When God came into the world, it was traumatic, argues George Pitcher. But Advent reminds us that now, more than ever, the Church needs the healing balm of Jesus - even if it is painful at first touch
George Pitcher takes a look at what Trump’s victory in the 2024 US presidential election means for Christian Nationalism around the globe, and the troubling precedent that it sets
The Met’s decision to release more information on Chris Kaba’s “character”, presents us with some worrying ethical issues, says George Pitcher
George Pitcher might be an Anglican Priest, but he reckons a church-centric faith is no longer fit for purpose.
The Old City of Jerusalem contains within its walls thousands of years of religious conflict. Ahead of the first anniversary of the Hamas terror attack, George Pitcher reflects on the city where everyone prays, but where peace still seems elusive
A vote to legalise assisted dying across the UK could be imminent, according to some media reports. If passed, it could bring about one of the biggest social changes in the UK since the 1967 Abortion Act. George Pitcher says the issue deserves a proper, unemotional debate
Today’s scathing report into the Grenfell Tower fire has blamed “dishonest” companies and failures by successive governments. George Pitcher says Christians can’t only mourn the 72 lost lives. We must also repent of our own blindness to the suffering of the poor, both at Grenfell and in the English Channel
When Muslims fed rioters who meant them harm, they were following in Abraham’s footsteps, says George Pitcher. And perhaps setting us all an example of how to better overcome extreme hostility
Can’t we find better things to criticise our politicians over than the fact that they laugh too much? We need more joy in politics, not less, says George Pitcher. Long may the US vice president’s laughter remain
It’s time for the Church to get serious about the things that really matter, says George Pitcher. And that means less time on same-sex relationships and more on the lost, the poor and the marginalised
If the Church of England wants to restore trust, it needs to earn it, says George Pitcher. Social media is not the problem, it’s the lack of transparency in dealing with the hard issues
Having lost weight and discovered the advantages of feeling hungry, George Pitcher is grateful to Dr Michael Mosley for popularising the ancient spiritual practice of fasting. Just don’t be smug about it, he says
The Christian call to welcome does not nullify the need for justice, says George Pitcher. Whether it’s MPs, entertainers or asylum seekers, the Church’s job is not to judge. That is a matter for the judiciary
Old Testament prophets would have condemned Israel for departing from the ways of peace, says George Pitcher. The death of seven aid workers in Gaza is another example of innocents caught in the crossfire. It has to stop
From Lee Anderson’s uncharitable comments about the Mayor of London to the Rwanda policy, economic lack can result in a meanness of spirit, says George Pitcher. But Christ offers a different way
The killing and displacement of Gazans must be stopped, says George Pitcher. It’s time for Christians to demand the British government cease supplying arms to Israel
The gospel is looking more and more attractive to younger generations, says George Pitcher
The world may seem dark this advent, but that’s even more reason to turn to Jesus, the light of the world. He illuminates the darkness and lightens our load. That’s something worth celebrating, says Rev George Pitcher
With pro-Palestinian demonstrations planned in the capital this Armistice Day, George Pitcher says it’s easy to call for peace when the conflict is thousands of miles away - much harder when your family is under constant threat from terrorists. Nevertheless, he says, peaceful protests should be welcomed, but antisemitism cannot
The gospel may need no refreshing, but we do. It’s time to go, says George Pitcher
The BBC’s four-part drama-documentary about Jimmy Savile, The Reckoning, concluded this week. Is it TV titillation asks George Pitcher, or a reminder that we do not have the moral option of looking away from such crimes?
Following Hamas’ brutal terror attacks, George Pitcher understands the pledges from Western leaders to “stand with Israel”. But he wonders if such statements of support are incomplete
In declaring her intention to rip up the UN refugee convention, the Home Secretary is creating the extreme politics she espouses to fear, says George Pitcher. Until the UK looks after its global neighbour, our migration problems cannot be solved
Is there is something of the end times about our government, asks George Pitcher? And if so, what does this say about God’s created order?
The devastatingly powerful opera is a testament to human courage and, distinctly, female martyrdom. It also points to Christ’s ultimate sacrifice on the cross, says George Pitcher
Is climate activism the new religion? Amid the party politics surrounding green policies - from the Uxbridge by-election to new oil and gas drilling licences in Scotland - George Pitcher argues there is much the Church could learn about loving our enemies from those on the frontlines of campaigning for change
Two new films from the BBC and Humanists UK, featuring Chris Packham and Dr Alice Roberts, seek to explain the origin of our planet from a scientific, secular point of view. But in ignoring the divine, they raise more spiritual questions than they answer, says George Pitcher
Cricket is probably the only field game that men play fully clothed, observes George Pitcher. It reminds him of the "dressing-up wing of the Church”
The Christian faith has a long tradition of caring for the least, the last and the lost. So it was a joyous surprise to hear the heir to the throne – and future Defender of the Faith – champion such Christian values through his new scheme to end homelessness, says George Pitcher
When we exchange objective truth for the lies and deceit of self-interest, we make an idol of ourselves, says George Pitcher. Only in Jesus do we find a better way
As a consortium of AI experts warn of the risk of human extinction at the hands of AI, hundreds attended a church service in Germany generated and hosted by ChatGPT. How should Christians view such things, asks George Pitcher? Can we find a theology of AI?
