What about the Women? A Story of Spiritual Abuse of a female victim in the Conservative Evangelical constituency.

BY ANONYMOUS This story begins in 2001 when I began medical school training to become a doctor.  From that year until 2023 I believed that the emotional and spiritual torture I was enduring was part of the cost of being a Christian trying to follow Jesus.  In summary I have now come to understand that… Continue reading What about the Women? A Story of Spiritual Abuse of a female victim in the Conservative Evangelical constituency.

The impact of ‘Captain Darlings’ on the Church of England

BY STEPHEN KUHRT Following its recent high-profile scandals, there is now an overwhelming consensus about the need for safeguarding reform within the Church of England. This includes a growing recognition of the role of culture. This, however, can be misunderstood. For some time, it was common to hear bishops solemnly declaring that the culture of… Continue reading The impact of ‘Captain Darlings’ on the Church of England

The honesty we need in the King’s speech this Christmas

BY STEPHEN KUHRT As a church leader, last year’s Christmas Day was very different from normal. After the Christmas morning service, rather than relaxing into the normal routine of family, food and festivities, I got into a cab and went to central London to appear for three hours on live television. GB News had invited… Continue reading The honesty we need in the King’s speech this Christmas

The most rewarding thirty minutes of my week

BY STEPHEN KUHRT The ‘Tales from the Bible’ team As a church leader, I’m incredibly fortunate to have a job that I love. After 22 years of ordained ministry, I still wake up each morning full of enthusiasm for the everyday tasks of being a vicar: planning services, writing talks, pastoral care, taking funerals and… Continue reading The most rewarding thirty minutes of my week

Turning Safeguarding Upside Down: Jesus started with the least – so should we

BY NATHAN LARKIN Photo by Arvid Knutsen on Pexels.com There are two ways to approach safeguarding in the Church: ‘top-down’ or ‘bottom-up’. The difference sounds technical, even semantic, but it’s not. It’s theological and it’s moral. It’s about where the Church begins its thinking, and where it draws the line when things get messy. A… Continue reading Turning Safeguarding Upside Down: Jesus started with the least – so should we

Bad apples in rotten barrels

BY STEPHEN KUHRT Jimmy Saville and the BBC; Wayne Couzens and Metropolitan Police Force;  Paula Vennells and the Post Office. When stories of abuse or corruption emerge the immediate focus is often on those individuals who’ve directly committed the crimes or wrongdoing. But in almost every case, what is then examined is how the institution they worked within colluded… Continue reading Bad apples in rotten barrels

Whistleblow and the sheep-guarders: a parable

BY JON KUHRT Once upon a time in the district of Northrun, there was a shepherd called Whistleblow. He was one of many shepherds who worked for Lord Northrun who owned most of the land in the area. Each shepherd had their own flock to look after. Whistleblow was loud and had strong opinions, but he… Continue reading Whistleblow and the sheep-guarders: a parable