Evangelist Eric Delve dies
Lydia Houghton
Date posted: 23 Sep 2025
Prominent evangelist Eric Delve has died.
In the 1960s and 70s, Delve became a widespread and popular itinerant [travelling] evangelist. Eventually, he decided to "settle down" and trained as a minister - at Trinity College, Bristol - being ordained in 1990.
Evangelism without superhero capes
James Burnett
Date posted: 22 Sep 2025
The WhatsApp conversation went something like this:
Friend: Hey I need your help!
JB: Sure, what’s up?
Friend: Well, as a couple we’re not religious – in fact, we see religion as a spiritual crutch - no offence... 👊
JB: 🙉 None taken, but happy to explore this more later... So, what’s the problem?
Friend: Wife’s just given birth and says to me, "This is – SHE is! – not a cosmic fluke, she is... designed! I believe in God!”
JB: And?
Friend: Well, we were so happy! And now this. 😔 You’ve got to talk to her!
JB: Well, I’m hardly going to talk her out of it, I’m a vicar. 😂 Let’s have lunch first. 👊
Good Book Co passes ownership to employees
The Good Book Company
Date posted: 19 Aug 2025
Leading evangelical publisher The Good Book Company is becoming fully employee-owned.
The firm says the decision, which takes effect from September, gives "staff a collective voice in the company’s direction and ensuring that the company’s mission, values, and commitment to high-quality Christian resources will be preserved for generations to come."
Is it still possible to be Anglican and evangelical?
Andy Lines
Date posted: 24 Oct 2025
The appointment of Dame Sarah Mullally to one of the highest offices in the land has generated a huge amount of comment on different media platforms. As an Anglican leader myself, I’m going to try to briefly answer four questions that commonly arise.
- What message does the appointment of a theologically liberal woman as Archbishop of Canterbury send to the world and to the church?
For supporters, this shows that one of the last remaining “glass ceilings” for women in public life has been broken. A former senior nurse being the Archbishop now explicitly links the national Church of England, the kindness and care of the NHS, and the liberal values of the ruling establishment. Theologically orthodox churches around the world have received the message that their views have been ignored, even though this office is supposed to bring unity to a Communion of churches. The impact will go wider than this: how will the appointment be interpreted by powers with political, religious and commercial agendas around the world concerning the state of Britain today?
- Is it still possible to be Anglican and “evangelical” (in the sense understood by the founders and readers of en)?
The Thirty-Nine Articles, one of the key founding documents or “formularies” of the Anglican Church, locates the source of authority concerning knowledge of God as trinity, human sin, the gospel of salvation, the Christian life and the church in the Scriptures not in any church leader, office or institution. The Book of Common Prayer on which Anglican worship is based, is reformed and evangelical in its theology. Article 26 recognises that “sometimes the evil have chief authority in the Ministration of the Word and Sacraments”, but this does not invalidate “the grace of God’s gifts” which are received by faith regardless of the faithfulness or otherwise of the minister. Despite leadership by theologically compromised senior leaders especially in the Western world, there are many congregations in the Cof E where the word of God is faithfully preached and received, and millions of Anglicans around the world committed to “proclaiming Christ faithfully to the nations” (the GAFCON slogan of the 2018 Jerusalem conference).
- Can a faithful believer in England be a member of an Anglican church and yet not be associated with the leadership of the Archbishop of Canterbury?
The GAFCON Jerusalem Statement of 2008, of which the shorter, 14 point Declaration is a part, states clearly that the foundation of Anglicanism is doctrinal: “While acknowledging the nature of Canterbury as an historic see, we do not accept that Anglican identity is determined necessarily through recognition by the Archbishop of Canterbury.” This ground-breaking concept has been backed up with action. In parts of the world where governing bodies have led the “official” Canterbury-aligned denomination away from Bible-based faith, GAFCON, representing the majority of the world’s Anglicans, has stepped in to authorise a separate, orthodox Anglican jurisdiction. This means that, here in the UK and in continental Europe, there is a structure led by godly, Biblically faithful bishops, under which individuals can join existing congregations, congregations from other jurisdictions can join, and new churches can be planted. This is the Anglican Network in Europe (ANiE), and perhaps it needs to be stressed, our region of Europe includes Britain and Ireland!
