Recent Barna research reveals that only one in four single moms attends church weekly, the steepest drop among women in recent years. The finding raises an uncomfortable question: Are churches truly heeding the biblical command to care for the vulnerable in their midst?

When Joie Van Holstyn became a single mom of two boys through foster care and adoption in 2019, her church attendance quickly spiraled. 

“It was really hard at first,” she said. “We had pretty rough attendance the first two years—it was so much work to get out of the house. And I just felt out of place as a single mom.”

For women like Van Holstyn, the barriers start with logistics—juggling work hours, transportation, and the chaos of getting kids ready alone. But the emotional weight can be heavier still. Many feel judged, pitied, or simply invisible in congregations that assume families include a husband.

A friend eventually confronted Van Holstyn about her sporadic attendance. Convicted, she committed to going every week, even when her children squirmed through the small rural church’s service.

Read it all.

'“It was really hard at first,” she said. “We had pretty rough attendance the first two years—it was so much work to get out of the house. And I just felt out of place as a single mom.”

For women like Van Holstyn, the barriers start with logistics—juggling work hours,…

— Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) November 19, 2025

35 year old Paris, originally from Iran, moved to England two years ago with her husband on a student visa. Here she explains how her life has changed since stepping into Christ Church in Freemantle, Southampton.

“When my baby was 40 days old and had cried the whole night from colic, I was exhausted and in a very bad state.  I put her in a baby carrier and walked the streets and found myself staring into a school yard for no reason. Somebody asked me to move on and respect their space. That was so embarrassing for me, and I stepped aside.  

As I walked on, I saw the door of Christ Church was open, I went in, and a kind lady invited me to have a warm cup of tea.  A few minutes later, another kind woman, came and told me she was the priest of the church.    

At that time, I didn’t even know what a priest was. I could see she was speaking kindly to me, even though my English language was bad.  She told me she knew my country, and she knew Iranian people locally. Suddenly I realised after months of being alone during pregnancy and after birth, with my language getting worse every day, I was talking with someone again.

Read it all.

"I’ve never left a Sunday service without feeling lighter and better inside.": "I’ve never left a Sunday service without feeling lighter and better inside."

As an exhausted… https://t.co/YaoK8zAP1o #MentalHealth #CommunitySupport #ParentingJourney #SundayService #FaithAndHope pic.twitter.com/KdYERrivZt

— Rev. Lion David Greene (@greene345) November 15, 2025

Almighty God, by whose grace thy servant Elizabeth of Hungary recognized and honored Jesus in the poor of this world: Grant that we, following her example, may with love and gladness serve those in any need or trouble, in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Today, 17th November, is the feast of St Elizabeth of Hungary, Franciscan tertiary renowned for her love for the poor. Her spiritual director wrote that "she was a lifelong friend of the poor and gave herself entirely to relieving the hungry. She ordered that one of her castles… pic.twitter.com/CIu8wobvRc

— Fr Lawrence Lew, O.P. (@LawrenceOP) November 17, 2025

O Lord, who hast taught us that we can only be forgiven, as we ourselves forgive: Help us ever to bear in mind our continued shortcomings, our manifold transgressions; that as we remember the injuries which we have suffered and never merited, we may also remember the kindnesses which we have received and never earned, the punishments which we have deserved and never suffered; and therewith may render thanks to thee for thine unfailing mercies, and the mercies of our fellowmen; for thy name’s sake.

—Daily Prayer, Eric Milner-White and G. W. Briggs, eds. (London: Penguin Books 1959 edition of the 1941 original)

The Isle of Dogs and Canary Wharf beyond, lighting up the heavy rain-filled clouds from Greenwich early this morning… @WeatherAisling @ChrisPage90 @SallyWeather @StormHour @metoffice #loveukweather @PanoPhotos @MetroUK pic.twitter.com/Lnp0I4SnDS

— WalkingTractor (@TractorWalking) November 19, 2025

As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed.

