Search results for: 'lay'
A Very Brief History of SPCK’s Charitable Work
Our Fundraising Assistant Catriona Brickel reflects on the values that led to the creation of SPCK, and how those values are still what drive us today. ...
- Emma Collins
- 4 Aug 2020
Black theology as a resource for transformative ministry
Is God Colour-Blind? by Anthony G. Reddie has been recently revised and updated for 2020. This new edition contains a new afterword on why Black Lives Matter. In this blog post you will find a extract taken from the introduction of the book. It is here that Anthony explains how this book can be used by Christian ministers and those in lay ...
- Emma Collins
- 7 Apr 2020
Escapism Reads for Uncertain Times
In these uncertain times being able to immerse yourself in a good book can be a welcome escape. In this blog post you will find book suggestions from our fiction imprint: Marylebone ...
- Laura Barry
- 2 Mar 2026
Why People Still Come to Church: Voices from Southern Africa
The Most Revd Dr Thabo Makgoba shares reflections from Southern Africa on why people still come to church—highlighting worship, community, resilience and faith in the midst of ...
- Laura Barry
- 14 Jul 2025
5 Inspiring Books for Your Faith Journey
Explore 5 inspiring books to help you grow in faith, build spiritual habits, and navigate life’s big questions with ...
- authise authise
- 8 Jun 2019
God is Great Collage - Children's Art Week 2019
To celebrate Children's Art Week 2019, we're sharing this great activity from The Prayer Experiment Notebook on creating a 'God is Great' collage. Tweet your child's finished collage to us at @SPCKPublishing for your chance to win a stack of our children's ...
- Emma Collins
- 28 Oct 2019
Religion and GM Technology
In this extract from Has Science Killed God? Professor John Bryant discusses GM technology and the religious attitudes towards this ...
- Emma Collins
- 20 Nov 2019
Does Richard Dawkins even agree with himself?
In his latest book Outgrowing God, Richard Dawkins tries to show that all religious belief is intellectually nonsensical and thus highly damaging in practice. In this extract from Rupert Shortt's rebuttal, Outgrowing Dawkins, Rupert presents his argument for why he thinks Dawkins's focus has not always been on ...
- Emma Collins
- 14 Feb 2020
Your Own Call Less Ordinary
What next after university? In this extract from Rich Wilson's A Call Less Ordinary he shares his experience of coming to the end of his time at university and how it was around this time that he became aware of God's ...
Reflections on the end of the Great War
On Remembrance Sunday, Alan Billings shares his ...
Sylvia Green's Tips for Reducing Food Waste
Sylvia Green has been a children’s author for many years. Her books include several ‘Christmas animal’ books published by Scholastic. We’re Hungry Too is her first picture book for SPCK. It is a full colour picture book with a fun story that encourages children to learn about caring for the natural world and ...
Joseph and the Bully Boys
Fiona Veitch Smith is on our blog for Anti Bullying Week. Why do people bully and what can be done to address it? ...
- Emma Collins
- 8 Sept 2020
Our first response needs to be silence - a reflection from Fr Laurence Freeman
'The pandemic has reminded us of our inherent solidarity as a human family. It has also exposed the forces at work – like bad government, greedy money-makers and the obscene gulf between rich and poor - that demand correction or punishment'. Fr Laurence Freeman reflects on the effects of Covid-19. This reflection was originally ...
- Emma Collins
- 2 Nov 2020
The Art of Remembering, an extract for All Souls' Day 2020
With outdoor services, prayer walks, and light displays, All Souls' Day will look very different this year. Commemorating the faithfully departed can be an emotional time for many. Young people in particular can have a difficult time with bereavement. Whether they have lost a family member or friend, there are often little reminders of their lost ...
- Laura Barry
- 29 Jul 2025
A New Editor for Theology Journal
SPCK announces the appointment of George Pattison as the new editor of Theology journal, ushering in a new chapter for one of the world's leading platforms for accessible, peer-reviewed Christian ...
Helping the Helper
10 September is World Suicide Prevention Day.
When one person intervenes and saves another from suicide, the support can go to the person who wanted to end their life. More care and attention must go to the helper. Here, Tim Cantopher blogs about helping someone who has prevented another person’s ...
How We Use Our Profits
SPCK has been publishing Christian books for over three hundred years – in fact, it’s the third oldest publishing house still operating in the UK! So it won’t be too surprising if you’ve come across our books before, or only know us as a ...
- authise authise
- 26 Mar 2019
Terry Waite on prison reform and rehabilitation - part 2
Terry Waite is an Anglican humanitarian and author. In the 1980s, he worked as the Archbishop of Canterbury’s special envoy, travelling to the Middle East and negotiating the release of hostages, when he himself was taken as a hostage. Since his release from captivity he has worked extensively with prisoners and is a supporter of SPCK’s ...