- Why would any genuine Christian continue as an Anglican today?
Many Anglican evangelicals have reiterated their commitment to remain in the Church of England, in impaired communion with bishops, perhaps with the hope of reforming it in future, while taking advantage of opportunities for mission which remain at local level. Some question the integrity of this, and are leaving, feeling that Anglicanism itself is inherently compromised. ANiE holds out another option: retaining good aspects of Anglican church governance, Scripture-soaked liturgy and being part of an historic movement of a genuinely global fellowship, having completely broken ties with Canterbury.
history
Nicaea: The scene is set
Michael Haykin
Date posted: 24 Oct 2025
In the early 320s, the political relationship between the co-emperors of the Roman Empire, Constantine and Licinus, was falling apart.
Although he had been committed to a policy of religious toleration, Licinus had begun a limited persecution of Christians in 321 or 322, which became a pretext for war between himself and Constantine, a professing Christian.
Revival? Revolution? Or what?
Russell Moore
Date posted: 23 Oct 2025
"I saw on a news clip that Bible sales are up," a woman said to me this week. "Does that mean we are in a revival?"
The news reports this woman noticed are consistent with what Bob Smietana at Religion News Service cited from a new Pew Research Centre study: A growing number of Americans—almost a third—now believe religion’s influence is rising in America.
Ireland transformed: Peace, prosperity & the gospel's quiet advance
John-Edward Funnell
Date posted: 18 Oct 2025
This month, I had the privilege of being invited to Southern Ireland to speak. It had been over a decade since I last visited the area, and I could not believe how much it had changed.
I met with a number of Baptist ministers seeking to plant churches in working-class estates around Cork, and I was asked to advise them accordingly. I was so encouraged by what I saw.
Obtaining Bibles off the back of a plane
Gary Clayton
Date posted: 18 Oct 2025
Because remote Karimui has no roads to connect people to the rest of Papua New Guinea, the only way villagers can obtain Bibles is to get them from the back of an MAF aircraft.
Pastor Kimin Mauwe, the community-appointed agent for Christian aviation charity MAF, began ministry in Karimui 33 years ago. For the past 32 years, he’s served MAF by providing weather reports and preparing passengers and cargo for travel.
Mullally 'gaslighting' church - claim
Lydia Houghton
Date posted: 17 Oct 2025
A leading conservative evangelical in the CofE says Sarah Mullally has led the way in an attempt to “institutionally gaslight the entire church.”
In an article published by the Gospel Coalition in the USA, Lee Gatiss, Director of Church Society, writes: “The biggest challenge for the new Archbishop is the crisis of trust and credibility she faces. She has led the way in an attempt to institutionally gaslight the entire church, claiming that she and other revisionist bishops are not changing the doctrine of the church on marriage and sexuality, even while they attempt the most radical change to Church of England teaching and practice for 500 years.
Addressing the 'sins' of segregation and nationalism
Neil Robbie
Date posted: 26 Aug 2025
As I drove from Sutton Coldfield to West Bromwich on Monday's bank holiday (a distance of eight miles) I passed dozens of Union Jacks and St George's Crosses fluttering on lampposts.
This phenomenon is not unique to the West Midlands. It’s spreading across England.
Holiness rooted in the heart
Michael Reeves
Date posted: 16 Oct 2025
The difference between an evangelical and a non-evangelical understanding of holiness can be seen well in a difference between the 17th-century Puritans and their contemporaries, the high-church Caroline Divines. Perhaps the most influential of the Carolines was William Laud (1573–1645), Charles I’s Archbishop of Canterbury.
Laud loved what he called “the beauty of holiness”, by which he meant liturgical orderliness. He strictly insisted that the clergy must follow all the rubrics of the Church of England’s prayer book, and was deeply concerned with clergy attire and the maintenance of church buildings and their physical beauty. And it was a particular sort of building he preferred: despising the Reformation – or “Deformation,” as he called it – he preferred new churches to be built in the pre-Reformation, Gothic style, with an architectural emphasis on an altar instead of a Communion table. For, he said, “the altar is the greatest place of God’s residence upon earth, greater than the pulpit; for there ’tis Hoc est corpus meum, This is my body; but in the other it is at most but Hoc est verbum meum, This is my word.”
