From the category archives:

News

The Faraday Institute have announced a UK tour based on their influential new resources to help Christians answer the New Atheists, Test of Faith.

“The New Atheists – Dawkins et al – are throwing up questions many church leaders don’t feel equipped to answer – particularly questions of science and faith,” said Ruth Bancewicz, Director of the Test of FAITH project. “We are putting on a nationwide tour that will resource, encourage and help pastors, youth workers and leaders of all kinds to answer the questions they face.

“We are aiming this tour at the church leaders of today and tomorrow – including youth leaders and small group leaders, as well as those involved in evangelism and outreach,” she continued. “The question of whether science and faith are incompatible is not going to go away, and the Church needs to be ready to give an answer. This tour will enable that to happen.”

The tour dates are:

  • Aberdeen School of Christian Studies (1st March);
  • Holy Trinity, St Andrews (2nd March);
  • LST, Northwood (9th March);
  • Trinity College, Bristol (10th March);
  • St Johns Nottingham (11th March);
  • Cliff College Sheffield (21st April);
  • ICC, Glasgow (27th April)
  • LICC, London (19th May)

Further details are available from the Test of Faith tour website

Further details can be found on www.testoffaith.com

‘The New Atheists – Dawkins et al – are throwing up questions many church leaders don’t feel equipped to answer – particularly questions of science and faith’ said Ruth Bancewicz, Director of the Test of FAITH project. ‘We are putting on a nationwide tour that will resource, encourage and help pastors, youth workers and leaders of all kinds to answer the questions they face.’

‘We are aiming this tour at the church leaders of today and tomorrow – including youth leaders and small group leaders, as well as those involved in evangelism and outreach. The question of whether science and faith are incompatible is not going to go away, and the Church needs to be ready to give an answer. This tour will enable that to happen.’

The tour will now visit the Aberdeen School of Christian Studies (1st March); Holy Trinity, St Andrews (2nd March); LST, Northwood (9th March); Trinity College, Bristol (10th March); St Johns Nottingham (11th March); Cliff College Sheffield (21st April); ICC, Glasgow (27th April) and finally LICC, London (19th May).

Further details can be found on www.testoffaith.com

{ 0 comments }

Following a tumultuous year for Christian publishing and retailing, and responding to the success of the first day of prayer at the end of 2009, a second day of prayer has been announced. The date set is the 26th March, with hopes that Churches will also join in on the following Sunday, the 28th. Retailer Joy McIlroy, who spearheaded the the first day is also behind this new initiative. In a letter sent out to members of the Facebook group Christian Authors, Booksellers and Publishers Joy writes:

Hopefully word is beginning to spread through the far reaches of our industry that we are planning another day of prayer, similar to the one we did last September (can you believe it was that long ago?!).

I think it would be an understatement to say that things have somewhat changed since that time, and it has been interesting to see how our prayers have been answered.

Therefore, it seemed an opportune moment to set aside time once again to gather around the country in prayer. An opportunity to respond to the developments pre- and post-Christmas, and also to look ahead to the events organised by Christian Resources Together and cover them in prayer.

We are hoping to do it slightly differently this time, mainly because of the positive response we received from church leaders and those who support their local shops. So here are the all important dates….

FRIDAY 26th MARCH – for those within the trade
SUNDAY 28th MARCH – for churches to join us

What to do next?

Consider if you could open up a space for those in your locality to meet. Last time there were those who weren’t able to meet with others and prayed on their own, in the knowledge that they were spiritually joining with others. But those of us who were able to meet together it was a really special time so I want to encourage you to seek ways to do this.

Begin to talk to your local ministers, and supporters about joining you on the Friday or taking some time in their Sunday morning services to remember us.

The retail industry blog run by Phil Groome, Christian Bookshop Blog, is acting as a focal for this event with regular updates.

See also: Christian Bookshop Blog and Christian Marketplace

{ 1 comment }

#synod: the week in review

February 15, 2010

After another week of debates, motion, amendments,votes and all the obscure etiquette that is the modern governing body of the Church of England, it is now all over, and many observers will be asking what, if anything, was accomplished?
There was no groundbreaking new resolution passed – no ordination of women, no Methodist/Anglican covenant, no Fresh [...]

Read the full article →

#synod Thursday morning: Methodists, Buildings and the state of our navels

February 11, 2010

This morning opened with an address from the President of the Methodist Conference about the Anglican/Methodist covenant. Expecting one of those dull periods of interminable ecumenicalism, with lots of good intention and not a lot of real practicality and, as I was able to stay focussed it seemed to be going that way. However Pete [...]

Read the full article →

Update on ACNA debate #synod: video of the motion

February 11, 2010

An update from the debate about the break-away North American group. Below is the full text of the ammended motion that was approved:
That this Synod
(a) aware of the distress caused by recent divisions within the Anglican churches of the United States of America and Canada;
(b) recognise and affirm the desire of those who have [...]

Read the full article →

#synod: C of E recognise breakaway American Anglicans

February 10, 2010

In a two-and-a-half hour in-depth debate the Church of England Synod has decided to recognise the Anglican Church in North America. The original motion wanted the Synod to “express a desire that the Church of England be in communion” with the break-away group. However, following a long deliberation of several amendments (held up by a [...]

Read the full article →

#synod 2010 – Wednesday morning

February 10, 2010

The morning debate was mainly taken up with a debate on religion and the meda. The motion to be debated was
That this Synod calls upon the BBC and Ofcom to explain why British television, which was once exemplary in its coverage of religious and ethical issues, now marginalizes the few such programmes which remain and [...]

Read the full article →

Remembering Haiti

January 30, 2010

As it idisappears out of the news, it is important to remember that the suffering and needs in Haiti continue. Below is the latest appeal film from Tearfund. You can donate through the DEC here.

HT: The Simple Pastor

Read the full article →

Free Copy of Creation movie to give away!

January 29, 2010

In a first for a UK ministry, The Damaris Trust have announced that resources they produced for the movie Creation have been included on the DVD release of the film.
To celebrate this Everything Christian is delighted to offer a free give-away copy of the movie (with the Damaris Trust extras) to one fan of the [...]

Read the full article →

National Charity outlines plan to rescue 20 Christian bookstores

January 27, 2010

The Nationwide Christian Trust have announced a plan to acquire a significant number of the Wesley Owen stores not purchased by either Koorong or CLC (see previous report for more information).
Below is an extract from their press release, which can be downloaded here:
In the weeks leading up to Christmas we waited with bated breath to [...]

Read the full article →