Life Issues

[Originally broadcast the week of 14th February 2022]

What is prayer, why do people find it challenging or fabulous or somewhere in between? And when it comes to listening to God - how do we know when we’re hearing from the one who made or when it’s ‘just us’? Amy Boucher Pye takes on all these questions and more in this episode of Life Issues.

How do you lose labels that others put on you, or perhaps even the labels we put on ourselves? Particularly when those labels tell you that you’ll never amount to anything? Rob Parsons OBE looks back on his life’s journey in this week’s Life Issues to share how he overcame discouraging words spoken over him one step at a time.

[Originally broadcast the week of 30th October 2023] We can often be made to feel like we have to choose between faith and science? But what if we don’t? What if science can actually prove God? Steph Bevan from God and the Big Bang joins Helen Lea for this week’s Life Issues conversation.

Throughout history, the Bible has been used as a weapon to subjugate and oppress, to validate attitudes and positions of power that fly in the face of the example of Jesus’ life.  Well, the Word of God is like a two-edged sword, but Who are we supposed to deploy it against? And what are the risks if it is used wrongly?

Paul explores more, in this week’s Life Issues  Weaponising the Bible with Revd Dr Helen Paynter.

[Originally broadcast the week of 4th March 2019] If Jesus is for everyone, why is church often a place where society’s misfits can also feel marginalised? And even if all are welcome, how do we create a space where all are made to feel safe? Paul Hammond is joined by Sean Stillman, aka ‘God’s Biker’, to share about a church that is often a mix of an AA meeting and a casualty department in this week’s Life Issues.

Sex, pornography, relationships… how do you talk to your children about these challenging topics? And how do you even start a conversation if you feel like you don't have the knowledge? Joining Helen Lea to explore in this week's Life Issues are two people involved in running sex ed lessons in schools across the UK. Catherine Healey Chief Executive of ACET UK and Paul Semakula – ACET UK’s Schools Worker and Training Co-ordinator for London and the South.

[Originally broadcast the week of 19th May 2019]

Are we so concerned with seeing people saying a ‘big yes’ to Jesus that we’re missing celebrating the smaller steps on the journey to faith? Reverend Mark Greenwood joins Paul Hammond to share of the value of the ‘little yes’ and ‘healthy maybe’ in this week’s Life Issues.

[Originally broadcast the week of 11th March 2019]

Searching for new delicious recipes and interested in sharing them with others? Tune in to Vicky Gibbens’ Life Issues with Eve Balshaw, contributor to a beautiful book called ‘Simply Eat- Everyday stories of friendship, food and faith’.

[Originally broadcast the week of 13th October 2023]

Most of us at some point have felt the panic of indecision – so how do we make good decisions, how do we make God decisions, and how can we make sure it’s a good call, let alone the right call.  This week’s Life Issues Heads of tails: How do you make a good decision?

How do we live out what it means to be known, seen and loved by God, and what kind of life does it lead to? Helen invited Richard Porter, author of The Adventure-Driven Life in this week’s episode to share his perspective as a Vietnam war veteran turned hippie who became a follower of Jesus.