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Justin Welby has abandoned his own church’s teaching on sexuality

2024-10-29T11:59:00+00:00By

Why has the Archbishop of Canterbury changed his mind on gay sex? Peter Lynas believes it’s because the Archbishop has adopted a view of morality which is based more on personal preference than objective standards

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Why ancient liturgy beats spontaneous prayer

2024-10-29T10:25:00+00:00By

Should our prayers be set, or spontaneous? Tony Wilson suggests that liturgy should be used as a springboard for our own personal prayers. He explains why 

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The Met needs to stop demonising the dead

2024-10-29T10:11:00+00:00By

The Met’s decision to release more information on Chris Kaba’s “character”, presents us with some worrying ethical issues, says George Pitcher 

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There’s still cause for hope on assisted suicide

2024-10-25T14:03:00+01:00By

Parliament could be weeks away from voting to legalise assisted suicide. But it’s not a done deal. There are good reasons to think it could be defeated, and there’s still time for you to act, says James Mildred 

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Want to end racism? The answer is found in Jesus Christ

2024-10-25T11:15:00+01:00By

The Church of England’s director of racial justice Guy Hewitt says he’s wrestling with “a growing pessimism” when it comes to combatting racism. But this Black History Month, he’s choosing to look to Jesus, and the ultimate hope that is found in him

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Churches don’t just save the NHS money, they save lives

2024-10-25T10:45:00+01:00By

Social action projects run by UK churches save the NHS around £8.4bn annually. But that’s not all they’re doing, says Sam Hawthorne

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Is it possible to bring peace in the Middle East?

2024-10-24T08:12:00+01:00By

Can a political solution be found that allows the seven million Jews and seven million Palestinians to co-exist peacefully? Colin Chapman says a two-state solution just won’t work

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Millions of Christians won’t vote in the US election. Here’s why they should

2024-10-23T15:42:00+01:00By

The US election is just weeks away, but new research suggests at least 32 million Christians won’t be voting. Tim Farron makes the case for why believers should engage in the democratic process

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Sam Sharpe: the slave-turned-preacher who helped to bring about abolition

2024-10-22T07:23:00+01:00By

Sam Sharpe was a Jamaican Baptist deacon who was hung for inciting a riot in 1831. He played a key role in ending the enslavement of Africans in the Caribbean. This Black History Month, Rev Dr Carlton Turner pays tribute to the faith of a man who sought to bring freedom to his people 

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The first conviction for silent prayer in British history should terrify us all

2024-10-22T07:12:00+01:00By

The conviction of Adam Smith-Connor for silent prayer inside an abortion clinic “buffer zone” marks an era-defining moment. The law needs clarifying urgently, says Lois McLatchie-Millar, before the UK’s human right’s record becomes an international laughing stock

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Labour’s schools tax will stop children from receiving a Christian education

2024-10-21T13:48:00+01:00By

The government is breaking the law by discriminating against private Christians schools. That’s according to The King’s School in Hampshire who are challenging Labour’s decision to introduce VAT on private school fees. Christian Concern’s Steve Beegoo explains why he’s supportive of the legal action 

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Liam Payne died searching for recognition. It can only come from God

2024-10-21T13:10:00+01:00By

The tragic death of One Direction’s teen pop sensation reminds us that fame and fortune cannot meet our deepest human needs, says Tony Wilson. That can only come from being fully known by Jesus

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The new Trump Bible makes a mockery of scripture’s true message

2024-10-16T13:03:00+01:00By

A new $1,000 version of the ‘God Bless America’ Bible commemorates “the day that God intervened” in Trump’s assassination attempt. It’s printed in China - a country that produces more Bibles than anyone else yet whose own citizens are restricted from reading it. But the Bible contains a warning for both China and Trump, observes Tim Farron MP

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Letting children identify as animals is wrong

2024-10-16T07:58:00+01:00By

Some Scottish schools are officially recognising species dysphoria and allowing students to identify as ‘furries’. Lizzie Harewood, CEO of the Association of Christian Teachers, says a compassionate ‘no’  to this contested ideology is the right response 

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5 ways you can put God’s kingdom before your political tribe

2024-10-15T10:28:00+01:00By

Whether you’re Labour or Conservative, Democrat or Republican, God calls you to put his kingdom ahead of your political tribe. But how? Alex Smith of Christians in Politics shares his tips

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Labour’s plan to tax private schools isn't targeting Christians

2024-10-15T07:38:00+01:00By

Some Christian schools may struggle as a result of the government’s plans to scrap VAT exemption for private school fees. But that’s because they are small independent schools, not because they are faith-based, says deputy head Sam Brown

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War between Hezbollah and Israel would be a catastrophe for Lebanese Christians

2024-10-14T12:31:00+01:00By

Lebanon has more Christians than any country in the Middle East. Iran shows what full Hezbollah control would mean for the Church there and across the Middle East, says Dr Martin Parsons  

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Atheists won’t find God in a church, so we must meet them where they are

2024-10-10T08:50:00+01:00By

George Pitcher might be an Anglican Priest, but he reckons a church-centric faith is no longer fit for purpose. 

