There is a lot of interest here. The pastor being taken to court for denouncing
Islam should take the kooran into court and read from it.
Subject: Christian Weekly News 19/12/15
From: info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: johntimbrell@xxxxxxxxxx
Date: Sat, 19 Dec 2015 16:33:37 +0000
Christian Weekly News 19/12/15
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Christian Weekly News
19 December 2015
Thank you
Thank you for your partnership in 2015
This is the last edition of Christian Weekly News in
2015. The first edition of 2016 should reach you on Saturday 9 January. As we
approach the end of the year, we give thanks to God for your partnership with
us expressed in your praying, giving, taking action and telling others about
our work. As we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, please pray that
God will continue to use Christian Concern to shine light into the darkness in
2016.
Christian Concern website block lifted
Thank you for contacting O2 about access to the
Christian Concern website, which had been blocked in some venues that use O2's
public wi-fi service. It seems that O2 was including our website in a category
that some outlets choose to block. Thanks to your action, O2 has lifted the ban
and our website is once again accessible. Your support does make a difference,
and we are grateful for the part you have played. If you encounter any similar
problems, please let us know.
Freedom
Pastor on trial for comments about Islam
The trial of a Northern Irish preacher, who denounced
Islam from the pulpit, has taken place in Belfast. In a sermon preached last
year, 78-year-old James McConnell said that "Islam is heathen, Islam is
Satanic, Islam is a doctrine spawned in Hell”. He has been charged under the
2003 Communications Act, because the sermon was available online. "We must pray
that James McConnell is acquitted and gospel freedoms upheld," Andrea said.
Judgment is expected next year.
Islam
Islamic radicalisation in UK prisons
Muslims are applying for jobs in prisons, and even
seeking prison sentences, in order to radicalise inmates, the Prison Officers
Association (POA) has claimed. The POA spoke out in light of Justice Secretary
Michael Gove's call for a review of how the prison service is combatting
radicalisation within prisons. This latest news comes after reports last month
that non-Muslim inmates in four major UK prisons were being forced to pay an
Islamic tax.
Researcher exposes Sharia 'courts'
A Dutch researcher has uncovered evidence of women
being mistreated in so-called sharia courts in the UK. Machteld Zee gained a
high level of access to two sharia 'courts' in 2013. Ms Zee, whose book on the
subject will be launched in January, said the 'courts' often do not deal fairly
with women who are in abusive marriages. She also said that those who support
sharia 'courts' out of a commitment to multiculturalism hold “a romanticised
view of communal values”.
Beginning of Life
Church may back GM baby technology
The Church of England’s medical ethics adviser has
suggested that the church could support the modification of human DNA that is
passed from one generation to another. 'Germline modification' technologies
raise huge ethical and safety issues and many human embryos would be destroyed
in their development. Andrea Williams commented: "The Church of England should
be defending tiny human lives, not advocating experimentation on them."
Education
'Illegal schools' prompt prosecutions
Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has asked Ofsted to
“prepare cases for prosecution”, following revelations about the existence of
unregistered ‘schools’. Ofsted chief Sir Michael Wilshaw told Mrs Morgan that
some of the unregistered schools used "a narrow Islamic-focused curriculum."
Andrea Williams, however, has asked why Sir Michael has given the impression
that Christian and Jewish groups might also be running unregistered 'schools'.
Society
Woman speaks of porn addiction damage
A 19-year-old woman has spoken out about the
devastating impact of an 11-year addiction to pornography. Rebecca appeared on
the Australian television programme Australians on Porn, where she described
how her addiction spiralled out of control. She spoke of the damaging effect
porn has had on her relationships, adding: “Quitting has been really hard and I
wish retrospectively I’d never seen it and I could have lived my life without
it."
Marriage and Family
Clergyman barred after same-sex 'marriage'
A clergyman who defied biblical teaching and ‘married’
his same-sex partner has been denied a licence to officiate by the Bishop of
Winchester. But in neighbouring Salisbury diocese, Jeremy Davies has been
allowed to continue taking services. The situation highlights how some dioceses
are undermining the pastoral guidance issued by the House of Bishops last year.
The guidance states that same-sex 'marriage' is incompatible with being a
Church of England minister.
Comment
Fiona Bruce: Extremism strategy 'ineffective'
Fiona Bruce MP has criticised the government's
'counter-extremism' plans, warning that the freedom of Christian groups could
be seriously impeded by its measures. Writing for Christian Today, she explains
how youth groups and summer camps could be inspected and penalised as a result
of the government's broad definition of 'extremism'. She asks the government to
re-work the strategy and urges Christians to respond to the call for evidence.
Islamic ideology must be tackled 'head-on'
Johnny Monro has also spoken out against the
government's 'extremism' strategy, calling it "fatally flawed". He says that,
instead of censoring free speech and marginalising extreme Islamists, the core
ideology needs to be countered "head-on", being brought into "the light and air
of public debate and scrutiny in which it cannot survive". He argues that an
approach to tackling Islamic radicalisation that is "too vague" risks driving
others to this "destructive ideology".
Joe Boot: Apologetics and the Church
In this short video, Dr Joe Boot discusses the need for
Christians to be active in the "defence and confirmation of the gospel" -
apologetics - as set out in 1 Peter 3:15. We must "defend the faith", Joe tells
us, as Paul did at the Areopagus. The Church has practiced apologetics "right
down the centuries", Joe says, and the purpose of apologetics has always been
to preserve the purity of the gospel and to answer objections to Christian
belief.
