• Bible sales have surged, especially among Gen Z.
• Many view the Bible as outdated and sexist.
• Understanding cultural context is crucial for interpreting scripture.
• God's original intention was for equality between genders.
• Certain scriptures have been misused to control women.
• Domestic abuse often involves emotional and psychological manipulation.
• Church leaders need training to address domestic abuse effectively.
• The concept of submission in marriage is often misinterpreted.
• Emotional abuse is more common than physical violence in relationships.
• Resources are available to help churches navigate these issues.

• 'Gen Z are spiritually curious and buying Bibles.'
• 'This story represents nameless women in our world.'
• 'God sees these things happen behind closed doors.'

Melanie Cave speaks with Jack Palmer-White about ChurchWorks, an initiative that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic to help local churches engage with their communities and collaborate with local government and the NHS. They discuss the importance of churches in providing community support, the Warm Welcome campaign, and the role of social prescribing in addressing mental health and loneliness. Jack shares insights on the evolution of ChurchWorks, its partnerships, and the upcoming ChurchWorks Summit, emphasizing the need for churches to communicate their initiatives effectively to local authorities and the broader community.

keywords

ChurchWorks, community engagement, local churches, COVID-19, social prescribing, mental health, family hubs, government partnerships, Warm Welcome campaign, church initiatives

takeaways

Churches serve as vital community spaces for connection. The pandemic highlighted the need for churches to collaborate with local authorities. ChurchWorks aims to celebrate and coordinate church efforts in communities. The Warm Welcome campaign has mobilized churches to provide warm spaces during crises. Church initiatives have significant economic and social value. Social prescribing connects individuals to community resources through churches. Churches can help address mental health issues by fostering community. Family hubs can benefit from church involvement in providing services. Effective communication with local authorities is crucial for church initiatives. Building partnerships with government can enhance community impact. titles

Sound Bites

'Churches are a third space in communities.'

'We need to tell and celebrate that story.'

'No front door is the wrong door.'

Chapters

00:00 The Birth of ChurchWorks

05:56 Jack's Role and ChurchWorks' Mission

09:40 Local Engagement and Community Collaboration

13:06 The Warm Welcome Campaign

17:10 Social Prescribing and Mental Health

20:38 Supporting Families through Church Initiatives

24:09 Building Relationships with Local Authorities

27:53 The Role of Family Hubs

31:37 Equipping Churches for Community Impact

35:06 ChurchWorlds Future Events and Opportunities for Engagement

44:08 Intro to Roots' Church Resources

44:35 Exploring Roots Subscription Options and Community Engagement

Show Notes

• ChurchWorks https://www.churchworks.org.uk/
• ChurchWorks Summit https://www.churchworks.org.uk/the-churchworks-summit
• Warm Welcome https://www.warmwelcome.uk/
• Social Prescribing report: https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/63617132d46b4957895ad90b/67977db4b729add356b93a33_Report%20-%20Creating%20a%20Neigbourhood%20Health%20Service.pdf
• Historic England report https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/63617132d46b4957895ad90b/69271fcd9b52957eea22669b_Report_wellbeingandheritage_online.pdf
• Family Hubs toolkit https://www.churchworks.org.uk/family-hubs-toolkit www.rootsforchurches.com ⁨@churchworks9184⁩

Special thanks to Dan Cave for audio mastering on this episode.

Melanie Cave and Bob Goody discuss the significance of Agricultural Sundays and rural missions. Bob shares insights into the traditions of Plough Sunday, Rogation Sunday, and Lammas Sunday, emphasizing the importance of community, tradition, and mission in rural settings. Bob also highlights the challenges faced by rural churches and the innovative ways they are engaging with their communities.

Keywords

Rural Mission, Plough Sunday, Rogation Sunday, Lammas Sunday, community engagement, church growth, agricultural traditions, mission strategies, children and youth ministry, animal blessings Agricultural Sundays, community, tradition, rural churches, mission, Bob Goody

Takeaways

• Bob Goody emphasizes the importance of community in rural missions.
• Plough Sunday marks the start of the agricultural year with a blessing of the plough.
• Rogation Sunday involves asking for God's blessing on the land and community.
• Lammas Sunday celebrates the first fruits of the wheat harvest. Welsh Potato Sunday highlights the importance of local traditions.
• Animal blessings connect faith with the love for creation.
• Rural churches often feel under-resourced and unsupported.
• Innovative approaches like moving services to pubs have helped rural churches grow.
• Engaging with local schools is a key mission field for rural churches.
• Simple acts of community, like sharing coffee and cake, can be powerful.
• Rural Missions focus on making faith accessible and relevant to everyday life.
• Rural Missions supports rural churches in becoming more missional.
• Innovative mission strategies can lead to significant growth in rural settings.
• Community engagement is key to revitalizing rural churches.
• Children and young people are an important mission field in rural areas.
• Agricultural Sundays provide opportunities for community connection and celebration.

Sound bites

'Community is at the heart of rural missions.'

'Bless the plough, bless the land.'

'Rogation Sunday is about asking for blessings.'

'Lammas Sunday celebrates the first fruits.'

'Rural churches need more support.'

'Innovation is key to rural church growth.'

'Schools are vital mission fields.'

'Simple community acts can be powerful.'

'Faith should be accessible and relevant.'

'Supporting rural churches is our mission.'

'We can keep some of the old, we can retain that.'

'We are interdependent on the earth, on creation.'

'Let's give him the best of what we have.'

Chapters

• 00:00:00 Introduction to Bob Goody and Rural Mission
• 00:03:00 Understanding Agricultural Sundays
• 00:09:00 Challenges in Rural Churches
• 00:15:00 Innovative Approaches in Rural Ministry
• 00:21:00 Engaging with Schools and Community
• 00:27:00 Conclusion and Vision for Rural Mission

Show notes

Roots and Rural Missions resources

www.ruralmissions.org.uk

www.rootsforchurches.com