London’s significant Church growth
Church attendance in Greater London grew by 16% between 2005 and 2012, from 620,000 to 720,000, representing 9% of the capital’s population at the latter date, and thereby bucking the downward trend in most national religious indicators. The number of places of worship in London also rose during these seven years, by 17% from 4,100 to 4,800. Growth was especially to be found among black majority and immigrant churches, which together accounted for 27% of all Christian places of worship in London in 2012 and 24% of churchgoers. Black people were farmore likely to attend services than whites (19% against 8%), and in Inner London 48% of worshippers were black. 14% ofall churches use a language other than English and 52% of attendees are in evangelical churches. By contrast, many traditional, smaller places of worship are still contracting. These are among the initial findings from the London Church Census, undertaken by Brierley Consultancy and sponsored by the London City Mission.
Praise: God for the growth of His church and long may it continue. (Ps.145:1-2)
More: http://revivalmedia.org/2013/10/01/londons-significant-church-growth-320-report-2/
London’s significant Church growth
Church attendance in Greater London grew by 16% between 2005 and 2012, from 620,000 to 720,000, representing 9% of the capital’s population at the latter date, and thereby bucking the downward trend in most national religious indicators. The number of places of worship in London also rose during these seven years, by 17% from 4,100 to 4,800. Growth was especially to be found among black majority and immigrant churches, which together accounted for 27% of all Christian places of worship in London in 2012 and 24% of churchgoers. Black people were farmore likely to attend services than whites (19% against 8%), and in Inner London 48% of worshippers were black. 14% ofall churches use a language other than English and 52% of attendees are in evangelical churches. By contrast, many traditional, smaller places of worship are still contracting. These are among the initial findings from the London Church Census, undertaken by Brierley Consultancy and sponsored by the London City Mission.
Praise: God for the growth of His church and long may it continue. (Ps.145:1-2)
More: http://revivalmedia.org/2013/10/01/londons-significant-church-growth-320-report-2/
Churches welcome Scout promise decision
The Church of England has welcomed the Scout Association's decision to retain the original ‘duty to God’ pledge alongside the introduction of a new alternative promise for atheists and others without a faith. The core scout promise ‘to do my duty to God’ has been in existence for 106 years and this is the first time in the Scout movement's history that an alternative pledge has been offered for people without a faith, although alternatives have existed for Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists for several decades. From January, new scouts with no religion will be able to promise to ‘uphold our scout values’. The announcement comes after a 10-month consultation that included faith groups. The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham,and the Church of England's lead bishop on work with young people, the Right Reverend Paul Butler, welcomed theoutcome. He said: ‘I very much welcome this announcement by the Scout movement that God stays in the promise.’
Praise: God for this change of mind by the Scout Association. (Ps.100:1-2)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/churches.welcome.scout.promise.decision/34293.htm
Churches welcome Scout promise decision
The Church of England has welcomed the Scout Association's decision to retain the original ‘duty to God’ pledge alongside the introduction of a new alternative promise for atheists and others without a faith. The core scout promise ‘to do my duty to God’ has been in existence for 106 years and this is the first time in the Scout movement's history that an alternative pledge has been offered for people without a faith, although alternatives have existed for Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists for several decades. From January, new scouts with no religion will be able to promise to ‘uphold our scout values’. The announcement comes after a 10-month consultation that included faith groups. The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham,and the Church of England's lead bishop on work with young people, the Right Reverend Paul Butler, welcomed theoutcome. He said: ‘I very much welcome this announcement by the Scout movement that God stays in the promise.’
Praise: God for this change of mind by the Scout Association. (Ps.100:1-2)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/churches.welcome.scout.promise.decision/34293.htm
Payday lenders face tougher rules
The UK's payday lenders have been warned that tougher regulation is on its way, to protect consumers. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has proposed that all borrowers should have an "affordability" check before being given a loan. Among other new rules, the FCA wants to put risk warnings on adverts and marketing material. The payday industry gave the plans a guarded welcome, saying irresponsible lenders would struggle to comply. Martin Wheatley, the FCA's chief executive, said: "Today I'm putting payday lenders on notice: tougher regulation is coming and I expect them all to make changes so that consumers get a fair outcome. The clock is ticking." The proposals mean that anyone taking out a loan would need to prove that they could afford to repay it. In a separate government survey, one in five customers said they were not even asked about their finances when they applied for a payday loan.
