Modern Church

A photo background from 1984 depicting men and women of different ages holding up colourful protest banners outside Sheffield Cathedral. The banners read: Women and Men are called by GOD together. PRAY for the day when the CHURCH ordains them PRIEST together. Across this background there is a purple banner with white writing that reads: Are We Equal Now? A Modern Church Online Panel. Tues 24th March 7-8pm. There is also the Modern Church logo (a white M on a stained-glass style background) and the website url: modernchurch.org.uk

On the eve of the formal installation of Dame Sarah Mullally as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury - the first woman to lead the Church of England - Alison Webster of Modern Church asks our three panelists 'Are We Equal Now?'
Details: modernchurch.org.uk/events/arewe...

Scrabble letters on a white background, spelling out: 'Speak Truth'.

Speaking Truth to Power - Who Speaks? Whose Truth? Whose Power? Elaine Graham, Chair of Trustees of Modern Church, discusses, on the blog:
modernchurch.org.uk/speaking-tru...

Last month's edition of Signs of the Times is now available online - read it here: modernchurch.org.uk/signs-of-the...

Simon Cross weighs in on the Quiet Revival conversation, on our blog:
modernchurch.org.uk/seek-simplic...

Ryan Sirmans kicks off a series of blogs for 2026 where we explore our theme for the year, ‘Reimagining the Prophetic’.
modernchurch.org.uk/organised-pr...

A deeply moving and personal piece from Anika Goddard on our blog: Jesus of Our Scars

modernchurch.org.uk/jesus-of-our...

‘Good news of great joy… for all!’ – Joint Public Issues Team Supporting churches to respond to the co-option of Christmas by the Far Right Local churches across the UK will already have well-developed plans for celebrating Christmas – both in our church buildin...

A Resource supporting churches (of any denomination) to respond to the co-option of Christmas by the Far Right, from the Joint Public Issues Team: jpit.uk/joyforall

The Nature of Doctrine: A Comment on GS Misc 1429 The Nature of Doctrine: A Comment on GS Misc 1429 by Adrian Thatcher There is widespread disappointment, even amazement, that the bishops of the Church of […]

There is widespread disappointment, even amazement, that the bishops of the Church of England have decided to delay permission to use the Prayers of Love and Faith (PLF) in public worship...
Adrian Thatcher comments:
modernchurch.org.uk/the-nature-o...

It's here! The brand new Sarum College Brochure for Spring 2026! We are launching exciting new courses and bringing back well-loved favourites! Check it out here: www.sarum.ac.uk/wp-content/u... Book early for discounts1

Susie Snyder on Enacting Hope in a Ruined World YouTube video by Modern Church UK

At our Annual Conference Susanna Snyder shared her thoughts on Hope, in conversation with Alison Webster, and she has very kindly allowed us to share that video with you all.
This will be available to watch for one month only, on our youtube channel:
youtu.be/zUGaOEvUumU

Reading Scripture Together: Sermon on the Mount - Sarum College The Sermon on the Mount is one of the best known and most-quoted passages in the New Testament, and indeed, in Western culture. Many of its messages lie at the heart of Jesus’s teaching, so it is cruc...

The Sermon on the Mount contains "the most radical, political, and revolutionary words ever uttered!" (John Dear) Come and explore them with Rabbi Dr Shoshana Boyd-Gelfand and Dr Jayme Reaves at @sarumcollege.bsky.social on 3rd December: www.sarum.ac.uk/short-course...

If you missed our live panel on tuesday evening, it's still available to watch at the link below:

modernchurch.org.uk/watch-back-a...

TOMORROW: Online panel discussion

A Polyphonic God? Exploring Intercultural Mission
with Revd Dr Israel Oluwole Olofinjana, Revd Dr Canon Sharon Prentis, Dr Usha Reifsnider and Revd Dr David Wise

4th Nov 7pm on Youtube

find out more:
modernchurch.org.uk/events/polyp...

Book review: Decolonising Development and Religion: Theoretical frameworks, case studies and theological models, edited by Joerg Rieger and Sanjana Das Duncan Dormor reads theological thinkers on issues in today’s world

A glowing review of Decolonizing Development and Mission in @churchtimes.bsky.social

'Empirically grounded and theologically acute...
'A well-edited volume with consistently high-quality chapters'

Order for £24 from Church House Bookshop for a limited time:
chbookshop.hymnsam.co.uk/books/978033...

A single yellow flower grows out of a crack in tarmac. Words say: "Enacting Hope in a Ruined World"

Thanks to Susie Snyder, Al Barrett, Charlotte Naylor Davis, Andrew Nunn and West Yorkshire Citizens for leading us in thought, discussion, worship and reflection at our annual conference this year. We hope that the day inspired you - what stood out for you?

