Today’s church gender debates must be re-centred on Christ
Matthew James Norris
Date posted: 26 Jul 2026
Over the past year, the Church of England has spent considerable time engaging in cultural debates about sex and gender identity. Yet across these discussions, one question remains strikingly absent – as shown by the Living in Love and Faith process, and Sarah Mullally’s appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury: what do these debates have to do with Christ and His relationship to His church as the fulfilment of creation?
Most public arguments about women in ministry, church order, or gender identity, tend to revolve around three familiar questions: the interpretation of key Biblical texts, the role of historical-cultural context, and whether individuals possess the relevant gifts or capacities. Those are not trivial issues. But they are not where Paul begins.
‘Allo ‘allo! ... c’est moi Adrian! Listen very carefully...
Adrian Reynolds
Date posted: 26 Jul 2026
Bonjour ! That’s French for “Hello!” I’m in France, you see, for what my family call “annual holiday” and I call “watching the Tour de France”. Yes, as this paper lands on your doormats, or this article is posted online, I shall be over the water, trying to rest, refresh and cheer on my favourite team.
My friends would tell you how much I love the Tour. It’s become an annual excursion. Even if you don’t like cycling or appreciate the experience, it seems to me that there are some clear parallels with the Christian life. And I don’t need much of an excuse to expound the event I love whilst also reflecting on some deeper Bible themes.
What on earth did Jesus mean by ‘judge not’?
Dave Burke
Date posted: 25 Jul 2026
When it was revealed that Donald Trump, in the first year of his second term, had increased his personal fortune by 2 billion dollars I posted my views on Facebook. Within minutes, I was firmly rebuked for criticising him. “The Lord told us not to judge people!” someone said. “Shame on you!” chimed in an irate supporter, “Pastors like you are ruining the church!”
The Lord’s command that we refrain from judging people is a sacred calling; an essential principle for every pastorally active Christian. We should refuse to judge when the answers seem easy to us, but impossible to those we try to support.
What stand-up comedy showed me about teaching the Bible
Rachel Jones
Date posted: 24 Jul 2026
Three weeks, more than 2,000 shows and 2.6 million tickets sold last year. August is the month of the Edinburgh Fringe.
While the Fringe is on the list of things I aspire to experience, so far my engagement has been limited to reading the round-ups of top jokes each year. Best one-liners from 2025 included: “We named our children War and Peace – it’s a long story” (Olaf Falafel), “This spider has been in my house so long, it should pay half the wifi. As a web developer, it can afford to” (Sikisa), and “Everyone is worried about AI. I’m more concerned with what the other vowels are up to” (Rob Auton).
Are we missing the point about ‘equity’?
David Shepherd
Date posted: 13 Jul 2026
Over the past few weeks, the word “equity” has almost become a pejorative.
One writer on the en website expressed his concern about the modern use of the term in this way: “In reality, every teacher (for example) has experienced privileged pupils who squandered their position, disadvantaged ones who triumphed over their circumstances, and all shades in between. Focus on equal outcomes by statistic ignores the contribution of the human will. It makes it impossible to praise the successful or chide the failure, because everything is reduced to a mechanical matter of inputs and outputs.”
Anglicans: ‘Choose whom you will serve’
Andy Lines
Date posted: 12 Jul 2026
I was part of a small contingent of a dozen delegates from the Gafcon Europe region who had the privilege of attending the Gafcon G26 conference in Abuja, Nigeria earlier this year.
Gafcon is a global movement of orthodox, Bible-based Anglicans. As with past gatherings, it was a wonderful experience of Christ-centred worship and Bible-based teaching, warm fellowship and a feeling of belonging in a diverse but united communion from across the world. We met old friends and made new ones, celebrated stories of church growth and prayed with tears with those ministering in contexts of terrible suffering.
Envy: The sin that cannot be named
Mark Stirling
Date posted: 9 Jul 2026
“So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.” 1 Peter 2v1 (ESV).
How much time and energy do we waste ignoring the green-eyed monster of envy, desperately seeking alternative explanations for conflict and relational breakdown? Unacknowledged envy is one of the devil’s cleverest tricks and can blow a church apart.
Comment
Today’s church gender debates must be re-centred on Christ
Over the past year, the Church of England has spent considerable time engaging in cultural debates about sex and gender identity. Yet across these discussions, one question remains strikingly absent – as shown by the Living in Love and Faith process, and Sarah Mullally’s appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury: what do these debates have to do with Christ and His relationship to His church as the fulfilment of creation?
