Podcasts about General Synod

It's Thursday, February 19th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark British preacher challenges buffer zones around abortion mills A preacher in Britain is challenging the country's abortion buffer zones which effectively censor the Bible. Officials arrested, charged, and convicted Stephen Green for holding a sign with a Bible verse near an abortion mill in 2023. The verse was Psalm 139:13 which says, “For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother's womb.” Green stated, “As a Christian, I should be able to preach freely all over the land. Psalm 139 is about how we all belong to God from conception. Buffer zones and this conviction [are] a direct attack on the Bible and free speech.” Elon Musk endorsed new conservative political party in England Billionaire Elon Musk endorsed a new conservative political party in Britain last week. On Friday, Member of Parliament Rupert Lowe launched the Restore Britain Party. Musk shared the launch video on X which has received nearly 40 million views.  The party is devoted to ending mass immigration and the creeping Islamification of Britain. Rupert Lowe also stated the party will openly recognize the country's Christian heritage.  Listen. LOWE: “Restore Britain will openly recognize the Christian heritage that shaped this country's moral and civic foundation. (applause) Duty, restraint, forgiveness and, most importantly, fairness. These values created a high trust society. “Restore Britain will end the creeping Islamification of Britain. (applause)  Unfettered immigration from Islamic countries will end. (applause) Britain is a Christian country, and under Restore Britain government, it will remain a Christian country.” (applause) Church of England votes against blessing homosexual couples Last week, the Church of England  voted against proposals to allow blessing services for homosexual couples. The General Synod did not shut the door on the issue though, voting to investigate it in the future.  The move keeps the church from performing marriage services and blessing services for people living in unnatural relations. However, the Church of England's rules already allow blessing prayers within regular Sunday services for such couples.  Proverbs 25:26 says, “Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.” Franklin Graham preached in world's southernmost city Evangelist Franklin Graham  preached in Ushuaia, Argentina. It's known as the southernmost city in the world. Listen. GRAHAM: “What makes Ushuaia so special are the people. We love the people. If you can't remember anything else tonight, remember this: God loves you. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to take our sins. We deserve death. We're guilty of sin. “Bartimaeus had no hope. There are many of you here tonight. You have no hope. Now, Bartimaeus cried at the right time. Jesus was passing by. The Bible says that ‘God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but he should have everlasting life.' “Will you invite Christ into your heart? Will you trust Him? Come. Come to Jesus.” Hundreds of people turned to Christ through the evangelistic outreach event. Graham wrote on X, “We give God the glory for each one who responded to the invitation to repent of their sins and put their trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.” Eighty-two percent of South Americans identify as Roman Catholic, but evangelicalism has been growing in recent decades.    Graham also plans to visit Peru next month. 21 states challenge mail-order abortion kill pills In the United States, 21 states and 60 members of Congress are challenging mail-order abortion drugs. Louisiana initiated the case, challenging a Biden-era rule from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The rule removed the in-person dispensing requirement for the abortion drug mifepristone.  Erik Baptist with Alliance Defending Freedom stated, “The Biden FDA's unlawful authorization of mail-order abortion drugs was meant to be a loophole around states that choose to protect life.” 41-year-old mother Olympic bobsledder wins gold (audio Olympic theme song) American Olympic bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor  won her first gold medal on Monday. The 41-year-old mother triumphed in the women's monobob event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.  She is now the oldest gold medalist in an individual Olympic event. After the victory, she said this on Instagram: “The moment we prayed for. Glory to God.” Norway has won the most gold medals Nearly 2,900 athletes from over 90 countries are competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics.  So far, Norway has won the most gold medals and the most medals overall. In the medal count, Norway is followed by Italy and the U.S. A podium finish can mean big prize money for athletes. A gold medalist from the U.S. can win $38,000. Athletes from Singapore can make the most for winning an individual event at $792,000.   Christian missionaries sharing Christ & Bibles in Olympic crowds And finally, Evangelicals are sharing the Gospel at the Winter Olympic Games this year. Hundreds of Southern Baptists alongside International Mission Board missionaries are joining the crowds to share Christ and distribute Bibles. Karen Herfurth is in Italy with a group from Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Huntsville, Alabama. She said, “This is a chance for Southern Baptists to reach more people and impact more lives! We may never know the difference this makes until we are in Heaven.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, February 19th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

How did early Lutheran synods join in fellowship? The Rev. Dr. Cameron MacKenzie (the Forrest E. and Frances H. Ellis Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN) joins Andy and Sarah for a series on the Battle for the Augsburg Confession in American Lutheranism to explore the breakup of the General Synod, the significance of the Free Conferences, the challenges faced by the General Council, and the Missouri Synod's efforts to establish fellowship with other Lutheran synods, ultimately leading to the formation of the Synodical Conference. Find all episodes in this series at kfuo.org/tag/battle-for-the-augsburg-confession-series. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

Lee Gatiss asks Ros Clarke about the events of General Synod last week.

Lee Gatiss asks Ros Clarke what happened at General Synod next week.

Church of England vicars with a difference Jamie Franklin and Daniel French talk about the big stories in Church and State. This time:Keir Starmer is clinging to power as folly of Epstein-linked Mandelson decision (and many other decisions) is being made increasingly apparent.It's the Church of England's General Synod and the new Archbishop Sarah Mullally promises to support the local and deprioritise central initiatives. But will she follow through on this promise and why is she still supporting £100 million slavery reparations initiative Project Spire?Project Spire itself takes a battering in question and answer session at Synod and should be renamed "Project Snowflake" as those working on the scheme are said to need special support because they can't handle questions and criticism.And the Living in Love and Faith gay relationships project is officially cancelled after years of fruitless toil...and then restarted again with a new "working group" to look at the same issues.We answer some questions on talking Bibles and the link between Lockdown and the Quiet Revival, plus a few other things as always.All that and much more as always. Please enjoy!You make this podcast possible. Support us and get episodes early, bonus Uncollared audio podcasts, monthly epic chats between Jamie and Nick Dixon and more!On Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/irreverendOn Substack - https://irreverendpod.substack.com/Buy Me a Coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/irreverend To make a direct donation or to get in touch with questions or comments please email irreverendpod@gmail.com!For the Clergy Post at Holy Trinity, Stroud Green make enquiries with the Bishop of Fulham's office fulham.chaplain@london.anglican.org or phone 020 7932 1130.Notices:Join our Irreverend Telegram group: https://t.me/irreverendpodFollow us on Twitter: https://x.com/IrreverendPodBuy Jamie's Book! THE GREAT RETURNDaniel French Substack: https://undergroundchurch.substack.com/Jamie Franklin's "Good Things" Substack: https://jamiefranklin.substack.comIrreverend Substack: https://irreverendpod.substack.comFind me a church: https://irreverendpod.com/church-finder/Support the show