When they came to Caper′na-um, the collectors of the half-shekel tax went up to Peter and said, “Does not your teacher pay the tax?” He said, “Yes.” And when he came home, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their sons or from others?” And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook, and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel; take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.”

–Matthew 17:22-27

Each sunrise is proof that no matter what happened yesterday, today can be different. pic.twitter.com/kdIaFpUkpl

— Darius Aniunas (@dariusaniunas) November 19, 2025

I believe that a quiet revolution is under way. At the School of Contemplative Life, we host twice-weekly online meditation gatherings, following an ancient practice of the early Christian desert contemplatives. No music; a few words; then meditation practice.

These gatherings have quickly become host to the largest online Christian meditation community in the UK. Many who join are not churchgoers. Some would not call themselves religious, and yet they are drawn to silence. They recognise the wisdom and healing to be found in this simple, ancient way of prayer.

In a preliminary study with the University of Derby, 87 per cent of the participants said that, since practising in this group, they felt a deeper connection with God; 83 per cent said that their lives were more aligned with their values; and 76 per cent reported greater inner peace. As one person put it, “Peace now feels tangible, and possible, and present — not just an idealistic goal.”

In an age of distraction, division, and digital noise, people are not turning away from spirituality, but seeking ways to explore and nurture it; and yet, in their efforts to attract people, some churches look to the marketplace — slogans, sleek branding, artisan coffee — rather than what is under their noses.

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In an age of distraction and noise, Christian meditation can meet people’s thirst for spirituality, says Chris Whittington @SchoolofCLife #meditation #christianmeditation #spirituality #contemplation https://t.co/FCz19DVxlO

— Church Times (@ChurchTimes) November 11, 2025

Chinese financial institutions have lent more than $200 billion to the United States over the past 25 years — more than they have advanced to any other country — as part of a vast global spending spree to take control of Western companies working on sensitive technologies, according to new research released Tuesday.

China discloses very little about the operations of its state-owned banks and asset managers.

But AidData, a research lab at William & Mary University in Williamsburg, Virginia, reported what it called an “unexpected and counterintuitive” finding: Between 2000 and 2023, Chinese financial institutions backed 2,500 projects — including gas pipelines and airport terminals — in almost every U.S. state.

Read it all.

Chinese lenders have extended more than $200 billion to the U.S. over the past 25 years as part of a vast global spending spree to take control of Western companies working on sensitive technologies, according to new research. https://t.co/b6eB9c2Oix

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) November 18, 2025

O God of peace, by whose grace the abbess Hilda was endowed with gifts of justice, prudence, and strength to rule as a wise mother over the nuns and monks of her household: Raise up these gifts in us, that we, following her example and prayers, might build up one another in love to the benefit of thy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Today is the feast of St Hilda, Abbess of Whitby (d.680). 'So great was her wisdom that even kings & princes sought her counsel', says Bede. pic.twitter.com/SkNZ74rDCv

— Eleanor Parker (@ClerkofOxford) November 17, 2016

Grant, O Lord, that as thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ prayed for his enemies on the cross, so we may have grace to forgive those that wrongfully or scornfully use us; that we ourselves may be able to receive thy forgiveness; though the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband; and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.” And he who sat upon the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the fountain of the water of life without payment. He who conquers shall have this heritage, and I will be his God and he shall be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, as for murderers, fornicators, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their lot shall be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death.”

–Revelation 21:1-8

“To state the matter carefully: ACNA is in profound trouble, and I do not think that the people in charge of ACNA see how much trouble we are in,” Anglican Diocese of South Carolina Canon Theologian Kendall Harmon wrote to his diocesan standing committee on October 29 in a letter widely circulated across the ACNA. Harmon, a senior clergyman who served multiple tours as a deputy to Episcopal General Convention when his diocese was within the Episcopal Church, has a reputation as a reserved introvert and judicious thinker not prone to rash pronouncement….

A hearing panel convened by the Dean of the Province (Dobbs) will evaluate the presentment to determine if it meets the criteria to move forward to a trial.