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7 ways the Church can help tackle homelessness

2024-10-10T08:41:00+01:00By

On World Homeless Day, Jon Kuhrt gives some practical advice on how Christians should respond to the homelessness crisis in order to help rather than hinder

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Why are Christians less likely to share their faith than Muslims?

2024-10-08T08:51:00+01:00By

Don’t let fear hold you back from sharing your faith, says Andy Bannister. God is at work in the world today, and he wants to involve you in his mission 

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Responding to racism: 3 Black writers on being othered

2024-10-08T06:25:00+01:00By

This Black History Month, Rev Isaac Lawrence looks to the Bible and three famous Black figures for wisdom in creating a less divided world

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The Good Samaritan didn’t offer lethal drugs to the dying. Neither should we

2024-10-04T13:57:00+01:00By

A proposal to legalise assisted dying will be debated by MPs this month. James Mildred says Christians have many powerful reasons to oppose a change in the law

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Kris Kristofferson (1936-2024): When it came to faith, his lyrics did the talking

2024-10-04T10:59:00+01:00By

The acclaimed Country singer who died on Saturday never seemed that comfortable with public speaking. But a glance at his most famous songs reveal a man of deep Christian faith, observes Derek Walker

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Jerusalem is bitterly divided. It longs for its Prince of Peace to return

2024-10-03T13:45:00+01:00By

The Old City of Jerusalem contains within its walls thousands of years of religious conflict. Ahead of the first anniversary of the Hamas terror attack, George Pitcher reflects on the city where everyone prays, but where peace still seems elusive  

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The immigration debate can be unpleasant. Christians must be compassionate

2024-10-03T12:51:00+01:00By

As immigration continues to dominate headlines, Tim Farron MP says we should offer safe, legal routes to the UK for certain groups of people. He also wants Christians to eschew dehumanising rhetoric about migrants

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This suicide pod is horrific. But it’s the logical result of our consumer society

2024-10-02T15:18:00+01:00By

Assisted suicide is the ultimate expression of individualism, says Tony Wilson. But we can’t control all aspects of our lives, and Christians have good reasons to surrender their wants and desires to God

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So what if our churches mainly consist of older people?

2024-10-01T14:28:00+01:00By

On the International Day for Older Persons, Jill Harris argues that the quiet faithfulness of older Christians is just what an anxious generation needs

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From Harrods to the Church, we must stand up to abusive leaders

2024-09-30T16:34:00+01:00By

The culture that allowed allegations of rape against Mohamed Al Fayed to go unchallenged for so long must change, says Susie Flashman Jarvis. And the Church must learn those same lessons, too

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Islamists are massacring Christians in Burkina Faso. Why doesn’t the world care?

2024-09-30T16:11:00+01:00By

More than 200 people have been murdered in Burkina Faso, as the threat of an African Islamic caliphate continues to increase. Yet the situation isn’t garnering nearly as much international attention as it deserves, says Megan Titley

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A generation of young people have been let down - and not just by Mike Pilavachi

2024-09-30T11:33:00+01:00By

As the Scolding Report reveals institutional failings and warns of a culture of silence, Andrew Graystone says it’s time for church leaders to speak to those who have been hurt by Soul Survivor and its founder’s actions

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#TradCath: Why Gen Z rebellion means converting to Catholicism

2024-09-27T12:45:00+01:00By

Samantha Smith’s return to the faith of her childhood was, in part, encouraged by the traditional Catholic influencers she found online. She explores why young people are drawn to them

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Diarmaid MacCulloch is the latest victim of the Church's toxic tribalism over sexuality

2024-09-27T12:34:00+01:00By

The eminent church historian seems unable or unwilling to properly engage with Christians who think differently to him, observes Tim Wyatt

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The Church holds the solution to homelessness

2024-09-26T13:37:00+01:00By Beccy Riley

Ahead of World Homeless Day (10 October), Beccy Riley explains why she believes that change is possible with the help of God

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The 3 women who challenged Jesus

2024-09-25T12:24:00+01:00By

When Jesus was confronted by the audacious faith of three females who risked everything to get what they needed from God, he responded in ways that shocked those around him. Chris Goswami unpacks the unexpected lessons we can learn from their bold encounters

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3 lessons from a summer of Christian festivals

2024-09-23T15:14:00+01:00By

Rich Martin has attended more Christian events than most this summer. There’s much to be encouraged by, he says 

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The row over Sue Gray’s pay is a distraction from what really matters

2024-09-20T14:22:00+01:00By

Whether the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff should be paid more than him is a gossipy non-story. It may be easier to binge on tales of political intrigue than face what’s going on in the world, but Christians must not get distracted from the real work of politics, says Tim Farron

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Do all religions lead to God?