How did small synods fight for church unity during the Civil War years? The Rev. Dr. Cameron MacKenzie (the Forrest E. and Frances H. Ellis Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN) joins Andy and Sarah for a series on the Battle for the Augsburg Confession in American Lutheranism to explore the historical context and implications of the breakup of the General Synod during the Civil War era, the formation of the General Council, and the Missouri Synod's perspective on confessional theology and church unity. Find all episodes in this series at kfuo.org/tag/battle-for-the-augsburg-confession-series. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

How did Samuel Simon Schmucker and Benjamin Kurtz influence the development of American Lutheranism? The Rev. Dr. Cameron MacKenzie (the Forrest E. and Frances H. Ellis Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN) joins Andy and Sarah for a series on the Battle for the Augsburg Confession in American Lutheranism to explore the historical tensions within American Lutheranism during the 19th century, including the rise of American Lutheranism, the conflicts within the General Synod, and the attempts to establish a definitive platform that reflected American values while grappling with traditional Lutheran confessions. Dr. MacKenzie highlights key figures, such as Samuel Simon Schmucker and Benjamin Kurtz, and the formation of new synods, including the Melanchthon Synod, as they navigated the complexities of faith and identity in a changing America. Find all episodes in this series at kfuo.org/tag/battle-for-the-augsburg-confession-series. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

Church of England Revs with a difference Daniel French and Jamie Franklin sit down to talk about the big stories in church and state. This time:WEF stooge Yuval Noah Harari says that AI will overtake religion because it is better at putting words in order.Also at Davos this year, the WEF advance plans to control global water supply.In Church of England News, a diocesan consistory court orders parish church to rip out gas boiler to adhere to Net Zero policy AND the General Synod is to debate the banning of flowers and floral foam containing microplastics in parish churches. Good to see they've got their priorities right!All that and much more as always. Enjoy!You make this podcast possible. Support us and get episodes early, bonus Uncollared audio podcasts, monthly epic chats between Jamie and Nick Dixon and more!On Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/irreverendOn Substack - https://irreverendpod.substack.com/Buy Me a Coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/irreverend To make a direct donation or to get in touch with questions or comments please email irreverendpod@gmail.com!Notices:Join our Irreverend Telegram group: https://t.me/irreverendpodFollow us on Twitter: https://x.com/IrreverendPodBuy Jamie's Book! THE GREAT RETURNDaniel French Substack: https://undergroundchurch.substack.com/Jamie Franklin's "Good Things" Substack: https://jamiefranklin.substack.comIrreverend Substack: https://irreverendpod.substack.comFind me a church: https://irreverendpod.com/church-finder/Support the show

How did Samuel Simon Schmucker and Benjamin Kurtz influence the development of American Lutheranism? The Rev. Dr. Cameron MacKenzie (the Forrest E. and Frances H. Ellis Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN) joins Andy and Sarah for a series on the Battle of the Augsburg Confession in American Lutheranism to explore the development of American Lutheranism in the 19th century, focusing on key figures like Samuel Simon Schmucker and Benjamin Kurtz. They discus Schmucker's vision for a uniquely American form of Lutheranism, the influence of the Second Great Awakening, and the internal conflicts within the General Synod as confessional Lutheranism began to assert itself against the backdrop of American religious life. Find all episodes in this series at kfuo.org/tag/battle-for-the-augsburg-confession-series. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

Chris Moore, Amanda Robbie and Ros Clarke discuss their experiences of being on General Synod and offer their thoughts on who should consider standing for the 2026 elections.

"We are convinced that England will never be converted until the laity use the opportunities daily afforded by their various professions, crafts and occupations" General Synod, Church of England 1945. An inspiring quote to motivate! God is calling every single one of us to be a missionary to the nation.

Professor Helen King and The Revd Canon Neil Patterson from Together for the Church of England discuss with Fr Alex recent news to halt plans for standalone same-sex blessing services. Bishops in the Church of England have decided not to move ahead with a trial of standalone services of blessing for same-sex couples. They have also decided that the current ban on priests marrying same-sex partners will remain in place for now. The House of Bishops reached its decisions at a meeting last week that reviewed theological and legal advice relating to the February 2023 vote in the General Synod to permit same-sex blessings. Since that time, same-sex blessings have been introduced as part of regular church services despite strong opposition from evangelicals. The question before the House of Bishops was whether 'bespoke' standalone services of blessing could be made available to same-sex couples, and whether clergy could legally enter into same-sex marriages. Legal advice considered by the bishops has determined that introducing standalone services would require two thirds majorities in the three houses of Synod at final approval, while legislation allowing clergy to marry same-sex partners would require simple majorities. Although final decisions will be taken by the bishops in December, they have "agreed in principle that both bespoke service and clergy same-sex marriage would need formal synodical and legislative processes to be completed before they could be permitted".source Christian Today.

"How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity," sings the Psalmist (Psalm 133:1). Sure, it can be, but it's also really hard. In fact, sometimes the closer we are with our family, the harder it can be to "live together." But finding ways to live together in unity--not uniformity-- with our wider church family is an important part of following Jesus and a sign of the way and reign of God he preached and embodied. This Sunday we'll reflect on that work in light of decisions made at General Synod this summer to move into closer relationship with churches around the world and right next door. (Psalm 133)In Worship 7/27-8/24" "Big Picture: Themes from General SynodWe'll spend these five Sundays exploring themes and issues informing the work of General Synod, the triennial national meeting of our United Church of Christ denominational family, held in Kansas City, MO in July.Join us for worship Sundays @ 10am EDT, on-site & online via Zoom. Connect at www.NeedhamUCC.org—-The Congregational Church of Needham strives to be a justice-seeking, peace-making, LGBTQ+ affirming, radically inclusive congregation of the United Church of Christ in Needham, MA. www.NeedhamUCC.orgChurch is the practice.Love is the point.

Scripture calls us to submit to the Law/Word of Christ. But what exactly does that look like? Note: A slightly different version of this sermon was delivered at the 88th meeting of the General Synod of the Bible Presbyterian Church.

The political conflict between the state of Israel and Hamas is complicated by history, religion, anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim hatred, the entangling alliances with both parties, and, not least, the special place the state of Israel holds in the theological fantasies of American Evangelical Christians. But the moral calculus is much simpler. Israel isn't just conducting a war against Hamas but carrying out a campaign of genocide against the entire Palestinian people--men, women, and children--and we in the the U.S. are helping to fund it. Just stop it. (Jeremiah 31:15-17)In Worship 7/27-8/24, "Big Picture: Themes from General SynodWe'll spend these five Sundays exploring themes and issues informing the work of General Synod, the triennial national meeting of our United Church of Christ denominational family, held in Kansas City, MO in July.Join us for worship Sundays @ 10am EDT, on-site & online via Zoom. Connect at www.NeedhamUCC.org—-The Congregational Church of Needham strives to be a justice-seeking, peace-making, LGBTQ+ affirming, radically inclusive congregation of the United Church of Christ in Needham, MA. www.NeedhamUCC.orgChurch is the practice.Love is the point.

