Minister’s Letter (2026)
[2022 letters], [2023 letters], [2024 letters], [2025 letters]
Surge in Sales of the Best Book
When sorting through my books recently I came across a slim volume called The Young Church in Action, translated by JB Phillips, and subtitled The Acts of the Apostles in Modern English. An inscription says that it was awarded to me by Maresfield Parish Church in 1962, although I forget what for. That was the first time I had come across a portion of the Bible in modern English, but I do remember that I found it an easy, compelling read.
Now I have several different translations of the Bible on my shelves plus access to dozens more versions online. Tucked away are other Bibles which have been handed down through the family, some of which are no longer in useable condition. Recently I was asked what could be done with Bibles which are old, frail and no longer of use to anyone, other than throwing them away.
Through an internet search I found that in Judaism, Torah scrolls beyond repair are buried in a Jewish cemetery. The Catholic custom for disposing of Bibles and other blessed items is either by burning or by burial in a place where no one is likely to walk over them. I don’t know the Church of England’s view.
Hopefully a falling-apart Bible is a sign of it having been much used. Sadly, many people have Bibles on their shelves which are rarely opened and so are in pristine condition. However, it seems the Bible is now increasingly in demand. In 2025 sales of the Bible in the UK showed the highest increase since records began. Various reasons for this have been proposed. Have Christian social media influencers pointed people to the Word of God by making Scripture feel more relevant and engaging? Have events such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the mental health crisis made people look for deeper meaning in life? Evidently people in their teens and twenties are less likely to identify as atheists than their parents.
“The rebellious thing to do was to be an atheist and follow people like Richard Dawkins and the new atheism. Now, I think things are reversed. For the next generation it’s more interesting to be a Christian. They’re open to exploring that, rather than being automatically closed against it,” says the CEO of the publishing company SPCK (Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge).
The owner of St Andrews Christian bookshop in Great Missenden has been surprised by a new clientele of young men coming into the shop. He says, “Almost out of the blue something’s changed where people are turning to faith.” The upward surge in Bible sales in the UK is matched by growth in church attendance in England and Wales. A report published by the Bible Society in April 2025 indicates that the number of people attending church in England and Wales has risen by 50% since 2018. In 2018 only 4% of 18- to 24-year-olds said they attended church monthly, but in 2024 that number rose to 16%, the largest increase of any age group.
Why not join the trend? Dust off your Bible and get some notes*, in print or online, or join a study group to help you understand what is in it. Are the Bible’s ancient words still relevant to life today in an era of rapid change? You’d be welcome at a Church service to find out more.
At Sunday School we sang a chorus, which still rings true today.
‘The best book to read is the Bible.
If you read it every day, it will help you all the way.
O, the best book to read is the Bible.’
*For Bible reading notes, see for example,January
New Year, New Resolutions on Climate Change from COP30?
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time. Each year the United Nations host a climate summit called the Conference of the Parties (COP). World
leaders from 198 countries meet to tackle the problems of climate change. This year’s summit, COP30, was held in Belém, Brazil in November. Below are some responses from Christian organisations.
Jo Chamberlain, the Church of England’s National Environmental Policy Officer:
“As Christians, our faith tells us that creation is precious to God, yet it’s being damaged by human choices. We are called to love and protect God’s creation - a beautiful yet broken world made through and for Jesus. There is also an issue of justice. Those least responsible for the climate crisis are suffering the most from its effects. As God’s image-bearers, we are called to act with compassion towards our global sisters and brothers. To follow Jesus today means caring for both people and the planet God made.”
Sam Perriman, Tearfund’s Public Policy Lead:
“This year’s climate summit is a significant step in the right direction, even if the final agreement is a long way from what the world so desperately needs. The inclusion of a ‘just transition’ in the text is very welcome as we need to ensure that communities are supported with sustainable, dignified jobs and livelihoods as we shift to a green economy.
Disappointingly, wealthy nations have once again failed to stump up enough cash for climate finance, holding back communities living in poverty as they adapt to the impacts of climate breakdown.
The amount that has been promised falls far short of what is needed to help communities adapt to a more dangerous and less predictable climate. We call on leaders to ensure that justice is at the heart of climate action.”
Mariana Paoli, Christian Aid's Global Advocacy Lead:
“Brazil said this would be the 'COP of truth' – but the truth is, this was a disappointing outcome with only mild gains made in tackling the climate crisis. The elephant in the room was the lack of finance from rich countries to fund the energy transition away from fossil fuels and help vulnerable communities adapt to a climate crisis they have done nothing to create. This is why there is an increasing lack of trust in the process from poor countries. If rich nations had been willing to meet their finance obligations, a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels would have been on the cards. But, without the money, that became an impossible task.
“Overall, it feels like this year's summit was a missed opportunity for a COP taking place in the Amazon to step up and meet the climate challenge head on. Without a better vision for what is required, poor and vulnerable people will continue to suffer from a problem they didn't create.”
Bishop John Arnold, of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salford:
“The time has passed for scepticism or delay on climate change. We are already seeing its effects in this country and around the world – and they will only worsen. Pope Leo reminded the delegates at the start of the summit: ‘As stewards of God’s creation, we are called to act swiftly, with faith and prophecy, to protect the gift He entrusted to us. But we must be honest: it is not the agreement that is failing, we are failing in our response. What is failing is the political will of some.'
“I encourage people to pray that we become ever-more effective stewards of God’s creation.”