New Evangelical head says revival is 'essential' for European Church
The newly appointed General Secretary of the European Evangelical Alliance says revival is essential for Europe's traditional churches. Rev Niek M Tramper was appointed to his new post at the EEA's annual conference in Turkey on April 22. Rev Tramper, of the Netherlands, said there were many challenges facing the Church in Europe, including the need for greater cooperation between new and traditional forms of Church, a growing Muslim population, and tensions between the rich and poor. ‘The Church and Christian movements need each other in advancing the Kingdom of God,’ said Rev Tramper. ‘Traditional churches cannot continue without revival. Profound theology and missionary zeal are complementary. In places with few historic churches, the EEA is of great value for facilitating the replanting of churches in countries like Kosovo, Albania and Turkey, as well as in Central Asia.’
Pray: that the Lord directs Rev Tramper’s energy and vision in ways that promote Christ’s kingdom. (2Ti.3:9-11)
Greece: Economy and impact on population
Greece is close to agreeing to a new set of austerity measures, which will affect both the public and private sectors, that would unlock the emergency loans from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund that the country needs to keep its economy afloat. In the private sector, employers who have more than 200 people in their work force would be able to sack 4 per cent of them at once rather than the 2 percent in place now. There will also be a gradual phasing out of the 13th and 14th monthly salaries that employees receive as Easter, Summer and Christmas bonuses, possibly over the next five years. In the public sector, civil servants will lose their 13th and 14th monthly salaries and their supplementary pay,
which has already been cut by 30 percent, will be reduced by another 5 per cent. This would represent savings of 1.7 billion euros, or 0.6 per cent of Greece’s gross domestic product.
Pray: that the spirit of the Greek population will not be broken by these enforced measures. (Pr.10:15)
More: http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100002_29/04/2010_116768
Greece: Economy and impact on population
Greece is close to agreeing to a new set of austerity measures, which will affect both the public and private sectors, that would unlock the emergency loans from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund that the country needs to keep its economy afloat. In the private sector, employers who have more than 200 people in their work force would be able to sack 4 per cent of them at once rather than the 2 percent in place now. There will also be a gradual phasing out of the 13th and 14th monthly salaries that employees receive as Easter, Summer and Christmas bonuses, possibly over the next five years. In the public sector, civil servants will lose their 13th and 14th monthly salaries and their supplementary pay,
which has already been cut by 30 percent, will be reduced by another 5 per cent. This would represent savings of 1.7 billion euros, or 0.6 per cent of Greece’s gross domestic product.
Pray: that the spirit of the Greek population will not be broken by these enforced measures. (Pr.10:15)
More: http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100002_29/04/2010_116768
Survivors of forced marriage go on UK tour
Victims will urge children at risk to tell the authorities of their fears. Their stories are ones not normally made public in intimate detail. In the first scheme of its kind survivors of forced marriages will travel the country in May to describe the ordeals they went through in an attempt to try to persuade communities to abandon the practice. Men and women who were forced to marry against their wishes will visit 12 cities to tell teachers and police officers to be extra vigilant about children going missing during the summer holidays. Each summer hundreds of girls and boys, largely from South Asian communities, travel with their families to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, where they are forced into marriages. Those working to stop the practice say the period just before the summer holiday is always their busiest time of the year.
Pray: for those taking part in this tour, that their voices will be heard. (1Co.16:13)
BBC TV Documentary on marginalised Christians
Christians feel marginalised and pushed out of public life while other faiths are handled with kid gloves, according to a flagship BBC documentary shown on Easter Sunday. The film was presented by Nicky Campbell and featured two cases backed by The Christian Institute: Lillian Ladele, the registrar disciplined for her stance on civil partnerships, and Ben & Sharon Vogelenzang, the Christian hoteliers charged with a crime for criticising Islam. The hour-long programme called ‘Are Christians Being Persecuted?’ investigated widespread claims that Christianity is being sidelined in modern Britain. A poll conducted for the documentary showed that 44 per cent think Britain has become less tolerant of religion. Mr Campbell concluded the documentary asking: ‘So, are Christians being persecuted? No they’re not being tortured or killed like Christians in Pakistan and the Sudan. But a minority believes they are being sidelined and victimised. By the standards of a liberal society that can feel like persecution.’ Watch on BBC iPlayer available until Sunday. See link Highly recommended
Pray: that each one of us will live our lives as a clear expression of our Christian faith and not be ‘sidelined’. (1Th.1:3)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/watch-bbc-tv-show-on-marginalised-christians/
First Christian Share Index launched
Europe’s first Christian Share Index was launched lat week by Stoxx Limited, a global index provider and creator of the leading European equity indices. The Stoxx Europe Christian Index will measure the performance of 533 companies selected from the Stoxx Europe 600 Index according to the values and principles of the Christian religion. According to The Financial Times, companies in the index include HSBC, Nestlé, Vodafone, Royal Dutch Shell and GlaxoSmithKline. It has been formed to enable investors to participate in the performance of European companies which are compliant with Christian moral and social doctrines. ‘With the launch of the index, Stoxx acknowledges the growing number of Christian market participants who wish to invest in accordance with their religious beliefs,’ said Hartmut Graf, CEO. ‘The new index provides a broad representation of European companies who act responsibly on an ethical, environmental, social and economical level; and are therefore inline with Christian values.’
