News Archive
February 2007
Friends And Heroes
Folks with children may be interested in the series "Friends and Heroes". Based on old and new testament bible stories, this UK-produced animated series will be broadcast on the BBC's children's channel, CBBC, from March 12th. To find out more, click here.
Hot potato no.1
I've been struck by the great national debate that's raging over the recent Sexual Orientation Regulations (SOR) bill that will become law. So, what's the big deal?
Here's some practical examples of what this issue means:
* The legislation means a Christian hotel owner will not be allowed to discriminate against same-sex couples when allocating rooms.
* Adoption agencies - like the catholic ones in the news - will be acting unlawfully if they refuse to allow homosexual couples to adopt children.
* Ministers (like me), who refuse to 'bless' homosexual partnerships in church, will be acting against the law.
I like to think that I'm not a knee-jerk or reactive sort of thinker, and it would certainly be easy to join the evangelical chorus presently gaining increasing momentum in the UK, of withdrawing into our comfortable, doctrinally pure ghettos, and finger wagging at society. But surely that isn't the way of Jesus. I do find evangelical defeatism - you know the thing; the idea that it's just another sign of societies demise that will quicken Jesus' return - profoundly depressing and unbiblical.
For a start, let's try and think clearly here. What are the central issues at the heart of this? For me, my angst and opposition to the SOR bill is not about a person's sexuality but about freedom of conscience. Let me spell it out: the reason I want to protest about the SOR is because it strikes against the bedrock of this nation; that is the freedom of myself, my family and my congregation to hold Christian beliefs without fear of criminalisation.
My first duty is always to elevate biblical truth as the final arbiter in our ethical and moral dilemmas. To me, that means on the one and, rejecting any forms of prejudice, especially some of the insidious forms of homophobia found in some circles, whilst protesting forcefully against laws that do not allow people to follow their consciences.
That's what I think Jesus would do. What do you think?
Love is...
Kimberley Crews sent me this paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 13:
1.Though I can speak five languages and talk intelligently on dozens of subjects, if I don’t have enough love to keep from gossiping or putting down others, I’m not just making so much useless noise, I’m being downright destructive.
2. And though I read the Bible regularly and even know parts of it by heart, and though I pray daily and have a lot of faith and other spiritual gifts, if I don’t have enough love to sometimes sacrifice some of my personal desires for others’ sakes, then all of my “spirituality” amounts to nothing.
3. And though I work two jobs to provide for my family, and though I give to charity and volunteer for every community project that comes up, if I don’t show love and kindness to those I live and work with, all my hard work and self-sacrifice are worthless.
What's the best thing about your faith?
Clark MacFarlane offers this response to Christine Jensen's question, "What is the best thing about your faith?"
It is easy: I can be too brash, proud, undisciplined, have poor thoughts, be inconsiderate, don't care, be selfish, yell and shout, make fun of people etc etc... and God still loves me. I do not doubt that - and somehow, even though I am often not happy with who I am and what I do, it will not prevent him from continuing the good work that he started in me.
I don't get how he manages it, but I can't believe that people would choose to live without that! They must be mad!
What's the best thing about your faith?
Former member and good friend of HBC Mark Simpson has been thinking about Christine Jensen's question, "What is the best thing about your faith?"
Here's his answer: My experience of faith in Christ has been a rollercoaster ride. There are times when it all makes sense, clicks, fits and seems the perfect solution to all of life's problems. Then there are the other times... The times when those near and dear to me suffer. Dark days, when all around is crushing and pushing me, and worry is almost constantly on my mind. In these times, I still pray - maybe more so - and mostly, I don't hear anything.
It's in these times that I truly doubt the very existence of God himself. Thankfully he knows this response and, little by little, his love and grace break through my darkness. As green shoots of all kinds of plants sprout up from concrete pavements, God's love, life, grace, care and provision find me again. In fact, it's quite possible that they never leave me. As one psalmist says, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you are with me".
Moving art
Newcastle is hosting the holocaust memorial events this year. The series of events is called "Same, but different" and there is an exhibit in the Guildhall (below Tyne Bridge at the Quayside) which is made up of more than six million buttons. Each button represents a life lost during the holocaust.
I have never been moved by an art exhibit like I was last weekend when we went to see it, and would thoroughly recommend it to you. It is suitable for children, and is open until 11th March.
Dinner talk
A couple of weeks ago, we were asked an interesting question, one that we need to answer over dinner tonight. It has stretched my brain and made me consider what I really truly believe and why. Want to know what it is? Have a go? OK...
"What, in your experience and opinion, is the best thing about your faith?"
What a great question! Let's have some answers on a postcard please. Better still, send an email by clicking here.
I want my God TV
The God TV event which will be broadcasting from Heaton Baptist Church on Friday (Feb 16th), so please publicise it and get as many folk there as you can (as well as bringing yourself that is!). It's totally free and will be a great opportunity to bring non-Christian mates along to church or young people who want to hear the good news in a way which is relevant to them. The event will feature the YFriday guys and will also feature entertainment from Chip K (Band With No Name) and Emma Owen (formerly of the Tribe).
Doors will open at 8.30pm to go live at 9pm.
We would love your support with this one!