Too often a youth group is seen as an essential for raising Christian kids. Plenty of people have 'big youth group' as top of their list for choosing a church. Others leave a good church to find a better youth group. This is putting the cart before the horse.

Former Premier Bob Carr says both New South Wales and Australia risk having a charter of rights that will curb religious freedom unless churches and other groups stand up and express their views.

I hate the term 'asylum seeker'. In the 1970s, asylum seekers were smart-suited Soviet spies walking off planes at Heathrow and pampered Eastern bloc athletes and ballerinas going AWOL in America.

When I gather for church, it's different. I need to understand what I'm hearing. I haven't gathered for a mere emotional experience. I've gathered to engage with God in the fellowship of others. We're there to meet God in his word. So, we need to understand the meaning of every utterance.

Governor-General Quentin Bryce joined over 400 people yesterday at a prayer service for Australian defence and police personnel deployed in the some of the world's worst trouble spots.

How strange is the death of one of God's people.

Lisa Bevere is at the forefront of a movement to redefine femininity as a strong force, within biblical guidelines. The instinct to nurture is an example of a God-given female quality that Bevere calls us to express and celebrate.

Join Archbishop Peter Jensen in a weekly online Bible Study series on The Essential Jesus (the gospel of Luke).