Harmon is among those stressing that the complaints against Wood are not the extent of the crisis.

“I appreciate the college of Bishops starting to do the right thing, even though it’s late but they need to realize that,” Harmon told IRD. “We need a process we can trust. Communication and transparency need to be vastly improved, and quickly. Both the [Diocese of the Upper Midwest Bishop Stuart] Ruch fiasco and this mess are but symptoms. What does that tell you about the disease?”

Read it all.

As Archbishop Steve Wood is suspended by the senior-most bishops of @The_ACNA. Some are stressing that complaints against Wood are not the extent of a crisis of trust. https://t.co/Mffu3ORkE1

— Jeff Walton (@jeffreyhwalton) November 17, 2025

Statement of the Most Reverend Ray Sutton

Dear Brother Bishops:

Given the unprecedented dynamics of the current moment, I have come to see that it is unwise for me to continue carrying the multiple roles and weighty responsibilities of serving as Dean of the Province, as well as Presiding Bishop of the Reformed Episcopal Church and Bishop Ordinary of the Diocese of Mid-America. I am, for example, undergoing serious recurrence of the back issues that had led to my needing spinal fusion surgery. Therefore, in my capacity assuming the archbishop’s responsibilities I have appointed Bishop Julian Dobbs to become the Dean. I am resigning as Dean of the Province, a position in which I have served for 11 years.

I want also to provide clarity regarding a matter that has been raised in connection with the

Presentment made against Archbishop Stephen Wood. I previously denied that I took part in a

conversation about the appointment of a bishop-friendly Board of Inquiry. My intent was to express that I could not recall such a conversation ever taking place, and I apologize for stating that incorrectly. My commitment has always been to an objective and independent process of inquiry. I seek to speak truthfully and conduct myself in a manner that reflects integrity in Christ. Thank you or your love, support, and prayers. I am grateful, humbled, and honored to have been able to serve

you.

In Christ,

+Ray

Appointment of the New Dean of the Province

With the acceptance of Bishop Sutton’s resignation and following the consultation and unanimous affirmation of the College, I have been appointed as Dean of the Province. I receive this responsibility with sincere humility and with deep dependence on the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and I bid your prayers for wisdom, steadfastness, and faithfulness in this season.

Inhibition of Archbishop Stephen Wood

Following a Presentment received by the College of Bishops, and with the written consent of the five active senior diocesan bishops of the College (excluding the Archbishop and the Dean), determined by date of admission, I inhibited Archbishop Stephen D. Wood from the exercise of ordained ministry in the Anglican Church in North America, in accordance with the canons of our Church, on Sunday, November 16.

Read it all.

Abp. Wood's inhibition has taken place with the consent of the five active senior diocesan bishops: pic.twitter.com/FcnaGfX0Y0

— Arlie Coles (@ArlieColes) November 17, 2025

Additionally, Gross alleged in his affidavit that shortly after Wood’s election as archbishop, he grew “obsessive” about a possible presentment against him. Gross wrote that he’d heard a “credible report” of Wood and the denomination’s previous dean, Bishop Ray Sutton, having a conversation in which they were “floating the possibility” of a “bishop-friendly” Board of Inquiry, the church body that determines whether a presentment warrants an ecclesiastical trial.

When The Post first reported that allegation on Nov. 7, Sutton gave a statement “firmly” denying that “any such conversation ever occurred.” But on Saturday, Sutton resigned as dean, and in a statement he walked back his denial: “My intent was to express that I could not recall such a conversation ever taking place, and I apologize for stating that incorrectly.”

Aside from the allegations against Wood, the denomination’s priests and parishioners also are upset about how the accusations entered the public domain. Priests and former staff at Wood’s church in South Carolina who wrote the presentment said they initially sought the endorsements of numerous bishops. The denomination requires that presentments be signed and sworn to by either three bishops or a mix of 10 parishioners and priests.

