Bishop tells church leaders to listen to the Holy Spirit
Listening to the Holy Spirit must be brought back to the heart of church leadership, says the Church of England’s Fresh Expressions leader. Bishop Graham Cray said planting successful churches would come through listening to the Holy Spirit, not ‘cloning’ existing churches. Speaking at the end of last week’s Christian Resources Exhibition, he said that old strategies that had worked 20 or 30 years ago were no longer suitable for mission and church-building in today’s diverse society. Today’s church leaders need to look at their specific local contexts and lead their congregations in prayer to ‘discern corporately’ the best church for their areas, he said. The bishop warned that it was an ‘endemic temptation’ among church leaders to make plans based on previous experience and ask God to bless those plans, rather than ‘shutting up’ and listening to Him in prayer.
Pray: that the Holy Spirit would speak loudly into the minds and hearts of all those who lead. (Ro.15:13)
More:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/bishop.tells.church.leaders.to.listen.to.the.holy.spirit/25902.htm
Secularists say council meeting prayers are ‘illegal’
The National Secular Society has written to Bideford Council to say that its prayers at council meetings are ‘illegal’. It has threatened the council with a judicial review unless it stops the prayers and hopes the action will "set a precedent that will affect the many other councils that have prayers as part of their agenda", the NSS said on its website. The NSS has decided to take action in response to a complaint from local councillor Clive Bone, whose motions to remove prayers from meeting agendas have failed. The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey told the Guardian: ‘The centuries-long tradition of saying of prayers before council meetings is simply an acknowledgment of the important role the Christian faith plays in civic life. The attempt to rule such prayers as discriminatory is an attack on freedom and a cynical manoeuvre to drive public expressions of faith from national as well as local life’. (See also praise item)
Pray: against these attacks upon our Christian roots.(2Ti.4:18)
More:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/secularists.says.council.meeting.prayers.are.illegal/25929.htm
Christian B&B owner faces legal action from same-sex couple
Susanne Wilkinson told the two men that it went against her religious convictions to let them share a double room at the guest house where she lives with her family. She was reported to police but no charges were brought. However, she has now been told that Michael Black and John Morgan plan to sue her for discrimination. A letter before action sent by Liberty’s legal director this week claims: ‘Your unlawful treatment of my clients resulted in considerable embarrassment and humiliation to them both and they seek compensation from you for the injury to their feelings.’ Simon Calvert of the Christian Institute said ‘It does seem extraordinary that Liberty is invoking the power of the state to try to force this couple to act against their conscience in their own home.’ Mrs Wilkinson is likely to invoke the Human Rights Act in her defence, on the grounds that Christians should be allowed to hold the traditional belief that sex outside marriage is wrong.
Pray: for Susanne and others like her who seek to defend their right to follow Biblical teaching. (Ep.3:16)
Pray for our new parliament
Last week’s general election has brought a change in the political direction of our nation and is being heralded as a ‘new era’. The new partnership has the potential to cause our government to re assess commitments and look again at previously rejected options. As the new members of parliament step into their roles of authority let us pray that decisions made are based on sound biblical values full of truth and justice, and not driven by political convenience or attractive presentations. Many of our politicians now need God’s wisdom and vision for a prosperous and peaceful society. Christain Concern for our Nation are asking Christians to pray for those elected to parliament asking that they may be good governors; giving thanks for the Christian MPs amongst them and to bathe them in prayer so they may stand firm in the truth of the gospel from the outset.
