The Roots for Churches podcast

Melanie Cave interviews Anglican priest and family ministry consultant Gail Adcock about the theology and practice of play in church. They explore how play appears in scripture and Jesus’ interactions, the difference between being childlike and childish, and how play can be a spiritual discipline that fosters connection, emotional expression, and wonder. The episode also covers practical ideas and...

Melanie Cave speaks with Andy Frost of Share Jesus International about making evangelism less intimidating and more practical for churches. They explore starting small — prayer, telling brief personal stories, and ‘dropping the Frisbee’ into conversations — building church cultures of prayer, hosting accessible events, and supporting people to take their next steps in faith. Andy shares practical...

Melanie Cave speaks with Joy and Darren Stevens of Start to Stir about sharing faith with young people who are indifferent or exploring spirituality, manifesting, crystals or witchcraft. They outline a gentle, relationship-based approach: listening well, finding common ground, stirring spiritual curiosity, and pacing conversations over time rather than expecting one-off conversions. The episode of...

Melanie Cave interviews Jonny Baker, discussing his new book 'Fringe Dweller,' exploring the life of Jesus at the margins and how this perspective can transform church practices and mission. The conversation reflects on the life of Jesus as an example of one who reaches out, creativity in scripture engagement, mission at the edges, and practical practices for churches to inhabit scripture and live...

In the next in our series on helping young people share faith, Melanie Cave interviews Jill Appleton of The Feast. They discuss how interfaith dialogue and the guidelines for respectful conversation can empower young people to share their faith confidently, build bridges between communities, and foster understanding in diverse societies. In these settings Christian teenagers become more confident...

Imagine grandparents, grandchildren and whole families boarding a vintage train for the journey of a lifetime — meeting Jesus at every station through prayer, games, serving, learning and collaborative crafts. Together they eat, laugh, share stories of faith and explore Bible stories from Luke with simple spiritual practices that welcome every age. Explore the innovative intergenerational holiday...

Melanie Cave talks with Jess Masters-Carrer about why Gen Z and Gen Alpha are increasingly drawn to sacramental spirituality and how churches can welcome and equip young people to share faith. They explore themes such as belonging before believing, the role of liturgy and ritual, embracing mystery, and practical mission approaches focused on invitation and relationship. The episode offers practica...

The spiritual climate is shifting and Gen Z and Gen Alpha are more open to the gospel than many expect. Melanie Cave interviews Aaron Routledge about why evangelism can feel awkward, how culture has changed, and why we need to move from scripted presentations to natural, curiosity-led conversations. They explore practical steps (the Five B's), encouraging stories, and resources for churches and yo...

From a talk at the Intergenerate '26 conference, this episode explores Roots’ Bread & Wine research into making communion accessible and invitational for the whole church. Melanie Cave shares findings, practical case studies (toddler services, multilingual parishes, youth-led reflections, outdoor and care-home eucharists), and adaptable prayers and choreography to help churches include childre...

Melanie Cave interviews Martin Shaw, exploring the profound role of storytelling, myth, and wilderness in our spiritual growth. We explore the importanceof stories in church life, personal initiation, and cultural identity, unpacking how stories shape our understanding of God, community, and ourselves, and advocating for a more untidy, questioning approach to faith and spirituality. Keywords story...

Show Notes: A concise collection of excerpts from the Children’s Ministry Network Conference (March 2026) on how churches and children’s ministries can respond to a changing, multicultural UK. Melanie Cave introduces the theme, followed by Dr Israel Olofinjana on intercultural theology, Dr Phoebe Owen on identity, and Nathaniel Jennings on intercultural discipleship. Listeners will hear theologica...

Melanie Cave speaks with Charnelle Barclay from the Centre for Theology and Community about reimagining evangelism as a call to justice and holistic transformation. Charnelle explains how community organising—listening deeply, empowering agency, building relational power, and addressing root causes—connects faith with practical action, examples include a local safety campaign and a food-share proj...

