A new chapter in digital ministry is beginning at Christ Church Sowerby Bridge, as our weekly sermon podcast starts reaching listeners far beyond our local community — including across the Atlantic!
What began as a simple idea to make our Sunday sermons available to those unable to attend church has quickly become an exciting new venture, helping Christ Church share its message of faith, hope and encouragement with a growing audience.
Our podcast, Sunday at Christ Church Sowerby Bridge, features sermons recorded live during our Sunday morning services, giving people the opportunity to listen again, reflect on the message or discover Christ Church for the very first time.
And although the podcast is still in its early days, we’re already celebrating our first milestone!
Spotify has recently recognised the podcast with a 50 Plays Award, and perhaps even more surprisingly, 59.4% of our Spotify listens have come from the United States of America!
It’s a wonderful reminder that a message shared in a parish church in West Yorkshire can now be heard thousands of miles away.
Reaching Our Community in a New Way
For Christ Church, the podcast is about much more than listening figures. It’s another way of making church accessible, reaching beyond the building and connecting with people wherever they may be.
Peter Henry, who helps oversee the church’s digital communications and online ministry, explained:
“This is a completely new venture for us, and it’s exciting to see where it’s already taking us. At Christ Church, we’ve always believed that being a parish church means being there for our whole community, not just those who come through our doors on a Sunday morning.
“The podcast gives us another way to do that. Whether someone is unable to attend church, is curious about faith, or simply wants to revisit something they’ve heard during a service, they can now listen at a time and place that suits them.
“What has really surprised me is discovering that almost 60% of our listeners on Spotify are in America! To think that a sermon delivered here in Sowerby Bridge is being heard on the other side of the Atlantic is quite remarkable.
“We’re still learning, and there’s so much more we’d like to do, but this isn’t about becoming famous or attracting thousands of followers. It’s about reaching people, building connections and sharing the Christian message in ways that fit into modern life. If something said in one of our sermons helps just one person, then it’s all worthwhile.”
Church Beyond Sunday Morning
The podcast builds upon Christ Church’s commitment to making worship and church life accessible to as many people as possible.
Alongside our regular livestreamed Sunday services on Facebook and YouTube, the podcast provides another opportunity to stay connected with the life and teaching of the church.
Unlike a livestream, which people may feel they need to watch at a particular time, a podcast can be enjoyed while travelling, walking, doing household jobs or simply relaxing at home.
Each episode offers an opportunity to reflect on Christian faith and its relevance to the challenges, questions and experiences of everyday life.
Recent sermons have explored themes including generosity, forgiveness, faith, fairness, gratitude and the power of the words we use.
Building Connections Across the World
As the podcast continues to develop, we’re also exploring opportunities to connect with other churches and Christian podcast creators, both here in the UK and overseas.
By sharing ideas, supporting one another and developing new relationships, we hope to introduce more people to the life and work of Christ Church while learning from the experiences of others.
For a church with a long history at the heart of Sowerby Bridge, it’s an exciting opportunity to combine centuries of Christian tradition with the possibilities offered by modern technology.
And as we celebrate 500 years of Christian presence in Sowerby Bridge during 2026, perhaps there is something particularly fitting about finding new ways to share that same message of faith with future generations.
Have You Listened Yet?
Whether you’re a regular member of our congregation, someone who has moved away from Sowerby Bridge, or someone discovering Christ Church for the first time, we’d love you to join our growing listening community.
You can find our podcast by searching for Sunday at Christ Church Sowerby Bridge on your favourite podcast platform, including:
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Amazon Music
YouTube
You can also find out more about our church, services and activities at www.christchurchsb.org.uk.
And if you enjoy listening, please consider following the podcast and sharing an episode with a friend or family member. Every listen and every share helps us reach someone new.
From a Sunday morning sermon in Sowerby Bridge to listeners around the world — who knows where the message might travel next?
