Northern Ireland: Reaction to Christian RE ruling
Nicola Laver
Date posted: 21 Dec 2025
The ruling that the teaching of Christian religious education in Northern Ireland is unlawful marks a further “step away from the strong Christian foundations” that have shaped UK education, the Association of Christian Teachers (ACT) is warning.
In November, the Supreme Court justices unanimously ruled that RE and collective worship is not “objective, critical, and pluralistic” and amounts to “indoctrination”. However, they reinforced the principle that “parents are primarily responsible for the education and teaching of their children”.
Tyndale House undertakes big development
Emily Pollok
Date posted: 21 Dec 2025
Tyndale House, home to one of the world’s most extensive collections of Biblical scholarship, is building a new, state-of-the-art library three times its current size.
The evangelical Cambridge-based research centre, which was established 80 years ago, has long outgrown its current library, built in 1956. Tyndale House Principal Peter Williams, explained the need for expansion: “For at least three decades we have been running out of space for books in our library and having to come up with ever more creative ways of fitting more in.” Williams added: “We’ve now demolished that library and by God’s grace are building the largest building permitted in our central Cambridge location. This will enable us to continue to expand our physical collection of books, as well as provide increased desk space, an auditorium and space to run multiple events concurrently.”
Girlguiding drops 'trans-inclusive' policy
Nicola Laver
Date posted: 20 Dec 2025
Girlguiding has dropped its trans-inclusive policy and only biological girls will be entitled to join the guides in future. It announced that it has updated its equality and diversity policy following the recent Supreme Court ruling that girls and women are defined in the Equality Act 2010 by their biological sex.
A joint statement from the trustees, CEO and Chief Guide said it was a “difficult decision” made with “a heavy heart” and that they are now looking at how the change affects existing members.
Authorities 'frozen in indecision' over silent prayer case
Nicola Laver
Date posted: 20 Dec 2025
The authorities are “frozen in indecision about whether they’re really expected to prosecute somebody’s silent prayers”, according to an Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International lawyer, a Christian legal advocacy group.
Jeremiah Igunnubole’s comments, reported by The Daily Telegraph, concern Isabel Vaughan-Spruce who has been under investigation for allegedly breaching an abortion buffer zone after silently praying. No charges have yet been brought.
Leaked document raises assisted suicide questions
Nicola Laver
Date posted: 19 Dec 2025
Labour has been accused of a “shadow policy-making process” to influence assisted dying legislation after a document was leaked, leading to accusations that the government misled Parliament and voters.
According to a Guardian report, a leaked policy document suggested that before the general election, Labour planned to introduce assisted suicide by a Private Members’ bill (PMB), similar to the bill going through parliament.
Changes to religious education recommended
Nicola Laver
Date posted: 19 Dec 2025
Religious education in England and Wales should be brought into the national curriculum, a review has recommended. It also says the age limit for compulsory RE should be dropped to 16 rather than 18.
While report authors acknowledge the importance of Christianity in British culture, they say: “RE can be controversial and contentious” and should be moved to the national curriculum.
‘Groundhog Day’ as the House of Bishops meet
en staff
Date posted: 18 Dec 2025
The Church of England is facing "Groundhog Day" over same-sex relationships, according to one of its leading evangelical figures.
John Dunnett, National Director of the Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC), spoke out after a meeting of CofE bishops on Tuesday 16 December, which decided to "spend more time finalising its proposals on the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process, which explores the Church’s approach to identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage".
Misgendering case delay
Nicola Laver
Date posted: 18 Dec 2025
A disciplinary hearing against Jennifer Melle, a Christian nurse who “misgendered” a biologically male paedophile, has been delayed. The hearing was due to begin on 9 December, nearly two years after the process began, but a panel member was reportedly unavailable.
No new date had been set at the time en went to press. The latest development follows news that the Equalities Shadow Minister has urged Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust to drop its case against Jennifer, who was also suspended for an alleged data breach after speaking to the media.
Mixed response to Gospel Coalition UK announcements
en staff
Date posted: 18 Dec 2025
Evangelicals in the UK are reacting to the news that the launch of a Gospel Coalition in the UK is definitely going ahead. (See existing en coverage here and here.)
