All Family & Relationships articles
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OpinionIVF is not the solution to Britain’s birth rate crisis. God’s plan for the family is
The UK birth rate has fallen to its lowest level in half a century. While some blame economics, Lois McLatchie Miller argues that IVF is encouraging us to put our fertility on hold while pursuing our dreams. But for Christians, the technology comes with difficult ethical implications
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OpinionThe Married at First Sight rape allegations are heartbreaking. We are a long way from God’s plan
A BBC investigation has uncovered allegations that two women were raped during filming of the reality TV show, Married at First Sight: UK. Giles Gough asks whether the format is at fault, or if wider societal attitudes towards sex and relationships need to change
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OpinionThe Church must disciple young men before the manosphere does
The manosphere has become a refuge for emotionally displaced boys, says Jody Goldsworthy. The Church needs to recover Jesus’ model of forming young men through deep relationship into love, not fear
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Magazine FeaturesSmacking: How a generation of Christians changed their mind
AJ Gomez investigates why today’s parents are sparing the rod in favour of gentler forms of correction
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Magazine FeaturesAdoptive families are quietly struggling. Here’s how to ensure your church isn't part of the problem
Churches often encourage adoption, but rarely understand what it really involves. Reflecting on a recent Sunday morning, Lisa Mainwaring highlights how some well-meaning language can be harmful to adoptive families and what they truly need from their church communities
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Magazine FeaturesInside a Christian carehome – and why it surprised me
When a family crisis left Hazel Southam with no choice but to find a care home for her father, she was troubled by the poor standards. Here, she explores a Christian alternative and notes the difference faith can make in caring for society’s most vulnerable
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OpinionThe world is selling men a fantasy of masculinity. The Church offers a far better vision
Louis Theroux’s Inside the Manosphere reveals a culture of men confusing dominance for strength, isolation for independence and control for confidence. Jamie Sewell says the Church must stop critiquing from the sidelines and get intentional about the formation of men
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Magazine FeaturesThe ultimate betrayal: When my husband broke his vows, God remained faithful
When Megan’s marriage collapsed amid revelations of serious sexual crime and infidelity, her world shattered. This is how she discovered that even in life’s darkest moments, God’s presence can still be found
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ReviewsInside the Manosphere shows a generation of men that desperately need Jesus
After watching Louis Theroux’s most recent documentary, Luke Smith says the crisis facing our young men is the same today as it’s always been. They are searching for meaning, value and purpose in all the wrong places. It’s time for Christian men to become fathers to a fatherless generation
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OpinionBanning social media for under-16s will only increase loneliness
As youth clubs, uniformed groups, sports and arts opportunities have diminished, social media is one of the few places where young people can meet with their peers. Banning it might protect them from online harm, but it will also increase isolation, says Bishop Philip North
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OpinionWant your church to grow? Welcome children and let them be noisy
A church in Pennsylvania has sparked widespread debate after announcing its policy to welcome noisy children. “The sound of children in worship is not a distraction. It is evidence of life, growth and the future of the church,” its memo declared. Rev Ben Sleep explains how embracing a similar philosophy brought renewal to his own congregation on the south coast of England
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Regular ColumnistsWhy the Church should shout louder about the beauty of weddings
Renewing her vows after ten years of marriage reminded Chine McDonald why we need to shout about church weddings
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Real Life‘I loved my church – until infertility made it unbearable’
Two miscarriages and years of infertility left Debbie Newson traumatised – and church, once her spiritual home, became the place she most needed to avoid. She explains what went wrong, and why understanding the effects of trauma can go a long way
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Magazine FeaturesA lot of evangelical marriage advice is wrong. Here’s the evidence
A lot of popular evangelical teaching actually leads to worse sex and less happy marriages, argues Sheila Wray Gregoire. Here’s the Christian marriage advice you really need
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Testimonies‘I hated everything about religion - but then God called me home’
After reaching the finals of Britain’s Got Talent and landing a record deal, Eddie Brett was flying high. But when success fell away, seeking peace led him right back to Jesus
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InterviewsHarry Benson: ‘Nearly half of kids are not living with both parents. I think that’s horrendous’
With family breakdown at a record high, marriage researcher Harry Benson argues that the real crisis isn’t divorce, but the quiet erosion of commitment before it begins
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Magazine Features1 in 4 Christians have experienced domestic abuse. Here’s what churches can do
We can’t assume that domestic abuse doesn’t happen in our churches, says Bekah Legg. Here’s how Christians can develop a better theology to deal with it
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OpinionNo, LADbible, porn cannot be ethical. God designed us for something more
Most young people are worried about the effect of pornography, according to a new campaign. But the answer is not in normalising it, says Kate Harvey. It’s time for Christians to tell a better story about sex and human relationships
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OpinionJustin Bieber’s viral list of 10 family values is bold and biblical
Justin Bieber’s list of values has struck a chord with millions after being posted online. But impressive as they are, Phil Anderson says Christianity has always insisted that intentions only become transformative when they are translated into Spirit-led daily practices
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ReviewsWondering if your marriage follows you into heaven? This film posits an answer — but you may not like it
Eternity charmingly invites Christians to ask what romantic relationships look like in the afterlife — but, Giles Gough warns, some Christians may find the answers this fantasy film gives deeply unsettling
