Cymru focus on mission
Julian Richards
Date posted: 1 Aug 2023
Nearly 400 church leaders and teams from across the denominations and networks in Wales recently gathered at Venue2 Swansea for the annual New Wine Cymru leaders conference.
In the light of the statistical and empirical evidence pointing to a significant spiritual openness in Wales and the UK, the conference theme was creating a Culture of Mission in the Local Church. Conference guest speakers were Paul Williams who is the Bible Societies CEO and research Professor of Marketplace Theology at Regents university Vancouver.
Joy at Co-Mission’s ‘Revive’
Adam Malooly writes: Praise God! 23–25
June was a fantastic weekend away as people
from 29 Co-Mission
churches
around
London gathered on a field in Canterbury
to worship, pray, learn from God’s word
and enjoy fellowship.
The occasion was the Co-Mission REVIVE
festival, with this being its 19th year running.
We were
so grateful
to have over 2,000
people come together at the University of
Kent. Being Christians
in our corners of
London sometimes leaves us feeling isolated,
so to be reminded of God’s goodness
in
growing His church here in London for His
glory was a real encouragement. The theme
of the weekend was ‘Faithful through the
Storm’. We reflected on this topic and heard
from our main speakers: Matt Fuller (Pastor,
Christ Church Mayfair), Ray Galea (Pastor, Fellowship Dubai) and Jack Sara (President,
Bethlehem Bible College).
Donna departs
Milla Ling-Davies
Date posted: 1 Aug 2023
Donna Jennings has stepped down as the Church and Mission Co-ordinator for the Evangelical Alliance in Northern Ireland. She is leaving to pursue a PHD with the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies.
In her role, Donna sought to equip the church in Northern Ireland to be strategic, creative and bold as they proclaimed the gospel. She served faithfully for four years as the world experienced the challenges of the pandemic, several global humanitarian refugee crises, and the cost-of-living crisis. She wrote several mission resources for the church during this time, including Walk, Pray, Talk a resource to encourage small groups and prayer walks. One church leader who used this said that it had catalysed their church into missional concern for the local area.
Keswick: ‘My life is now full of colour and meaning…’
Hélder Favorin
Date posted: 1 Aug 2023
Keswick speaker Hélder Favorin writes: Amalia, from Eastern Europe, shared these words: ‘I turned 20 recently and I cannot stop appreciating how full of colour and meaning my life has become. I feel secure and confident about my future. I’ve had anxiety attacks and even a few severe panic attacks; I couldn’t handle it alone. But because of my faith in Jesus, I have found peace and protection. He is my rock and I know that I can rely on Him in any situation.’(1)
Amalia’s honest testimony may feel like an oasis in the desert-like spiritual landscape of European youth, the most secularised, atheistic and agnostic demographic in the world. At the same time there might be many more oases – and even rivers of God’s activity among youth in Europe – than we realise. The tide keeps turning.
a Jewish Christian perspective
Let my people know
Joseph Steinberg
Date posted: 1 Aug 2023
When the Israelites were held as slaves in Egypt, God commanded Pharaoh, via Moses, to ‘Let my people go’ (Ex. 5:1). You may remember that the Israelites had not yet discovered God’s purpose for them as a people. All they knew was slavery and the desire to be set free.
What they later discovered at Sinai and in the giving of the law, was that they were a nation created by God with a purpose – to be lights to the other nations – so that the whole world will know God and be filled with His glory. Israel was born as a nation on the slopes of Mount Sinai at that first Shavuot (Pentecost) and they were commissioned to be a light to the nations.
Should we be ‘nice’?
Date posted: 1 Aug 2023
Dear Editor,
David Robertson (en March), poses the very relevant question of why many Christians today are so concerned about being ‘nice’. Robertson Biblically demonstrates the case at appropriate times, for preaching the gospel extremely vigorously. It is also obvious there would be no Christianity today without Christ’s unwavering mission stance and likewise that of His steadfast followers down the succeeding ages, whether Catholics or Protestants.
