Bloggers in the UK and Ireland have expressed concern about the “Not Ashamed” campaign, which encourages Christians to speak up about for their faith. The campaign highlights stories of Christians who have lost their jobs over questions of faith or conscience.
Former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey said, “In spite of having contributed so much to our civilization, the Christian Faith is in danger of being stealthily and subtly brushed aside.”
While many feel “Not Ashamed” provides an opportunity to speak out about their faith, others question the focus on troubles suffered by westerners, which are minor compared to severe persecution in other parts of the world.
Bishop Nick Baines commented, “Being marginalised, misrepresented or misquoted is not the same as being persecuted.”
IBI lecturer Patrick Mitchell added, “Christians in the UK (and Ireland) have undreamt of freedoms compared to many Christians around the world who are dying for their faith. To talk of ‘suffering’ is actually scandalous.” Read the full blog entry.
Find out more on www.notashamed.org.uk. Tell us what you think below...
Monday, January 17, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Cape Town 2010
4,200 delegates, from almost 200 countries, gathered in Cape Town in October 2010. Notably, 200 from China were missing – refused permission to travel – and their seats were left empty as a reminder throughout the congress. Nine delegates from Ireland represented a wide range of different ages, denominations, traditions and backgrounds. VOX brings you some of their initial reactions. Find out more online at www.lausanne.org or see the Irish blog www.irishincapetown.wordpress.com
Bishop Ken Clarke shares: The congress aired painful subjects and tackled hard questions. The address by fellow Irishman, Chris Wright, was powerfully prophetic. Idolatry is still alive among God’s people. We need to repent and clean up our own backyard. Elevated status, manipulated success and selfish greed have no place in the life of the church.
Richie Sommerville adds: An often-referenced congress Bible verse that evokes passion within me is, “The children of Issachar…were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do (1 Chronicles 12:32)”. The summation of a talk that resonated with me was the following by Mark Greene; “Globally, 98% of Christians are neither envisioned nor equipped for mission in 95% of their waking lives. But, just imagine if they were…”
Ken Gibson comments: There was an acknowledgement that “the centre of gravity” of Christianity has shifted southwards. Sitting uneasily alongside this, however, was a Western-led Congress. Perhaps the Church is still catching up on what it has only recently acknowledged.
Grace Deegan responds: Partnership is costly, co-operation is challenging. Unity requires an out-working of God’s call, we must be eager to maintain it (Ephesians 4: 3, 4). In a culture that is disintegrating, we need to be an example of removing barriers. I want to be part of a church in Ireland that is willing to pay the price!
Jennifer Lewis says: One phrase stuck out - “Truth is a person”. Have we lost the irresistible mystery and wonder of Jesus? Are we convinced that that the Gospel has the power to change lives and transform communities?
Tom Slattery explains:I thought of the disunity between the churches in the south of Ireland and those in the north. How is this stopping the gospel progressing on both sides of the border? Why can’t the church be a powerful example to Irish (and British) society in our comradeship for the Kingdom?
The message on humility, integrity and simplicity was very appropriate. Around every Irish corner lies something else beckoning to us to buy, join, watch, listen to, include, go to etc. I think the call to a radical simplicity is needed here and now.
Read the full article in VOX magazine - OUT NOW! in all good bookshops and newsagents!
Join the Conversation: Post your comments, questions and opinions about Cape Town 2010 below.
Bishop Ken Clarke shares: The congress aired painful subjects and tackled hard questions. The address by fellow Irishman, Chris Wright, was powerfully prophetic. Idolatry is still alive among God’s people. We need to repent and clean up our own backyard. Elevated status, manipulated success and selfish greed have no place in the life of the church.
Richie Sommerville adds: An often-referenced congress Bible verse that evokes passion within me is, “The children of Issachar…were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do (1 Chronicles 12:32)”. The summation of a talk that resonated with me was the following by Mark Greene; “Globally, 98% of Christians are neither envisioned nor equipped for mission in 95% of their waking lives. But, just imagine if they were…”
“The evangelical church has rightly put an emphasis on bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ to every people group, but we have perhaps been a weaker in our attempts to apply biblical principles to every area of society…” - Lindsey Brown
Ken Gibson comments: There was an acknowledgement that “the centre of gravity” of Christianity has shifted southwards. Sitting uneasily alongside this, however, was a Western-led Congress. Perhaps the Church is still catching up on what it has only recently acknowledged.
Grace Deegan responds: Partnership is costly, co-operation is challenging. Unity requires an out-working of God’s call, we must be eager to maintain it (Ephesians 4: 3, 4). In a culture that is disintegrating, we need to be an example of removing barriers. I want to be part of a church in Ireland that is willing to pay the price!
Jennifer Lewis says: One phrase stuck out - “Truth is a person”. Have we lost the irresistible mystery and wonder of Jesus? Are we convinced that that the Gospel has the power to change lives and transform communities?
Tom Slattery explains:I thought of the disunity between the churches in the south of Ireland and those in the north. How is this stopping the gospel progressing on both sides of the border? Why can’t the church be a powerful example to Irish (and British) society in our comradeship for the Kingdom?
The message on humility, integrity and simplicity was very appropriate. Around every Irish corner lies something else beckoning to us to buy, join, watch, listen to, include, go to etc. I think the call to a radical simplicity is needed here and now.
Read the full article in VOX magazine - OUT NOW! in all good bookshops and newsagents!