The Church of England just met to decide the future of LGBTQ+ people in the Church — again. Still no equal marriage. Still no full acceptance. Still a fight.This week, Graeme speaks to Phillip Baldwin — a gay man, HIV-positive, and one of the few openly queer members of the Church's General Synod. From inside the Church's governing body, Phillip takes us behind the scenes of a system still struggling to recognise LGBTQ+ lives with dignity.It's a raw conversation about faith, identity, and what it means to stay in the room when the institution you serve refuses to fully welcome you.---THIS IS OUTCAST WORLD ---Like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and please leave a review. This helps us become easier to discover. Please take time to rate the show and if you're enjoying the podcast then take time to comment about it wherever you listen. //////// Check us on Insta, Youtube and TikTok @thisisoutcastworld ///// Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ancient city of Sodom has been synonymous with sin and the consequences of sin for thousands of years. These days it's sexual sin they're most associated with and infamous for, specifically homosexuality. But that's a modern development and not what the Hebrew prophets or even Jesus meant when they considered the city. For most of history, Sodom's sin was understood to be the hoarding of resources and inhospitality to immigrants. So watch out, United States of America. Given how we're treating the foreigners among us, fire and brimstone might be in the forecast for us, too, consequentially speaking. (Luke 10:1-12, 16)    In Worship 7/27-8/24, "Big Picture: Themes from General SynodWe'll spend these five Sundays exploring themes and issues informing the work of General Synod, the triennial national meeting of our United Church of Christ denominational family, held in Kansas City, MO in July.Join us for worship Sundays @ 10am EDT, on-site & online via Zoom. Connect at www.NeedhamUCC.org—-The Congregational Church of Needham strives to be a justice-seeking, peace-making, LGBTQ+ affirming, radically inclusive congregation of the United Church of Christ in Needham, MA. www.NeedhamUCC.orgChurch is the practice.Love is the point.

The podcast this week comes from the General Syond meeting in York, where the Archbishop in Jerusalem, Dr Hosam Naoum, is interviewed by Francis Martin, staff writer for the Church Times. Dr Naoum speaks about life in the region, the welcome that he has received at the Synod, and the prospects of peace in the Middle East. “If I can reconcile myself as both Palestinian and Israeli and Arab and a Christian, that means that we can live together as Israelis and Palestinians. That's something we can do,” he says. “We have done it for many centuries, actually, as Jews, Christians, and Muslims in the land of the Holy One, and we can do it again, but we need to be determined to walk the path of peace.” Try 10 issues of the Church Times for £10 or get two months access to our website and apps, also for £10. Go to www.churchtimes.co.uk/new-reader

As the Church of England prepares parishes to be a ‘church in a time of conflict', we hear from the Bishop to the Armed Forces, the Rt Rev Hugh Nelson, as the Church's governing body – General Synod – meet in York. We consider the conflicts within the Church that will be debated at Synod - and discuss how members are set to scrutinise the Redress scheme, intended to support victims of abuse within the Church. 2025 marks 50 years since Jackie Tabick became the first female Progressive Rabbi ordained in the UK. Many women have followed in Rabbi Tabick's footsteps, including Rabbi Kulikovsky and Rabbi Altorf who were ordained at special event last week at the Leo Baeck College in London. We hear from them about their roles - and look at what's changed in those 50 years.This summer, the BBC are covering a whole host of women's games as part of their 'Names Will Be Made' summer of sport. But what role does religion play for athletes on and off the pitch? Producer Katy Davis speaks to three women of faith at the top of their game: England Netballer Ellie Rattu; UEFA coach Yasmin Hussein and Wales Rugby Player Sisi Tuipulotu. For more behind the scenes interviews and updates, head to the BBC Women's Summer of Sport website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/womens-summer-of-sportFriday 11th of July was a 30 year memorial service to mark the Srebrenica genocide in Bosnia, where over 8,000 Bosniak Muslim boys and men were killed by Serb forces, during the 1995 genocide in Srebrenica - in one of Europe's worst atrocities since World War 2. Julie Etchingham hears from award winning photojournalist Alixandra Fazzina, who has returned to Bosnia 30 years after the war. We also hear from Islamic Relief's Shahin Ashraf, one of the few charity organisations who provided support during the war and are still today, helping Bosniaks rebuild their lives in Srebrenica.Presenter: Julie Etchingham Producers: Katy Davis and James Leesley Studio Managers: George Willis and Sam Mills Editor: Chloe Walker

Over the course of Western history, how have religion and medicine worked together to tell women how their bodies work, and what they should do with them? How have Eve and Mary been used to convey these messages, and how has their role been challenged? Helen King explores the potential of both Christianity and medicine to work towards a healthier approach to the body. Helen King is Professor Emerita at The Open University, where she researched and taught the history of the body. She is an elected lay member of the Church of England's General Synod and a trustee of WATCH (Women and the Church). Her latest book is 'Immaculate Forms: Uncovering the History of Women's Bodies'.

The names of most of those who will help to decide the next Archbishop of Canterbury were announced this week: five representatives of the global Anglican Communion, along with those selected from among the central members elected by the General Synod for a five-year term. Previously, the Canterbury Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) has had only one representative of the Anglican Communion, but this was increased to five after a Synod vote in 2022. On the podcast this week, the editor, Sarah Meyrick, and staff writer, Francis Martin, talk about the composition of the Canterbury CNC: who the members are and how their views might influence the kind of person who is appointed. Will church tradition be a consideration? How likely is it that CNC members will vote for a woman to be the next Archbishop of Canterbury? And how does this protracted process compare to the election of a new pope? Photo credit: Neil Turner/Lambeth Palace Try 10 issues of the Church Times for £10 or get two months access to our website and apps, also for £10. Go to www.churchtimes.co.uk/new-reader

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Helen King. Helen is a Professor Emerita of Classical Studies at The Open University, and an elected member of the General Synod of the Church of England, where she is vice chair of Together. They discuss her newest book: “Immaculate Forms: A History of the Female Body in Four Parts.” Follow Helen: @helenking

The three Church of England revs with a difference are back to talk about the biggest issues in church and state. This time:Trump's recent IVF orderProposed change to assisted suicide law extending eligibility to twelve months from sixDid anything interesting happen at General Synod? Our next pick for Archbishop of CanterburyAnd the mysterious withdrawal of the anonymous appointee to the See of DurhamAll that and much much more as ever. Please enjoy!Please Support the Podcast!You make Irreverend possible. Please support us on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/irreverend) or Buy Me a Coffee (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/irreverend). Notices:Thinking Slow at the Thinking Coalition: https://thinkingcoalition.orgPre-order Jamie's new book The Great ReturnDaniel French Substack: https://undergroundchurch.substack.com/Jamie Franklin Substack: https://jamiefranklin.substack.comIrreverend Substack: https://irreverendpod.substack.comFollow us on Twitter: https://x.com/IrreverendPodFind me a church: https://irreverendpod.com/church-finder/Join our Irreverend Telegram group: https://t.me/irreverendpodFind links to our episodes, social media accounts and ways to support us at https://www.irreverendpod.com!Thursday Circles: http://thursdaycircle.comSupport the show

Michael Hayden and Ros Clarke discuss the February 2025 meeting of General Synod, what happened, what didn't, and the differences watching online and in person.

