Barnabas Fund seeks to boost teaching Christianity in schools
An Ofsted report last year stated the quality of RE lessons at many primary schools was ‘not good enough’ and ‘only six out of 10 schools are ‘satisfactory’ in teaching RE'. In response to this Barnabas Fund has launched a new resource pack to enrich teaching of Christianity within Religious Education called, ‘Assisting Christianity Teaching in Schools (ACTS)' and they are asking Christians to donate packs to local schools. Ofsted said ‘In many cases, the study of Jesus focused on an unsystematic collection of information about His life, with limited reference to His theological significance within the faith.’ The pack aimed at ages 7 to 11 covering basic Christianity, Bible reference, character development, the life and teachings of Jesus through children’s fiction and biographies, posters, maps, Bible guides, fact books, Bible story books, time lines, animated DVDs, activity workbooks and presentation slides.
Pray: that many churches will be able to step into this opportunity to meet educationl need. (Ps.34:11)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/barnabas.fund.seeks.to.boost.teaching.of.christianity.in.schools/28250.htm
Lord Sacks comments on equality laws
Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks has warned, ‘New equality laws are forcing religious people to flee the country because they are being denied the freedom to live in accordance with their beliefs’ The Orthodox Jewish leader claimed that anti-discrimination policies had fuelled an ‘erosion of religious liberty’ in Britain that was leading to a new ‘Mayflower’, a reference to the flight of the persecuted Pilgrim Fathers to America in the 17th century. His comments follow growing alarm from leading religious figures over the increasing influence of equality laws. The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey, has called on the Prime Minister to review equality legislation amid concerns that religious freedoms and Britain’s Christian heritage are under threat. Speaking to the House of Commons public administration select committee, Lord Sacks also said, ‘I share a real concern that the attempt to impose the current prevailing template of equality and discrimination on religious organisations is an erosion of religious liberty.’
Pray: that rapid social change would not alter religious practices that have been in place for many years. (Lk.1:50)
Methodist's challenged to take 'tough decisions'
In a report to the annual Methodist Conference, taking place this week in Southport, the Methodist General Secretary, the Rev Dr Martyn Atkins, spoke of tough decisions ahead and his belief that the Church must change to fulfil its calling in contemporary society. ‘As disciples of Jesus we are called to become the Church God wants us to be,’ said Dr Atkins. ‘This will involve making some tough decisions’ he said. ‘We don’t have all the resources we would like to have but God has not given up on us. We must work hard to become a Church that demonstrates our faith through a commitment to justice and serving our local, national and international communities.’ He continued, ‘A more sacrificial, strategic approach is needed. Our churches must not exist simply to perpetuate the status quo, but to provide a place where people can come to faith and be nurtured in their journey with Christ.’
Pray: for the Methodist Church and indeed the whole church as we face the challenge of the future. (2Sa.7:19)
Key Families Conference held
The World Congress of Families hosted a key conference on 29 June 2011. The conference, ‘The Future of the Family in Coalition Britain’, was held to help identify the causes of family breakdown in the UK and present possible solutions. The event was sponsored by Christian Concern and was opened by Bishop Michael Nazir Ali emphasising the need to restore the ‘public doctrine of marriage’, stating that the nuclear family was both a ‘natural’ and ‘normative’ form of family, not only beneficial to children but to society as a whole. A number of factors that have contributed to family breakdown were identified. These include ‘No-fault’ divorces, cohabitation, failure to recognise marriage as distinct in the tax system and sexualisation of teenagers. Stewart Jackson MP emphasised that public policy should strengthen as opposed to weaken marriage.
Pray: for political policy makers at all levels to recognise the importance of marriage in a stable, well-functioning society. (Heb.13:4)
More: http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/social/key-families-conference-held