Grief inspires ministry of grace in Romania
Slavic Gospel Association
Date posted: 1 Aug 2023
The tragic early death of a young man, Filip Faragau, after a long battle with cancer, is providing the inspiration for a unique ministry in the city of Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Violeta, Filip’s widow, carried out their shared desire to provide affordable accommodation for cancer patients and their families in the city. In the months leading up to Filip’s death they met many who could not afford the cost of staying there, either to access treatment themselves or to care for loved ones receiving cancer care. The seed was sown for what is now ‘Casa Filip’, in Violeta’s own words, ‘a nice, comfortable place, where people could come and stay without having to spend a fortune for their accommodation’. Slavic Gospel Association (UK) have supported this vital work prayerfully and practically from the start. Filip and his family were valued, long-term friends of the mission.
How can pastors go the distance?
Jeremy Brooks
Date posted: 1 Aug 2023
It was my tenth anniversary in my current pastorate, and I was given a three-month sabbatical.
When contemplating potential sabbatical projects my thoughts went to surviving and thriving in pastoral ministry over the long haul, and then I hatched a plan.
A plea for pastoral brotherhood
Aaron Prelock
Date posted: 1 Aug 2023
Between 1979 and 1999 the Pope, John Paul II, published a collection of essays titled ‘Letters to My Brother Priests’. That sentiment, that his fellow clergy were his brothers, is something we would do well to learn from in our Protestant circles.
Those who serve Christ’s sheep as shepherds should see themselves as being in a spiritual brotherhood, a brotherhood that’s in desperate need of each other. The church has struggled with pastoral abuse, scandals, burnouts, and dropouts. The last few years of Covid, war, civil unrest and political instability have only heightened the weight carried by pastors. These trials have taken their toll. But where are pastors to turn when they need help?
‘The central plank of women’s rights is the cross’
Rebecca McLaughlin
Date posted: 1 Aug 2023
Rebecca McLaughlin holds a PhD from Cambridge University and a theology degree from Oak Hill Theological College in London. She is the author of several books including Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World’s Largest Religion. She spoke to Rebecca Chapman for en.
en: Tell me how you came to faith?
everyday evangelism
Are you glad in your faith?
Glen Scrivener
Date posted: 1 Aug 2023
For the last few columns we’ve been trying to follow Blaise Pascal’s advice about persuading the sceptical.
Before his death in 1662 he suggested that we make people of good will ‘wish it were true, then show them that it is.’ I promise we’ll move on from this Pascalian perspective next month, but allow me one last word on the subject. In this column it’s very much a case of ‘once more with feeling.’
Bournemouth Bible Week
David Cook
Date posted: 1 Aug 2023
‘Growing in faith, hope and love’ was the theme of this year as hundreds of people joined for the face-to-face meetings from 3-7 July.
The strapline of the Bournemouth Bible Week is 'Gathering the Churches, Preaching the Word.' It was encouraging to see larger numbers meet together this year than has been possible since 2020.
Keswick: James Robson's personal reflections
James Robson
Date posted: 1 Aug 2023
The Keswick Convention has been running since 1875. Over these years, much has stayed the same: the same passion for Christ, the same longing for lives transformed by God’s word, the same heart for global mission.
The event is open to everyone and is funded by donations. There is no fee to attend. The beautiful town of Keswick in the Lake District remains the home of the Convention.
Praying in Parliament
Nicola Laver
Date posted: 1 Aug 2023
The Prime Minister was among a bumper crop of MPs attending this year’s Parliamentary Breakfast on 27 June, alongside representatives from the Christian community.
More than 700 parliamentarians - including a record 180-plus MPs - and Christian leaders met together at Westminster Hall for the annual recognition of Christianity’s contribution to UK life.
politics & policy
Families and God’s grace
Krish Kandiah
Date posted: 1 Aug 2023
A while back I got a call out of the blue from a Swiss bank. For a moment I began imagining they were ringing to inform me of a secret cache of gold they had discovered in my name.
It turned out they had something of rather less monetary significance to give me, but something arguably even more valuable.
The terrible quandary facing C of E evangelicals
An informal update on Living in Love and Faith in the York General Synod only shed light on division and stalemate.
After the vote in February, much was left to be brought back in July. Though the synod voted in favour of the House of Bishops’ proposals, vital questions remained unanswered about the final form of the prayers, the pastoral guidance for their use and the provision for those who in conscience could not accept them. In truth, it was a vote to continue with a process, a process which was instantly hampered by the same profound disagreements that were aired in the debate. Church Society Associate Director, Ros Clarke, a member of General Synod, shared in the session that, ‘despite all the good conversations, the sharing and the hearing, the growing fellowship and friendships, there is a profound disagreement which continues to exist on these issues.’