An interview with new UCCF head Matt Lillicrap
Lydia Houghton
Date posted: 14 Oct 2025
This summer saw more than 1,000 students descend on The Quinta Christian Centre in Oswestry, Shropshire, for the annual Forum conference, hosted by the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship (UCCF).
Attending the gathering for the first time in his role as CEO was Matt Lillicrap, who took over leadership last autumn. en had an exclusive opportunity to chat with him about all things student ministry, just as UCCF is launching its brand-new Uncover Luke publication.
Ten questions with Chris Sugden
en staff
Date posted: 12 Oct 2025
Chris Sugden has been married for 52 years to Elaine, a retired consultant cancer doctor, with three married children and nine grandchildren. He leads the PhD Programme of the Oxford Centre for Mission and Public Life with Stellenbosch University and is an associate minister at St Andrew’s Dean Court, Oxford.
1. How did you become a Christian?
My father was a vicar, as was my maternal great grandfather in Ireland, and I was a choirboy. So I grew up in the Christian community. I committed my life to Christ in the Sixth Form through the work of VPS camps at Lymington.
2. What lessons have you learnt since that you would want to pass on to a younger Christian version of yourself?
Do not be afraid to stand up for what you know is right. You may lose (a role or post) in the short term, but God will use it to open new and wider fields of ministry.
3. How would you describe your prayer life?
Based on a daily reading of the Bible, focused on family and ministry needs and tasks, and shared with and helped by my wife.
4. Which two or three Christian books apart from the Bible have most influenced your faith?
Shadow of the Almighty by Elizabeth Elliot which I read as a student, to dare great things for God and expect great things from God. Theology of Liberation by Gustavo Gutierrez challenged me to take the Bible seriously on its teachings about the poor.
5. Who or what have been your biggest Christian influences?
My senior colleagues Vinay and Colleen Samuel with whom we worked in Bangalore for six years, and their family, and have continued to work with in a variety of ministries since then. They combine global vision, high academic standards, and grassroots involvement among poor people.
6. What are the main challenges you believe Christians face today?
To maintain the Biblical and Christian teaching and practice of man/woman marriage as taught in the Bible against the pressure to conform to passing preferences in the culture.
7. What encourages and what discourages you?
I am encouraged when someone steps forward and takes up a task as part of a team. I am discouraged when I see clergy trying to be one-man bands.
8. What makes you laugh?
Morecambe and Wise, Yes Minister, Dad’s Army, Private Eye, and jokes our grandchildren send us.
9. What would you want to say to the wider evangelical world?
Do not give up on the Anglican Communion around the world, whatever some noisy people in the CofE might do. Christians in Africa and Asia have a lot to teach us about keeping faith and passing it on.
10. Which Biblical person (other than Jesus) do you most look forward to meeting in glory and why?
The apostle Thomas. Did he really travel through West and South Asia and establish churches there, including the churches in India which are thus far older and have a deeper history going right back to Jesus than many Western churches?
Ministering in an area of deprivation today
Jonathan Macy
Date posted: 11 Oct 2025
Reflecting on one’s journey through life and ministry is always a fascinating exercise, helping us see where God has been actively working beyond our efforts.
In 2014, I joined the Church of the Cross (Thamesmead), which is in an area of significant deprivation, at a time when it was facing significant challenges, and I quickly realised that my college hadn’t prepared me for the realities I was now stepping into.
How can we grow leaders together?
Clive Bowsher
Date posted: 4 Sep 2025
“It takes a village to raise a child,” so the proverb goes. It certainly takes local congregations to raise future leaders who will shepherd Christ’s church.
As the vine flourishes and discipleship grows, some of the fruit is leaders given by Christ to enable further growth (e.g. Ephesians 4v7-16). And there’s a distinct role to play too for organisations and teachers able to bring additional theological expertise. Importantly, it all happens in the context of the vine (John 15) or, to switch metaphors, in the body of Christ.
