An Indian perspectiveon Evangelicals and the law, Losing aprecious daughter, Ravi Zacharias, P5 P14 P16

TheChurch of England Newspaper

5March, 2021 £1.50 Established in 1828 No:6565 Church to useits own land to solvehomescrisis

TheChurch of England should TheCommission recommends lead by example and deliver more newprotections for privatesector affordable homesonits own land, tenants, including longer-term according to anew report securityoftenure and adutyof endorsed by the Archbishop of e care on all landlords. Canterbury. Thereport‘Coming Coming Hom It also says the cladding crisis ousing Home’, outlines aUKhousing Tackling the h mustalso be addressed with r crisis which has left an estimated crisis togethe much greater urgency, with a eight million people living in commitment to remove unsafe February 2021 overcrowded, unaffordable and Full Report cladding on residential blocks by sub-standard accommodation. June 2022 and protectionfor The6000 acres of strategic leaseholders from the costs of landholdings of the Church remediation,the report Commissioners could be used to recommends. rchbishops sion of the A help alleviate the crisis, according The Commis RevLynne Cullens, nd York on Canterbury a of munity to the report. Anew Church rch and Com Commission member and Chair Housing, Chu Measure is proposed which would of the NationalEstateChurches ensure thatdioceses and parishes Network, said: “The statistics can use church land for social and regarding the housing crisis are environmental benefit. grim, four million households in Thereportdetails anumber of England live in ahome thatthe recommendations for the Church government defines as ‘non- of England. decent’, for instance. But there is These include amending the hope -the pasttwo years have legal framework for selling church revealed thatthere is aquiet assets so church land and revolution happening within buildings can be used for social Dr Guli Francis- manyparishes. and environmental, as well as Dehqani,new “Right across the country, lead Bishop on economic, benefit. housing churches are responding to local It also recommends thatthe housing need by building, Church Commissioners setan innovating, repurposing and example to other landowners by advocating for those who are favouring newdevelopments on parishes are meeting local needs Guli Francis-Dehqani will lead a housing strategywith cross-party vulnerablyhoused. its land thatalign with the and building community. team supporting local dioceses support, including aspecific “And we want to see more of Commission’s values, and thata Further recommendations call and parishes to help meetlocal target for the number of homes this; because together -asthe reviewiscarried out to examine on the church to ensure clergy housing need. which are truly affordable, 10 and Church, as individuals and as how the Church Commissioners’ and layactivists are offered Thereportwas presented to 20 years out, and who should sector partners -wecan tackle the strategic land can be used to training on how to engageon the General Synod during the one bear the financial burden for housing crisis. Together we can deliver more affordable housing. housing matters, and thatlocal dayonline meeting in February. achieving this. drive aspokeinto the wheel of It recommends thatthe church communitywork shifts Thereportcalls on acollective TheCommission also housing injustice. Together local Church Commissioners consider from crisis interventions to effortatall levels of society recommends further reversal of churches can playavital role in whether theycould draw down prevention. including Government, local cuts to socialsecuritysupportfor ensuring everyone has ahome more from their assets and release TheCommission has put authorities, landowners and housing and –after years of thatissustainable, safe, stable, strategic land, to unlock the together guidance and case property developers as well as the piecemeal changes -calls for a sociable and satisfying.” potential for more affordable studies to help churches respond Church. reviewtoensure adequate homes. Further to these effectively to housing needs TheCommission concludes housing supportfor low-income PRICE £1.50 /€2.00 /$2.50 recommendations, the locally,aswell as books, videos thatsuccessive Governments’ households. It says thatsuccessive Commission has co-created an and Bible study notes to reflect focus on simply building more welfare reforms have left many interactive map thataccurately and engagewith housing issues homes is not going to solve the low-income households forced to identifies all church land and from aChristian perspective. problem of affordability. choose between paying the rent buildings within dioceses, and a Thenewly-appointed Bishop TheCommission urges the and paying for other essentials surveytodemonstratehow for Housing, the Right RevDr Government to setout a20year such as food and heating. ThenextCEN will be published on 19 Mar

churchnewspaper.com [email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 2 Friday5March, 2021

these communities. Iknow from Diocese of Durham my family experience of home- TheDiocese of Durham has joined forceswith Christian Aid to give schooling the difference having thanks for the rollout of the covid-19 vaccine across the world. TheChurch extralaptops makes. Children TheBishop of Durham is encouraging people to pass on the blessing should not be excluded from of receiving their covid jabs to makeadonation to Christian Aid’s education because there is not a Coronavirus Appeal. computer in their home or Funds from the appeal are helping vulnerable communities around in England because thatcomputer is also the world access soap, water,food and vital health information in the needed by parents trying to work face of the pandemic. Many communities around the world face an from home at the same time. It is uncertain wait for avaccine as questions remain around the costand amazing whatcan be achieved by timing of aglobal vaccine programme. churches and other community TheRtRevdPaul Butler,Bishop of Durham, who received his first groups working together to vaccination at the newly open centre in Durham said: “The vaccine is address real and pressing need.” bringing with it adeep sense of reliefand hope for families across the UK and increasingly we see thatmanypeople want to express their gratitude by reaching out to others.” Diocese of Winchester Avon ValleyChurcheshave teamed up with TheCottageLoaf Diocese of Newcastle groups. Charitable church funds in FordingbridgeHigh Streetto Thecommunitiesofthe united contributed another twoand fund more than 400 cakes for beneficeofOvinghamandWylam parishioners donated another local children and their families have funded 17 laptops for ten. as well as all those in local care Ovingham Middle School in just Theinitial aim to fund one homestolet them know theyare 36 hours. laptop of exceeded within 36 thinking of them. It started when the school hours with 17 being purchased. Youth, Children and Families approached Doreen Jordan, the Ovingham Middle School is Development Worker for the chair of Ovingham Parish partofthe Tyne Community Avon ValleyChurches, Jo Heath, Council, for help funding asingle Learning Trust, agrouping of said: “Even though we are in a laptop. With manychildren nineschoolswithintheOvingham third lockdown, we are still currently home-schooling, and Prudhoe area. Thelaptops reminding ourselves and others laptops are vital to allow pupils to funded will be used throughout about how important it is to feel connectwith their teachers. the trustfor families with connected and cared for.” Doreen approached St Mary insufficient access to computers the Virgin, Ovingham to ask if at home to enable effective online Centre of Mission in Wales) and bread, abottle of blackberrygin. a theywould liketojoin in and help teaching. Theeffects of the Diocese of Birmingham is also extremely passionate about hand-made wooden bowl or ajar fund newlaptops. From this first community’sgenerous response On the 14 February2021, if you finding those mostinneed and of honey, we bishops would be invitation, the initiative will be felt across the trust. happen to be in LangleyPark or taking Christ, and the church, to glad to provide to the highest snowballed with the Parish TomBirch, Vicar of the united Barnford Park, youmay come them. bidders in the service of our sister Councils of both Wylam and benefice, said, “I am delighted across alargeheart. On them will Thelong-term vision of the diocese of Kagera. There maybe Ovington agreeing to each fund a and astounded by the scale and be aQRcode, if you follow this Centre of Mission is to see new something else you have in mind laptop, as did other community speed of the generosityshown by code, and input your name, you worshipping communities -we’re open to possibilities, shall arrive at awebpagetelling emergeofpeople, thatmay never within reason!” you ‘For Godsoloved the world have attended atraditional Thebids will be submitted thatHesent Hisonly Son to that church, meeting together to grow during Lent and the Bishops will if you (their name) believe in Him in communityand discipleship. decide on the winning ideas based you shall not perish but have on creativityand feasibility, and eternal life’, with alink to a expecttorespond before Easter Facebook pagededicated to the Diocese of Suffolk as bids come in. local communityand those that Suffolk Christians are invited to Christians are also invited to are there to serve it. bid for an hour of abishop’s time bid for handmade crafts and This is the LangleyCentre of in order to come up with creative homemade bakes from the two Mission in action. TheCentre of ideas in the diocese of Suffolk. Bishops including:hand-turned Mission is apartnership between People are being asked to wooden bowl from Bishop Church of England Birmingham introduce themselves to bishops, Martin; jarofBishop Mike’s and the Church Army, with and give their suggestions for honey; bottle of Mendlesham supportfrom Archbishops whatthey’dlikeabishop to do blackberrygin; ryebread baked Council in the form of Strategic and why. Thediocese is looking by Bishop Martin; signature cake Development Funding and for bids from individuals as well baked by Bishop Mike. situated in the newly formed as groups. Closing date for the auction is Diocese of Worcester DeaneryofWarley&Edgbaston, Bishop Martin said: “Whether midnight on Easter Monday5 Christians have clubbed together with giftbags for NHS teams in created by the People and Places it’s acake, aloaf of homemade rye April and bids can be sent to Worcestershire. Members of Pershore Benefice and Bredon Hill programme. [email protected]. Group Churcheshaveput togetherthe bags to saythank you. ValLegghas been appointed Donations will raise funds for “Wehavemade up lots of prettypaper bags, each filled with small lead Evangelistand Simon Jarvis the Bishops’ Lent Appeal for treats,”said organiser SaraSpeed, “plus afinishing touch -ahand- appointed as Pioneer Evangelist. 2021 which is supporting key made ‘thank you’ heart.” They will live in the local workers in Kagera, Tanzania. In Church members and other friends around Pershore &Bredon Hill community, building particular,the Appeal will provide have been donating small items to fill the bags, including toiletries, relationships, finding and training and supportfor farmers hand cream, lip balm, chocolates, biscuits and small jars of jam. training volunteers and serving (growing food for themselves and Packages are designed for both male and female staff.Over 100 treat those mostinneed for at leastthe their communities); doctors bags have been delivered to Worcester Hospital ICU and more are next five years. Simeon is from (caring for people whose lives are coming together for Pershore CommunityHospital the local area and has aparticular blighted by poverty and “Weknow how exhausting and stressful it is working long hours passion to help young men who malnutrition); priests (leading with veryill patients, so this surprise treattotakehome mayadd some are in real need to realise their their people spiritually and cheer.There’s areal need here and donations have poured in –thank potential. Valisfrom further practically to raise themselves out you toeveryone who has helped,”said Sara. afield (mostrecently running a of poverty)

churchnewspaper.com [email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper Friday5March, 2021 3 Rowover“totally unacceptable” Covidimproves Archbishop remarks church’s ımage Anew poll has revealed making apositive Episcopal Church (TEC)”. perceptions of the role of difference in the world. “Its appeal to subsidiarityis the Church are improving. Thestudy,which another trick not to submit to the Thesurveyconducted by surveyed 2,170 clear authorityofScripture on Savanta ComRes and respondents, also found homosexuality, rather,theydefer to commissioned in that42per cent of UK individual Bishops discretion of partnership by adults agree thatlocal discernment on how to relate to YourNeighbour and Christian churches are homosexuals, and offer them room, international Christian making apositive he added. children’s charityWorld difference in their He also declared, “The deadly Vision, found thatthose communitywith 24 per ‘virus’ of homosexualityhas infiltrated who do not identifyas cent disagreeing. When ACNA.This is likened,”heargued, “to Christian were more likely, asked whatcommunity ayeastthatshould be urgently and since the COVID needs Christian churches radically expunged and excised lestit pandemic, to agree with could provide for,events Primate of Nigeria, affects the whole dough.”Hesaid the the statement thatthe UK for the elderly and Archbishop HenryNdukuba the leadership of ACNA had been Church is making apositive homeless services were “palliative”and “weak”. difference in the world –25 selected mostoften, with TheBishop of Leeds, Nick Baines per cent todaycompared both chosen by 1in4UK hit back at Archbishop Ndukuba’s with 19 per cent three years adults (24per cent), closely TheArchbishop of Nigeria has adopt categorically the languageof remarks describing them on Twitter ago. followed by shelter for the criticised apastoral statement from “gayChristian,”or“same-sexattracted as: “Totally unacceptable. But, more More than one in three homeless (22 per cent) and the Anglican Church of North Christian”asthe default description the point, wrong and dangerous.” (36 per cent) of the total food/clothes/toy collection America (ACNA) over same-sex for those who experience same-sex Evangelical leaders in the Church UK population agree that and distribution (20 per terminology. But this week, Church of attraction within the ACNA. of England including Andrew Christian churches are cent). England leaders hit back at the Thebishops concluded that Goddard, theologian and Living in African leader describing his remarks upholding their commitment to Love and Faith participant, have also as “totally unacceptable”. subsidiarity, theydefer to diocesan criticsed these remarks. Archbishop HenryNdukuba bishops to discern these matters ACNA Bishops responded in a criticised arecently released ACNA within their own diocesan statement, saying: “The Anglican CollegeofBishops Pastoral Statement communities and ministries. Church in NorthAmerica remains which itself was admonishing an However,Archbishop Ndukuba committed to being aplace where earlier ‘letter to gayChristians’ by called these decisions by ACNA Christians who experience same-sex clergyofACNA. Thestatement bishops “tantamount to asubtle attraction can come alongside other featured comment on the sue of capitulation to recognize and promote brothers and sisters in Christseeking languageabout sexual identity, same -sex relations among its to be more closely conformed to the especially within the province of members”,and “exactly the same character of Jesus, and grow in biblical ACNA and specifically,whether to route of argument adopted by The holiness.” Archbishop’s vision of ‘mixed ecology’ church

A‘mixed ecology’ is the future of the “I want to be able go to the poorest Church of England, declared the and mostdeprived parish of the Archbishop of York in an address to northern province, meetamember of Bishop an informal Zoom meeting of General the congregation who faithfully and Graham Usher Synod on Saturday27February, sacrificially gives each week to the 2021. ministryofthe church, and be able to “Itisour historic vocation to be the look them in the eye,”hesaid. Church for everysquare inch of this Earlier,inajoint presentation, the Bishop Usher takes countryand everyperson in it,”said Archbishops of Canterburyattacked TheArchbishop the Archbishop, explaining thata of York negative press coverage, and insisted over as climate lead mixed ecologychurch “will be the way thattheyhad no plans to ‘abolish’the we achieve this in our current context”. parish system. TheBishop of Norwich, changeand biodiversity He said this means “enabling every During the one-dayonline meeting, Graham Usher,will be the loss are the mostgrave and person. ..tobepartofhis church”,and want more church, not less, he added. General Synod heard apresentation newlead for the Church of existential we face: as the church developing pathways into TheArchbishop told Synod that on apaper by Head of Mission and England’s Environment human beings, as aChurch discipleship in the different areas that “God is calling the church to be Public Affairs, RevDrMalcolm Programme, following the and as aglobal community. people actually live their lives, younger and more diverse”. Brown, outlining the next steps in retirement announcement We welcome Bishop including home; work/education; He said this means the church independent oversight of the National from the Bishop of Graham and his long leisure; and digital. “And in order to needs “to look likethe communities Safeguarding Team (NST). Salisbury, Nicholas expertise as he steps into do this we need priests -more priests! we serve in all areas of ageand This paper proposes the Holtam. the role of Lead Bishop for -who, with their bishops, will have diversity,”highlighting, “that“this appointment of an Independent Bishop Graham will the Environment. Maywe oversight of the parishes, chaplaincies, does mean all areas of diversity,” Safeguarding Board (ISB). TheISB work with the Mission and pray for him, and the vital newChristian communities, be they including under-represented groups, would be responsible for the Public Affairs department work of the Environment online or in person, thatwewill work particularly people with disability, development of Policies and Codes of to lead the Church of Programme.” to establish, he said. and LGBTI+ people. Practice and other initiatives England’s Environment Bishop Graham will “Itwill also need ahugeflourishing TheArchbishop told Synod he addressing culture changewithin the Programme. takeover the role in June, of layministryand layleadership and wants the church to be “humbler and church, and future development of TheArchbishop of ahead of the retirement of manynew ministers helping us bolder”serving the front line of the training curricula and programmes Canterbury, Justin Welby, the Bishop of Salisburyin develop newcommunities of faith. We church. across the whole church. said, “The crises of climate July.

