The Roots for Churches podcast

Join Melanie Cave, Managing Director at Roots, and Pam Elliott, Roots Senior Editor, as they delve into the world of church holiday clubs. Discover how these vibrant settings can transform the lives of children, nurturing their faith and leadership skills. Explore the benefits of holiday clubs in building community connections, forging deeper relationships, and fostering partnerships among local c...

Church ministry presents a unique set of challenges due to its porous nature where personal and professional boundaries often blur. This episode delves into the distinct complexities of managing a ministry role effectively, exploring both the personal and structural challenges faced by church leaders. Melanie Cave chats with Ali Campbell, a children's and youth ministry consultant, about creating...

Melanie dives into the world of video gaming with Revd Kevin Colyer, a vicar near Blackburn, where she discovers how Minecraft, the world's most popular video game, is being used to disciple families in economically deprived communities. Discover how gaming can be a tool for building relationships, fostering creativity, and enhancing discipleship. Revd Colyer shares his experiences of creating a v...

Melanie Cave, Managing Director of Roots, interviews Dr Sam Richards, Head of Children’s and Youth Work for the United Reformed Church. Sam shares her extensive experience in intergenerational ministry. Delving into topics such as overcoming tradition-bound resistance, fostering authentic relationships, and embracing change, Sam offers practical guidance on taking your church on an intergeneration...

Melanie sits down with Dr Naomi Fox, a children's occupational therapist and the founder of Growing Hope. Naomi shares her expertise on ADHD, a condition affecting around 4% of the population, and how it presents unique challenges in social, academic, and occupational settings. Recognising ADHD as a form of neurodiversity, she emphasises the importance of creating inclusive environments within chu...

Melanie Cave chats with Corin Pillings, the Director of Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries in the UK, about how churches can become places of support, understanding, and connection for those facing mental health challenges. Drawing from personal stories and Sanctuary’s mission, Corin shares practical advice on how faith leaders and communities can approach mental health with compassion and wisdom....

This episode of the Roots for Churches podcast delves into the complex and often controversial figure of the Apostle Paul. Join Melanie Cave as she chats with Simon Jones, a theologian and activist, to dissect Paul's life, mission, and the various perceptions surrounding his legacy. Was Paul a proponent of misogyny and homophobia, or a misunderstood champion for social change? Explore these questi...

Melanie Cave and Revd Will Van Der Hart delve into the complexities of masculinity in contemporary society. They explore the crisis of masculinity, its implications for young men, and the role of the Church in addressing these issues. The discussion touches on the impact of pornography, the importance of parenting, and the need for open conversations about masculinity and femininity. They emphasis...

In this episode of the Roots for Churches podcast, Melanie Cave, Managing Director of Roots for Churches, chats with Suzi Farrant, the Young People and Young Adults Development Worker for the Church of Scotland. They explore the concept of intergenerational church and its potential to be more than just an added ministry but an essential shift in church culture. Susi shares her decade-long journey...

Melanie Cave chats with Chris Barnett, Executive General Manager of Intergen in Australia. Chris shares his insights on building relationships across generations, emphasizing that being intergenerational is all about deepening those connections beyond just age-specific programs. We explore the core values that define successful intergenerational ministry, including mutuality, reciprocity, and equa...

This episode delves into the historical significance and lasting impact of the Council of Nicaea, which took place 1700 years ago. Join Melanie Cave, Managing Director of Roots for Churches, as she chats with Reverend Dr Susan Durber, a retired United Reformed Church Minister and President for Europe for the World Council of Churches. Together, they explore how the Nicene Creed was born out of the...

Join Melanie Cave, Managing Director of Roots, as she welcomes Suzi Farrant, co-author of Being an Intergenerational Church and Young People and Young Adults Development Worker for the Church of Scotland, to explore the concept of intergenerational ministry. This episode addresses common objections and concerns surrounding the shift towards a more intergenerational church community. Suzi shares he...

