Bread & Wine

An invitation to intergenerational communion

Intergenerational church

A series of articles to support churches in intergenerational ministry

Re-imagining-evangelism

A series of articles with accompanying podcasts where we hear from people around the UK who are Reimagining Evangelism.

Scripture in context articles

Bread & Wine prayers

Bread & Wine articles

What does the Bible say about predestination? 

When we are going through difficult circumstances, it is natural to ask whether these tough times are just random or if they are part of some kind of wider plan that God has for our lives. Many Christians will turn to the Bible for wisdom on this but, at first glance, a slightly confusing picture can seem to emerge.

Passover with kids

Three tips for approaching difficult Bible texts

When the Bible gets violent

Three ways to preach on difficult passages.

Creation Theology: How is the gospel good news for creation?

Jo Swinney, Director of Communications for A Rocha International, explores how the Bible tells the story of God’s love and redemptive purposes for all he has made, not just the people.

Black History Month is for everybody!

Richard Reddie, Director of Justice and Inclusion at Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) and a Roots trustee, explains why more churches should get involved in marking Black History Month.

A tapestry of colour

Chine McDonald reflects on racism and Scripture

Lessons in chemistry

Making connections with schools by exploring faith and science

The AI invasion: Preparing for a new era

Prayer spaces in schools

Tim Abbott, a founder member and GB Team Leader of Prayer Spaces in Schools, describes what they do and how they might help you.

Playful faith

Gail Adcock explores the value of fun when helping children to discover more about God.

Prophetic voices

Looking past female stereotypes: A case study on Rebekah

Tamara Knudson offers a reflection on the character of Rebekah

Finding and keeping volunteers: Creating spaces where children and young people thrive

Tom Clark is Churches and Networks Consultant at the Church of England. He leads the workstream aiming to help churches recruit 27,000 volunteers with children and young people by 2030.

Making our money work for justice

Talking about money can be uncomfortable. Looking closely at church finances or our own personal use of money can lead to challenging questions and stir up all kinds of emotions. It can also feel daunting to engage in bigger conversations about the economy.

What the Church needs to know about weight-loss drugs and body dysmorphia 

Di Archer and Cherry Dakin from tastelife UK (an eating disorder charity) set out the facts and how/where to get help.

Minecraft church

Revd Kevin Colyer explains how churches can use gaming to explore faith and build community. Kevin is the M:Power Urban Evangelist at St James Church, Over Darwen (Diocese of Blackburn).

Responding to community crisis

When disaster strikes: How churches can prepare, respond and survive

Whose Cross?  

Dr Anne Richards, National Public Policy Adviser for the Church of England, reflects on the increased use of crosses in staged campaigns and the role of Christian communities in resisting ‘Christianism’ but understanding the crosses of burden people carry in their everyday lives.

The gift of your tiny children’s group

Melanie Cave explores the challenges of very small children's groups including those with a wide age range, and unpacks how Roots can help.

Blindness in Scripture

John Beauchamp, Diocesan Disability Ministry Enabler for the Diocese of London, who is blind himself, reflects on Jesus’ healing of a man born blind. 

Let me tell you a story

Gemma Gillard, founder of Truth Be Told: Storytelling for Life, a Christian storytelling charity, unpacks the power of storytelling and why it’s still the most powerful way to communicate the good news.

The problem of masculinity

Will van der Hart is an ordained Anglican priest and director of the mental health charity Mind and Soul Foundation. He discusses the problems of masculinity in today’s society, particularly toxic masculinity and the Church’s role in advocating for positive masculinity.

Creating a sensory-healthy church: Welcoming all into worship

Anne Laure Jackson is an occupational therapist and creator of the Sensory Super System® and The Sensory Healthy Church programme.

An introduction to Isaiah

Isaiah is one of the best-loved Old Testament books, used at Christmas as we welcome the babe in the manger, and at Easter as we marvel at the death of that now-grown child in our place. Simon Jones introduces a book that teems with hope and life.

Advent and the 2nd coming: an imminent and future hope 

The lectionary readings for Advent have a significant focus on the ‘second coming’ of Christ, a complex idea which can evoke an uncertain reaction for many Christians, and which often stands in contrast to the approaching Christmas festivities. John Parr delves into the origins and interpretations of the second coming to aid your worship preparation. 