churchnewspaper.com [email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 4 Friday5March, 2021 New‘inclusive’ church group launched

Anew ‘progressive’ grouping has Rogers Govender MBE, and the been launched as an umbrella Tim Goode, Very RevMandy Ford and Very body aimed at making Church of co-chair of Mosaic RevJoe Hawes, both civil England diocesesmore inclusive partnered senior clerics in the of minoritygroupings including Church of England, and the Ven LGBTQ,race, and disability. Malcolm Chamberlain, who Mosaic, the Movement of recently helped setupthe Supporting Anglicans for an Evangelical Forum at General Inclusive Church, has setout its Synod. aim to have apresence in each TheSteering Group, has NSPLASH.COM /U diocese of the Church of England, appointed 23 diocesan convenors. GO NA where it will work with local Venerable Alan Jeans, OR clergyand laityonprojects that Archdeacon of Sarum, who is AG

promote inclusion. partofthe Steering Group and a ALEXANDR Theco-chair of the initiative, MOSAIC diocesan convenor, member of the Archbishops’ said: Newchanges Council, RevCanon Tim Goode, “There are manyclergyand said: “I am delighted thatwehave laitywho have an interestorneed to marriage been able to bring together such a for our campaigning group. broad coalition of leaders who MOSAIC offers those who are law represent the full rangeof marginalised or subjectto marginalised groups within the discrimination alistening ear.We Twosignificant changes to Church of England. We stand far also aim to be apoint of contact marriagelaw in England are stronger together –for you cannot for the Bishop’s staff with regards coming into force over the next be alittle bit inclusive.” to inclusivityissues within the fewmonths. TheMovement has appointed Diocese. At the same time, we will From 4May 2021, the long eight Patrons who will actas include the Chairs of Inclusive Faith (Ven Peter Leonard) along be seeking ways to ensure that anticipated changes to the way Ambassadors for the Movement Church (VeryRev Dianna with RevBill Braviner from Living in Love and Faith engages marriages are registered will and advise on strategy. These Gwilliams) and One Body One Disability&Jesus, the Very Rev LGBT+ voices safely.” come into force. TheCivil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths Christian campaigners criticise climate action Registration etcsuccessfully completed its passagethrough Christian Aid has criticised the to 1.5ºC, emissions will need to monstrously destructive Parliament and attained Royal sum of united climate pledges as roughly halve over thatsame president. It’s vital theychange Assent lastMarch. setout in the UNFCCC Synthesis period. Those are the same odds course in time for COP26 summit Thenew provision sees the Report. as playing Russian roulettewith this November.” firstmodernisation of marriage Thereportwas requested by three bullets in the chamber.This COP25 President Carolina registration since 1837,by Parties to the Paris Agreement to is acall to action. We need the Schmidt noted thatthis NDC introducing amarriageschedule measure the progress of national same concentrated urgencythat Synthesis Report“clearly system and registration in an climate action plans (NDC) created multiple vaccines to indicated thatsignificant work electronic register. ahead of COP26 this November tackle COVID as we do to tackle mustbedone, in particular by Theprocess will move away in Glasgow.Covering submissions the greatestexistential threatin major emitters”. from the current paper register. Newco-chairs up to December 2020, it shows the historyofhumanity. Only 2ofthe 18 largest Theregulations which will 75 Parties have setanew or “It’sdisgraceful thatjust75 emitters, the UK and the makethe required amendments for CEEC updated NDC, representing countries, which cover only 30% European Union, presented an to the MarriageAct 1949 were approximately 30 per cent of of global emissions, have updated NDC in 2020 containing laid in Parliament in February, Lis Goddard and Ed Shaware to global greenhouse gas emissions. submitted newnational climate astrong increase in their Green and subjecttoapproval, will become Co-Chairs of the Church However,the reportshows plans. Thereal laggards are rich House Gas reduction targets. come into force on 4May 2021. of England Evangelical Council thatwhile the majorityofnations industrialised nations such as She said thatother major Theelectronic register will also (CEEC) it has been announced. represented increased their Australia, Japan and Jacinda emitters either submitted NDCs allow for the names of parents of Lis Goddard is chair of the individual levels of ambition to Ardern’s NewZealand, as well as presenting averylow increase in the couple (mother /father / Junia Network of Anglican reduce emissions, their combined Brazil whose rainforests burn their ambition level or have not parent) to be included in the evangelical women in ordained impactputs them on apathto ever brighter at the behestofits presented NDCs yet. marriageentryinstead of only ministry. She has been involved in achieve aless than 1per cent their fathers’ names as is currently student ministry, taught in a reduction by 2030 compared to the case. Under the newchanges, theological collegeand worked in 2010 levels. The clergywill be required to create a avariety of different parish Intergovernmental Panel on marriagedocument or obtain the contexts. Climate Change, by contrast, has marriageschedule prior to the Ed Shawispastor of indicated thatemission reduction date of marriage. Clergywill no Emmanuel CityCentre Church in ranges to meetthe 1.5°C longer complete the formal Bristol, anew congregation temperature goal should be register for the marriages you established in recent years via a around 45 per cent lower. solemnize (There will still be a ‘Bishop’s Mission Order’. He is Responding to the publication, register kept by clergyfor the also well-known as one of the Christian Aid climate policylead, records of their church), and editorial team at Living Out. Dr KatKramer,commented: clergywill no longer issue the Theappointments were “Itisunutterably appalling legal marriagecertificates. confirmed at arecent two-day thatthe combined impactofthe Clergywill also no longer be meeting of the CEEC. Members pledges thathavebeen made put responsible for corrections in AID

were also told thatover the last the world on course to achieve IAN marriageregisters. After the ST year,the CEEC has helped setup only a1%reduction in emissions RI changes are introduced, all CH five newDiocesan Evangelical by 2030 from 2010 levels. The corrections to marriageentries Afarmerwhose family has benefited from aChristian Aid programme Fellowships, taking the total to science suggeststhateven for a focussed on building resilience for vulnerable communitiesexperiencing will be carried out by the 33. 50% chance of limiting warming climate extremes. registration officers.

churchnewspaper.com [email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper Friday5March, 2021 5 News Analysis Collegegoesvegetarian St Hild College, which offers teaching in Sheffield, Mirfield, York, will be making vegetarian menus the default for collegecatering, as it takes Ravi Zachariasstory: steps to reduce itscarbon emissions. In 2017 St Hild became the firsttheological collegetobeawarded the ARocha Eco-Church Bronze Award, and, in the four years since, an Indian perspective environmental concerns have remained high on the college’sagenda due to the work of the student-led Eco-Team. TheCollegeisalso exploring Offsetting/reforesting options, and is By VinaySamuel planning aprogramme of prayer and awareness-raising in the lead up to the 26th UN Climate ChangeConference (COP26) due to takeplace One well-known American in Glasgow in November. scholar John Stackhouse Speaking of the college’sdeclaration, Principal RevCanon Mark suggested thatRaviZacharias’s Powley, said:“Farfrombeinganemptygesture,Ibelieveourrecognising attemptstoinflate his academic will not only cutthe carbon footprint of the collegebut will also help qualifications and status may the St Hild community, and the churches and organisations we are reflecthis Indian background of connected with, to be beacons of hope. Iwould likeeverychurch and spiritual “Gurus”.India has given Christian organisation to join us in making aformal declaration of the asignificant number of ‘spiritual’ climate emergencyduring 2021.” gurus to the west.But Indian gurus have rarely been considered as intellectual PostsaxedatAnglicanoffice leaders. Ravi did present himself as an Astaff consultation at the Anglican Communion has resulted in the intellectual leader and was loss of twomore staff. acknowledged as such by his Three staff have now left as aresult of restructuring and two followers and admirers, one even members of staff left to takeonnew jobs during the consultation going so far as to call him a period. TheOffice is the international secretariatfor the Anglican contemporaryCSLewis. The Communion. As aresult of cost-cutting the Anglican Communion Evangelical marketing industry Office will carryout less directprogrammatic work with the focus in the United States puffs up shifting to facilitate work carried out by member churches, networks, intelligent, creative and excellent commissions and mission agencies. communicators of the gospel, Thereorganisation followed areviewbythe Archbishop of Cape especially if theyhaveexotic Town, Thabo Makgoba, lastyear.The reviewproposed the creation of origins and are photogenic. It seven newroles, and five of these have been filled by existing staff.The inflates people beyond himself to slip scandalously. Then management experts remaining twoposts will be advertised. recognition and deflates and He died before his Church or who were Christians moved into “Mission is still veryimportant in the Anglican Communion as it is discards them justasquickly the Christian communitywas evangelicalism and were allowed in all Christian churches”,the SecretaryGeneral, Archbishop Josiah when scandals emerge. able to discipline and restore him. to shape it to focus on strategy, Idowu-Fearon, said. “But mission is bestcarried out at the local level in Although Ihad verylittle He maynot have persevered in outcomes, numbers, and impact. parishes, dioceses, and provinces. With our newstructure, the ACO interaction with him Ihave holy living but the Lord who Iacknowledgethatall those will help to coordinate and communicate the mission carried out by thanked Godfor Ravi’sclear and called and anointed him would were needed but theyshould not our member churches.” powerful ministryofproclaiming have persevered with him. have taken the central place, and and defending the gospel of shaped our leadership culture. Christ. Hiscalling and anointing Celebrityleaders Theidea of empowerment by Eritrean prisonersfreed but by Godwas obvious to me and the Spirit focused on empowered manyofmycolleagues. There has been achangein to achieve spectacular spiritual churches areunder attack Hisministrydid not appear or evangelical culture and its impactdemonstrating the power sound fakeorcounterfeit. But attitude to leaders. Much has of the spirit in healing, prophecy, More than 700 civilians have been killed by Eritrean forcesinEthiopia, when stories about his academic been written about the “celebrity prosperityand church growth. even as the authoritiesinthe countrycontinue to release prisoners of credential exaggeration and culture”thatpervadessome Thepower of the spirit to convict faith. sexual immoralitybegan to parts of evangelicalism. We are God’speople of sin, to cleanse, Last month 21 women prisoners were freed in addition to 150 other surface Ibegan to have questions also reminded of the greatman/ restore and renewtheir spiritual Christian prisoners freed since lastAugust. about his calling and anointing. greatleader culture that life was not stressed enough. “Despite the prisoner releases in Eritrea, these horrific church TheBible reminds us forcefully dominates political and religious Increasingly aleaders’ ministry attacks suggest it’s far too soon to suggest achangeofhearttowards thatthe gifts and calling of God cultures today. In politics or skills and impactappeared to Christianity,”said Paul Robinson of Release International, which will not be recalled by him religion ‘big’leaders attract confirm the power of the spirit supports persecuted Christians worldwide. (Romans 11:25). King David was unquestioned loyaltyand support and spiritual anointing and the “The attacks on churches in Tigray are appalling, and Eritrea called and anointed and fell into from manypeople. leader’s spiritual maturity continues to hold manysenior pastors who have been detained grievous sin with awillful Ibelieve the changebegan reflecting humilityand integrity indefinitely –some for up to 17 years. Until all are setfree and the disregard of God’smoral when evangelicals focused on was rarely highlighted. killing of Christians stops it’s too soon to talk of lasting change. standards. Godraised aProphet outcomes of evangelistic and Thetendencytojudge “Any such changewould have to be proven by giving full freedom of to challengehim. He was mission activityand neglected the Christian leadership primarily religion to all Eritrea’scitizens.” chastised by Godand restored. focus on character and holy living through their abilitytoachieve Thelatestprisoners to be released have justbeen setfree from Idonot know if Godraised a of our leaders. Leaders began to growth in numbers and budgets Dahlak Archipelago, an island prison on the Red Sea. Thewomen, prophetic voice to call Zacharias be assessed particularly for their developed in NorthAmerica. It reportedly young mothers, were arrested in 2017 after the Eritrean to accountabilityand whether the evangelistic and mission success. dominates evangelical leadership authorities raided underground churches in various towns and villages. Lord chastised him, but likehe When Icame to Christmore than culture there. It is not present to Many of their husbands were conscripts and their children were left used David for his purposes, the 50 years ago, evangelicalism was anysuch degree among without care. Thelatestbatch of releases leaves an estimated 130 fruits of Ravi’sministrywill stand, about crusades, personal evangelicals elsewhere. Ravi Christian prisoners in statejails in Eritrea. and Iwish to acknowledgethat evangelism and about holy living. Zacharias was aproductof According to Release International, Eritrea outlawed mostreligions manypeople experienced God’s Iwas not judged by numbers American evangelicalism and in 2002 when the government banned everyfaith other than Orthodox, grace and received God’s brought to Christ, churches attempts to suggest thathis Catholic, Evangelical Lutheran and Sunni Islam. knowledgethrough him. planted, miraculous experiences failures had something to do with “Our partners saythe latestprisoner releases maybetocurryfavour Ravi Zacharias was unable to and demonstrations of spiritual his Indian background are with the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, who is aChristian,”said Paul resisttemptation and allowed power. unfounded. Robinson.

churchnewspaper.com [email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 6 Friday5March, 2021 LizHoare TheSpiritual Director BY THEREV DR LIZ HOARE Joseph:anexample of resilience

Oneofthe Bible characters who strength. anotherand at theend of the meantalot to me as ayoung Allthisisthe background to storywas (inthe world’sterms)a Christianwas Joseph. some reflections on resilience,a highly successful man: rich, Joseph wasbynomeans perfect themethathas come up anumber powerful andwithvastinfluence. andaswithall OldTestament of timesaspeoplehavetalked Butwas it alldowntoJoseph? He characters,hehad to learnsome andwritten aboutsurviving the maybeastudy in resilience,but hard lessons. Joseph’s youthful pandemic.Acknowledgingthat withoutGod,heisjustanother arrogancefor example, ledhim to people have beenstretched or man, relying on hisown wits who annoy both hisfatherand his weigheddown–whether through made it whereothersmight have G

brothers as he thoughtlessly .OR loneliness, an unhappyhome failed. IA relatedhis dreams (Gen 37). situation, overwork and Whilewewanttocome IMED K I

Theoutstanding motifinthe .W constantlyonlineorlossofwork throughthistraumaticexperience NS

lifeofJosephfor me wasthat‘The MO andableak future,one of thekey stronger,the most valuable thing Lord waswithJosephand he OM toolsfor survival is namedas we canlearn is that Godiswith /C becameasuccessful man’ (Gen resilience. us,even andespecially, in our

39:2.OrasWilliam Tyndaleput GUIGNET Youngpeopleespecially, weakness andvulnerability.The it:‘andJosephwasaluckyfellow.’) vulnerable as they aretoan faithfulness of Christ towardsus ADRIEN Iunderstoodthatthis verse was unknownfuturewhere allthe enablesustoremainfaithfulto notsayingthatjust because God goalposts have beenmoved are him in turn.Ifresiliencearises is with aperson, he or shewill While we want to come through this said to need resilience.Resilience outofthisstance, that’s alltothe inevitably be successful,atleast traumatic experience stronger,the involves thecapacity to recover good. Joseph gave allcreditto in worldlyterms. quicklyfromadversity,tobounce Godfor hissuccess(eg Gen Afterall,Josephsubsequently mostvaluable thing we can learn is back andfacethe future with 45:8,9). foundhimselfbackinanthat Godiswithus confidenceand strength.It Christians will want to help Egyptian jail followingthis meanstoughnessand theability people rebuildtheir lives statement, wronglyaccused of to deal with setbacks. followingthe pandemic. As we do trying to seduce hismaster’swife. with us.Whenthatisthe case,we future unafraid.WithoutGod we Joseph was, in this senseavery so,let’s encouragepeopleto ButIknewthatthe important areequippedtofacewhateverlife arelefttoour owndevices and resilientyoung man. He bounced discover that Godisthe keyto thingwas to know that Godis throws at us andwemay face the will to surviveinour own back from oneset back after liveswelllived.

