Viewing all items in Resource Category: Looking at your Church

More than 80,000 people are currently being held in UK prisons. Many of them have caused acute misery and hurt to innocent people, and so it is tempting to forget about them now. But Jesus commanded that we do the opposite – that when it comes to showing compassion, we should include in our care...

When a comedian, a bishop, two lads and a laptop walk into a racecourse it can mean only one thing – the return of the Christian Resources Exhibition to Sandown Park (Oct 11-13 2022). Much-loved comedian Tim Vine (picture attached) will open the event, often dubbed ‘the ideal church show’, Bishop Mike Royal, general secretary...

Everyone is feeling a bit poorer this autumn, as the cost-of-living spirals upwards at an alarming rate. For people who are already in financial difficulties, the cost of living will probably be at crisis point already. And so, Christians Against Poverty (CAP) says: “It’s more vital than ever that the Church shines God’s love brightly...

What is a good way to ‘celebrate’ this annual day of appreciation for our Bibles? One way might be to send a Bible to someone in prison. Certainly, Bibles seem to be wanted there just now. Bible Society reports that: “Prison chaplains are telling us that more and more prisoners urgently want to read God’s...

Ever wonder how many Bible translations there are in the world? And how many more are still needed? Wycliffe Bible Translators reports the following, as of 2021: There are now 3,495 languages, which have some Scripture available to 7.04 billion people. This figure of 3,495 breaks down into: 717 languages with a complete Bible –...

Send a Cow has changed its name to Ripple Effect, to reflect the far-reaching impact of its work with small holder farmers in rural Africa. “For every family we work with, three more families benefit too. As they learn more, grow more and sell more, the benefits are shared with their families, neighbours and communities....

Release International has reported an “alarming scale of rising violence in Nigeria” as terrorists attempt to Islamise the nation. The violence is expected to rise as Nigeria heads towards next year’s presidential elections. In Plateau State alone, the number of Christians killed is not less than 20,000. “We have their names and addresses. And yet...

New resource to help churches become more ‘fruitful in evangelism’ Church of England unveils strategy to help rural churches thrive General Synod Presidential Address by the Archbishop of York Calls for stronger age verification for pornography websites Daily Prayer podcast celebrates 1,000th episode  ‘Choir Churches’ to be funded as part of projects to spread the...

The Church of England has launched an online resource to help churches to become more ‘fruitful in evangelism’. Leading in Evangelism will support church leaders in developing a culture for evangelism in their local context. Leading in Evangelism consists of a series of one hour video-supported sessions which can stimulate conversation and action, and thereby...

The Church of England has launched a 10-point strategy to help its thousands of rural churches survive and thrive. The CofE has published How Village Churches Thrive, a practical guide to help the churches – many of them historic listed buildings with small congregations – have a sustainable future. The strategy sets out 10 key...

Here is an edited version of Stephen Cottrell’s recent speech… Following Jesus isn’t easy. In the public square our words will often be misunderstood, misinterpreted and misquoted. People will think we’re woke, naïve, misguided, too left wing, too right wing, too liberal or too conservative. We will be applauded for taking a moral stand, and...

A free service bringing the ancient monastic cycle of daily prayer to millions of modern listeners has recently broadcast its 1,000th episode. The Daily Prayer podcast* brings listeners together twice a day for the short traditional services of Morning and Evening. The podcast, available both via the Daily Prayer app as well as all major...