Pray: for Christians everywhere that they will be wise with their finances as thay seek God’s guidance. (Pr.1:5)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/first.christian.share.index.launched/25798.htm
First Christian Share Index launched
Europe’s first Christian Share Index was launched lat week by Stoxx Limited, a global index provider and creator of the leading European equity indices. The Stoxx Europe Christian Index will measure the performance of 533 companies selected from the Stoxx Europe 600 Index according to the values and principles of the Christian religion. According to The Financial Times, companies in the index include HSBC, Nestlé, Vodafone, Royal Dutch Shell and GlaxoSmithKline. It has been formed to enable investors to participate in the performance of European companies which are compliant with Christian moral and social doctrines. ‘With the launch of the index, Stoxx acknowledges the growing number of Christian market participants who wish to invest in accordance with their religious beliefs,’ said Hartmut Graf, CEO. ‘The new index provides a broad representation of European companies who act responsibly on an ethical, environmental, social and economical level; and are therefore inline with Christian values.’
Pray: for Christians everywhere that they will be wise with their finances as thay seek God’s guidance. (Pr.1:5)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/first.christian.share.index.launched/25798.htm
Pope: Threat to Catholicism comes from within Church
Pope Benedict XVI says the child abuse scandals indicate that the greatest threat to Catholicism comes from ‘sin within’ the Church. He made his comments in response to a question while en route to Portugal for a four-day trip in which he is due to celebrate open-air Masses in Lisbon as well as at the Catholic shrine of Fatima, and in Oporto. Critics have previously accused the Vatican of attempting to blame the media and the Church's opponents for the escalation of the scandal. ‘Today we see in a truly terrifying way that the greatest persecution of the Church does not come from outside enemies’, the pontiff told reporters on a plane bound for Portugal. Benedict said the Church has ‘a very deep need’ to acknowledge that it must do penance for its sins and 'accept purification'. However, he added that forgiveness should not be a substitute for justice.
Pray: for the Catholic Church as it faces up to very deep needs of forgiveness and repentance. (2Cor.7:10)
Pope: Threat to Catholicism comes from within Church
Pope Benedict XVI says the child abuse scandals indicate that the greatest threat to Catholicism comes from ‘sin within’ the Church. He made his comments in response to a question while en route to Portugal for a four-day trip in which he is due to celebrate open-air Masses in Lisbon as well as at the Catholic shrine of Fatima, and in Oporto. Critics have previously accused the Vatican of attempting to blame the media and the Church's opponents for the escalation of the scandal. ‘Today we see in a truly terrifying way that the greatest persecution of the Church does not come from outside enemies’, the pontiff told reporters on a plane bound for Portugal. Benedict said the Church has ‘a very deep need’ to acknowledge that it must do penance for its sins and 'accept purification'. However, he added that forgiveness should not be a substitute for justice.
Pray: for the Catholic Church as it faces up to very deep needs of forgiveness and repentance. (2Cor.7:10)
Portsmouth Christians seek to reach spiritually active non-believers
Christians in the Diocese of Portsmouth are hoping to reach out to churchgoers in need of new inspiration as well as people who would describe themselves as spiritual yet do not go to church. They are inviting passers-by, tourists and worshippers to drop into the city's Anglican cathedral for its spirituality fair, which will host prayer stations, workshops and meditations on April 17. Organisers say they hope the 'Be Still' fair will inspire people to worship God in new ways and help those who rarely experience Christian spirituality. Also on offer will be poetry as a spiritual aid, the role of the senses in Christian spirituality, what the Bible has to say and a prayer tent. There will be a traditional labyrinth laid out in the centre of the building – a medieval maze that encourages contemplation. Workshops through the day include prayer and movement, weaving and sculpture.
Pray: for visitors to this special event that they will learn more of and feel closer to God. (Ps.46:10)