www.eauk.org/idea
T H E M AG A Z I N E O F T H E E VA N G E L I C A L A L L I A N C E
THE GIFT OF GIVING How to lead a generous life
FEATURES
Giving time to those in need
CONNECT
THEOLOGY
GOOD QUESTION
The Bible: giving in all its forms
Giving more than we keep?
BIG INTERVIEW
GOOD QUESTION
CULTURE
IN YOUR WORDS
NOV/DEC 2017
NEWS COMMENT FEATURES
“GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS.” Matthew 28:19
Spreading the Gospel
Bringing Children to Jesus
Helping Those in Need
We are committed to making Jesus known in every household in the UK, Europe and beyond. Through media, we proclaim the gospel and help thousands of people of all ages grow closer to Jesus.
We are introducing children all over the world to the Bible with our Emmy nominated series Superbook, and have seen over 11000 salvations in the last month alone.
We are committed to showing the love of Jesus in practical ways. We run dozens of humanitarian projects from disaster relief to providing clean drinking water in Africa.
You can help change the world Our vision is big. Really big. In fact, it’s so big it can only have come from God. All we have achieved has only been possible because of the generous giving of our partners. But, millions of people still don’t know the wonder of a relationship with Jesus. By partnering with us now you can help spread the gospel to every corner of the UK, Europe and beyond. You can give now at www.cbneurope.com/donate or call us on 0300 561 0700.
IDEA MAGAZINE / 2
Rebecca Taylor: Are you ready to get stuck in? I know I’m excited at all God is going to ask me to do as I chase a generous heart. And I know He will give me the resources to do it.
idea-torial Giving is a gift It’s a total privilege to be editing this idea edition on giving. I thought I knew all about this as a theme. I now find I didn’t. As you’ll see, all our contributors point to the same thing - to really give our all, to really want to give; our hearts need to be committed to a life of generosity. Not just our head telling us it is a good notion. I know I really need to grasp that. As Christians, we have the chance to have generosity at the centre of our souls, and only God can give that to us. He enables generosity to be our motivating force and best of all guides us to where the need is. Giving doesn’t mean we are left with nothing, bereft of the things we need, or running from one good deed to the other resulting in burnout. It is the absolute opposite; if we are God-guided and grounded in generosity He will give us the resources we need more abundantly than we imagine. In Luke 6: 38 it says: “Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” In this edition, we discover the endless generosity of God’s people. Thank you, our supporters and members for all you give us. We look at sacrifices our founders made to establish the Alliance, and interview leader Ifor Williams working with hard hit rural communities in Wales. We speak to John Kirkby who has helped bring debt relief for thousands through Christians Against Poverty. We celebrate people sharing their faith a year on from the launch of our Great Commission campaign on page 18-19. Find out how volunteers give their time on page 24, and Lucy Peppiatt, principal at Westminster Theological Centre, Cheltenham shares on the theology of giving on page 21. We learn what the African Church teaches on tithing from pastor Israel Olofinjana. Plus, read the short story that won the over 18 category in our competition on page 16. Are you ready to get stuck in? I know I’m excited about all God is going to ask me to do as I chase a generous heart. And I know He will give me the resources to do it. As one of our interviewees says: “Just make a start. As we live generously we leave a space for God to use us.” Rebecca Taylor Acting editor We’re on Twitter! Follow us @idea_mag
FIVE THINGS I DIDN’T KNOW UNTIL THIS ISSUE
CONTENTS FEATURES 12 – 13 The 9-5
Our twitter poll showed most of you give through time and money – and love to do both.
Ifor Williams on giving support to rural communities at breaking point.
18 – 19 Sharing the best gift ever People sharing their faith a year on from the launch of greatcommission.co.uk
24 – 25 In The Thick of It
The great personal sacrifices founders made to establish the Alliance.
Find out how volunteers working for Christian organisations give their time.
Generosity as our life value is at the heart of true giving. Alliance member Home for Good received an Award from the European Evangelical Alliance in October for work with children of the migrant and refugee crisis. Your generosity – 21 per cent of our income in 2017 has come from your generous one-off gifts to the Alliance.
12
REGULARS 4 – 6 Connect News from across the Alliance.
21 Theology
e.
The gift of tim
Lucy Peppiatt shares on giving in all its forms.
The Photo credit:
Baptist Union
of GB
26 Big Interview John Kirkby tells us his journey to creating debt relief for thousands.
34 Last Word The general director writes…
21
18 The theology
The power of te
lling your story .
of giving.
Head Office 176 Copenhagen Street, London N1 0ST tel 020 7520 3830 [Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm] fax 020 7520 3850 info@eauk.org www.eauk.org Evangelical Alliance leadership team Steve Clifford, Gavin Calver, Fred Drummond, Jo Frost, Elfed Godding, Emrys Jones Dave Landrum, Peter Lynas,
Email address changes to members@eauk.org Northern Ireland Office First Floor Ravenhill House 105 Ravenhill Road, Belfast BT6 8DR tel: 028 9073 9079 nireland@eauk.org
Wales Office 20 High Street, Cardiff CF10 1PT tel: 029 2022 9822 wales@eauk.org Scotland Office Evangelical Alliance Scotland, Blair Court, 100 Borron Street, Port Dundas, Glasgow, G4 9XG tel: 0141 353 0150 scotland@eauk.org
The Evangelical Alliance. A company limited by guarantee Registered in England & Wales No. 123448. Registered Charity No England and Wales: 212325, Scotland: SC040576. Registered Office: 176 Copenhagen Street, London, N1 0ST
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017
IDEA MAGAZINE / 3
CONNECT
News from the Alliance across the UK
Giving out without giving up Photo credit: Eve Balshaw, Evangelical Alliance
When we give, we get to be like the boy at the lake who gave Jesus his lunch and watched it feed over 5,000 people.”
Five prayer points Join us in this edition as we pray for generosity in the Church in all areas of life. As we explore the gift of giving, please pray for the Church to give generously its time, skills, voice, finances and more to bring about the kingdom on earth.
Jo Frost.
Jo Frost joined the Alliance in September as director of communications and marketing. Previously working with organisations on communications and branding, Jo is a well-known speaker at Spring Harvest and New Wine. We asked her thoughts on giving generously and how she maintains a healthy balance.