Most public arguments about women in ministry, church order, or gender identity, tend to revolve around three familiar questions: the interpretation of key Biblical texts, the role of historical-cultural context, and whether individuals possess the relevant gifts or capacities. Those are not trivial issues. But they are not where Paul begins.
‘Allo ‘allo! ... c’est moi Adrian! Listen very carefully...
Bonjour ! That’s French for “Hello!” I’m in France, you see, for what my family call “annual holiday” and I call “watching the Tour de France”. Yes, as this paper lands on your doormats, or this article is posted online, I shall be over the water, trying to rest, refresh and cheer on my favourite team.
My friends would tell you how much I love the Tour. It’s become an annual excursion. Even if you don’t like cycling or appreciate the experience, it seems to me that there are some clear parallels with the Christian life. And I don’t need much of an excuse to expound the event I love whilst also reflecting on some deeper Bible themes.
What on earth did Jesus mean by ‘judge not’?
When it was revealed that Donald Trump, in the first year of his second term, had increased his personal fortune by 2 billion dollars I posted my views on Facebook. Within minutes, I was firmly rebuked for criticising him. “The Lord told us not to judge people!” someone said. “Shame on you!” chimed in an irate supporter, “Pastors like you are ruining the church!”
The Lord’s command that we refrain from judging people is a sacred calling; an essential principle for every pastorally active Christian. We should refuse to judge when the answers seem easy to us, but impossible to those we try to support.
What stand-up comedy showed me about teaching the Bible
Three weeks, more than 2,000 shows and 2.6 million tickets sold last year. August is the month of the Edinburgh Fringe.
While the Fringe is on the list of things I aspire to experience, so far my engagement has been limited to reading the round-ups of top jokes each year. Best one-liners from 2025 included: “We named our children War and Peace – it’s a long story” (Olaf Falafel), “This spider has been in my house so long, it should pay half the wifi. As a web developer, it can afford to” (Sikisa), and “Everyone is worried about AI. I’m more concerned with what the other vowels are up to” (Rob Auton).
A culturally diverse Britain: How should we react?
Britain is becoming more culturally and ethnically diverse.
Hard data from numerous sources demonstrates this trend. 1 In addition, soft data from numerous church leaders and Christians backs this up. This is how the conversation goes: “Our communities are becoming more diverse, as people from other parts of the world and other parts of the UK move and settle here”. 2
England vs. Argentina and the verdict that matters most
For England supporters, Wednesday night was painful.
After taking the lead against Argentina, hopes of reaching another World Cup final were alive. But Lionel Messi reminded us, yet again, why he is one of football's greatest players. As former England goalkeeper Joe Hart put it, England "locked the door – they just forgot that Messi carries a skeleton key”.
How Hollywood can help us understand hospitality
Biblical hospitality – welcoming strangers – is fading in Western Christian life. Yet, Christine Pohl said “as a way of life, an act of love, an expression of faith, our hospitality reflects and anticipates God's welcome.” Maybe Hollywood can help us recover our sight.
The stories we tell train us in what to expect from strangers. Odysseus’ story paints a picture of what happens when we treat strangers as threats.
Prospective Christian leader, are you scared of failure?
When did it become unacceptable for leaders to fail? I don't mean in the category of moral failure, but rather being responsible for a leadership decision that frankly didn't work or, in hindsight, was a bad call.
The much-documented crisis in so few people choosing to train for ministry positions is complex, but my conversation with many who considered the path into Christian leadership but chose not to pursue it often was explained as a fear of being overwhelmed by criticism. It seems to me that the fear of failure in our culture has grown exponentially – and to the detriment of Christian leadership – precisely because it has become such a taboo.
Do we have a theology of unemployment?
Recently, the Government published a report into unemployment amongst young people in the UK. The stark headline figure was that 12.8% of 16- to 24-year-olds, or one in eight, are not in education, employment or training (or “NEET”). In 2021, the figure was 9.7%. This works out at just under one million unemployed young adults in the UK today.
This trend in unemployment amongst young people is a huge societal problem. On a national level, it means that the government is receiving fewer tax receipts and facing greater demands on the welfare state.
Are we missing the point about ‘equity’?
Over the past few weeks, the word “equity” has almost become a pejorative.
