What people experienced in Church
The Barna Group recently surveyed Americans who attended church and reported on their worship experiences. Barna is a private, non-partisan, for-profit organization that conducts research, produces media resources about spiritual development and facilitates the spiritual growth of Christian ministries The survey found that connecting with God was the most important outcome facilitated by churches; most (66%) felt they had ‘a real and personal connection’ with God while attending church, yet one-third of church attendees never experienced God’s presence. Overall, one-quarter of Americans said their life had been profoundly changed by attending church, while one-fourth described church attendance as ‘somewhat’ influential. Nearly half said their life had not changed at all. The study revealed that nearly seven out of 10 respondents said they felt ‘part of a group of people who are united in their beliefs and who take care of each other in practical ways.’
Praise: God for the way that so many are gaining so much from being part of His Church. (Ac.2:17-21)
More: http://www.worthynews.com/11196-what-people-experienced-in-church
What people experienced in Church
The Barna Group recently surveyed Americans who attended church and reported on their worship experiences. Barna is a private, non-partisan, for-profit organization that conducts research, produces media resources about spiritual development and facilitates the spiritual growth of Christian ministries The survey found that connecting with God was the most important outcome facilitated by churches; most (66%) felt they had ‘a real and personal connection’ with God while attending church, yet one-third of church attendees never experienced God’s presence. Overall, one-quarter of Americans said their life had been profoundly changed by attending church, while one-fourth described church attendance as ‘somewhat’ influential. Nearly half said their life had not changed at all. The study revealed that nearly seven out of 10 respondents said they felt ‘part of a group of people who are united in their beliefs and who take care of each other in practical ways.’
Praise: God for the way that so many are gaining so much from being part of His Church. (Ac.2:17-21)
More: http://www.worthynews.com/11196-what-people-experienced-in-church
Burkina Faso: Blind see, deaf hear at Bonnke meeting
The Holy Spirit swept across Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in West Africa, last week. Evangelists Reinhard Bonnke and Daniel Kolenda wrapped up the fourth night of Christ for All Nations' Gospel Campaign there and are reporting an outpouring. ‘The Holy Spirit was poured out on the multitude in a mass baptism of fire! Dramatic signs and wonders accompanied the preaching of the gospel,’ Kolenda wrote in an update to partners. ‘An old mama who was totally blind for two years received her sight. A woman with a lump in each of her breasts, said that during the prayer both lumps vanished. A totally deaf woman was also completely healed along with another blind girl.’ Saturday morning marked the grand finale of the Fire Conference. Peter van den Berg preached with Kolenda following. Before he could take the microphone, Kolenda says the Holy Spirit was already falling.
Praise: God for this evidence that we can see the work of the Holy Spirit in action in this day. (Lk.7:21-22))
More: http://www.charismanews.com/world/32738-blind-see-deaf-hear-at-bonnke-meeting-in-africa
Burkina Faso: Blind see, deaf hear at Bonnke meeting
The Holy Spirit swept across Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in West Africa, last week. Evangelists Reinhard Bonnke and Daniel Kolenda wrapped up the fourth night of Christ for All Nations' Gospel Campaign there and are reporting an outpouring. ‘The Holy Spirit was poured out on the multitude in a mass baptism of fire! Dramatic signs and wonders accompanied the preaching of the gospel,’ Kolenda wrote in an update to partners. ‘An old mama who was totally blind for two years received her sight. A woman with a lump in each of her breasts, said that during the prayer both lumps vanished. A totally deaf woman was also completely healed along with another blind girl.’ Saturday morning marked the grand finale of the Fire Conference. Peter van den Berg preached with Kolenda following. Before he could take the microphone, Kolenda says the Holy Spirit was already falling.
Praise: God for this evidence that we can see the work of the Holy Spirit in action in this day. (Lk.7:21-22))
More: http://www.charismanews.com/world/32738-blind-see-deaf-hear-at-bonnke-meeting-in-africa
Churches Together hail ‘year of celebration’
The Presidents of Churches Together in England (CTE) have heralded 2012 as a ‘year of celebration’. With the Olympic Games and torch relays, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee all on the horizon, they say the four month period from May to September will provide opportunities for people to gather and celebrate together ‘in ways which will both enhance and deepen community life’. The CTE Presidents are the Moderator of the United Reformed Churches, the Rev Michael Heaney, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols, and the head of the Lutheran Church in Great Britain, the Rt Rev Jana Jeruma-Grinberga. In a joint statement, the Church leaders spoke
of the ‘unprecedented’ collaboration between the denominations ahead of the Olympics. ‘More Christian communities from different traditions than ever before are coming together to plan practical ways of serving the project of the Olympic Games, which can bring many and diverse benefits,’ they said.
