Christmas carols – worship or just a festive sing-along? Esther Higham and special guest presenter Keith Getty are joined by hymnwriter and conductor Noël Tredinnick to share their favourite carols and explore their evangelistic potential.
Hymn-writer Keith Getty, joined by church leader and Orchard Women’s Conference co-founder Rachel Hughes, speak to Esther Higham about a new study suggesting raising daughters is more stressful, whether Christian parents should encourage their children to talk back, and how their own kids inspire them.
Did you know that all around the country, teams of Christians are layering up, pulling on high-vis, and heading out into city centres to chat with partygoers, pray with people, and help those who’ve had too much to drink get home safely? Street Angels celebrate their 20th anniversary this week. Founder Paul Blakey MBE joined Esther Higham to reflect on two decades of ministry.
A leaked US-backed peace proposal emerged over the weekend, appearing to favour Russia heavily, yet peace talks are moving ahead. President Zelensky says there is still work to be done, but believes the White House is “hearing him.” But is this part of God’s plan? Retired Major General Tim Cross and Professor John Heathershaw joined Esther to discuss whether Ukraine should compromise for the sake of peace.
A new report suggests more young people are turning to church for mental health support. Priest and mental health advocate Will Van Der Hart, along with Kintsugi Hope CEO Ellie Gage, joined Esther Higham to discuss whether the church can truly meet these needs or risk falling short.
In the Bible, names are significant. We're often told the meaning of a person’s name, and God often gives new names to reveal identity and purpose. Abram to Abraham, Simon to Peter, and angels instructed Mary and Joseph on what they should call the coming Messiah. So how should Christian parents approach choosing a name for their child today? Nana-Adwoa Mbeutcha, mother of six, joined Esther Higham to share her thoughts and the spiritual significance behind her children's names.
Have you ever filled a Pick N Mix bag at the cinema with every colour and flavour you could grab? A recent survey suggests that nearly 40% of Gen Z and young Millennials are taking the same approach to faith, mixing and matching beliefs to suit their own taste. To explore this growing trend, Esther Higham is joined by author and speaker Reverend Dr Ian Paul to discuss what’s driving this shift and how the whole Gospel can connect with younger generations.
Megachurch vs. small congregation—does size really make a difference? Greg Laurie argues that criticising large churches is “like being against restaurants with long lines". But is bigger always better? And how do we recognise genuine spiritual fruit in churches of any size? David Lloyd, Leader of The Garden Church Network, joins Esther Higham to explore what true growth would look like in each context.
Nearly 1 million people in the UK are living with dementia, but how does this condition impact their faith and spiritual life? Author and chaplain Rev Ben Boland shares moving stories with Esther Higham, revealing how God’s imprint on a person’s life can endure, even as memory fades and the mind deteriorates.
Do we need to be wiser with our giving? You want to help, but give too hastily, and you might end up donating to the wrong places, only to see your gift in the wrong person’s pocket or your food donation rotting in a warehouse. And when something like a natural disaster occurs, this decision is more important than ever. Daniel Jones from Stewardship and James Brazier from Samaritan’s Purse join Esther Higham to help ensure your donations are used as intended!
Ever opened your Bible only to stumble into a scene of shocking violence and wonder why it’s even there? These passages never make it into sermons or onto fridge magnets, so they can catch us off guard. With trigger warnings now standard across media, should some Bible readings come with their own? And how do we help children navigate Scripture’s darkest moments? Children’s minister and Parenting for Faith founder Rachel Turner, and Westcott House lecturer Dr Karen O’Donnell, join Esther to dig in.
A new Bible from the German Bible Society depicts Bible characters as cartoon animals, like Moses as a hippo and Esther as a gazelle. It’s designed to help children engage with the stories, but is it necessary? Olly Goldenberg from Children Can joins Esther Higham to discuss whether taking a creative license improves accessibility for children or risks watering down the Gospel experience.
Should phones be banned in church? Josh Hinton, Head of Communications at the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity, and psychologist Sarah Taylor joined Esther to share whether phones should be locked away for a Sunday service or if the positives outweigh the negatives of having them out on a Sunday morning!
Janet Gough OBE, architectural historian and author of the new book Divine Light, joins Esther Higham to explore how stained-glass windows can help us encounter and appreciate God. Together, they discuss her favourite examples across the UK, how to read the stories they tell, and why she believes their beauty more than justifies their enormous cost.
A new review of England’s curriculum is recommending fewer exams and a greater focus on life skills and “enrichment.” But how might these changes shape our children’s futures and prospects? And how would God assess our intellect and achievements? Headteacher David Bedford and tutor Chris Follett speak to Esther Higham.