Their presentment was ultimately offered to four bishops, but they turned the South Carolina group down. Chip Edgar, the bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina, wrote a letter Thursday to parishioners disclosing his early involvement and saying he supports the presentment and its authors.

“I acknowledge it didn’t always seem like I did — I’ve apologized to them and sought their forgiveness, which they have generously given — but I do,” Edgar wrote.

Read it all.

The archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America, who is facing allegations of sexual misconduct against two women, was suspended from his duties leading the 16-year-old denomination.https://t.co/MbLlKdbouB

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) November 17, 2025

On Friday with our clergy, and then briefly on Saturday with the whole Synod, I shared that I am one of the bishops identified by The Washington Post who was initially approached but did not read the presentment regarding Archbishop Steve Wood. I have communicated this to several bishops, including two senior bishops in the College, to our diocesan Standing Committee, and, as of yesterday, to the entire College of Bishops.

When I was approached this spring by Bishop Chip Edgar of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina (ADOSC) and later by one of the clergy complainants from the same diocese, I made the decision not to read the complaint. The information given to me at the time was verbal and limited. I understood there to be a group of complainants with experiences dating back many years connected to St. Andrew’s Church in Mt. Pleasant, SC, along with a more recent allegation from a woman staff member involving an unwanted advance but not physical contact. This is what I believed I was responding to.

Read it all.

Remorseful Bp. Warner calls for Archbishop Wood’s Inhibition https://t.co/nnjBhes5CB via @Anglican Ink © 2025

— George Conger (@GeorgeConger8) November 17, 2025

Holy God, who didst endow thy servant Hugh of Lincoln with wise and cheerful boldness, and taught him to commend the discipline of holy life to kings and princes: Grant that we also, rejoicing in the Good News of thy mercy, and fearing nothing but the loss of thee, may be bold to speak the truth in love, in the name of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

St Hugh of #Lincoln (feast day today, d. 1200), with his tame swan of Stow. Richard I said: If all bishops were like this one, no king would dare to lift up his head against them. pic.twitter.com/LOKd7ggii4

— Louise J. Wilkinson (@MedievalFemina) November 17, 2017

O Lord and Father, to whom alone the debtors in ten thousand talents can come with hope of mercy: Have mercy upon us, O Lord, who have aught to repay; forgive us all the debt, forgive us all our sins, and make us merciful to others; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain apart. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Eli’jah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is well that we are here; if you wish, I will make three booths here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Eli’jah.” He was still speaking, when lo, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces, and were filled with awe. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

–Matthew 17:1-8

Heavenly Father,
you long for the world’s salvation:
by Your Spirit stir us from apathy,
restrain us from excess
and revive in us new hope
that all creation will one day be healed
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen (slightly edited;KSH).

Sometimes I really feel the limits of photography. I always try to get an image to convey a mood as much as a view, but I wish you could have stood alongside me here, to smell the damp, rich earth on this lane, to hear the gentle patter of leaves drifting down, and to feel the… pic.twitter.com/q3yAIjs6Vp

— peaklass (@peaklass1) November 16, 2025

When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in great numbers. And he expounded the matter to them from morning till evening, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the law of Moses and from the prophets.

–Acts 28:23

The Apostle Paul – portrait by Rembrandt pic.twitter.com/GqLZlt6qRA

— Tsambikos (Titos Titos) (@tsambikos65) June 29, 2023

(Received by email this morning; KSH) To:  The  Anglican Diocese of South Carolina
 

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Yesterday, Bishop Edgar sent a letter to the clergy of our Diocese expressing his support for those who brought a Presentment against Archbishop Steve Wood. Bishop Edgar also sent a letter to the College of Bishops. urging the senior bishops tasked with calling for an inhibition of the Archbishop to do so.

We, the Standing Committee of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina, stand with our Bishop in full support of the victims [of an ungodly and deeply dysfunctional process and allegedly of misbehaviour delineated in the presentment]. We, too, urge the College of Bishops to inhibit Archbishop Wood. While he has placed himself on a leave of absence, such leave can be ended at his discretion. An inhibition—though not a statement of guilt or innocence—protects the integrity of the inquiry and ensures that the process needed to seek the truth can proceed without interference.

