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Why creating jobs should matter to Christians
The latest statistics show that across the globe young adults have been the worst hit by job losses, with those under 25 twice as likely to be economically inactive. In the UK, people under 35 accounted for 80 per cent of job losses (635,000) in the year to March 2021. While some sectors have…
Danny Webster
Three top tips for encouraging interactivity
As a young person, I hated it when this happened in a church service. In fact, I would actively avoid it. You’d most likely have found my eyes up at the ceiling, pretending I didn’t hear until the person sat next to me had found a new conversation partner. But now, as a young adult, I really…
Job Creation Project: Tackling start-ups and self-employment
Like many entrepreneurs, Jerry has faced setbacks but hasn’t let these deter him. After being made redundant twice, Jerry became self-employed. He went on to set up a number of enterprises including a tech company, a social enterprise and a call centre in Palestine. With all this experience, Jerry…
Jo Evans
Are you training for the mission field?
American sports broadcaster Bob Costas once said, “The best thing about sports is the sense of community and shared emotion it can create.” We can see the truth of that statement in many ways, whether it’s about following a team, watching a sports game, or even participating in it. There’s no…
Carolyn Skinner
Churches muted by government inconsistency and intransigence
When churches were allowed to resume meeting in July last year a number of restrictions were put in place through both law and guidance to ensure they could operate safely and limit the spread of coronavirus. Churches have diligently followed these rules and advice, from limiting numbers, tracking…
Danny Webster
Three ways your church can support mental health amid the unlocking
“Kate (not her real name) is a member of my church. She’s been a Christian for many years and has also suffered with her mental health all that time. A lifeline for her during the pandemic has been the Renew Wellbeing group that has run on Monday mornings, either on Zoom or in person, according to…
Helen Locke
Salt and light in a mental health crisis
In the Queen’s speech, which marked the opening of a new session of parliament, the issue was addressed as the Government set out its Mental Health Recovery Action Plan. There will be a one-off targeted investment of £500 million to ensure that support is in place over the coming year for everyone…
Jo Evans
Why 'Freedom Day' misses the point of freedom
Throughout out the coronavirus crisis I have been broadly supportive of the Government taking action to suppress the virus and restrict its spread. I’m no epidemiologist but it has seemed necessary medically, unless we were willing to pay a scandalously high price in loss of life when we could have…
Danny Webster
The gospel: true and good but rejected
There are generally two elements in people’s responses: first, the gospel centres around an event in history and it is good news; second, the gospel is both true and good. For a long time, apologetics focused on the question of whether the gospel is true: did Jesus live, die and rise again from the…
Peter Lynas
Remember the persecuted
Wurmbrand’s graphic illustration draws from Apostle Paul’s description of the church as the body of Christ. “If one member suffers, all suffer together,” wrote Paul (1 Corinthians 12:26a). Once labelled the ‘Voice of the Underground Church’, Wurmbrand was imprisoned by the then communist regime…
Kenneth Harrod
Counting the cost of being counter-cultural
Christian leader John Stott, whose legacy was recently commemorated on the centenary of his birth, spoke frequently of double listening, of holding the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other. Our commitment to follow what the Bible teaches does not negate the need to listen and to…
Danny Webster
Our Christian witness in a scandalous time
For the director and evangelist at Speak Life, this scandal serves as a sobering wake-up call, especially for evangelists, and an opportunity to, once again, learn the way of the cross. I spoke with Glen to find out more. For readers who are unfamiliar with Speak Life, tell us a little about the…
Naomi Osinnowo
Campaigners push to remove all safeguards on abortion
The impact of this move, if passed, could potentially allow abortion without restriction up to birth and for any reason including on the basis of the unborn child’s sex. Abortion is currently regulated through the 1967 Abortion Act which created a set of exemptions to a much older piece of…
Danny Webster
Job Creation Project: a ministry for the local church
“I love the idea that helping young people get back into work could be seen as part of the ministry of the local church,” he says. Mike shares different ways the local church can help connect the dots between work and the Christian faith. Through serving the local community as people seek…
Jo Evans
Start with your street
Jesus’ instruction in the great commission to “go” is often met with good intentions, even zeal. Sadly, that enthusiasm can soon go out with a bit of a whimper in the face of the question, “but how?”. According to a recent survey by the Evangelical Alliance, the biggest barrier to witnessing is…
Martin Graham