Join the Conversation: Post your comments, questions and opinions about Cape Town 2010 below.
Stick the needle in the camel’s eye by Reuben Coulter
“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Matthew 19: 24 – 25
A bizarre metaphor. Thinking of that wealthy friend of yours, you might nod your head in agreement with Jesus. But the reality is that if you’re privileged enough to read VOX magazine (see www.globalrichlist.com) then you are probably in the wealthiest 10% of the world’s population. The other 90% of people often struggle to meet their daily necessities.
The disciples were astonished at Jesus’ radical statement. Yet as Irish Christians it is one that we seem to pay little or no attention to.
Ireland is in the midst of an economic collapse. It is easy to point the finger at those who caused it. The Celtic Tiger is dead and we are all in mourning, fearful of what tomorrow may bring.
On a Sunday afternoon Dundrum Shopping Centre in Dublin is thronged with people. The shopping centre has become a modern-day temple. Of course, now we have a bit less money to spend we wander the shops aimlessly gazing at items we wish we could buy.
But as Christians in Ireland we need to question ourselves. Are we complicit? Were our attitudes and behaviour during the time of prosperity any different from those of our neighbours? What is our response to the recession?
So what is a godly attitude towards money? Should we renounce all earthly goods and join a monastic order? Should we name and claim the earthly treasures which are rightfully ours?
As we enter a new year and a new era of economic uncertainty let us not be fearful or begrudging in our finances. Let us begin to discuss our relationship towards money and confess where we have gone wrong.
Let our churches be known as places of community and hope and let our lives be marked with generosity towards others. Don’t let money possess you but walk hand in hand with your Master. Stick the needle in the camel’s eye!
Reuben Coulter is Chief Executive of Tearfund Ireland, a Christian relief and development organization. You can give to the spiritual and material transformation of poor communities around the world at www.tearfund.ie/donate
Read the full article in VOX magazine - out now in all good bookshops and newsagents!
Join The Conversation: Post your comments and views below this article!
A bizarre metaphor. Thinking of that wealthy friend of yours, you might nod your head in agreement with Jesus. But the reality is that if you’re privileged enough to read VOX magazine (see www.globalrichlist.com) then you are probably in the wealthiest 10% of the world’s population. The other 90% of people often struggle to meet their daily necessities.
You may not think it, but you are rich.
The disciples were astonished at Jesus’ radical statement. Yet as Irish Christians it is one that we seem to pay little or no attention to.
Ireland is in the midst of an economic collapse. It is easy to point the finger at those who caused it. The Celtic Tiger is dead and we are all in mourning, fearful of what tomorrow may bring.
On a Sunday afternoon Dundrum Shopping Centre in Dublin is thronged with people. The shopping centre has become a modern-day temple. Of course, now we have a bit less money to spend we wander the shops aimlessly gazing at items we wish we could buy.
But as Christians in Ireland we need to question ourselves. Are we complicit? Were our attitudes and behaviour during the time of prosperity any different from those of our neighbours? What is our response to the recession?
So what is a godly attitude towards money? Should we renounce all earthly goods and join a monastic order? Should we name and claim the earthly treasures which are rightfully ours?
As we enter a new year and a new era of economic uncertainty let us not be fearful or begrudging in our finances. Let us begin to discuss our relationship towards money and confess where we have gone wrong.
Let our churches be known as places of community and hope and let our lives be marked with generosity towards others. Don’t let money possess you but walk hand in hand with your Master. Stick the needle in the camel’s eye!
Reuben Coulter is Chief Executive of Tearfund Ireland, a Christian relief and development organization. You can give to the spiritual and material transformation of poor communities around the world at www.tearfund.ie/donate
Read the full article in VOX magazine - out now in all good bookshops and newsagents!
Join The Conversation: Post your comments and views below this article!
Global Trends
Global Trends
What will the world look like over the next 10 years? Research from US foundation First Fruit and from the UK group Future First suggest a number of global trends to watch out for. Interestingly there is overlap between the two independent reports so VOX magazine brings an overview summary of some key themes. (Download the full US report from www.firstfruit.org)
See the magazine for the full text but here we list the main topics:
Population changes
Growth in Islam and Christianity
Prominence of the Global South Church
Instability among young people
Increase in Women and Children At-Risk
Renewed Vision for Societal Relevance by Evangelicals
Rise of Radicalism and Religious Persecution
Technology moves power to the “Edges”
Trend toward Religious Nominalism
Non-Readers on the Rise
What do you feel these changes will mean for Ireland in the 21st Century? How should the church respond? What changes do we need to make in the light of these trends? Post your comments below and join The Conversation.
What will the world look like over the next 10 years? Research from US foundation First Fruit and from the UK group Future First suggest a number of global trends to watch out for. Interestingly there is overlap between the two independent reports so VOX magazine brings an overview summary of some key themes. (Download the full US report from www.firstfruit.org)
See the magazine for the full text but here we list the main topics:
Population changes
Growth in Islam and Christianity
Prominence of the Global South Church
Instability among young people
Increase in Women and Children At-Risk
Renewed Vision for Societal Relevance by Evangelicals
Rise of Radicalism and Religious Persecution
Technology moves power to the “Edges”
Trend toward Religious Nominalism
Non-Readers on the Rise
What do you feel these changes will mean for Ireland in the 21st Century? How should the church respond? What changes do we need to make in the light of these trends? Post your comments below and join The Conversation.
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