Is giving an easy thing to do? We live in a world that doesn’t understand generosity. We are led to believe that what we have in this world is finite; that we have
Knowing what to say yes and what to say no to is key to not becoming overwhelmed with guilt and fatigue. Simply put, check your motives prayerfully as to why you’re giving or not and listen to God’s prompting.” IDEA MAGAZINE / 4
to divide up what we have and share it out. But our God is not a god of scarcity, but of lavish abundance. When we give, we get to be like the boy at the lake who gave Jesus his lunch and watched it feed over 5,000 people. Giving is never easy when we are worried we won’t have enough left over. But when we recognise that everything we have is a gift, and we are commissioned to steward those gifts with wisdom and kindness; giving gets a whole lot easier.
Let’s give thanks over this coming Advent season, for the amazing gift of God Himself incarnate in Jesus – come to love and save the world. And let’s pray for all those who don’t know Him, that they’d receive the gift of faith.
How do you reduce the danger of burnout when giving?
Please join us in giving thanks for the
We are bombarded with requests for gifts, donations and support. Emotional pleas, tragic stories and feel good opportunities designed to encourage us to give generously. But knowing what to say yes to and what to say no to is key to not becoming overwhelmed with guilt and fatigue. It’s helpful to view our giving as an investment; simply put, check your motives prayerfully as to why you’re giving or not and listen to God’s prompting.
where hundreds of passionate Christians
first ever Movement Day UK in October, came together to share a common vision of gospel transformation in our cities, towns and villages across the UK.
Pray for the hundreds of member charities who give so much to those in need – pray that God will use their work to bless and provide for those needs,
HELPFUL GIVING TIPS •
•
•
Think about where… can you give to something locally, nationally, internationally?
and multiply their gifts many times over.
Please pray for our newly published
Think about who… do you support big charities or individuals you have a connection with?
What kind of society? resource – that
Think about what… do you know what activities you are financially supporting? Do you value the organisation delivering them?
examples of how faith and biblical
it would give Christians a vision and a voice for our society in the UK, giving values such as love, freedom, justice and truth can positively impact this nation.
CONNECT
We couldn’t miss the opportunity in this special edition on the gift of giving to share our heartfelt thanks to each of you. The teachers, factory workers, police officers, students, CEOs, homemakers, farmers, callcentre handlers, doctors, church leaders, artists, retailers and journalists – who give so much to make this work possible. We are so grateful. We are privileged to represent a growing, vibrant, united Church; colourful and diverse, and standing firmly on God’s Word. You may not realise just how important your support is in making all of this possible. Through your gifts, prayers, volunteering and more, you are uniting the Church and seeing God transform our nation
with the good news of Jesus. You are strengthening and equipping the Church to speak out on the issues that matter, and to talk about Jesus with confidence and boldness. You are the fulfilment of Jesus’ prayer (John 17) that we might become the family of God, united. So thank you.
Making every effort for unity In September, the Alliance’s council met to discuss one of its core values, unity. Council is made up of people from across the evangelical community and draws together different church streams, organisations and individuals to advise the Alliance on key issues. This year council discussed what unity looks like, and how as Ephesians 4 teaches, we are to: ‘make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bonds of peace’. Over the two days the challenge of how we handle disagreements was a major talking point. This included finding the difference between that and disunity, and testimonies of handling disagreement well and overcoming disunity to place the mission of the gospel at the fore. Hearing views from across the evangelical spectrum, council was keen to celebrate our unity on core beliefs and commit to relationships being at the centre of how we deal with difficult conversations and handle potentially painful discussions. “We’ve had inspiring discussions together”, said Steve Clifford, general director at the Alliance. “Being unified while recognising difference means working generously towards solutions together. Giving space to God to speak to us in this is key.”
Unity: Usha Reifsnider about to put a finger print on a 17:21 scroll ‘oneness’ initiative that everyone at council took part in.
Making a lasting change In October, over eight hundred leaders from education, art, health, social care, the Church, business and sport heard from more than a hundred inspirational speakers on transforming their towns and cities in the UK. “We wanted to look at what the places we live would look like in 30 years’ time if we began to work together and become one as Jesus called us to,” said Roger Sutton, director of Movement Day UK and leader of the Gather movement. Held at Methodist Central Hall, London - scene of the first United Nations meeting in 1947, delegates took part in seminars and TED style talks. Tani Omideyi, Elaine Storkey, Lou Fellingham, Marvin Rees, Steve Clifford, Andy Flannagan, Krish Kandiah, Ruth Gledhill, NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017
Billy Kennedy, Chine McDonald, Rob Parsons, Ushaben Reifsnider, Ruth Yimika Awogbade and Simon Ward MBE were just some of the speakers contributing. “The conference looked at the significant issues in our societies today, and I’m excited to say that people have been inspired to go back to their local places to make changes - creating a social, cultural and spiritual transformation,” said Roger. More events are planned for 2018. To get involved in transforming your local area find more at www.gather.global IDEA MAGAZINE / 5
NEWS
Giving vision for a better society In response to the continuing social and political turbulence here and around the world, the Alliance wants to support Christians in gaining vision to help create solutions; and help build a better society. Released in September, the What kind of society? (WKOS) resource encourages churches and Christians to think, talk and act to see what could be done in your town or city to bring good positive experiences of life to your community. Inspirational Filled with inspiring examples of Christians and churches around the UK already working towards this goal, the report takes the reader through four principles of love, freedom, justice and truth; which we believe are the key to a better society. These principles run through church work in response to the Grenfell Tower disaster, work with those facing addictions to political campaigning – all shown in the report to be bringing better values in society. And, even more importantly, a better outcome and future for people. Dr David Landrum, who wrote the introduction to the report, explains: “Love provides the glue that holds society together. Freedom provides opportunities. Justice rights wrongs. And truth is a rock we can all build our lives upon.” And it’s not just theory. Betel UK, a Christian
charity helping men and women trapped in addiction, share the story of Kim whose life was transformed when she met God: “I came into Betel hoping to stay for two weeks to get off drugs. Fourteen years later, I’m still here! God has captured my heart and completely transformed my life. Now I live a life that was once unimaginable to me.” Giving priority to better values, giving time to promote them, and giving time to make them happen will, Dr Landrum believes, bring about a better future: “This is a prompt to help you think through what should be at the root of our society for the coming generations. It’s about considering what we need to protect and promote in order that future generations are in a better place.” The WKOS resource also shows what the future could look like as projects spring up
out of a desire for a better society, and the four values are prioritised as the bedrock of political systems and public life.
Hope filled The resource encourages a rediscovery of love, freedom, justice and truth and what an inspiring hope filled society could be re-gained through them. Historically, the report says that these four themes are the foundation that institutions were based on, and shows how through the centuries society has benefitted from them. Dr Landrum added: “We want to see a truly plural society in which people can live together despite their deepest differences. “Christians must step up and take responsibility for the world around us. So many parts of society are calling for vision and good leadership, and we believe it is part of the outworking of the Christian faith to be public leaders working for the glory of God and the good of all.”
