Having grown up in the church as a pastor’s daughter, Lauren Seager-Smith, CEO of The For Baby’s Sake Trust, a charity that aims to break cycles of domestic abuse and give babies the best start in life, says, ’it felt and continues to feel like marriage difficulties and harm in relationships were difficult secrets.’
Veronica Zundel believes the Montessori method provides a good example of education for adults as well as children
Ann-Louise Graham unpacks the uncomfortable, disturbing and often hidden subject of domestic abuse among Christians and explains the misapplication of scripture by perpetrators
”When initially faced with allegations the instinct across denominations has often been to protect the leader first,” suggests Rachel Mataraki. She says that instead we must learn to bear witness to the suffering of those that come forward.
The Engage Network is a collaboration of organisations, churches and individuals, with a vision to: “make singleness or marriage a genuine choice for all Christian women and men, through a church which is gender-balanced and teaches about healthy Christian singleness, dating and marriage”. Co-chair Annabel Wheeldon-Clarke explains how the male/female imbalance in Church affects us all
Although fully aware of the ’pitfalls and general sense of fatigue with the Church of England’, Hannah Stephenson-Kelly could not escape the call to become a priest and has some encouragement for those feeling disIllusioned with the Church.
Liz Cooledge Jenkins felt uneasy discussing much of her experience as a young woman in church. She wrote Nice Churchy Patriarchy to highlight the issues she faced.
Broken-hearted by the death of Elianne Andam, Marcia Dixon gives a passionate call to us to engage with the issue of gun and knife violence
Rachael Cottle gives us the rundown of the Christian women who are preaching up a storm in the UK right now.
Kat Osborn, CEO at Safe Families, reveals a new course to help Christians join the fight to end loneliness in our communities.
Marcia Dixon highlights the servant heartedness of many women in the black Christian Church
Marcia Dixon explores how the black Pentecostal Church has encouraged women to step into all the roles God has for them
Yesterday the Church of England published the results of their investigation confirming that accusations of inappropriate behaviour by Mike Pilavachi were substantiated.
Marcia Dixon charts the complicated history the black Pentecostal Church has had with lone parents
Julia A’Bell and her husband Joel left Hillsong in 2019 after 19 years at the Church.
Rev Dr Helen Hall explores some of the darker consequences of deliverance ministry and asks how we can keep each other safe.
Marcia Dixon charts the history of the black Pentecostal Church’s relationship with money
Katherine Spearing worked in a church for years but was expected to take on more work than her male collegaues and her sermons were described as ‘cute’.
Writer Hope Bonarcher shares her experience of abuse in the Church and how she turns to Jesus for her faith rather than the example of flawed people.
Marcia Dixon says the black Church has hugely benefitted from the people who lift the lid on taboo subjects by telling their stories.
Author of new book Living Well With God, Jo Acharya explains why we all benefit from supporting those with additional needs.
Marcia Dixon’s new book highlights the huge gender imbalance in the black Church, affecting a catch-all group of millennial, middle-aged and mature women who wish to be married
Author of (Un)Certain: A Collective Memoir of Deconstructing Faith, Olivia Jackson gives an insight into her research and encourages us all to do better.
Writer and recovering alcoholic Lauren Windle shares the invaluable support she got from her church community in early sobriety.
As Premier's end of financial year appeal begins, Woman Alive's editor Tola Doll Fisher tackles the tough topic of money, giving and tithe and explains why donating to the Church and Jesus-focused causes is so important to her.
Rev Tracy Marlow, lead evangelist at St Helier’s Centre of Mission, explains why she feels God handpicked her to take his hope to such a deprived neighbourhood
Tomorrow is International Women’s Day and here, writer Claudine Roberts, asks if it is an event we should be celebrating in the Church.
In her own unique way, Veronica Zundel celebrates women, but anguishes over the unequal way we can be treated
Kathleen Durham spoke to Madison, a senior at Asbury University, about her experience of the revival that started after a morning chapel service on the 8th February 2023
Sophie Mei Lan felt that the Church would never be the place for her after witnessing hatred towards her gay dad based on "religious beliefs".
The author of Sacred Sexuality shares her interpretation of the biblical stance in light of what Synod says about unreservedly welcoming same-sex couples
Marcia Dixon explains the Christian narrative within this term and reflects on why many are rejecting it today
Veronica Zundel asserts that the majority who hanker after the position of leadership may well have misunderstood what it actually is
Dr Tania Harris on how God told her clearly to not let her singleness stop her from doing all that he had called her to do
Between uncertainty in the monarchy, stirkes in many industries and the cost-of-living crisis, we’re in tough times. But Warm Welcome Campaign’s David Barclay explains that this is when the Church can really step up.
