Feature articles published in 2024

Taking a proactive approach to managing unoccupied churches can help preserve these buildings for future use - the latest Baptist Insurance article

What characterises the New Anabaptists?

Churches and communities with Anabaptist convictions are being planted in the UK - now a new book examines 12 common practices of these emerging communities. Author Stuart Murray introduces it

George Cadbury and Christian responsibilities

George Cadbury is an excellent example of a Christian who faithfully obeyed God in his sphere of responsibility – a chocolate factory. By Mark Roques

What might a Kingdom business look like?

A new series linking Bible characters with people in parables to see if their stories fill in a picture of what a ‘Kingdom Business’ might look like. This first blog explores business at the heart of mission through the example of Lydia

God’s project manager - Nehemiah

The second in the series What might a Kingdom business look like? highlights the example of Nehemiah who prayed and planned ahead - and shows what godly project management could look like

A business empire that loses its way

Solomon’s narrative goes to the heart of a vital tension in Kingdom business, which is how we balance economic outcomes with kingdom progress

Employing the whole person

How the vineyard owner and David were ahead of their time in looking beyond the work done

What might a Kingdom business look like?

The final part of the series offers two ways to reflect on Lydia, Nehemiah, Solomon and David as exemplars in business

‘Our aim is to help participants learn peace-making skills’

Baptist minister and mediation trainer Joanna Williams introduces a five-session course she is hosting for anyone interested in transforming conflicts in a church setting – and beyond

Reaching people who are offline

New analysis indicates that almost half of over 65s are either unable to use the internet safely and successfully, or are not online at all. This has important implications for churches, writes Alex Drew - and here are some ideas to consider

Golden tears and beauty for ashes for survivors of sexual violence

Hannah Rose Thomas led trauma-healing art workshops around the world, before being invited to paint stunning portraits of the women she encountered. Her new book and exhibition - launching on International Women’s Day - help to tell their stories

'Seeing the Easter story brought to life is a dramatic and moving experience for everyone'

Have you ever experienced the Easter story through live theatre? This article by the Passion Trust highlights the power of a Passion Play - and several are taking place around the UK this Easter

Helping Baptist churches embrace the nations

2:19 is a charity that helps churches use English conversation classes and cafe initiatives to reach, welcome and share the gospel with speakers of other languages. CEO David Baldwin highlights three Baptist churches it has worked with

William Carey - more than the father of modern missions?

While he had his faults, Carey was an extraordinary man who believed that God's kingdom should transform all areas of culture, writes Mark Roques - and this had a huge impact in 19th century India

'The different threads in my life gradually combined in a new way'

When serving as a Baptist prison chaplain, Karen Haden saw first hand the power of stories. After illness struck, she took up writing – and now introduces her first historical crime novel. Baptists may recognise some of the characters...

Serving your community through lunches

With one third of children in the UK growing up in poverty and many families struggling with loneliness, isolation, and mental health challenges, TLG Make Lunch provides a tool that enables churches to offer practical help and build relationships

Seedbed – growing your ability to start new churches

Could you start a new Christian community or church – in the way it is needed, where it is needed, and just as it is needed? Seedbed thinks you can … Alex Harris explains more

General Election resources for churches

What might your church do to engage in the lead up to this critical moment for the UK and the communities you serve? The Joint Public Issues Team (JPIT) has recently launched three major resources for churches to consider

'The magic of pilgrimage is that it has something to offer everyone'

David Gleed introduces Journeying, an ecumenical organisation which plans an annual programme of pilgrim-journeys

Unlocking funding to “green” your church’s mission

The latest fundraising article from Baptist Insurance, written in collaboration with the Philanthropy Company, explores the different types of funding available for sustainability projects and reducing your environmental impact

Elizabeth Fry and prison reform

Few people understand the deeply Christian motivations that inspired this courageous, pioneering prison reformer who has graced our £5 notes, writes Mark Roques

Six suggestions for your summer reads

In his regular offering at this time of year, Andy Goodliff selects six books that will help us think about our Christian faith

Formed, broken, healed, restored

Nigel Coles introduces a new booklet from Hope Together, which communicates Jesus’ good news in a way which appeals to both heart and mind - and touches everyone’s everyday reality

Music review: Standing on the Edge by Rob Halligan

Encapsulating a range of moods, Rob's voice is layered with pain, practice, grace and love. There is an edge to his music - and that's where its power lies, writes Shaun Lambert

'Imagine a world without the need for food banks'

Interview with Jessica Foster, head of Church Engagement at the Trussell Trust

To hope and act with creation

Links to resources - or pages which collate resources - for this year's Season of Creation. Compiled by Dave Gregory, convenor of BUEN, The Baptist Union Environment Network

Join the movement: a day to catalyse church planting and evangelism

Simon Goddard shares details about the Everyone Everywhere National Conference on Tuesday 8 October

Supporting socially isolated older people

What can the church (and wider society) do to reach and support people for whom social isolation and loneliness are part of a daily reality? A reflection by Linking Lives' founder and outgoing national director Jeremy Sharpe

‘Christ is Lord’ is new EP from worship leader Luke

UK worship leader and songwriter Luke Wareham has released his latest collection of songs - and the overall theme is about how having Jesus as the centre of our life changes everything

Is generosity the new evangelism?

A generous life has the power to change lives today, writes Wendy Pawsey, head of giving for the Evangelical Alliance, and author of Generous with a Capital G, part of the 2024 Big Church Read

‘Enabling people to be deeply human in safety’

Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries equips the church to support mental health and wellbeing. Baptist minister Shaun Lambert spoke with its UK Director Corin Pilling

My journey to becoming a national hockey umpire

Interview with Annette Golding, a Baptist church member who became a Level 3 hockey umpire in 2022

Different types of small church

The Small Church Connexion team is testing out different categories of small church, from a new plant to one that is choosing to close. These are imprecise categories which need to be fleshed out, but can help us strengthen the resource we offer

‘It will help you encounter Jesus in new and deeper ways’

Mosaic Creative has announced the release of a new book and audiobook of biblical monologues for churches called Following the Son by Jackie Mouradian

Sharing the Christian story with your local schools

A presentation that has seen hundreds of thousands of pupils learn more about the Christian faith at Christmas and Easter marks its 30th anniversary next year – and it is hoped even more churches and schools could be involved

Rediscovering the magic of Christmas

We can find a fresh perspective on the nativity story by considering some of the less familiar texts that point to and talk about the birth of the Saviour, writes John Hayward

The Boy at the Back of the Bus

Interview with Antoinette Brooks, Baptist church member and author of a new book documenting the childhood of Martin Luther King

The challenge and opportunity of microchurch planting

'Resources (of people, finance and goodwill) are often hard to come by, metrics are not kind... but these experimental groups contain the seeds to our survival' Dave Criddle reports from a recent gathering focused on microchurch

The inspiring faith of Harriet Tubman (1822-1913)

Mark Roques shares the story of Harriet Tubman, who after escaping slavery dedicated her life to rescuing many enslaved people. It is 'vital to understand the deeply Christian motivations that nurtured this tough, courageous, prayerful woman,' he writes

How can you make your church open to ALL this Christmas?

Rani Joshi shares five thoughtful ways you can make South Asians – and others from diverse cultural backgrounds – feel welcome this December

Books of the Year 2024

What book has stood out for you this year? As in 2023, Baptist minister and Regent's Park College lecturer Andy Goodliff presents his own selection - and has invited friends to do the same