Staff writer Francis Martin spent all of last week in the press gallery of Church House, Westminster, reporting on the latest meeting of the General Synod. He reports back to the editor, Sarah Meyrick, about some of the most significant debates and votes, including on the future of safeguarding and proposed changes to the Crown Nominations Commission. Francis was also out and about talking to Synod members. Watch a video of some of the interviews here: https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2025/14-february/audio-video/video/watch-church-times-reports-from-the-general-synod-in-london Read coverage of the Synod on our website: https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/topics/general-synod Synod digest will be published next week (28 February issue) Try 10 issues of the Church Times for £10 or get two months access to our website and apps, also for £10. Go to www.churchtimes.co.uk/new-reader

Jewish and Muslim leaders have signed an historic agreement which they hope will transform community relations in the UK. But does the Reconciliation Accord go far enough? Ludovic Mohamed Zahed is an Islamic scholar and cleric who is challenging conventional understandings of his faith and has written a new book about his journey as a gay imam.The acclaimed Manchester Rock Band Doves have reunited with their new album Constellations For The Lonely, which is due to be released in February 2025 - with the latest single taking some saintly inspiration. Saint Teresa draws on lead singer Jimi Goodwin's Irish catholic heritage and connection with Teresa's story. The Church of England's General Synod opened last Monday to headlines reporting that the church would be banning gluten-free communion wafers and non-alcoholic wine. But another question remains: why is actual alcohol and wheat required by some churches in the bread and wine of communion while not being important for others?PRESENTER: William Crawley PRODUCERS: Katy Davis and Linda Walker EDITOR: TIM PEMBERTON STUDIO MANAGERS: Simon Highfield and Jonathan Esp

Former International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell talks to Edward Stourton about the move to dismantle USAID after Vice President JD Vance accused it of 'spreading atheism'.We hear from author Christopher Gasson and his poll of Gen Z and their views on religion which suggests a majority describe themselves as 'fairly spiritual'.Independent safeguarding is the big topic at General Synod this week. Madeleine Davies of the Church Times tells us about the debates already underway about the best way to keep people safe in the C of E.And the public are being asked to give their views on the qualities needed in the next Archbishop of Canterbury. If you have any thoughts let us know - sunday@bbc.co.uk, @BBCR4SUNDAY on social media.

In 2023, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York asked Professor Alexis Jay to develop proposals for a fully independent structure to provide scrutiny of safeguarding in the Church of England. Her report, published the following year, concluded that not only scrutiny, but operational safeguarding, should be independent, necessitating the creation of two separate charities. But while there is widespread demand for action to prevent further failings, opinion on taking up Professor Jay's recommendations remains divided. Next week, members of the General Synod will gather again to discuss the way forward. The task before them is a weighty one, with the debate taking place against a backdrop of widespread horror at the Church's record to date. On Wednesday (5 February), the Church Times hosted a webinar to discuss the right way forward, in response to Professor Jay's recommendations. This podcast features contributions from the panel below. A video of the full webinar, including the panel's discussion and responses to questions, will be available soon. Panel Jane Chevous, co-founder, Survivors Voices Colin Perkins, diocesan safeguarding adviser, diocese of Chichester David Greenwood, Switalskis Solicitors Jim Gamble, INEQE Safeguarding Group Chaired by Madeleine Davies of the Church Times New to us? We are currently offering a £5 digital subscription, giving you full access to our website and archive, for 2 months. This best-ever value subscription offer is available until 14 February, so subscribe now to avoid missing out. https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/subscribe

Ros Clarke and Chris Moore discuss the General Synod agenda for the coming week and encourage listeners to get involved in a variety of ways.

In the wake of the Archbishop of Canterbury's historic resignation, Nicky Campbell has been talking to people about their experiences of the Church. Su, a survivor of historic sexual abuse by a then-trainee minister, waived her automatic right to anonymity to tell her story publicly for the first time. She says before and during her abuser's trial - which concluded in an indecent assault conviction in March - the Church was "notable by its absence" in terms of support for her. "Nowhere was an offer to stand by me in court, to pray for me, to support me," she told Campbell, adding that after she contacted the safeguarding team she was asked to "call us" if she needed anything. Su also called on the Church to make it easier for abuse survivors to have a voice and be part of reviews into its processes around safeguarding.A member of the General Synod & the Archbishops' Council, who started the petition calling for Justin Welby to resign, said he'd meet Su to discuss the lack of support she got.If you've been affected by issues in this discussion, there is a range of organisations and websites that can offer you advice and support. You can find some of them listed on the BBC's Actionline website at bbc.co.uk/actionline.

Church of England revs with a difference Daniel French, Jamie Franklin and Thomas Pelham sit down on the eve of the UK General Election to talk about the biggest issues in church and state. We round up the important last-minute stories and make our predictions for the big day.Also on the agenda, the Church of England's General Synod is back and so is the question of same-sex blessings. The widely supported Alliance group is threatening to create a parallel province. Several bishops have written an open letter pleading for a change of course. And the liberalising Bishop of Oxford has also hit back. We discuss all the central issues and controversies.Finally, an interview with Charles Wide K.C. on a recent letter sent to the Church Times protesting the use of £100 million (rising to £1 billion somehow) of the Church Commissioner's money to repay the Church's ostensible involvement in, and profiting from, the Transatlantic slave trade.All relevant links available below.Please Support!Support us on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/irreverend) or Buy Me a Coffee (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/irreverend). Subscribe to Jamie's Blog here: https://jamiefranklin.substack.comLinks:Living in Love and FaithThe Alliance Parallel Province Letter11 Bishops call for RethinkBishop Steven Croft hits backSociety Bishops LetterSlavery Reparation Fund:Church Commissioner Report: https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2023-01/church-commissioners-for-england-research-into-historic-links-to-transatlantic-chattel-slavery-report.pdfOversight Group Report: https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2024-03/church-commissioners-for-england-oversight-group-report-to-the-board-of-governors.pdf The Church of England's Historic Links to the Transatlantic Slave Trade by Robert Tombs and Lawrence Goldman: https://www.psephizo.com/life-ministry/the-church-of-englands-historic-links-to-the-transatlantic-slave-trade/Notices:Find me a church: https://irreverendpod.com/church-finder/Join our Irreverend Telegram group: https://t.me/irreverendpodFind links to our episodes, social media accounts and ways to support us at https://www.irreverendpod.com!Thursday Circles: http://thursdaycircle.comJamie's Good Things Substack: https://jamiefranklin.substack.comSupport the Show.