The social media graphic for Modern Believing comprises a background gradient in orange, overlaid with the journal cover to the right which comprises a bold block of orange on the bottom half of the journal cover, with a white upper half featuring the issue title Mission as Solidarity, Solidarity as Mission and the issue date in black serif font.

Most read in Modern Believing this week:
'Challenges for Theology in Settler Colonial Contexts' by Michael Mawson
Read it freely #OpenAccess online: bit.ly/MB-Mawson @modernchurch.bsky.social @churchtimes.bsky.social @scholarpriest.bsky.social @victoriaturner.bsky.social @alisonrwebster.bsky.social

For many members of Modern Church, equality in ministry has been a hope that has been prayed for and campaigned for over the decades. It's a joy to see this historic moment - we wish +Sarah the very best as she steps into this new role, and works to guide the future of the CoE.

Within the Din of Despair, Do Birds Yet Sing? As our annual conference draws near, and against the background of contemporary US politics, Bruce Rogers-Vaughn reflects on the theme of hope. I was born in […]

As our annual conference draws near, and against the background of contemporary US politics, Bruce Rogers-Vaughn reflects on the theme of hope, on our blog:
modernchurch.org.uk/within-the-d...

Explore more about what celebrating the image of God in everybody means in worship with @autismtheology.bsky.social Director, Dr Leon Van Ommen at @sarumcollege.bsky.social online on 9th Oct: www.sarum.ac.uk/short-course...

Whose Kingdom Come? Christianity, Conservatism and the Search for Britain’s Soul By Simon Cross The Billionaire hedge fund manager Sir Paul Marshall occupies a unique, and increasingly consequential, position […]

Simon Cross shares his thoughts on Christianity, Conservatism and the Search for Britain's Soul in his blog - Whose Kingdom Come? - now on our blog:

modernchurch.org.uk/whose-kingdo...

Watch Back: Christianity and the Far Right – Panel with Helen Paynter, Maria Power and Raj Bharat Patta Thank you to all who joined us live for our Online Panel on the topic of Christianity and the Far Right, with Helen Paynter, Maria Power […]

modernchurch.org.uk/watch-back-c...
Our panel discussion from last year, sadly still very relevant.

Modern Church Annual Conference and AGM 2025 Enacting Hope in a Ruined World Saturday October 18th 2025, 10am -4pm St George's Conference Centre, Leeds Background image of a somber war-torn ruined block of residential apartments, with people standing looking at the destruction, and some searching through the debris.

It's just over a month until our ANNUAL CONFERENCE and AGM! Have you got your tickets yet? If not, you can book them here: modernchurch.org.uk/events/enact...

Rooting Our Hope in Community – Postponed Just another WordPress site

This Monday's planned livestream conversation with Ruth Harvey has been postponed due to the recent death of Kathy Galloway.

We join our prayers with all those who mourn her loss, including Ruth.

modernchurch.org.uk/events/rooti...

Find us at @greenbeltfestival.bsky.social this weekend - if you're going to be there, pop by the Takeaway and say hi!

Theologians in Real Life By Jarel Robinson-Brown The first time I sensed a vocation to ordained ministry, I knew that it would be a vocation of both mind and heart. […]

You may have seen an article in the Church Times recently - 'Bring theology back to the parishes' - The Reverend Canon Jarel Robinson-Brown writes a response on our blog:

modernchurch.org.uk/theologians-...

@churchtimes.bsky.social @scholarpriest.bsky.social

Hope and Heartsickness By Marika Rose What does it mean to hope in the middle of a genocide unfolding in the full light of day, despite massive protests around […]

Continuing our theme of Hope, Marika Rose writes on our blog - Hope and Heartsickness:

modernchurch.org.uk/hope-and-hea...

Exploring Theology - Sarum College

"Tough questions, great conversations & no easy answers." Sign up now for the new term of 'Exploring Theology' at @sarumcollege.bsky.social! Explore tjhe Hebrew Bible/Old Testament with leading experts in the field! www.sarum.ac.uk/learning/exp...

Modern Church is seeking a new editor for its journal, ‘Modern Believing’. This is an exciting opportunity for a scholar who is passionate about helping to nurture and shape emergent thinking across all strands of progressive theology...

Find out more: modernchurch.org.uk/vacancy-mana...

It's here!!! @sarumcollege.bsky.social's exciting new brochure for thew autumn term has just landed! Check it out here: www.sarum.ac.uk/wp-content/u... Lots of inspiring courses and reflective spaces to nurture your soul coming soon!

Our friends at Holy Rood House, Thirsk are running a Summer School from the 14th to 17th July, 'Liberating Liturgy'.
www.holyroodhouse.org.uk