are exposed, it leads to difficult questions around restoration and safeguarding, says Jonathan Edwards
Charlotte Gambill: How leaders can use 'Flour Power' to resolve conflict
Conflict is inevitable when we are leading people.
The Christian faith of our servant Queen
Catherine Pepinster looks back on seven decades of royal service underpinned by a steadfast and personal Christian faith
Evangelist Michael Youssef: ‘I want to see a million souls saved'
As he celebrates 20 years of his ministry, Leading the Way, the forthright evangelist shares his passion for proclaiming the gospel
'A simple invitation to a brilliant Christian camp changed my life'
A simple invitation radically altered the course of Tony Uddin’s life
Inviting people to know Jesus doesn’t always mean inviting them to church
Jesus wants you to invite others into his kingdom, says Efrem Buckle. But the invitation might look different to what you imagined
Will gay marriage split the Anglican Communion?
Tim Wyatt explains what happened at the much anticipated Lambeth Conference, why it matters, and what the future might hold
‘Life is about to get harder…but God will send renewal’ Mark Sayers on Covid, war and politics
What if in the midst of political instability and rising living costs, God is up to something exciting? That’s the belief of Mark Sayers. Tim Bechervaise caught up with the Aussie church leader, podcaster and writer to find out more
A toxic celebrity culture has infiltrated the Church. We must root it out
The emphasis on personas, platforms and profits is damaging the ordinary witness of faithful Christians, says Katelyn Beaty
Why Christian leaders need friends, not fans
The number of well-known evangelical pastors exposed for committing ministry-ending sins has reached such a level that entire books are now being written on the subject. Here’s our review of Katelyn Beaty’s offering, Celebrities for Jesus
What standing in line at Disneyland taught me about leadership
When it comes to ministry, we need to ditch the single-rider option, says Charlotte Gambill
Alpha’s Nicky Gumbel on retiring from HTB, evangelising the world and addressing racism
As he retires from leading the largest Anglican church in England, the Alpha course pioneer and prolific church planter says he’s just getting started
Is complementarian theology abusive?
In the wake of abuse scandals and the #MeToo movement, Megan Cornwell asks: is it time for Christians to re-evaluate Church teaching on gender roles?
No one expects a priest to be a victim of domestic abuse, but it happened to me
Abuse can happen to anyone, even those in church leadership. When Esther* finally reached a point of crisis, she found a listening ear and practical help from Clergy Support Trust
Why I left my complementarian church
Anna Browning shares her story
Why I love my complementarian church
Jennie Pollock shares her story
The biblical case for egalitarianism
Margaret Mowczko looks at what the Bible says about men and women
Why is Generation Z leaving the Church?
Gen Z is made up of people aged 10-25. The vast majority of 'Zoomers' say they have 'no religion'. Brian Mountford has been researching why they typically reject Christian faith. Here's what he's discovered
‘Chavs for Jesus’ How the Church can better reach white working-class men
Christians need to share the good news with this unreached sub-culture, says William Wade
Your church leader has a porn problem, and so do you
Speaking at the Church of England's general synod, Father Stephen Maxwell said, "30 years ago I very seldom had a confession that was about pornography. Now...it is most."
Charlotte Gambill: What a skiing accident taught me about picking my pain
A few years ago, I went on a skiing trip. Everyone in the group was much more experienced than me. After a few days, it became apparent that I was holding the group back. One afternoon, I encouraged them to head off to more testing slopes while I ventured out ...
How to fix a problem like Hillsong
The global megachurch has been engulfed by multiple scandals in recent months. As allegations of cover-ups, affairs and inappropriate behaviour do further damage to Hillsong’s reputation, Tim Wyatt asks whether this pre-eminent Christian brand can weather the storm
Church leaders aren't looking for special praise...but they deserve it!
Clergy became essential key workers during the pandemic, tirelessly serving their communities. Now it’s over, let’s not forget that they may need supporting too, says Most Rev Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York
How 90 days of cold showers, fasting and no TV changed my life
Find out what happened when a Protestant embarked on a radical Catholic spiritual exercise which promised him freedom from addictions, individualism and pride
Grace, truth and second chances: Can we restore fallen leaders?
Following a spate of recent scandals and moral failures involving church leaders, Dr John Andrews considers the possibility of restoration by looking at the biblical example of John Mark
How to halt the decline
Why is UK Church attendance falling, and what can we do about it? 12 leaders respond
Destructive criticism
Bestselling author Rob Parsons believes Christians are increasingly violating the Church community’s standards with waspish critique and verbal attacks. He explains why we must be wise in how we handle the power of the tongue
Triggered by scripture? This version of the Bible could help you
While supporting survivors of abuse, pastor Mike Leake found Eugene Peterson’s The Message translation of the Bible instrumental in their healing journey
The week that changed the world?