One writer on the en website expressed his concern about the modern use of the term in this way: “In reality, every teacher (for example) has experienced privileged pupils who squandered their position, disadvantaged ones who triumphed over their circumstances, and all shades in between. Focus on equal outcomes by statistic ignores the contribution of the human will. It makes it impossible to praise the successful or chide the failure, because everything is reduced to a mechanical matter of inputs and outputs.”
Anglicans: ‘Choose whom you will serve’
I was part of a small contingent of a dozen delegates from the Gafcon Europe region who had the privilege of attending the Gafcon G26 conference in Abuja, Nigeria earlier this year.
Gafcon is a global movement of orthodox, Bible-based Anglicans. As with past gatherings, it was a wonderful experience of Christ-centred worship and Bible-based teaching, warm fellowship and a feeling of belonging in a diverse but united communion from across the world. We met old friends and made new ones, celebrated stories of church growth and prayed with tears with those ministering in contexts of terrible suffering.
‘The God who is’
In recent years I’ve discovered and learned to appreciate the Westminster Shorter Catechism. It’s a bit of a niche thing – not that well known even in some evangelical circles – but, for all that it dates all the way back to 1647, it still contains some of the best and most concise doctrinal definitions to be found.
Its fourth question asks: “What is God?”, to which the set answer is: “God is a spirit, infinite, eternal and unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth.” I told you it was good!
A responsibility to welcome
During the early summer months, many churches see an increase in attendance from families hoping to secure a place at a local Church of England (CofE) school. In my area, this is particularly noticeable because of the reputation of our local CofE secondary school, which is highly sought after and described as "world-class".
I know this can provoke a range of reactions among regular church members. Some may feel cynical about people's motives, while others may wonder whether church attendance should play any role in school admissions at all.
Why Christian celebrities matter so much to us
“This is a World Cup swimming in star names...”
Jonathan Liew in The Guardian 1 has argued that the 2026 tournament has become the "cult of the individual". Messi and Ronaldo are more popular than Argentina and Spain. The race for the Golden Boot, in some circles, has overtaken commentary about the actual tournament itself.
Dear TGC-UK... sincerely, a critical friend
Reports suggest that plans for a TGC-UK (The Gospel Coalition-UK) are moving forward at pace.
I’ve appreciated much about The Gospel Coalition, including the content provided online and the Themelios journal. I owe much to its founders, Don Carson and Tim Keller, in terms of my pastoral and theological formation. However, I have reservations and questions about the new venture.
Antisemitism, paradoxical accusations and the human heart
For many Jewish people in Britain today, antisemitism no longer feels like a shadow from history.
Since 7 October 2023, many Jewish communities have spoken of increased fear, hostility, and insecurity. Synagogues have strengthened security. Jewish students have described feeling more vulnerable on university campuses. Ordinary Jewish families are not quietly asking, “Why are we hated?” but, with weary resignation, saying, “We are hated.”
How to support a church friend facing disability
Last month, I wrote about supporting through the onset of disability; I wanted to continue that theme for a while.
This month, I want to look at some things that might not be understood – or might be misunderstood – after someone has been diagnosed with a chronic illness, or has had a late autism or ADHD diagnosis.
Envy: The sin that cannot be named
“So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.” 1 Peter 2v1 (ESV).
How much time and energy do we waste ignoring the green-eyed monster of envy, desperately seeking alternative explanations for conflict and relational breakdown? Unacknowledged envy is one of the devil’s cleverest tricks and can blow a church apart.
'Keir Starmer, please don't apologise to me'
Keir Starmer has apologised to me.
On 2 July, he stood up in Parliament and apologised to mothers and adoptees for forced adoptions between 1949–1976, which he described as a stain on our history.
When darkness is your only friend
God assures us that His written Word is not only absolutely reliable, it is also profitable: “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable” (2 Tim. 3v16). All Scripture is profitable. Not some of it, not most of it, but all of it. This is wonderfully reassuring... until you read a passage like Psalm 88. Stop reading now and read the Psalm.
From beginning to end, Ps. 88 is unremittingly bleak. The Psalmist is “full of troubles”, he is a man with “no strength”, all his companions shun him, God’s wrath has swept over him, “Your dreadful assaults destroy me. They surround me like a flood all day long”. The Psalm closes with the words, “my companions have become darkness”. What possible profit are we to gain from reading this sad and sorrowful litany? If Ps. 88 was your daily reading and you felt cast down in your soul, would it not be wise to jump to Ps. 89 with its exalted views of the covenant Lord? No!