Some have asked what the Standing Committee has done so far and what our next steps will be. Below is a summary of our actions:

What the ADOSC Standing Committee Has Done

1. Tuesday, November 4: In executive session with Bishop Edgar, Canon Jim Lewis, and our Diocesan Chancellor, Ben Hagood, we reviewed the allegations in the Presentment and heard from Bishop Edgar regarding his role in the process. Together, we affirmed our commitment to support the victims in every way possible.
2. During the Clergy Retreat, Bishop Edgar addressed the clergy directly. Because our lay members on the Standing Committee were not present for that conversation, on Thursday, November 13, we met by Zoom to bring all members—clergy and lay—up to date on these matters.

Agreed-upon Next Steps

1. Next week: We will meet with the ADOSC clergy involved in the Presentment, to hear firsthand how we can best support them.
2. To the Diocese: We issued this letter to express our unified support for our Bishop and for the victims [of an ungodly and deeply dysfunctional process and allegedly of misbehaviour delineated in the presentment].
3. To the College of Bishops: We will be sending a letter urging them to correct the false narrative that has circulated regarding the victims, and to not only inhibit Archbishop Wood but to issue a godly admonition.

We ask you to keep all who are involved in your prayers—especially the [alleged] victims, those caring for them, and all who bear responsibility for leadership and discernment in this difficult moment.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all,
The Standing Committee of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina

The Rev. Mary Ellen Doran, President
The Rev. Jeremy Shelton, Vice-President
The Rev. Jamie Sosnowski
The Rev. Corey Prescott
The Rev. Bill Clarkson
Mrs. Lindsay Dew
Mrs. Shirley Wiggins
Mr. Robert Kunes
Mr. Ben Dixon
Mr. Terry Jenkins
Mr. Bobby Kilgo

The Latest Edition of the #Anglican Diocese of #SouthCarolina Enewsletter https://t.co/rkmkTXtE32 #parishmninistry #communication #faith pic.twitter.com/WNcxbnlLzk

— Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) January 21, 2025

Holy God, we bless thy Name for Herman, joyful north star of Christ’s Church, who came from Russia to bring the Good News of Christ’s love to thy native people in Alaska, to defend them from oppressors and to proclaim the Gospel of peace; and we pray that we may follow his example in proclaiming the Gospel; through the same Jesus Christ, who with thee and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, one God, throughout all ages. Amen.

St. Herman the Wonderworker of Alaska ☦️ pic.twitter.com/vImYtIhfRH

— Angelina Serbska ☦️ (@Angelina_Lina8) February 7, 2025

O God, the Lord and leader of the hosts of the blessed: Instruct us in the spiritual warfare; arm us against all foes visible and invisible; subdue unto us our own rebellious affections; and give us daily victory in the following of him who vanquished sin and death, and now goeth forth with us conquering and to conquer, even thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ.

—Daily Prayer, Eric Milner-White and G. W. Briggs, eds. (London: Penguin Books 1959 edition of the 1941 original)

Beinn Odhar and Glen Coralan #Scotland #Kinglass #Argyll https://t.co/q4OpqFtyzD pic.twitter.com/RS7eoAGt19

— Damian Shields (@DamianShields1) November 14, 2025

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me; for you are not on the side of God, but of men.”

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life? For the Son of man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay every man for what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.”

–Matthew 16:21-28

Words don't describe what its like to stand under this.

