Ascend Higher: The Podcast

In this conversation, Ric and Paul talk about friendship and how they grow together.

Stuart and Luke help us think about how we can use our stories to help bring people to Jesus. Including thinking about our testimonies and when to share them.

In this extended conversation, Ric shares his experiences of support groups where the focus is mainly on the members’ failings. He then advocates for a more positive approach, where the emphasis is upon connection and building community without shame, where we can encourage one another and see the Holy Spirit changing us from the inside out.

In this extended conversation, Stuart and Katherine talk about Katherine’s story and how to engage with Generation Z .

In this episode, Matthew, a Pioneer Minister for the United Reformed Church (URC) in Lincoln, who holds to an orthodox view of marriage and relationships, talks about being a minority voice on same-sex marriage within his denomination. Since 2016 the URC has allowed individual churches to register their buildings for same-sex marriage services.

In this podcast, Simon and Rob talk about Rob’s recent article for Ascend magazine on some key markers of good friendship from the book of Proverbs. Being friends themselves, they reflect on the importance of honesty, transparency and putting God in his rightful first place

Can one repent of their same-sex attraction? The pastoral outworking of the doctrine of concupiscence in this area has recently been a source of debate between those who otherwise hold to the historic Christian understanding of sex and marriage. For Sarah, this debate is a particularly personal one, as a disagreement between her and her pastor meant she felt the need to move on from her church. He...

In this edition, Stuart sits down with Jonathan (an ordinand in the Church of England) and discusses how dispiriting it can be when some leaders seem to be constantly chipping away at the church’s long-held understanding of biblical sexuality. They take inspiration from Hezekiah’s example in the book of Isaiah, that encourages us to hold our nerve and and not be discouraged.

Ros Clarke has served as Associate Director of Church Society since 2017. In this podcast, Ros and Ruth discuss singleness, celibacy, and the role art can play in communicating Biblical truth.

We’re at a pivotal moment in the life of the UK church. Various denominations are having conversations about same-sex marriage-related matters. Join Ed Shaw, Ministry Director at Living Out, as he chats with Stuart about the impact of this on Christians who experience same-sex attraction, yet wish to hold to the historic Christian understanding of sexual ethics. Should these Christians leave their...

In this candid interview, Ruth, TFT's Women's Worker, interviews Catherine about her experience of faith, sexuality and identity. She tells us what has meant to her to be free in Christ.

We can spend a lot of time talking about the sexual side of same-sex attraction, but there is an emotional side too. Many same-sex attracted Christians have a story about falling in love with one of their friends. In this extended conversation, our Teaching & Outreach Manager, Simon, and our Women's Worker, Ruth, talk about when friendship gets messy. They also offer from their own experience...

What are some of the sticky arguments against traditional biblical teaching on sex and relationships that have traction in our culture today? Stuart and Peter consider this and offer their thoughts on how to respond.

Are you a good waiter? Stefan doesn't think he's a very good one. In this episode, Stefan and Stuart discuss how waiting for the Lord can be a painful experience. They remind us just who it is we are waiting for, and offer some practical tips on how to persevere.

Matt and Jamie have known each other since university. One day, Jamie 'came out' as gay. In this podcast, these two friends remember that experience and talk about what it has meant for their friendship and their discipleship.

Stuart interviews Anna, a Christian in her early 20's, about the various difficulties God has helped her work through in her life. Anna is same-sex attracted and has recently came out to her church and her parents. She reminds us that sometimes we still encounter people who don't react as we would hope.

Two years ago, Jeanette was preparing some teaching on singleness for a church in Leicester. When she was baptised, some 35 years ago, it wasn't uncommon for candidates to wear long, white gowns - a bit like a wedding dress. Jeanette wanted to bring the sense of being wedded to Jesus into her talk but, when preparing, heard the Lord say “betrothed not married, betrothed.” In this podcast, Jeanette...

"Boy Erased" is a 2018 film, based on a memoir of the same name, about a young man's experience of so-called conversion therapy. Since then, it has proven to be an influential contribution to political debate on this topic. In this podcast, Stuart, Donald and Peter share their thoughts on the film, as well as what lessons they believe the church can draw from it to prevent other Christians embarki...

Andrew is an assistant minister and tutor in Christian ethics. Over the last three years, he has deeply involved himself in the Church of England’s project “Living in Love and Faith”, which has brought together church leaders from both traditional and revisionist perspectives. What value is there to engaging in the public sphere? Should all Christians get involved in the debate? In this episode, A...

Recording a podcast on “Dealing with Disappointment” wouldn't be at the top of everyone's list. Surely it would be better to record a podcast on “How I Dealt with Disappointment” - a triumphant tale of how to get through all the disappointment and come out the other side. Disappointment has been a frequent visitor at Tim's door as he has navigated the challenges of friendship and community. In thi...

Stuart was grumbling at his heavenly Father about the anticipated lack of touch over lockdown, instead of expectantly asking for His generous provision of companionship. But friends from church, at the end of a phone line, asked if he would like to join them, several times a week, till… whenever. This is a story of God’s gracious provision, even when we're too moody to ask for it.

Jeanette shares how she remains alert to the traps, tripwires, and general skulduggery that awaits all believers journeying along their pilgrim path to the Celestial City.

There is something special when it comes to the bond between siblings. Join Stuart & Rob as they discuss Rob's article on Biblical Siblingship in this summer's edition of Ascend magazine.