Evangelicals confront spiritual malaise
Western Europe has become a region of ‘empty nominalism’ and ‘confused spirituality’ said the chairman of the evangelical Keswick Convention. Dr. Jonathan Lamb told this year’s convention that while millions of people in Western Europe define themselves as Christian, they regard themselves as Christian only by nationality, culture, and as a result of family ties to the faith, or tradition. He said the spiritual landscape closer to home could be characterized by a ‘dry orthodoxy’, which he explained as Christians who are committed to the evangelical faith but whose life ‘has been drained of its spiritual vibrancy’. Others outside the church fold appear to be caught up in a kind of ‘confused spirituality’. Dr. Don Carson, research professor of the New Testament, cautioned Christians about the dangers of pursuing spirituality, for its own sake without any reference to Christ and Jonathan Stephens, Principal of the Wales Evangelical School of Theology, reminded Christians that the key to Christ-centred renewal could be found in returning to Scriptures. Pray: for Christ and His Gospel always to be at the heart of our Christian lives. (Ro.1:16)
The health gap between rich and poor
The health gap between the richest and poorest in Britain is now wider than it was during the great depression, according to researchers from Sheffield and Bristol Universities. They say that the gap was gradually narrowing until the 1970s, when the trend reversed. Health inequality has grown rapidly in the last twenty years. This reflects a growth in economic inequality over a similar period. ‘Health and wealth are directly linked’, insisted researcher Danny Dorling, ‘Unless we tackle the income gap, we could well see life expectancy actually starting to fall for the first time in the poorest areas.’ Campaigns for economic equality have gained momentum since the publication last year of the The Spirit Level. The book's authors, Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett, use detailed analysis to demonstrate lower levels of crime, unwanted pregnancies and other social problems in more equal societies. This perspective is now promoted by the Equality Trust. Pray: for an understanding that redressing this imbalance will also address other problems in society. (Dt.15:4)
How churches fight belief in witchcraft
African churches in Britain are learning how to safeguard children's rights against exploitative pastors. Monday’s ‘Dispatches’ programme on Channel 4 highlighted the harm caused to children in the UK, mainly from an African background, by church pastors who are apparently labelling them as witches or as in some way ‘possessed’. Enormous strides have been made recently in building relationships with African churches, many of whose members do not speak English as their first language. To that end, the Child Protection Advisory Service has already trained more than 5,000 church leaders and volunteers in the optimum standards of child protection. The practices of a minority of ‘rogue’ churches and pastors are being challenged by African communities. This voice has been strengthened by community-led meetings and training for parents and young people. Specialist training has improved social work and health practitioners' knowledge and understanding of harmful cultural practices, which is critical to improved identification of abuse linked to spirit possession and witchcraft. Pray: for the complete eradication of child abuse linked to these ‘cultural practices’. (Dt.18:10) More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2010/jul/27/religion-witches-africa-london-exorcism
INSIGHT ARTICLE: 2012 Olympic Games
Sir Craig Reedie, the former British Olympic Association chairman said London will be a ‘magical’ place to be when the Olympics begin in under two years' time. He was at the Olympic Park on Tuesday when Seb Coe, the London 2012 chairman, and London Mayor Boris Johnson launched the countdown to the Games. In 2012 the Olympic flame signalling the start of the Games will begin its journey in Olympia, Greece and travel across the world to be held high by torch bearer across the UK to the Olympic Stadium in London. The flame burns continuously until the closing ceremony. This INSIGHT ARTICLE (cllick on 'Info' button) has been prepared to encourage prayer throughout the coming months for God to bless the Olympic torch route in advance of 2012. Records reveal the Olympic Games and the rituals we still use today began in 776 BC in Olympia in Greece and are rooted in pagan religious symbolism, and declarations. Pray: that every village, town, city, ancient path and site on the proposed route will be blessed with God’s light. (Ps.67:1) Info: http://www.prayer-alert.net/info/Olympicroots2.pdf