LEADER COMMENT Cultural upheaval andcontroversy

Cultural upheavalmight be a characters usingthese journeys out’ anddeclare theirsexual Generation X76per cent;and classroom pressure,media better termthan culture‘wars’as to gain knowledgeofplaces, but desiresopenly. Baby Boomers 84 percent. pressure and, yes, through mere thereare notreallytwo sidesina also to take over thebodies That seemsaquite Thepollshowsjust howmuch fashion, we aremouldingsoft battle, thevolcaniclavaflowsred of othercharacters. Amale extraordinarycoercion of people we areinfluenced by thechanging clay, notdiscoveringsomegreat hotout into society. character’ssoulentersand whomight notwishto‘come out’ taboos of culture, concluded shardofinternalgranite children On thenever ending stream of possesses awoman’s body, the andhappy to have theirsexual Parris.The youngest generation arebornwith. Theyounger the controversy over sexuality and ‘woman’thenkills themale habits kept private. Matthew hasbeeninfluenced by the person,the softer theclay. It may gender the‘trans’ lobby continues character’sbodypossessed by her Parris in hisTimes column has surroundingsexualised culture. notbeashirking butashouldering to driveon, oftenoffending soul.Thiswas discussed in terms writtenanother very thoughtful He concludedhis piece: “But we of responsibility,toask achild to women, forexamplethe call to of the‘trans’ phenomenonin pieceonsexuality,fromhis own should nail earlythe wait.” Letushopethatthe CofE’s rename ‘breastfeeding’ as ‘chest whichtrans personsclaim to gayangle.HepointstoanIpsos misconception that allwe’re ‘LivinginLoveand Faith’ project feeding’ hasnot unnaturally inhabit ‘the wrongbody’andwant Mori opinion poll in whichpeople doingisrespecting“what people includes MatthewParris’ careful attractedridiculeand outrage. that changedtofittheir ‘soul’ or were askedabout theirsexual really are”.Bysocialpressure, analysis. TheNetflixfilm ‘BehindHer invisibleinner entity.But the attraction.Respondents from Eyes’has also prompted film’sastralsouls were not each generation were askedtosay discussionofthe transgender gendered or sexedunlikethe whichofthe followingfour TheChurch of England Newspaper agenda with itsportrayal of metaphysical doctrine of the groups they’d putthemselvesin: Published by Political and Religious Intelligence Ltd characters having bodiesbut also transcommunity. “Onlyattracted to theopposite CompanyNumber: 3176742Publisher: Keith Young MBE separableastralprojectilesouls Moving on to thenatureof sex”; “Mostlyattracted to the Editor: AndrewCarey Email: [email protected] whichcan flitfromthe bodyon sexuality issue,the BBC‘shake oppositesex”; “Equally attracted Theacceptance ofadvertising does not necessarily indicate endorsement. Photographs and other material sent for publication are reconnaissance journeys and up’includesnot only ‘diversity’ to both sexes”;and “Mostly/only submitted at the owner’s risk. The Church of England Newspaper does not accept responsibilityfor anymaterial lostordamaged. return home to person’s physical increase butthe demand that at attractedtothe same sex”. Editorial AdvisoryBoard: Lord CareyofClifton, TheRtRev.MichaelNazir-Ali, body. Thefilm storyconcerns leasthalfthe gayemployees ‘come Just over half (54per cent)of TheRtRev.PeteBroadbent, Dr Elaine Storkey,The RevCindy Kent MBE theyoungestgenerationsaidthey were only attractedtothe TheChurch of England Newspaper By social pressure, classroom oppositesex.The olderthe Political and Religious Intelligence Ltd pressure, media pressure and, respondents got, thelessgay they 14 GreatCollegeStreet, London. SW1P 3RX yes, through mere fashion, declaredthemselvestobe. The Tel: 020 7222 2018 Website: churchnewspaper.com figurefor Millennialswas 60 per Editorial: [email protected] Advertising: [email protected] we are moulding soft clay cent exclusivelyheterosexual; Subscriptions: [email protected]

churchnewspaper.com [email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper Friday5March, 2021 7 Feedingthe hungry afterthe pandemic

By Glyn Williams tall order in this time.And it is. Butthe Church doesn’tstand Thestirrings of spring,the alone. If we aretofocus on effectiveness of thevaccine,the effectivelymeeting thelongterm plansfor lockdown easing;the needsofthe vulnerable,weneed last coupleofdayshavebegun to to do it alongsidethe rest of our feel genuinelyhopeful.For the communities.The Church is a first time in months,itdoesn’t vitalpartofthe picture. Butitis feel like we arejustkidding stillonlypartofthe picture. ourselvesthatthere is lightatthe Oneofthe most encouraging endofthe tunnel;itfeels like we impacts of lockdownhas been can actually see it. churches workingwith COVIDhas beentough for organisationsacrossthe everyone.Christians have been communitytohelpthevulnerable, no exception. Glitchyonline andtakethemonthisjourney of services,squeezedfinances, hope. In asurveyofmorethan isolated congregations, much 900churches, over 90 percentof lovedchurchfamilymembers churches hadbeenhelping the lost.There have beendaysof vulnerable during lockdownand doubt andanger,where trust and 72 percenthad beenworking in peacehavefelt like arealbattle. partnershipwiththe council, This last year hasbeenreally charitiesorother churches.This painful forlotsofus. Butithas is aphenomenalstatistic,and also beenatimeofincredible something needstocontinueand hope. TheCOVID crisis hitand grow when lockdownisover. churches steppeduptothe plate: We need to reachout to the They adaptedand went online; councils andcharities in ourlocal they became hubs forfood banks; area.Tolisten with humilityto andcentres forthe vaccineroll theneedstheyare seeing around out. Accordingtoareport them andthe gaps thereare in released last month, thechurch resourcesand provision. That is hasprovidedfive million meals thevisionofThe Halo Centre, everymonth of lockdowntothose recently opened in Coventry. This in need.Manywithdwindling centre hopes to be oneofmany congregationshaveseentheir If we are going to reflectGod’s attainment. They feel trapped, across theUKthatequipsnot just numbersswell,churcheshave withouthope. churches butentirecommunities. pulled together to providefor the heartfor the vulnerable, we need ThePsalmsare littered with Creating asymphony of churches, needsoftheir communities.They to layaside our individual remindersofGod’s heartfor the projects andcouncil to impact have done an amazingjob of vulnerable andafflicted.But not thecityfor good. responding to thecrisis. reputations as churches, we must just hisheart forthem, his If we aregoing to reflect God’s Butwhere do we go from here? build relationships with others commitmenttothem. Psalm9 heartfor thevulnerable, we need What aboutwhenthe immediate verse 18 reads:But Godwill never to layaside ourindividual crisis is over?COVID maycome forget theneedy; thehopeofthe reputationsaschurches; we must to an endbut it’s devastating afflictedwillnever perish. trusthim,build relationshipsand consequences arefar from over. COVIDbut thereisalsoalot to notprojects that need to be at the TheChurchhas done partnerwithothers. That is how Oneinsix newuniversal credit learn. It wouldbeeasytokeep heartofthe Church’s response to incredible work in meeting theChurchwill bringthe hopeof claimants areunabletoafford firefighting,tryingtomeetthe poverty.Weneed to view the immediateneeds, andwemust Godintothe livesofbroken enough foordfor theirfamilies. A never-endingtideofpeople’s people we serveholistically and continue to do so.But now we people.Whatcan youdoinyour studybythe LegatumInstitute immediateneeds. Butnow is a trulyengagewithwhattheyneed need to step outfrombehindthe neighbourhood? last November revealedthat time to step back andreflecton most. coffeetable or thefoodbank almost 700,000 people hadbeen how theChurchcan servetheir Many people in povertyare station to buildrelationships. We Gwyn Williams hasbeen UK driven into povertybyCOVID, communities forthe longrun. unable to seebeyondtheir current must take people on ajourney.A Operations Director forFeed including120,000 children. Firstly, we need to assess our circumstances.Ihavevisited journeyfromaplace of survival the Hungry forthe last ten Therewill still be so many motivation.Weneed to ask schools in deprived areasacross to oneofsafetyand security.A years. He hasbeen involved vulnerable,somanyinneed of ourselvesifour efforts have theUKand teachers report time journeythatgives them hope. in setting up ayouth café, atea hope. becomemoreabout our‘good andtimeagain that themain Bringing hopeand building bus street café, and an art Thereisalot to be commended works’ than aboutthe loving problemtheyfaceisthatchildren relationshipsontop of whatyou galleryinhis local town. in theChurch’sresponseto people like Christ did. It is people, cannot seeasense of valuein arealready doing mayfeellikea [email protected]

Notall Evangelicals Does theCofEneedanew Alister McGrath’s book Changingthe world starts Justification by faith “The stakes for this election thinkalike, p8 policyonbaptism, p12 on J.I.Packer, p14 in ourown community. was not on hisagenda. feelmuchhigher than ever Ministryinour Astudy of Paul and his before.” Anew series on the HappyChristmas to allour readers, contributors &advertisers neighborhoods, p11 letters, p14 Presidentialrace, p15 TheChurch of Engla CatherinePepinster Disastersand acts Christmas heroes on martys, p7 of God, p10 by JJohn, p12 ofof Don’tmissanissue, subscribe to wspaper ThTheCe Chuhurcrch England Bishop John Perumbalath Lord Carypaystribute Bishop Carlye Hughes and as life been like HowSir Cliff forgave his Bishop Jane Alexander wspapere asks if the church is open to Rabbi LordSacks. p10 Canon Mark Clavier on the tablished in 1828 te churches in false accusers p11 reviews BrokenSignposts 020? p 8 by N.T Wright p14 to change. p7 American election. p11 TheChurch of England tablished in 1828 No: 6555 Newspaper pose aid g reminderi of how many TheChurch of England 18/25 December,2020 £1.50 Established in 1828 No: 6560 The Church of England Newspaper duction Newspaper Archbishopb says of IICSA 20 November, 2020 £1.50 Established in 1828 No: 6558 Parliament to step up religious 5 0 Established in 1828 No: 6557 proachincludingarrangements for redress, which are already underway. “Wethank the Inquiryfor its Church pledge in-depth work over the past five freedom protections hbishop will questiongovernment years and we note that there will The Church of England Newspaper -online to reform be further proposals on the Religiouspersecution safeguarding important areas of mandatory The Church of England will work Fundingfor theprojectcomes reporting and the Seal of the alongside parliamentarians to fromtheForeign,Commonwealth overlockdownmeasures Confessional.”They added. The Church of England has pledged to followthrough on a identifyandchallengebarriers to andDevelopment’ Office’sUK Afull responseisdue to be reaches recordlevels new safeguardingstructure freedom of religion or belief AidConnect Fund which brings released in the coming weeks. independent fromthe Bishops (FoRB) 83% together organisations to create a n t e r b u r y ProfessorAlexisJay,Chair of withthe firststepsbeingtaken at Aspartofthe Freedom of Reli- innovative solutionstocomplex e r n a b o u t Rock on in the Inquirysaid that ‘over many nextweek’svirtual General gion or Belief Leadership Net- of the world’s development challenges that a i l u r e t o peace, Bobby decades, the ChurchofEngland Government restrictionson Synod. work (FoRBLN) theChurchwill population deliver real changetothe lives of c h a l l e n g e failed to protectchildrenand work alongside 10 other partners people livinginpoverty. youngpeople from sexual religion around the world Earlier thismonth a r h i s l o c k - Veterancomic and entertainer supportingparliamentarians and TheBishop of Leeds, Nick abusers, instead facilitating a reached newhighin2018, safeguarding complaintagainst facesrestriction Bobby Ball died last week at 76 belief leaders in eight countries Baines, theChurchofEngland’s culture where perpetrators could accordingtoanew report. the Archbishop of Canterbury on belief c o n fi r m e d after testingpositive for across Africa andAsia to respond lead bishop for international hide and victims faced barriers Therecordriseinthe global was dismissed by acoregroup. l t e d a b o u t coronavirus. He wasbest to FoRB challenges in their Bishop of Leeds, affairs, said: “Accordingtoastudy to disclosure that many could median on government restric- Thecomplaintwas madeby n s . I n t h e known for his comedy countries andthe widerregions. publishedbythe PewForum in not overcome’. tionsonreligionsince 2007,was ‘Graham’ananonymous victim of Nick Baines t o g e t h e r partnership with Tommy The £5.6 million project will June 2018 around 83 per cent of “Within theChurchinWales, foundinthe 11th annual report John SmythQCand concerned Yo r k , a n d Cannon –Cannon and Ball. He rununtil autumn2023. The the world’s populationlive in there were simply not enough by PewResearch Center. mainly Archbishop Welby’s a c k n o w l - wasalso acommitted Christian announcementofthe initiative on countrieswithhighorveryhigh safeguarding officers to carryout Theyear-over-year increase alleged failure to ensure that h i n g t h e y who was comfortable speaking from2017to2018 was relatively whenhelearned of the abuse in the United NationsDay of NT levels of restrictionsonreligionor o n s d u r i n g the volume of work required of AME about his faithtoothers. modest, but it contributedtoa 2013 that the authorities in South Human Rights (December 10) LI belief. l o c k d o w n , them. Record-keeping was recognises thatthe righttoPAR “Sadly, this situationhas Steve Goddard, Managing or by postvisit churchnewspaper.com substantialrise in government Africa, where Smyth lived, were UK e g o v e r n - found to be almostnon-existent Clergy who Clergywho Director of Christian Resources freedom of religionorbeliefis worsened in recent months as a andoflittle use in trying to restrictions on religion overmore properly informed. e c i s i o n s i t Exhibition, expressed his challenged the enshrined in Article18ofthe UN resultofthe global health challenged the understand past safeguarding than adecade. ‘Graham’criticised the way his t ’. sadness: “Iworked with him on as the Covid pandemic preservethe United Kin Declaration of Human Rights of England’s InternationalAffairs human.” system.” pandemic. issues. The report says that the in- governmenton complaint had been handled after n e s b e i n g government on anumberofprojects, including ing as many people, just foreign aid budgetat0 The projectisbeingco- Adviser, who will be operations “Over thenextthree years, we “Parliamentariansand belief “I’mencouragedthatthe “Toensurethe right action is crease in government restrictions At least4,500 five monthsand withoutthe T h u r s d a y agag-filled book signing the decisions it ight against the things GDP,sending astrong sign ordinated by the Centre forSocial directorfor theproject said: “Ata willwork with parliamentarians leaders have considerable ChurchofEnglandisresponding the decisions it taken in future, it’s essential that reflects awide variety of events appointment of an investigator. n l y a l l o w session in the mid-90s. He was ve, and the things thaat the United Kingdomisa Cohesion (CSSC) at Oxford time when freedom of religionis andbelief leadersfromeight untappedpotential to makea to thischallenge by working with the importance of protecting around the world, including arise has made, ‘may Rohingya were In the meantime, Christ o p e n f o r has made, ‘may always great fun with a tter to us. partnerfor long-termeco University, which will lead on the increasingly contestedasacountries in strengthening their positiveimpact on the human others to resource andequip childrenfrom abhorrent sexual from2017to2018 in the number stuck in aborder Church Dean, Martyn Percy, has s o e n a b l e poignant testimony of God’s be right’. t goes straight against social, environmental research component,whilethe human right, andwhenthe commitmenttofreedom of rights landscapewhether by parliamentariansand faith and be right’. abuse is continuously reinforced. of governments using force–such been forced to standaside from b r o a d c a s t grace at the height of his fame. istian heritage - the educational advancement Church of England will leadon human rights system itselfis religion or belief as ahumanright reformingdiscriminatory beliefleaders to defend such a “If real and lasting changes as detentions and physical abuse area known as his role asecondtime after the n g . Rock on in peace, Bobby.” –tocoercereligious groups. “no-man’s land” Church’ssafeguarding body of Jesus Christ that your the globe.” day-to-dayoperational deliveryof understrain, we shouldn’t forget -one thatisonpar with other legislationorbyusing their basic human right–arightthat l b e c l o s e d are to be made, it’s vital that the In recent years Christian launched another investigation. r is the one whose needs TheRtRevdNicholas H theproject. thateveryone, everywhere has rights and onesquarely rooted influenceover thehearts and touches on theveryessenceof a r e b e i n g Church improves theway it charities have highlighted According to astatement from w, who you can reach out the BishopofSalisbury,w Dr Charles Reed, theChurch this right by virtue of being within thebroader human rights minds of millionsofpeople.” whatitmeans to be human.” b r o a d c a s t e v e r y c o mmunity. we understand the many difficult restrictions. responds to allegationsfrom We know these needs. UK Prime Minister, victims and survivors, and

