Family & relationships
Thousands of Christian teachers are at risk of losing their jobs for holding biblical views on trans
For every one teacher such as Joshua Sutcliffe, there will be thousands of other Christian teachers who hold to the same biblical beliefs about gender and sexuality. And though they may not communicate these beliefs in precisely the same way, each of them, sooner or later, may have to make costly decisions, whether the repercussions are minor or major. That’s the view of Lizzie Harewood from the Association of Christian Teachers. What do you think?
The Church of England's safeguarding crisis explained
Survivors are losing trust in the Church of England's ability to do justice in cases of abuse, while a leading bishop says his name has been unfairly “besmirched”. Rosie Dawson has the full story
Ofsted’s problems are theological: here’s how to fix them
Nick Megoran has interviewed dozens of teachers and church leaders in order to understand how we can better manage and motivate people in the workplace. As the suicide of head teacher, Ruth Perry, continues to cast a spotlight on Ofsted inspections, Nick argues that our theology of success needs to change
The Bible doesn’t gloss over grief, and neither should we
When Amanda Held Opelt suffered a season of loss - including three miscarriages and the death of her sister, Rachel Held Evans - she was confronted with sorrow she didn’t know to how face. Why do so many Christians insist on an immediate, redemptive story arc when they experience suffering?
I’ve been researching domestic abuse in Black majority churches. Here’s what survivors have told me
Dr Ava Kanyeredzi has co-authored a new study on attitudes toward domestic abuse in Black majority churches. Her research suggests some churches tend to protect the abuser rather than the victim
Should parents punish children?
Bible scholar Tom Wright gives his answer
Augustine would be baffled by Joshua Butler’s sex article
Dr Beth Felker Jones believes a now removed article on The Gospel Coalition takes the biblical metaphor connecting God with marriage and turns it into a porn-inflected ode to intercourse
If we cancel Josh Butler, we may have to do the same for St Augustine
Pastor and author Joshua Ryan Butler may not have formulated his ideas about sex as carefully as he might have done, but he is certainly on to something profoundly Christian that has a long and rich heritage, says Tony Wilson
‘My daughter’s heart stopped as I watched on helplessly’
When 14-month-old Liberty Feesey visited her GP with a persistent cough, her father, Paul, had no idea that only 24 hours later she would be in intensive care fighting for her life
The pro-life cause we’re overlooking
My husband and I have just finished shared parental leave for the second time. This time, I returned to work six months after the birth of our second son as my husband started three months of staying at home to look after him. I’ve been fascinated by the range of ...
‘The closer I got to the doors, the greater the sense of God’s presence’
Tens of thousands of worshippers have flocked to the rolling revival meeting at Asbury University over the past 14 days. The national director of Vineyard in the UK and Ireland, Debby Wright joined the crowds and filed this report while on a plane back home
It’s been a bad week for men in the news. Jesus is the only answer
This week’s most-read news stories have involved men behaving abhorrently. Christian Vision for Men’s Jon Stockley says the only antidote to the relentless surge of toxic masculinity is for men to imitate Christ
Why I’m taking legal action against my son’s school for promoting Gay Pride
Children go to school to learn to read and write, says Izzy Montague, not to have a political agenda forced upon them that conflicts with their religious beliefs. It is time Christian parents said: ‘Enough is enough!’
A former sex coach investigates - What does the Bible really say about sex?
When Kate Orson became a Christian, her understanding of sex was turned upside down. As she grappled with past trauma and what the Bible says about our most intimate relationships, she found herself deeply challenged
Editor’s picks: 15 best features from 2022
Premier Christianity has been at the forefront of unpacking all the big stories of 2022 from a distinctly Christian perspective. Here’s a round-up of our favourite long-reads the year
From domestic abuse to new creation
Autumn Miles was trapped in an abusive relationship, until a powerful encounter with God during the depth of her despair set her on a path to freedom
Like Stormzy, my son was stabbed. Here’s 4 things the Church can do to tackle gun and knife crime
As Stormzy speaks about being stabbed and two men die in Brixton, Pastor Lorraine Jones Burrell shares her experience of losing her son to street violence, and encourages the Church to do more
Why Christians need to talk about the dark side of motherhood
A few days ago, I was sat in a coffee shop with my four-month-old son. The coffee was getting colder and colder as I bounced my baby up and down on my knee, patted his back and tried to feed him or just distract him from crying.