Supporting marriages at Christmas

Psychotherapist Naomi Light unwraps the challenges for relationships during the festive season and ways we can support a better approach.

Welcoming single people at Christmas

Jackie Elton, from Single Friendly Church Network, looks at how we can make sure everyone is included at Christmas.

Looking back, praying forwards: an African New Year 

Harvey Kwiyani, a Malawian theologian, explores the African Christian New Year's eve tradition of the Watchnight Crossover Service

Supporting families in faith

In a recent research report ‘Taking the Pulse’, Dr Sarah Holmes interviewed young people, parents, church leaders and volunteers to find out how to encourage faith in children and youth. Roots’ Managing Director Melanie Cave spoke to Sarah about the findings and suggests how churches can better support families.

Speak up and do something 

Bekah Legg, CEO of Restored, writes about the importance of acknowledging that domestic abuse happens to churchgoers too. Restored is a Christian charity speaking up about violence against women, and equipping churches to stand against domestic abuse and support survivors.

"I don't want to go back to school!" - supporting children who are struggling in education

Kate Dommett, Programme Development Lead at Transforming Lives for Good (TLG), shares how local churches are transforming the lives of children facing struggles that are preventing them from engaging with school through a trauma-informed approach, building relationships, and early intervention coaching.

Mental health - Making your church a place of sanctuary

​ In the UK, the 2025 Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 12–18 May. Corin Pilling unpacks how the Church can be a safer place for each of us when we experience mental health challenges.

A missional toddler group

Juz Paice, head of kids mission and ministry at St Peter’s Anglican Church in Harrow, shares ways of making your toddler group distinctively Christian… without scaring everyone off!

Difficult conversations: Onesimus - the slave 

Extra bible notes and discussion points to accompany the Proper 18 Year C resources:The cost of following Jesus

Build up: The power of singing

Founder and Executive Director of Fischy Music, Stephen Fischbacher MBE, celebrates the huge potential that singing has for children and young people’s spiritual growth and personal wellbeing.

Supporting young people with ADHD

Vicki Smith, Executive Director of Services at Growing Hope, shares some insights about the impact of ADHD in children and young people, and how to support them within church communities.

Heroes and villains: Re-imagining the battle of good vs evil with children  

Dr Jared Neusch, author of Jesus vs the Bad Guys: A Story of Love and Forgiveness, explores ways to explore stories of violence and non-violence with young people  

Grandparenting for faith

Becky Sedgwick is part of the Parenting for Faith team at BRF Ministries, author of Grandparenting for Faith and previously Children and Families Minister at her church. She lives in Wiltshire and volunteers with her church youth group and the local netball club. She’s not yet a grandparent but has recently become ‘grauntie’ to her first great-niece.

Bereavement resources

A selection of resources to accompany the Roots podcast: Finding peace in a blue Christmas - embracing grief with compassion  

Going beyond inclusion

Starting from scratch is possible!

Chris Curtis considers how there is hope for churches with no youth work or young people.

Toddlertastic!

Joanna Gordon offers guidance on setting up a toddler group at your church.

Workplace language in worship

Andy Flannagan describes the thinking behind LICC’s ‘Changing the soundtrack’ project.

Step up

Ian Stackhouse, senior pastor at Millmead Baptist Church, Guildford, offers tips for honing your preaching skills.

Under pressure

How church workers can help to support children’s mental health

The power of mercy

How should Christians respond to a polarised world where people can be ‘cancelled’ for holding an opinion with which others do not agree? How can the Church offer second chances to people, rather than responding with judgement? Natalie Williams, author of a new book on the subject of mercy, outlines some pointers.    

Dementia-friendly church

Julia Burton-Jones is Anna Chaplaincy’s Training and Development Lead. Anna Chaplaincy supports churches to offer spiritual care in later life. She unpacks how we can include people with dementia in church life and worship.Click on the article image to view a PDF.

Disability-friendly church

Ways to ensure disabled people are not alienated from church life

Article by Gillian Warson - music editor

Using Roots in schools

Discover practical and relevant ways to explore the Bible in schools

Roots outdoor resources

Lots of ideas to help you use nature and the great outdoors to worship and engage with your community