Author, speaker and activist Brian Mclaren drops in for a wide-ranging conversation with our editor Sam Hailes. The pair discuss a range of theological, political and social issues, including the environment, Trump and the relationship between grace and good works. For more information about Brian see brianmclaren.net For a free sample copy of the latest issue visit premierchristianity.com/freesample  

The bestselling evangelical author Philip Yancey is coming to the UK this September for a tour with The Leprosy Mission. In this interview he talks about his writing process, reading habits and why he doesn’t own a smartphone. For Yancey, recent debates among Christians over the Trump presidency are a distraction from what really matters. “I believe our mission is to create pioneer settlements of the Kingdom of God,” he says. “We’re supposed to be presenting a united front that demonstrates...

Long-time listeners of the Premier Christianity podcast will no doubt have fond memories of our former cultural commentator and all-round funny guy Martin Saunders. Well, he’s back this week with a brand new book The Man You’re Made To Be (SPCK). In this episode, Martin talks to Sam Hailes about banter, Twitter, mental health, Jesus, (not) watching women’s football and the Swedish method of Bible reading.

Vicky Walker has spent years researching Christian perspectives on sex and relationships. She dropped into the Premier Christianity offices to chat to our editor Sam Hailes about the results, which are detailed in her new book Relatable. Their conversation covers everything from gender stereotypes to dating apps and singleness to robot brothels. Is the dominant Christian view of marriage influenced more by present culture than the Bible? Are the stories we hear about finding a Christian...

Matt Redman drops in to the Premier Christianity offices to chat about his involvement in Thy Kingdom Come, the Archbishop of Canterbury's call for Christians to pray for their friends to come to know Christ between Ascension and Pentecost. In his chat with Sam Hailes, the worship leader also reveals which worship leaders and preachers he's most inspired by, and explains the significance of making public declarations of praise in public places such as Times Square, New York City and Trafalgar...

What if doubt doesn't have to be the enemy of faith? Lisa Gungor and Nick Page join Sam Hailes to discuss the unexpected benefits of pulling apart and re-examining your beliefs on this week's edition of the podcast. 'Deconstructing faith' is our cover story this month and the article features a variety of voices on doubt, questioning and what happens when church just doesn't make sense anymore. We also hear from Joshua Harris about why he regrets writing his bestselling Christian book I...

The bewildered founder of 24-7 prayer, Pete Greig drops in for a chat with our editor Sam Hailes. The two discuss how to pray about Brexit, the wealth of different ways to pray and why Pete Greig believes revival has already begun in the United Kingdom. "Every single historical, theological and biblical marker - you can tick the box," he says. "We're seeing a massive increase in prayer - and that's always where revival begins, we're seeing extraordinary increase in Christian unity and almost...

When Jackie Hill Perry utters the words "I used to be a lesbian", she knows a backlash is coming. "When someone comes out saying: 'Hey, I used to be gay,' they are slaughtered, they are called bigoted," she says. In this interview, the author of Gay Girl Good God responds to her critics and shares the story of how God turned her life around.  You can also read this interview in the latest issue of Premier Christianity. Subscribe for HALF PRICE at premierchristianity.com/subscribe

Christians know self-control is important. But why is it so difficult? How can we train ourselves to be more disciplined and form better habits? And what's the key to keeping those New Year's Resolutions? Drew Dyck delves into all these questions (and more) in his new book Your future self will thank you: Secrets to self-control from the Bible and brain science. In this interview with Premier Christianity's Sam Hailes, Drew unpacks the surprising results of his research and gives practical...

A new documentary is exploring reconciliation in Northern Ireland from the perspective of Christians who lost loved ones during The Troubles. The Kickstarter-funded Guardians of the Flame film was inspired by Lord Rabbi Sacks' words: "Religion is like fire and like fire it warms, but it also burns. We are the guardians of the flame." In this episode Premier Christianity's editor Sam Hailes talks to the film's producer and presenter Jonny Clark about justice, forgiveness and the complicated...

Everyone's favourite bearded worship leader chats with Sam Hailes about his new album I Know a Ghost. You can also read this interview in the forthcoming edition of Premier Christianity magazine. Subscribe for half price here  

After years spent in a Pakistani prison awaiting a death sentence for the crime of blasphemy, Asia Bibi is finally free. James Mildred joins Premier Christianity's editor Sam Hailes to discuss this story, plus two other significant religious freedom cases which have dominated headlines in recent weeks. Plus, the writer of this month's cover story on '5 Hebrew words every Christian should know', Melissa Briggs explains how the ancient language revolutionised her walk with God.  Get 12 issues...

