Church

Don't call God 'he': Church of Sweden calls clergy to use gender-neutral language
The Church of Sweden is opting for gender-neutral language when referring to God, with designators like 'he' and 'Lord' being omitted from liturgy.

Are we destroying our churches by how we treat the very young?
With churches emptying as children leave for Sunday school, Ruth Gledhill offers her solution.

Fighting Black Friday: A Christian alternative to consumerism?
If Lent is the season of ascetic refrain from self-indulgence and our consumerist desires, then Black Friday week must be its secular opposite.

Single complaint silences bell ringing in 900-year-old Sandwich church
A church has been forced to silence its bells, described as the 'beating heart' of the town, after a single local resident complained.

32-year-old Pastor Shawn Jones collapses and dies while singing 'Worthy Is He' Gospel song
The 32-year-old gospel singer and founding pastor of New Thing Empowerment Church, Shawn Jones, has collapsed and died while singing "Worthy He Is" on stage in an incident on Saturday night that has left his congregants shocked and saddened.

Loving CS Lewis: Why the author of Narnia still unites the Church â and inspires the world
On this day in 1963, the artist, theologian and towering Christian intellectual CS Lewis died. His death was dramatically overshadowed by another's, but the profound legacy of Lewis lives on today.

London's first purpose built CofE church in 40 years celebrates opening
The first purpose built Anglican church in London in 40 years has been opened in Tottenham, London. The 'state of the art' St Francis at the Engine Room opened yesterday to the celebration of community locals.

Archbishop Welby and Patriarch Kirill come together over persecuted Christians in Middle East
The Archbishop of Canterbury and the head of the Russian Orthodox Church have issued a joint declaration expressing pain over the persecution of Christians in the Middle East and Africa and appealing to the international community to do more to help.

Pope Francis: Italian drivers 'transforming streets into Formula One tracks'
Drivers caught speeding now have papal backing as Pope Francis urged police to show 'mercy' towards those who break the rules.

Former Bishop of London Richard Chartres introduced as life peer in House of Lords
The former Bishop of London Richard Chartres will be introduced as a life peer in the House of Lords this afternoon.

Why is established Christianity in decline? Truth, Trump and the quality of worship
In America the evangelical brand is being badly tarnished by association with Donald Trump. The 90-year-old Evangelical Association at Princeton has changed its name. The word 'evangelical' is in danger of becoming toxic.

Catholic bishops warn Theresa May against U-turn on faith schools cap
Catholic bishops are warning ministers against a possible U-turn on its pledge to remove the 50 per cent cap on school places allocated on the basis of faith.

Church schools accused of 'misleading' parents over admissions
Church of England schools are misleading parents and failing to be inclusive in their admissions, according to a new report launched today.

Anglo-Catholic parishes congregate in poorest areas
The Church of England's minority Anglo-Catholic fringe congregates in the most deprived areas of the country, according to new research by a traditionalist grouping that suggests priests with Catholic leanings are disproportionately represented in the poorest boroughs.

Archbishop of Canterbury in Moscow for meetings with 'senior political figures'
The Archbishop of Canterbury is visiting Moscow today for a three-day trip including meetings with senior Russian politicians and the Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, a close ally to President Vladimir Putin.

Man accidentally shoots himself and his wife during a church session about gun violence inside the house of God
A man accidentally shoots himself and his wife during a church group discussion about gun violence inside the house of God. The incident occurred in Tennessee last Thursday (Nov. 16). Both the man, 81, and his wife, 80, sustained minor injuries and are going to make full recovery.