The Together with God Podcast

In the final episode of Together with God, Ed and Gareth reflect on starting the podcast, share some highlights from the back-catalogue of interviews, and talk a little about their own journeys. Thank you all for listening! 

In today's podcast, we chat with Claire Hailwood, Director of Content for ‘Home for Good' (https://homeforgood.org.uk/). We explore with Claire the history of Home for Good and her own story of adopting and fostering children and young people. We also discuss the importance of the church in welcoming vulnerable young people and how all who follow Jesus have a role to play. For the ‘Make Room' resource mentioned by Claire, visit https://homeforgood.org.uk/resource/make-room.

In today's podcast, we chat with Mark Arnold. Mark is the Urban Saints' Additional Needs Ministry Director (https://theadditionalneedsblogfather.com/) and blogs at https://theadditionalneedsblogfather.com/. We chat with Mark about his own story of parenting a child and young person with additional needs and how his faith has developed through this journey. We also explore ways in which churches can become more inclusive towards children and young people with additional needs.  

In this episode, we chat with Gail Adcock, Family and Intergenerational Development Officer for the Methodist Church. This is our second conversation with Gail, and we explore issues emerging from her book, The Essential Guide to Family Ministry (BRF, 2020), including the relationship between family and church, the importance of intergenerational relationships, and how churches might begin their own ministries to families. For info on Gail's book, visit https://www.brfonline.org.uk/products/the-essential-guide-to-family-ministry-a-practical-guide-for-church-based-family-workers

In this month's episode, we chat with Lou Woolcock, the Families Coordinator for Youth for Christ (https://yfc.co.uk/louisewoolcock/). We chat with Lou about the importance of the family in faith formation, helping young people to become ‘faith explorers' in their homes, and how to help families engage with the Bible. For further information about the ‘Family Bible' mentioned in this episode, visit www.biblesociety.org.uk/good-news-bible-family-edition-resources. For more info about Youth for Christ, visit https://yfc.co.uk/.

In this month's episode, we chat with Clare Williams from Get Real (https://realquestions.co.uk). We explore issues of apologetics, race and culture, and think through how discussing such issues with young people is important for parents as well as for churches.

For this month's longer Christmas edition, we chat with Ed Drew from Faith in Kids (https://faithinkids.org). Among other topics, we explore parenting as an adventure of faith, the challenges to passing on faith in today's society, and the importance of saying sorry to our children. We also discuss the work of Faith in Kids and share some ideas and resources for Advent and Christmas.

In this month's interview, we chat with James Cary, comedy writer, podcaster and author (Including of The Gospel According to a Sitcom Writer). We chat with James about his reasons for home schooling, the role of education in forming faith, and helping children to see the world through a Christian perspective. To find out more about James and his work, visit www.jamescary.co.uk.

In this month's interview, we chat with Victoria Beech from GodVenture. We explore rituals and rhythms within the home as well as the role of creativity and the importance of adapting to different seasons of a family's life. We also explore the practice of Christian Shabbat and its impact on Victoria's family and faith. For more about Victoria and GodVenture, visit https://godventure.co.uk

Sarah Holmes lectures in Early Childhood Studies at Liverpool Hope University and runs the website www.nuturingyoungfaith.org. In today's podcast, we talk with Sarah about her recent research report on the changing nature of children and family ministry. Exploring the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, we discuss issues of intergenerational church, connecting with families, and how churches can best empower parents in helping their children grow in faith.

In this month’s conversation, Ed and Gareth give an update on the future of the podcast, introduce a new research centre at Cliff College (https://cliffcollege.ac.uk/about-cliff-college/centre-ycf-mission-ministry), and discuss the impact that lockdown has had on their families.

In this month’s interview, we speak with Erica Payne, a trainer with Innovisata (https://innovista.org), a charity that grows leaders in hard to reach places. We explore youth ministry in disadvantaged areas, the role of raising up leaders, and how churches can cross boundaries in ministry and mission. We also explore what all this might mean for families.

Andy Lawley works with Hope UK (www.hopeuk.org), a charity that equips young people to make drug-free choices. In today’s interview, we explore with Andy the impact of drugs on young people and advice for parents, youth workers and churches in responding to this issue.

Rachael Newham is the founder of mental health charity ThinkTwice (www.thinktwiceinfo.org) and author of Learning to Breathe: My Journey with Mental Illness (SPCK, 2018). In today’s conversation we explore issues of mental health, the emotional life of teenagers, the importance of the body, and how parents and churches can better support those affected by mental health issues.

In today’s episode, we interview Tina English, Director of Embracing Age, a faith-inspired charity dedicated to improving the lives of older people. We explore with Tina the importance of valuing older people within the church and society, helping different generations relate to one another, and how Christian families and churches can better support older people. For Embracing Age, visit www.embracingage.org.uk. For Care Home Friends, visit www.carehomefriends.org.uk.