It's Wednesday, July 3rd, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Pakistani court sentenced Christian to death A court in Pakistan sentenced a Christian man to death on Saturday.  Twenty-eight-year-old Ehsaan Shan Masih is accused of reposting content considered blasphemous against Islam by the government.  The accusations followed a terrible mob attack against Christians in the country's eastern Punjab Province in 2023.  Shan's lawyer will appeal the sentence. He said, “The Christian community in Pakistan is facing severe injustice, living in constant fear for their lives, property, and places of worship. This verdict symbolizes the virtual death of all Christians in Pakistan today.”  According to the Open Doors' World Watch List of nations, Pakistan is ranked the seventh most difficult country worldwide in which to be a Christian. Revelation 12:11 says believers overcame Satan “by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Church of England greenlights blessing homosexual couples The Church of England's General Synod began this week.  The church is facing division over the issue of sexually perverted lifestyles. Last year, the Church of England allowed priests to bless homosexual couples.  However, conservative leaders in the Church of England are pushing back. The group known as The Alliance represents over 2,000 clergy members.  A letter from the group warned they are preparing to create a "parallel province” in the Church of England and to “seek pastoral oversight from bishops who remain faithful to orthodox teaching on marriage and sexuality.”  Biden: “I can do this job!” Last Friday, in Raleigh, North Carolina, following his disastrous debate performance, President Joe Biden admitted that his age has limited his abilities. BIDEN: “I don't walk as easy as I used to. I don't speak as smoothly as I used to. I don't debate, debate as well as I used to. But I know what I do know. I know how to tell the truth. (cheers) I know right from wrong. (cheers) “I know how to do this job. (cheers) I know how to get things done. (cheers) I know, like millions of Americans know, when you get knocked down you get back up. (cheers) “I know what it took to take our economy from the depths of pandemic, where it is the day, the strongest economy in the world. Folks, I give you my word, as a Biden, I would not be running again if I didn't believe, with all my heart and soul, I can do this job!” First Democrat Congressman tells Biden to step aside However, Biden's defense was not sufficient for Democratic Congressman Lloyd Doggett of Austin, Texas. On Tuesday, Doggett became the first in the party to publicly call for President Joe Biden to step down as the party's nominee for president, citing Biden's poor debate performance against Donald Trump, reports The Associated Press. In a statement Tuesday, Congressman Doggett said, “My decision to make these strong reservations public is not done lightly nor does it in any way diminish my respect for all that President Biden has achieved. … I am hopeful that he will make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw. I respectfully call on him to do so.” Shortly afterwards, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro joined Doggett in calling for Biden to withdraw. Castro ran against Biden in the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries. Trump advisor Rudy Giuliani disbarred On Tuesday, Rudy Giuliani, the former New York City mayor, federal prosecutor and legal adviser to Donald Trump, was disbarred in New York after a court found he repeatedly made false statements about Trump's 2020 election loss, reports The Associated Press. The Manhattan appeals court ruled Giuliani, who had his New York law license suspended in 2021 for making false statements around the election, is no longer allowed to practice law at all in the state, effective immediately. Texas Court upholds ban on transgender drugs/surgeries for minors Last Friday, the Texas Supreme Court  upheld a law that bans transgender drugs and surgeries for minors. The court ruled 8-1 in favor of the law. Texas is the largest of about 25 states that banned such mutilating practices on children.  The court emphasized the role of parents in their children's care. The ruling stated, “We have said—and we reaffirm today—that fit parents have a fundamental interest in directing the care, custody, and control of their children free from government interference.”  Iowa court upholds Heartbeat law Also last Friday, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that the state's Heartbeat Law should go into effect.  The law bans physicians from killing unborn babies. If a heartbeat is detected, the baby is protected with some exceptions.  The ruling stated, “We have previously held that abortion is not a fundamental right under the Iowa Constitution. … We conclude that the fetal heartbeat statute is rationally related to the state's legitimate interest in protecting unborn life.” American patriotism declining July 4th might be tomorrow, but American patriotism is down, according to a new Gallup poll. Only 41% of U.S. adults say they are extremely proud to be American, down from 70% in the early 2000s. An additional 26% say they are very proud to be American. A combined 67% are extremely or very proud, down from 90% in the early 2000s. Being extremely proud to be an American is down among Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. But Republicans were the most likely to be extremely patriotic. Generations Radio guest empowers sex abuse victims to speak up Today, as Kevin Swanson is traveling overseas, I guest host for him on Generations Radio. I interviewed Elizabeth Good, the author of Speak the Unspeakable: Real Talk on Secrets, Sex and Being Set Free. Through TheFoundationUnited.org, she empowers people to stop concealing their trauma. GOOD: “If abuse starts at three, four, or five years old, and we keep it secret until [age] 53, things are happening that a child, their intuition, they know it doesn't feel right. They feel yucky. And the textbook ploys of somebody that is abusing them, and the predator tactics of this type of behavior, is so textbook. And so to arm the children, so they have the empowerment and the ability to speak to the things that are entering at five years old, six years old, seven years old. “We have so many children in seventh grade that are going through our different materials that we have for the church or for schools or for homeschool. And as they're going through it in seventh grade, we've had so many girls especially say, ‘Why wasn't I given this in fourth grade? If this would have been given me in fourth grade, I would have known exactly what to do. When this happened to be online. I would have known exactly what to say because this is exactly the situation.'” Take a listen to my 30-minute interview with Elizabeth Good at Generations.org/radio. That's Generations.org/radio. Christian athlete gives glory to God A Christian track athlete broke a world record in the lead-up to the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. Sydney McLaughlin Levrone was competing in the U.S. Olympic team trials. She finished the women's 400-meter hurdles in 50.65 seconds. That beat the previous world record which she herself had set. Listen to her interaction with a sports reporter. NBC REPORTER:  “Sydney, when you looked up and you saw the clock, we saw the look on your face. But just tell us what went through your mind, another world record.” LEVRONE: “Honestly, praise God. I was not expecting that, but He can do anything. Anything is possible in Christ. So, yeah, I'm just amazed, baffled, and in shock!” After breaking world records in the past, she has quoted Hebrews 4:16: “So let us come BOLDLY to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Final 2 Worldview listeners gave $225 And finally, we want to say a special thank you to our final two donors who helped support The Worldview over the next fiscal year. Keziah in Walpole, New Hampshire gave $25 and Israel and Michelle in Lexington Park, Maryland gave $200. Interestingly, $50 of that $200 donation came from work their son Isaac did.  Since the family has been battling Colorado potato beetles, they offered him 5 cents per dead beetle.  To his credit, over the course of several hours and in 90-degree heat, Isaac successfully killed 1,000 Colorado potato beetles, earning $50 for his effort which he decided to donate, in its entirely, to The Worldview. Isaac, if you took a picture of your pile of dead beetles, email it to me at Adam@TheWorldview.com. Ready for our final final total? Drum roll please. (sound effect of drum roll) $96,800! (audience cheering) Michelle from Lexington Park, Maryland wrote, “We are expecting baby number six in one month and thank the Lord for always providing for us financially so I can stay home and homeschool my kiddos.” Close And that's The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Wednesday, July 3rd, in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Lee Gatiss and Chris Moore discuss the agenda for this weekend's meeting of the General Synod of the Church of England, in this week's podcast.

