Life
Bethlehem and beyond: how Christianity's earliest sites were identified
many people travel to the Holy Land throughout the year to visit places of religious importance â whether in Jerusalem, Nazareth or around the Sea of Galilee. But when did Christians start to consider places as holy and begin travelling to them on pilgrimage?
The rise of the 'nones' shows no signs of stopping
The number of young people with no religious affiliation is continuing to grow, according to a new survey.
After a turbulent year, Church leaders to see in 2021 with week of prayer
'Declaration' coincides with what is traditionally significant time in the black majority Church, when churches would normally come together to ring in the New Year with prayer, worship and celebration followed by a week of corporate prayer and fasting.
Christmas markets: their long history and changing future
Wooden huts with twinkling fairy lights, festive hubbub, and the aromas of roasted chestnuts and glühwein â this picture-postcard setting is recreated annually across UK towns and cities in December. This year, however, most Christmas markets have been cancelled, meaning that 2020 will be a year without urban festive cheer.
A Christian marrying a non-Christian is 'incomprehensible', says John Piper
Desiring God author John Piper is baffled by Christians who marry non-believers.
Frequent churchgoers have had better mental health during pandemic - poll
A new study has found that mental health remained stable for people who attended church frequently this year.
Johann Sebastian Bach and music as worship
Bach wasn't only a remarkable composer; he was also a man who saw music as a gift of God.
Meeting the real, living Jesus this Advent
For many people, 2020 will be remembered as a year like no other. Penelope Wilcock is hoping that her new book, 'Into the Heart of Advent', will speak into the challenges of this year by bringing people closer to Jesus.
Christians more likely to invite people to in-person service than online
When it comes to inviting friends and family to a service, it appears Christians find it easier to make the invitation to a physical one rather than digital.
Templeton Prize winner Francis Collins says churches should stick to virtual services for now
Respected Christian geneticist Dr Francis Collins thinks churches should put off in-person services until summer 2021.
The power of a shoebox at Christmas
Ann-Marie was 8-years-old when she received a Christmas shoebox in her native Zambia filled with gifts from a stranger. She writes here about the impact that shoebox had on her as a child and why it compels her to do the same for other children today.
Churches are 'one of the safest places' to be, says Church leader
The Archbishop of Canterbury has said he will be at church on Christmas Day and is encouraging others to do the same, whether online or in person.
Tim Keller says his 'biggest fear' isn't dying from cancer but leaving his wife behind
Tim Keller, who is battling pancreatic cancer, has opened up with HTB pastor Nicky Gumbel about how the diagnosis has changed him and wife Kathy.
A fifth of Christians have skipped church during the pandemic - survey
A significant proportion of Christians haven't attended a church service since the start of the pandemic, fresh research finds.
Research suggests link between declining fertility rates and increasing secularizing
Low-fertility societies are more likely to be hostile to religion, says Baylor University professor Philip Jenkins.
Some pastors care more about being cool than being Christ-like, says Christine Caine
Prayer has been relegated to the "basement with the grandmothers" as churches prioritize their "smoke machines" and "skinny jeans", says Christine Caine.