Join Melanie Cave and Cameron Lee Hume as they explain how churches can host safe, welcoming solar-eclipse viewing events on August 12, 2026 — a rare opportunity visible across much of the UK. The episode covers practical safety tips, free Methodist resources (posters, planning guides, Canva materials), and ideas for using the eclipse as a gentle gateway to faith conversations.

Learn about the Methodist Day of Outreach, registration for local events, supporting tools like the Conversations Against Mundanity game and the On The Way course, and simple ways to turn a community sky-watching party into ongoing connections and discipleship opportunities.

Show Notes

Eclipse Watch Party Resources

https://www.methodist.org.uk/for-churches/evangelism-growth/practise-evangelism/day-of-outreach/

Conversations against Mundanity https://www.methodistpublishing.org.uk/books/9781858525242/conversations-against-mundanity

One the Way Course for https://www.methodist.org.uk/for-churches/evangelism-growth/discipleship-pathways-travelling-together/on-the-way/

Desensitising to rejection podcast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2hxCRbLAuU&feature=youtu.be

www.rootsforchurches.com

Melanie Cave interviews Anglican priest and family ministry consultant Gail Adcock about the theology and practice of play in church. They explore how play appears in scripture and Jesus’ interactions, the difference between being childlike and childish, and how play can be a spiritual discipline that fosters connection, emotional expression, and wonder.

The episode also covers practical ideas and barriers: sensory activities, storytelling, games and quizzes, intergenerational approaches, adapting church spaces, and leader training. Listeners are offered simple, tested ways to include play in gatherings and encouraged to trust the Spirit as play deepens faith and community.

Explore how play can transform church environments, making faith more accessible, participatory, and joyful for all ages. Gail Adcock shares practical and theological insights on weaving play into church life, discipleship, and intergenerational ministry.

highlights

Chapters

00:00 — Introduction: why play matters in church

00:32 — Meet Gail Adcock and the theme of play as a spiritual discipline 01:16 — Is there play in the Bible?

05:58 — Childish vs. childlike faith

10:24 — Why play helps adults learn

15:20 — Godly Play and open responses to scripture

20:28 — Holding structure and openness together

24:26 — Different kinds of play: stories, games, senses, and quizzes

29:23 — Bringing play into church buildings and traditional spaces

35:00 — Using games as a vehicle for deeper reflection

40:10 — Why theological training needs more play and interaction

44:43 — Adults play too: hobbies, Lego, and community

47:46 — Play, wellbeing, and church as a gathering place

50:26 — Final reflections: play more, embrace joy

Key takeaways

Play is not a distraction from faith formation — it can be a meaningful way to encounter God, ask questions, and build community. The episode argues that churches can become more welcoming and effective when they make room for play, reflection, and participation.

Resources

Roots for Churches: https://rootsforchurches.com

Gail Adcock’s article on the theology of play https://www.rootsontheweb.com/worship-and-learning-support/articles/playful-faith

Ministry Essentials Training https://childrensministrynetwork.org/ministry-essentials/

Melanie Cave speaks with Andy Frost of Share Jesus International about making evangelism less intimidating and more practical for churches. They explore starting small — prayer, telling brief personal stories, and ‘dropping the Frisbee’ into conversations — building church cultures of prayer, hosting accessible events, and supporting people to take their next steps in faith.

Andy shares practical ideas, encouragements for leaders, and resources to help congregations become more confident and authentic in sharing the good news.

Key Topics

Chapters

00:00 - Evangelism as an ultramarathon

Resources & Links

Melanie Cave speaks with Joy and Darren Stevens of Start to Stir about sharing faith with young people who are indifferent or exploring spirituality, manifesting, crystals or witchcraft. They outline a gentle, relationship-based approach: listening well, finding common ground, stirring spiritual curiosity, and pacing conversations over time rather than expecting one-off conversions.

The episode offers practical tips and resources for leaders and teens — simple questions to ask, how to handle church hurt and converstions about power-based spirituality, and tools like short Soul Stirrers videos to open ongoing faith conversations.

They explore new approaches to evangelism, understanding spiritual curiosity, and how to navigate conversations about spirituality and religion with authenticity and compassion.

Keywords

evangelism, faith sharing, spiritual curiosity, church outreach, youth ministry, Christian faith, cultural engagement, spiritual conversations, church hurt, spiritual longings

Key Topics

New approaches to evangelism in modern culture

Understanding spiritual curiosity among young people

Building trust and listening in faith conversations

Sound Bites

'Ask questions, listen, and find common ground.'

'Experience your soul in action.'

'Most of the spiritual growth is slow and steady.'