- Emma Collins
- 24 Jun 2020
Vocation isn't just about ordained ministry
What do you think of when you hear the word 'vocation'? Many think of routes into ordination or authorized lay ministry. Vocation is much more than that as John Pritchard explains here in this adapted extract from his new book Handbook of Christian ...
- Emma Collins
- 24 Nov 2020
Thoughtful Gifts for Her
If you’re unsure what to buy your wife, girlfriend, sister, mother, or daughter, then look no further as we suggest some gift ideas to help you find that perfect ...
Ruth Clemence's Top 5 SPCK Reads of 2018
Blogger and book reviewer Ruth Clemence has read many of our books over the last year. We’ve asked her to pick her ...
- Laura Barry
- 26 Oct 2022
God In Number 10 - Book Launch
Tonight is the book launch of our timely release, God in Number 10 by Mark Vickers, which sheds new light on the relevance of the personal beliefs, approaches and faith - or lack of it - of those leading the country from Number ...
- Catherine Reynolds
- 8 Jun 2018
Long Story Short: Why We're Living
Happiness. Safety. Significance. Three things society tells us we’re living for, but what do they all ...
Books that can change your life
Books are an invaluable source of power. They can teach you many things, show you different perspectives and in turn shape who you are along the way.
We have selected a number of books that will shape your thinking and, possibly, change your ...
- Laura Barry
- 3 Aug 2023
SPCK Authors at Creation Fest!
Join SPCK Authors Sarah Yardley and Hope Virgo at Creation Fest on the 3rd to the 6th of ...
- Emma Collins
- 1 Dec 2020
Christmas Gift Ideas for Him
If you're in need of some inspiration for a book to gift him this Christmas, let us help you find that perfect read with our Christmas Gift Ideas for ...
- Laura Barry
- 6 Sept 2022
Made to Rise Event - Exploring mental health and transformational faith
Register for our Made to Rise free event on September 22nd where we will discuss mental health and transformational faith with SPCK authors Pastor Mick Fleming, John-Paul Flintoff and ...
- Laura Barry
- 16 Jan 2023
Blue Monday Week: Save 10% on Mental Health Resources
Banish January Blues and save 10% this Blue Monday Week on inspirational and uplifting Mental Health Resources. ...
- Laura Barry
- 29 Jan 2024
The Best Self-Help Books to Brighten Your January
Looking for best self-care books to support your mental health? Here, we round up our top ten books about mental health, anxiety, depression, stress, and personal growth. ...
International Day of Peace - Sean Stillman finds peace on the road
For International Day of Peace, Sean Stillman ...
- authise authise
- 12 Apr 2019
Very Brief Histories Event
The Very Brief History series is a collection of short, accessible introductions on histories, legacies, and movements that have shaped the world written by industry experts. Our event on Saturday features four speakers uncovering the lives of Thomas More, Immanuel Kant, Byzantine Christianity, and Julian of Norwich.
...
- authise authise
- 13 May 2019
Mindfulness, Spirituality & Mental Health Awareness Week
Tim Stead, former Vicar, mindfulness teacher and author of See, Love, Be – Mindfulness and the spiritual life writes for Mental Health Awareness ...
- authise authise
- 5 Sept 2019
Church Communications and the 'four Ms'
What are church communications? and why is it important that churches adapt their communications to their own culture and context? In this extract from Mark Crosby's So Everyone Can Hear he explains the importance of the communication process and why the 'four Ms' provide the basis for the 'what' and 'why' of church ...
- Emma Collins
- 10 Jul 2020
Love Means Love: Same-sex Relationships and the Bible
Last month saw the publication of Love Means Love by David Runcorn. Prior to publication we sent out review copies of the book to a number of individuals who we thought would be interested in reading it. In this blog post you will find a review from Emma, a supporter of the Campaign for Equal Marriage in the Church of England. She tells us what it ...
- Emma Collins
- 17 Nov 2020
What to buy your minister this Christmas
In this blog post you will find a selection of gift ideas for vicars, pastors, and those training in ministry. Whether they are expanding their church’s online presence, are involved with the Living in Love and Faith developments, or looking for ways that their church can be fully inclusive, these books will nourish leaders and help them to ...
- Laura Barry
- 4 Oct 2021
SPCK Group Press Release 4 October 2021
The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (SPCK) and the Catholic Bible School today announces the merger of the Catholic Bible School into SPCK’s range of publishing and ministry activities, strengthening further SPCK’s offering to the Roman Catholic ...