I used to feel like a girl trapped in a boy’s body. But now I know God created me male
Andrew Bunt wrestled with his identity for many years before reading the Bible helped him find peace. He welcomes new NHS guidelines, which acknowledge gender-questioning young people may be experiencing a transient phase
Sex is a good gift from God. But it isn’t easy when you have a chronic illness
Sex is often challenging to talk about. But as a Christian with a long term chronic illness, it can be even harder. Here are some of the lessons Fiona Smith has learned over the years
‘My wife had a psychotic episode, then I was diagnosed with incurable cancer. Here are 16 lessons we're learning in God's classroom'
Serious illness has brought my wife and I closer to one another, and closer to God, says Alan Palmer, as he lists 16 spiritual lessons he's learned in the midst of crippling treatment for blood cancer
Don’t remove your children from school if they encounter trans pupils. It’s an opportunity to talk about difference
Equalities specialist Savitri Hensman says this Christian couple missed an opportunity to prepare their children to live in a sometimes confusing world
Thank God for this Christian couple who forced the government to review its transgender policies
The result of Nigel and Sally Rowe’s five-year legal battle on transgender ideology in schools is a win for all children, says Caroline Farrow
'A simple invitation to a brilliant Christian camp changed my life'
A simple invitation radically altered the course of Tony Uddin’s life
TikTok is helping us reach millions with the gospel
Just months after posting their first video, John and Jade Reynolds Christian content is reaching millions. John explains how you can use this social media platform for the Kingdom
The CLC’s involvement in the Archie Battersbee case gave Christians a bad name
The way the Christian Legal Centre handled the tragic case of Archie Battersbee was an insult to palliative care and end-of-life professionals, argues George Pitcher
‘I was scarred by my abortions, but God healed me’
Rachel MacKenzie explains how she encountered God’s love and compassion
Why children’s ministry needs a creative revolution
Wonderfully told Bible stories laid the foundation for Chine McDonald’s decision to become a Christian. She says the Church needs to find innovative ways to engage the next generation in the richness of our faith
No one expects a priest to be a victim of domestic abuse, but it happened to me
Abuse can happen to anyone, even those in church leadership. When Esther* finally reached a point of crisis, she found a listening ear and practical help from Clergy Support Trust
Trans toddlers…have we lost all sense of reality?
Children as young as two can recognise their trans identity. That’s according to LGBT charity Stonewall. James Kennedy believes that abandoning traditional Christian values is leading us to a moral vacuum
Why is Generation Z leaving the Church?