Should Christians engage in cancel culture? Is it possible to hold justice and mercy in tandem, and what role does forgiveness play in this balance? Host, Melanie Cave interviews Natalie Williams, author of Tis Mercy All and director of Jubilee Plus about her personal journey of experiencing God's mercy, despite a challenging upbringing and a tumultuous path to faith. Her insights illuminate the p...

Melanie Cave sits down with Lisa Campbell, a special educational needs coordinator, to discuss the complexities of managing challenging behaviours in church groups. Lisa shares her expert knowledge on how to create safe, loving, and engaging environments for children attending church, emphasising the importance of trauma-informed care. We discuss behaviour as a form of communication, exploring the...

In this episode, we explore the profound impact of music on children and young people's mental health. Melanie interviews Stephen Fischbacher, founder of Fischy Music, to understand how music can positively impact our emotions, bypass our anxious thoughts and build connections. Discover how simple songs taught in schools can promote peace, unity, and emotional well-being among children of all back...

In Season 2, we delve into intergenerational ministry. We kick off this series with Darren Philip, a passionate advocate for intergenerational ministry in the Church of Scotland. He shares his journey and insights into creating a church community that embraces all ages.  From redefining family within the church to innovative worship planning with all-age groups, this episode offers valuable wisdom...

In this episode, Melanie Cave sits down with Joe Lowther, CEO of KICK, to explore innovative strategies for reaching young people who are not attending church. With only 5% of children and young people in the UK attending church, Joe shares KICK's mission to transform lives through values-driven physical education, street dance, mentoring, and chaplaincy. Discover how local churches can partner wi...

In this episode of the Roots for Churches podcast, we delve into the unique challenges faced by women leaders in the Church with Dr Amy Orr-Ewing, an internationally renowned author, speaker, and theologian. Amy shares her insights on finding your voice and leading authentically as a woman, drawing from her extensive experience and her latest book, 'Lead Like the Real You.' Throughout the conversa...

Melanie Cave and Suzi Farrant share about the launch of Intergenerate UK, a new network dedicated to fostering intergenerational ministry across the UK. Discover how this movement is uniting faith communities through networking, resourcing, training, and advocacy to support the development of intergenerational churches. Join us as we explore the unique UK flavour of this global initiative, with in...

Christmas is often a time of joy, celebration, and family gatherings. However, for those who are grieving, it can be a challenging season filled with difficult emotions. Attending traditional Christmas church services can feel jarring and difficult. In this episode, we sit down with Odele Harding from Central Church Edinburgh to explore the concept of a Blue Christmas service—a reflective gatherin...

In a world brimming with imaginative, action-packed stories for kids, what expectations do children have when they hear Bible stories?  Melanie welcomes Dr Jared Neusch, a lecturer at St Mellitus College in London, to discuss his new children's book, Jesus vs the Bad Guys, and explore how we can effectively engage young minds with the Bible's complex and sometimes challenging narratives. Jared sha...

Are you a grandparent by blood, adoption, or to young people you've drawn into your circle of care and affection? Or do you have a number of grandparents in your church? Passing on faith as a grandparent may feel a little tricky. Some might say, "My grandchildren live far away, I don't see them all that often. How can I make an impact?" Others might wonder, "My children don't attend church anymore...

What's new at Roots? We're celebrating some new beginnings as we approach a new lectionary year. Melanie explores the purpose and themes of the revised common lectionary - a curated collection of Bible readings designed to guide worship services throughout the year. We discuss the shift towards intergenerational worship, with insights from Tracey Messenger, the editor of the newly renamed Worship...

Melanie explores the significance of Black History Month in the church setting with Richard Reddie, Director of Justice and Inclusion for Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. Richard shares the vital contributions of black people to British history and the UK church. While in previous years, Black History month focussed on Martin Luther King Jr and the transatlantic slave trade, we reflect on...

According to the 2022 census, 16% of the UK population was born abroad. Including children born into these families, over a quarter of the population has an intercultural identity. How can the church honour, engage, and celebrate these diverse cultures in worship and prayer? In this episode, Melanie speaks with Ali and Steve Taylor, co-vicars at St James Alperton, a multicultural parish in London....