Russia: Evangelicals v Orthodox Church
For decades, the Russian Orthodox Church was persecuted under the Soviet Union's Communist Party. For eight years, Yuri Sipko ran one of the largest Baptist organizations in Russia. Now, 20 years after the fall of Communism he worries about the growing threats against the country's evangelical movement. ‘The government recently introduced religious classes based on the principals of the Orthodox Church in public schools, Then the president announced appointing Orthodox chaplains to all army units. Our constitution clearly states no religion can be the state religion.’ Sergey Ryakhovski, head of Russia's Pentecostal Union, worries that the Orthodox Church's influence is coming at the expense of religious freedom, especially for minority groups. Muscovite Human Rights advocate, Roman Lunkin, said the head of the Orthodox Church is on a mission to expand its powers and influence.
Pray: for God to strengthen, empower and renew all the Russian churches. (Mt.16:18)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2011/April/Russian-Evangelicals-Leery-of-Orthodox-Church-/
Russia: Evangelicals v Orthodox Church
For decades, the Russian Orthodox Church was persecuted under the Soviet Union's Communist Party. For eight years, Yuri Sipko ran one of the largest Baptist organizations in Russia. Now, 20 years after the fall of Communism he worries about the growing threats against the country's evangelical movement. ‘The government recently introduced religious classes based on the principals of the Orthodox Church in public schools, Then the president announced appointing Orthodox chaplains to all army units. Our constitution clearly states no religion can be the state religion.’ Sergey Ryakhovski, head of Russia's Pentecostal Union, worries that the Orthodox Church's influence is coming at the expense of religious freedom, especially for minority groups. Muscovite Human Rights advocate, Roman Lunkin, said the head of the Orthodox Church is on a mission to expand its powers and influence.
Pray: for God to strengthen, empower and renew all the Russian churches. (Mt.16:18)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2011/April/Russian-Evangelicals-Leery-of-Orthodox-Church-/
Church website welcomes two million visitors
More than two million people have turned to the web to find their local parish church in the last 12 months, according to figures released today. The Church of England's http://www.achurchnearyou.com/ website welcomed 2,084,444 visitors in the 12 months up to April 2011, an increase of more than 28 per cent on the previous 12 months. In January, the Church's location database was integrated within the new CofE website at http://www.churchofengland.org/ leading to a steady increase in visitors. A link to the Crockford's clergy database ensures contact information for the vast majority of parishes. Peter Crumpler, Director of Communications for the Archbishops' Council, said: ‘The increasing popularity of the site is one further indication of the trend for people to use the web when looking for a place for worship, to attend a wedding, funeral or baptism, or to seek a quiet place for prayer or reflection.’ Praise: God that the airwaves are open to all who are searching even for God and His Church. (Ecc.7:25)
Church website welcomes two million visitors
More than two million people have turned to the web to find their local parish church in the last 12 months, according to figures released today. The Church of England's http://www.achurchnearyou.com/ website welcomed 2,084,444 visitors in the 12 months up to April 2011, an increase of more than 28 per cent on the previous 12 months. In January, the Church's location database was integrated within the new CofE website at http://www.churchofengland.org/ leading to a steady increase in visitors. A link to the Crockford's clergy database ensures contact information for the vast majority of parishes. Peter Crumpler, Director of Communications for the Archbishops' Council, said: ‘The increasing popularity of the site is one further indication of the trend for people to use the web when looking for a place for worship, to attend a wedding, funeral or baptism, or to seek a quiet place for prayer or reflection.’ Praise: God that the airwaves are open to all who are searching even for God and His Church. (Ecc.7:25)