Gen Z is made up of people aged 10-25. The vast majority of 'Zoomers' say they have 'no religion'. Brian Mountford has been researching why they typically reject Christian faith. Here's what he's discovered
Northern Ireland says Christian-focused RE is unlawful. Even the Church agrees reform is needed
The requirement for schools in Northern Ireland to provide Christian religious education at the exclusion of other faiths breaches human rights legislation, the High Court has ruled. Dr Andrew Brown says the Church may welcome the decision
How to raise anti-racist children and grandchildren
It’s not good enough to be merely ‘not racist’, Christians must teach their children and grandchildren to be ‘anti-racist’, says Loretta Andrews. She unpacks the distinction and provides practical tips for acting justly when it comes to raising the next generation
Jendella Benson: ‘When I was charged with money laundering I thought God would deliver me’
In this exclusive interview, the British-Nigerian novelist opens up about the unexpected conviction for money laundering which radically changed her theology and how the love and support of her church family helped keep her faith alive while her husband was in prison
'Simultaneously joyous and exhausting' 5 Christians share their stories of adoption
This year in the UK, around 35,000 children and young people will enter the care system. That’s 95 children every single day. Claire Musters speaks to five different families who have opened their homes and hearts to foster or adopt some of them
Does allowing same-sex marriage result in church decline? Here's what the numbers show
There are no growing church denominations in the UK that don’t hold a traditional view on sexuality and marriage, according to a new report. But is it that simple? Dr Ian Paul investigates
‘Archie’s faith inspired mine, I won’t give up fighting for his life’
After a tragic accident left him in a coma, Hollie Dance is convinced her son just needs more time to heal and is adamant that she’ll fight to her last breath to give it to him. She reveals how his wish to be baptised was fulfilled in hospital and how their faith is sustaining them through this tragedy
The schools bill: This state power grab threatens home education and should be resisted by all Christians
The freedom of parents to choose how their children are educated is under threat, says Ruth Barber
Two Daughters: Faith and forgiveness in the face of unimaginable horror
New BBC documentary Two Daughters follows Mina Smallman, an Anglican Priest whose daughters were stabbed to death in a London park. How did she find the strength to forgive?
How (not) to speak the truth in love
There’s a sentence that sounds to my ears like the removal of a pin from a grenade, sending me scrambling for cover and bracing for a doctrinal explosion: “I just have to speak the truth in love.”
Thank God the ‘Family Sex Show’ has been cancelled
A theatre show which would have urged children as young as five to explore ‘sexual pleasure’ has been cancelled following a fierce backlash. Catholic campaigner Caroline Farrow welcomes the news
Like Ronaldo, I lost a son. At first I wanted to scream at God. But now my faith is stronger
When Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez announced the death of their baby, it brought back memories for Ian O’Reilly, whose own son, Tristan, died days after being born at Shrewsbury Hospital. 22 years later, his faith has been tested and refined by his grief, but is stronger for it
I was 17 and homeless when Covid shut schools. The government must make it up to kids like me
Samantha Smith was studying for her A-Levels when schools were closed due to Covid-19. Like many vulnerable young people, it turned her world upside down. The education secretary has now admitted it was a “mistake” to ban kids from the classroom, but she believes the government must do more to repair the damage done
No-fault divorce would have ended my parents’ marriage 30 years ago. Today, they’re serving Jesus together
With her dad addicted to drugs and in the middle of a breakdown, Emma Fowle is convinced that a no-fault divorce would have ended her parent’s marriage. As it was, time – and the prayers of her church family – both played their part in its miraculous restoration
There’s no place for transgender athletes in women’s sport, but Christians must show compassion
A world without God at the centre has led to the mess we are observing in sport, says Jonny Reid from Christians in Sport. In an attempt to balance inclusion with competition, the emergence of trans athletes is undermining the future of women’s sport
5 reasons why we love (to hate) Netflix’s ‘Love is Blind’
The social experiment where single men and women look for love and get engaged, all before meeting in person has gripped viewers. C Allan explains what Christians can take away from it
Why single Christian women are leaving the church
If leaders don’t respond to women’s concerns about sexism, misogyny and their role in church life soon, it will be too late to stem the tide, says Dr Katie Gaddini
Child Q: A mother’s worst nightmare
After a black pupil was strip searched by police at her east London school, protests erupted. A safeguarding report found the search of the 15-year-old girl, known as Child Q, was unjustified and racism was “likely” to have been a factor. Christian barrister, Arlene Small, who attended one of the recent protests, responds