persecution of Christians by ET Christ Church, whose Dons have u a l p r a y e r, “ T h e sacramental lifeofthe decisions facing the Government, TheRtRevMartin Seeley, various state in many parts of the been in afour-year-battle with of the best in the world Johnson, along withh o r w h e r e c h u r c h cannotbeseenasan we have not yetseen any evidence Bishop of the Diocese ofSt provides proper supportfor world including blasphemy laws ANMAR.N the modernising Dean, he had ng them. It’s not a Sharma, SecretaryofSt Chelsea footballer supports persecuted Christians a n a l s o b e o p t i o n a l eextra,” he wrote. whatsoeverthat would make the Edmundsbury andIpswich, port for victims andn improvement in recent years, we thosevictims over time. in Pakistan; surveillanceof “withdrawn with immediate to cut.” Business,Energyand Ind n t a r y a n d T h e Archbishop regretted that banning of communal worship, commented: . wholeheartedly regret that in “The panel and Ihope that Christians and closure of effectfrom all duties and pastoral Church of England Strategy and John Glen M a s b l o o d w o r s h i p online meansthat the with all its human costs, a “I deeply regret that the are recommendationsn some areas, most importantly thisreport and its FRONTIEREMY 3 churches in China, as well as responsibilities”. Synod also formally of Parliament(MP) forSa Premierleaguefootballer, national team. TheGoal event whichraised organised by French Connect a n d o t h e r p e o p l e d o not have accesstothe productive partofcombattingthe Governmentisproposing to close g the structure ofo support for victims and recommendations incidentsofviolence against In private, sources close to its support for in Wiltshire pointing out OlivierGiroud,has spoken out “This is incredible to have upwards of £12,000 to support London, aFrench-speaking h a s s o m e s a c r a m e nts, explaining that ‘this virus.Weask the Government to churches and otherplaces of ding, as well as revisioon survivors, progresshas been too Christian minorities in the median government restrictions scores. This includes China, In India,anti-conversion laws MartynPercy saidthatthe ing the overseas aid commitment to a0.7 aboutthe plight of persecuted numbers like that.Wehaveto Christian persecution watchdog church in Londoninpartnership i s a h u g e loss’. produce thisevidence that worship for public worship, at a rgy Discipline Measure,r slow,they said. PRICE £1.50 /€2.00 /$2.50 Middle East, and parts of Africa. score whichwas concentrated whichcontinued to have the affected minorityreligious allegationsagainst the Dean were ment. budget wasfirst ‘enshrinee d Christiansaround the world at talkabout it.” Open Doors Franceand Holistic with Plus Que Sportifs. b o u t t h e s e H e a r guedthatthe churchcan- justifies the cessation of acts of time when we need public prayer on sharing betweene “The motion unanimously According to the Pewreport, mostlyinthe categoryof“low highest score on theGovernment groups. Forexample,inthe state not ‘grave’and blamed asustained amendment to a motion byaConservative Gover an online charity gala in London. Theauction saw collector Sports France.Emma Worrall, o c k d o w n – n o t s e p arate ‘our worship from public worship. for this crisis. and statutory partnerrs, passed at the February sessions 41 outofthe fiveregionsexamined levels”ofgovernment use of force. RestrictionsIndex. of Uttar Pradesh in September, witchhunt within the college. e impact of coronavirus “Have we not learned th TheChelseaforward kicked jerseyswornand signed by Innovationlead at Open Doors t h e l e t t e r. o u r s e r v ice’, explainingthat‘it is “The Government has a “Churches are there for this, to ernal auditing of theh of the General Synod shows our in the study,the Middle East and Theregionalso saw several The Chinese government police charged 271Christians TheChurchofEngland said c, Synod voted to “call on pandemicneedsaglobal re off at charity auction TheGoal, Olivier, Aurélien Colin,Major UK and Ireland, said: “Today PRICE £1.50 /€2.00 /$2.50 l o c k d o w n a l w a y s b oth and not either or’. profound responsibility to show be places of prayer at challenging safeguarding work. commitment to amore fully vic- NorthAfrica continued to have instances of widespread use of restricts religion in avariety of with attemptingtoconvertpeople there was aparticular focus on esty’s Government to fromus?” he asked. held partly in aid of Christiansin LeagueSoccer champion in the more than 300 millionChristians g e c h u r c h “ N e v e rtheless, we will of course why it hastaken particular timessuch as this, and we have there has been somem tim and survivor centred ap- 9770964 816108 the highest median levelof government forceagainst ways, includingbanning entire by druggingthem and “spreading independent safeguarding and northern Cameroon, Maliand United States(MLS),Astride worldwide are persecuted thanks 51 o p e n f o r a b i d e b y the law and ask you to do decisions. Not doingsorisks shown and proved we can hold Mauritania. N’Gouan,FrenchHandball R to theirfaith. TE

government restrictions in 2018. religious groups, in particular the religious groups(such as the liesabout Hinduism.” redressfor survivors. r p o s s i b l e , t h e s a m e ,” he added. erodingthe unity we need as we worship safely.” CRE “It is unimaginable to seeso championand others go under WIT “They are victims of violence, However,Asiaand thePacific Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. Falun Gongmovement and According to the report, /T b u i l d i n g s T h e Archbishop calledclergy enteramost difficult period for Christian InstituteDirector, 9770964 816108 Bobby Ball and DonMaclean at the hadthe largest increase in its In addition,fighting between the severalChristian groups), throughoutthe year,politicians facebook.com/churchnewspaper many persecuted Christiansin the hammer. rape and murderbut alsoface w a y s t h a t t o f a s t ‘ i n away appropriate to our country.” Colin Hart, said:“Thisisnot like Christian ResourcesExhibition. facebook.com/churchnewsm paper @churchnewspaper Burmese militaryand armed prohibiting certain religious madecomments targeting the world today,” said Olivier, Olivier was among other elite GIROUD harassment and abuse in their n t m o n t h s , y o u ’ a s well as pray for ournation CardinalNicholscalled for the lockdown in March where who also plays for the French French sports stars who attended communities. TheGoal was ethnic organizations in the states practices, raiding places of religious minorities. OLIVIER ThenextCEN will be published on 8Jan 21 v i c e s f r o m e v e r y T h ursday. questions to be raisedwith elected everyonewas in thesameboat. PRICE £1.50 /€2.00 /$2.50 of Kachin and Shan led to the worship and detainingand Asin previous years, Christians T h e Archbishop of MembersofParliament regarding There are now glaring inconsist- PRICE £1.50 /€2.00 /$2.50 47 displacementofother religious torturing individuals. and Muslims experienced n fi r m e d i n We s t m i nster, Cardinal Vincent the cessation of public common encies in the way churches are 45 minorities, mostlyChristians. Indiareached anew peak in its harassment in more countries d s t o s p e a k N i c h o l s , has this week called for worship, explaining that theyare being treated compared to other According to the report, some GRI score in 2018, scoring5.9 than any otherreligious groups in churchnewspaper.com [email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper b o u t w h y t h e G o v ernment to justifythe in aposition to require the sectors of society. OCESE 9770964 816108 countries in the Asia-Pacific out of 10 on the index, while 2018. This pattern has remained DI m a d e a n d c e s s a t i o n of public communal Government to publish the data “Where is the evidence to 9770964 816108 RD FO

region saw all-timehighsintheir Thailandalsoexperiencedanall- consistentsince the study began OX i s i n g t h e w o r s h i p . that drivesthe decision to cease justify thisrestriction on the ThenextCEN will be published on 4Dec overall government restrictions time high(5.4). in 2007. The Very RevMartyn Percy h e s p l a y i n I n h i s letter,hewrote:“Whilst publicworship under these fundamental righttoworship?” ThenextCEN will be published on 20 Nov

churchnewspaper.com [email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper c h u r c h n e w s p a p e r . c o m [email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper

churchnewspaper.com [email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 8 Friday5March, 2021 Keepingour promises on baptism

Oneofthe main storiesinthe or,apparentlybrokenpromises church that they arenot readyor localpress whereIliveisthe andcommitments. preparedfor thecommitment resignation of ourlocal council’s Baptismnecessarily requires called forinthe Baptismalliturgy. Mayor –for breaking covid19 themakingofpromisesand Buttheystill feel that natural regulations. It even gained a commitments of aseriousnature. senseofwanting to celebrateand mentiononthe national news. Most,ifnot all, Anglican give thanksfor thearrival of a It hasbeenreportedthathe churchgoershavehad the newbaby. This is agood thingto waspresent at “a wedding experience of attendingworship be encouraged.Theystand in reception” attendedbymorethan on aSundaymorningatwhich a church andthe Vicarleads them thelegally permittednumberof baptismtakes place. Theparents andthe congregation through the people.Herealisedthathehad andgodparents–aswellasthe Rite of Thanksgivingfor theGift no otheroptionand dutifully Christiancommunity as awhole of aChild.Everyonegoeshome resigned.Everyone around here -makethe requisitepromises knowingthatwhatwas said was seemstoagree with hiscourseof andcommitments to bringupthe real andhonest–there was, in action. childwithin thefaith andworship this case,thatsense of integrity… Of course, he is notalone. of thechurch. of people genuinelymeaning Sincethe DominicCummings When thefamilyinquestion whattheyhaveundertaken to scandallastyear, we have been areinsome real sensecommitted uphold. reminded from time to time of Christians,thisisviewedbymost Forover four decades thefact that some publicofficials (withthe possibleexceptionof BaptismalIntegrity(BI) andits can–whenseeking to gain office thosewho in conscience cannot predecessormovements have NSPLASH.COM

-all tooeasilyendorserules and accept thevalidityofinfant /U been urging theChurchof protocolspublicly, whilegoing on baptism) as having integrity TEIN Englandtoaddress this issue – CKS

to quietlybreak them in private. aboutit. Everyone knowsthe AE especiallythrough theactive Whoknowswhatthe back-story parents, and/or sees them at promotion of theThanksgiving JOSHU is in this case? worshipand hasnoreasonto Rite.Every ‘onceinawhile’, the Jesussaid, “Let your ‘Yes’be thinkthattheywill notendeavour matter emergesontothe national ‘Yes’, andyour‘No’, ‘No’.”Matthew to follow throughonthe promises Everyone goes home knowing that church agenda;thoughnot in 5:37. andcommitments made.But recent years. Whileaware of theOld theseinstancesare theexception whatwas said was real and honest In themeanwhile,BI Testamentand Rabbinical to thegeneral rule. commends theincreasinguse of background to this teaching Even inthesetimesof declining “Thanksgivingfor theGiftofa aboutthe pros andconsofthe numbersofbaptisms in relation to keep theVicar happy priorto liturgy, andsomemay even Child” as themostpastorally- taking of oaths,Ihavealways to live births,itismoreoften the theday,theyprobablywon’t see absent themselves.There is a appropriateresponseto boiled it downtosomethinglike, case that thereisthe usual them again;well, notuntil the senseinthis scenario of alackof christeningenquiries. Some have “Say what youmean, mean what elephant in theroom. next baby.Somegloss over this integrity –alackofcoherence. beendoing it foryears. yousay,and then getonwithit– “Everyone knows” that,even with talk of “grace”, others shrug Imagineanother scenario. Stephen Corbett with consistencyand integrity.” when thefamilymay have putin theirshouldersand move on;a Theparents have decidedafter ForBaptismal Integrity No oneisimpressedbybroken afew tokenappearances in order fewmay remain silent during the preparation through thelocal www.Baptism.org.uk Obituary:DrKenneth Hylson-Smith

With thedeath of Dr Kenneth scholarshiplightly andmodestly goingofftohis dayjob.Hewas in person.Heended his‘TheLaity church throughoutthe worldisin Hylson-Smith on 2Februaryat believed that hisacademic hiselement as agifted in ChristianHistoryand Today’ better shapenow than ever theage of 85,the Church haslost research andwriting aboutthe administrator,spendingmany (2008) stating: “Itwould be a before. anotablehistorianandchampion Church washis particular gift yearsasheadofstudent fitting climax to thehistoryofthe In retirement, Kenand his of layministry. With degreesin andoffering to theBodyofChrist. accommodation services in laityinChristian historyiflay wife Gill movedtoBathwhere sociology andtheology,and Hisremarkableworkethic central London andseven years people in everyquarter ofthe they became much lovedand doctorates from Leicester ensuredthathewas regularlyin as Bursar andFellowofStCross worldinthe twenty-firstcentury respectedmembers of theAbbey. University andKing’sCollege, thestudy forseveral hours before College,Oxford. were to play theirfullpartin Ken wrote‘Bath Abbey: A London, hisfriends jokingly It wasduringhis Londonyears helpingtorenew,reviveand re- History’ -the first comprehensive calledhim ‘Drsquared’. in the1970s and1980sthatKen energize thechurches...”. historyofthe Abbeywritten since Ken’ssix volumescoveringthe served as churchwarden at All Hisglass wasnever just half thenineteenthcentury. storyofChristianity in England Souls, LanghamPlace.Together full,itwas overflowingand many Kenwas immenselyproud of from Romantimes to the20th with hisfellow warden,DrDavid will have benefittedfromhis hisfamily andwas devoted to centuryare amasterlyoverview Trapnell,theyprovidedakindly smile, hisencouraging Gill.Herevelledinher strength of ahugesweep of history. His formidable combinationofwordsand hisunfailing support. of personality, herintellect and skillasahistorianlay in drawing wisdom,intelligence, spiritual In hisbook‘To theEndsofthe herachievements as ahead together thelearningofothersin depthand entrepreneurialflair. Earth: TheGlobalization of teacher. They complemented one books whichhelpedotherssee Sharingthe vision andprayerful Christianity’(2007)herefused to anotherwithdry humourand thebiggerthemesclearly. faithofthe rector,Michael accept thewidelyheldviewthat visibleaffection. Shesurvives He wasamasterofthe pithy Baughen,theysaw throughthe theChristianchurcheshavebeen him,along with their three summaryand theadept pen ground-breakingre-orderingof in declinefor thelastthree children andtheir grandchildren. portrait and, although firmly thechurch.Thethree of them hundredyears.God’s funeral, he rooted in theEvangelical memorablystood together in the asserts, is notimminent. Tracing Writtenbyhis friends including tradition,his breadthof pulpit to welcomehomethe thestory of theglobalspreadof theRev KenMadden, theRtRev scholarship andgenerosityof congregation aftersomeeighteen Christianityfrom theseventeenth MichaelBaughen,His Honour spirit allowedhim to explore months of exile. centurythrough to thetwenty JudgeDavid Turner QC,Jeremy diverse subjects.Heworehis Dr Kenneth Hylson-Smith Kenwas apassionatelay first,hearguedthatthe Christian Key-Pugh.