After gay conversion therapy U-turns from the government, high profile debates over transgender athletes and a contentious letter signed by Lord Rowan Williams and other church leaders, Peter Lynas wonders if this was a world changing week
Christine Noble (1938-2022): The Christian freedom-fighter
Christine Noble was a gifted and passionate Christian leader who fought for other women to be free in their callings, says Sue Rinaldi
Provocateur. Prophet. Pioneer. 5 lessons from the life of Gerald Coates
Gerald Coates’ biographer picks out five life lessons from the Pioneer founder who went to glory at the weekend
'800 people became Christians at the last Spring Harvest. Now is the time for the Church to come together again'
With just weeks to go, Spring Harvest's CEO tells us how the biggest Easter celebration on the Church’s calendar is set up to bring physical and spiritual refreshment
After a heartbreaking week in Christian news, here are 6 things to do when our leaders fail
When our leaders fail the pain of disappointment can be hard to bear. Sarah Yardley leads us into lament, and encourages us to look to Jesus to learn the lessons of good leadership
Burnout: Has the pandemic pushed pastors to the point of no return?
A record number of church leaders are thinking about quitting ministry. Megan Cornwell speaks to the pastors experiencing burnout to find out why the spiritual health of the Church is under attack
Bruxy Cavey confessed to an affair. But Christian leaders say his sin is worse
Bruxy Cavey has admitted infidelity and resigned from leading his Canadian megachurch. But other Christian leaders say his 'confession' does not go far enough. Heather Tomlinson looks at how attitudes are changing when it comes to what constitutes abuse in church settings.
How many civilians must die before the Russian Orthodox Patriarch intervenes?
It’s not enough to sanction the Russian oligarchs, it’s time to put pressure on Putin’s spiritual oligarch too, says Bishop Joseph D’Souza
‘Military jets can be heard overhead, we covet your prayers’ Ukraine church leader on why he’s not leaving
Timothy Sloan, an elder in a church in Lutsk, whose Christian community is sheltering from Russian bombs, sends an urgent message
Jon Tyson: ‘Praise God I’m alive during one of the greatest declines in the Western Church’
The straight-talking New York City-based pastor believes there’s a “tremendous opportunity” ahead of him to reach an increasingly secular world
Genelle Aldred: ‘Jesus wouldn’t fit in most of our churches’
The journalist and activist was just 19 when an unplanned pregnancy ended in the stillbirth of her daughter. It was an experience that still drives her to tackle inequality wherever she sees it
The Apprentice winner Tim Campbell on the worship song that changed his life
After losing £50,000, Lord Sugar's first apprentice Tim Campbell MBE was "broken". But then an encounter with God changed everything
Meet the evangelists: Efrem Buckle on how to preach the gospel at a funeral
Funerals are one of the most difficult places to share the Gospel, says London City Mission’s Efrem Buckle. Here’s how he approached the task
Meet the evangelists: Andy Kind shares his most embarrassing moment
Three Christians with the gift of the gab on how you can grow in sharing your faith
Why we’re no longer talking about short term mission trips
Operation Mobilisation (OM) has changed their approach to mission. Their CEO explains why
Want to get the missing generations into your church? Look at the science
If the Church wants to reach the missing generations, it needs to learn from the science, says Darrell Hall. Truly intergenerational churches are not silos but families that are equally represented, and equally invested in
God doesn’t need your ministry. There’s something far more precious he wants instead
Too many of us have made ministry into an idol, argues Mike Wallbridge. Here’s how we can put our priorities back in order
Meet the experts helping your church navigate a PR crisis
How should churches respond when the press uncovers scandals about them? We speak to the PRs hired to help Christians cope with negative news coverage
Rachel Gardner: The ‘God Sex Lady’ on why the Church needs to get better at bedroom talk
Ahead of Valentine’s Day, Rachel Gardner says discussing sex may make us squirm, but not talking about it is far worse
5 better sermon illustrations than spitting in someone’s face
US pastor Mike Todd has apologised after he received backlash for rubbing saliva in his brother’s eyes during a sermon. The preacher was trying to make the story of Christ healing a blind man "come alive”, but Andy Kind says there are better ways of getting your point across
Wrestling with biblical teaching on gender inspired my award-winning photograph
‘Wonder Boy’ has just been nominated for the prestigious Portrait of Britain award.
