All Church articles
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OpinionMy tribute to Pope Francis
The world mourns as Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff dies after 12 years in the Vatican, aged, 88. Emily Nelson shares her tribute to the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church.
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OpinionDid you know the day we celebrate Easter was decided by a woman from Yorkshire?
‘I realised that Christianity had a history that included women beyond the Bible stories. As a girl growing up in a traditional parish where women did not participate in any ministries, this was transformative,’ says Nancy Walbank.
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OpinionGrief and the Gospel: learning from the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi this Easter
‘Many people have become familiar with the Japanese art of kintsugi – repairing broken pottery with gold. This is the essence of wabi-sabi. Easter isn’t just about victory—it’s about life returning after devastation, not as it was, but as it is now,’ says Rachel Mataraki.
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Opinion‘I felt called by God to lead - when I didn’t believe in women in leadership!’
‘The story of Mary and Martha was radically significant for me, Jesus invited Martha to follow the example of Mary. Not radical because he told her to leave the washing up and cooking, but because he celebrated the choice of Mary,’ says Rev Jo Trickey.
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Opinion‘I have been praying the rosary in Rome for the Pope’s recovery and I will continue to pray for him as I play Mary Magdalene at The Passion of Jesus in Trafalgar square this Easter’
‘During my father’s health journey, I had been dedicating my rosary prayer to his healing. On a recent trip to Rome, my intention turned to praying for the Pope’s recovery, asking for Mother Mary’s intercession,’ says Stephanie Pena.
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ArticleThe 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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ArticleStop 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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OpinionRemember 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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OpinionWhat 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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OpinionWhat 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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ArticleThe 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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OpinionInternalised 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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ArticleI 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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ArticleLet’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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ArticleChristian 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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OpinionOne 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.
