All UK Church articles – Page 11
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News AnalysisInvestigation finds Mike Pilavachi 'used spiritual authority to control people'. What happens now?
The Church of England’s National Safeguarding Team has said Mike Pilavachi used his spiritual authority to “control” people, and this led to inappropriate relationships, including “massaging of young male interns”. But questions remain, and more investigations are set to take place. Megan Cornwell reports on what’s likely to happen next
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OpinionThe silence from Christian leaders on Mike Pilavachi is hurting victims
11 days on from the investigation that concluded Mike Pilavachi “used his spiritual authority to control people”, many of his colleagues in ministry have remained silent - or tried to minimise their connection with him. Jane Chevous says the Church must do better
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News AnalysisUpdate: 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
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OpinionThe Times survey of CofE priests is deeply flawed. Here’s why
A recent poll by the national newspaper has suggested that a majority of Anglican clergy are in favour of same-sex marriage. But the methodology, and the presentation of its findings, seem far from robust says Dr Ian Paul
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InterviewsMike Royal: 'There is too much cult of personality in the Church'
He prayed for King Charles at the coronation and has been called a “Christian man of influence”, but Bishop Mike Royal is far more interested in how the Church works together for the good of society than how others see him
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Magazine FeaturesWhy it's time to build a truly diverse Church
It’s more than just worship styles and bring-and-share suppers, say our panel of experts. Emma Fowle speaks to four leaders about what it takes to create a truly inter-ethnic Christian community
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OpinionWestern 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
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News AnalysisExplained: 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
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OpinionSad, 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
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News AnalysisAI 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
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ReviewsSound of Freedom: This Christian film on child trafficking has become a weapon of the culture wars
The controversy and commentary around Sound of Freedom threatens to overshadow the important issues it raises. It’s the most perplexing cinema release of our times, says Nathanael Smith
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OpinionJeremy Marshall (1963-2023): Elder statesman of the evangelical movement
Jeremy Marshall, a former banker who led many people to faith and taught Christians of different denominations to come together and share the gospel, has died at the age of 60. Graham Miller remembers him
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Opinion5 ways to avoid the post-festival blues
As the Christian festival season draws to a close, Emma Fowle reflects on how to keep those fires of faith burning bright when you return to the real world of work, school, laundry and normal, everyday church
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OpinionThank God for immigration. It’s reviving our dead churches
Many churches in urban areas are experiencing huge growth. As the already critically-acclaimed book This is Not America argues, we’ve immigrant Christians and their children to thank for holding back the tide of secularism in the UK, says Kayode Adeniran
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OpinionNicky Gumbel was right to meet the Pope and strive for Christian unity
When Rev Nicky Gumbel shared a photo of him meeting the Pope last week, it resulted in heavy criticism from some Christians. But Jesus never said, “Go and be right”, says Christy Wimber. Instead he prayed that we would be brought to complete unity
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Real Life‘People in church see my wheelchair before they see my gifts’
Disabled Christians are not there to be ‘cured’, cared for or pushed to the margins, argues Naomi Lawson Jacobs, who issues a clarion call for creating an accessible church culture and a community of justice
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OpinionBe 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
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Testimonies'I was a hopeless addict. But God never gave up on me'
Rikki Doolan spent years travelling the world, chasing meaning and fulfilment. Drugs and alcohol couldn't fill the void, and he found himself homeless on the streets of Manchester. That's when he stepped into a cathedral and everything began to change
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ReviewsThe 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
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Opinion'Follow your heart' is bad advice. It will damage your faith
Our culture no longer defers to religious authority. But, increasingly, neither do people within the Church, says Sam Reimer. It is the biggest challenge our leaders will ever face