churchnewspaper.com [email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper Friday5March, 2021 9 An endtoclericalism to save theparish

By DavidFord ministryinrelation to one another according to implicit value Last week Iclosed three savings judgements about their vocation. accountsatthe local branch of a Rid the Church of the powerful small building society. The imagethattobeordained is to strategists at head office had follow the true vocation and that decided thatthis small agency all other ministries thatare outletinatinymarket town was licensed, authorised or no longer worth subsidising. Ihad commissioned are pale imitations. only opened the accounts because Introduce true egalitarianism that the office was on the doorstep. values all vocations equally. Thelocal staff,now redundant, Lead from the front. Appoint were tearful. Theaccountants at non-stipendiarybishops and lay the centre no doubt well satisfied. archdeacons to demonstratea Thecustomers were saddened changed culture in church

and angryatyet another example CK leadership. Recruit volunteers to of corporaterationalism. Local TO supportdiocesan staff in matters. Theparallels with the UTTERS administrative roles justas SH Church of England seem clear. parishes are compelled to do We should be grateful to routinely. Chelmsford Diocese for the clarity It is no coincidence thatthe alternative panacea for the Church Herein lie the seeds of a of their traffic light system with It is no decline of our congregations is of England other than our historic renewed Church of England. It regard to the future provision of coincidence mirrored by amassive rise in the association with place. Place is places local Christians and local parochial ministryinthe diocese. number of Bishops –25in1870, who we are. Returning our churches at its heart. But it comes Dividing parishes into red, amber thatthe decline 108 today. There maynot be a churches to the centre of mission at aprice –and the price is and green is alevel of honesty we of our causal relationship here, but it and ministryisnot to sayevery clericalism. It is an outline strategy don’t usually associate with reveals where the true interests church musthaveagathered thatwill introduce other diocesan planning. However, congregations and energies of the centre lie. worshipping congregation. It is to uncomfortable conversations whatisrevealed is not theological is mirrored by Here are three steps the saythatour buildings matter as further down the road, especially wisdom but asecular organisation national church and everydiocese places of sanctuary, vision, roots, about our commitment to orders mirroring the behaviour of amassiverise need to taketoensure thatthe symbols of mysteryand otherness of ministryand laypresidency. corporateBritain by reducing in the number future is considerably brighter for the local community. Keep But surely our commitment to the everything down to issues of than it looks at present. them open. This is whatour people of England is worth more affordabilityrather than service. of Bishops Place the parishes once again at neighbours want and need. than being wedded to athree-fold There is only one outcome from the centre of all thinking on Adopt aparochial strategythat order of ministrythathas long such strategies –the Church of mission and ministry. There is acknowledges thatall local since lostits theological England will surely follow priorities. In particular,itnothing to substantiate the claims ministryinthe future will be led significance and todayissimply a Debenhams and all the other high demands an end to the clericalism of our church to be the Church of indigenously,stipend-free, description of role and, for some a streetlandmarks into complete thathas driven this demise by England without our parochial sometimes by ordained people job ladder? and utter obscurity. placing stipendiaryclergyatthe structure. sometimes by lay. Remove all the Let’snot pretend this is anew heartofamission strategythatis Parishes matter.Cease all the hierarchies of languageweuse to DavidS.Fordisthe Rector of story; we’vebeen here before. flawed biblically but which has expensive experimentation that both clericalise and suppress the the BromsgroveTeamMinistry Thehistoryofthe Church of helped to sustain episcopal power. pretends thatthere is some laitywhen we define people’s in the DioceseofWorcester England of the lasthundred years tells of acorporatebody reducing its footprint in the mistaken belief thatthisaidssurvival.Theecclesial COVIDAWARE-HERE TO HELP equivalent of Beeching and the railways. First, parishes losttheir glebe income, supposedly in PrioryAutomotivehaveunwittingly been Covid aware since return for some certaintyover the opening their business manyyears ago.These trusted provision of ministry. Since then, suppliersofquality used carstoclergy and church members ‘Quota’ and then ‘Share’has have alwaysdelivered anywhereinthe UK, it is nowjust depleted parishes of financial contactless. Workingwithin the correct guidelines, they resources theycould have used on can assist in youinchanging your carand as theysupply local mission and ministry. just abouteverything, with pricesfromonly £3995 thereis Thesustainabilityofsome something foreveryone. church communities, financially, emotionally and spiritually,isnow All Priorycarsare fully historychecked and prepared to the in doubt. Next, dioceses mayturn highest standard. Each one is re-sanitised prior to leaving their attention to encouraging the and contactless deliverytoyour door is free of charge, sale of ancillarybuildings –our by their protected in house drivers. When looking fora communityhalls –as, in the light car,avoid therisky ‘Click &Collect’ options and choose of COVID,theyappear Priory’sathome ‘Chat &Delivery’ service,you will not unsustainable. Beware of dioceses be disappointed, partexchange of your old car is also claiming ownership of these, welcome.Have alook at manyreadersreviews on the especially if theyare physically Trustpilot website and see whytheyare rated as 5Stars. connected to our places of Their friendly team areonlyaquick call awayand will show worship. youhow theycan assist youtoo,nopressure, no hassle. It doesn’t have to be likethis; the end of the storyisnot inevitable. But to changedirection Tel: 0114 2559696www.prioryautomotive.com now requires amammoth shiftin

churchnewspaper.com [email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 10 Friday5March, 2021 J.John Heroesofthe Faith Lilias Trotter CANON J.JOHN

By Canon JJohn missionary. At firstshe and her was able to use the mystical and colleagues were based in Algiers experiential side of her faith to Theremarkable storyofLilias but as the work expanded and she reach out to Sufi mystics. Trotter,artistand missionary, was joined by other workers, they Lilias’ labours were fruitful. deservestobemuch better mounted extraordinary Despite persecution and the known. Born into aprivileged expeditions deep into the Sahara emigration of believers, the family in London in 1853, Lilias across avastarea from Morocco Algerian church has endured and became abeliever in Christinher into Tunisia. her mission organisation teens and was soon involved in Lilias faced constant continues todayasArabWorld Christian movements that challenges. She was asingle Ministries. No less significant is encouraged her to seek adeeper woman in averymasculine the factthather mission practices spiritual life. Wealthyenough not culture and her health remained have become adopted across the to need to earn aliving, Lilias so frail thatshe frequently had to world. began working as avolunteer in return to Europe. She was Let me mention three features London with working girls by day opposed, not justbythose who of the life of Lilias Trotter thatI and with prostitutes at night. rejected her preaching, but also by find inspiring. Lilias had an extraordinarygift the French colonial government. Lilias was awoman of vision. for art. At the ageof23, when Furthermore, although she and As an artistshe had an staying in Venice with her mother, her colleagues sawconversions to extraordinaryabilitytosee the theyfound thatthe famous art Christ, there were natural world, and as aChristian critic and philosopher John discouragements as many she was gifted with asimilarly Ruskin was in the same hotel. converts came under appalling profound spiritual perception, Boldly,Lilias’ mother asked if pressures to renounce their faith. something thatshe nurtured by Ruskin would look at her Nevertheless, Lilias persisted, seeking Goddaily through Bible daughter’s work. Thegreatman and as the years passed the reading, prayer and meditation. reluctantly agreed, only to find mission work expanded and little Hergiftofinsight helped her see himself captivated by whathe fellowships of Christian believers whatwas right both for her life saw. Ruskin, whose friendship grew. Eventually,inher seventies, and for her effortsfor thegospel. with Lilias was to lastuntil his Lilias became confined to bed In both the physical andspiritual death in 1900, began tutoring her where she spent her time in sense Lilias was awoman always as an artist. Eventually he prayer,writing, painting and looking towards the horizon. challenged her by saying thatif managing the mission. She died Lilias was awoman ofdecision. she would give herself fully to art in Algeria in 1928 after four Facedwith the overwhelming she could become the ‘greatest Hergiftofinsight helped her decades of labour,grieved over by complexityofmodern life many living painter and do things that both her colleagues and by many people find thatit’seasier justto would be Immortal’. It was an see whatwas right both for her Algerians to whom she had shown driftand letthings happen. In incredible offer given thatRuskin life and the gospel God’slove. contrast, Lilias was awoman who had successfully launched the Lilias was an innovative could –and did –makedecisions. careers of other artists. Lilias missionary. She decided to work Given the extraordinaryoffer of agonised in prayer before deciding in London but in 1884 she health. Undaunted, she and two with women and children, doing becoming afamous artistshe thather artmusttakesecond underwent surgerywhich left her other single women simply went whatwetodaywould call ‘coffee carefully and prayerfully chose to place: she had to ‘seek firstthe with aweakened heart. Despite to Algeria on their own. bar evangelism’, using music and do something more. In North Kingdom of Godand his this she felt called to missionary So with poor health, no producing attractive leaflets (she Africa, faced with endless righteousness’. work in NorthAfrica and applied knowledgeofArabic and without used her artistic gifts well) in easy- challenges for herself and for Lilias continued with her to twoorganisations only to be supportfrom anyorganisation, to-understand colloquial Arabic. those who worked with her,she charitable and evangelistic work rejected because of her poor Lilias began her ministryasa Atypical example was how Lilias proved to be aleader who made wise and strategic choices. Lilias was awoman of determination. In her spiritual life, she rejected anysuperficial Advertising in The Church knowledgeofGod but instead hungered to know him better. of England Newspaper Diagnosed with lasting health problems, it would have been perfectly sensible for her to Reachout to over 8000regularreaders remain in London, but instead she chose to go to Algeria. Even of the Church of England Newspaper, there she would delight in leaving including clergy and layleaders. the relative comfortand security of the capital to visit remote and dangerous regions. Lilias was a Email [email protected] woman who, having decided what to advertise your resources, services, and jobs. she had to do, did it. Ruskin had promised Lilias thatifshe would give everything to her artshe could do things that ‘would be Immortal’. She rejected thatoffer,but we can be confident thatwhatshe achieved for Christ instead will lastfor eternity. www.canonjjohn.com

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12 Friday5March, 2021

LETTERS TO EDITOR

Church role in politics pageyou criticize the suppression religion –which can takemany decencyand fairness. Police are in have infringed the lawsobadly At the end of your ‘Leader of minorityopinions in forms, the Devil being agood liar the front line and some have been theyare in prison are going to be Comment’(Church of England universities. As Christians it is not –isour mostdangerous enemy, spatatfor enforcing COVID vaccinated. Newspaper,19February) you our job to necessarily go along not those who are not claiming regulations. Some have died from Canon Chris Sugden, Oxford seem to contrasttwo possible with the majority. Jesus didn’t; God. Covid. On top of the extrawork tasks for the Church, whether to the apostles didn’t;and Elijah Over fifty years agothere was a theyhavedone teaching both in Scrapcoregroups “be akind of goad to change didn’t.Iwould certainly be the tendencytotry to strip the school and online, teachers are After the SecretaryGeneral’s policies in favour of the poor and objectofMrLiddle’s scorn, since I Christian faith to mere social now being asked to meetindoors response to aGeneral Synod minoritycauses”,orto“focus on remain apassionate supporter of action –the “Social Gospel”.This with children who will not be question lastSaturday, surely, the living realityofGod, Jesus, the policies JeremyCorbyn has was wrong, but Evangelicalism socially distancing easily,from bishops should now lead the way and the Spirit, so as to change espoused, while remaining an has overreacted in the other manyhouseholds, mostofwhich in scrapping Church of England lives and renewpeople from Bible-believing Evangelical. I direction. Where we still have have not been vaccinated. If they core groups for good -and pioneer within”. Whythe contrast? Surely happen to believe thatour society some influence in the corridors of succumb to COVID theywill put genuine independent oversight the Old Testament prophets did is far too subservient to thatidol, power,our knowledgeofthe their colleagues under further on safeguarding matters. both. Jeremiah, for example, has Mammon, and it was notable at “living realityofGod, Jesus, and pressure. Yet‘being led by the RichardW.Symonds, the glorious passageabout the the lastGeneral Election how the Spirit”should inspire at least science’means thatthose who The Bell Society newcovenant “which will write opposed Mammon was –almost some of us to work for justice, as the lawonyour hearts” (31, 31- to the extent of panic –tothe the prophets did. 34), but he also severely ticks off possibilityoffairer Corbynite Jonathan Goll, Halesowen KingJehoiakimfornot“defending policies. the poor and needy”,ashis father ToomanyChristians –like Prioritiesfor the jab HAVE YOUR SAY had done, and making people Franklin Graham –are wrongly TheGovernment have announced work for nothing (22, 13-17). convinced thatour enemies are thattheywill not be giving We need your views on safeguarding, Political commentators such as the secularists. This is unbiblical. prioritytooccupation groups in zoom worshipand anyother topic. Rod Liddle are scathing about the Secularism cannot defeatthe their vaccination programme. (admittedly real) disconnect Devil, but there was only one Thepolice and teachers are quite On these and other topics contact: between the opinions of Church overtsecularistatJesus’strial – justified in being upsetbythis. [email protected] leaders and those of some of its Pontius Pilate, who tried as best “Being led by the science”isnot congregations; yetonyour front he could to acquit Jesus. False enough -there is also basic