HOW TO GET STARTED • Download the short summary booklet • Or see the full report • Find the resource at www.eauk.org/wkos
Giving vision. IDEA MAGAZINE / 6
AROUND THE WORLD EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE
Helen Calder with EEA colleagues.
Despite Brexit looming, we continue to be close to Europe in many ways. As the founding and largest national Alliance in the world there is much we can do to share resources and experience.”
HELEN CALDER Helen Calder, former director of finance and operations at the Alliance tells us about being a trustee of European Evangelical Alliance and the exciting work with Christians across Europe. Tell us about why you decided to become a trustee of the EEA. Steve Clifford and I discussed me becoming a trustee of EEA while I was a director at the Alliance in the UK. I now have a parttime portfolio using my governance experience as well as my management and leadership skills, using 40 years experience to equip charities, churches and individuals. What do you do as a trustee? I attend board meetings three times a year in different European cities and attend the annual assembly, which was in Prague this year with the theme Mission in Europe 500 years after the Reformation. I have responsibilities similar to those of a UK charity trustee including good governance and oversight of strategy, policy and assets. It also entails being an ambassador for EEA, especially in the UK. I recently attended a meeting of UK mission agencies working in Europe, hosted by Global Connections. I hope to network them better with the national alliances in the countries where they are working. Who else is on the board of trustees? The chair is Frank Hinkelmann from Austria and also includes Clement Diedrichs (France), Jan Wessels (Netherlands) and Ian Smith (representing EEA Affiliates). Connie Duarte (Portugal) and Daniel Topalski (Bulgaria) was, like me, formally appointed at the AGM during the Assembly in Prague in October. Thomas Bucher from Switzerland is the general secretary. Why is it important for Christians and Alliance members in the UK to be connected to the work of the EEA? Despite Brexit looming, we continue to be close to Europe in many ways. As the founding and largest national Alliance in the world there is much we can do to share resources and experience. There is also much we can learn from our brothers and sisters across Europe as well as the synergy of working together. The EEA has been working hard on the migration and refugee crisis – can you tell us a little more? The Refugee Campaign helps Evangelicals across Europe respond appropriately to the current crisis. EEA helps make strategic collaboration possible - we find the best resources from refugee ministries to equip churches to think, pray and respond biblically to the refugee crisis on their doorstep. We produce campaigning materials that balance compassion with political realities and lobby on refugee religious freedom and the automatic return of asylum seekers to dangerous countries. Many lives are transformed physically and spiritually because of Christians’ prayers and action. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017
What are you most excited about for the future of the EEA? As Europe’s largest evangelical association, EEA connects many church networks, ministries and organisations for greater strategic impact. There is huge potential to work better together as Christians across Europe, to share experience and learn from one another on matters of common interest and concern. EEA has an excellent Brussels representative, Arie de Pater, working at the EU to promote evangelical Christian views and concerns. Julia Doxat Purser does a brilliant job on socio-political matters including religious liberty and human trafficking. Find out more about EEA at www.europeanea.org
HOME FOR GOOD RECEIVES HOPE AWARD Home for Good, who work to put children in care on the Church’s agenda, were recently given the Hope Award by the European Evangelical Alliance at their general assembly meeting on 11 October 2017. The award is presented to organisations spreading, giving and raising hope in a special way in Europe. As he accepted award, Home for Good’s founder Krish Kandiah, spoke of the Evangelical Alliance’s vital role in launching the movement and highlighted fantastic examples of churches in Ukraine and Romania who have transformed orphan care in their countries. Thousands of Christians have stepped up to foster or adopt, and challenged churches in the west to do the same – encouraging Alliances across Europe to act as catalysts. He also urged churches from across Europe to come together to do more for the tens of thousands of child-refugees currently displaced in Europe. Hundreds of churches in the UK will be taking part in Adoption Sunday on 5 November and taking the opportunity to pray for vulnerable children and stand with foster carers and adoptive parents. •
To sign-up, go to homeforgood.org.uk/adoption-sunday
•
If you’d like to find out more about how Home for Good is inspiring Christians to consider fostering and adopting, and equip churches to better support families that foster and adopt, please visit homeforgood.org.uk IDEA MAGAZINE / 7
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Resurrecting Angola
Just before Easter this year, Prince Harry spoke movingly of his late mother – Diana Princess of Wales – and the great legacy she left to the world.
Main A landmine explosion Above Julio’s leg was blown off in 1989 Top right A landmine in Huambo, Angola Bottom right Former minefields are now towns full of life IDEA MAGAZINE / 8
‘In the last months of her life, my mother campaigned to draw attention to the horrific and indiscriminate impact of landmines. At the time, the attention my mother brought to this issue wasn’t universally popular. Some believed she had stepped over the line into the area of political campaigning. But for her, this wasn’t about politics – it was about people.’ MAF supporters had been praying for these people long before Diana took action. In 1997, her walk through a former minefield in Angola was a bold attempt to inspire governments around the world to do the seemingly impossible — banish landmines forever. In the eight years before that historic walk, MAF aircraft had been flying in Angola during a terrible civil war that ultimately spanned four decades.
Millions of landmines continued to be scattered like seeds throughout the Angolan countryside and MAF aircraft provided one of the few truly safe ways for missionaries to travel. Thanks to supporters, we were also able to make regular flights for The HALO Trust, a British organisation dedicated to eliminating landmines. But the demining process was slow, HALO’s funding was minimal and the increasing use of hidden explosives by warring factions made the immense task seem hopeless as well as dangerous. However, our supporters had faith that God would bring life to Angola. They kept praying for the impossible and MAF kept flying. We’re still flying there today. Diana’s act of courage changed attitudes dramatically. The Ottawa Treaty banning anti-personnel landmines was signed before the end of that year. Lethal devices were no longer strewn indiscriminately throughout the country and we knew in our hearts that the total demining of Angola was no longer impossible! It was a tremendous answer to prayer.
An end to the horror is in sight, 20 years on. Belief in the impossible has been justified but your support will help everyone involved see this job finished. Can you make a gift today that will bring people life?
of Angola would have remained impossible. Our pilots depend on prayers and gifts to continue flying HALO teams into the heart of darkness – never losing faith in God’s will for every last landmine to be detected and made safe.
