Right to appeal refused for Christian counsellor
Lord Justice Laws today refused permission to Gary McFarlane to have his case heard before the Court of Appeal. Mr McFarlane, a relationships counsellor from Bristol, sacked by the Relate Relationship organisation after he refused to provide sexual counselling to homosexual couples because of his Christian beliefs, asked that his case be heard by different judges to those who ruled against Lillian Ladele in December 2009. Church leaders have been deeply concerned by the ruling by Lord Neuberger, the Master of the Rolls, on behalf of the Court of Appeal, in the case of Lillian Ladele - a registrar who refused to conduct civil partnerships ceremonies because they were against her Christian beliefs - and have argued that the Court of Appeal’s decision effectively means that the right to express a strong Christian faith must take second place to the rights of homosexuals under Labour's equality laws. (See also Prayer Alert 1610)
Pray: that despite this refusal ways will be found to reverse this decision. (Ps.7:6)
Church cannot afford to ignore children's spirituality
Ministering to children’s spirituality is a core function for the Church rather than a luxury add-on, argues Dr Rebecca Nye in ‘Children's Spirituality’, a new book from the Church of England’s official publishers. Local churches have a crucial role in listening to children’s verbal and non-verbal expressions of spiritual searching and wonder, and must be careful in how they use ‘teaching’ methods to ensure they do not inadvertently stifle long-term spiritual development, she says. Alister McGrath, Head of the Centre for Theology, Religion and Culture at King's College, London, describes the book as ‘a powerful reaffirmation and exploration of the importance of childhood spirituality for the ministry and mission of the Church, which will be welcomed by all working in this field.’ Dr Nye argues that children’s capacity for exploring faith is significant and that churches should be more concerned with nurturing children’s ways of ‘being with and knowing God’, rather than the transmission of religious knowledge.
Pray: for churches to place children at the heart of their ministry nurturing their spiritual growth. (Ep.6:4)
Changing face of Scotland will mean major Kirk reforms
The Church of Scotland announced major plans on how it aims to grapple with the changing face of ministry in Scotland. Reports of the Ministries Council and Panel on Review and Reform, to be considered by commissioners at the General Assembly, affirm that the Church must restructure now if it is going to grow in the future, particularly with the current financial climate. In 2010 the Ministries Council is budgeting for a deficit of £5.7 million – an ‘unsustainable’ situation. Since ministries receive 87 per cent of ministry and mission funds from congregations, the budgeting deficit poses a problem for the whole Church and not just the Council. The reports warn that if a balanced budget is not achieved in the next few years the Council’s resources would be exhausted and unable to sustain ministry across the country.
Pray: for God’s guidance for the Church of Scotland so that any reforms may help the Church better to meet the needs of the people of Scotland. (Pr.1:5)
Sexual lyrics lead young girls astray
Sexually explicit song lyrics are encouraging vulnerable young girls to experiment with sex, according to a psychologist. This latest warning by Dr Jane McCartney is likely to add to concern about the increasing sexualisation of the nation’s children. Warning about the dangers of explicit lyrics, Dr McCartney said: ‘I think it is making children think this social behaviour is the norm and the danger is when you have girls listening to girls singing about it.’ The psychologist also warned that the suggestive lyrics, used by artists such as Lady Gaga, could give girls the impression that they are in control, when the stark reality is often quite the opposite. Dr McCartney’s warning echoes the findings of a previous report, commissioned by the Home Office, which warned that children are being harmed by exposure to violent and sexual images.
Pray: for our young people that, with quality support they will be better able to resist the sexual pressures put on them. (Pr.10:17)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/sexual-lyrics-lead-young-girls-astray/
I could be dead but God saved me, says top footballer
A Premiership football star has revealed just how important a part God has played in his life. On the brink of appearing in the final of Europe’s second most prestigious competition, Fulham star Zoltán Gera, 31, revealed the life story of how his Christian faith has helped him to overcome many problems in his youth. As a youngster, Mr Gera was driven to the brink by drink, drugs and gambling. He claims he was saved by finding God and now he hopes his remarkable story will serve as an example of how a life tainted by despair can become one graced with hope. His story, which appeared in The Evening Standard, becomes all the more remarkable taking into account that doctors once told him he had subjected his body to so much abuse, through the imbibing of alcohol and illegal substances, that he would never realise his dream of playing football at the highest level.