Pray: for all those involved in the preparations for the celebrations and especially for the successful collaboration between the denominations. (Ps.145:7)
Philosopher warns of threat to religious freedom
Leading philosopher Roger Trigg, a Professor at Kellogg College, Oxford, has warned of an increasing tendency in UK courts to prioritise equality above religion, thereby undermining religious freedom. Professor Trigg, who is the founding President of the British Society for the Philosophy of Religion, stated that: ‘Religious freedom and the right to manifest religious belief is a central part of every charter of human rights.’ Yet he believes that the courts are now ‘limiting human freedom itself’. Professor Trigg is launching a new book, ‘Equality, Freedom and Religion’, which cites numerous cases where religious freedom has been denied by the courts. There have been many concerns that, within judicial interpretations of equality law, a hierarchy of rights has developed, with some rights now being seen as more important than others. Recent court decisions have suggested that the freedom to manifest sexual orientation now trumps the freedom to manifest one’s religious beliefs.
Pray: for an understanding that mankind can never place human laws above those of God. (Ro.7:22)
Sentamu warns don't legalise gay marriage
In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Dr John Sentamu, the second most senior cleric in the Church of England, tells Ministers they should not overrule the Bible and tradition by allowing same-sex marriage. The Archbishop says it is not the role of the state to redefine marriage, threatening a new row between the Church and state just days after bishops in the House of Lords led a successful rebellion over plans to cap benefits. ‘Marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman,’ says Dr Sentamu. ‘I don’t think it is the role of the state to re-define what marriage is. It is set in tradition and history and you can’t just change it overnight, no matter how powerful you are.
Pray: for the Government to listen to and respect the views of the Church and other religious groups when considering this matter. (Ps.85:8)
Sexual freedom and relationship breakdown cost £100 billion
The costs of sexual freedom and relationship breakdown to the taxpayer and wider economy total some £100 billion annually; about twice as much as alcohol abuse, smoking and obesity combined. This is the astounding conclusion of the latest ‘Cambridge Paper’, ‘Free sex: Who pays? Moral hazard and sexual ethics’ by Guy Brandon. Rather than addressing moral issues Brandon employs a utilitarian approach and attempts to quantify its financial impact. He argues that sexual freedom ‘represents an enormous moral hazard and, as a result, unsustainable and unjust public expenditure’. Furthermore, these costs are imposed on society as a whole, rather than borne solely by the individuals most directly responsible. Brandon concludes that the moral hazard that arises from our society’s uncritical endorsement of sexual freedom results in massive public costs. He suggests the Christian sexual ethic of faithfulness and stability offers a pragmatic answer to a failing culture that generally views Christian standards as hopelessly out of date.
Pray: that this paper will add to the rising tide of evidence that abandoning God’s rules for living can only lead to the breakdown of society. (Ro.13:13)
More: http://pjsaunders.blogspot.com/2012/01/sexual-freedom-and-relationship.html
Nine-year-old British girls forced to marry under sharia law
Girls as young as nine are being forced to marry in mosques in Islington, according to the findings of a leading women’s rights group. The Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation (IKWRO) has reported that at least 30 forced marriages took place in the borough in 2010, involving at least three 11-year-old and two 9-year-old girls. Similarly, the Ministry of Justice revealed details of over 30 applications for Forced Marriage Protection Orders in 2011, of which ‘five or fewer’ were made to protect children aged 9 to 11. IKWRO has warned that child marriages in Britain could be on the increase. Ms Nammi said that the girls are married off to family friends or family members to stop them from losing their virginity to anyone not chosen by their father. The marriages are conducted by Imams under sharia law, rendering them illegal and void under British law.
Pray: that our justice system and authorities will be able to get to grips with this problem. (Pr.18:5)
Atheists clash over plans to build ‘temple’ in London
Two of the country’s most prominent atheists have clashed over plans to build a £1 million ‘temple for atheists’ in the City of London. Alain de Botton, a philosopher and writer, wants to build a 46-metre tower to celebrate atheism as a positive force. He says the structure would celebrate ‘new atheism’ and act as an antidote to the ‘aggressive’ atheism of the likes of Richard Dawkins. But Professor Dawkins, the author of the God Delusion, says the project is a waste of money and a contradiction in terms. He said: ‘Atheists don’t need temples. I think there are better things to spend this kind of money on.’ David Robertson, director of Christian group Solas, said: ‘For once I find myself partially agreeing with Richard Dawkins. Given that we are continually told that atheists believe nothing, it does seem somewhat silly and ridiculous to erect a temple to non-belief.’
Pray: that Paul’s message in Acts 17 would reach those who seek to worship an unknown God. (Ac.17:23)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/atheists-clash-over-plans-to-build-%E2%80%98temple-in-london/