‘Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can withstand You.’ 2 Chronicles 20:6 Landmines destroy lives and ruin economies. Having been an exporter of agricultural produce before the civil war, Angola now has to import approximately 80% of its food. But, where death waited beneath the soil, crops now grow. And, where 800 minefields used to be, more than 55,000 acres of land have been reclaimed – new towns full of life are growing throughout the country! Without the love of MAF supporters, we could not have kept flying and this ongoing resurrection NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017
Please join us and help us finish what MAF helped to start nearly 30 years ago. Visit www.maf-uk.org/ totheend to make a gift to our work worldwide and ensure that our planes continue to bring people life.
It’s been a colossal effort, guided by His hand – the God of the impossible. The civil war ended 15 years ago, but deadly remnants of those days still litter many communities. Like his late mother, Prince Harry is a HALO patron and has given his full support to the Landmine Free 2025 campaign that was launched in the wake of his speech. MAF’s part in that process will be as crucial today as it was in the beginning. IDEA MAGAZINE / 9
NATIONS
Majority world Christians giving back to Wales
New interns and website for Northern Ireland
Earlier this year, Evangelical Alliance Wales organised a two week exhibition in the iconic Senedd building in Cardiff Bay to highlight the positive contribution made by the many majority world Christian communities in Wales. Two communities, one from the North East Indian state of Mizoram and the other from South Korea found they have similar motivations for being in Wales. Both want to give something back to Wales because of the pivotal and sacrificial role that Welsh missionaries played in bringing Christianity to their regions. Rev Dr Sangkhuma Hmar came from Mizoram with his family to Wales in 2006 to serve the Presbyterian Church of Wales, whose missionaries established Christianity in the state which 100 years on, is now 87 per cent Christian. Hundreds of South Korean Christians visit Wales every year as a form of pilgrimage, seeing Wales as their spiritual home. Rhayaderborn missionary Robert Jermain Thomas was martyred in the Korean peninsula in 1866, but his legacy has lived on to this day. As well as Koreans visiting Wales, others come for theological training and others to serve in churches. There are currently four Koreanspeaking congregations in Wales as well as two Korean Christians leading English-language churches.
Right: The reimagining website. Above: The Northern Ireland team have welcomed four new interns.
Website “We are so excited to launch a new website that will profile some of the work from the Northern Ireland team”, says Peter Lynas, Northern Ireland director. “We are passionate about resourcing and equipping Christians to think deeply, live faithfully and serve wisely in an age of accelerated cultural climate change.” The team have created Reimagining Faith - www.reimaginingfaith. com a website to help try to reimagine what it looks like to be faithful in our current culture. “Don’t worry, we aren’t trying to change the story”, says Peter. “We love the Bible and the incredible history that have been built up and passed down over generations. But we are trying to reimagine what it looks like to be faithful in a rapidly changing culture. Do check it out.”
Photo credit: Ian Homer
The team in Northern Ireland also welcomed four new research assistant interns, who bring a breadth of experience and great energy to the team.
Majority world Christians worshipping in the national assembly for Wales.
Scottish parliament celebrates work done by churches
“Lauren Agnew has completed internships with International Justice Mission (IJM) and Alliance Defending Freedom International (ADF International) in America and brings great advocacy and legal experience”, says Peter. “Joey Robinson come to us from Nottingham, via Newcastle, and is excited about politics and learning about Northern Ireland. Chris Anderson is 21 and passionate about local politics and reconciliation. Finally, John McGrath comes to us via Kenya, Kilkeel and the corporate legal world with a passion for law, policy and justice. We are so excited to continue to train and develop younger leaders.”
The Scottish parliament recently played host to Serve Scotland for the second time in 2017 as politicians from all parties had the chance to celebrate the work churches are doing in communities across the nation.
from across Scotland celebrating the work that churches are doing in their communities,” said Kieran Turner. 25 MSPs signed the motion in support of the debate from all five parties represented in the Scottish parliament.
During September Serve Scotland held a week- long exhibition outside the debating chamber at Holyrood. It shared stories, examples and statistics with MSPs and encouraged them to visit local church based projects in their constituency. This was a wonderful opportunity for the Church to share good news stories of what God is doing with many MSPs dropping by.
Chair of Serve Scotland & Evangelical Alliance Scotland director Fred Drummond said: “We’re delighted to see the national momentum of Serve Scotland building and to see these good news stories shared and celebrated in the Scottish parliament.”
An additional highlight of the week was a members business debate led by Kate Forbes MSP in the chamber itself with MSPs IDEA MAGAZINE / 10
“We are praying that God will use this work to generate more prayer, more vision and more churches reaching into their communities with the life transforming power of the gospel.” he added.
Serve Scotland.
To list your own project on Serve Scotland’s growing national database visit www.servescotland.org Serve Scotland is an Evangelical Alliance led coalition of Christian social action organisations in Scotland. Evangelical Alliance members involved include Bethany Christian Trust, Blythswood Care, Care for Scotland and Glasgow City Mission.
F
by Nicky Waters, head of giving
TURE
Leaving a legacy We talked to Alliance member Heather Rayner about her motivations for leaving a legacy and how she sees her legacy gift as being able to support causes close to her heart. Why have you chosen to remember a number of charities in your Will?
And why did you choose the Alliance as one of those charities?
I see leaving a legacy as a way of giving at another stage of life; leaving a portion of the many gifts that I have received and want to share with others.
I love the work of the Evangelical Alliance. I think it is so important to keep evangelicals united. It is such a privilege to use some of the gifts God has given me to help the Alliance.
When it came to making our Wills, my husband Tim and I made provision for our families first but we also wanted to know that a part of our estate was separated out for God’s work. We recognise that legacies are an important part of ensuring that the vital ongoing work of some charities is well-funded long into the future. As an accountant, I understand the importance of financial planning for charities, and the confidence a legacy can bring to financial decisions. We included a number of legacies to charities in our Wills – including one for the Evangelical Alliance.
In particular, threads is one of my favourite things about the Alliance, and something I would support now and in the future. Tim and I have three children in their twenties – Christians who are still in the Church. But so many others we know have started out on that journey and not continued. I am so struck by the question posted by threads “Do you know someone in their 20s who has left the Church?” I think threads is one of the vital tools to be used by God in reaching this generation. So knowing that the project can now take place and continue into the future is wonderful. So how did you go about leaving a legacy to the Alliance?
We are happy to share with others that we’ve left a legacy to help carry on the Alliance’s work long after our lifetimes, promoting values that are important to us.”
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017
It was easy. I was first prompted to leave a legacy when the Alliance asked me to consider it. We just happened to be reviewing our Wills soon after that, as our children were leaving home, and so when we contacted our solicitor, I just asked them to add it in.
Heather Rayner.
