Pod of the Gaps

19/08/2025

Episode 96 - Can We Make Britain Christian Again (Live from Cedarwood Festival Festival)

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wkop
Apple: https://bit.ly/3JD52BU
Spotify: https://bit.ly/45Ud0iO
SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/4mxFBjV

As modern Britain is mired in confusion over its multicultural identity, growing Islamisation, and moral decline, surprising numbers of people are re-looking to Christianity as the country's foundation.

But is Britain a Christian nation? Was it ever a Christian nation? What makes (or breaks) a Christian nation? What can churches and individuals do to work towards the Christianisation of Britain today? Is it a helpful term ... or a hindrance?

In this special episode of Pod of the Gaps recorded live at the 2025 Cedarwood Festival, Aaron and Andy discuss these questions alongside special guest David Stretton-Downes, followed by a Q&A with the audience.

04/08/2025

Episode 95 - Evangelism: Overcoming Fear and Fatigue (with special guest Mark Greenwood)

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wkop
Apple: https://bit.ly/4legL7j
Spotify: https://bit.ly/4m1AYyo
SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/4okcnWV

Why do many Christians today lose heart for evangelism? Are we fatigued by negative responses? Are we fearful of stepping outside our comfort zone? Do we overcomplicate it by listening too much to the "wisdom" of this world?

In this special live episode recorded at Cedarwood Festival, Andy and Aaron are joined by Rev. Mark Greenwood, evangelism director for Elim Pentecostal Churches, to wrestle through these questions. Mark shares some of his testimony, how it continues to inspire his approach to evangelism today, and how we can think through the challenges of evangelism on a more practical level.

Why do many Christians today lose heart for evangelism? Are we fatigued by negative responses? Are we fearful of stepping outside our comfort zone? Do we overcomplicate it by listening too much to the

15/07/2025

Episode 94 - Evangelism: Building Bridges or Breaking Barriers?

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wkop
Apple: https://bit.ly/3GLl4IX
Spotify: https://bit.ly/4nOPf2x
SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/44xWTad

When it comes to evangelism, a surprising number of Christians find themselves fearful, lethargic, confused, and out of their depth. We can find it hard to make clear connections to the Gospel, or to see the light of Christian truth in relation to the everyday interests of strangers and neighbours alike.

Is this due primarily to a lack of conversational wisdom or a lack of spiritual boldness? Andy and Aaron both spoke on the different sides of this "coin" at the 2025 Cedarwood Festival. They reflect here that what may appear to be opposing perspectives can actually be complementary, challenging us to overcome cowardice whilst making the best use of our witness, ever mindful of what God can do even in the midst of our most feeble efforts.

12/07/2025

We are at Cedarwood Festival! — Andy Bannister and Aaron Edwards will be recording a live episode here tomorrow.

10/07/2025

Episode 93 - Does the Sabbath Still Matter?

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wkop
Apple: https://bit.ly/45YgWQd
Spotify: https://bit.ly/408P8Vv
SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/3TzD3oC

What’s so special about the Sabbath? Many modern Christians don’t quite know what to do with it, and often end up practising elements of it inconsistently—or avoiding it altogether. But whatever we do (or don’t do) will have wider consequences somewhere down the line.

Should Christians keep a day dedicated to rest “unto the Lord”? What does that look like? Where does modern Sabbath-keeping (or Sabbath avoidance) go wrong? What are the wider societal implications of Sabbath-keeping within a nation? And how can families and churches navigate the challenge of hectic, chaotic work schedules—and show the world a different way, rooted in peace and faith in the Lord?

Andy and Aaron dig into these questions, reflect on some of their recent travels (some more “Sabbath-like” than others!), and explore what a thoughtful approach to Sabbath might look like today.

And get your Pod of the Gaps mug here — www.etsy.com/shop/CaitsCraftyCornerUK — courtesy of Andy's 12 year-old-daughter, Caitriona! Every mug bought helps keep Pod of the Gaps going :-)

01/07/2025

We have our first Pod of the Gaps merch! Andy's amazing 12 year old daughter Caitriona has set up an Etsy shop and created a mug for us. Every one sold will help support the podcast. Check it out at ...

This Mugs item is sold by CaitsCraftyCornerUK. Dispatched from United Kingdom. Listed on 30 Jun, 2025

16/05/2025

Episode 92 - How Should Christians Engage With Other Religions?

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wkop
Apple: https://bit.ly/43yrVxV
Spotify: https://bit.ly/4dlOetZ
SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/4dpztqc

Today’s culture celebrates tolerance of other faiths, but for Christians, engaging neighbours of different religions while opposing what they believe can be tough. How do we do this robustly, truthfully, and lovingly? Aaron and Andy dive into this complex issue, share personal stories—including Aaron’s recent visit to Iraq—and discuss how Christians can build meaningful bridges to those of other beliefs as a pathway to Christ. Much depends, of course, on why such bridges are built—and how much we expect them to carry.

