Church

Pagans demand return of 'their' buildings they claim were 'stolen' by the church

A leader of some of Britain's pagans is demanding the 'return' of two church buildings as compensation for property they claim was stolen from them during the conversion of England 1,300 years ago.

If necessary use words...What did Francis of Assisi really say?

The Christian gospel involves hearing as well as seeing; word as well as deed.

'The flock have made up their mind': Most Australian Christians back gay marriage ahead of national vote

Most Australian Christians, including Catholics â alongside other religious groups â are expected to back gay marriage in the upcoming referendum, according to a new survey.

Bible belonging to WWII Scottish war-hero 'The Tartan Pimpernel' makes historic homecoming

A Bible belonging to a heroic Scottish Christian minister of the Second World War has been returned to his former church.

Vicar defiant after a lifetime campaigning for gay-rights

A retired vicar involved in a high-profile gay rights case has spoken with defiance about his lifelong campaign for same-sex marriage in the church.

Lying for Jesus: why it matters that our preaching illustrations are actually true

The rewriting, mixing up and complete invention of stories to fit our purposes might feel like a necessary evil in the fight to inspire and encourage our listeners, but as communicators we have to call this what it really is: lying.

The things people say â snapshots from a parish priest

Sometimes I wonder if it's people getting tongue-tied or intimidated by the dog collar. Perhaps it is the one occasion where the sheep can have a bite at the shepherd.

ISIS threatens Pope Francis: 'We will be in Rome'

ISIS' latest propaganda film threatens Pope Francis with fighters seen stamping on a bust of Jesus, defacing pictures of the pontiff, and vowing to come to Rome.

International Strange Music Day: 5 quirky Christian tunes you need to hear

Today is International Strange Music Day. In that spirit, here are five alternative Christian songs you need to hear.

Leading UK musicians join outcry over HTB-linked church's concert ban

Dozens of Britain's most distinguished musicians are urging a central London church that recently became part of the evangelical Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) network to reverse its controversial ban on non-religious music.

'Slay the mad dogs': How Luther betrayed the peasants' revolt that he inspired

On this day in 1524 a gathering of radical evangelical Germans united, determined to liberate the nation's peasants from the oppression of the ruling classes. This was a key moment in the ill-fated Peasants' Revolt of 1524-25, a movement inspired by the reforms of Martin Luther â but Luther utterly opposed the serfs' rebellion.

Justin Bieber dances at Hillsong: \'Nothing more cool than praising God\'