What's New Articles and pages that have changed or been published within the last month, listed by website section/sub-section.
Dates shown are the page last modified date
- Council prayer ban “outrageous” and “undemocratic”
 February 10
The ban on Bideford council saying prayers before their meetings is “outrageous” and “undemocratic”, the Alliance’s advocacy director has said. In a high court ruling on Friday (10 February), Mr Justice Ouseley said Bideford Town Council in Devon had no statutory powers to hold prayers before council meetings as it has been doing for years.
| - HOPE launches resources for Big Jubilee Lunch February 6
To mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne, HOPE has announced a range of free resources which churches can use in their communities as they celebrate the Diamond Jubilee with a Big Jubilee Lunch on 3 June. On 6 February in 1952 the Queen was in Kenya when her father George VI died and she became sovereign.
| - Hundreds bid farewell to John Stott – a radical disciple January 26
Hundreds packed out St Paul’s Cathedral in the heart of the city of London on Friday to celebrate the life of John Stott – one of the 20th century’s leading evangelical thinkers – who died in July, aged 90. Staff from the Evangelical Alliance, including General Director Steve Clifford, were among 2,000 people who joined Rev Stott’s closest friends and colleagues, as well as the Archbishops of Canterbury and York and the Bishop of London, at the memorial service.
| - Bishop’s amendment defeats government’s £26k benefit cap plans January 25
Church of England bishops were among those who voted against government plans to put a £26,000 cap on the amount of benefits UK adults can receive. On Monday, the House of Lords voted on the plans, which would limit the amount of benefits available to £500 a week for families, or £350 for childless single-adult homes
| - Gather: the conference – are you coming? January 24
There are a growing number of unity movements that have been formed in towns and cities across the UK over the last few years. Founded on prayer and friendship among leaders and churches they are resulting in some very exciting mission initiatives. Gather is a collaboration of these movements and in February its first-ever conference will be held in Derbyshire.
| - Marriage Week 2012: A chance to champion marriage January 20
We all know that even strong marriages need encouragement from time to time. Marriage Week UK is a week to celebrate marriage and help couples build stronger, healthier relationships for the whole year round.
This year Marriage Week takes place from 7-14 February. The Evangelical Alliance is part of Marriage Week along with many other charities that care about marriage. This annual event is a great opportunity to help couples in your church and community celebrate marriage.
| - The UK Church: Big shots, wimps or just humble servants? January 16
Recent comments by American pastor and author Mark Driscoll regarding the state of Britain’s church leaders in a Christianity magazine interview have spawned a barrage of protests, but also a few defenders, from Christians on this side of the pond. To get to the heart of the debate, we asked two British pastors to answer this question: Do we really need more well-known, influential Bible teachers in Britain?
| - Take the Biblefresh survey and win Amazon vouchers January 11
The Biblefresh year has been fantastic. But what needs to happen next to ensure the Church continues to increase its passion for the Bible? If you’ve been involved in Biblefresh we’d love to hear from you…and you could win a £25 Amazon voucher. All you have to do is complete a short survey.
| - Persecution of Nigerian Christians set to worsen January 11
Christian human rights groups have called for prayer in response to the wave of violent attacks on Nigerian Christians over the Christmas period for the second year running. The Islamist militia Boko Haram was responsible for the attacks on churches which occurred on Christmas day, killing 40 people. They were also behind further attacks in northern states on 4-5 January and more attacks on churches on 8 January, bringing the total number of deaths to 54.
|
The beautiful game February 10
As Capello moves out and the Redknapp looks set to move into the hot seat of English football, our national game has never been so vilified.
| Isles of Wonder February 3
As the six-month countdown to the Olympic & Paralympic Games began, the artistic director Danny Boyle revealed the theme of the opening ceremony.
| Trusting God in turbulent times January 26
To some the sea is a challenge to overcome. To others, a dangerous enemy.
| Gasping for justice January 20
After Stephen Lawrence was murdered his parents faced a valley of institutional failing and disregard, ranging from a press that initially didn’t bother to report on their son’s death to a police force that didn’t bother to investigate effectively.
| Sound of 2012 January 13
2012 has only just begun and I already love its sound. Last week, the soulful young singer/songwriter Michael Kiwanuka received the prestigious Sound of 2012 accolade, topping the BBC list of the most exciting emerging artists.