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to evangelism and personal backgrounds

03:52 Shifting perspectives on sharing faith

06:15 Understanding young people's indifference to faith

09:30 Building trust in faith conversations 1

2:45 Exploring spiritual Curiosity among youth

16:20 Navigating conversations with authenticity

20:10 Addressing church hurt and spiritual longings

24:00 Engaging in cultural conversations with compassion

28:15 Addressing power and witchcraft

31:06 Generational perspectives on spirituality

34:13 Navigating spiritual curiosity in youth

37:16 Equiping young people for faith conversations

41:24 Resources and training for churches

Show notes

www.starttostir.com

 @starttostir   @starttostir_de 

www.rootsforchurches.com

'Good Vibrations' Roots resource on mansifesting and spiritual energy (issue 145)

The 3D Gospel by Jason Georges 

In the next in our series on helping young people share faith, Melanie Cave interviews Jill Appleton of The Feast. They discuss how interfaith dialogue and the guidelines for respectful conversation can empower young people to share their faith confidently, build bridges between communities, and foster understanding in diverse societies. In these settings Christian teenagers become more confident in their Christian identity. Jill shares The Feast's Guidelines for Dialogue, how listening and respectful questioning differ from debate, and how these skills build friendship, resist radicalisation, and support faith conversations in diverse schools and communities. The episode also points listeners to practical resources and training for youth workers and schools to adopt dialogue-based approaches.

Keywords

interfaith dialogue, youth faith sharing, guidelines for dialogue, community building, faith education, evangelism, youth empowerment, religious diversity, Christian faith, social cohesion

Key Topics

The Feast's mission to foster interfaith dialogue among youth The importance of listening and asking good questions in faith conversations How dialogue differs from debate and its role in faith sharing The guidelines for respectful and honest dialogue Real-life stories of faith transformation through interfaith encounters

Sound Bites

'Listening is massively important in faith conversations.' 'The Feast helps young people become confident in their faith.' 'God works in our conversations and relationships.'

Chapters

00:00 Building Bridges Through Dialogue

06:07 The Art of Dialogue vs. Debate

11:27 Guidelines for Effective Conversations

16:47 Transformative Journeys of Faith

22:08 Recognizing and Countering Radicalization

26:22 Creating Safe Spaces for Dialogue

28:04 Transformative Encounters: A Personal Story

29:57 Faith Sharing in Diverse Settings

32:18 Building Confidence in Faith

34:57 Navigating Interfaith Relationships

36:39 The Role of Dialogue in Conflict Resolution

39:17 The Impact of Dialogue on Evangelism

44:11 Expanding the Feast: Global Reach and Resources

Show Notes

https://thefeast.org.uk/ Feast Resources: https://the-feast-youth-project.sumupstore.com/ www.rootsforchurches.com Discovering God: https://www.rootsontheweb.com/discover-roots/discovering-god

Imagine grandparents, grandchildren and whole families boarding a vintage train for the journey of a lifetime — meeting Jesus at every station through prayer, games, serving, learning and collaborative crafts. Together they eat, laugh, share stories of faith and explore Bible stories from Luke with simple spiritual practices that welcome every age.

Explore the innovative intergenerational holiday club 'A Journey of a Lifetime' with Roots' MD Melanie and writer Alison Hulse, focusing on faith, community, and spiritual practices that unite all ages in a shared journey of discipleship.

This ready-to-run holiday club helps churches bring generations together, adaptable for Sundays or midweek, with story-telling ideas, station activities, take-home reflections and safeguarding guidance so communities can grow in faith and relationship.

Melanie Cave talks with Jess Masters-Carrer about why Gen Z and Gen Alpha are increasingly drawn to sacramental spirituality and how churches can welcome and equip young people to share faith. They explore themes such as belonging before believing, the role of liturgy and ritual, embracing mystery, and practical mission approaches focused on invitation and relationship.

The episode offers practical ideas for youth workers and church leaders—creating safe spaces for questions, teaching liturgical language, using digital content to demystify worship, and building long-term discipleship—so young people can invite friends into sacramental traditions with confidence.

The spiritual climate is shifting and Gen Z and Gen Alpha are more open to the gospel than many expect. Melanie Cave interviews Aaron Routledge about why evangelism can feel awkward, how culture has changed, and why we need to move from scripted presentations to natural, curiosity-led conversations.

They explore practical steps (the Five B's), encouraging stories, and resources for churches and youth leaders to equip and release young people to share their faith with confidence and love.

Keywords

evangelism, youth ministry, faith sharing, relational evangelism, church youth, spiritual conversations, gospel, youth leadership, faith in action, church resources

Key Topics

Sound Bites

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Youth Evangelism

03:51 Aaron's Journey into Youth Work

06:28 Challenges of Evangelism for Christians

15:07Shifts in Evangelism Over the Years

17:56 Changing Worldviews Among Young People

20:55 The Importance of Relational Evangelism

23:41 Equipping Young People for Evangelism

26:20 The Five B's of Gospel Conversations

29:07 Preaching vs. Sharing the Gospel

34:41 The Power of Conversational Evangelism

36:58 Overcoming Barriers to Evangelism Training

39:07 Discipleship vs. Evangelism: Finding Balance

41:12 Creating a Culture of Gospel Conversations

42:56 Empowering Young People for Mission

45:44 Releasing vs. Retaining: A New Mindset

48:21 Resources for Youth Leaders

53:17 Encouraging Stories of Faith Sharing

Show Notes

The Charge https://www.message.org.uk/thecharge/ Amplify - The Young Evangelists Academy | United Kingdom https://www.amplifyacademy.co.uk/

Gospel Advancing Ministry - An Effective Youth Ministry Strategy https://www.dare2share.org/gospel-advancing/

Roots' article series on reimaginging evangelsim www.Rootsforchurches.com/worship-and-learning-support/articles/re-imagining-evangelism