What your church can learn from Wetherspoons
How the popular pub chain will inspire your church to better reach your community
8 ways to improve your preaching in 2022
Baptist preacher Jonathan Edwards shares some top tips
Why your church leader needs support and encouragement, not criticism
Record numbers of church leaders are considering quitting. When we’re tempted to complain, here’s some things to try and avoid
Jeffrey Donaldson: NI’s longest-serving MP on the faith that sustains him
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson’s Christian faith has sustained him throughout his political career. But with an impending appointment to the nation’s highest political office, Northern Ireland’s longest-serving MP may still have his biggest challenge ahead
Jeff Lucas on the day his house nearly burned down
A couple of weeks ago, two nice chaps stopped by our home and promptly set fire to it. Which was rude.
5 reasons why you need to read more Christian books
Reading has been in decline for decades, with social media, Netflix and video games competing for our attention. There’s also a gender divide. The Telegraph recently reported that men are twice as likely not to read books at all. Krish Kandiah explains why he believes reading good books should be a priority for every Christian
I find most Christian leadership books dull. But this one won me over
We review Justyn Terry’s ‘The Five Phases of Leadership’
This powerful book is forcing the Church to re-think what the Bible says about women
The Making of Biblical Womanhood argues that Christians have distorted key verses and even written women out of Bible translations to justify their position
The Christian entrepreneur behind the UK’s favourite jam
It’s 150 years since William Hartley established a brand of jam that is still the market leader in the UK today
The Christian faith of Mumsnet co-founder Carrie Longton
The co-founder of Mumsnet shares her insights on faith, leadership and work-life balance
‘I used to be quite literal about my faith. It’s much messier now’ - Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol
The Mayor of Bristol tells Sam Hailes how the parable of the talents is inspiring him to fight poverty, and why he no longer views doubt as a dirty word
Direct Action: Is it ever OK for a Christian to break the law?
Hundreds of Glaswegians surround an immigration enforcement van, defying the authorities, demanding that the people inside be allowed to return to their homes. The crowd chants: “These are our neighbours!”
The Church is losing an entire generation. Here’s what you can do about it
Even prior to Covid-19, the number of children and teenagers attending church services in the UK was in steep decline. But after a year like no other, is the answer going back to the way we’ve always done things, or is it time for a fresh approach?
5 ways to build a truly diverse church
UK churches are still largely segregated according to race and language, says interpretation expert Jonathan Downie. Here’s some lessons we all need to learn if we want to change that
When prophets fail
Respected leaders in the American Church were convinced God had told them Donald Trump would be re-elected president. Dave Roberts analyses why so many got it wrong, and seeks trusted voices to help us understand the role of the prophetic today
Drawers, doors and the key to a healthy marriage
Dr Gary Chapman may have written bestselling books on marriage, but the early years of his own relationship were a mess. Here he reveals how God challenged him to change his attitude towards his wife – and what a difference that made
7 reasons why so many church leaders are having breakdowns or deconstructing their faith
Earlier this week, the US-based Christian author and former pastor Joshua Harris announced he was no longer a Christian. In a statement Harris said: "The popular phrase for this is ‘deconstruction,’ the biblical phrase is ‘falling away’". Billy Kennedy, who leads the Pioneer network of churches, says he's observed an increase in the number of UK Christian leaders going through similar experiences
How Tim Keller's New York ministry changed the world
The news that one of the evangelical world's most well-loved pastors will be stepping down as senior leader of his church surprised many this weekend. Sam Hailes looks at Timothy Keller’s ministry so far
5 ways to (not) burn out your pastor
Christopher Ash gives five ways that congregations can protect their pastor from burning out
What to do if your church leader has a 'moral failure'
How should we respond when our pastors 'fall from grace'? Heather Tomlinson investigates
Does the future have a Church?
In the first of a two-part series, futurologist Tom Sine explains why the UK Church needs to prioritise engagement with young millennials
A Time to Plant: How the Anglican Church is rising again in urban areas
Have reports of the Church of England’s imminent death been greatly exaggerated? Sam Hailes investigates the successes of church plants in urban areas
Catholics And Protestants Have Much To Learn From Each Other
If we viewed the Church as a family tree, we might experience a new unity, says Dave Nevins
Women on the Platform
The lack of female speakers at Christian events is evidence of gender injustice in the Church says Natalie Collins
What colour animal are you? How personality profiling could transform your ministry
Leaders need the right team around them. Lucinda van der Hart investigates whether personality profiling tools can help
The letter of Joel Edwards to the UK Church
We invited the former director of the Evangelical Alliance to pen our second open letter to the UK Church. He urges Christians to undertake a new work of ‘translation’ today.
Tim Keller: How I prepare my sermons
Tim Keller is the bestselling author of The Reason for God and founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. We asked how he prepares his sermons
Tim Keller: 'I always tell young pastors NOT to write books. Most of the time they don't listen to me'
Timothy J Keller is the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City and the author of award-winning title The Reason for God (Hodder & Stoughton). He talks to Sam Hailes about his latest book, Preaching.