'It’s 6 months since my son took his life. The tsunami of grief has been brutal, but I still believe in a God of love'
Sharon Grenham-Thompson, also known as 'Glam Vicar', lost her teenage son Leo to suicide last year. Having been forced to face the unthinkable, Sharon explains how the devastating news has affected her faith
CODA: Why Christians should pay attention to this Oscar-winning film
Now that the world has finished talking about Will Smith’s infamous slap, can we get back to the actual films? Nathanael Smith reviews CODA
Supporting Ukrainian refugees is a colossal task, but here’s how our church welcomed a family of 17
Associate pastor Brian Whittaker welcomed 17 Ukrainian refugees to his church on Sunday
‘I walked from Cardiff to London to encourage ethnic minority young people into leadership’
Daud Irfan was six years old when his family fled persecution in Pakistan for a new life in Wales. Since then, he and his father have followed in the footsteps of their Methodist heroes, the Wesley brothers, by walking 170 miles to encourage diversity within the Church
CBBC’s Rhys Stephenson: ‘God has always opened doors for me’
The children’s TV presenter and Strictly star says he’ll never be ashamed to talk about his Christian faith
'800 people became Christians at the last Spring Harvest. Now is the time for the Church to come together again'
With just weeks to go, Spring Harvest's CEO tells us how the biggest Easter celebration on the Church’s calendar is set up to bring physical and spiritual refreshment
As a Christian man I know my role is to protect my family, but Will Smith was wrong to resort to violence
Christian men should be protective of their families, but we must not imitate the world’s methods. Jesus shows us a much better way, argues Carl Beech
‘Cancer has caused my faith to soar’
When she was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer, Fi Johnston wondered if her faith would stand the test
What a group of centenarians taught me about the origins of Mother's Day
The author and BBC broadcaster Tessa Dunlop unpacks the origins of Mother's Day and explains how both the Second World War and American influence helped popularise what was formerly a purely religious day
Why I avoid church on Mothers Day
Lizzie Lowrie explains why some people find going to church on Mothers Day so hard
‘My Christian son was abducted by a drug gang’
Michael’s mother was astonished to discover her polite, well-behaved teenage son, who attended church regularly, had been recruited by a drug gang
‘Everything mum told me was a lie’
Helen Naylor grew up thinking she was the daughter of two disabled parents, but a discovery in adulthood turned her world upside down
Genelle Aldred: ‘Jesus wouldn’t fit in most of our churches’
The journalist and activist was just 19 when an unplanned pregnancy ended in the stillbirth of her daughter. It was an experience that still drives her to tackle inequality wherever she sees it
Want to get the missing generations into your church? Look at the science
If the Church wants to reach the missing generations, it needs to learn from the science, says Darrell Hall. Truly intergenerational churches are not silos but families that are equally represented, and equally invested in
Will Covid empty the pews?
Only a third of younger Christians intend to return to church regularly after the pandemic
Rachel Gardner: The ‘God Sex Lady’ on why the Church needs to get better at bedroom talk
Ahead of Valentine’s Day, Rachel Gardner says discussing sex may make us squirm, but not talking about it is far worse
Wrestling with biblical teaching on gender inspired my award-winning photograph
‘Wonder Boy’ has just been nominated for the prestigious Portrait of Britain award.
What retracing Jesus’ desert trek taught me about the kindness of strangers
After Jesus’ birth came a dramatic journey through a hostile wilderness. As Dan Morrice follows in Christ’s footsteps he considers how the lessons Jesus learned in the Negev desert shaped the man he became
Inside the Christian campaign to end homelessness
During the first lockdown, thousands of rough sleepers were housed by a government scheme. But 20 months later, homelessness is back to pre-pandemic levels. We speak to the Christian charities who are working to end homelessness once and for all
I was a heroin addict but Jesus turned my life around. Now I'm helping others make a fresh start
Chaz was sexually abused as a child, addicted to heroin and has spent twelve years in prison. Yet thanks to a fresh start at a Christian housing project, he has turned his life around. Now, he’s doing the same for others
Why I invited a 17 year-old Afghan refugee to live with my Christian family
Jesus extended hospitality to all, and so should we, says Dan Morris
‘I’m transgender and I love Jesus’
Chrissie Chevasutt battled gender dysphoria for decades. They explain how a dramatic encounter with the Holy Spirit during a transgender dressing appointment changed everything
A national day of prayer for schools has been launched. Here’s how you can take part
As children go back to school today, we need churches that will commit to praying for our nation’s schools, says Pete Baker
A Mind Of Their Own - Katharine Hill
At a time when anxiety and low self-esteem are on the rise, Katharine Hill, UK director for Care for the Family, gives the reader helpful principles for raising children in a postpandemic world. The end goal? Encouragement that young people can still become confident, resilient and secure adults.