This week's episode is brought to you from Edinburgh, and features a conversation with the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Most Revd Mark Strange. It was recorded on Saturday, 15 June, at the conclusion of the Church's General Synod meeting. The Primus spoke about the General Election campaign and Christians' involvement in politics; the situation involving the Bishop of Aberdeen & Orkney, the Rt Revd Anne Dyer (News, 24 May); the Synod's motion on the war in Gaza; mission in the 21st century; and his hopes for Scotland's national football team at Euro 2024 (it was recorded the day after Scotland lost to Germany, but before the 1-1 draw with Switzerland, which kept Scotland's hopes of advancing past the group stages alive). During the conversation, Bishop Strange was also asked about non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), and he said that he had no knowledge of their use in the Church. Subsequent to this, the SEC sent the Church Times a statement, which said: “Non-disclosure agreements have, on occasion, been entered into in the past in the Church. HR processes are handled at the appropriate level within the Church, and therefore the Primus would not normally be involved.” Read the report on the use of NDAs here and detailed coverage of the Synod meeting in this week's Church Times (21 June), in print and online. Try 10 issues of the Church Times for £10 or get two months access to our website and apps, also for £10. Go to www.churchtimes.co.uk/new-reader

Why has the Church of Ireland's General Synod voted against a motion to allow all children of unmarried parents be baptised?Canon Gillian Wharton, Rector of Booterstown, Dublin, Church of Ireland, and Professor Patricia Barker, Lay Member of the Church of Ireland Synod joined The Last Word to discuss.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

On the podcast this week, Fr Alex Frost — parish priest, best-selling author, and host of The God Cast — talks to Madeleine Davies about the Church of England's problems connecting with people from working-class settings. Fr Alex has written a comment article in this week's Church Times which argues that the C of E needs to remove barriers that make it harder for working-class people to respond to a call to ordination or lay leadership. “I heard examples of intelligent and highly capable individuals from urban working-class settings who had struggled to break through the pomp and procedures of the Church of England,” he writes. “And of individuals dismayed by the Church and its approach to training and developing leaders who happened to drink Vimto more than they did Vin Mariani. . . “I could relate to this. In my own journey to ordination, I had many advocates; but, for every advocate I had, there were dreadfully high hurdles put in front of me to demonstrate whether I might be worthy of fulfilling my authentic and genuine call to ordination.” The Revd Alex Frost is the Vicar of St Matthew the Apostle, Burnley, a member of the General Synod, and host of the podcast The God Cast: https://www.youtube.com/@thegodcast5878 His book, Our Daily Bread: From Argos to the altar — a priest's story is published by Harper North (Books, 11 November 2022). Madeleine Davies is Senior Writer for the Church Times. Try 10 issues of the Church Times for £10 or get two months access to our website and apps, also for £10. Go to churchtimes.co.uk/new-reader

Sit down this week with hosts Angela and Liz as they chat with Rev. Dwayne Jackson. Rev. Jackson shares his expertise about working with the Reformed Church of America and how the stories from his fellow sisters in ministry catapulted his everyday practice of mutuality. He also describes his love for those at the margins and his pastoral position as he pastors alongside his wife as equals. Tune in and hear not only his story but HER story as well!      Guest Bio  Born and raised as a son of the Mott Haven Reformed Church Dwayne Jackson served in the role of deacon then as an elder where he worked with the finance committee, youth ministry, Sunday school, Christian education, choir, and men's ministry. His educational accomplishments include a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from New York Institute of Technology with a Minor in Computer Science, and a Master of Divinity from New Brunswick Theological Seminary. Dwayne was invited to serve as a Student Pastor of the First Reformed Church of Astoria, following his ordination in January of 2000 he accepted the call to continue as their Minister of Word and Sacrament where he remained until June of 2017.     In the community of Astoria and Long Island City, Queens Rev. Jackson served as the Clergy Liaison for the local police command. His work involves mediation between members of the community and helping them to build a peaceful relationship that will benefit both the local citizens and the patrol officers, where mutual respect is fostered.  He provided spiritual guidance and assistance for the members of the Astoria Senior Citizen's Center and mentoring for young children, teens and young adults at the community center.    Rev. Jackson has been a part of the African American / Black Council in a number of capacities.  He served the RCA as the Coordinator of Social Witness and Social Justice and served on the RCA Commission for Women.  In 2021 Rev. Jackson was elected into the position of VP of the General Synod of the Reformed Church in America and concluded his service as President from 2022 to 2023     Serving as Co-Pastor of the Second Reformed Church of Hackensack along with the Rev. Anna M. Jackson, Rev. Dwayne Jackson has promised to dedicate his life to preaching and teaching the un-compromised Word of God to all the people of God and making Disciples for Christ.    Disclaimer  The opinions expressed in CBE's Mutuality Matters' podcast are those of its hosts or guests and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of CBE International or its members or chapters worldwide. The designations employed in this podcast and the presentation of content therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of CBE concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers. 

Chris Moore and Ros Clarke discuss the February 2024 General Synod meetings, with some positive outcomes, some disappointing votes, and the implications of avoiding a vote altogether.

Church of England vicars with a difference Daniel French, Thomas Pelham, and Jamie Franklin sit down to talk about the most important issues in church and state. This time, we have a special conversation about the Church of England's most recent General Synod in which the Bishop of Dover said that every parish in the CofE should draw up a "race action plan" and that we should be more woke than we already are. In other news, an amendment to a motion concerning the controversial Living in Love and Faith process claiming that there exist people who do not agree to agreeing to disagree is rejected for somewhat obscure reasons. We ask the important questions: Does racism really exist in the Church of England? If it does, what legitimate means should the Church take to address it? Should vicars and, indeed the Church, be political in nature, or spiritual, or both? This, and much much more as ever. We hope you enjoy.Please Support!Support us on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/irreverend) or Buy Me a Coffee (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/irreverend). Subscribe to Jamie's Blog here: https://jamiefranklin.substack.comLinks:Church of England should be even more woke: Ruse Hudson Wilkin - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/02/25/rose-hudson-wilkin-church-of-england-race-action-plan/ The Church of England should stop distracting itself with ‘racial justice': Andrew Tettenborn - https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-church-of-england-should-stop-distracting-itself-with-racial-justice/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1708970531Summary of Living and Love and Faith business at General Synod:https://www.anglicanfutures.org/post/what-happened-at-general-synod-living-in-love-and-faith-feb-24?fbclid=IwAR1js4sR2JzkbSYCbDRA5mMNkF3yfLJyVg3r6ep-WcrPYNwVxxU5S6_8sL0Notices:Find me a church: https://irreverendpod.com/church-finder/Join our Irreverend Telegram group: https://t.me/irreverendpodFind links to our episodes, social media accounts and ways to support us at https://www.irreverendpod.com!Thursday Circles: http://thursdaycircle.comJamie's Good Things Substack: https://jamiefranklin.substack.comIrreverend Sermon Audio: https://irreverendsermonaudio.buzzsprout.comSupport the show

Halfway through this five-year term of General Synod, Chris Moore and Ros Clarke discuss what's on the agenda, what it's like to serve on synod, and why you should consider standing for election next time.