Kate Wharton is a Church of England Vicar and the author of Single Minded: Being single, whole and living life to the full (Monarch 2013). In today’s podcast, we explore with Kate the challenges for single people of living in a marriage obsessed-church and a sex-obsessed society, and how the church – and families within it – can be a better home to the single as well as to the married. We also talk about the importance of modelling the single life to young people and the privilege of being a God-parent. For Kate’s blog, visit http://katewharton.blogspot.com/.

In today’s podcast, we talk with Graham Stanton, Lecturer in Practical Theology at Ridley College in Australia (www.ridley.edu.au). We chat with Graham about how faith in the home changes as kids grow older, re-meeting your kids as they age, the importance of mentors, and the relationship between the church and the home in forming faith. For more about Graham, visit www.ridley.edu.au/about-ridley/ridley-people/faculty/graham-stanton. For Graham’s book Families: A Forgotten Factor?, visit https://grovebooks.co.uk/products/y-25-families-a-forgotten-factor

Nathan Blackaby is the CEO of Christian Vision for Men (https://cvm.org.uk) and the author of a number of books, including Founding Fathers (2015) and Iron Men (2016). In today’s interview Nathan shares something of his own story, and we talk about partnership in marriage, modelling faith to our children, and staying close to God. We also discuss the importance of friends and mentors, and creating a boy-friendly church. For Nathan’s books and other CVM resources, visit www.cvm.org.uk/shop/

In this episode, we interview Andy Robertson, a journalist specialising in video games who runs the website www.patreon.com/geekdadgamer. Andy has also recently co-authored the Grove Booklet Exploring Spirituality in Video Games (https://grovebooks.co.uk/products/y-49-exploring-spirituality-in-video-games-encountering-meaning-in-digital-spaces), and is working on the book Taming Gaming (https://unbound.com/books/taming-gaming). We talk with Andy about parenting and video games, managing screen time, finding good quality video games, and games and spirituality. We also mention the websites www.internetmatters.org,  www.askaboutgames.com and https://meetcircle.com. You can find Andy on twitter @GeekDadGamer.

Gail Adcock is the Family Ministry Development Officer for the Methodist Church, and helped to produce the ‘We are Family’ report on the changing face of family ministry (www.methodist.org.uk/media/3292/we-are-family-booklet-1017.pdf). In today’s podcast, we talk with Gail about family ministry and family support, the importance of intergenerational church, and helping children and young people grow in faith.

Ruth Jackson is the editor of Premier Youth and Children’s Work (www.youthandchildrens.work), head of Youth Apologetics, and a speaker at this year’s Unbelievable Conference (2018). In today’s podcast, we talk with Ruth about her own journey of faith, the challenges that Christians face today, and the importance of helping young people – in and out of the home – respond to questions that challenge their faith. For some great apologetic resources, visit www.youthandchildrens.work/Apologetics. You can also follow Ruth on twitter @RuthJJackson.

Sam Allberry is a church leader, writer, speaker for Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (www.RZIM.org), and co-leader of Living Out (www.livingout.org). In today’s podcast, we explore with Sam the challenges of raising children in a changing culture and the importance of helping kids understand a Christian view of sexuality. We also discuss the importance of grace within the home and the significance of the wider church family for children and youth.

In today’s podcast, we talk to Carolyn Edwards, Lecture in Evangelism, Mission and Ministry at Cliff College (www.cliffcollege.ac.uk) and author of Slugs and Snails and Puppy Dogs’ Tales: Helping boys connect with God (Inter-Varsity Press, 2011). We explore children’s spirituality, raising boys in the faith, the imperfection of all families, and ways in which youth workers and churches can work with parents in helping children grow in faith.

Dan Adams, also known as ‘Cutlery Boy’, is one half of the musical duo Awesome Cutlery (www.awesomecutlery.com). In today’s podcast, we talk with Dan about the formative power of music and the importance of linking youth work to family discipleship. We also hear some of Dan’s own story, and explore ideas for incorporating music within family worship. Download Episode!

In today’s podcast, we talk to Ian Henderson, CEO and founder of The Naked Truth Project (www.thenakedtruthproject.com). We discuss with Ian the prevalence of pornography and the dangers associated with it, and Ian also shares some of his own story of faith and what led him to begin the charity. We also explore how parents can talk to their children about porn, and how the church can become a supportive place for those who struggle with it. Download Episode!

Ali Campbell is an experienced youth worker who runs The Resource which supports and trains those working with children and young people (www.theresource.org.uk). In today’s podcast, we explore with Ali the changing world of children’s and youth ministry, the importance of parents in shaping the faith of the young, being guides rather than gurus, and how parenthood changes one’s view of faith formation. Download Episode!