Pray: that the LORD would have mercy on our nation, turning hearts to Him and raising up godly leaders. (Ro.15:5)
Global Day of Prayer UK - 2010
Global Day of Prayer Sunday 23 May 2010 is a very unique day in the Christian calendars, when the Eastern Orthodox tradition of ‘Kneeling Day’ and the Western tradition of ‘Pentecost Sunday’ converge on the same day. Thus the 10 year celebration of the Global Day of Prayer is very significant in that hundreds of millions of Christians from all over the world will kneel simultaneously in a day of repentance and united prayer before God, expecting the glory of the God to cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. (Hab.2:14) 216 nations are currently taking part – and the aim is to get all 220 nations involved. Across the British Isles there are events around Scotland; in Armagh for whole of Ireland; in Swansea, Wales; St. Hellier, Jersey; about 26 venues in England and in every borough in London. and Events page;
Pray: Blow the trumpet! A call for repentance and prayer (Joel.1:14)
Council rejects calls to ban prayers at the start of its meetings
Wellington Town Council has rejected a controversial motion calling to scrap the traditional saying of prayers at the start of its meetings. Independent councillor Pat McCarthy claimed compulsory Christian prayers discriminated against atheists and people of other faiths, and said he wanted a separate service before meetings with official council business starting 15 minutes later. The Council decided to reject the calls as none of its members was in favour of the ban. Rt Revd Mark Rylands, the Anglican Bishop of Shrewsbury, said: ‘I fully support Council members in continuing to offer prayers before their meetings begin. The saying of prayers before meetings is an integral part of the British system of government. ‘Prayers remind councillors that they are answerable not only to themselves but also to those beyond the Chamber. Those who pray remind themselves they are answerable to God’
Praise: God for all those who have supported our Christian roots of prayer. (Ps.88:13)
More: http://www.ccfon.org/view.php?id=1077
Council rejects calls to ban prayers at the start of its meetings
Wellington Town Council has rejected a controversial motion calling to scrap the traditional saying of prayers at the start of its meetings. Independent councillor Pat McCarthy claimed compulsory Christian prayers discriminated against atheists and people of other faiths, and said he wanted a separate service before meetings with official council business starting 15 minutes later. The Council decided to reject the calls as none of its members was in favour of the ban. Rt Revd Mark Rylands, the Anglican Bishop of Shrewsbury, said: ‘I fully support Council members in continuing to offer prayers before their meetings begin. The saying of prayers before meetings is an integral part of the British system of government. ‘Prayers remind councillors that they are answerable not only to themselves but also to those beyond the Chamber. Those who pray remind themselves they are answerable to God’
Praise: God for all those who have supported our Christian roots of prayer. (Ps.88:13)
More: http://www.ccfon.org/view.php?id=1077
Christian preacher who said that homosexuality is sinful walks free
Common sense and the rule of law have prevailed after charges were dropped against a Christian preacher who said that homosexual conduct is sinful. Dale Mcalpine, 42, was arrested and had to repot before the courts after a homosexual police officer arrested him on 20 April 2010 for saying that homosexuality is going against the word of God. He was held in a cell for several hours before being charged with a public order offence. On 13 May 2010, charges against Mr Mcalpine were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) as preaching peacefully that homosexuality is a sin is not against the law. In response to the CPS’s decision, Mr Mcalpine said: 'It's good news. I'm relieved the police and the Crown Prosecution Service have finally seen sense. It was a ridiculous charge and I should never have been arrested in the first place. The whole thing was like fiction. It was surreal'. Praise: God for answered prayer. (1Cor.6:9) More: http://www.ccfon.org/view.php?id=1080
Christian preacher who said that homosexuality is sinful walks free
Common sense and the rule of law have prevailed after charges were dropped against a Christian preacher who said that homosexual conduct is sinful. Dale Mcalpine, 42, was arrested and had to repot before the courts after a homosexual police officer arrested him on 20 April 2010 for saying that homosexuality is going against the word of God. He was held in a cell for several hours before being charged with a public order offence. On 13 May 2010, charges against Mr Mcalpine were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) as preaching peacefully that homosexuality is a sin is not against the law. In response to the CPS’s decision, Mr Mcalpine said: 'It's good news. I'm relieved the police and the Crown Prosecution Service have finally seen sense. It was a ridiculous charge and I should never have been arrested in the first place. The whole thing was like fiction. It was surreal'. Praise: God for answered prayer. (1Cor.6:9) More: http://www.ccfon.org/view.php?id=1080
Syria: Defender of Palestinians
Syria claims to be the true defender of the 550,000 Palestinian refugees living there and is home to several Palestinian political organisations. However, the relationship between the two countries is strained. In general the Palestinians are poorer than the Syrians around them. Not having respect from the rest of society, makes them more passionate about returning to the Occupied Territories. Palestinians have not been allowed to revisit the occupied territories nor have Palestinians coming from the Occupied Territories been allowed to visit Syria. Palestinians in Syria have two choices; never visit family and see the homeland, or find ways to work around the rules and hope they do not get caught. It has been a generation since anyone in Syria has actually lived in the ‘original’ Palestine, but today’s youth tell you what town they are from and when their family became refugees. It is instilled in them that their destiny is ‘return to Palestine’
Pray: that Palestinians in Syria will discover their eternal citizenship through Jesus and that believers in Syria successfully share Christ’s love. (Heb.11:16)
More: http://www.cryoutnow.org/images/shoutforjoy-english.pdf