Bible College: Yesterday, today and forever
UK theological education has undergone a raft of changes in the past century. But if our Bible colleges are to continue to win, train and send out the church leaders of tomorrow, there will be more change ahead.
Ten ways to grow your church in 2015
We’re all familiar with statistics that decry the declining UK Church, but many local churches are bucking the trend. Justin Brierley investigates what has made the difference for those whose churches are bursting at the seams.
Has accountability had its day?
Accountability seems to have gone out of fashion in church circles. Claire Musters explores whether the practice has become obsolete.
Is the Pope a charismatic?
A year on from his inauguration, Pope Francis is showing signs of being the most charismatic Pope we’ve seen yet. What impact is he having on the UK’s Catholic charismatic movement?
Leadership Traps
Even the strongest leaders aren’t immune to tripping up occasionally. Greg Downes addresses some common pitfalls. ‘Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher, We all celebrate today, cos it’s one day closer to your death.’
Divisive Bible Doctrines: Church Leadership
How should a church be governed? We examine how churches across the denominations resolve this issue.
A Problem Shared: Has our elder been breaking the law?
The husband of one of our senior elders has been arrested for high-level business fraud. The local papers ran the story and pointed out that his lifestyle was well above his apparent pay grade. The insinuation is that his family must have realised that something illegal was going on. When I challenged the elder on this, she denied all knowledge of his wrongdoing. But people in the church are unconvinced by her protestations of innocence. What should I do?
Building a Platform
The dream of many is celebrity. But is the lure of fame and fortune winning out over kingdom-building and serving God? On Sunday 23 June, a previously unknown Anglican priest ended an otherwise normal wedding by instigating an upbeat dancing flashmob. The video went viral, topping the ‘most watched’ video charts and Kate Bottley briefly became a ‘name’, in some households at least.
Spiritual Abuse
In the second part of our series looking at money, sex and power abuses in the UK Church, we investigate the prevalence of spiritual abuse...
Hope for the C of E?
Is there a future for the Anglican Church based on the training of those who will lead her? Sally Hitchiner, currently training for ordination, investigates.
Does multi-site mean McChurch?
John Allan unpacks the pros and cons of adopting a multi-site church model.
What the mega church can teach you
Some look at them longingly, others write them off and most assume they are out of their league, but Andy Peck discovers that the mega church has much to teach us, whether our church is 40 or 400-strong.
A Conservative Revival
Clover Creek Bible Fellowship was once a conservative evangelical church in which solid biblical teaching was the bedrock of the ministry. So how did pastor Mike Riches cope when his congregation suddenly started reporting miraculous healings, prophetic words and angelic visitations?
The Electronic Church
If Moses were alive today would he use stone tablets or a PDA? Bradley Mason looks at how technology can help or hinder your church ministry.
The Black Church in the UK
In London the majority of church attenders are black. Jonathan Oloyede examines the growing impact that Black Majority Churches (BMC's) are making around the UK.
The Black And White Gap
Black church leaders attend one conference, white church leaders a different one - not good. Jonathan Oloyede challenges the status quo and suggests practical ways bridges can be built between majority black and white congregations and leaders.
Who Are The New Missionary Giants
A century ago the UK was one of the biggest missionary sending nations. Andy Peck introduces us to the new missionary giants such as the Philippines, where a small army of Christian chambermaids use every opportunity to share their faith in the Middle East.
Sunday School In The 21st Century
Sunday Schools have been around for hundreds of years – but are we teaching 21st century children with 19th century methods and curriculum? John Buckeridge investigates.
Emerging Options
A growing range of ministries claim to be 'emerging church' including: youth church, prayer monasteries, church in an office, pub or coffee shop. Some argue that emerging church is just the latest evangelical obsession. We've had cells, seeker friendly services, gold teeth – is emerging church another passing trend or might it help turn the tide on church decline? Steve Adams investigates.
Emerging Church: Insights and Concerns
Some believe them to be the greatest challenge to mainstream churches, since the birth of the Charismatic movement. But do the writers and thinkers behind emerging church have things to teach us? Or should we be wary of their approach? Andy Peck investigates.
Spiritual Abuse
How do you recognise spiritual abuse? What are the causes and effects, and what practical steps can a victim take?
Are The New Church Streams Stagnating?
They are the most successful part of the UK church in the last generation, but are the New Church streams flowing to stagnant pools or refreshing rivers? Andy Peck talks to those inside and outside the New Church movement about what the future holds.
Billy Graham: his impact on Britain
He's probably the best-loved evangelist to visit our shores, certainly the most famous. As Billy Graham hands over the leadership of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association to his son Franklin, Andy Peck asks how he will be remembered.
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