CLERGY APPOINTMENTS, RESIGNATIONS &RETIREMENTS

Appointments South Weald St Peter (Chelsmsford) TheRev StephenWilkinson,Rector of the EastVale and Avon Villages, in the Diocese Retirements &Resignations Andrew(Andy) Paul Brown,Assistant WoodbridgeBeneficein (Bristol), has been of Worcester,tobeVicar of LowMarple St TheRev Ed Backhouse,Assistant Curate Curate, Widford St Mary (Chelmsford) has licensed as Area Dean, NorthWiltshire Martin,inthe deaneryofChadkirk TheRev Kevin Ball,RectorofCalow and of Aston on Trent, Elvaston, Weston on been appointed Assistant CurateatEast Deanery(Bristol) (to be held concurrently (Chester) witheffect from 3March 2021. Sutton-cum-Duckmanton (Derby) has Trent and Shardlow,Barrow upon Trent Springfield Church of Our Saviour with his parochial appointment) TheRev Claire Carson,Head of announced his retirement. Mr Ball’s lastday in withTwyford andSwarkestone (Derby) (Chelmsford) TheRev Trudie Anne Wigley, Rector of the Chaplaincy-Spiritual Care at TheRoyal postwill be 30th April, with his retirement has been appointed Priest-in-ChargeofSt Helen Elizabeth-Anne Gheorghiu Gould, Dorcan Benefice, Swindon (Bristol), has Free London NHS Foundation Trust taking effectfrom 1stMay 2021. Oswald’s Tile Hill, Diocese of Coventry. Interim PriestinChargeNazeing All been licensed as Area Dean, Swindon (London) also to be Bishop’s Adviser for TheRev Canon Simon Evans,Vicar of St. TheRev Neil Elsom,Assistant CurateofSt Saints wStGiles (Chelmsford) has received Deanery(Bristol) (to be held concurrently Healthcare Chaplaincy(London) with Martin, Ruislip (London) to retire on 31stJuly Mary,Greasbrough(Sheffield) to be also extension of Licence and stipend till 31st with her parochialappointment). effectfrom: 1stMarch 2021 2021 MethodistHomes (MHA) Chaplain for August2021 TheRev Canon MichaelAnthonyJohnson TheRev DavidJulianJamesEvans has TheRev MandyChurcher,Assistant Curate TheBeeches and Swallow Wood, Anthony(Tony)Francis Burford, hasbeen licensed AssociateArchdeacon been issued with Permission to Officiate and MayMoore Chaplain in the Benefice of Rotherham (Sheffield) Associate Priest,Grays Thurrock Team (Bristol) (London) Malmesburyand Upper Avon (Bristol) has TheRev Sibylle Nothhelfer-Batten, Ministry (GraysStPeter &StPaul,Little TheRev Jacqueline Corrine Kean, TheRev Walter King hasrelinquishedhis resigned. Assistant Curate, Sheffield Manor Thurrock St Mary the Virgin, West Assistant Curateinthe Benefice of St Permission to Officiate (London) Paula Whitmore Llewellyn Griffiths,Associate (Sheffield) to be also MethodistHomes Thurrock St Clement, Chafford Hundred Augustine Whitchurch and the St Paul’s TheRev David Neno, Vicar of St. Peter, Priest:Saffron Walden (StMarythe Virgin,St (MHA) Chaplain at Southcroft(Sheffield) All Saints (Chelmsford)has been district of the Benefice of Bedminster Ealing (London) also to be Area Dean of James, St John); WendensAmboStMarythe and Area and SupportChaplainfor MHA appointed Permission to Officiate (PTO) (Bristol) has beenlicensed Assistant Ealing (London) with effectfrom: Virgin; LittleburyHolyTrinity; Ashdon All in Sheffield, Stockportand Manchester. in Bradwell area. Curateinthe Benefice of St Aldhelm 25thMarch 2021 Saints; Hadstock St Botolph; Debden St Mary TheRev ColinPearson, Priest-in-Charge TheRevdDennisMartin,has been given Bedminister and St Paul Southvillein TheRev DanielWignall hasbeen issued the Virgin (26.14e); Wimbish ThunderleyAll of Chapel-en-le-Frith and Area Dean of the Permission to Officiate (Norwich) (Bristol) with: Permission to Officiate (London) Saints; Greatand Little Chesterford Peak Deanery(Derby) has beenappointed TheRev SimonAndrewLeighton, TheRev Matthew Leonard Southcombe, TheRev RobertMayo,Chaplain at ((Chelmsford) to retire. Area Dean of Salford and Leigh Deanery formerlyAssistant Curate, Beneficeof Assistant Curate in the Benefice of St Rochester Prison(Rochester) appointed Paul AnthonyGover, Post and Benefice: (Manchester). Mr Pearsonwill be licensed Lawrence Weston and Avonmouth Augustine Whitchurch and the St Paul’s Chaplain at HMPWormwood Scrubs Associate Priest: TheNorth Hinckford Team to his newpostonSunday6th June 2021. (Bristol) has been licensed as Assistant district of the Benefice of Bedminster with (London) with effectfrom:21stApril 2021 Ministry:Alphamstone St Barnabas Belchamp TheRev NickyFenton will startas Curateinthe Benefice of Shirehamptonin particular responsibilityfor thearea TheRev HeikePrentice,CurateatSt. Otten St Ethelbert&All Saints Belchamp St Chaplain to the Bishop of Derby and (Bristol) comprising the Bishop’s Mission Order Peter,Black Lion Lane (London) Paul St AndrewBelchampWalter St Mary; ResidentiaryCanon of DerbyCathedral TheRev Elizabeth Anne Kesteven,Vicar of known as St Nicholas ResourcingChurch appointedRectorofCoggeshall,Markshall, Bulmer St Andrew;Foxearth St Peter &St (Derby) on Monday1st March, with her the Benefice of All Saints and St Mary, (Bristol) has beenlicensed Assistant Cressing, Stisted, Bradwell-Juxta- Paul; Great&Little HennyStMary; Lamarsh licensing as Chaplain and collation as Fishponds (known as St Mary,Fishponds) Curateinthe Benefice of St Aldhelm Coggeshall and Pattiswick (Chelmsford) Holy Innocents;Liston &Borley ;Middleton ResidentiaryCanon on Wednesday3rd (Bristol) ,has beenlicensed as Interim Co- Bedminister and St Paul Southville and in with effectfrom: 10thMay2021 AllSaints; Ovington St Mary;Pentlow St March by the Bishop of Derby. Area Dean (Bristol) CityDeaneryinthe the area comprising St Nicholas TheRev Stephen Foster,CurateatHoly Gregory&StGeorge; Twinstead St John the TheRev Anne Doreen Crystabelle Diocese of Bristol (to be held concurrently ResourcingChurchMission Initiative Trinitywith St. Paul, Onslow Square and Evangelist;Wickham St Paul All Saints MacKenna (Chelmsford) has beengiven withher parochialappointment) (Bristol) ST.Augustine, South Kensington (Chelmsford). Notice of departure. Permission to Officiate. TheRev David John Stephenson,Vicar of Simon Gowler,Currently NSM curateof (London) appointed Vicar of St. Aldate’s TheRev John Pedlar,Priest-in-chargeinthe TheRev Nicholas Bryzak (Chelsmsford) the Benefice of St Saviour with St Mary Knutsford St Cross, in the deaneryof (Oxford) with effectfrom: 11thApril 2021 Benefice of ChristChurchwith St Ewan, All has been givenPermission to Officiate. Cothamand St Paul Clifton in the (Bristol) Knutsford (Chester) has been appointed TheRev Preb.Dr. Tony Kyriakides, Saints and St GeorgeBristol (Bristol), has Jane Bradbury, Priest-in-Charge, South hasbeenlicensed as Interim Co-Area Vicar of Rainow with Saltersford Forest, in SpiritualCare Lead and Chaplain, Marie resigned. Weald St Peter and Area Ordination Dean, Bristol CityDeanery (Bristol) (to be thedeaneryofMacclesfield (Chester) with Curie Hospice, Hampstead(London) TheRev Katherine Rumens,Rector of St. Giles Advisor,Chelmsford Archdeaconry held concurrently with his parochial effectfrom 27 April 2021. appointed Chaplain withing Barts Trust, Cripplegate (London) to retire on: 23rd May (Chelsmsord) willbeappointed Vicar, appointment) TimothyHuppfield,Currently curateof basedatthe Royal London Hospital 2021

churchnewspaper.com [email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper Friday5March, 2021 13

WORDRD FFOROR TTHEHE WWEEK Georgee CrC owder Church Society

In church life andChristian sets theagendafor how we spirituallyimpressivebythe credit forneither. Just as he because Christ called him forthat ministry, we can learnalot from respond. standardsofhis critics, which, drawsonGod’s strength to fight verypurpose. what impresses us, butnot in the We aredazzled by cleverness, with deep irony,lookalot like the againstsavagewolves, he draws Christianbelieversneed waywefirstthink. When the charmand performance. We are standardsofthe world. on thegrace of Christ to care for regularly‘re-impressing’with high-visibilitycampaigncatches overawed by numbers, wealth Paul challenges hiscritics,but theflockofGod. Thegreat word of Christ from theapostles, oureye,orwhenthe multi-faceted andinfluence. Reading through notfor hisown sake.Hemakes a shepherd of thesheep indwells, andindeed thewholeBible, resource hubbursts onto the theApostlePaul’sappealin2 standfor thesakeofthose who inspiresand equips hisservant in authenticatedbythem. This scene, we mighttry to sowthe Corinthians10, we finda couldbeled astray by these both meekness andwarfare. same word is theseed of the same seedsand harvestsimilar challengetothisformula. power-hungry pretenders. Paul does notseektopromote church andthe hopeofthe world. fruit. We mayhanker afteranew Hispreferredapproachis Neitherdoeshechallenge them himself or to gain status and Be carefulwhatweput our engagementstrategy, anew ‘meeknessand gentleness,’ and on hisown merits,but on the privilege.Heisnot swayed by faithinbecause we areeasily energising initiative, butthatis forthatheisridiculed.Seemingly merits of Christ andhis calling as worldlyways. He does notjudge swayedbyworldlyimpressiveness. notwhatweneed to learn. powerful criticshavedeclared an apostle. by secularstandards.Hedoes We want people to believein What we need to learnfrom him ‘unimpressive’ andthough It mayseeminconsistentthat notabuse power. He uses the Jesus, butwecan easily think what impressesusisexactly that they accept hisletters areweighty, Paul moves from appealingwith authoritygiven to him by Jesusto that thethingthatwill persuade –whatimpressesus. We need to ‘his speaking amountstothemeeknessand gentleness of help Christians to live forJesus them is how we measureupby step back andlookatourselves nothing.’And foraGreek Christ to calling on thepower of like he does. thestandards of theworld. andobserve whatweare audience,thatwas afatal blow to Godinspiritual warfareinverse People stilltry to denounce In themissionofthe church impressedbyand how it affects hiscredibility. 4-6. Paul wouldmuchprefer to Paul’s letters, buthis authorityas ourconfidencemustremainin us.Too oftenthe secularworld Paul is also accusedof‘living show thegentlenessofJesus in an apostlewas specifically in his thewordofthe apostles,withall sets theagendafor what we deem by thestandards of theworld,’ fellowship than divine powerin teachingofChrist.Hedidn’t themeeknessand gentleness of impressive, andour self-reliance whichturns outtomeanheisnot battle,but he takespersonal claim authorityinanythingelse, Christ.

Lent 3 Lent 4 Sunday7March Sunday14March Exodus 20:1-17;1Corinthians 1:18-25; John 2:13-22 Numbers 21:4-9; Ephesians 2:1-10; John 3:14-21

When we areconfronted with adisturbingtruth,wewanttoturnawayfromit. We When we areconfrontedwithgood news,wecan easily catchourselves with abarbof don’t want to dwellonit. We filteritoreditit, so it is more palatable. We distract doubt. Ahealthy suspicionofbold claimsisa simple defence mechanismthathas us ourselvesorreassureourselves with somethingelse. deleting phishingemailsand hanginguponcold callsdaily. We caneasilyacceptthatthe TenCommandments(Exodus 20:1-17) aretrueand Jesuscalls us to believeinhim,and,accordingtothe most famousverse in theBible, foundational.Instructive as well as imperative,these wordsare beautifulintheir believinginhim will grantusnothinglessthaneternal life. John 3:16 is fondly quoted simplicity andyet profound in theirimplications. We canpreservetheminamuseum as astatement of God’slovefor theworld,which it is.Itisalsoacalltoradicalbelief. of humanhistoryand consider that we honourthem. We cancategorise andindex them Jesusset up hisastoundingpronouncementbyrecallingthe events of Numbers21:4- in alibrary of humanideas andproposethatwehavelearned from them.Yet how slow 9. As they trudge through thedesert, thepeoples’faithless impatience festersand breaks we aretohold thesedivinewords as amirrortoour lives. Howunwillingweare to let outingrumbling.The Lord’s judgmentisswift anddeadlyand thevenomoussnakes them pierce ourheartsand convictusofour sin. soon have thepeopleconfessingtheir sins andbegging formercy.Inresponse, God To make this point, Jesusexplodedintothe temple,the seat of thelaw,turningover givesthemanobjectlessoninthe faiththeylacked. tables andscatteringcoins.Doves noisilyliftintothe air, andsheep andcattleclatter Jesuscalls people to look upon him,lifteduponthe cross, with thesamefaith,sothey outofthe temple courts andontothe streets. “How dare youturnmyFather’shouse into will be healed from thesnake-bitecurseofsin andgaineternal life. Whetherweare amarket?”John2:16. TheJewsrespond with theirown ‘how dare you’ in verse 18,and condemnedornot dependsonwhether we believeinJesus.Heisthe light, andweare Jesuspredicateshis authorityonapredictionofhis deathand resurrection. in darkness. Jesusconfrontedpeoplewithtruth that disturbed them so much that they killed him. Paul puts it anotherway in Ephesians2:1,“Youweredeadinyourtransgressionsand HumanbeingsrejectedGod’s only Sonand subjectedhim to torture, shameand death. sins.” Then,the good news,verse 4, “Because of his greatlovefor us,God,who is rich in Christ willinglyaccepted this because it wasthe only waytosavehuman beings from mercy, made us aliveinChrist.” He states this to draw attentiontothe greatprinciple somethingworse than physical death. Whichever waywelookatitthe uncomfortable behindthe work of Christ to save us,which is grace. “Itisbygrace youare saved, through truthofhuman sinislaidbare. faith,”verse 8. It defiesour logicthatwecould be freely giveneternal lifesimplyby Themessage of thecross is setaside as foolishnessbyevery newgeneration, just as believinginJesus deathfor oursins.But just because it’s so good,doesn’t mean it’s not Paul said in 1Corinthians1:18, “But to us whoare beingsaved it is thepower of God.” true.

Question: What truthabout Jesusdoyou struggle to accept? Question: What effectdoesunderstanding God’sgrace have on you?

HYMN SELECTION

Before thethroneofGod above, Godofgrace andGod of glory, JesusGod’s Amazinggrace,Mighty, mighty saviour(children’s), Rock of ages, righteousnessrevealed, What sort of king (children’s),Who wouldhavethought. Saviourofthe world, This is amazinggrace.