Today’s culture celebrates tolerance of other faiths, but for Christians, engaging neighbours of different religions while opposing what they believe can be tough. How do we do this robustly, truthful

22/03/2025

Episode 91 - Can the government tell you how to educate your children?

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wkop
Apple: https://bit.ly/4kR0ZjS
Spotify: https://bit.ly/4kMvkzX
SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/4kTFXRF

As the UK government continues to float the "Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill" through parliament, it could have a significant impact on the freedom of Christians to homeschool their children in future. While some aspects of the bill will seem like common sense, others raise red flags over government intrusiveness into families, signalling the thin end of the wedge towards effective state control over home education.

In this episode Andy and Aaron discuss numerous questions surrounding this. What right does the government have to speak into the education of your children? What is statism, and why is it especially dangerous in a secular climate? Why is bureaucracy a particular danger in education legislation? What strategies can Christians employ to challenge state incursions with both winsomeness and integrity?

28/02/2025

Episode 90 - The AI Revolution: Utopia or Dystopia?

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wkop
Apple: https://bit.ly/43fK6sL
Spotify: https://bit.ly/3QCjHh6
SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/3XnAPuJ

The advances in AI have skyrocketed, with more and more people beginning to make use of it in everyday life. In time, AI will have a monumental effect on society at virtually every level. As such, questions about the ethics and theology of artificial intelligence. are no longer speculative, but are right here on our doorstep.

How should Christians respond? What positives are there in AI? Where can it help relieve unnecessary burdens? Where are the increasing dangers too? As AI gets smarter, do we get dumber?

How do think theologically about AI? How does sin factor into AI? If we create AI in the image of sinful humans, are we unleashing something capable of ever greater destruction? Could AI become "self-aware" at some point? If so, how would we categorise it? Is AI capable of "good" or "bad" moral actions?

Questions truly do abound! We address many of them, and more, in this jam-packed episode of Pod of the Gaps!

fans

The advances in AI have skyrocketed, with more and more people beginning to make use of it in everyday life. In time, AI will have a monumental effect on society at virtually every level. As such, que

02/02/2025

Episode 89 - Entrepreneurs, Pioneers, and the Church

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wkop
Apple: https://bit.ly/40VAsK2
Spotify: https://bit.ly/410aOEd
SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/4gr342u

The history of humanity is replete with examples of trailblazers able to think outside the box, disrupt existing conventions, pioneer new ways of thinking, and advance into new territory. We might think of great geniuses of the past like Thomas Edison, or perhaps the more recent technological pioneers like Steve Jobs or Elon Musk. Such people have often had the ability to lead and advance with extraordinary creativity, conviction, and courage, and have achieved significant things.

Why are there now so few of these kinds of leaders in the Church? Does the pioneer's aggressive and disruptive approach to convention inevitably jar with Christian virtues like humility, love, and sacrifice? Or is it rather that we have excluded entrepreneurial courage, creativity, and confrontation from Christian values? Does our fear of the abuse of power end up stifling the necessary freedom of pioneer leadership?

Are we often in danger of overplaying Christ's servant-hearted qualities at the expense of his aggressive and confrontational decision-making? How might church leaders encourage more business entrepreneurs in the Church to succeed and advance the kingdom in a wholly Christlike manner?

The history of humanity is replete with examples of trailblazers able to think outside the box, disrupt existing conventions, pioneer new ways of thinking, and advance into new territory. We might thi

04/01/2025

Episode 88 - Six Challenges for the Church in 2025

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wkop
Apple: https://bit.ly/4202chN
Spotify: https://bit.ly/3W6ns1t
SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/4fMoS8q

Pod of the Gaps returns for another year, kicking off with our annual New Year live-reveal of Aaron and Andy's six key challenges for the Church in the year ahead (three each!) as we seek to meet this cultural moment wisely and faithfully in light of the Word of God. As always, if you care about the direction of the Church in the challenging times ahead, you'll want to listen to this one!

Pod of the Gaps returns for another year, kicking off with our annual New Year live-reveal of Aaron and Andy's six key challenges for the Church in the year ahead (three each!) as we seek to meet this

20/12/2024

Episode 87 - The Twelve Things of Christmas

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wkop
Apple: https://bit.ly/3ZPlnb8
Spotify: https://bit.ly/404rLgf
SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/3VN7DMW

Christmas comes but once a year, but over the years we each tend to build up a collection of favourite and not-so-favourite parts of it. In this special festive episode, Aaron and Andy each reveal their best and worst from the ghosts of Christmas past, from six categories including everything from movies to traditions to carols to evangelism, and more!

They also talk through once again why Christmas truly matters, and why and how evangelicals really should make the most of this unique time of year to be joyful, generous, and bold in proclaiming Christ and living out the message of Christmas in our lives, trappings and all.

Christmas comes but once a year, but over the years we each tend to build up a collection of favourite and not-so-favourite parts of it. In this special festive episode, Aaron and Andy each reveal the