• 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• Many view the Bible as outdated and sexist.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.

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 ChurchWorks 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
• ChurchWorks 2026 Summit
• Warm Welcome Spaces
• National Churches Trust House of Good report
• Social Prescribing report
• Theos report: Creating a neighbourhood health service
• Historic England report
• Family Hubs toolkit
• National Centre for Family Hubs
• The Bloom review

• www.rootsforchurches.com

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

Melanie Cave closes Season 3 with a moving spoken-word piece by Phoebe Owen, reflecting on her Ghanaian-British identity and the complexities of belonging in intercultural church life.

Phoebe explores themes of code-switching, worship style, racial history, and hope for a church that listens, learns and makes space for multiple cultures.

Resources and further reading are mentioned for leaders seeking to grow intercultural ministry.

Special thanks to Dan Cave for creating the music and audio mastering on Pheobe's track.

www.rootsforchurches.com

www.interculturalchurches.org

Roots Intercultural podcast playlist on YouTube

Converge 2025 conference, an event by Intercultural Churches

Melanie Cave and Anne Laure Jackson discuss the importance of understanding sensory processing challenges within church settings. They explore how sensory overwhelm can impact attendance and participation, particularly for neurodiverse individuals. The discussion emphasizes the need for churches to rethink traditional practices and create more inclusive environments that cater to diverse sensory needs. They also highlight the significance of church leadership in fostering a welcoming atmosphere and implementing sensory health programmes to support all congregants.

keywords

sensory processing, church inclusivity, sensory challenges, occupational therapy, church community, sensory-friendly environments, church attendance, neurodiversity, sensory overwhelm, church resources

takeaways

• A visual timetable can ease transitions in church activities.
• Sensory processing challenges affect many individuals, impacting their church experience.
• 61% of surveyed individuals reported avoiding church due to sensory issues.
• Churches need to ask congregants about their sensory needs. Inclusivity in church requires understanding diverse sensory experiences.
• Rethinking church traditions can help accommodate sensory challenges.
• Creating sensory-friendly environments is essential for inclusivity.
• Mindset shifts in church leadership are crucial for change.
• Community and fellowship are vital for those with sensory challenges.
• Practical changes can make a significant difference in church attendance.

Sound Bites

'We need to ask the questions.'

'61% said they've avoided church.'

'It's about God's heart for people.'

Chapters

00:00 Rethinking church traditions for inclusivity

37:59 Introduction to Roots and Visual Timetables

39:26 Resources for church leaders and volunteers

Show Notes

• Anne Laure's article for Roots: https://www.rootsforchurches.com/worship-and-learning-support/articles/sensory-healthy-church
• https://www.sensoryhealthservices.com/church
• https://www.sensoryhealthservices.com/
• Roots' visual timetable for churches www.rootsforchurches.com/vt

In this episode, Revd Prebendary John Beauchamp shares his journey as a blind priest and disability ministry enabler, exploring the intersection of faith, disability, and inclusion within the church. He reflects on his personal experiences with blindness, the theological implications of disability, and the importance of belonging and participation for disabled individuals in church communities. The conversation delves into scriptural references to blindness, the cultural context of disability in Jesus' time, and the significance of healing and redemption in faith. John emphasizes the value of individuals beyond their abilities and the role of humour in addressing societal blind spots regarding disability.

Keywords

disability theology, blindness, faith journey, inclusion, church community, healing, scripture, John Beauchamp, spiritual insights, personal testimony

Takeaways

• John Beauchamp has been in ministry for nearly 30 years.
• His blindness has profoundly shaped his faith journey.
• Disability theology offers insights into understanding faith and inclusion.
• Inclusion in the church is about belonging, not just access.
• Blindness in scripture often serves as a metaphor for spiritual blindness.
• Healing can be both a physical cure and a spiritual redemption.
• The church must listen to the experiences of disabled individuals.
• Humour can reveal societal blind spots regarding disability.
• The identity of individuals should not be solely defined by their disabilities.
• Faith involves trusting in the mystery of God's plan.

Sound Bites

'I once was blind, but now I see.'

'God wants us as we are.'

'Humour helps us see our blind spots.'

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to John Beauchamp and his Journey

02:31 Exploring Blindness and Faith

05:05 The Role of Disability in Ministry

07:44 Inclusion of Disabled Individuals in Church

10:36 Practical Steps for Accessibility

13:08 Disability Theology and Scriptural Perspectives

15:40 Metaphors of Blindness in Scripture

18:12 The Future of Disability in the New Creation

23:22 The Promise of Beauty in Pain

25:15 Experiencing God in Suffering

26:26 Cultural Context of Disability in Jesus' Time

33:55 Understanding Healing and Redemption

40:03 Preaching Insights on John Chapter 9

Show Notes

John's article on rootsforchurches.com: That the works of God might be revealed: John 9:1-41 by John

See also:

Disability-friendly church by Revd Katie Tupling

Going beyond inclusion by Mark Arnold

• Roots aims to help churches grow, be relevant, and engage authentically.
• Helen Bearn brings a wealth of experience in church settings.
• Intergenerational worship is crucial for inclusivity in church.
• Feedback on Worship Together magazine has been positive since its redesign.
• The Quiet Revival indicates a renewed interest in spirituality among young adults.
• Resources are designed to help churches engage with diverse demographics.
• The upcoming Reimagining Evangelism series will explore new ways to share faith.
• Biblical literacy is declining, making it essential to address difficult passages.
• The Old Testament provides valuable insights into faith and God's character.
• Churches should prepare for the potential influx of new attendees.

• Intercultural worship reflects the diversity of God's creation.
• Ethnomusicology studies the relationship between music and culture.
• Heart music is deeply personal and connects individuals to their identity.
• Cultural heritage plays a crucial role in worship practices.
• Language in worship can bridge generational gaps.
• Multilingual worship fosters inclusivity and understanding.
• Cultural appropriation must be navigated with care and respect.
• Identity in worship is complex for second-generation immigrants.
• Creating an inclusive worship environment requires intentionality.
• The future of the church lies in embracing intercultural dynamics.

• 'Music intersects with society.'
• 'We can all worship together.'
• 'How do we diversify our circles?'

Show notes

WEC’s intercultural worship band https://artsrelease.org/en/music-worship

Training and resources for intercultural worship https://interculturalchurches.org/worship/

Songs2Serve

Jessie’s written a chapter in Polyphonic God on intercultural church and identity https://www.eden.co.uk/christian-books/theology-books/religion-and-culture/polyphonic-god/

Jessie’s podcast: ACross Culture exploring culture, identity and the Christian faith - because culture really does inform everything in life, including our faith!

Proskuneo Ministries Multilingual Grace

Wycliffe Bible Translators

A Kaleidoscope of Doxology: Exploring Ethnodoxology and Theology Ian Collinge