The Podcast
A Series of Conversations on Faith, Family and Today’s Church.
The Together with God Podcast explores issues of faith, family and church in today’s world. As well as exploring how parents model faith within the home, we’ll share conversations on a range of issues in family ministry, with each podcast featuring an interview with a thinker or practitioner on faith and the family. Issues we hope to cover include the church as family, ministering to dads, technology in the home, intergenerational church, and the impact of the sexual revolution. Sign up on iTunes to receive our regular monthly podcast.
27 – Young People and Mental Health (with Rachael Newham)
Rachael Newham is the founder of mental health charity ThinkTwice and author of Learning to Breathe (SPCK, 2018). In today’s conversation, we explore issues of mental health, the emotional life of teenagers, the importance of the body, and how parents and churches can better support those affected by mental health issues.
26 – Embracing Older People in Families and the Church (with Tina English)
In today’s episode, we interview Tina English, Director of Embracing Age, a faith-inspired charity dedicated to improving the lives of older people. We explore with Tina the importance of valuing older people within the church and society, helping different generations relate to one another, and how Christian families and churches can better support older people. For Embracing Age, visit www.embracingage.org.uk. For Care Home Friends, visit www.carehomefriends.org.uk
25 – Singleness, Family and the Church (with Kate Wharton)
Kate Wharton is a Church of England Vicar and the author of Single Minded: Being single, whole and living life to the full (Monarch 2013). In today’s podcast, we explore with Kate the challenges for single people of living in a marriage obsessed-church and a sex-obsessed society, and how the church – and families within it – can be a better home to the single as well as to the married. We also talk about the importance of modelling the single life to young people and the privilege of being a God-parent. For Kate’s blog, visit http://katewharton.blogspot.com/.
24 – Family Discipleship as Children age (with Graham Stanton)
In today’s podcast, we talk with Graham Stanton, Lecturer in Practical Theology at Ridley College in Australia (www.ridley.edu.au). We chat with Graham about how faith in the home changes as kids grow older, re-meeting your kids as they age, the importance of mentors, and the relationship between the church and the home in forming faith. For more about Graham, visit www.ridley.edu.au/about-ridley/ridley-people/faculty/graham-stanton. For Graham’s book Families: A Forgotten Factor?, visit https://grovebooks.co.uk/products/y-25-families-a-forgotten-factor
23 – Fathers, Children and God (with Nathan Blackaby)
Nathan Blackaby is the CEO of Christian Vision for Men (cvm.org.uk) and the author of a number of books, including Founding Fathers (2015) and Iron Men (2016). In today’s interview Nathan shares something of his own story, and we talk about partnership in marriage, modelling faith to our children, and staying close to God. We also discuss the importance of friends and mentors, and creating a boy-friendly church. For Nathan’s books and other CVM resources, visit www.cvm.org.uk/shop
22 – Parenting and Video Games (with Andy Robertson)
In this episode, we interview Andy Robertson, a journalist specialising in video games who runs the website www.patreon.com/geekdadgamer. Andy has also recently co-authored the Grove Booklet Exploring Spirituality in Video Games (https://grovebooks.co.uk/products/y-49-exploring-spirituality-in-video-games-encountering-meaning-in-digital-spaces), and is working on the book Taming Gaming(https://unbound.com/books/taming-gaming). We talk with Andy about parenting and video games, managing screen time, finding good quality video games, and games and spirituality. We also mention the websites www.internetmatters.org, www.askaboutgames.com and https://meetcircle.com. You can find Andy on twitter @GeekDadGamer.
21 – Family Ministry and Forming Faith (with Gail Adcock)
Gail Adcock is the Family Ministry Development Officer for the Methodist Church, and helped to produce the ‘We are Family’ report on the changing face of family ministry. In today’s podcast, we talk with Gail about family ministry and family support, the importance of intergenerational church, and helping children and young people grow in faith.
20 – Apologetics within the Home (with Ruth Jackson)
Ruth Jackson is the editor of Premier Youth and Children’s Work (www.youthandchildrens.work), head of Youth Apologetics, and a speaker at this year’s Unbelievable Conference (2018). In today’s podcast, we talk with Ruth about her own journey of faith, the challenges that Christians face today, and the importance of helping young people – in and out of the home – respond to questions that challenge their faith. For some great apologetic resources, visit www.youthandchildrens.work/apologetics. You can also follow Ruth on twitter @RuthJJackson.
19 – Raising Children in a Changing Culture, with Sam Allberry
Sam Allberry is a church leader, writer, speaker for Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (www.RZIM.org), and co-leader of Living Out (www.livingout.org). In today’s podcast, we explore with Sam the challenges of raising children in a changing culture and the importance of helping kids understand a Christian view of sexuality. We also discuss the importance of grace within the home and the significance of the wider church family for children and youth.