Pray: for all those who fall victims of unscrupulous loan sharks and that these moves by the FCA will bring an end to such usury. (Eze.18:17)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24372134
Church of England attacks Michael Gove over state of religious education
The Church of England has launched a fierce attack on the government, describing limited resources devoted to training religious education teachers as a scandal that is affecting "an essential part" of every child's studies. In an outburst that reflects the church's deepening unease at the government's perceived lack of support for the teaching of RE, it singled out the education secretary, Michael Gove, for implicit criticism, calling on him to work with religious leaders to improve the level of teaching in what is a core subject in the national curriculum. The criticism comes as a damning Ofsted report, published today, finds that more than half of all schools have been failing pupils in their religious education, a subject that the watchdog claims is increasingly important "in an ever more globalised and multicultural 21st century" because of the way it promotes respect and empathy.
Pray: for a positive response to the Ofsted report to make a significant improvement in Religious Education in schools and to recognise its importance in modern society. (Pr.4:13)
More: http://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/oct/05/church-attacks-gove-religious-education-schools
Global: Climate change
A UN report on global warming suggests Britain's climate could cool in the next 80 years. The Intergovernmental Panel gave a clear prediction of global warming affecting currents in the Atlantic Ocean. The Gulf Stream will weaken by 20% to 44% by the end of the century. The Gulf Stream carries warm water from the equator to the west coast of Britain, making the country’s climate warmer than it otherwise would be. Such a Gulf Stream cooling will cause a 1.8F drop in Britain and disrupt weather patterns. As long ago as 2007 a UN report stated, ‘Up to a billion people in Asia could be adversely affected by global climate change, 400 million people could struggle to find drinking water, farmers would not be able to irrigate their land, Hydro-electric power stations would generate less electricity and India's economic growth could be affected as India could be one of the big losers from climate change.’ See: Pray: for international governments to consider scientists warnings when making decisions that could impact the weather. (Ps.24:1-4) More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/climatechange/10337064/IPCC-report-Britain-could-cool-if-Gulf-Stream-slows.html
USA: Divided
The US government has shutdown because of the stubbornness of the executive branch, the President and Congress not being able to agree on the budget and the debt level. The GOP (Grand Old Party = Republican) is almost two parties these days - the standard Republicans and tea party Republicans. While not polar opposites, the factions have different approaches to changing government. Both want to cut federal spending, but for the tea party defunding the president's signature health care law and slashing deficit spending are causes worth staking a political career on. On Tuesday the president said it was ‘strange that one party would make keeping people uninsured the centerpiece of their agenda.’ The shutdown could cost the still-struggling U.S. economy about $1 billion a week in pay, a three- to four-week shutdown would cost the economy $55 billion. These things are important on the world scene and to the United States and its role within the world and the stability of the current world order. Pray: this high-stakes game of political chicken will not further damage American or Global economy. Pray for God to anoint His leaders with the wisdom and humility needed at this time. (Mat.5:9) More: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/10/02/politics/government-shutdown-knowns-unknowns/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
Nigeria: Aftermath of innocents killed in cold blood
Last Sunday Boko Haram attacked the College of Agriculture in a dawn raid. Innocent pupils were gunned down in cold blood while still in their beds. Amnesty International stated that the attacks on schools had become more vicious and brutal since the beginning of 2013. Several trucks of soldiers have moved into the area and soldiers are also fighting the insurgents at one border community between Borno and Yobe states where the terrorists burnt a Dangote truck and killed seven people. Military officials confirmed that fighting is still going on between the terrorists and the men of the Joint Task Force in a forest area between Yobe and Borno states where the terrorists were sighted. Trade union, religious and traditional institutions are calling political and opinion leaders in the northeast to intervene urgently to end the cycle of barbaric violence by the sect. Pray: for all in authority throughout Nigeria to be empowered with God’s wisdom and discernment, covered with His protection and enabled to overcome the evil attacking the country at this time. (Ro.12:21) More: http://www.nigerianwatch.com/news/2680-death-toll-from-boko-haram-college-massacre-rises-to-90-as-bodies-found-in-the-bush#sthash.3r4D7k7U.dpuf
Pakistan: Christians need more protection
Following the latest double suicide bombings of two churches, protests and vigils have taken place across Pakistan demanding better protection. Local authorities have been accused of not following up on previous bomb threats or taking any action to protect the community preceding the attack. UK human rights organization ‘Global Minorities Alliance’ said, ‘the government has failed to protect the minorities’ and similar comments came from the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales who agree that the Pakistani Government must do more to protect Christians who show great courage in giving witness to their faith in the midst of terrorists violent ideology. Release International appealed to Christians in the UK to stand by their persecuted Pakistani brothers and sisters and added, ‘Pakistan must take immediate and effective action to protect its Christian minority. Pray: for all who were bereaved and those who were injured or live in fear because of the tragedy. Pray also for all who are being attacked and killed simply because of their faith. (1Cor.4:12) More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/call.for.greater.protection.of.pakistani.christians/34122.htm