Are the Tables turning against Bush

One of the contradictory things concerning Christianity and politics in the US is that, whilst there is a definite seperation between church and state, some churches, church ministers, and Christian groups, align themsleves more to partisan elements in the american political system compared to the UK, where there are definite tie-in's between church and state with regards to the Anglican Church.
That political bias within certain movements has benefited a no of US Presidents, not least President Bush who has alluded much to his Christian faith. He has also had support from a no of evangelical and fundamentalist Christians (although not all of them), over Foreign affairs issues such as Iraq and Afghanistan.
But that popularity may be slipping, as recent reports suggest that the Right are becoming disenchanted with President Bush , not least among some Christians in his home state of Texas, where there is some disenchantment with his role in the Iraq War

There are some lessons for us all here. It's very easy for example, for a non-political Christian group to support a particular candidate or Party simply because he or she is "sound" on various issues, be it abortion, gay marriage, war, money etc.. whether he or she or they are from the left or right. This is dangerous as it doesn't properly take into account the large raft of issues that secular groups and candidates fight for, so for the 60% of policies you may agree with there are likely to be some policies in the 40% which you will find offensive to your consience and/or faith.
It's difficult, but Christian groups that are not created to be partisan (as I think groups specificually for Christians within political parties are different) and Churches, have to be very careful and must do all they can not to get into an arena of bias towards a particular candidate and/or party. Such moves can damage the chance for some to hear the message of the gospel, and can give a false image of perfection towards the candidate/party they are backing. In short, such groups are wise to appreciate that it is important to be involved in politics, but they should know that such moves are risky and involve a crash course in ballet dancing

CPF Report

We have now published our report into Church communities and it can be found here.

Cuban churches take bold step

Churches in Cuba are planning a co-ordinated mission programme across the country on a huge scale.
The Baptist World Alliance has reported that the Baptist Convention of Eastern Cuba is planning to reach out to 500,000 people and the Western Convention aims to plant 1,000 house churches by 2010. Whereas parts of the Christian community in Cuba have struggled to grow in the past, recent reports suggest that the last decade has seen some growth.Open Doors (a charity which works for persecuted Christians worldwide) lists Cuba as the 24th country in its 'world's top 50 worst persecutors of Christians', and suggests that there is "periodic harassment of Christians" and that "it is almost impossible to register churches". It also claims that "there are about 900 legal and 15,000 illegal house churches" in Cuba.
However, it also states that since 1990 government pressure on churches has lessened and the 1992 constitution declared discrimination against Christians illegal, although how much this has been upheld is questionable. Nevertheless, one Cuban church leader described the hope of the latest drive by the Baptist conventions in Cuba, saying, "these are very exciting times for the church in Cuba . . . We used to think people should come and we would make disciples. Now, we are going into our towns and villages and reaching people to make disciples".

CPF Report

Just to let you know that the CPF are preparing to issue it's first report. It concerns the state of churches today and some of the attitudes people have with regards to them

Guns, Kids, and the Church!

Since the last edition of IMPACT terrible incidents of violent crime in London have continued, the majority relating to gun and knife crime by young people on young people. Living in the capital, for me this has felt very close to home at times. Only a few weeks ago there was a fatal knife attack just up the road form where I live.
I’ve been very interested to see what the responses have been to these events from local people, politicians, young people, and the Church. This week I was talking to a young mother who said that many mothers in her neighbourhood are scared to let their children play out with other children or even let their children walk round to a friend’s house because there had been a shooting in the area recently. This mother acknowledged that much of the fear that local people are experiencing is out of proportion and that people are generally living in fear of what could happen because of what they see and hear in the media.
Politicians were quick to respond when there were several tragic shootings in London. As the media made headline stories of the shooting epidemic the political machine sped into action. The Government reacted to all this by announcing a crackdown on gun crime by legislating for harsher punishments for those involved in violent gang culture. I’m not convinced this will act as a true deterrent, or that it is the best reaction to take, or even a solution.
Young peoples’ views on this differ according to whom you speak to, but it seems to me that very few people (whether that be parents, police, politicians, or the media) have actually taken the time to listen to what young people have to say. In particular I think we need to be getting some of these gangs into some kind of forum to ask them how to solve the problem – or perhaps that’s just pie-in-the-sky wishful thinking! What I am aware of is the negative reporting on young people and the few positive young role models. As I write, the news tells me that since Transport for London gave under 16’s free bus travel there has been an increase in crime on buses by that age group and one famous young American actress has been arrested for drug
possession – get my point?

Aidan Liriano
Jt CPF Co'Ordinator

Churches and our reaction to them!

Both Aidan and I have recently been talking about a bugbear that we have found we share, notably about people's attitude to Churches.
Now admittedly there is a lot to praise and criticise churches for, but basically why do many people always seem to be called to go to thriving churches and yet you hear few say that they have been called to attend a struggling church which lack a congregation and need all the support and help they can get!
It's something both of us plan to write on, but if you have anything to add, then let us know

Paul Burgin
(Jt CPF Co-ordinator)

CHURCHES TO TACKLE CAUSES OF GUN CRIME

Councillor Alan Craig, leader of the Christian Peoples Alliance group on Newham Council, has spoken out against the government, but in praise of churches, in looking for solutions to tackle the causes of gun crime and gang culture. Cllr Craig said that the authorities have run out of ideas and solutions. “While the government buries its collective head in the sand and claims the recent spate of teenage killings is nothing more than isolated incidents, it is time for the churches to step back into the public arena to promote their distinctive people-centred approach to young people.and youth issues,” argued Cllr Craig. “Many churches are already bursting with people and activities that offer proven solutions to these intractable problems.” In Cllr Craig’s local area he highlighted the work of a Christian football academy, Saturday supplementary schools, a Street Pastor scheme, a young leaders academy, and the Peace Alliance.Although he is part of the political establishment, Cllr Craig said that, “The police and local authorities can now be declared officially bankrupt of any meaningful solutions to youth violence in our capital. It is time for the churches to ignore the authorities, to step into the breach and to take a lead in serving the community in their distinctive way in order to combat gang culture.”

PAKISTAN ALLOWS CHURCH IN UNIVERSITY

High Court permission has been given for the reconstruction of a church in the campus of the University of Peshawar, according to reports from The Barnabas Fund.The church had been attacked and ransacked in the 1980s by Islamic extremists. After building work began in December 2006 two Muslim students filed a petition against the church, stating that minority religious groups could not be allowed to build places of worship within institutions which were Muslim majority, and that to allow the church would give rise to an "unending series of demands" by other minorities, which they contended could be a trigger for sectarianism among the students.However, only a few weeks ago the High Court in Peshawar gave the decision that the construction of the church should not be stopped. The Court held that there were no legal obstacles to building places of worship and pointed out that Pakistan's constitution protects religious minorities. The Court also highlighted that Muslims can build mosques and spread their faith without obstruction in non-Muslim countries."It has been a miracle indeed," commented the Bishop of Peshawar. There are 38 mosques on the University campus; the church, once rebuilt, will be the only church, serving 1,500 families.