The Roots for Churches podcast

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 s...

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...

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 churc...

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 yo...

From a talk at the Intergenerate '26 conference, this episode explores Roots’ Bread & Wine research into making communion accessible and invitational for the whole church.

Melanie Cave shares findings, practical case studies (toddler services, multilingual parishes, youth-led reflections, outdoor and care-home eucharists), and adaptable prayers and choreography to help churches include children, people with dementia, neur...

Melanie Cave interviews Martin Shaw, exploring the profound role of storytelling, myth, and wilderness in our spiritual growth. We explore the importanceof stories in church life, personal initiation, and cultural identity, unpacking how stories shape our understanding of God, community, and ourselves, and advocating for a more untidy, questioning approach to faith and spirituality.

Keywords

storytelling, myth, spirituality, Christ...

Show Notes:

A concise collection of excerpts from the Children’s Ministry Network Conference (March 2026) on how churches and children’s ministries can respond to a changing, multicultural UK. Melanie Cave introduces the theme, followed by Dr Israel Olofinjana on intercultural theology, Dr Phoebe Owen on identity, and Nathaniel Jennings on intercultural discipleship.

Listeners will hear theological foundations, real-lif...

Melanie Cave speaks with Charnelle Barclay from the Centre for Theology and Community about reimagining evangelism as a call to justice and holistic transformation. Charnelle explains how community organising—listening deeply, empowering agency, building relational power, and addressing root causes—connects faith with practical action, examples include a local safety campaign and a food-share project that drew people in...

Today’s episode explores hosting youth ministry and intergenerational small groups in homes — the theology, hospitality and practical safeguarding. Melanie Cave talks with Dr Sam Richards and David Howell about the history of guidance pre- and during COVID, how homes can be holy and formative spaces, and the practical steps churches need (risk assessments, transparent accountability, and intergenerational thinking).&nbs...

This episode explores the rise of weight-loss injections and the sharp increase in eating disorders since the pandemic, including concerns like bigorexia and the impact on young people. Guests Di Archer and Cherry Dakin from Taste Life UK share lived experience, recovery work, and practical youth resources.

Hosts discuss how churches can respond with compassion, spot warning signs, offer safe spaces, and access training and courses...

Melanie Cave interviews Sandy Brodine, an intergenerational ministry leader from Australia. They discuss Sandy's journey into ministry, the state of intergenerational practices in Australian churches, and the importance of shared meaning making in worship. Sandy shares insights on the dynamics of learning together, the role of discussion in faith formation, and the need for active learning in church settings. They also explore the ...

Melanie Cave and Sarah Edwards explore the often uncomfortable topic of money within the church context. They discuss the importance of addressing financial issues, the biblical principles surrounding money management, and the need for churches to create supportive environments for financial discussions. The conversation emphasizes the role of money in justice, the spiritual implications of financial decisions, and practical steps ...

Melanie Cave interviews Gemma Gillard of Truth Be Told about the power of storytelling and parables in church and community settings. They discuss why stories stick, how Jesus used parables, practical storytelling techniques, and the ways stories connect across generations and cultures.

Gemma shares examples of storytelling in schools, care homes, refugee groups, and Sunday services—and points listeners to Truth Be Told&rsquo...

Keywords

evangelism, music, faith, community, choirs, youth ministry, transformation, outreach, Soul Children, Chip Kendall

Summary

Melanie Cave and Chip Kendall explore the revitalization of evangelism in the UK, focusing on the role of music and choirs in sharing faith. Chip shares his journey from being a musician to founding Soul Children, a choir initiative aimed at engaging young people in faith through music. They discuss t...

Melanie Cave speaks with Jack Palmer-White about ChurchWorks, an initiative that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic to help local churches engage with their communities and collaborate with local government and the NHS. They discuss the importance of churches in providing community support, the Warm Welcome campaign, and the role of social prescribing in addressing mental health and loneliness. Jack shares insights on the evoluti...

Melanie Cave and Bob Goody discuss the significance of Agricultural Sundays and rural missions. Bob shares insights into the traditions of Plough Sunday, Rogation Sunday, and Lammas Sunday, emphasizing the importance of community, tradition, and mission in rural settings. Bob also highlights the challenges faced by rural churches and the innovative ways they are engaging with their communities.

Keywords

Rural Mission, Plough Sund...