Pastor Clive Johnston

Pastor who gave sermon near abortion clinic stands trial

No mention of abortion was made in the sermon.

Headlines

Presbyterian Church in Ireland under investigation amid safeguarding concerns

The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland has launched an inquiry into the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

The Memorial Church in Belfast, Northern Ireland

Keir Starmer praises faith and church volunteers in Christmas interview

Church volunteers "are the true Britain" and doing the country proud, the Prime Minister said.

Keir Starmer

BBC chooses Bradford Cathedral for Christmas Day broadcast

The BBC has chosen Bradford Cathedral as the location for its live Christmas Day service in 2025, coinciding with its status as UK City of Culture and placing the historic cathedral firmly in the Christmas morning spotlight.

Bradford Cathedral, Christmas
Spotlight

The Anglican worldview of Jane Austen’s life and novels

16 December 2025 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of novelist Jane Austen, who was born in southern England in 1775. Her novels are steeped in biblical analogy and practical theology. This is the story…

Jane Austen
World
Bondi Beach
Australian church leaders stand in solidarity with Jewish community after Bondi Beach terrorist attack

Christian leaders in Australia have expressed their solidarity with the country's grief-stricken Jewish community after a deadly terrorist attack on Bondi Beach in Sydney on Sunday night. 

Nicaragua Bible ban
Nicaragua bans international visitors from bringing in Bibles

Nicaragua has gone up the league table of anti-Christian persecutors.

Archbishop Steve Wood
ACNA panel recommends archbishop stand trial

The Board of Inquiry issued a short statement on Friday stating that there was “probable cause to present” ACNA Archbishop Steve Wood “for trial for violation of Canon 2 of this Title.”

Jerusalem wall
Ancient wall with possible King Herod link uncovered in Jerusalem

Jerusalem has been besieged many times in its long history.

News
Bondi Beach memorial
A pogrom on Bondi Beach 

Australia, once one of the safest countries in the world for Jews, has become one of the most dangerous.

Christmas
Almost half of UK adults plan to attend church this Christmas, new poll finds

Churches across the UK are expecting fuller pews this Christmas, as new research suggests a significant rise in the number of people planning to attend services and church-run events over the festive season.

A Christmas service
CoE sees surge in interest this Christmas amid reports of a 'quiet revival'

The Church of England has said that it is experiencing a surge in interest and that it has registered a record number of services this Christmas.

Mariann Budde
Controversial US bishop to give BBC Christmas message

The BBC has invited Bishop Mariann Budde, the US bishop who challenged President Donald Trump at an inauguration service in January, to give a Christmas message.

Myanmar Burma
Myanmar junta orders an early Christmas

Locals are reportedly unhappy with the decree but know that failure to comply could lead to arrest.

Massacre of the Innocents, Slaughter of the Innocents, King Herod
Who was the historical King Herod?

At Christmas time we read about King Herod who ruled Judea at the time of Jesus’s birth, and he is the villain of many Nativity plays. But King Herod was a real historical character. This is the story …

Tommy Robinson
Large crowds join Tommy Robinson's Christmas carol service

The carol service passed off peacefully despite fears to the contrary.

candle, suffering, light, sorrow, sadness, grief
On commitment

Jewish academic and Hebrew scholar Irene Lancaster considers what commitment means in Judaism.

young people friends community relationships
US religious life stabilises, but polling finds no youth revival

Pew’s latest findings indicate that key measures of religious life — including religious affiliation, daily prayer, the importance of religion, and regular attendance at services — have held broadly steady since around 2020.

St Peters Church, Littlebury Green, in Essex
Victorian 'tin tabernacle' added to Historic England's protected list

The 'tin tabernacle' was built in 1885 for people who lived far away from the main parish church.

christmas
Will Tommy Robinson put ‘Christ back into Christmas’?

Often described as ‘Far Right’, Robinson is seen as an unlikely standard bearer for Christianity.

students, young people, people
New report uncovers spiritual priorities for Gen Z

Authenticity is key for Generation Z.

Ribqa Nevash, Dr Caroline Hull
Pakistani Christian gives testimony of persecution in front of King Charles

Open Doors ranks Pakistan the 8th worst persecutor of Christians worldwide.

Advent, Christmas
What does Advent have to do with hope?

Atheists would have us believe that hope is futile, but Advent shows they are wrong.

St Mungos Church in Cumbernauld
Time capsule unearthed in ruins of fire-ravaged church

A long-forgotten time capsule has been uncovered in the charred remains of a landmark North Lanarkshire church, months after the building was destroyed in a deliberate fire.

Michael Mair
Scottish politicians recognise work of offshore industry chaplains

The offshore oil and gas industry can sometimes turn deadly.

Christmas, manger, nativity, baby Jesus
Why Jesus is the true meaning of Christmas

Have we settled for the wrapping paper and missed the gift?

Xmas
The little-known history of the X in Xmas

Many Christians worry that writing “Xmas” crosses Christ out of Christmas, but the story of the X is an ancient, deeply rooted Christian custom.​ This is the story ….

Jennifer Melle
Suspended Christian nurse's hearing postponed at last minute

The hearing was postponed due to "unforeseen circumstances".

Rev Kamran Salamat
Pastor shot dead outside home months after surviving earlier attack 

Christian communities in Pakistan are grappling with shock and grief after the killing of the Rev Kamran Salamat, a Presbyterian pastor who was gunned down outside his home in Gujranwala on 5 December.