Resources
Learn how 'Our bodies proclaim the gospel'
How ought we, as 21st century Christians, to approach
issues of human sexuality? What does an authentically Christian approach to
singleness and marriage look like? If these are issues you would like to engage
with on a deeper level, why not attend the "Our bodies proclaim the gospel"
conference, from 14 to 16 January? Christopher West, a renowned scholar in this
field, will share a beautiful and life-changing vision of human life, love,
sexuality and marriage.
Join us for 'What is the gospel?' training day
How might you, as a Christian leader, engage in the
public square and help others to do likewise? What is the biblical basis for
involvement in public life? Come be equipped at our "What is the gospel?"
event, designed to provide those in positions of Christian leadership with a
biblical apologetic for public engagement. The conference will take place in
London from 9.30am to 5pm on 29 January and costs £25, including lunch.
Bookings are open now.
Receive training as a pregnancy counsellor
What should you say to someone facing a crisis
pregnancy? How do you address issues relating to abortion and teenage sex?
Christian pro-life charity Image is running a 60-hour course on Christian
pregnancy counselling from January to May 2016, over the course of five
Saturdays. The course aims to provides a foundation for all those working, or
seeking to work, in Christian pregnancy centres and related areas of ministry.
Learn more or apply now.
Lead a life-saving campaign in your area
Over 10,000 babies have been saved and many women with
experience of abortion have been helped in recent years through 40 Days for
Life campaigns. Could you or your church help to lead one in your area during
Lent in 2016? 40 Days for Life will provide access to training, resources and
expert advice. Why not find out more about what's involved and the impact that
a campaign can have? Applications are open until 22 December.
Please help us spread the word
Like us on Facebook
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Visit our website
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Media
We've updated our audio recordings, so if you've previously had
problems listening via our website, please try again, or listen on SoundCloud.
Watch Wilberforce Director Dr Joe Boot discuss the need for
Christians to be active in the "defence and confirmation of the gospel" (4
mins).
Prayer
Please join us in giving thanks for the following:
Christian Concern's partnership with thousands of Christians across the
UK and across the world
God's faithful provision for Christian Concern throughout 2015
Public figures who are speaking out about the dangers of the
government's "Counter-Extremism Strategy"
Please join us in praying for the following:
Wisdom, energy and continued financial provision for Christian Concern
The government to change its approach to countering 'extremism'
Better protection of Christian freedoms as the Equality and Human
Rights Commission reviews the law on religion and belief and the government
considers the possibility of a 'Bill of Rights'
Thank you for praying. For more information about the issues above, please
visit our website or contact us.
Events
Fri 8 Jan: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
Andrea Williams will give a presentation on the
government's stance on 'extremism' from 3pm to 5pm at Life International
Christian Fellowship.
Venue: Life International Christian Fellowship, 3 St Leger Court, St Leger
Drive, Great Linford, Milton Keynes, MK14 5HA
Click here for details.
Thu 14 - Sat 16 Jan: Central London
Core Issues Trust, Anglican Mainstream and the Diocese
of Westminster are hosting the "Our bodies proclaim the gospel" conference, at
which Christopher West will present a theological response to contemporary
sexual chaos.
Venue: Emmanuel Centre, 9-23 Marsham Street, London SW1P 3DW
Click here for details.
Sat 16 Jan: Burgess Hill, West Sussex
Andrea Williams will be speaking about "Hope for our
nation?" at this evangelistic men's breakfast, which will last from 8.15am to
10.00am.
Venue: St Andrew’s Community Centre, 2A Cants Lane, Burgess Hill, RH15 0LG
Contact: petermarkby@xxxxxxxxx
Click here for details.
Tues 19 Jan: Brentwood, Essex
Pastor Ade Omooba will be speaking on “Repentance,
Reformation and Revival” at a prayer service for Churches Together in
Brentwood. Tea and coffee will be available from 7.30pm, and the service begins
at 8pm, to finish around 9 or 9.15pm.
Venue: Cathedral of St Mary and St Helen (Brentwood Cathedral), Ingrave Road,
Brentwood, CM15 8AT
Contact: carsonc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Tues 19 Jan: Ferndown, Dorset
Andrea Williams will speak on "The signs of the times"
at Hope Church Ferndown's monthly mission and outreach focus evening, "Across
the street, across the world". The service will run from 7pm to 9pm.
Venue: Hope Church, Corbin Avenue, Ferndown, BH22 8AZ
Click here for details.
Thurs 21 Jan: Royston, Hertfordshire
Andrea Williams will speak to an open meeting of
Hertfordshire Christian Concern (HCC), providing an update on the work of
Christian Concern. This event will run from 7.45pm to 9.30pm, and there will be
time for questions.
Venue: Royston Evangelical Church, York Way, Royston, Herts SG8 5HJ
Contact: margaretpearson210@xxxxxxxxxxx
Sun 24 Jan: Brentwood, Essex
Andrea Williams will speak at the Sawyers Church Sunday
morning service. This service will launch a week of Prayer at Sawyers Church
for the church and local community. The service will run from 10.30am to 12.00
noon.
Venue: Sawyers Church, Sawyers Hall Lane, Brentwood, CM15 9DA
Click here for details.
Fri 29 Jan: Central London
Christian Concern will host a day conference to equip
Christian leaders to engage in public life. "What is the Gospel?" will take
place from 9.30am to 5pm in central London.
Venue: Emmanuel Centre, Westminster, London SW1P 3DW
Click here for details.
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