Church of England revs with a difference Jamie Franklin, Thomas Pelham, and Daniel French get together to review this week's biggest talking points. This time:- The Canterbury Cathedral rave in the nave causes widespread outrage, plus an interview with the counter-nave, prayer-protest organiser, plus what else is Canterbury Cathedral up to these days?- The plot thickens at General Synod as bishops are said to have been less than honest with their deliberations over gay blessings.- parkrun becomes the most recent formerly fun thing to be ruined by transgender ideology.- And an email from an anonymous source reveals the very disturbing incursion of critical theory into the Church of England's safeguarding training.Please Support!Support us on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/irreverend) or Buy Me a Coffee (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/irreverend). Subscribe to Jamie's Blog here: https://jamiefranklin.substack.comLinks:Gen Z doesn't want disco cathedrals: https://unherd.com/newsroom/gen-z-doesnt-want-disco-cathedrals/BBC Article on cathedral rave:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-68279198Petition against raves in naves: https://www.change.org/p/anglican-deans-stop-turning-our-great-cathedrals-into-nightclubs?original_footer_petition_id=37869401&algorithm=promoted&source_location=petition_footer&grid_position=17&pt=AVBldGl0aW9uAATtPgIAAAAAZcbI154dpl42MjVhMGQ4MA%3D%3DBishops' Orthodox “Theological Vision": https://www.premierchristianity.com/exclusive-cofe-bishops-offer-theological-vision-on-christian-life-and-discipleship/17188.articleLLF FUBAR: https://www.psephizo.com/sexuality-2/llf-and-general-synod-all-fouled-up-or-beyond-repair/Notices:Find links to our episodes, social media accounts and ways to support us at https://www.irreverendpod.com!Find me a church: https://irreverendpod.com/church-finder/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irreverendpod/Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/IrreverendPodJoin our Telegram group: https://t.me/irreverendpodThursday Circles: http://thursdaycircle.comJamie's Good Things Substack: https://jamiefranklin.substack.comIrreverend Sermon Audio: https://irreverendsermonaudioSupport the show

From the Archives: First Aired in 2011, today's Classic Replay takes an in-depth look at some of the most contentious passages in the Bible when it comes to women's roles and leadership in the Church. In 1995 the Church of England allowed the ordination of Women priests, but the question of whether the Bible forbids female authority in the church remains today. Christina Rees is a writer and broadcaster and served on the Archbishop's Council and the General Synod for 25 years. For many years Christina was Chair of WATCH (Women and the Church), the group that led the campaign for women bishops and that works for women's equality in the Church. Our other guest is the Rev John Richardson, who disagrees with female ordination. John was a speaker, lecturer and a member of the former conservative Evangelical grouping Reform within the CofE. John passed away a few years after this episode in 2014. Today's guests debate passages in the New Testament that appear to forbid women speaking in Church, the role of husbands and wives and the practical realities of men and women being church leaders. Find out more: For WATCH Women and the Church http://womenandthechurch.org/ For Christina Rees' book “Apostolic Women, Apostolic Authority” http://www.amazon.co.uk/Apostolic-women-apostolic-authority-transfiguring/dp/1848250401 For John Richardson's blog http://www.ugleyvicar.blogspot.com/ • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For our apologetics courses: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/courses • Support us in the USA: http://www.premierinsight.org/unbelievableshow • Support us in the rest of the world: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/donate

Church of England revs with a difference Daniel French and Jamie Franklin sit down to talk about all the big issues of church and state. This time:- "Football Lads" and anti-Israel protestors clash in Remembrance Day controversy.- Astra-Zeneca vaccine branded "defective" in landmark legal case.- CofE General Synod continues debate on sex and marriage. - And prominent atheist Ayaan Hirst Ali becomes a Christian.That and much much more as ever!Please Support!Support us on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/irreverend) or Buy Me a Coffee (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/irreverend). Subscribe to Jamie's Blog here: https://jamiefranklin.substack.comLinks:Remembrance Day Protests: https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/what-blm-and-the-remembrance-day-protests-had-in-common/Astra-Zeneca Legal Case:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/11/08/oxford-astrazeneca-covid-jab-defective-claims-legal-case/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/11/09/the-real-covid-jab-scandal-is-finally-emerging/General Synod:https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-church-of-england-must-clarify-its-stance-on-homosexuality/https://anglicanmainstream.org/reflections-on-day-1-of-synod/https://www.anglicanfutures.org/post/what-do-bishops-actually-have-to-believeAyaan Hirsi Ali, Why I am now a Christian:https://unherd.com/2023/11/why-i-am-now-a-christian/Notices:Find me a church: https://irreverendpod.com/church-finder/Join our Irreverend Telegram group: https://t.me/irreverendpodFind links to our episodes, social media accounts and ways to support us at https://www.irreverendpod.com!Thursday Circles: http://thursdaycircle.comJamie's Good Things Substack: https://jamiefranklin.substack.comIrreverend Sermon Audio: https://irreverendsermonaudio.buzzsprout.comSupport the show