In daytime TV, as in all aspects of our lives, we are often eager to reach a quick resolution. But sometimes, the work of forgiveness takes time, says George Pitcher. And rushing it doesn’t help anyone
Good law should protect most of the people, for most of the time, says George Pitcher. He won’t condemn the Archbishop of Canterbury or the Home Secretary for speeding, but he does expect them to face the consequences honourably
God’s justice isn’t the same as ours, explains George Pitcher
In introducing an oath of allegiance into the coronation service, the Church of England has forced Christians – even those who support the monarchy – into a difficult position. We have only one King, says George Pitcher, and his name is Jesus
In looking to the Bible’s example of humility, we can all learn something about empathising with others, rather than fighting our own causes, suggests George Pitcher
The prime minister has called for all pupils in England to study some form of maths up until the age of 18. But Rev George Pitcher believes education should help children to understand the world they live in – and numbers can only go so far in doing that
The reported wranglings over the shape of the King’s coronation service suggest that Church and state need to be kept separate, argues George Pitcher
When we fail to see people as made in God’s image, we fail them as humans, says George Pitcher. It is our ability to ‘other’ people and put them in categories that leads to the worst of human behaviour
John Spedan Lewis was one of many philanthropist business owners birthed by the Victorian era. Whether his desire to create a wealth structure that benefitted all came from a Christian faith or not, there is much to commend it, says George Pitcher. And much to miss if it is diluted
When considering the case of Isabel Oakeshott and her decision to leak Matt Hancock’s WhatsApp messages, fidelity matters far more than loyalty, says Rev George Pitcher
When secular puritanism is pitted against religious beliefs, it can produce no winners, argues Rev George Pitcher. He’s not sure he wants any part in it
The Church should not be an echo chamber, says George Pitcher. Splitting over disagreements about same-sex marriage is not what Jesus modelled
In comparing spiritual growth to economic growth, George Pitcher comes to an unexpected conclusion
Taking sides without properly listening to the arguments that don’t match our own may be the undoing of us, says George Pitcher. Stop your ears at your peril
If we’re looking for hope of a royal reconciliation, it’s Jacob and Esau we must look to, not Cain and Abel, says George Pitcher
As Christmastide draws to an end, George Pitcher reminds us of the latent hope celebrated in the Christian festival of Epiphany, and challenges us all to bring something to the party
Christians must not let distance or disinterest prevent us from being the good Samaritan this Advent, says George Pitcher
This year’s Reith Lectures are underway. And they’re a fascinating reminder that serving God is perfect freedom, says George Pitcher
When a research fellow preached an Evensong sermon at Trinity College Cambridge that claimed Jesus has a “trans body”, congregants were outraged. But Christ doesn’t need us to be offended on his behalf, argues George Pitcher
As Germany posed for a team photo, they placed their hands over their mouth in protest against FIFA’s sanctions of the One Love armband. George Pitcher ponders the power of silent protest
If supporting Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression is just, Christians must also back an adequately-funded military, argues George Pitcher.
But the Church would do well to consider blessing same-sex partnerships – the distinction is an important one, says Rev George Pitcher
Matt Hancock’s decision to appear on reality TV show I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! is a classic sign of a midlife crisis, says Rev George Pitcher - something vicars are well used to dealing with. Here’s his advice to the former health secretary
Our traditional understanding of Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector is that of the humble being exalted, and the exalted being humbled. But what might it teach us about taxes, tithing and our new Prime Minister’s economic policy?
In protesting against the death of Mahsa Amini, women and girls in Iran are showing breathtaking courage. So why have we in the West been so lukewarm in our condemnation of Iranian violence against women, asks George Pitcher?
Much like our current leaders, Israel’s King Ahab preferred advisors to echo his own opinions rather than give him godly challenge. Now, like then, it’s likely to end in disaster, warns George Pitcher
It’s mildly amusing to watch clerics trying to express how much they despise each other’s tribes while using the vocabulary of Christian love, says George Pitcher
The UK government have been warned that their economic policy favours the rich. The IMF are not divine, says George Pitcher, but their words witness to gospel values
Within two days, the UK had a new prime minister and a new king. As an era ends, George Pitcher is praying for winds of change to bring God’s reviving fire
The function of the funeral is as vital to state as it is to the individual, says George Pitcher. Here’s how it helps us in our grief
Though she lived an intensely public life, the Queen had a deeply private faith. And through it, she modelled the classic Christian virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance. We would do well to follow her example, says George Pitcher
George Pitcher makes an impassioned plea for all Christians to own the sins of our collective past
How are you preparing for the coming recession?
What does Christian hope look like in the aftermath of this unspeakable tragedy, wonders George Pitcher
The stabbing of the author of The Satanic Verses and an old college photo of assassinated Pakistani Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, reminds George Pitcher that living self-sacrificially is a key tenet of the Christian faith
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
The pure joy seen in the Lionesses’ celebrations during Euro 2022 echoes the gender-equality joy that runs through the gospels, says George Pitcher - if only we are looking for it
Even before Anglican bishops gathered for this week’s long-anticipated Lambeth Conference, the topic of sexuality threatened to dominate proceedings. By failing to recognise the distinction between relationships and marriage, George Pitcher argues the Church of England has got itself into a mess over the issue
God doesn’t seem to be so interested in our modern concepts of democracy, observes George Pitcher
Many of the contenders are responsible for the alleged policy atrocities they now decry, argues George Pitcher, as he conducts an exegesis on the term ‘shame’
Political leaders have too often worshiped at the altars of selfhood and individualism, but this week’s ministerial resignations show a longing for integrity at the heart of our democracy, says Rev George Pitcher
53 migrants travelling in the back of a lorry have lost their lives in what has been described as the deadliest human trafficking incident in US history.
The Levelling Up secretary recently said the government can’t help everyone struggling with the cost of living crisis. Rev George Pitcher asks: why not?