CofE complementarians ‘extremely concerned’
Milla Ling-Davies
Date posted: 17 Apr 2025
Evangelicals are reacting with “extreme concern” to the launch of a new campaign aiming to eliminate the provisions included in the 2014 women bishops’ legislation – claiming it may leave complementarian Church of England evangelicals “unable to continue in ministry”.
The provisions, known as the Five Guiding Principles, accommodate those who for theological reasons cannot accept women’s ministry – allowing for pastoral and sacramental dispensation. They have been in place since the legislation was made over a decade ago. However, according to the Church Times, organisation Women and the Church (WATCH) now hopes to bring a motion to all diocesan synods, asking “whether it is right for the 2014 House of Bishops’ Declaration on the Ministry of Bishops and Priests to continue in perpetuity and, if not, to set a date for it to come to an end.”
Christian loses unfair dismissal appeal
Nicola Laver
Date posted: 16 Apr 2025
A secondary school teacher who told year 7 pupils at a Church of England school that being LGBTQ+ was a sin and is “not fine”, and that transgender people are “just confused”, has lost her appeal against dismissal.
Glawdys Leger, a Christian, lost her teaching job after 12 years at Bishop Justus Church of England School, Bromley in May 2022 after a pupil’s mother complained about “very distressing” comments she allegedly made in class. The pupil was “exploring” who she was.
Christian scientist wins tribunal after over gender-critical beliefs
Nicola Laver
Date posted: 15 Apr 2025
A government scientist and father-of-four who resigned from Porton Down after expressing gender-critical views has won his employment tribunal case.
Gender critical views - the belief that sex is biological and immutable, that people cannot change their sex and sex is distinct from gender-identity - is a philosophical belief and protected under equality laws.
Christian scientist charged with breaching abortion buffer zone
Nicola Laver
Date posted: 14 Apr 2025
A pro-life campaigner’s sign offering pregnant women the chance to talk amounted to intimidation and breached an abortion buffer zone, a magistrates court has concluded.
Livia Tossici-Bolt, a retired scientist and member of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children’s Bournemouth branch was charged after holding up a ‘here to talk if you want’ sign outside an Bournemouth abortion clinic in March 2023. She told a police officer her sign offered conversation to anyone who approached her voluntarily. That officer did not witness Livia intimidating or harassing anyone but asked her to leave the zone and she refused.
Buses to display John 3:16 to thousands
Milla Ling-Davies
Date posted: 13 Apr 2025
As part of a new gospel project, a bus with God's Word plastered across the back will soon be operating in the city of Glasgow.
This project will be the first of its kind in the city, the Christian Institute report. The bus will operate from Glasgow city centre, and travel across the greater Glasgow area, displaying John 3:16.
MPs demand action on escalating violence against Christians
Open Doors
Date posted: 12 Apr 2025
Members of Parliament have voiced deep concern over the increasing persecution of Christians worldwide, urging the UK government to take decisive action to address this trend.
The debate was led by Ruth Jones, MP for Newport West and Islwyn, who highlighted the severity of the situation:
CEEC offers alternative ‘affirmation of ordination vows’ services
Helen Catt
Date posted: 9 Apr 2025
The Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC) is inviting clergy and licensed lay ministers and readers to attend an ‘Affirmation of Ordination Vows’ service as an alternative to the often called ‘Chrism Services’ held in dioceses on Maundy Thursday.
Revd Canon John Dunnett, National Director of the CEEC, said: “With ongoing concerns with regards to Living in Love and Faith, we know that many clergy across the country feel in good conscience unable to attend the traditional Chrism services in their diocese. So we are offering two alternative services, in keeping with the Alliance’s construction of the de facto parallel province.”
New church plant in Portadown
en staff
Date posted: 8 Apr 2025
Hill Street Church, an evangelical church in the heart of Lurgan, has commissioned around 40 people to plant Covenant Church in Portadown.
In a social media post, the church says: “The Lord has been so good to us and we send the team out with our richest blessing and the assurance of our prayers. They also go with the support of Armagh Presbytery.”
‘Bright light’ shines in Aberdeen
Emily Pollok
Date posted: 7 Apr 2025
Congregants of Trinity Church Aberdeen are hoping to be using their newly restored church building by the end of this year.
Five and a half years after purchasing Queen Street Church, a redundant Church of Scotland building in Aberdeen’s city centre, the ambitious renovation project is in its third and final phase.
