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More than 50,000 people are attending non-traditional church gatherings, thanks to the success of a drive to attract worshippers with no previous contact with the Christian faith, the General Synod heard this summer. And members of the General Synod gave their backing to an expansion of ‘Fresh Expressions’ churches – new forms of church gatherings,...

The Bishop of Truro has welcomed the Government’s commitment to accepting all of the recent recommendations of the Independent Review into Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Support for Persecuted Christians. The Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen, who chaired the review, said he hopes it will now become a significant catalyst for change. Sir Alan Duncan (who...

Churches should play a key role in combating serious youth violence in their communities, according to a motion unanimously backed by the recent meeting of the General Synod. Members of the Church of England’s national assembly voted by 315 to zero in support of a motion calling on the church’s national bodies, dioceses and education...

The Church of England has published social media advice aimed at tackling offensive behaviour and misleading content and encouraging a positive atmosphere for online conversations. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, unveiled the Church’s first ever social media guidelines at Facebook.  The guidelines encourage positive engagement across all national social media accounts run by the Church of...

An extensive presentation on safeguarding in the Church of England was given by the lead safeguarding bishop, the Rt Revd Peter Hancock, Bishop of Bath & Wells, at the recent meeting of the General Synod. He said that while “the need for compassion and pastoral care is clear,” it is “action that will bring reform,...

The General Synod of the Church of England has voted overwhelmingly in support of a new deal to co-ordinate and improve the approach to the care and well-being of clergy. Members voted to adopt a covenant committing parishes, dioceses and the wider church as well as individual clergy to sharing responsibility for the welfare of...

Gambling rules in Northern Ireland could be brought into line with tighter standards in the rest of the UK, following an intervention by the Church of England. An amendment tabled in the House of Lords by the Bishop of St Albans, Alan Smith, opening the way for possible alignment in gambling regulation between Northern Ireland...

The General Synod has recently given its backing to further steps towards bringing the Church of England and the Methodist Church in Great Britain into communion with each other. Members voted in favour of starting work on drafting a series of texts including a formal declaration of a new relationship of communion between the two...

Call for churches to act as safe havens in hot spots for serious youth violence Bishop calls for churches to garden for mental health Church of England announces up to £155m investment in mission and ministry  Ecclesiastical Insurance launches Parish Pixels   Children with mental health issues turned away A guide to making our church...

Churches were encouraged to offer a place of sanctuary for young people as part of efforts to combat knife crime and serious youth violence, in a key debate held at the General Synod last month. The Revd. Canon Dr Rosemarie Mallett, a priest in Angell Town, south London, urged parishes to consider opening their doors...

The Church of England’s lead bishop on healthcare issues, James Newcome, has backed experts’ calls for churches to promote gardening for mental wellbeing. A recent conference at Lambeth Palace to explore the links between mental health and gardening saw a fresh call for churches to use their green space to offer ‘therapeutic gardening’. Green Health...

Up to £155 million of additional investment may be spent over the next three years by the Church of England.  The funds will aim to increase the number of people coming forward to train for the priesthood, support cathedrals, and help disadvantaged areas. These spending plans for 2020 to 2022 will help build on the...