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.
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.
6 – Parenting for Faith (with Rachel Turner)
Rachel Turner is the Parenting for Faith Pioneer for the Bible Reading Fellowship and has written a number of books, including Parenting Children for a Life of Faith and Comfort in the Darkness. In today’s podcast, we talk about the challenges of nurturing faith within the home, the importance of modelling faith as parents, integrating the ‘head’ and the ‘heart,’ and helping our children learn to pray. For more about Rachel, visit www.rachelturner.org.uk.
5 – Parents Passing on Faith (with Sarah Holmes)
Sarah Holmes is a lecturer in Early Childhood Studies and has recently completed a PhD on the impact that Christian parents have on their children’s faith. In our conversation today, we discuss insights from Sarah’s research, including the challenges of Christian parenthood, faith in the home, and the importance of the Bible for Christian nurture.
4 – Family Worship and the Gospel (with Nate Morgan Locke)
Nate Morgan Locke is the Children’s and Youth Minister at St Barts Church in Bath and an Associate Evangelist at Christianity Explored. In this podcast, Nate explores the gospel as the foundation for family worship while also identifying obstacles that parents face and the value of a simple approach. Nate also chats about his own faith journey, including his upbringing in Narnia…
3 – ‘Close to Home’: Families and Church (with Graeme Thompson)
Graeme Thompson is the Youth Development Officer for the Presbyterian Church of Ireland and and has helped to create Close to Home, a resource that seeks to help churches keep children and young people ‘at home’ within the life of the church. In today’s podcast, Graeme shares thoughts on a range of topics, including covenant theology, faith in the home, intergenerational church, and helping young people engage with doctrine and the Sacraments. To find out more about Close to Home, see www.presbyterianireland.org/Resources/Close-to-Home/Close-to-Home.aspx
2 – Building Faith at Home (with Jane Butcher)
In today’s podcast, we interview Jane Butcher. Jane is the Coordinator of ‘Faith in Homes’ for the Bible Reading Fellowship (www.faithinhomes.org.uk) and has written a number of books – including Family Fun for Christmas – to help families engage with the seasons of the year. Jane discusses building faith in the everyday life of the home, engaging with the seasons of the year, and how best to encourage and support families in the life of faith.
