Being a Christian in the entertainment world
09 Oct 2015
Frank Skinner is a British comedian whose career has spanned three decades and endured despite changing tastes; he's reinvented himself several times - as a sitcom star, national lead football fan and latterly talk show host. Perhaps most surprisingly of all, however, Skinner is a committed and practicing Catholic, profoundly interested in developing his faith and always ready to talk about it. He manages to squeeze a reference to his faith into almost every edition of his now-established comedy panel show 'Room 101', and this openness is consistent with his approach to interviews. Unlike other well-known believers, the comic doesn't simply resort to a well-rehearsed line about how his private, personal faith is a great source of comfort – he positively engages with the subject as a fundamental part of his life. In conversation he is uncompromising, evangelistic and even controversial.
Children in care need homes
09 Oct 2015
Every day 50+ children are taken into care in the UK. They are removed from chaotic, traumatic, abusive, neglectful or desperate situations. Some need a home in an emergency. Some need a temporary home until they can return to their families. Some need a home to give their families a break. Some need a permanent home with a new family. The Church is uniquely placed to help to meet this need in terms of finding families to foster or adopt, and providing an excellent community of support to wrap around those in need. A new charity that was birthed last year, called Home for Good, aims to make adoption and fostering a significant part of the life and ministry of the Church in the UK. Working with Care for the Family and the Child Protection Advisory Service they are equipping and co-ordinating churches and individuals to provide homes for children in care in a welcoming church community.
A Christian family in Yorkshire who converted from Islam has said it has ‘given up on the Church of England’, after claiming it failed to provide them with support following ongoing persecution. Since their conversion, they claim they have suffered regular persecution from Muslim neighbours who view them as ‘apostates.’ Their victimisation included having their car windscreens smashed seven times in the last year, eggs thrown at their windows and verbal and physical confrontations. One prosecution was made and the father of the family, 49-year-old Nissar Hussain, has himself received a police caution. Nissar was forced to quit his job as a nurse, after being diagnosed with depression and post-traumatic-stress disorder, and the family have already moved house once. Mr Hussain has criticised both the police's and the Church of England's responses to their situation and has filed a complaint with the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
The personal cost of Christian freedoms
09 Oct 2015
The Christian Concern organisation have a number of important legal cases to be heard in the courts over the next few months. These cases include a personal cost for those involved. It’s a spiritual battle and the courts can often be hostile towards the Christian faith, so please pray for these courageous men and women and their legal teams fighting for the freedom to share the gospel, freedom to bring up children according to the Christian faith and the protection of vulnerable lives. To read a brief outline of each of the legal cases click the ‘More’ link.
Speaking at the Conservative Party Conference David Cameron announced plans to force all religious schools to register and be inspected. ‘If an institution is teaching children intensively then, whatever its religion, we will, like any other school, make it register so that it can be inspected - and, be in no doubt, if you're teaching intolerance, we will shut you down.’ he said. He promised the country that it was his duty to keep Britain safe and that it was time to ‘really confront extremism’. David Landrum, director of advocacy at the Evangelical Alliance, said, ‘It is right that we actively rebuild Britain as an even greater country and take stringent measures to eradicate extremist ideology. However, it is vital that committed Christians are not labelled as extremists by those who may disagree with aspects of their faith.’
Watchman Intercessors – a word in season
09 Oct 2015
Steve Botham, Director at the World Prayer Centre writes, ‘This is a time of many warnings - of danger from terrorists, of severe economic collapse, of God’s judgement on nations and situations. We can become very concerned, but all watchmen are subject to God - He is the ultimate watchman. Psalm 121 tells us ‘He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep’. God has called forth watchmen at this time – but ultimately it is up to all of us to weigh up the warnings and ask - is this God’s voice to us at this time? He warns us for a serious purpose - to lead to repentance, prayer, practical action.’ Watchmen and intercessors serve out of love for their community and church. God is looking for a servant attitude.
Migrant crisis will reveal Europe’s true colours
09 Oct 2015
As hundreds of thousands of people fleeing war, repression and poverty cross Europe’s borders, the continent is struggling to cope. There is growing consensus that the EU’s legal framework and individual member states are poorly equipped to confront the problem. Politicians will have to act fast if they want to avoid a humanitarian emergency this winter. They should also be aware that quick solutions will not make the bigger issue go away. The migrant crisis is, in fact, about Europe’s identity. The coming weeks and months will be a test of European unity in the hardest times, with nationalist and extremist voices gaining ground and EU leaders strengthening border controls. So Europe's open door is soon to be closed in face of the tide that has overwhelmed Italy, Greece, Macedonia, Hungary, Serbia and Croatia and created problems throughout Europe.
Thursday’s meeting to strengthen diplomatic progress between Angela Merkel and Benjamin Netanyahu has been postponed due to a surge in Palestinian terror attacks in Jerusalem and the West Bank. (see this week’s Prayer-Alert world article) Prayer is needed for a strengthening of Israel’s relationships with Germany. In the middle of his address to the UN General Assembly Benjamin Netanyahu stood silently for 44 seconds and glared at all the representatives assembled as a protest against an absence of criticism of threats against Israel. Thursday’s cancelled consultation meeting took on a special significance. In 2008 Chancellor Merkel’s speech to the Knesset said that ‘the historical responsibility for Israel’s security is part of our raison d’état’. It would remain unchanged and continue to be one of the foundations of Germany’s foreign policy.