I would encourage others to consider leaving a legacy to the Evangelical Alliance, and to let them know. I believe most Christians would be happy to consider including a legacy in their Will for causes they love, and it’s probably something we should talk about more and share with one another.
threads is one of my favourite things about the Alliance, and something I would support now and in the future.”
A lot of people might not think to let the charity know of their legacy. So why did you tell the Alliance? I think simply because the Alliance asked – we are happy to share with others that we’ve left a legacy to help carry on the Alliance’s work long after our lifetimes, promoting values that are important to us. I’m also pleased that the Evangelical Alliance know this and can continue to keep me updated with their plans for the future as a result.
To find out more about leaving a legacy to the Alliance, we’d love to speak to you or give you our legacy booklet – please contact Nicky Waters, our head of giving, for a confidential conversation on 0207 520 3858 or n.waters@eauk.org. Or visit www. eauk.org/legacies to find out more.
IDEA MAGAZINE / 11
THE 9-5
Ifor Williams Twice president of The Baptist Union of Wales, Ifor Williams was a Baptist minister in Broad Haven for more than 20 years and part of the founding teams for New Wine Cymru and Waleswide. He now works in Breconshire supporting rural communities going through difficult times. Ifor is author of Open Hands, Open Heart, a book on his own experiences of giving. The time that my alarm goes off varies tremendously. Recently, I have been helping a farmer milk his 550 cows. When I am doing that, my alarm goes off at 4.45am, I roll out of bed, have a cup of tea and 10 minutes with the Bible before heading out. Back home by 8.45am, I have breakfast with my wife Penny. If I have been meeting with others late the night before I am up between six and eight am. Depending on what I am doing, my first thought is often. “What shall I wear?” If it’s a Baptist Union event it’s different to whether I need to be in old jeans for milking! I also volunteer with The Farming Community Network, a Christian charity running a Samaritans style helpline for farmers in need.
The Baptist Union of GB
I visit farmers and their families, and travel long distances to get to them. Many are going through difficult times. I once visited a farmer who had attempted suicide, and many have hard financial circumstances or serious health issues. I felt called to Breconshire
As we live generously we leave a space for God to use us.” Ifor talking to a farmer as part of his support work.
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THE 9-5
I meet farmers who are going through difficult times. I once visited a farmer who had attempted suicide, and many have hard financial circumstances or serious health issues.”
WE ASKED IFOR ABOUT HIS TIPS FOR LIVING A GENEROUS LIFE In a world where people struggle to make ends meet, how do you encourage a life of giving? Give where the need is. Think about what others’ people’s needs are – that might be time or money. Are their needs greater than mine? If we look after others God will look after us and everything else slots into place. When I visited the dairy farmer who had huge financial needs, helping him milk was one way I could give.
How should we give as Christians?
I took a part time job as a sales representative selling farm products and this gives me great opportunities to build relationships. People ‘down tools and talk’. I am daily looking for openings to spend time talking to people about Jesus.
For some people giving is what you devote your whole life to and for others it is alongside their career. The key is being willing to stop if someone needs you. In the parable of The good samaritan, there could have been a whole host of reasons why the Pharisees couldn’t stop because they were busy. Sometimes you need to stop for your wife, for your family, your friend - whoever is in need.
And people do - when I am milking with someone they will often ask me a question about the news and ask: “Why God has allowed this to happen?” These conversations inspire my Sunday talks.
Pray and ask God to show you what or who. It might not be much. It might just be one situation. Just make a start. As we live generously we leave a space for God to use us.
after 21 years of being a minister to go and support people living in rural communities.
Recently, there was a farmer who was going through very difficult financial times. Working four jobs he had very little time, and so for us to be able to talk, I went out in his truck and helped him. I met other farmers he was delivering to who would often invite us in to supper, which meant more conversations. It’s important to make a point of stopping to spend time with God. When I became a sales rep, I was unsure and prayed about it. In Matthew 10:42 it says that even if you give just a cup of cold water to little ones you are God’s representatives. That confirmed to me that I should be a ‘rep for Jesus’ – being in touch with God helps me give people a chance to find and grow in faith. As the only full time Baptist minister in Breconshire other days will be spent preparing talks and services. Some days end late as evenings are often the only time I can meet with people. I tend to get up early on Sundays to do final prep.
Open Hands Open Heart is available online from Eden, St Andrews Bookshop, Amazon or Generous Heart publishers.
LET YOUR LOVE FOR GOD SHINE THROUGH AT T H E L O N D O N S C H O O L O F T H E O L O G Y Validated by Middlesex University and packed with the latest theological thinking on the market, LST offers life changing courses in Theology, Theology & Counselling, and Theology, Music & Worship - ranging from a single module, through certificates, diplomas and degrees at Undergraduate level. For Postgraduate study there are innovative Masters (both taught and research) and PhDs.
STUDY ONLINE OR ON CAMPUS Find out more at www.lst.ac.uk
These programmes are a joint initiative between London School of Theology and Middlesex University. All programmes are quality assured by Middlesex University and you will receive a Middlesex award on successful completion.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017
IDEA MAGAZINE / 13
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by Israel Olofinjana, author and pastor
Tithing:
For some of us the issue of tithing can be challenging. Israel Olofinjana, a Baptist pastor in London, inspires us with examples of African Church’s approach and looks at how financial gifts are seen as giving back to God all He has blessed us with. ‘Offering time is blessing time!’ is one of the strap lines used during the collection of offering and tithing in some African Churches. With Christian roots in African Pentecostalism, I see this statement as giving our offering as a time of worship to God. We worship God with our money because it is through His abundance that we have been blessed. This is one of the reasons why the time of offering in an African Church is important and is well celebrated with expressive music, clapping of hands, dancing and joyous singing. In some African Churches the offering basket is put in front of everyone and each row dances around it dropping in their offering. To an observer this might appear strange, but to the participants it is being done before our great God and there is no shame.
What about 10 per cent? Offering time and tithe is also celebrated in the belief that when we bless God’s work with our money, He blesses us in return. However, the concept of God blessing people when they give money has been a source of confusion for many. Some will say if you give 10 per cent of your income (tithe), God will bless you with hundredfold in return. The problem with this is that people could give with the expectation God will somehow provide them with a lot more back in monetary terms. While it is right that God blesses us when we give money, time, materials and our gifts we should not conclude about the specifics of what God will give us is based on what we offered. IDEA MAGAZINE / 14
Photo credit: Bible Society/Clare Kendall
how should we do it?
Israel Olofinjana.
By doing this we will be trying to turn God into some sort of magician who can multiply our money. Giving is not a magic formula to conjure God to bless us, it is part of our worship to God.