Tuesday night. Manvel, North Dakota. pic.twitter.com/hiMSc0WxJG

— Kyle J Gillett (@wxkylegillett) November 14, 2025

Eternal God, who didst bless thy servant Samuel Seabury with the gift of perseverance to renew the Anglican inheritance in North America; Grant that, joined together in unity with our bishops and nourished by thy holy Sacraments, we may proclaim the Gospel of redemption with apostolic zeal; through Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Today the Church of England commemorates Samuel Seabury, first Anglican Bishop in North America, 1796 https://t.co/at4cgh92Ja

Image: Portrait (1785) by Ralph Earl, in the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution (CC0); bequest of Lispenard Seabury Crocker pic.twitter.com/l8kK9PIdP1

— The Anglican Church in St Petersburg (@anglicanspb) November 14, 2023

O God, give me strength to live another day.  Let me not turn coward before its difficulties or prove recreant to its duties.  Let me not lose faith in my fellow men.  Keep me sweet and sound of heart, in spite of ingratitude, treachery, or meanness.  Preserve me from minding little stings or giving them.  Help me to keep my heart clean, and to live so honestly and fearlessly that no outward failure can dishearten me or take away the joy of conscious integrity.  Open wide the eyes of my soul that I may see good in all things.  Grant me this day some new vision of thy truth, inspire me with the spirit of joy and gladness, and make me the cup of strength to suffering souls; in the name of the strong Deliverer, our only Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

–Robert W. Rodenmayer, ed., The Pastor’s Prayerbook: Selected and arranged for various occasions (New York: Oxford University Press, 1960)

Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems; and he has a name inscribed which no one knows but himself. He is clad in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, followed him on white horses. From his mouth issues a sharp sword with which to smite the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron; he will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name inscribed, King of kings and Lord of lords.

–Revelation 19:11-16

Read it all.

Bp Chip Edgar of ACNA's Diocese of South Carolina writes: "The frequent charge, heard from the highest levels in the ACNA, that the complainants had gone to the press [first] is not true. … I’ve asked the College for a unified, public apology for these disparaging statements." https://t.co/YjJKIoYVHx pic.twitter.com/fflutyYSj1

— Arlie Coles (@ArlieColes) November 13, 2025

If we wish to appropriate the wisdom of Charles Simeon as theorist on expository preaching, we must first make clear to ourselves what we mean when we speak of expository preaching. This is necessary because the word expository has often been used in a restricted sense to denote simply a sermon preached from a long text. Thus, Andrew Blackwood wrote: “An expository sermon here means one that grows out of a Bible passage longer than two or three verses . . . an expository sermon means a textual treatment of a fairly long passage.”² He went on to suggest that young pastors should preach such sermons “perhaps once a month”³ and to give hints on the problems of technique they involve.

Without suggesting that Blackwood’s usage is inadmissible for any purpose, I must discuss it as too narrow for our present purpose—if only because it would exclude all but a handful of Charles Simeon’s sermons (his texts, you see, are far too short!). We shall find it better to define “expository” preaching in terms, not of the length of the text, but of the preacher’s approach to it, and to say something like this: expository preaching is the preaching of the man who knows Holy Scripture to be the living Word of the living God, and who desires only that it should be free to speak its own message to sinful men and women; who therefore preaches from a text, and in preaching labors, as the Puritans would say, to “open” it, or, in Simeon’s phrase, to “bring out of the text what is there”; whose whole aim in preaching is to show his hearers what the text is saying to them about God and about themselves, and to lead them into what Barth called “the strange new world within the Bible” in order that they may be met by him who is the Lord of that world.

The practice of expository preaching thus presupposes the biblical and evangelical account of the relation of the written words of Scripture to the speaking God with whom we have to do. Defining the concept in this way, we may say that every sermon that Simeon preached was an expository sermon; and, surely, we may add that every sermon that we ourselves preach should be an expository sermon. What other sort of sermons, we may ask, is there room for in Christ’s church?

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‘He stood for many years alone, he was long opposed, ridiculed, shunned, his doctrines were misrepresented, his little peculiarities of voice and manner were satirized, disturbances were frequently raised in his church or he was a person not taken into account, nor considered in the light of a regular clergyman in the church.’

-–as quoted in William Carus, Memoirs of the Life of the Rev. Charles Simeon (New York: Robert Carter, 1848), p.39