How to grow old faithfully
The Bible doesn’t talk about retiring, says Carl Knightly. Whatever age we are, we still have value, worth and a part to play in the family of God
Teenagers want to study religion, but hundreds of schools don’t offer RE
One-third of secondary schools do not provide RE for their 14-16-year-olds. The subject has been neglected for too long, and more investment is needed from the government, says RE teacher Ben Wood
The Courier: 3 lessons Christians can learn from Benedict Cumberbatch's new film
Benedict Cumberbatch’s new film The Courier is not just a Cold War thriller or an engaging personal story, says Krish Kandiah. It offers us a vision for friendship in the face of loneliness and provides a powerful metaphor of the Church’s role in our divided times
Black Widow: Superheroes are having an identity crisis
Black Widow represents a transition from one generation of heroes to the next, amid the the movie industry’s struggle to make sense of the superhero in the postmodern world, says our reviewer
Churches are desperate for youth workers. So why can’t they find any?
Low pay, short term contracts and heavy recruitment into church leadership is resulting in a critical shortage of youth and children’s workers says Paul Friend of South West Youth Ministries. But who is to blame and what can we do about it?
Does the Church still care about abortion?
Activists say most churches are silent on pro-life issues. Heather Tomlinson asks if Christians are avoiding the subject and, if so, why?
The Christian faith of Mumsnet co-founder Carrie Longton
The co-founder of Mumsnet shares her insights on faith, leadership and work-life balance
Whatever happened to The Donut Man? I miss him
Despite having a theology degree from the University of Cambridge, I am convinced that much of my enduring Bible knowledge was formed during long childhood car journeys listening to the Donut Man.
'God told me to home educate my child' - why one Christian parent joined the growing ranks of home schoolers
The number of children being educated at home has risen by 75% this academic year, with "Covid anxiety" being listed among the reasons. Megan Wilkie, who recently took her daughter out of school, tells us about the highs and lows of being a Christian home educator
5 ways to help your kids love the Bible
If we want our children to understand why scripture is relevant to their lives, we need to stop dumbing it down, says Krish Kandiah
Does the Bible prohibit sex before marriage?
Last week the Methodist Church affirmed the status of cohabitation. Many Christians have assumed the Bible forbids sex outside of marriage. But what do the texts actually say?
‘He sets the lonely in families’ - the rise of Christian adoption
Christians are twice as likely to adopt than the general population, but thousands of children are still in need of a safe, stable home. Emma Fowle explains how every Christian can help create an environment where children can thrive
3 reasons why you need to watch Anthony Hopkins in The Father
Everyone should watch this film, says Krish Kandiah
The Church is losing an entire generation. Here’s what you can do about it
Even prior to Covid-19, the number of children and teenagers attending church services in the UK was in steep decline. But after a year like no other, is the answer going back to the way we’ve always done things, or is it time for a fresh approach?
Why abuse in church is worse than you thought
Michele Guinness shares her story of sexual abuse, and says every Christian must play their part in forging a new culture of respect between men and women
Friends: The lasting legacy of TV’s most popular sitcom
With just 10 days to go until the Friends reunion, Jamie Cutteridge considers how the show has connected with young and old alike, and what Christians can take away from it
What is a 'naked wedding' and why should Christians have one?