Are we praying with eternity in mind?
Andrew Drury
Date posted: 8 Oct 2025
There is a familiar theme in many prayers written by saints who have gone before us. It is noticeable in the prayer by the Polish-born reformer Zacharias Ursinus (1534–1583).
His prayer commences conventionally, with the acknowledgement to God the Father that we are weak - for we are being attacked by the Devil, the world and our own flesh unceasingly. The prayer includes the plea that the power of the Holy Spirit would keep and strengthen us, so that we would not be defeated.
the ENd word
Trust and obey like Joshua
Jon Barrett
Date posted: 7 Oct 2025
Back in the sultry, sunny days of the summer just gone, I spoke at an event that is an annual highlight of my year. It’s a bit of a niche gig, but it’s a weekend-long camp for Christian anglers.
From Friday evening until the middle of Sunday afternoon we live under canvas and pass the time sharing fellowship, eating together, fishing, and meeting for short Bible talks, times of prayer and worship, and an outdoor communion service on the Sunday morning. This year we took “Courage” as our theme and we began by looking at the first chapter of the book of Joshua.
Is it still possible to be Anglican and evangelical?
The appointment of Dame Sarah Mullally to one of the highest offices in the land has generated a huge amount of comment on different media platforms. As an Anglican leader myself, I’m going to try to briefly answer four questions that commonly arise.
For supporters, this shows that one of the last remaining “glass ceilings” for women in public life has been broken. A former senior nurse being the Archbishop now explicitly links the national Church of England, the kindness and care of the NHS, and the liberal values of the ruling establishment. Theologically orthodox churches around the world have received the message that their views have been ignored, even though this office is supposed to bring unity to a Communion of churches. The impact will go wider than this: how will the appointment be interpreted by powers with political, religious and commercial agendas around the world concerning the state of Britain today?
The Thirty-Nine Articles, one of the key founding documents or “formularies” of the Anglican Church, locates the source of authority concerning knowledge of God as trinity, human sin, the gospel of salvation, the Christian life and the church in the Scriptures not in any church leader, office or institution. The Book of Common Prayer on which Anglican worship is based, is reformed and evangelical in its theology. Article 26 recognises that “sometimes the evil have chief authority in the Ministration of the Word and Sacraments”, but this does not invalidate “the grace of God’s gifts” which are received by faith regardless of the faithfulness or otherwise of the minister. Despite leadership by theologically compromised senior leaders especially in the Western world, there are many congregations in the Cof E where the word of God is faithfully preached and received, and millions of Anglicans around the world committed to “proclaiming Christ faithfully to the nations” (the GAFCON slogan of the 2018 Jerusalem conference).
The GAFCON Jerusalem Statement of 2008, of which the shorter, 14 point Declaration is a part, states clearly that the foundation of Anglicanism is doctrinal: “While acknowledging the nature of Canterbury as an historic see, we do not accept that Anglican identity is determined necessarily through recognition by the Archbishop of Canterbury.” This ground-breaking concept has been backed up with action. In parts of the world where governing bodies have led the “official” Canterbury-aligned denomination away from Bible-based faith, GAFCON, representing the majority of the world’s Anglicans, has stepped in to authorise a separate, orthodox Anglican jurisdiction. This means that, here in the UK and in continental Europe, there is a structure led by godly, Biblically faithful bishops, under which individuals can join existing congregations, congregations from other jurisdictions can join, and new churches can be planted. This is the Anglican Network in Europe (ANiE), and perhaps it needs to be stressed, our region of Europe includes Britain and Ireland!
Many Anglican evangelicals have reiterated their commitment to remain in the Church of England, in impaired communion with bishops, perhaps with the hope of reforming it in future, while taking advantage of opportunities for mission which remain at local level. Some question the integrity of this, and are leaving, feeling that Anglicanism itself is inherently compromised. ANiE holds out another option: retaining good aspects of Anglican church governance, Scripture-soaked liturgy and being part of an historic movement of a genuinely global fellowship, having completely broken ties with Canterbury.