The son of the world's most famous evangelist, the late Billy Graham visited Blackpool last month and saw hundreds make commitments to Christ. Premier's head of news Marcus Jones was at Franklin Graham's Festival of Hope and shares his reflections not only on the event, but on his recent interviews with this somewhat controversial leader. Plus, as Elfed Godding finishes his 19 year stint heading up the Evangelical Alliance in Wales, we talk to him about the highs and lows of his ministry thus...

16 months ago the popular Christian author and blogger Adrian Warnock was diagnosed with a slow growing form of blood cancer. In this candid interview, Adrian opens up about how his faith has been tested since receiving the news, what he thinks about healing and why he believes every Christian must prepare for times of suffering.  Plus, the Christian musician and singer-songwriter Paul Bell subjects himself to a barrage of silly questions as part of our new series of 'Quick Fire!'...

Does the Bible teach predestination? How can we best reach out to our Muslim friends? Why does God seem so violent in the Old Testament? These are just a few of the many questions hurled at three Christian speakers in a live Q&A during Refuel Festival in the Highlands of Scotland. Premier Christianity's Sam Hailes was there and recorded the hour-long conversation. Hear it in full on this special edition of the podcast. For more on Andy Bannister visit andybannister.net. For Bruxy...

On this week's show Rachel Held Evans introduces her new book on the Bible, responds to the claim she's "the most polarising woman in evangelicalism" and explains the strengths of writing as a layperson, rather than an academic. Rachel, who grew up in America's Bible Belt, believes Christians need to stop treating biblical interpretation as a "zero sum game where there are winners and losers", instead opting to view scripture as "a conversation starter".  In the second part of today's show,...

Who is Jordan B. Peterson and why is he attracting such a huge audience? Justin Brierley met the man himself and reports back on his first impressions of the Canadian psychologist who is taking the world by storm. Plus our deputy editor Megan Cornwell explains how the Pope's comments on divorce and communion are causing a stir in the Vatican. Finally, Sam Hailes meets worship leader Tom Eccleshall to discuss KXC's debut worship album, which was part funded by Spotify! Get a FREE copy of our...

Rob Bell has gone from being a megachurch pastor to talking about Ecclesiastes in LA's comedy clubs.  In one sense nothing has changed. In another sense everything has. There's a "massive world of people who are spiritually hungry", he says, "but they can't stomach the Christian packaging they've encountered around Jesus".  Enter: the new Rob Bell. Few would consider him part of the Christian mainstream. Yet he's reaching a new audience with an ancient message.  In this interview with...

The founder of Soul Survivor drops in this week to explain the full story behind Soul Survivor's shock announcement that their summer festivals will end after 2019. Mike goes into detail on how this decision came about and says he's confident that other Christian organisations will fill the gap and run their own future events. Commenting on the state of youth work today, he suggests although much hasn't changed, youth leaders do need to have hard conversations about sexual ethics with their...

Societal attitudes to women have changed drastically in recent years. Does the Church need to change too? Editor Sam Hailes and our new deputy editor Megan Cornwell talk to Katie Harrison about her cover story 'A Woman's Place'. Plus, Rob Parsons explains why he's written his latest column on avoiding "divisive Christians".   To request a FREE edition of Premier Christiantiy magazine visit premierchristianity.com/freesample  

Sam Hailes is joined by the editor of Youth and Children's Work magazine Ruth Jackson to discuss Soul Survivor's shock announcement that their events will finish in 2019. Plus Luke and Anna Hellebronth drop in to discuss Worship Central's new project Stir A Passion. Follow YCW on Twitter @ycwmag and Worship Central @worshipcentral To request a FREE edition of Premier Christiantiy magazine visit premierchristianity.com/freesample Hear more interviews with leading Christians on The...

In this wide-ranging conversation with Premier Christianity's editor Sam Hailes, the much loved speaker, sociologist and author Tony Campolo argues Christians need to drop the 'evangelical' label. He also comments on the new film Leaving My Father's Faith - a documentary about how his son left Christianity. The former spiritual advisor to Bill Clinton also reveals why he has a problem with much of today's worship music and claims that contrary to popular belief, the Bible doesn't teach that...

1 in 4 people in the UK experience a common mental health problem. But is the Church as welcoming toward those struggling with mental ill health as it should be? Speaking ahead of Mental Health Awareness week, Claire Musters gives her view. Plus, Heather Tomlinson introduces us to Identity Politics and assesses whether Christians should get involved in it. Finally, our editor Sam Hailes talks to the popular Christian band Kings Kaleidoscope about why they've dropped 'The F Bomb' in one of...

Sam Hailes introduces a special edition of the Premier Christianity magazine podcast which this month features Justin Brierley’s documentary: Billy Graham: A life well lived. To request our special Billy Graham tribute edition of the magazine visit premierchristianity.com/freesample