A church without walls

In this poignant episode of 'Heart and Soul' on the BBC World Service, journalist John Offord documents the journey of Jane Codrington, a former Methodist pastor who left institutional religion to found 'We Are Church'—a community for those marginalized by traditional faith spaces. Set in Johannesburg, South Africa, the church meets in a school hall, Jane’s home, and even on city streets, embodying its ethos of being a 'church without walls.' Jane’s decision to walk away from the church was born out of deep disillusionment with hypocrisy, exclusion, and the lack of authenticity among religious leaders. Her embrace of LGBTQI+ inclusion, particularly in a region where same-sex relationships are criminalized, has cost her family and friends, yet she remains resolute in her belief that love and justice are central to Christian faith. The episode unfolds through intimate conversations with Jane, her husband Graham, and members like Vincent, a Ugandan refugee who fled persecution for his activism. Amid grief—Jane’s recent loss of her daughter Rebecca, who lived with HIV and neurodiversity—the community continues to embody radical inclusion, compassion, and presence in the face of suffering. Ultimately, the story is not about doctrine or buildings, but about creating sacred space for those who have been cast out.