Biblical blessings God blessing His people is attested to in the Old Testament which is full of examples including Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Job. In the New Testament, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea used their influence to ensure Jesus had a decent burial place (John 19:38-42). And the women who followed Jesus were women with money who supported his ministry materially (Luke 8:1-3). People with money also supported the work of the Church, with Barnabas as a clear example of this, in Acts 4:32-37.
In my opinion, it is healthy to talk about money and although giving in an African church could sometimes be seen as over the top, churches and their mission work are supported by the congregation. Our tithes and offering are ways we participate in advancing God’s Kingdom here on earth and in doing so I believe He will bless us abundantly!
Supporting ministry Offering time and giving a tithe is also a blessing time because it is a way church work can be supported. African pastors are not ashamed to talk about money and its importance for supporting the work of ministry. In some areas of the UK Church, money is not something talked about in public but done privately and giving is not regularly encouraged. This difference accounts for why African churches often have the financial power to build big churches and support its ministry. Sadly, some British churches may struggle to sustain themselves. It should be noted however, that in many churches the tireless commitment to giving from the congregation means that they are able operate and minister to their communities.
Israel Olofinjana is pastor of Woolwich Central Baptist Church in London. His book African Voices: Towards African British Theologies looks at the presence of African Christianity in Britain. Published by Langham Creative Projects and is out now.
Our regular look back through the Alliance archive by Kim Walker, research and information officer for the Evangelical Alliance
FROM THE ARCHIVE …
Building a generous foundation The founders of the Alliance show us inspirational lives devoted to giving and generosity. Edward Bickersteth was one of them. Kim Walker, our research and information officer tells us more. As this edition of idea is about giving and generosity, I thought it would be good to look at the servant-hearted, generous life lived by Edward Bickersteth. Edward was one of the team of leaders who founded the Alliance 171 years ago. As a young man he worked as an articled clerk in Hatton Court, London. This kept him very busy but as he became more influenced by evangelical leaders his life was to change dramatically. He wrote in his journal in 1807: “I wish to live in the way which will bring honour on religion and do most good to others.” Getting involved with evangelical societies, Edward gave a monthly donation of one shilling to the local widow’s society and took on evening visiting of the poor. This work concerned his mother, who thought people may pretend to be destitute to get handouts, and it was inappropriate to visit poor women; but Edward told her in a letter: “London is full of cases of silent distress and people do not feign actual and pining misery in places remote from public view.” In 1811 after being involved in the founding of the Spitalfields Benevolent Society in his free time, Edward was asked to set up a new society in the area. Although concerned the extra commitment would affect his performance at work, he persevered and found his voluntary work amongst the needy in Spitalfields very rewarding. In 1810 he wrote to his brother: “I can truly say my labours in the Spitalfields Society have been my meat and drink; they have refreshed, strengthened and gladdened my heart.” When planning to get married Edward was keen to continue his generous lifestyle; in November 1811, he wrote to his fiancée Sarah: “I should always like to enter into the full meaning of the words ‘use hospitality without grudging’ and gladly welcome those who are dear to us to our home. The poor will next claim our attention; they are the representatives of Jesus, their wants he considers as his own – good done to NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017
them as to himself. I trust they will occupy our thoughts, our conversation and our exertions.” After their wedding Edward and Sarah set up home in Norwich, with Edward becoming a solicitor at a practice. Edward’s generosity with his free time continued and he founded a local branch of the Church Missionary Society (CMS), and worked with a number of other evangelical organisations, travelling widely and speaking on their behalf.
Challenging travels Travelling in this pre-railway period was challenging. Horses and carts or stage coaches were the only options. The fastest coaches could only reach speeds of 12 miles an hour if the road surface and weather was good. One journey to York took 19 hours. I wonder how long he had to travel to complete his tour of Northern England and Scotland in 1838? In his journal, he says simply: “Through the Lord’s mercy I have been carried through a journey of 900 miles.” On this tour, he often had three meetings a day and spoke to large crowds. Edward eventually left the legal profession and became rector of Waddon, Hertfordshire where he co-founded the Alliance. From 1843, as the call to work for Christian unity increased amongst evangelicals, Edward was travelling extensively speaking on the theme of unity. Not all evangelicals, particularly Anglican evangelicals, were enthusiastic about bringing “dissenters” and members of the established Church together, and Edward faced lots of opposition. In October 1845, he wrote about a three day meeting held in Liverpool – key in the founding of the Alliance: “This is likely to meet with violent opposition from all quarters and at present, I fear but little support even from faithful ministers who love the Lord. It is so new and untried.”
Edward Bickersteth.
He also wrote about how busy he was becoming: “The Alliance thus formed is rapidly increasing and spreading amidst much coldness and opposition from many, who, I hoped would have favoured it. It has bought a great increase of correspondence and labour upon me, and frequent journeys to London.” He took further journeys to Liverpool and Manchester in January 1846. Edward wrote on 24 January: “I have been to Liverpool and Manchester …. In the week before this we had six meetings. At present comparatively few of those who love the Lord, have united with it in my own church.” By August 1846, all of the work that Edward and his co-founders had done came to fruition at an international conference of almost 900 Christian leaders. The Evangelical Alliance was officially launched. Edward continued to serve the Alliance until his death in 1850, and some of his descendants continue to this day to take an interest in the work of the Alliance.
I wish to live in the way which will bring honour on religion and do most good to others.” IDEA MAGAZINE / 15
F
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By Chris Greenhalgh
We had over 100 entries in our short story competition launched back in April and were thrilled with the range of stories you sent us. Chris Greenhalgh from Glasgow won the over 18’s category. Read on to enjoy his story about Jeremiah.
Yirmeyahu Picture the city of Jerusalem, broiling
hauled him from the court. He banged his
angrily inside the city. The beating had
under a vicious sun. It’s so dry it seems
shins on the steps, gasped at the impact,
been a shock; blow after blow struck him
it may catch fire at any moment. A hot
felt nausea rise, blood flow and the scrape
as if he were a Chaldean upon whom
wind from the desert scours the wall,
of gravel into his wounds. He scrabbled
all their hatred and frustration were
imperceptibly eroding its baking stones,
as they manoeuvred him toward the
discharged. They had abandoned him to
crumbling them to dust. On the dusty
cistern’s mouth, burping its evil smell.
an underground dungeon. Its dank air and
wall, a watchman watches. He surveys the
There he had hung, ropes chafing his
gloomy corners felt like Sheol, the place
thousands of men camped in formation,
wrists and pressing against his glands,
of the dead. Ashamed, he had petitioned
poking fires and peering impatiently
limbs bumping against the walls of the
the king, ‘Do not send me back there, or I
back. His eye picks out a commotion to
chamber. He spiralled down; they let the
will die…’
the north; a boiling pot has tipped over;
ropes go and he fell. And Yirmeyahu sank
the men leap back, crying out, a camel
down into the mud.