The Rev George Crowder is Vicar of St John, Over (Diocese of Chester) andRegional DirectorofChurch Society(North &Midlands).

churchnewspaper.com [email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 14 Friday5March, 2021 BOOK REVIEWS Evangelical activism in England

and congregation at Christ Church. Most of the people there emphasis on evangelism through students in adispute over the Church welcomed her and gave accept thattheyface opposition friendship made people waryof Christian Union at Exeter her full cooperation. She does not from asecular world but are far an emphasis on rights. Thetrue University. It was one of anumber identifythe conservative from convinced going to courtis Christian was seen as someone of cases in which Student Unions evangelical church (Christ an appropriate response whereas who followed Jesus’ example of or Guilds had tried to disaffiliate Church is not its actual name) but at Christian Concern the forgoing his or her rights in order Christian Unions because of their the emphasis on bible study and a emphasis is on standing up for to lead people to salvation. One of doctrinal basis for membership. teaching ministryfor a truth even if acase is lost(as most the points thatcame across very TheExeter Evangelical Christian congregation of 500 people of them are). strongly to McIvor was the belief Union, advised by CLC, had gone follows afamiliar pattern seen in One of the reasons the CLC at ChristChurch thatpeople are to courtbut Jimand Kate were such parishes as All Souls, lostcases concerning the right to converted when theymeetother not certain this had been the right Langham Place. wear certain items of jewelleryor people living ‘grace-fuelled lives’. approach. Going to courthad Some of McIvor’s findings are dress at work was thatthe judges Streetpreachers, for an example, diminished the chance of a surprising although whatwill not argued these items were not acategoryofpeople CLCwas mediated solution which might be surprising to manyoutside required by the Christian faith. ready to defend, were not have been better.Jim said the observers is her central claim that People at ChristChurch shared regarded at ChristChurch as submission of legal papers had Christian Concern, by focussing thatpoint of view. If Christians effective evangelists. kicked off a‘massive storm’ Representing God: on certain activities as specifically were required to dress in acertain There is averyrevealing because the Guild ‘really didn’t Christian LegalActivism in Christian and seeking legal wayitwould become areligion of interviewwith Jimand Kate a likethe legal element’. ContemporaryEngland protection for them, is advancing merit, not of faith. husband and wife at Christ McIvor is careful to makethe Méadhbh McIvor the cause of secularisation. At ChristChurch the strong Church who had been involved as point thatthe congregation at Princeton, £22 Beliefs and activities thatwere ChristChurch is overwhelmingly once partofthe warp and woof of middle class and white. This may life in Britain are presented as the Christian Concern by seeking incline them to aless Legalactivism by Christians over practices of asmall minority. confrontational approach. CLC such issuesasthe right to wear a ‘Cases and campaigns legal protection is advancing has amuch wider supportbase, cross at work has been afeature emphasising the ‘religious’ nature the cause of secularisation including manyChristians from of church life in the twenty-first of certain beliefs and practices an immigrant background. Such century. Evangelicals have risk constructing these people maybemore ready to see brought mostofthese cases and phenomena as the niche interests the church in opposition to a Méadhbh McIvor,ayoung of alegally defined minority’,she secular world. Talking to McIvor, anthropologistatOxford with an writes. ‘And the interests of a however,manypeople working at interestinreligion, spent time minorityare, by definition, set CLCadmitted members of their studying their activities at the apartfrom the concerns of most home churches held similar views Christian Legal Centre (CLC) Britons’. to those at ChristChurch. and Christian Concern. She also Many Christians will have McIvor spent twoyears embedded herself fully in the life intuitively grasped the point researching this book. She worked of aconservative evangelical McIvor is making. Whatmay hard to enter into the world of church in the Diocese of London come as asurprise to many those she was studying. It is a she labels as ‘ChristChurch’to readers (it did to me) is that mark of her success thatIwas gain aknowledgeofthe views of people at ChristChurch have only able to detectone factual VIDEO Andrea Manichello members of the congregation. other reservations about Williams and Richard mistake. TheReverend Stephen Page are outside As McIvor,who describes Christian Concern’s campaigns. CONCERN TrottisanAnglo-Catholic, not an courtafter contesting herself as alapsed Irish Catholic One of the strengths of this book TIAN evangelical, although he often the sacking of Mr acknowledgesAndreaMinichiello is the care McIvor takes to CHRIS works closely in General Synod Page over same-sex OM

Williams and the team at understand the theological views FR adoption rights. with conservative evangelicals. ILL

Christian Concern and the clergy, thatshape the thinking at Christ ST Paul Richardson Reviewing Christian podcasts

There has been an explosion of have migrated to podcasting known Christian communicator, lockdowns and Alec Salmond’s guests to talk about stories of people listening to podcasts in the platforms meaning thatthere is and his podcast ‘Quantum: The appearance before the Scottish persecution from around the lastfew years. In the US at least plentyofchoice. WeeFlea Podcast’ demonstrates Parliament. Hisremarks are pithy world and frequently containing half of the population under the Theadvantageofpodcasts for his natural masteryofthe and well-thought through. expertcomment on manyissues. ageof50and more than twoin communication is thatall you medium. He cleverly includes Hisformatwould benefit from Recent podcasts have included five of all US adults are listening need is your smartphone and a sound effects to illustratethe having guests to talk through features on modern slaveryin to podcasts. This is as theygo podcaststreaming platform such points he is making. And, in an some of the issues with him. It’s Pakistan’s brick kilns and false about their daily lives and even as as google or i-tunes, or BBC engaging and fast-paced ‘ride’ always good to hear arangeof imprisonment in Iran by convert theycook, clean, drive and i-player to find arangeofpodcasts covers manydifferent subjects in voices on anypodcast. and academic, SaraAfshari, who perform their basic chores. on manydifferent subjects. each episode. Nevertheless this podcastremains has herself experienced It’s well-known thatvideo And there are now agrowing Hislatestpodcast, released on one of the bestChristian podcasts. imprisonment at the hands of the streaming on platforms such as number of Christian podcasts to Thursday25February, races Finally,I’llgive the ‘Barnabas Iranian authorities. In-depth Netflix has grown especially in which we’lldevote occasional entertainingly and thoughtfully Fund Podcast’aworthymention countryportraits are also the pandemic, but manywell- reviews. around arangeofsubjects from because I’mthe main presenter of available. known entertainers in lockdown David Robertson is awell- life on other planets, to Covid-19 it. Each week it features various Andrew Carey

churchnewspaper.com [email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper Friday5March, 2021 15

What does discipleship look liketoday?

themes core both to the nature of and events are narrated. recounts the incident in Mark 7 foils to the male disciples who discipleship and of Jesus himself. Thefirstpartofthe book had where Jesus seems to rejectthe betray and abandon him. In Aernie’s view, thatalthough ended with an overviewofwhat plea of foreign gentile women for Thefinal categoryAernie notes their depictions in the Gospel are the Gospel’s account of the word’s him to heal her daughter,despite is Cruciform Discipleship fleeting, it is only by studying St and actions of the male disciples her obvious faith. Aernie’s referring to the woman in Mark Mark’saccount of Jesus’ female offered the hearers and readers of discussion of the interaction 15 and 16, who unlikealmostall followers alongside the male St Mark’sGospel. Themain body between the woman and Jesus the other woman in Mark’sgospel disciples thatafull understanding of the book fills this out with the shows how the woman’s words, are named. of Markan discipleship and reflections on the portrayals of debating with Jesus on an equal There is afull and very therefore of Mark’sChristology the female characters in the footing, demonstrateher interesting discussion about the can be gleaned. narrative. embodiment of kingdom type of discipleship displayed by Narrative exegesis approaches Aernie leads us through the faithfulness. She will not and in Mary Magdalene, Mary the the text of the gospel not as a female characters he highlights the end, does not have to, takeno Mother of James the Younger and historical document or as a thematically and chronologically for an answer.InAernie’s view, of Joses and Salome who, compendium of sources but as a beginning in Mark 1&5,Simon’s she embodies, “spoken according to Mark both witnessed piece of literature, crafted at a Mother in Lawand the Bleeding discipleship.” the crucifixion and received the particular time in historywith an Woman under the theme of Active discipleship is the next command of ayoung man to tell NaN rrattivi eDDisciplei i l ship:hi end in viewand recognises that, Restored Discipleship. Both are categoryreferring to the widow the disciples and Peter thatJesus Portraits of Women in the although the Gospel is aliterary unnamed women. Both are who gives sacrificially in Mark 12 of Nazereth had risen and would GospelofMark and theological narrative it is healed and restored to their lives. and the woman who anoint Jesus meetthem in Galilee. Did theyor Jeffrey WAernie nevertheless rooted both in the Simon’s mother in law with expensive oil in Mark 14. did theynot repeatthe young historicityofthe events it portrays immediately rises to continue to Both are seemingly pointless man’s words? Pickwick Publications, £17 and in the time in which it was fulfil her role within her gestures but both were each Questions thatcould have written. household: she offers hospitality woman’s unique response at a been asked of the crucifixion at Thecore claim thatAernie makes In the main body of his to her son in law’sguests, Jesus specific moment, made for the time, did theyfail or suceed? in this fascinating book is thatin excellent book, Aernie shows, and his disciples. Theunnamed reasons of their own. Aernie rehearses the arguments his Gospel, St Mark draws“an through the portraits of the woman in the crowd outside Whatpossible good could the but does not require atidy answer inseparable link” between the female disciples of Jesus thatthe Jairus’house acts on her faith, widow’stinycontribution do for because he concludes thatwhat heartofwho Jesus is and the aim of St Mark’sgospel was, in touches Jesus’ clothes and is the overall running of the vast Mark is doing is “creating a heartofbeing adisciple. Jonathan Pennington’s word, to healed. Jesus confronts her, and expensive Temple complex? portrait of narrative discipleship Aernie says thatStMark be “aretological (virtue-forming).” commendeds her and, like Could she not have used it better as ameans to encouragehis frames the life, death and TheGospel is not simply Simon’s mother in law, she goes for herself or someone else? audience towards embodied resurrection of Jesus as the meant to inform its hearers, its on her way, healed. Touch restores Likewise, Jesus didn’t need to be discipleship.”(122) Aernie breaking in of God’skingdom, the readers, about events that Simon’s mother in lawand the anointed with expensive oil. The contends thatthrough these result of which is the creation of happened in the past, but to call unnamed woman with aflow of gesturecouldhavebadlybackfired small vignettes, Mark is showing disciples. Aernie contends that them to repentance, beliefand blood. upon the woman. his readers pictures of whatsorts previous commentators on St discipleship in the present and to In Aernie’s second category, it Aernie discusses both these of actions discipleship is Mark have concentrated on the do thatbythe waythe events of is speaking thatistransformative women as examples of the faithful comprised. male characters thereby missing the Gospel interactions, teachings and combative speech at that. He women of the gospels who actas Jo Penberthy CLASSIFIEDS

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By AnaNolan Forgiving Jonathan setmefree daughter in my arms, Iplaced a Ana with her from alife of pain and shame. The tender kiss upon Lisa’sforehead daughter,Lisa. WhenLisawasbornsheappeared bestcure for rejection was and whispered, perfectinevery way. After a allowing Father’s love to penetrate ‘Goodnight Lisa, see you in the difficult and prolonged labour,I my defences and letthe healing morning.’ was rushed to theatre for an flow. Twoyears after Lisa died Iwas emergencyCaesarian. My Whydid Igolooking for love invited to join anew children’s daughter was justone dayold in all the wrong places? Isolated hospice planning and building when Igazed into her eyes for the and alone after my divorce, I team, comprising of health care firsttime… and Iknewthere was became embroiled in acorrosive professionals and senior something wrong. relationship thatleftmewith management. Sharing my story My child’s future was scars thattook years to heal. And at public speaking events and something Ihad not planned for. alovely baby boy called Luke, interviews with the press, TV and We want our children to have the whose boundless energybrought radio, the sterling efforts of verybestinlife, don’t we?Weall joy into our lives. hospice staff was rewarded when makechoices hoping to find the Asingle parent raising three our target of three million pounds road clearly mapped out in front children, Godwas my ‘go-to’ was successfully reached, thanks of us. My husband and Ifaced person dayand night. Friends to our generous communityand unfamiliar terrain, with no road kept me sane when Icould not go government funding. In 2000 map to guide us and no compass on. Yes, life wasn’t easy but the the newchildren’s hospice was to find our true north. rewards were great. Family life officially opened by HRH Lisa never took those first consisted of walkers and Princess Anne, who planted an steps. Herweak ankles could not wheelchairs, feeding aids and oak tree at the entrance in supporther.Over the months, funding, hurdles and hospitals. memoryofLisa. Everything my hands took on aclaw-likeshape and intermittently buffeted by a daughter was dying was heart- Lisa was abright and shining family needed is now being as fingers turned inwards. whirlwind of anxiety and fear. wrenching. We cried together.We light in the midstofheartache provided for hundreds of families Hearing began to deteriorate When Lisa was four Ibecame didn’t know whattosay to each and her wackysense of humour a across three counties. from the ageofthree. born again, and Jesus adorned other.Where could we go for help healing balm to all. Thankfully My storyhas travelled around My daughter was fifteen my world with the colours of and support? In the early 1980s I Jamie was an absolute angel. My the world and reached millions of months old when the Paediatric heaven. couldn’t search the internet sons filled my world with school people. Even while writing my Consultant referred to her as Satontop of the toiletseat, I looking for answers. Emotionally schedules, fun and laughter, book Goodnight Lisa See YouIn disabled. After months of waiting sobbed my heartout for over an shipwrecked on ‘Disabled Island’, scraped knees and muddy football TheMorning, sharing achapter and wondering, Ifinally had the hour.Feeling bereft and alone, I inhabited by professionals in boots. My children kept me going or twowith an interested party answer Ihad been looking for; whispered, ‘God, help.’Moments healthcare and education who no matter what. seemed to have aprofound effect and dreading. Thetruth exploded later aglorious presence filled the spokealanguageIdid not In spite of the factLisa couldn’t as the Spirit of Godcame and deep within my soul, its cubicle. Divine strength poured understand, Ihad to learn fastin hear,she knewJesus better than I ministered to individuals in a devastating shrapnel piercing the down from above and filled me order to survive; and ensure Lisa’s and drewpictures of bible stories deep and personal way. Godis mind. from top to bottom with golden needs were metinanever- she never read. speaking through the pages. My immediate response was to oil. Infused with hope, Iwas ready changing world. Having achild Tendaysbefore Christmas, the Receiving feedback from a run and hide, to shut the world to tackle whatever layahead. I with alife limiting condition was London hospital –renowned reader about how our storyhas and everything out. Ahospital metGod in the toilet. When traumatic at times, but it was also worldwide for its knowledgeof impacted their life is atruly toiletoutside the children’s ward mother came to collectmeand the greatestblessing Ihaveever neuromuscular disorders –was humbling experience. People became the refugeIlonged for.In Lisa from hospital, Isaid, ‘I’m experienced because these Lisa’sfinal portofcall. Exhausted have accepted Christinto their aworld full of unexpected twists okaymum, God’swith me.’I children are the epitome of from hyperventilation, a lives and known the joy of His and turns, how do we find asafe couldn’t explain it. Ijustknew. unconditional love. tranquilliser drug induced the salvation. If Lisa had seen the five harbour when atsunami of Thediagnosis delivered by the Raising achild in aspecial sleep she so desperately star book reviews, she sorrow threatens to engulf us? Paediatric Consultant was needs world takes alot of stamina, needed. Our room was would have smiled that At twentyfive years-of-age, I devastating: Lisa had arare nerve courageand perseverance. And saturated with God’s brilliant smile of hers wasn’t sure if Godexisted or not. disorder thatwould cause chocolate. When Lisa was four, tangible presence and and said, ‘Thank You During my childhood Iattended progressive muscle wasting, her brother was born. Jamie was glorious peace. Jesus.’ aChurch of England sunday starting in her hands and feetand healthyineveryway and his sister At the ageoffifteen, Goodnight Lisa, See school but didn’t know Icould gradually working its wayupher adored him from dayone. Ayear my daughter took her YouInThe Morning’,is have apersonal relationship with body until it reached the vital later my husband packed his bags final breath. Holding published by Malcolm Jesus. My teenageyears were a organs. There was no cure. and left home, having found my frail and thin, but Down Publishing lonely landscape swathed in grey Telling my husband thatour solace in the arms of another. incredibly beautiful (paperback, £10.99)