Writer Lizzie Hutchison argues that the succinct writing of the famous American sitcom is something preachers could learn from.
coming up in the first half of 2023…
In our brand-new series, Marcia Dixon MBE, reveals the history of the Pentecostal movement in the UK
Are we so used to seeing people rough sleeping that we've lost our empathy? Here London City Mission's Anni Uddin explains why we can't forget those who are experiencing homelessness and what the Church can do to help.
A Single Friendly Church survey found that 80 per cent of Christians found Christmas more difficult. Here Beth Collingridge explains what churches can do to support those who feel alone during the festive period.
Singer Bria Jean Valderrama and her husband Robby struggled to know how to tackle the division in the Church and wrestled with the question: ‘What is Church for?’ Until God gave them an answer which then inspired a song.
Writer Amy Jo Stimson explains why she thinks the discourse around the word submission, particularly in conservative, complementarian churches, needs to be challenged. As she has heard preaching of submission for wives that thinly veils an exhortation to plain obedience.
It’s no secret that women outnumber men in the church. Here Christian Vision for Men’s CEO, Nathan Blackaby, explains how they are trying to address the balance and what we can all do to support their work.
Carolyn MacDonald was diagnosed with a chronic illness when she was a regular member of a church but she still found herself longing for more support from her community. Here, she explains how we can better come along side people and help them not to feel isolated.
As we grieve the death of Queen Elizabeth, Kate Patterson says that, as Christians, we can mourn differently to the rest of the nation.
At a special Service of Prayer and Reflection at St Paul’s Cathedral, London this evening, The Rt Rev and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, Bishop of London, spoke of the Queen’s life of service, as well as our need to grieve. We share her sermon here.
When we talk about the global phenomenon of the Alpha course, we often praise the men who champion and promote it, but women were pivotal to its inception and proliferation. Here, author of Repackaging Christianity: Alpha and the Building of a Global Brand, Andrew Atherstone shines a light on three of these “Alpha Females” and explains that they deserve proper recognition for the significant parts they have played in the impact of this global evangelistic movement.
In their forthcoming book At the Gates, Naomi Lawson Jacobs and Emily Richards heard from many disabled Christians about their experiences of church. Here Emily explains the key things churches could consider to help them become places where disabled people thrive.
Writer Shakira Peronet felt challenged by God to look at her “mean girl” behaviour. Here she explains how she now feels that we are called to pray and encourage the weaker parts of the church body and be mindful of those on the outskirts.
Feeling exhausted as you head home from a Christian festival feels like an inevitability, but sleep experts at MattressNextDay have a list of handy hacks for those who just can’t seem to get shut eye during the festivals – and they involve making just a few preparations and adjustments that could make all the difference.
Jennie Riley couldn’t help but notice that all the men in her church were all wearing a ’uniform’ of checked or striped shirts with jeans. Here she explores whether a consistent ‘middle-class dress code’ could be putting people off joining your church.
Celebrated columnist, author and general larger-than-life personality Caitlin Moran is not a Christian and until last week hadn’t been to a church service. As with much of her writing, her observations were hilarious and often very relatable.
Natalie Williams, co-author of Invisible Divides, explains that as a new Christian from a working class background, the most daunting thing wasn’t learning about Jesus, it was learning how to fit in with a middle class church.
Churches are supposed to be places that are bursting with connection and community, but sometimes they couldn’t feel further from it. Writer Shakira Peronet shares her experience of feeling lonely at the Sunday service and how we can all do better.
Christian festivals are not just about big numbers. These events are spiritual refilling stations where we lose ourselves in worship and teaching. Here, we take a peek behind the scenes of Creation Fest and David’s Tent
Rejected from church because of her skin colour, unsupported by her father for being a woman, and surviving a suicide attempt has not stopped grandmother, Babi Dixon, 70, from seeing God at work in her life
Tiffany Bluhm, author of Prey Tell, explains to writer Lauren Windle how the church has become skewed in its attitudes towards women and what we can do about it.
Recovering alcoholic and writer Lauren Windle illustrates the many elements of an alcoholics anonymous meeting that she believes the church could learn from.
Emma Stark spoke to Jemimah Wright about being a prophet, and why she is passionate about the Church re-engaging with the Holy Spirit
In our rush to get back to ‘normal’, are we leaving behind the most vulnerable once again? Veronica Zundel asks
Author and chartered psychologist Annabel Clarke explains how fewer Christian men can affect individuals, families and the Church.