Today’s episode explores hosting youth ministry and intergenerational small groups in homes — the theology, hospitality and practical safeguarding. Melanie Cave talks with Dr Sam Richards and David Howell about the history of guidance pre- and during COVID, how homes can be holy and formative spaces, and the practical steps churches need (risk assessments, transparent accountability, and intergene...

This episode explores the rise of weight-loss injections and the sharp increase in eating disorders since the pandemic, including concerns like bigorexia and the impact on young people. Guests Di Archer and Cherry Dakin from Taste Life UK share lived experience, recovery work, and practical youth resources. Hosts discuss how churches can respond with compassion, spot warning signs, offer safe spac...

Melanie Cave interviews Sandy Brodine, an intergenerational ministry leader from Australia. They discuss Sandy's journey into ministry, the state of intergenerational practices in Australian churches, and the importance of shared meaning making in worship. Sandy shares insights on the dynamics of learning together, the role of discussion in faith formation, and the need for active learning in chur...

Melanie Cave and Sarah Edwards explore the often uncomfortable topic of money within the church context. They discuss the importance of addressing financial issues, the biblical principles surrounding money management, and the need for churches to create supportive environments for financial discussions. The conversation emphasizes the role of money in justice, the spiritual implications of financ...

Melanie Cave interviews Gemma Gillard of Truth Be Told about the power of storytelling and parables in church and community settings. They discuss why stories stick, how Jesus used parables, practical storytelling techniques, and the ways stories connect across generations and cultures. Gemma shares examples of storytelling in schools, care homes, refugee groups, and Sunday services—and points lis...

Melanie Cave interviews Julia Daintree about the growing popularity of community choirs in the UK and their role in connecting people to faith. Julia shares her journey of starting a gospel choir, the challenges of copyright and costs, and the transformative impact of music on individuals and communities. The conversation highlights the importance of building relationships, inclusivity, and the pe...

Keywords evangelism, music, faith, community, choirs, youth ministry, transformation, outreach, Soul Children, Chip Kendall   Summary Melanie Cave and Chip Kendall explore the revitalization of evangelism in the UK, focusing on the role of music and choirs in sharing faith. Chip shares his journey from being a musician to founding Soul Children, a choir initiative aimed at engaging young people in...

Melanie Cave and Bekah Legg explore the challenges of interpreting difficult biblical texts about women, and the implications of these texts on gender dynamics and domestic abuse. They discuss the importance of understanding cultural context, the misuse of scripture to control women, and the need for church leaders to be equipped to address these issues effectively. The conversation emphasizes the...

Melanie Cave speaks with Jack Palmer-White about ChurchWorks, an initiative that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic to help local churches engage with their communities and collaborate with local government and the NHS. They discuss the importance of churches in providing community support, the Warm Welcome campaign, and the role of social prescribing in addressing mental health and loneliness....

Melanie Cave and Bob Goody discuss the significance of Agricultural Sundays and rural missions. Bob shares insights into the traditions of Plough Sunday, Rogation Sunday, and Lammas Sunday, emphasizing the importance of community, tradition, and mission in rural settings. Bob also highlights the challenges faced by rural churches and the innovative ways they are engaging with their communities.  ...

Melanie Cave closes Season 3 with a moving spoken-word piece by Phoebe Owen, reflecting on her Ghanaian-British identity and the complexities of belonging in intercultural church life. Phoebe explores themes of code-switching, worship style, racial history, and hope for a church that listens, learns and makes space for multiple cultures. Resources and further reading are mentioned for leaders seek...

Melanie Cave and Anne Laure Jackson discuss the importance of understanding sensory processing challenges within church settings. They explore how sensory overwhelm can impact attendance and participation, particularly for neurodiverse individuals. The discussion emphasizes the need for churches to rethink traditional practices and create more inclusive environments that cater to diverse sensory n...

In this episode, Revd Prebendary John Beauchamp shares his journey as a blind priest and disability ministry enabler, exploring the intersection of faith, disability, and inclusion within the church. He reflects on his personal experiences with blindness, the theological implications of disability, and the importance of belonging and participation for disabled individuals in church communities. Th...