Notall Evangelicals Does theCofEneedanew Alister McGrath’s book Changingthe world starts Justification by faith “The stakes for this election thinkalike, p8 policyonbaptism, p12 on J.I.Packer, p14 in ourown community. was not on hisagenda. feelmuchhigher than ever Ministryinour Astudy of Paul and his before.” Anew series on the HappyChristmastoallour readers, contributors&advertisers neighborhoods, p11 letters, p14 Presidentialrace, p15 TheChurch of Engla CatherinePepinster Disasters andacts Christmas heroes on martys, p7 of God, p10 by JJohn, p12 ofof Don’tmiss an issue, subscribe to wspaper ThTheCe Chhuurcrch England Bishop John Perumbalath Lord Carypaystribute Bishop Carlye Hughes and as life been like HowSir Cliff forgave his Bishop Jane Alexander wspapere asks if the church is open to Rabbi LordSacks. p10 Canon Mark Clavier on the tablished in 1828 te churches in false accusers p11 reviews BrokenSignposts 020? p 8 by N.T Wright p14 to change. p7 American election. p11 TheChurch of England tablished in 1828 No: 6555 Newspaper pose aid g reminderi of how many TheChurch of England 18/25 December,2020 £1.50 Established in 1828 No: 6560 The Church of England Newspaper duction Newspaper Archbishopb says of IICSA 20 November, 2020 £1.50 Established in 1828 No: 6558 Parliament to step up religious 5 0 Established in 1828 No: 6557 proachincludingarrangements for redress, which are already underway. “Wethank the Inquiryfor its Church pledge in-depth work over the past five freedom protections hbishop will question government years and we note that there will The Church of England Newspaper -online to reform be further proposals on the Religiouspersecution safeguarding important areas of mandatory The Church of England will work Fundingfor theprojectcomes reporting and the Seal of the alongside parliamentarians to fromtheForeign,Commonwealth overlockdownmeasures Confessional.”They added. The Church of England has pledged to followthrough on a identifyandchallengebarriers to andDevelopment’ Office’sUK Afull responseisdue to be reaches recordlevels new safeguardingstructure freedom of religion or belief AidConnect Fund which brings released in the coming weeks. independent fromthe Bishops (FoRB) 83% together organisations to create a n t e r b u r y ProfessorAlexisJay,Chair of withthe firststepsbeingtaken at Aspartofthe Freedom of Reli- innovative solutionstocomplex e r n a b o u t Rock on in the Inquirysaid that ‘over many nextweek’svirtual General gion or Belief Leadership Net- of the world’s development challenges that a i l u r e t o peace, Bobby decades, the ChurchofEngland Government restrictionson Synod. work (FoRBLN) theChurchwill population deliver real changetothe lives of c h a l l e n g e failed to protectchildrenand work alongside 10 other partners people livinginpoverty. youngpeople from sexual religion around the world Earlier thismonth a r h i s l o c k - Veterancomic and entertainer supportingparliamentarians and TheBishop of Leeds, Nick abusers, instead facilitating a reached newhighin2018, safeguarding complaintagainst facesrestriction Bobby Ball died last week at 76 belief leaders in eight countries Baines, theChurchofEngland’s culture where perpetrators could accordingtoanew report. the Archbishop of Canterbury on belief c o n fi r m e d after testingpositive for across Africa andAsia to respond lead bishop for international hide and victims faced barriers Therecordriseinthe global was dismissed by acoregroup. l t e d a b o u t coronavirus. He wasbest to FoRB challenges in their Bishop of Leeds, affairs, said: “Accordingtoastudy to disclosure that many could median on government restric- Thecomplaintwas madeby n s . I n t h e known for his comedy countries andthe widerregions. publishedbythe PewForum in not overcome’. tionsonreligionsince 2007,was ‘Graham’ananonymous victim of Nick Baines t o g e t h e r partnership with Tommy The £5.6 million project will June 2018 around 83 per cent of “Within theChurchinWales, foundinthe 11th annual report John SmythQCand concerned Yo r k , a n d Cannon –Cannon and Ball. He rununtil autumn2023. The the world’s populationlive in there were simply not enough by PewResearch Center. mainly Archbishop Welby’s a c k n o w l - wasalso acommitted Christian announcementofthe initiative on countrieswithhighorveryhigh safeguarding officers to carryout Theyear-over-year increase alleged failure to ensure that h i n g t h e y who was comfortable speaking from2017to2018 was relatively whenhelearned of the abuse in the United NationsDay of NT levels of restrictionsonreligionor o n s d u r i n g the volume of work required of AME about his faithtoothers. modest, but it contributedtoa 2013 that the authorities in South Human Rights (December 10) LI belief. l o c k d o w n , them. Record-keeping was recognises thatthe righttoPAR “Sadly, this situationhas Steve Goddard, Managing or by postvisit churchnewspaper.com substantialrise in government Africa, where Smyth lived, were UK e g o v e r n - found to be almostnon-existent Clergy who Clergywho Director of Christian Resources freedom of religionorbeliefis worsened in recent months as a andoflittle use in trying to restrictions on religion overmore properly informed. e c i s i o n s i t Exhibition, expressed his challenged the enshrined in Article18ofthe UN resultofthe global health challenged the understand past safeguarding than adecade. ‘Graham’criticised the way his t ’. sadness: “Iworked with him on as the Covid pandem ic preservethe United Kin Declaration of Human Rights of England’s InternationalAffairs human.” system.” pandemic. issues. The report says that the in- governmenton complaint had been handled after n e s b e i n g government on anumberofprojects, including ing as many people, just foreign aid budgetat0 The projectisbeingco- Adviser, who will be operations “Over thenextthree years, we “Parliamentariansand belief “I’mencouragedthatthe “Toensurethe right action is crease in government restrictions At least4,500 five monthsand withoutthe T h u r s d a y agag-filled book signing the decisions it ight against the things GDP,sending astrong sign ordinated by the Centre forSocial directorfor theproject said: “Ata willwork with parliamentarians leaders have considerable ChurchofEnglandisresponding the decisions it taken in future, it’s essential that reflects awide variety of events appointment of an investigator. n l y a l l o w session in the mid-90s. He was ve, and the things thaat the United Kingdomisa Cohesion (CSSC) at Oxford time when freedom of religionis andbelief leadersfromeight untappedpotential to makea to thischallenge by working with the importance of protecting around the world, including arise has made, ‘may Rohingya were In the meantime, Christ o p e n f o r has made, ‘may always great fun with a tter to us. partnerfor long-termeco University, which will lead on the increasingly contestedasacountries in strengthening their positiveimpact on the human others to resource andequip childrenfrom abhorrent sexual from2017to2018 in the number stuck in aborder Church Dean, Martyn Percy, has s o e n a b l e poignant testimony of God’s be right’. t goes straight against social, environmental research component,whilethe human right, andwhenthe commitmenttofreedom of rights landscapewhether by parliamentariansand faith and be right’. abuse is continuously reinforced. of governments using force–such been forced to standaside from b r o a d c a s t grace at the height of his fame. istian heritage - the educational advancement Church of England will leadon human rights system itselfis religion or belief as ahumanright reformingdiscriminatory beliefleaders to defend such a “If real and lasting changes as detentions and physical abuse area known as his role asecondtime after the n g . Rock on in peace, Bobby.” –tocoercereligious groups. “no-man’s land” Church’ssafeguarding body of Jesus Christ that your the globe.” day-to-dayoperational deliveryof understrain, we shouldn’t forget -one thatisonpar with other legislationorbyusing their basic human right–arightthat l b e c l o s e d are to be made, it’s vital that the In recent years Christian launched another investigation. r is the one whose needs TheRtRevdNicholas H theproject. thateveryone, everywhere has rights and onesquarely rooted influenceover thehearts and touches on theveryessenceof a r e b e i n g Church improves theway it charities have highlighted According to astatement from w, who you can reach out the BishopofSalisbury,w Dr Charles Reed, theChurch this right by virtue of being within thebroader human rights minds of millionsofpeople.” whatitmeans to be human.” b r o a d c a s t e v e r y c o mmunity. we understand the many difficult restrictions. responds to allegationsfrom We know these needs. UK Prime Minister, victims and survivors, and

persecution of Christians by ET Christ Church, whose Dons have u a l p r a y e r, “ T h e sacramental lifeofthe decisions facing the Government, TheRtRevMartin Seeley, various state in many parts of the been in afour-year-battle with of the best in the world Johnson, along withh o r w h e r e c h u r c h cannotbeseenasan we have not yetseen any evidence Bishop of the Diocese ofSt provides proper supportfor world including blasphemy laws ANMAR.N the modernising Dean, he had ng them. It’s not a Sharma, SecretaryofSt Chelsea footballer supports persecuted Christians a n a l s o b e o p t i o n a l eextra,” he wrote. whatsoeverthat would make the Edmundsbury andIpswich, port for victims andn improvement in recent years, we thosevictims over time. in Pakistan; surveillanceof “withdrawn with immediate to cut.” Business,Energyand Ind n t a r y a n d T h e Archbishop regretted that banning of communal worship, commented: . wholeheartedly regret that in “The panel and Ihope that Christians and closure of effectfrom all duties and pastoral Church of England Strategy and John Glen M a s b l o o d w o r s h i p online meansthat the with all its human costs, a “I deeply regret that the are recommendationsn some areas, most importantly thisreport and its FRONTIEREMY 3 churches in China, as well as responsibilities”. Synod also formally of Parliament(MP) forSa Premierleaguefootballer, national team. TheGoal event whichraised organised by French Connect a n d o t h e r p e o p l e d o not have accesstothe productive partofcombattingthe Governmentisproposing to close g the structure ofo support for victims and recommendations incidentsofviolence against In private, sources close to its support for in Wiltshire pointing out OlivierGiroud,has spoken out “This is incredible to have upwards of £12,000 to support London, aFrench-speaking h a s s o m e s a c r a m e nts, explaining that ‘this virus.Weask the Government to churches and otherplaces of ding, as well as revisioon survivors, progresshas been too Christian minorities in the median government restrictions scores. This includes China, In India,anti-conversion laws MartynPercy saidthatthe ing the overseas aid commitment to a0.7 aboutthe plight of persecuted numbers like that.Wehaveto Christian persecution watchdog church in Londoninpartnership i s a h u g e loss’. produce thisevidence that worship for public worship, at a rgy Discipline Measure,r slow,they said. PRICE £1.50 /€2.00 /$2.50 Middle East, and parts of Africa. score whichwas concentrated whichcontinued to have the affected minorityreligious allegationsagainst the Dean were ment. budget wasfirst ‘enshrinee d Christiansaround the world at talkabout it.” Open Doors Franceand Holistic with Plus Que Sportifs. b o u t t h e s e H e a r guedthatthe churchcan- justifies the cessation of acts of time when we need public prayer on sharing betweene “The motion unanimously According to the Pewreport, mostlyinthe categoryof“low highest score on theGovernment groups. Forexample,inthe state not ‘grave’and blamed asustained amendment to a motion byaConservative Gover an online charity gala in London. Theauction saw collector Sports France.Emma Worrall, o c k d o w n – n o t s e p arate ‘our worship from public worship. for this crisis. and statutory partnerrs, passed at the February sessions 41 outofthe fiveregionsexamined levels”ofgovernment use of force. Restrictions Index. of Uttar Pradesh in September, witchhunt within the college. e impact of coronavirus “Have we not learned th TheChelseaforward kicked jerseyswornand signed by Innovationlead at Open Doors t h e l e t t e r. o u r s e r v ice’, explainingthat‘it is “The Government has a “Churches are there for this, to ernal auditing of theh of the General Synod shows our in the study,the Middle East and Theregionalso saw several TheChinese government police charged 271Christians TheChurchofEngland said c, Synod voted to “call on pandemicneedsaglobal re off at charity auction TheGoal, Olivier, Aurélien Colin,Major UK and Ireland, said: “Today PRICE £1.50 /€2.00 /$2.50 l o c k d o w n a l w a y s b oth and not either or’. profound responsibility to show be places of prayer at challenging safeguarding work. commitment to amore fully vic- NorthAfrica continued to have instances of widespread use of restricts religion in avariety of with attemptingtoconvertpeople there was aparticular focus on esty’s Government to fromus?” he asked. held partly in aid of Christiansin LeagueSoccer champion in the more than 300 millionChristians g e c h u r c h “ N e v e rtheless, we will of course why it hastaken particular timessuch as this, and we have there has been somem tim and survivor centred ap- 9770964 816108 the highest median levelof government forceagainst ways, includingbanning entire by druggingthem and “spreading independent safeguarding and northern Cameroon, Maliand United States(MLS),Astride worldwide are persecuted thanks 51 o p e n f o r a b i d e b y the law and ask you to do decisions. Not doingsorisks shown and proved we can hold Mauritania. N’Gouan,FrenchHandball R to theirfaith. TE

government restrictions in 2018. religious groups, in particular the religious groups(such as the liesabout Hinduism.” redressfor survivors. r p o s s i b l e , t h e s a m e ,” he added. erodingthe unity we need as we worship safely.” CRE “It is unimaginable to seeso championand others go under WIT “They are victims of violence, However,Asiaand thePacific Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. Falun Gongmovement and Accordingtothe report, /T b u i l d i n g s T h e Archbishop calledclergy enteramost difficult period for Christian InstituteDirector, 9770964 816108 Bobby Ball and DonMaclean at the hadthe largest increase in its In addition,fighting between the severalChristian groups), throughoutthe year,politicians facebook.com/churchnewspaper many persecuted Christiansin the hammer. rape and murderbut alsoface w a y s t h a t t o f a s t ‘ i n away appropriate to our country.” Colin Hart, said:“Thisisnot like Christian ResourcesExhibition. facebook.com/m churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper Burmese militaryand armed prohibiting certain religious madecomments targeting the world today,” said Olivier, Olivier was among other elite GIROUD harassment and abuse in their n t m o n t h s , y o u ’ a s well as pray for ournation CardinalNicholscalled for the lockdown in March where who also plays for the French French sports stars who attended communities. TheGoal was ethnic organizations in the states practices, raiding places of religious minorities. OLIVIER ThenextCEN will be published on 8Jan 21 v i c e s f r o m e v e r y T h ursday. questions to be raisedwith elected everyonewas in thesameboat. PRICE £1.50 /€2.00 /$2.50 of Kachin and Shan led to the worship and detainingand Asin previous years, Christians T h e Archbishop of MembersofParliament regarding There are now glaring inconsist- PRICE £1.50 /€2.00 /$2.50 47 displacementofother religious torturing individuals. and Muslims experienced n fi r m e d i n We s t m i nster, Cardinal Vincent the cessation of public common encies in the way churches are 45 minorities, mostlyChristians. Indiareached anew peak in its harassment in more countries d s t o s p e a k N i c h o l s , has this week called for worship, explaining that theyare being treated compared to other According to the report, some GRI score in 2018, scoring5.9 than any otherreligious groups in churchnewspaper.com [email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper b o u t w h y t h e G o v ernment to justifythe in aposition to require the sectors of society. OCESE 9770964 816108 countries in the Asia-Pacific out of 10 on the index, while 2018. This pattern has remained DI m a d e a n d c e s s a t i o n of public communal Government to publish the data “Where is the evidence to 9770964 816108 RD FO

region saw all-timehighsintheir Thailandalsoexperiencedanall- consistentsince the study began OX i s i n g t h e w o r s h i p . that drivesthe decision to cease justify thisrestriction on the ThenextCEN will be published on 4Dec overall government restrictions time high(5.4). in 2007. The Very RevMartyn Percy h e s p l a y i n I n h i s letter,hewrote:“Whilst publicworship under these fundamental righttoworship?” ThenextCEN will be published on 20 Nov

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