Andy Frost is the director of Share Jesus International (www.sharejesusinternational.com) and is working with Care for the Family on an initiative to help parents share their faith at home (www.careforthefamily.org.uk). In today’s podcast, we explore with Andy the impact of parents on the faith of their children, the importance of God conversations within the home, and tips for helping your home to be a place where faith flourishes. Download Episode!

Sam and Sara Hargreaves run engageworship.org and have recently written Whole Life Worship: Empowering Disciples for the Front Line (Inter-Varsity, 2017). In today’s podcast, we talk with Sam and Sara about involving young people in the life of the church, developing family worship within the home, and the importance of worship in everyday life and within the gathered church. For more about Sam and Sara, and to see a range of the resources they’ve developed, visit www.engageworship.org. Download Episode!

Jo Swinney is a writer, speaker and editor, and has recently written her sixth book, Home: A Quest to Belong (Hodder & Stoughton, 2017). In today’s podcast, we talk with Jo about the importance of home for children, the challenges of raising Christians in a secular culture, and ways to centre our homes on God. We also explore the church as home and discuss ways that parents can respond if their children wander from the faith. For more about Jo, and details of her new book, visit www.joswinney.com. Download Episode!

Amy Kippen is an American writer and speaker on faith formation in the home, and serves as a Coach and Resource Specialist for Faith Inkubators (http://www.faithink.com). In today’s interview, recorded at the inaugural InterGenerate Conference in America (www.intergenerateconference.com), Amy talks about the challenges parents in America face in passing on the faith, the ‘Faith5’ model, and ways to change the culture of the church to support family faith formation. Download Episode!

Today’s guest is Robin Barfield, an Associate Minister for children and families in Christ Church Wharton and the Chair of NWYouth Works for the North West Partnership (www.northwestpartnership.com). Robin is also the co-author of Sunday DIY (10ofThose, 2013) and is currently pursuing a PhD exploring approaches to children’s spirituality. In our conversation today, we talk about different models of children’s spiritual formation, the importance of the ‘heart’ as well as the ‘head’, and the need to encourage children’s imagination. Download Episode!

Bob Hartman is a performance storyteller and author who also runs storytelling workshops for children and adults. Bob's books include the Lion Storyteller Bible, Dinner in the Lion's Den, and Anyone Can Tell a Bible Story. In today's podcast, we talk about the importance of stories for faith, the role of playfulness in Bible reading, and how parents - and anyone - can learn to tell Bible stories. Bob also shares a short story on the Resurrection! Download Episode!

Rachel Turner is the Parenting for Faith Pioneer for the Bible Reading Fellowship and has written a number of books, including Parenting Children for a Life of Faith and Comfort in the Darkness. In today's podcast, we talk about the challenges of nurturing faith within the home, the importance of modelling faith as parents, integrating the 'head' and the 'heart,' and helping our children learn to pray. For more about Rachel, visit www.rachelturner.org.uk. Download Episode!

Sarah Holmes is a lecturer in Early Childhood Studies and has recently completed a PhD on the impact that Christian parents have on their children’s faith. In our conversation today, we discuss insights from Sarah’s research, including the challenges of Christian parenthood, faith in the home, and the importance of the Bible for Christian nurture.

Nate Morgan Locke is the Children's and Youth Minister at St Barts Church in Bath and an Associate Evangelist at Christianity Explored. In this podcast, Nate explores the gospel as the foundation for family worship while also identifying obstacles that parents face and the value of a simple approach. Nate also chats about his own faith journey, including his upbringing in Narnia...

Graeme Thompson is the Youth Development Officer for the Presbyterian Church of Ireland and and has helped to create Close to Home, a resource that seeks to help churches keep children and young people ‘at home’ within the life of the church. In today’s podcast, Graeme shares thoughts on a range of topics, including covenant theology, faith in the home, intergenerational church, and helping young people engage with doctrine and the Sacraments. To find out more about Close to Home, see www.presbyterianireland.org/Resources/Close-to-Home/Close-to-Home.aspx Download Episode!

For our inaugural podcast, we interview Mark Chester, founder of Who Let the Dads Out? (www.wholetthedadsout.org.uk). Mark shares his perspective on faith and fatherhood, and we explore questions such as how do we reach dads in our community? What are the challenges for dads in modelling faith in the home? And how can all men in the church be 'father figures'? Download Episode!

In today’s podcast, we interview Jane Butcher. Jane is the Coordinator of ‘Faith in Homes’ for the Bible Reading Fellowship (www.faithinhomes.org.uk) and has written a number of books – including Family Fun for Christmas – to help families engage with the seasons of the year. Jane discusses building faith in the everyday life of the home, engaging with the seasons of the year, and how best to encourage and support families in the life of faith. Download Episode!