How pleasant the court of the guard
takes fright and bolts, casting up plumes
The mire stank. It caught at Yirmeyahu’s
officials shuttling to and fro on king’s
breath. He gagged. At first, he held his
business. He had gazed wistfully then at
hands above the muck, but quickly
the distant smoke spiralling like prayers
they grew weary and he submitted to
above the city. He had considered the
folding them into the sludge. It oozed
calls and whistles echoing from dawn to
over his fingers. He spread his hands out
dusk; was this the sound of invasion, was
A broken wooden yoke lay discarded
and grasped at something. Its smooth
this the breaking through, was this the
by Malkijah’s cistern. That afternoon,
surface was suddenly cut off by a rough
end? He had tasted loaves baked in the
Shephatiah had stumbled over it on
scar; it felt like a shard of pottery. He
royal ovens until the day no bread had
his way to the king. In irritable mood,
recalled the day at the potter’s wheel
appeared. The guardsman had turned his
it seemed in a moment that all Israel’s
when he had smashed a clay jar as God
face away afraid rather than explain that
misfortunes could be traced to the
would smash the clay city, and the long
even the king had none. He had prayed, ’I
prisoner who had smashed it. Transfixed
night afterwards locked in stocks and
would speak with You about your justice’.
and grinding his jaw, Shephatiah had
neck irons outside the temple. There, he
stormed into the king’s court with a
had surveyed the cooling stones of the
Miniscule flies flitted across his brow. He
new solution to the nation’s troubles;
Benjamin Gate and wondered at their
‘This man must be put to death’ he had
disregard. ‘O Lord, you deceived me, and I
announced. The king had replied, ‘He is in
was deceived…’.
your hands…’
At that same gate Irijah’s hot breath
lips of hanging trails of rancid mud. The
And he really was in those hands. Hands
had accused him, ‘You deserter! You
night brought an absolute, terrifying
grasped him, beat him, bound him and
Babylonian’. Soldiers had dragged him
darkness. They called him the weeping
of dust in her wake. The watchman fingers his almond rod. It is a sign, he thinks, portentously. You are a swift she-camel, running here and there. In the end, it was caught with an iron yoke.
IDEA MAGAZINE / 16
seemed now. He had observed court
wanted to itch his lip, and could only do so by smearing slimy fingers across his face. They left an oppressive smell around his beard, and he had to spit to clear his
SHORT STORY F
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prophet, and he wept now, his head a fountain of tears. Images of Anathoth, his home town, rushed at him in the dark as his neighbours had in those early days when God’s word had been like a fire in his bones. They had conspired against him; he saw their faces now, darkening malevolently, sneering spitefully. Oh, the heart is deceitful above all things; who can cure it?
not have chosen. He would be bound in
palace, fastening his linen belt. He would
Yet justice would come. Yirmeyahu the
chains when Nebuzaradan the Babylonian
look north. North was a field in Anathoth
captain found him in Ramah. He would be
whose deeds lay in a clay jar for his
liberated, returned to his land under the
descendants. North was the Benjamin
protection of Gedaliah, and bound again.
Gate, its charred timbers tumbled and
Johanan the Hebrew rebel would take
ruined. North was a cistern, once a spring
him forcibly to Egypt in a futile escape
of living water, but now a dark putrefying
from the wrath of Babylon and the word
mire. He would bite into a ripe fig, raise his
poured through. Yirmeyahu was bound;
of God. If you go to Egypt, there you will die.
eyes and say, ‘I know, O Lord, that a man’s
bound to His people, bound to the hot
In Tahpanhes, Yirmeyahu would sit on
life is not his own. It is not for man to direct
words of God, bound to a fate he would
the brick pavement outside Pharaoh’s
seer did not yet see Ebed-melech the Ethiopian running to the pit to drop ropes and rags in rescue. He did not yet see his return to the court of the guard. He did not yet hear the cry as the baked walls were breached, and Babylonian hordes
fuhnedraise on t
v
go
his steps.’
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IDEA MAGAZINE / 17
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by Lucy Olofinjana, unity programmes manager
Sharing the best gift ever Telling others the story of the impact Jesus has had in our lives is one of the greatest gifts we can give. For a year now, the Alliance’s Great Commission website has been sharing your stories every week. Lucy Olofinjana celebrates hearing the impact they’re having on churches and individuals across the UK. Each one of us has a story to tell about the difference Jesus has made in our lives – and you’re the only one who can give others the opportunity to hear yours. As we play our part in introducing others to Jesus, we get to give the greatest gift on earth; the chance for others to meet Him for themselves. In the words of Tim Keller in Generous Justice, “No one else can make such an invitation.” It’s a gift that only Christians can give. The power of telling our story One in five of those who hear about Jesus from us say that they are then open to experiencing Jesus for themselves. That’s what we learnt from the Talking Jesus research. What a great encouragement for us to share Jesus more. There’s nothing like hearing about how Jesus has changed someone’s life. And that’s why for over a year now, our Great Commission website has been releasing a new good news story every single week. Stories of people like Lee, who encountered the love of Jesus powerfully through a church service, after being invited in by a friend and enticed with the offer of free food. Whole congregations have been encouraged through the stories. “Our congregation has been inspired by Great Commission’s stories of people turning their lives to Jesus,” says Pastor Nestor Fernandez from Cross Street Baptist Church in Islington. “It’s like an infusion of boldness has been released over people and they have started sharing their faith with confidence and expectation.” “We’ve been showing a Great Commission story in our Sunday services and the impact has been amazing. They are so relatable for people going through various situations”. The short videos tell of people from across the UK who’ve had their lives transformed by Jesus and are now sharing him with others. And they’re all available for churches and small groups to share on social media and freely download, visit greatcommission. co.uk/watch.
IDEA MAGAZINE / 18
Lee
Stories of God at work across the UK We’re sharing stories of Christians like Sheila, showing the gift of God’s love on the streets of her city Peterborough, offering to pray for people – including in the local fish and chip shop! And stories of young people like Ben, who’s been given the gift of knowing God’s love since his childhood, now sharing that love of Jesus with others in his school. The films also show the amazing range of ways
Sheila in which people first encounter Jesus. Stories of men like Manoj, whose family encountered God’s healing power after a Christian couple they knew prayed earnestly for their two-year old son to be healed. Or of women like Balbinder, who had lived as a Sikh for more than 50 years, but never found peace. Through a conversation with a newly-Christian friend on the phone, this friend later sent her the gift of a Bible which opened her eyes to God’s love for her.
