Synod gives final approval for Safeguarding Legislation
On Saturday the General Synod gave final approval to a package of proposals intended to
take further the process of making the Church a safer place for children and vulnerable
adults - both by making the disciplinary processes under the Clergy Discipline Measure
2003 more effective where safeguarding issues arise and by strengthening the Church's
wider legal framework in relation to safeguarding in various ways. The legislation was
originally introduced in February 2014 following a consultation launched at Synod in July
2013.
Surrounded by chariots of fire
Church leader Dr Joe Boot calls on Christians not to despair in the face of
terrorist attacks and changes in the laws of the land. ‘We must not give in to despair in
the face of loud, high profile opposition to God and the Christian faith. The same is
true for us as it was with Elisha, that the sovereign Lord is on the throne and ‘Those
who are with us are more than those who are with them’ (2Ki.6:16)’. With Islamic
jihadists murdering dozens of Britons in Tunisia and the many laws of our land that do
not agree with the laws of God it would be easy to be despondent as a Christian. However,
the truth of the gospel means we cannot give in to fear, doubt or despair. See also THE
MILL GATHERING STATEMENT at http://wpc.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-
content/uploads/2015/04/The-Mill-Statement-Apr-2015.pdf
Malta: Pastor to submit accounts
Malta’s Tele-evangelist Gordon John Manché’s repeated failures to submit his
organisation’s accounts to the Commissioner for NGOs is due to a disagreement with the
law, according to the religious group’s financial consultant, adding that the most recent
accounts of Nations for Christ will be presented in due course. Nations for Christ have
not submitted their accounts to the Commission since 2010. In that year, they declared an
income of €149,899 solely from donations, a significant leap from the €43,298 declared in
2009. Their spokesperson told MaltaToday, ‘The reason for this delay is not related to
the operation of Nations for Christ but to matters relating to the way legislation
relating to voluntary organisations in Malta has developed, matters that we will be
discussing with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations.’
Greece: Feud for thought
The single currency, conceived to cement European integration, has revived historical
animosity between Greece and Germany, particularly in public opinions expressed on Athens
streets and in German tabloids. A lot has happened since Mr. Tsipras called a referendum.
The referendum caused banks to close and the European Central Bank to cap emergency
lending resulting in the Greek economy needing more money over a longer period (until
2018). After brutal overnight talks, Monday’s deal pushes Greece into a financial abyss
and increases political and economic strains in a country already in depression. Many
believe, ‘Greece is still nominally part of the Eurozone. But the conditions Germany won
to punish the country for its misdeeds could easily topple the fragile Greek coalition
government. Economists believe that Greece’s separation will not settle Greece’s
relations with the rest of Europe. Whatever Greece decides there will be an angry
population within the euro or an angrier population outside of it. The feuding could last
for years. see: http://www.economist.com/blogs/freeexchange/2015/07/greece-and-its-
creditors?zid=307&ah=5e80419d1bc9821ebe173f4f0f060a07
Boko Haram members come to Jesus
Boko Haram is not driving Christians away. Evangelists have expanded church planting in
Nigeria's northeast by meeting the needs of displaced people. Their courage has seen
members of Boko Haram repenting and putting their faith in Christ. Boko Haram is killing
people, but this indigenous ministry is discreetly working in villages and in camps for
the internally displaced. They are offering humanitarian assistance and proclaiming
Christ at a time when few are bold enough to do so. ‘There are 70,000+ people in the
camps, so it is a mission field for us,’ said the director of the indigenous ministry.
‘We used to reach them with the gospel in their villages, but now we reach them with the
gospel, food, medicine and Bibles.’ Former Boko Haram members are being discipled in
safe-havens and have shown a strong interest in learning the Bible, ridding themselves of
anything grievous to God and becoming spiritually grounded so they can reach other
Muslims.
Iraqi girl’s forgiveness comes from the Holy Spirit
The unwavering faith of a young Iraqi girl who was forced to flee her homeland in the
Middle East together with her family has stood out among the many horror stories on the
IS terror campaign. In a recent media interview that went viral, 11-year-old refugee
Maryam Behnam said that, despite all the transgressions committed by the IS, including
the brutal killing and abduction of thousands of people, she said she has forgiven the
jihadists. She also said that her words come from the Holy Spirit. When asked ‘What are
your feelings towards those who drove you out of your home and caused you hardships?’ She
replied, ‘I won't do anything to them, I will only ask God to forgive them.’ She also
said, ‘In the Bible Jesus said, 'Don't be afraid, I am with you,' and also, He said
‘forgive others no matter who is hating you. You have to forgive them.’
Nigeria: Another bomb blast kills 25
A suspected suicide bomber targeted civil servants at a government building in Zaria city, killing 25 and wounding 32. Boko Haram, which often targets northern Nigeria, has stepped up attacks since President Buhari took office in May. The group has not yet commented on the latest attack, which came a day after police chief Solomon Arase announced new measures to curb the rise in bombings. The measures include banning street trading and hawking in Abuja, and strengthening security at all mosques and churches countrywide. Witnesses in Zaria said people including primary school teachers had been queuing up seeking employment under Mr Buhari's administration when the bomb was detonated. Kaduna state governor Nasir El-Rufa'i said citizens were to be vigilant and avoid crowded places like markets, mosques, churches and motor parks in the next few weeks.
Vietnam: Persecution of Christians is 'state policy'
The persecution of religious minorities is now official Vietnamese state policy after Human Rights Watch released a June report revealing that Vietnam’s government intends to persecute any ethnic Montagnards who follow ‘unauthorised’ Christianity (Montagnards are the indigenous peoples of the Central Highlands of Vietnam - the term Montagnard means ‘mountain people’). This latest threat to Montagnards is causing many to flee into Cambodia where they hope to worship Christ freely; but many are deported back to Vietnam. Last year Cambodia returned 54 Montagnards without allowing them opportunity to seek refugee status. Formerly animists, ethnic Montagnards began converting to Christianity in the 1950s and are now a Christian group. In addition to being persecuted for their Christianity they are being targeted by the Vietnamese government because of their past allegiance to the US during its war in Vietnam.
Canada: Action on climate change
Gregor Robertson, the mayor of Vancouver, says he plans to encourage the Pope to ramp up pressure on national governments across the globe to take action on climate change when he meets with the Catholic leader later this month. Mr Robertson will be the only Canadian to join 30 representatives of cities in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas for a two-day visit with Pope Francis in Vatican City on 21 July. Meanwhile on Wednesday and Thursday this week hundreds of delegates have attended a two-day Climate Summit of the Americas in Toronto. Former Mexican president Felipe Calderon, former US vice-president Al Gore and California Governor Jerry Brown were among the delegates. The summit emphasised the role that provinces, states and other sub-national governments can play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. World leaders will also meet later this year in Paris for the UN Climate Change Conference. See http://www.640toronto.com/2015/07/08/66933/
China: Confusion in finances
The turmoil in China’s stock market is so bad that 700 companies have halted trading to ‘self-preserve’, thus preventing investors from selling their shares. That means about a quarter of the companies listed on China’s two big exchanges are no longer trading. The government has taken extraordinary steps to try to prevent further damage and over 20 of China’s top brokerage firms publicly pledged to buy back stocks and funds in an effort to slow the downfall. It did not work and investors aren’t convinced. By Wednesday 8 July China’s stock markets had lost $3.25 trillion (that’s more than the size of France’s stock market and twice the size of India’s). Those in the know are saying China’s $28 trillion debt is a threat to the global economy. See also http://www.bloombergview.com/quicktake/chinas-debt-bomb