|
Culture Footprint: Phil Schluter February 7
Phil Schluter runs a family coffee business founded in 1858, which specialises in African coffees. The enterprise trades in a socially responsible and ethical manner. Phil grew up in Kenya, did most of his education in the UK, lived in Switzerland for 16 years, and has been in Liverpool since 2009. He is married to Helen, and they have four kids under the age of seven – Luc, Jasmine, Gabriel and Josselin.
| Culture Footprint: Bridget Adams January 24
Bridget Adams started her working life as a physicist in university and government laboratories before moving into the high-tech business sector where she worked in sales, marketing, management, and consultancy. Bridget now works to help start, develop and network Christian-run businesses, and runs WorkPlace Inspired. Business as Mission is one of her passions.
|
Mayor of London hands £1.3 million to Girls Brigade and other charities to make London safer February 6
Five leaders and 14 young women from Girls’ Brigade groups were at the Merton Sea Cadet base in Mitcham for the launch of YOU (Youth Organisations Uniform) Matter, a programme managed by the Safer London Foundation.
| Pastor Shi Enhao’s release: new hope for Christians in China? February 6
The early release of Pastor Shi Enhao, pastor of a church in Jiangsu province and deputy chairman of the Chinese House Church Alliance, on 20 January was well welcomed albeit unexpected. China Aid had positioned his case as number three on its list of 2011’s ‘Top 10 cases of Persecution of Churches and Christians in China’.
| Cameron honours Church Army Evangelist’s contribution to ‘Big Society’ January 31
Prime Minister David Cameron praised the social impact that Church Army evangelist Jeff Hill has had on the Oxfordshire community through the numerous projects he has established in the area.
| Offering an alternative to the ‘lad’s mag’ January 30
A Christian men’s magazine is breaking into the mainstream, presenting an alternative to the ‘lad’s mags’ on offer on shop shelves around the country. Sorted magazine’s research showed that men are not just looking for pictures of half-naked women and want relevant, informative magazines that won’t patronise them or objectify women.
| Christianity alive and kicking in London’s universities January 23
The Alliance's Krish Kandiah will discuss some well-known films as part of the London-wide university mission taking place from 23 January.
| Row For Freedom: world record holders January 23
The all-female crew on board ‘The Guardian’ smashed two world records on 22 January – the first five-woman team to row any ocean and the fastest crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by an all-female team.
|
| The Alliance in the Media |
The Alliance in the Press and Media February 10
Our spokespeople take part in press, radio and television interviews on various subjects, in response to requests from media or as a result of our press releases.
|
Road to Scottish independence? January 19
The debate over Scottish independence became UK national news as Prime Minister David Cameron entered head first into the debate, muddying the waters over a future referendum on independence.
| A lucrative return? January 19
The Northern Ireland Executive has just completed a consultation on the Social Investment Fund. To quote the document, the “high level aim of the Fund is to reduce poverty, unemployment and physical deterioration in areas through….partnership with communities”. The Fund has a budget of £80 million.
| Protecting free speech and public order January 19
The Home Office has concluded a consultation on police powers to promote and maintain public order. A change in the law may follow.
| Gimme shelter January 19
The new year brought good news to the homeless people of Swansea, with churches opening their doors to provide accommodation in January and February. The local media and the BBC picked up on this, giving ample coverage to the venture.
| Counting the cost of alcohol January 19
Research published by the Methodist, Baptist and United Reformed Churches just before Christmas showed that over 60 per cent of people believed excessive drinking caused problems near their homes.
| Defamation of religion January 19
A resolution combating religious intolerance and eliminating all forms of intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief was adopted unanimously by the United Nations in December.
|
Slipstream January 26
Slipstream: Leaders - In - Formation. A platform for information on hot topics and will inspire leaders of all ages.
|
Everything 2012 January 25
The Everything conference aims to equip Christians to do their thing to the glory of God.
|
An interview with Bazil Meade January 26
Bazil Meade is the founder and director of the London Community Gospel Choir. Born in Montserrat in the Carribean, he moved to England as a boy. His recent biography, A Boy, A Journey, A Dream: The story of Bazil Meade and the London Community Gospel Choir, gives a picture of his story from childhood to directing the choir which now travels around the world. In this interview he talks about his book and the story behind the choir.
| Church committees: How to get the best from them January 25
Practically every church has at least one committee or something similar. However, mention the “C” word and many church leaders experience a sinking feeling inside accompanied by renewed conviction that there are far more important things than sitting in boring often frustrating meetings!
|
| 21st Century Evangelicals |
|
|
|
|
Share
EAUK.org
