Viewing all items in Resource Category: Looking at your Church

Truth can come from a range of places. In Shakespeare, it’s the fool who often has the insight that the main characters lack. In the Old Testament, it’s the prophets that proclaim the truth from God’s perspective. Maybe today, we should be listening more to the comedians – to the people who stand back from...

As we seek to reconnect with our community this summer, how many local people would find it easy to even venture into our church? Dr Anne Richards, National Adviser, Mission and Publish Affairs, Church of England, recently had this to say: “I think that churches, especially rural churches, can be sites of common ground for...

I have found hope and peace in knowing that as Christians we hold fast to the promise that God will bring forth good out of this season, and that God is with our patients all the more, especially if we cannot be. As a society and as a church, we are often poorly equipped to...

India – engulfed by a tsunami of grief Remembering Prince Philip A prince’s legacy on matters of faith Keeping faith in the local media How healthy is your church leader – and your church? Environmental attendance A look at the Methodists today ** India – engulfed by a tsunami of grief Covid-19 has been overwhelming...

Covid-19 has been overwhelming India in recent weeks, bringing its health services and institutions to their knees. Hospitals have run out of oxygen, medical staff cannot help the queues of desperate patients, and bodies are piling up as people die in vast numbers. The Indian Christian community, like their compatriots, have also been suffering. Reports...

“We have thanked God for Prince Philip’s life of extraordinary service. There are some rare people who bring energy into a room – the Duke of Edinburgh was very much one of those people. His presence lifted a gathering. He might have challenged and interrogated, but whatever he said, he never bored anyone. “The Duke...

Just when we thought the last word had been written about the late Duke of Edinburgh, it emerged that he had a genuine interest in theology.  That dashing young naval officer, who became the Queen’s dutiful consort and accompanied her to thousands of church services, was someone who listened intently to sermons, thought through what...

The vital role played by local newspapers and radio in encouraging greater understanding of faith has been highlighted in a newly-published parliamentary report. I say Amen to that. ‘Learning to Listen’, produced by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Religion in the Media, praises the positive role played by local and regional media in reporting...

When was the last time you heard a church leader preach about sleep? Or about eating well, exercise, coping with stress or living a life rich with relationships? How far do your church leaders model good health and wellbeing in the way the church is run and the example they set for the congregation? And...

When we think of analysing church attendance, we usually do it by denomination, churchmanship or people’s age. But there is another way.  We should also consider the environment (catchment area) of where people attend a church. The most recent Rural Digest was issued by the Government Statistical Service in March of this year, comparing the rural...

The Methodist Church of Great Britain (MCGB) was formed in 1932 from a merger of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, the Primitive Methodist Church and the United Methodist Church (itself a merger of three groups in 1907), then with a total membership of 840,000 and 7,800 churches. In 2019 the MCGB had some 4,200 churches across England,...

THY KINGDOM COME (13th – 23rd May) Foreigners? Pope’s visit underlined why martyrs still matter Millions join worship online during the pandemic CMS honours its women missionaries who are working for a better world Displaced Christians starving in Tigray, Ethiopia ** THY KINGDOM COME (13th – 23rd May) Editor: If your church is taking part...