Church

Digital giving: CofE to test contactless card payments for church collection
Digital giving: CofE to test contactless card payments for church collection

The Church of England has announced trails for a digital, contactless payment system for church donations, testing a new 'tap and go' scheme this summer.

Sudanese churches in defiant open letter: We are victims of \'systematic violation of Christian religious freedoms\'
Sudanese churches in defiant open letter: We are victims of 'systematic violation of Christian religious freedoms'

Sudanese churches have written a defiant open letter to the government, criticising a spate of church demolitions and accusing it of 'systematic violation of Christian religious freedoms'.

First-time preacher wins \'Sermon of the Year\' award
First-time preacher wins 'Sermon of the Year' award

Last night saw the final of the 'Sermon of the Year' preaching contest in London, with its winner a retired woman preaching for the first time in her life.

Nigerian Christian leader pleads for help to stop death and destruction by Islamist Fulani militia
Nigerian Christian leader pleads for help to stop death and destruction by Islamist Fulani militia

A Christian church leader from Nigeria has described the horrors of the growing persecution of Christians by Fulani herdsmen, describing it as 'ethnic cleansing'. And so far, he said, the authorities have done little or nothing to help.

\'Trump wants you to be in his reality show\': US theologian Stanley Hauerwas challenges the Church
'Trump wants you to be in his reality show': US theologian Stanley Hauerwas challenges the Church

American theologian and ethicist Professor Stanley Hauerwas has hit out at Donald Trump and offered a stark challenge to the contemporary Church. 'Donald Trump is an idiot who wants you to be in his reality show', Hauerwas said. 'The challenge is not to let him dominate your life.'

Archbishops call emergency debate on state of the nation
Archbishops call emergency debate on state of the nation

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York will use special powers to call an emergency debate on 'unanswered' questions about the 'shape and priorities of our government' at the Church of England's ruling general synod next month.

We have them for schools and universities. Why not a league table for churches?
We have them for schools and universities. Why not a league table for churches?

They've become the measure by which we assess the performance of public institutions. What about a league table for churches?

Egypt's Coptic Christians lament jihadist persecution, forgive killers, but ask: 'Where is our government'?

Egypt's Coptic Christians protesting following the latest jihadist attack on their community, and are questioning the lack of government action to protect them.

A martyr for our moment: 3 lessons from the radical Christian sacrifice of St Alban
A martyr for our moment: 3 lessons from the radical Christian sacrifice of St Alban

Today is the feast day of St Alban – an iconic British Christian martyr, and one the world may need to remember now more than ever.

Archbishop Welby asks Lord Carey to consider his position as assistant bishop over Ball abuse case
Archbishop Welby asks Lord Carey to consider his position as assistant bishop over Ball abuse case

Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has written to his predecessor George Carey asking him to consider his position as an honorary assistant bishop in Oxford over criticism of his conduct in the case of the former bishop and convicted abuser Peter Ball.

Cathedrals in crisis? Three ways we could support their growing ministry
Cathedrals in crisis? Three ways we could support their growing ministry

Cathedrals are integral parts of their communities with growing congregations, and a vital ministry to the cities in which they find themselves. Here we look at some ways in which they could be put on a more sustainable footing...

Most religious groups support gay marriage - with the exception of white evangelical Christians
Most religious groups support gay marriage - with the exception of white evangelical Christians

An extensive survey has found that in no major religious group in America do adherents believe businesses should refuse services to LGBT customers because of their religion. The study also pointed to a dramatic shift in support for same-sex marriage amongst religious groups in the past 13 years.

Church of England colluded in abuse by former bishop, says damning report
Church of England colluded in abuse by former bishop, says damning report

The Church of England 'colluded' with the former bishop Peter Ball over his abuse of young boys and men, states a new independent report into Ball's case.

Gay Christian activist calls for an end to \'spiritual abuse\' and \'conversion therapy\'
Gay Christian activist calls for an end to 'spiritual abuse' and 'conversion therapy'

Jayne Ozanne, a member of General Synod, says in a paper published by the Royal College of Psychiatrists that there is a need for government regulation to stamp out 'group led spiritual abuse'.

Pope may miss meeting with Cardinals sparking speculation about division
Pope may miss meeting with Cardinals sparking speculation about division

Pope Francis is preparing to announce the identity of a new group of Cardinals, the Bishops who assist him at the highest levels of the Church.

One reason your church may not be growing – and five things that might help
One reason your church may not be growing – and five things that might help

It's the Holy Grail of church life. Most pastors and most congregations would love to see more people coming through the door, and more of them staying.