18 – Boys and Spirituality (with Carolyn Edwards)
In today’s podcast, we talk to Carolyn Edwards, Lecture in Evangelism, Mission and Ministry at Cliff College (www.cliffcollege.ac.uk) and author of Slugs and Snails and Puppy Dogs’ Tales: Helping boys connect with God (Inter-Varsity Press, 2011). We explore children’s spirituality, raising boys in the faith, the imperfection of all families, and ways in which youth workers and churches can work with parents in helping children grow in faith.
17 – Music and the Home (with Dan Adams)
Dan Adams, also known as ‘Cutlery Boy’, is one half of the musical duo Awesome Cutlery (www.awesomecutlery.com). In today’s podcast, we talk with Dan about the formative power of music and the importance of linking youth work to family discipleship. We also hear some of Dan’s own story, and explore ideas for incorporating music within family worship.
16 – Parenting and Pornography (with Ian Henderson)
In today’s podcast, we talk to Ian Henderson, CEO and founder of The Naked Truth Project (www.thenakedtruthproject.com). We discuss with Ian the prevalence of pornography and the dangers associated with it, and Ian also shares some of his own story of faith and what led him to begin the charity. We also explore how parents can talk to their children about porn, and how the church can become a supportive place for those who struggle with it.
15 – Families and Youth Work (with Ali Campbell)
Ali Campbell is an experienced youth worker who runs The Resource which supports and trains those working with children and young people (www.theresource.org.uk). In today’s podcast, we explore with Ali the changing world of children’s and youth ministry, the importance of parents in shaping the faith of the young, being guides rather than gurus, and how parenthood changes one’s view of faith formation.
14 – Foundations for Faith (with Andy Frost)
Andy Frost is the director of Share Jesus International (www.sharejesusinternational.com) and is working with Care for the Family on an initiative to help parents share their faith at home (www.careforthefamily.org.uk). In today’s podcast, we explore with Andy the impact of parents on the faith of their children, the importance of God conversations within the home, and tips for helping your home to be a place where faith flourishes.
13 – Children and Worship (with Sam and Sara Hargreaves)
Sam and Sara Hargreaves run engageworship.org and have recently written Whole Life Worship: Empowering Disciples for the Front Line (Inter-Varsity, 2017). In today’s podcast, we talk with Sam and Sara about involving young people in the life of the church, developing family worship within the home, and the importance of worship in everyday life and within the gathered church. For more about Sam and Sara, and to see a range of the resources they’ve developed, visit www.engageworship.org.
12 – Finding our Home (with Jo Swinney)
Jo Swinney is a writer, speaker and editor, and has recently written her sixth book, Home: A Quest to Belong (Hodder & Stoughton, 2017). In today’s podcast, we talk with Jo about the importance of home for children, the challenges of raising Christians in a secular culture, and ways to centre our homes on God. We also explore the church as home and discuss ways that parents can respond if their children wander from the faith. For more about Jo, and details of her new book, visit www.joswinney.com.
11 – Helping Churches Support Faith in the Home (with Amy Kippen)
Amy Kippen is an American writer and speaker on faith formation in the home, and serves as a Coach and Resource Specialist for Faith Inkubators (http://www.faithink.com). In today’s interview, recorded at the inaugural InterGenerate Conference in America (www.intergenerateconference.com), Amy talks about the challenges parents in America face in passing on the faith, the ‘Faith5’ model, and ways to change the culture of the church to support family faith formation.
10 – Loving God with Head and Heart (with Robin Barfield)
Today’s guest is Robin Barfield, an Associate Minister for children and families in Christ Church Wharton and the Chair of NWYouth Works for the North West Partnership (www.northwestpartnership.com). Robin is also the co-author of Sunday DIY (10ofThose, 2013) and is currently pursuing a PhD exploring approaches to children’s spirituality. In our conversation today, we talk about different models of children’s spiritual formation, the importance of the ‘heart’ as well as the ‘head’, and the need to encourage children’s imagination.
9 – Storytelling and the Bible (with Bob Hartman)
Bob Hartman is a performance storyteller and author who also runs storytelling workshops for children and adults. Bob’s books include the Lion Storyteller Bible, Dinner in the Lion’s Den, and Anyone Can Tell a Bible Story. In today’s podcast, we talk about the importance of stories for faith, the role of playfulness in Bible reading, and how parents – and anyone – can learn to tell Bible stories. Bob also shares a short story on the Resurrection!
8 – Integrating Children in the Life of the Church (with Dan Maton)
Dan Maton is an elder at City Church in Sheffield (www.citychurchsheffield.org.uk), a church that includes children and young people in every act of worship. We talk with Dan today about City Church’s vision for the discipleship of families and young people, the impact of worshipping together on parents and children, and how the church can help nurture faith within the home.