2024-09-20T08:25:00+01:00By

Pope Francis has caused controversy by seeming to suggest all paths lead to God. But if this was the case, the apostles wouldn’t have so passionately preached the gospel to the Greeks, Romans or Jews - or died for their exclusivist beliefs, says John Stevens. And Christians wouldn’t need to share the gospel today

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The Church has been ignoring rising extremism within its ranks. Here's what we need to do

2024-09-19T10:29:00+01:00By

Dangerous extremism is on the rise among all political tribes. Heather Tomlinson is urging Christians to act and pray now, in order to counter the rising tide of hate

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Charging for holy water is unbiblical. God’s power can’t be sold

2024-09-19T09:40:00+01:00By

A Nigerian church has come under fire for selling ‘miracle products’ supposedly imbued with healing properties. The Bible does talk about holy water, anointing the sick with oil and even inanimate objects healing people – but God’s power shouldn’t come with a price tag, warns Kate Orson

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Yes, I’m a Christian. But my opposition to assisted suicide isn’t faith-based

2024-09-17T15:05:00+01:00By

A vote to legalise assisted dying across the UK could be imminent, according to some media reports. If passed, it could bring about one of the biggest social changes in the UK since the 1967 Abortion Act. George Pitcher says the issue deserves a proper, unemotional debate 

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Steve Legg (1967-2024): The comedian who covered one million miles for the gospel

2024-09-17T08:34:00+01:00By

Steve Legg was a comedian, magician, author, broadcaster, magazine editor and speaker. But above all else, he loved telling people about Jesus. Carl Beech pays tribute to a man who was the same on and off the stage, and who never stopped laughing or inspiring others

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The National Week of Prayer is coming. Here’s how you can get involved

2024-09-16T11:08:00+01:00By

The soul of our nation is at stake. The time has come for Christians to unite in prayer and ask God to heal our land, says Kamesh Flynn, as she introduces the upcoming National Week of Prayer

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Why the Pope should stay out of US politics

2024-09-16T08:55:00+01:00By

In a rare intervention, the Pope has weighed in on the US presidential election, urging American Catholics to “choose the lesser evil”. Rev Peter Crumpler questions the wisdom of church leaders expressing their opinions on foreign elections

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It’s Friday the 13th so don’t forget your Christian superstitions

2024-09-13T09:36:00+01:00By

Wait, Christians aren’t superstitious…are we? On Friday the 13th, Jonty Langley offers a tongue-in-cheek reflection on the traditions we might unwittingly be holding on to

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The Spectator is now owned by a Christian. But is this good news?

2024-09-12T16:01:00+01:00By

Is the new owner of The Spectator an ambitious mogul, an obedient servant or perhaps both? Chair of Christians in Media, Lani Charlwood, shares her view

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Like the Princess of Wales, my cancer journey taught me to see God’s light in the darkness

2024-09-12T09:44:00+01:00By

Princess Catherine has released a moving family video to mark the end of her cancer treatment, and its message of hope is straight from the Bible. Dr Claire Gilbert says she’ll be praying the joy the princess has found continues to grow 

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‘My faith is massive to me’: The Christian faith of Raheem Sterling

2024-09-12T08:19:00+01:00By

Video footage has emerged of footballer Raheem Stirling getting baptised. Tim Bechervaise takes a look at the faith of the new Arsenal winger, the latest Premiership star to go public about following Jesus

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The loss of winter fuel payments is bad news, but it need not spell disaster

2024-09-11T10:03:00+01:00By

Millions of pensioners will lose winter fuel payments, following Labour’s decision to means test it. The Church now has a unique opportunity to alleviate the challenges facing older people in our communities, says Pilgrims’ Friend Society CEO Stephen Hammersley

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Kaos imagines a world shaped by the Greek pantheon, not Christianity

2024-09-11T09:41:00+01:00By

The Netflix series Kaos takes Greek myths and puts them in a modern setting. But what does Zeus have to do with the God of the Bible? Giles Gough explores

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Scrapping winter fuel payments will plunge more pensioners into poverty

2024-09-10T10:58:00+01:00By

Means-testing winter fuel payments is more nuanced than headlines suggest, says Tim Farron. But it runs the risk of leaving older people worse off. If we want to look after those on the margins, Christians must pray for wise leaders and support those who are vulnerable

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The Grenfell report shames us all. We are blinded to the plight of the poor

2024-09-04T16:29:00+01:00By

Today’s scathing report into the Grenfell Tower fire has blamed “dishonest” companies and failures by successive governments. George Pitcher says Christians can’t only mourn the 72 lost lives. We must also repent of our own blindness to the suffering of the poor, both at Grenfell and in the English Channel 

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The biggest divide in the Church isn’t gender or race. It’s class

2024-09-04T09:37:00+01:00By

Jesus is grieved by the vast wealth inequalities between our churches, says Suzy Stride

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The Paralympics celebrates our God-given equality. But there’s still a long way to go

2024-09-03T11:01:00+01:00By

The treatment of Tanni Grey-Thompson, who was forced to crawl off a train when assistance failed to arrive, is a stark contrast to the spirit of the Paralympics, observes Tim Farron MP. Attitudes must change if disabled people are to experience their God-given right to full equality in our society, he says

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4 things women want from church

2024-09-03T10:33:00+01:00By

It might be controversial, but as she enters the second half of life, Deborah Sloan is finally raising her head above the parapet. Here’s four things women want – and need – to find refreshment, renewal and restoration in their faith