Decades-long building project: the end is in sight
Emily Pollok
Date posted: 5 Apr 2025
After a decades-long journey, Moorlands Church is nearing the completion of their ambitious building project.
The venture, which includes three historic buildings in the heart of Lancaster, aims to create a space that will expand and multiply gospel ministry for many years to come.
Northern Ireland: 'Extreme’ regime sees abortions increase
Nicola Laver
Date posted: 4 Apr 2025
Abortions in Northern Ireland have surged by nearly a third, according to the latest statistics. Abortion in the province was decriminalised in October 2019, and has seen a significant increase every year since.
In the year ending 31 March 2024, 2,792 abortions were recorded, a 28.78% increase on the previous year and representing the biggest percentage rise in abortion in the UK in 50 years. The figures also revealed a 61.7% increase in abortions of unborn babies over 12 weeks gestation, including 198 surgical abortions. Abortions for non-fatal disabilities, such as Down’s Syndrome, more than doubled to 56.25%.
Abersychan: From facing closure to thriving ministry
en staff
Date posted: 2 Apr 2025
Hundreds of people gathered at Emmanuel Church, Newport, Wales, for a thanksgiving service celebrating ten years of encouraging growth at Noddfa Church, Abersychan.
Pastor John-Edward Funnell said: “The church had a single digit congregation in 2014 and was weeks away from closure. Today Noddfa’s ministries now serve 300+ a week. A thriving youth ministry, a Learning Hub for 21 registered pupils from the local comprehensive school, a theological college (VST), and a food bank.”
‘Jesus is Lord, and I see my own sin’
Thomas McBride
Date posted: 1 Apr 2025
It has been a season of vibrant, missional events weeks for Christian Unions. With around 100 CUs taking part, the gospel message has been heard by thousands of students, and hundreds are exploring further.
Students in the University of Warwick Christian Union were some of the first to hold their events week this year, which was centred on the theme of “Hope”. Halfway through the week, Ben (name changed), a CU member’s housemate, decided to attend an event. His curiosity had been piqued after he heard the events week was taking place and he arrived with questions. Interested, but by no means certain of the truth of what he had heard, he said to CU members afterwards: “I don’t know why God loves us”.
Feeding trough baptisms at ex-EN ed’s new church
Emily Pollok
Date posted: 31 Mar 2025
After moving around a lot over the past few years, most recently landing at a church in Nashville, Tennessee, Jonathan Worsley decided to come home last year.
Prompted by a longing for England and a conviction of the spiritual need in the UK, Worsley and his family joined with other Christians from Exeter and beyond to plant an FIEC church in the South West.
‘Exciting’ London Gospel launch
en staff
Date posted: 29 Mar 2025
A galaxy of leading evangelical organisations is supporting what is described as an “exciting” new edition of Mark’s Gospel for mass distribution across London.
The giveaway Gospel is soon to be published by Grace Publications, in collaboration with Holman/Lifeway and London City Mission. Designed in what is described as “a contemporary zine format”, it combines “keen affordability with compelling graphics and design.”
Scotland: Planned law will ‘dilute’ school RE
Luke Randall
Date posted: 28 Mar 2025
The Free Church of Scotland (FCoS) says the Scottish Government’s proposed amendments to education legislation could “undermine and dilute” religious observance and education in schools.
The Scottish Government is proposing that the views of young people on their own participation in religious observance and religious and moral education should be considered. This, it says, would align legislation more closely with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), but the FCoS says existing measures already comply with the UNCRC and should remain unchanged.
Ban on smacking in England hanging in the balance
Nicola Laver
Date posted: 26 Mar 2025
Calls to criminalise smacking in England are regaining momentum, with leading psychiatrists urging MPs to back an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
Labour MP Jess Asato has tabled an amendment to the bill abolishing the defence of reasonable punishment under the Children Act 2004. The amendment has the support of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) which said: “Physical punishment harms children’s health, wellbeing and puts them at risk of more serious physical harm.”
Christian nurse in fresh transgender battle
Christian Concern
Date posted: 24 Mar 2025
A senior Christian nurse is launching a case against a hospital trust in a row over a transgender patient.
Jennifer Melle, 40, from Croydon, is taking action against Epsom and St Helier University Hospital Trust, claiming harassment, discrimination and human rights’ breaches.
