In Depth:  Nicola Laver, Christianity Today

New Zealand is the latest country to make moves banning conversion therapy. Proposed legislation has passed its first reading in parliament, with all parties saying they oppose such practices.

However, the National Party voted against the bill on the basis that it risks criminalising parents. Under the proposals, an individual who performs conversion therapy on someone, causing serious harm, will face a prison sentence of up to five years.

Deepening problems at John Piper’s former church, Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, have resulted in high-profile resignations – and the postponement of its 150th anniversary event.

There are, according to a church leaders, complex issues at play relating to, for instance, racial justice, abuse and trauma and believing what women say. There have also been allegations of abusive leadership and deception against elders.