Plans for “TGC-UK” had previously been put forward for discussion and consultation, but have now been firmed up, with a launch planned sometime in 2026. The story was broken exclusively on the en website on 9 December 2025.
Jonathan Fletcher won't face criminal trial
Nicola Laver
Date posted: 16 Dec 2025
Warning: the following content relates to allegations of abuse and could be both upsetting and triggering.
Jonathan Fletcher will not face criminal trial for indecent assault and grievous bodily harm with intent after a judge decided he was unfit to plea.
TGC-UK: Council unveiled, criticisms voiced
en staff
Date posted: 15 Dec 2025
Organisers of the new Gospel Coalition UK (TGC-UK) have shared details of who is on its inaugural council.
It contains a number of high-profile names, including John Stevens of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC), Robin Sydserff of the Proclamation Trust, Affinity’s Graham Nicholls, CofE complementarian bishop Rob Munro, AMiE bishop Lee McMunn, Elizabeth Harewood of the Association of Christian Teachers, and others.
New life in Christ for Sally, one of London’s many homeless
London City Mission
Date posted: 11 Dec 2025
New data from the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) shows a sharp rise in street homelessness in London.
There were 3,028 people living on the streets between April 2024 and March 2025 – a 27% increase from the previous year and a 90% rise over the past decade.
Online misogyny should concern believers, says Christian organisation
Lydia Houghton
Date posted: 10 Dec 2025
Believers should be concerned because the internet "harbours dangers that disproportionately target girls and young women," says a Christian women's organisation.
Girls' Brigade England and Wales - an organisation that helps women and girls explore the Christian faith - says online platforms "expose girls to relentless pressures, toxic role models, and gender-based abuse that corrodes self-worth and mental health." These are not Kingdom values, says the organisation, and so this issue should concern Christians "deeply."
faith & finance
Stewardship after the Budget: A Christian guide
Pod Bhogal
Date posted: 10 Dec 2025
Rachel Reeves’ Autumn 2025 Budget arrived at a time when many households are still feeling the pressure of higher living costs, shifting interest rates, and uncertainty about the wider economy.
For Christians, the question is simple: what does this Budget mean for your stewardship, finances, and the long-term management of your money?
Exclusive: Gospel Coalition UK set to go ahead
en staff
Date posted: 9 Dec 2025
A UK Gospel Coalition is set to launch in 2026, Evangelicals Now can exclusively reveal today.
Speaking to en, some of the organisers outlined their vision, passion and plans for the organisation, which will aim to bring together Reformed, complementarian evangelicals from the four home-nations and from across denominational groupings.
Reformation and Revival Fellowship Conference - some reflections
Phillip Firmin
Date posted: 8 Dec 2025
The Reformation and Revival Fellowship Conference can be traced back many years. It has survived whereas others have simply disappeared, but why is that?
In a paper he wrote in 2003, Geoff Thomas concluded: “If the Lord is the God who delights to revive his people then we are obliged to seek him, pursuing him and pleading with him to revive us again. What else does the church believe it needs for the future? We ought to give God no rest until he makes his name a praise in all the earth.”
CEEC remains concerned about CofE clergy SSM
Helen Catt
Date posted: 7 Dec 2025
John Dunnett, National Director of the Church of England Evangelical Council, says the CEEC remains concerned about CofE clergy entering same-sex marriage.
Dunnett said: “The legal advice notes the current practice of the House of Bishops to offer only an ‘informal rebuke’ to clergy entering same sex marriage, and paragraph 40 ... says ‘some bishops might consider an approach (to clergy SSM) that was more pastoral and less focussed on the disciplinary aspect’.”
Young people are ‘open to reading the Bible’
Lydia Houghton
Date posted: 6 Dec 2025
Lots of young people are responding positively to the question “What would you say if a friend asked you to read the Bible with them?”
In an Instagram reel posted by @uncoverJesus, seven out of nine young people said that yes, they would read the Bible if a friend asked.
