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Pentecost and the constant mission of the church
So, what can the account of Pentecost in Acts tell us about the nature of the church? Many preachers will go instinctively to Acts chapter 2, verses 42-47. There we get a description of the first Christian community which incorporates worship, teaching, prayer, generosity, hospitality, signs and…
John Coleby
Executive summary
Between the 1 and the 12 October we received responses from more than 1,000 individuals and in excess of 450 church leaders, giving us a fuller picture of how churches are navigating the continually changing landscape, evolving laws and guidance, and the challenge of local and regional…
The kitchen
The effects of the digital revolution on this age group have been seismic. The ways in which we access and interact with information have been amongst the most significantly affected. As the church seeks to communicate the transformative message of Jesus with young adults, it must ask how best to…
Celebrating a membership legacy
Residing in the leafy suburbs of Surrey, I met Gill and Ken on a sunny autumn morning for breakfast at their home. For a city dweller the gardens could feel intimidatingly impressive, but the couple who greeted me at the door were friendly, inviting, and down to earth. Showing no signs of slowing…
Nicola Morrison
Protecting religious belief and observance in Scottish schools
Last week the SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch Kate Forbes asked the Scottish Government, “what its position is on protecting young people’s right to religious observance, education and freedom of religious belief in schools?” This question was asked after constituents raised concerns with…
Mission Possible – achieving success in mission
During the year, we monitored and evaluated more than 1,500 projects and activities aimed at reaching children and young people who don’t go to church (estimated to be around 95 per cent of under 18s in England and Wales), with the aim of understanding the key factors that contribute to success in…
Ben Poch
There's a school near our church
There’s a school near our church. There are kind, hardworking teachers inside. These days some of them look a little careworn. It’s hardly surprising. They have navigated countless changes over recent months, learnt new skills and had their ingenuity tested to the limit. The school year ended in…
Megan Patterson
Job Creation Project: The church transforming lives by creating jobs
Paul has a background of music, design and video, and for a long time was self-employed as well as working for a church. In 2009, he was asked to help with the project. He ended up creating the business plan and becoming project manager. Six years into the project, Paul also became senior pastor. I…
Jo Evans
High-impact church in a post-pandemic world
Ekklesia is an assembly of people united to impact their community, town or city. Paul tells us ‘the glue’ is a mindset of humility, gentleness and patience, bearing with one another in love. Love comes from deep relationship, passionately wanting each other to flourish. We find ways to serve…
Steve Botham
Grace’s Story – Medical diagnosis
It was at the 20-week scan, when all had seemed fairly routine at the start. Up to that point, this pregnancy had been the best of the three so far; with the previous two, I had been extremely sick and even hospitalised with hyperemesis. Given our excitement, we barely noticed that the scan was…
Caribbean communities’ contribution to the UK
The media has been awash with stories of long-standing Caribbean residents being entangled in an immigration crisis. What are your views? This national debacle and administrative tragedy has evoked feelings of distrust. It's shocking and scandalous that someone like Paulette Wilson, who came here…
Naomi Osinnowo
Epic Explorers
Epic Explorers is a series of 5 flexible sessions specially designed for 4-11s. They can be used for a holiday club, after-school club, or as an opportunity for children to invite friends to their church group. Epic Explorers takes children through Mark's Gospel as they explore the life of Jesus…
Christmas leaders pack 2020
There is so much darkness surrounding us and a difficult winter ahead. Yet Christmas brings an opportunity to celebrate Jesus, our light, and show others this light too. Whatever you are facing, however challenging this year has been, whatever concerns you have for 2021, the darkness cannot…
Advancing together
He started this great movement with a group of ordinary people. The first disciples were noted for being “ordinary men” and He chose them to fulfil the next piece of the story of God. It was a small group, not worthy of note in the world’s eyes, except for one qualification: “These men had been…
Dr Rachel Jordan-Wolf
Reimagining church and mission
However, despite initial alarm bells ringing, no consensus on how to respond was agreed. By the end of January more than 7,800 cases in China and close to 100 in a further 18 countries were reported. The Chinese New Year compounded the problem as it heralded a time of travel as many returned to…
Dr Sheryl Haw