Praise: God for the testimony of Zoltan and others in the public eye. (Jn.19:35)
I could be dead but God saved me, says top footballer
A Premiership football star has revealed just how important a part God has played in his life. On the brink of appearing in the final of Europe’s second most prestigious competition, Fulham star Zoltán Gera, 31, revealed the life story of how his Christian faith has helped him to overcome many problems in his youth. As a youngster, Mr Gera was driven to the brink by drink, drugs and gambling. He claims he was saved by finding God and now he hopes his remarkable story will serve as an example of how a life tainted by despair can become one graced with hope. His story, which appeared in The Evening Standard, becomes all the more remarkable taking into account that doctors once told him he had subjected his body to so much abuse, through the imbibing of alcohol and illegal substances, that he would never realise his dream of playing football at the highest level.
Praise: God for the testimony of Zoltan and others in the public eye. (Jn.19:35)
Iran: Hunger for scripture
Despite persecution, the Iranian church is growing rapidly with over 300,000 New Testaments printed and leading Iranians to Christ. Church leaders are asking for more Bibles as they believe large-scale Scripture distribution will be instrumental in millions of Iranians coming to know Jesus Christ. One church planter received 1,000 New Testaments last month from Elam Ministries and said the New Testaments are the best way to share the love of Christ with the Iranian people. ‘I have personally given thousands out over the last few years and I’ve only had one person tell me they don’t want it.’ He added, ‘A few weeks ago we witnessed to a lady who was about to commit suicide and we gave her a New Testament. Praise God she did not go through with her plans. Please pray for her to find salvation and for the many others in Iran on the brink of suicide. Pray the Word of God will reach them too.’
Praise: God for Bible translators and fearless Christians in closed countries and ask Him to open more avenues of ministry throughout Iran. (1Ki.8:42)
Iran: Hunger for scripture
Despite persecution, the Iranian church is growing rapidly with over 300,000 New Testaments printed and leading Iranians to Christ. Church leaders are asking for more Bibles as they believe large-scale Scripture distribution will be instrumental in millions of Iranians coming to know Jesus Christ. One church planter received 1,000 New Testaments last month from Elam Ministries and said the New Testaments are the best way to share the love of Christ with the Iranian people. ‘I have personally given thousands out over the last few years and I’ve only had one person tell me they don’t want it.’ He added, ‘A few weeks ago we witnessed to a lady who was about to commit suicide and we gave her a New Testament. Praise God she did not go through with her plans. Please pray for her to find salvation and for the many others in Iran on the brink of suicide. Pray the Word of God will reach them too.’
Praise: God for Bible translators and fearless Christians in closed countries and ask Him to open more avenues of ministry throughout Iran. (1Ki.8:42)
Chalke asks next PM to acknowledge contribution of Christians
Faithworks’ founder Steve Chalke is calling upon the next Prime Minister to acknowledge the indispensible contribution to the economy made by the Christian voluntary sector. Chalke said that such recognition from the incoming Prime Minister would be a vote of confidence that would drive Christians to serve their local communities even more. ‘The Christian contribution to society is hugely significant,’ he said. ‘Local churches contribute millions to regional economies across the country and if Westminster more openly acknowledged this, the encouragement it would bring to the unsung army of volunteers and paid staff in churches and other Christian groups would release a tsunami of care which would help compensate for the inevitable forthcoming public spending cuts.’ According to the group, an estimated 370,000 Christian volunteers contribute services to the value of around £486 million each year in England alone, donating around 65 million hours of their time.
Pray: for recognition and encouragement of the Christian voluntary sector by the incoming government. (Is.61:9)
Zimbabwe: Possibly increased violence and pray for pastors’ conference
Two issues supplied by a reliable but anonymous source. First: ‘Robert Mugabe’s Zanu Party (PF) is recruiting youths for training in sophisticated murder and torture techniques for a campaign of violence against the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T). The campaign of terror is expected to roll into motion in July after the South African soccer World Cup ends and the media spotlight shifts elsewhere. High-level sources within Zanu (PF), MDC-T and the security services said the purpose of this plan was to plunge the country into total anarchy making it impossible to continue with the drafting of a new constitution. The youth recruitment drive is expected to be funded by the state, there are 10,000 illegally recruited members of the Zanu (PF) youth militia on the government payroll. Second: Next week there is a Pastors' conference where leaders will be praying for unity and repentance between leaders and denominations to see both 2 Chron 7:13-14 and Isaiah 58:6-14 coming to pass especially in Zimbabwean Churches!’
Pray: for God's healing of relationships within Zimbabwean society at every level and for the stronghold of fear and death to be broken over the territory.(Eph.2:14)