Lauren Windle caught up with Christianity’s poster girl for single women, Carrie Lloyd, to ask how she feels about love, life and relationships ten years on from the start of her ministry
Clare Thompson leads the vibrant, social-action focused LoveBristol organisation with her husband Greg. She told Clare Blake why she loves living in a Christian community house
After years searching for hope within the occult, Talitha Colchester shares her story of finding Christ and his peace
From kicking off when her family missed a service to dictating how she did her hair, Tola Doll Fisher’s pastor showed some seriously problematic behaviours. Here’s how to work out if you’re in a church cult.
As we put up Christmas trees, write our cards and buy gifts, there is a growing call that we need to do this in a more ethical and sustainable way. While we may accept changes that we can make in our own lives and shopping habits, Helen Stephens, Head of Eco Church, asks does it really need to extend to our churches?
‘If you take “Christ” out of “Christmas” you’re left with just “M&S”!’ jokes Revd Lucy Brierley, as she explains why a bright Marks’ jumper became the unofficial clergy uniform this festive season.
Macaila Britton talks to Liz Earle MBE, wellbeing brand founder, about her experience in the industry and what still needs to change
Make this International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25 November) count, urges Abbie Mumbi
Veronica Zundel questions why the Bible is so full of strong, decisive women if we were created to be subservient under a complementarian system she claims was originally introduced to get women back into the home
Alice Corrie, technical and communications officer for Climate Stewards, spent this week at the climate summit – and is more convinced than ever that much of the change needed will have to come from us
Rachel Gardner urges us to get over our embarrassment and fear of saying the wrong thing, because we have a vital role in helping to shape young people’s attitudes towards relationships and sex
A new report from Home for Good highlights the benefits of support lodgings as a way for young people to receive support within a family environment. Lucy Colman explains how individuals and local churches can provide a vital safety net for teenagers in the care system
Ella Bartelsian of Yerevan International Church, Armenia, spoke to Clare Blake about how God is breaking through to a defeated nation
Hannah Baylor says it is time for ‘women to claim their worth’ and ‘men to challenge and change their own, and other men’s, behaviour’
Natalie Williams reminds us that there is hope in Christ and practical help for those who need it – highlighting those with mental health issues who are living in poverty
Lyn Connolly shares why she is now involved in prison work
With the latest series of the hugely popular TV drama having recently drawn to a close, Veronica Zundel reflects on the horrors it reveals about worldviews regarding women
Emily Holden, joint CEO of Welcome Churches, believes the Church is uniquely placed to make refugees feel at home
On Sunday 29 August, 13 Christians were arrested in the central hall of St Paul’s Cathedral. They were women and men of different ages, many of whom are ordained. Holly-Anna Petersen explains what happened in the run up to this moment, and why she felt it had to happen.
Three women from the world of science explain how they came to embrace Christian faith
Several churches in the Keyham area of Plymouth have opened to the public in the wake of a shooting that has left six people dead
As the summer holidays are in full swing, and churches are welcoming back their congregations, Sally Tate introduces RaiseUp, a new initiative providing a wealth of resources
As we finally start meeting for coffee, going for walks and even having people in our homes, Joy Vee asks the Church to reach out to her teenage children.
When many Christian couples get married they are ill-equipped to navigate sexual intimacy. Premier’s Maria Rodrigues spoke with psychosexual nurse therapist Emma Waring, who longs to see churches talking more openly about the struggles couples face in the bedroom
Shovorne Adams was judged for being a single mum at 17. But God never left her alone, providing love, protection and hope for her future
Have you ever felt like you don’t quite fit in at church or that somehow you are inadequate? Dr Sally Nash has done research into people’s experiences of shame within churches. She shares her findings here with Premier’s Maria Rodrigues.
Woman Alive editor Tola-Doll Fisher shares her personal experience of abuse in the Church and says we need to ask some hard questions about our culture.
Lauren Windle, a 30-something Londoner, has spent the last year interviewing people on their dating experiences in Church and has written Notes on Love based on her findings. It is a much-needed upgrade from a long line of handbooks telling people “How to wait patiently for your Boaz” or “You’re single because you’re not ready”. Lauren tells Tola-Doll Fisher she wrote it not as a guide, but as an invitation to explore a relationship status that she says has been sorely blown out of proportion
Beth Collingridge from Single Friendly Church says that we need to value and include single people much more
Natalie Williams has authored two books on the role she believes churches ought to play in combatting poverty and injustice. When she became a Christian, she says she had to learn new ways of behaving, and not just when it came to following the Gospel. She spoke to Premier Radio presenter, Maria Rodrigues