It's Wednesday, November 15th, A.D. 2023. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Victory in two Finnish religious liberty cases Praise God! A Christian politician and a Lutheran bishop won their free speech case in Finland yesterday. The Helsinki Court of Appeal dismissed all charges against parliamentarian Päivi Räsänen as well as Bishop Juhana Pohjola. The ruling upholds a similar acquittal from last year. Both individuals faced a trial for “hate speech” after publicly expressing their Christian beliefs on marriage and sexual ethics. After the latest ruling, Räsänen said, “It isn't a crime to tweet a Bible verse or to engage in public discourse with a Christian perspective. The attempts made to prosecute me for expressing my beliefs have resulted in an immensely trying four years, but my hope is that the result will stand as a key precedent to protect the human right to free speech.” Church of England considers blessing sexual perversion Over in the United Kingdom, the Church of England's General Synod meets this week to consider blessings for people living sexually perverted lifestyles. Back in February, the Synod already approved plans to introduce such blessings.  Meanwhile, the Church of England reports attendance continues to rise since the pandemic, but has not fully rebounded. The number of people who attended worship regularly was 984,000 last year, an increase of 20,000 compared with 2021. However, it is still down from over 1.1 million people in 2019. Jeremiah 10:21 says, “For the shepherds have become dull-hearted, and have not sought the LORD; therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.” Catholic Church signals support for transgenderism The Roman Catholic Church is also signaling its support for sexually perverted lifestyles.  Responding to a question from a Brazilian bishop, the Vatican wrote last week, “A transsexual — undergoing hormonal treatment and sex reassignment surgery — can be baptized, under the same conditions as other faithful, if there are no situations in which there is a risk of generating public scandal or disorientation in the faithful.” Pope removed pro-life, anti-perversion Catholic bishop On top of that, Pope Francis removed a prominent bishop in Texas over the weekend. Bishop Joseph Strickland is known for opposing abortion and sexual perversions. He has also been a strong critic of the pope. You can write a letter of objection to Pope Francis, Apostolic Palace, 00120 Vatican City, Italy. Supreme Court introduces code of conduct In the U.S., the Supreme Court released its first code of conduct on Monday. The move comes after months of pressure from the media and lawmakers over several of the justices. Conservative Justice Clarence Thomas has faced criticism for taking undisclosed luxury trips provided by a Republican megadonor. Other reports have noted how liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor used court staff to promote the sale of books she has authored.  The new code of conduct does not introduce any major changes, but “represents a codification of principles that we have long regarded as governing our conduct.” U.S. inflation did not rise Overall U.S. inflation did not rise last month. It's the first time in over a year that month to month inflation did not budge. October's core inflation was just 0.2%. And year-over-year inflation rose 4% last month, down from 4.1% in September. Economists expect the slowdown means the Federal Reserve will not continue to hike interest rates. The Fed may even begin to cut rates next year. America's population will start shrinking in 2100 The Census Bureau released its population projections for the U.S. last week. America's population is expected to stop growing by 2080 and to begin shrinking by 2100. It's the first time the bureau has anticipated a decline in population. Deaths are expected to outpace births by 2040. With declining birth rates, only a high immigration rate would keep the population growing. Celebrating the life of Augustine And finally, this week marks the birth of Augustine of Hippo.  The renowned Christian theologian was born on November 13, A.D. 354 in what is modern-day Algeria, Africa. Augustine's early life was marred by prodigal living. His mother faithfully prayed for him for years before his eventual conversion in his 30s. This took place after he providentially came across Romans 13:13-14, which says, “Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in … drunkenness … and sensuality. … But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” Augustine would go on to become Bishop of Hippo, a Roman province in North Africa. An able scholar, he turned his mind to the theological battles of his day, producing Christian classics like Confessions and The City of God.  Augustine's life and work would have a dominating influence on Western civilization. The Protestant Reformers, in particular, would quote him extensively in their efforts to reform the church over a thousand years later. Close And that's The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Wednesday, November 15th in the year of our Lord 2023. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

“E” is for Erskine College. In 1836 the General Synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church organized an academy in Due West.

Embark on a journey with host Billy Hallowell exploring a deep friendship between two academics with wildly opposing views but who both attest to the boundless love of God on this week's podcast. This week's Unbelievable features an insightful discussion featuring two individuals with contrasting LGBTQI+ faith journeys as they delve into the intersection of faith, sexuality, and the Bible. The debate is between two gay Christians who have arrived at distinctly different interpretations of the Bible's teachings on sexual ethics, marriage, and human relationships. As a young man Dr. David Bennett perceived Christianity as an adversary to LGBTQI+ freedom. Shaped by early encounters with prejudice and homophobia, he embraced life as a gay activist. Opposite David is Dr. Taylor Telford, an academic theologian whose journey led her from an evangelical upbringing to a progressive perspective, especially concerning gay marriage. Taylor serves as the Associate Pastor for Imaginative Worship at a PC(USA) congregation in Spokane, WA, and as adjunct faculty at Whitworth University and The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. David Bennett's transformative conversion to Christianity, unfolded in a gay bar in his native Australia, and propelled him on a profound theological quest that ultimately led him to embrace an historically orthodox sexual ethic. Identifying as gay, a Christian, and living a celibate life, David is currently a postdoctoral research fellow and theologian at the University of Oxford, England. As the Anglican's General Synod meets this coming week and it appears gay and lesbian/ same-sex attracted Christians whatever their theological convictions are upset with the way Bishops have suggested implementing the Prayers of Love and Faith (PLF) in the Church of England, this is an unmissable episode of Premier Unbelievable. Read David's story https://www.amazon.co.uk/War-Loves-Bennett-David/dp/0310538106/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1699556413&sr=8-1 • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training • Support us in the USA: http://www.premierinsight.org/unbelievableshow • Support us in the rest of the world: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/donate

The Church of England prohibits same-sex relations. Even so, the debate on this position – in the UK and the worldwide Anglican Communion - continues. Should the Church allow and conduct LGBT blessings, and even marriages? And can the Church ever sanction sexual relations between two people who are not husband and wife, man and woman? These are the questions Anglicans tussle with. Most recently, bishops in England made a proposal that same-sex couples should be welcomed in church for a blessing. Opposition from conservative, Anglican groups has been noisy, including from some same-sex attracted Christians. Ahead of the General Synod, the Church of England's regular gathering of bishops, and elected clergy and laity, Heart and Soul explores the most divisive and explosive issue facing Anglicans. Linda Pressly meets Christians who both accept, and struggle with, the Church's teachings on sexuality. Producer/presenter: Linda Pressly Editor: Helen Grady Production co-ordinator: Mica Nepomuceno (Photo: Esther and Victoria were married in September, 2019 in Old Saint Paul's Church in Edinburgh. The Scottish Episcopal Church is a member of the world-wide Anglican Communion, but it has allowed same-sex marriage since 2017. Credit: Marta Kacala)

Rev. Karin van den Broeke (1963) is Chief Program Officer of Kerk in Actie, the branch for mission and diaconia of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands. She is member of the Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches. She is board chair of the Bible Society for the Netherlands and Flanders. From 2013-2018 she served as the moderator of the General Synod of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands. She has led several congregations as a minister and worked as university chaplain in Leiden.   Karin's personal Twitter and Instagram, and the social media handles of Kerk In Actie are  Instagram, Twitter, Facebook   The songs picked by all our guests can be found via  our playlist #walktalklisten here.    Please let me/us know via our email innovationhub@cwsglobal.org what you think about this new series. We would love to hear from you. Please like/follow our Walk Talk Listen podcast and follow mauricebloem on twitter and instagram.  Or check us out on our website 100mile.org.  We also encourage you to check out the special WTL series Enough for All about an organization called CWS.