An estimated 127,000 weddings were cancelled last year, as couples chose to postpone their nuptials in the face of ever-tightening Covid-19 restrictions. But speaking ahead of National Marriage Week, Charlie and Emily explain how their Christian faith inspired them to go ahead with their special day
How God brought our marriage back from the brink
After a period of separation, Claire and Steve Musters were determined to make their marriage work. During a time of rebuilding, they were challenged by their marriage counsellors to think back to what drew them together in the first place. They realised many of their ideas about marriage had been fuelled by cultural rather than biblical ideals – and they don’t think they are the only ones…
Drawers, doors and the key to a healthy marriage
Dr Gary Chapman may have written bestselling books on marriage, but the early years of his own relationship were a mess. Here he reveals how God challenged him to change his attitude towards his wife – and what a difference that made
Gemma Hunt: How a prophetic word inspired the CBeebies presenter to work in TV
A prophetic word at Soul Survivor inspired the then-teenage Gemma Hunt to pursue a career in the media. She has gone on to front CBeebies’ Swashbuckle, BBC One’s Songs of Praise and even the Alpha film series
Rev Chris Lee: The viral vicar of Instagram
He has more followers than the Archbishop of Canterbury and tens of thousands watch his 60-second sermons. BBC News has dubbed him “an internet sensation”, but what message is Rev Chris Lee seeking to communicate?
Kim Phuc Phan Thi: How the bombs led me to Christ
Known as ‘Napalm Girl’, Kim Phuc is recognised globally as the nine-year-old running from a napalm attack during the Vietnam War. The image was recently voted the most iconic photo of all time. Kim explains why practising forgiveness can be transformational
‘I saw angels hovering over my daughter’s body’
Nadim Ednan-Laperouse describes the moment his daughter, Natasha, had a severe allergic reaction to a Pret a Manger sandwich and died by his side
Louie Giglio: The Passion founder says he's no longer relevant
The founder of the Passion student movement reflects on changed lives, purpose in suffering and why he’s no longer relevant
‘I became a Christian after going to a light party’
Jesus wasn’t on Jodi Jackson’s radar until she was invited to a Christian alternative to Halloween. Two years later, she can’t stop praying
Rob Parsons: The master storyteller reflects on 30 years of Care for the Family
As his long-running Premier Christianity column draws to a close, Rob Parsons chats about his ministry with Care for the Family, the disruptive nature of technology and the power of vulnerability
Rachel Gardner: Meet the sassy youth worker on a mission to put courage into the next generation
The popular speaker, youth worker and campaigner also known as the 'God Sex Lady' tells Sam Hailes why courage is more important than confidence
Preventing adultery
The Jews of Jesus’ day devised a clever way to encourage marital faithfulness. Should the Church implement something similar?
Building real relationships is a messy business
Authentic faith and effective evangelism require the courage and compassion to invest in deep relationships. I thought StoryHouse, our new missional coffee shop, was good at this, but now I realise we’re still amateurs.
The forgotten generation
The elderly are often overlooked by the Church. But running a memory café for people with dementia has led to a rebirth of Rev Steve Morris’ congregation. He explains how every church can help combat loneliness
Catch them doing something right
I still remember the advice given to my wife and I by a parenting expert many years ago: “Catch them doing something right.” He was particularly talking about the more testing child who is generally only used to negative comments: “Don’t hit your sister!”, “Don’t gobble your food!”, “Don’t speak ...
Finding the father I lost
Family breakdown and estrangement from her father led Amanda Pilz to question everything. She relates how the pain of her journey has led to wholeness
A litmus test for orthodoxy
The Evangelical Alliance’s decision to remove Steve Chalke’s organisation Oasis from membership raises the question of what defines an evangelical today. Justin Brierley reflects on why homosexuality has become the latest tipping point.
- Issues
- Topics A-Z
- Writers A-Z
- © 2023 Premier Christianity
Site powered by Webvision Cloud