All Church articles
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Article
The truth has to come out: ‘I had to confront what Mike was doing’
Elizabeth Zion Herder served in leadership and advisory roles at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City (IHOPKC) for 15 years, from 2002 to 2017. She remained part of the church community until 2022, when she and her family separated from IHOPKC due to significant, biblically irreconcilable issues, including unaddressed error, sin and abuse. Elizabeth spoke with deputy editor Jemimah Wright about exposing the abuse of IHOPKC founder, Mike Bickle
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Article
‘Just as different clothes shops cater to different women, so perhaps different churches cater to different Christians’
While Veronica Zundel reminds us Jesus taught we will be judged by how well we lived the Christian life, rather than our church style, she believes that there is room for all the different types of church in existence today
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Article
‘Denominations…seem to be an inevitable aspect of our fallen nature’
Kate Orson reminds us that we are meant to be unified, so need to learn to disagree well
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Article
Stop assigning gender to different styles of worship
Dr Belle Tindall asks why the ‘feminine’ way of knowing Jesus is considered the ‘worse’ way – and asserts that there shouldn’t even be a ‘feminine’ way in the first place!
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Opinion
Remember that your clergy partners need support during divorce
Broken Rites is an interdenominational group offering mutual support and information to divorced and separated spouses and partners of clergy and recognised ministers. Julie Robinson shares how the group helped her in her time of need.
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Opinion
What is the point of Lent?
‘I find myself somewhat irritated with Lent. Heresy? I don’t think so. It just feels too self-focused for my liking – about what I can achieve, as if that somehow makes me more worthy of God’s love and attention. It can appear to be all about my own self-effort; works rather than faith,’ says Jenny Sanders.
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Opinion
What does God have in store for you this Lent season?
‘Lent is a season of courage, trust, and authentic leadership,’ says Bethany Hobbs
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Article
‘I would welcome a female archbishop’
Veronica Zundel believes that, as the majority of Christians are women, it makes sense for there to be more opportunities for women in the Church
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Article
The Church does not need a female archbishop
Kate Orson recognises that the Church of England needs to change, but argues that the future isn’t female or male. She urges us to look to Jesus for our guidance rather than worldly authority
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Opinion
Internalised misogyny prevents too many Christian women from seeking justice in the case of patriarchal abuses
‘My observation is that the power of the ‘equal sinfulness’ argument is compelling and can stop us in our tracks. It appeals to our knowledge that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. That is why it is so effective in shutting down important conversations about abuses against women in the Church,’ says Michelle Tant.
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Article
I was hurt in the very place that was meant to be a sanctuary
Today, Emilia Fuller is a PR consultant, life coach and pastoral counsellor. But five years ago, she was wounded and lost after suffering a prolonged period of spiritual abuse
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Article
Let’s stop viewing marriage through rose-tinted glasses
Veronica Zundel believes that Christian marriage has become an idol for today’s Church
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Article
Christian marriage is important for the Church
Kate Orson highlights how marriage is part of God’s original design, but believes we’ve become far too obsessed by it
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Article
‘Me, a 24-year-old woman, leading a church? It felt absurd!’
Sasha Gerry was hesitant to accept when she was asked to lead a church in Brixton. Here, she tells our editor Tola-Doll Fisher about her journey away from shame and into leadership and why she believes honest discipleship and mentoring can help us step into freedom in Christ
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Opinion
One of the ways the Church can combat abuse is by considering its traditionally male hierarchy
‘Egalitarian leadership structures have been shown to combat the attitudes and beliefs that can lead to abuse, and to provide a protective factor when abuse does occur,’ argues Sally Hope.
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Opinion
There would be fewer church scandals if there were more female pastors...or would there?
‘Regardless of one’s stance on female pastors, the notion that increasing their numbers would resolve church scandals is misguided. Women’s hearts are no less prone to sin than men’s, even if the manifestation of that sin may differ,’ says Ann Louise Graham.
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Opinion
The Church is responsible for preventing abuse and protecting the vulnerable
“Safeguarding is not a mere tick box exercise but an extension of our Godly responsibilities as church leaders. If we fail in safeguarding, we fail in our Godly responsibility,” says Chioma Alade, Designated Safeguarding Leader at Living Temple Church.
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Article
A man stepping down for a woman is a clear representation of Jesus
Katherine Chow, former lawyer and now Holy Trinity Brompton’s (HTB) first female and racially diverse associate vicar, spoke with our editor, Tola-Doll Fisher about her unexpected journey into church leadership and why she is passionate about intergenerational mentoring
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Article
Do we have freedom of religion within our own churches?
Veronica Zundel shines a light on the impact of disagreements around beliefs and practices in the Church.
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Opinion
Justin Welby has resigned, could the next Archbishop of Canterbury be a woman?
Woman Alive deputy editor, Jemimah Wright, considers what we know about four of the female bishops who could step into Justin Welby’s role as Archbishop of Canterbury.