Church of England 'has 20 years to reassert its position as national Church'
The Bishop of Sheffield has told the Church of England the next five years must see a deeper and more sustained engagement with its current primary goals of contributing to the common good, growing the Church, and re-imagining ministry. The goals were the subject of a report, Challenges for the Quinquennium, considered by the Church of England General Synod meeting in York last Saturday. Bishop Steven Croft told Synod members the Church of England needed a "more outward focus" that implied action as well as reflection. He welcomed the rise in the number of younger vocations to ordained ministry. However, he said there needed to be more diverse vocations and more from different ethnic backgrounds. The bishop admitted the area of growing the Church and of making disciples was the "most challenging" out of the three goals. "We urgently need to deepen that conversation about the challenge of passing on the Christian faith in our own Church."
Pray: for the Church as it looks ahead that it will be inspired and led by God. (Ro.8:28)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/church.of.england.has.20.years.to.reassert.its.position.as.national.church/33103.htm
Wave of revival sweeping through South African schools
A new wave of revival is sweeping through schools as God is moving among the youth of South Africa, says Matt Hogarty, principal of Oasis Christian Academy in Howick, Kwa-Zulu-Natal. He says that as a result of what God has been doing at Oasis, a team from his school was invited to minister at a Government school in Pietermaritzburg earlier this month and about 500 learners there committed their lives to Jesus. There was also a powerful time of ministry during which children opened up about issues of abuse and trauma in their lives. Since last month Gateway News has reported on a growing prayer walk movement at Port Elizabeth schools with reports of healing miracles and changed lives; a powerful move of God at a Uitenhage Christian School that has impacted a neighbouring Government school and spread to a Christian school in Alexandria; and an outbreak of revival at a Christian school near Tzaneen in Limpopo.
Praise: God for this move of the Holy Spirit through the schools and young people. (Mat.28:19)
More: http://gatewaynews.co.za/2013/06/27/wave-of-revival-sweeping-through-sa-schools-kzn-principal/
Wave of revival sweeping through South African schools
A new wave of revival is sweeping through schools as God is moving among the youth of South Africa, says Matt Hogarty, principal of Oasis Christian Academy in Howick, Kwa-Zulu-Natal. He says that as a result of what God has been doing at Oasis, a team from his school was invited to minister at a Government school in Pietermaritzburg earlier this month and about 500 learners there committed their lives to Jesus. There was also a powerful time of ministry during which children opened up about issues of abuse and trauma in their lives. Since last month Gateway News has reported on a growing prayer walk movement at Port Elizabeth schools with reports of healing miracles and changed lives; a powerful move of God at a Uitenhage Christian School that has impacted a neighbouring Government school and spread to a Christian school in Alexandria; and an outbreak of revival at a Christian school near Tzaneen in Limpopo.
Praise: God for this move of the Holy Spirit through the schools and young people. (Mat.28:19)
More: http://gatewaynews.co.za/2013/06/27/wave-of-revival-sweeping-through-sa-schools-kzn-principal/
Concern over teenagers buying alcohol via online shopping
Young people are increasingly using online supermarket delivery services to buy alcohol, figures show. A total of 21% of 14-15-year-olds questioned for the Alcohol Concern Cymru Wales-wide survey said they had bought alcohol online. The charity surveyed nearly 1,000 teenagers aged 14-17. Calls for procedures to be toughened have been made but retailers have said they take their responsibilities seriously. The Alcohol Concern Cymru survey found that 15% of all respondents said they had successfully bought alcohol online while 7% had tried to buy alcohol online but were unsuccessful. Mark Leyshon, policy and research officer for Alcohol Concern Cymru, said young people regarded internet shopping as an ‘easy’ way to buy alcohol. ‘Retailers offering home delivery services need to toughen up their processes to ensure that children and young people are prevented from accessing alcohol through this channel,’ he said.
Pray: that the authorities will be able to find ways to stop this form of alcohol abuse. (1Sam.23:21)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-23124507