BE INSPIRED Great Commission brings together a wide range of tools, reflections and stories, inspiring and encouraging you to talk about Jesus.
WATCH – find more than 50 faith stories, which have had more than 42,000 views to the end and been downloaded more than 9,000 times
READ – there are now more than 85 written reflections helping you think through how you can be talking about Jesus, from biblical reflections to top tips for sports or online outreach PRAY – connect with tools, networks and stories inspiring you in prayerful outreach ACT – access more than 200 resources, grouped into handy topics from youth outreach to Christmas evangelism ideas, to small group mission resources.
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It’s like an infusion of boldness has been released over people and they have started sharing their faith with confidence and expectation.”
Manoj Stories for all generations Gillian Orr, a youth worker in Abernethy, Scotland, told us: “I’m always looking for inspiring video clips to show my youth group, and the little testimonies on the Great Commission site are great, and really easy to download for any session I’m leading.” “The young people were so inspired to hear from others who are sharing their faith at school too – it really encouraged them, she adds. Greatcommission.co.uk is definitely something I’ll have on my ‘go to’ resources list.” Lee, whose filmed story was viewed by thousands on Facebook, told us about the impact it’s had. “The film has been such an encouragement to me because it’s really allowed me to see that every single one of our stories to faith, no matter how small we may think it is, has the power to change a life,” says Lee. “I didn’t think my story could do so much, but God showed me in the making of this story that anything I surrender to Him, no matter how small or insignificant I think it may be, in our Saviour’s arms it can change nations. My non-Christian friends were
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017
Balbinder
Ben
Continuing to share
organisation passionate about unity and seeing people making Jesus known, we hope this site will continue to help you do just that.
A year on from its launch, greatcommission. co.uk is continuing to bring together a wide range of resources, reflections and stories; inspiring and encouraging you and your church to talk about Jesus. As an
“We’ve found the Great Commission videos very helpful in our evangelism – they are short and powerful, and the Holy Spirit is using them to soften people’s hearts,” adds Pastor Fernandez.
extremely supportive of my story and they were encouraged. They wanted to know more. Some of them even shared it.”
greatcommission.co.uk/watch
Talking Jesus The new booklet Talking Jesus – What can I do? summarises research into people’s views of Jesus and evangelism, asking ‘what does this mean for me?’ Featuring new research into 11-18 year olds, there are four sections with testimonies and questions to help individuals, home groups and churches explore how to make Jesus known. Find the booklet and a more in-depth research report online at talkingjesus.org
IDEA MAGAZINE / 19
By Laurence Singlehurst
Should we give more than we keep?
Generosity – this is at the heart of the issue; we have a generous God and we need to believe this value.”
The ultimate challenge. Most of us have moments, even sustained periods, when we give our all - in money, time and commitment to causes. But how much do we hold back to stay comfortable; and what does God ask of us? Laurence Singlehurst, previously national director of Youth With A Mission, and now director of Cell UK explores for us… Giving, the secret power of the universe. This is a big statement but I believe it’s true. At the heart of the universe is a God who gives, shown by creation itself and His love expressed through Jesus. Giving is at the heart of all that is powerful and wonderful. Working as a live-by-faith missionary for over 25 years, I saw and experienced amazing giving. A knock on my door one day saw a delivery man with an expensive home computer. This was certainly not in our budget, and I thought he had made a mistake. No mistake the man said. As I stood there I remembered what a friend had said: “Laurence, whatever I give my children outside of their schooling I
Let these key values become part of us to an even greater measure and we will be different people.” IDEA MAGAZINE / 20
will give to yours.” For the next 20 years, this is exactly what he and his wife did, starting with a home computer and many other gifts – simply amazing. We know from the words of Jesus that ‘Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.’ (Matthew 10:39 NIV) This is a challenge to our values. Psychologists tell us if people are going to embrace a new way of living they need to believe new things and have new values that lead to different actions. We can be challenged to give but have we embraced the values behind it? It becomes not just an action but the fruit of who we are. I knew a family so dedicated to missions that they gave away what must have been half their disposable income every year. It could easily have gone on another house, another car, but it did not.
When thinking about how to embrace giving deeper think about: Generosity – this is at the heart of the issue; we have a generous God and we need to believe this value. We don’t give because we are wealthy, we give because we are generous. Let’s demonstrate generosity that impacts us all. I asked a friend if they might consider giving to a new charity. The administrator of the charity rang me and said “Your friend has
given but not the sum you were thinking of – he has given a lot more.” Amazed and humbled, I called my friend who said: “I started to write the cheque and God challenged me to be generous.” Stewardship - to be able to give expenditure must be less than income so there is money available. How big should that space be? Generosity as a guide not a rule. It is easy to tell the stories of large sums of money, but the personal support that I received over many years, was of smaller amounts being given by people who did not have a lot. Those gifts of £10 and £20 were as sacrificial as some of the big sums. Relationships - we may have friends who are involved in a charity working with the poor here and overseas, or we may have a relationship with our local church. These relationships give direction to our giving. The challenge for us all when thinking about giving more than we keep, is to prayerfully reflect on our own values, to consciously embrace generosity, stewardship and relationships. Let these key values become part of us to an even greater measure and we will be different people. As we do this these values will become a way of life. Not just in terms of giving money, but also by being a good neighbour, giving our time, our care and our friendship.
Photo credit: Cell UK
GOOD QUESTION
THEOLOGY
By Dr Lucy Peppiatt
The giving gift and gifts of giving Dr Lucy Peppiatt, principal at Westminster Theological Centre When I was asked to write a piece on gifts of giving, I immediately thought of a book title by Tom Smail—The Giving Gift. This is a book specifically on the Holy Spirit, but the title makes the point that God is the one who gives generously to generate generous giving. Although I don’t want to focus here just on financial giving, but more on giving in general, the principles of financial giving and giving of our resources or treasures are relevant to all giving in the Christian life. At its heart, our giving needs to be rooted in the nature of God: our understanding of who He is, all that He has done for us, all that He wants for us, and everything we mean to Him. When Jesus teaches on financial giving, that is what he teaches. When I recently preached on financial giving in our church I studied Matthew 6 and the equivalent passage in Luke 12:16-34 and I came to one simple conclusion: that God wants us to be less fearful and more generous. This, I believe, is where freedom lies. Sadly, there is a general problem at the centre of the Christian life that affects almost all of us, and that is that we reduce God’s desires for us to a set of ‘oughts’ and ‘shoulds’, a set of obligations. Then suddenly it’s not about freedom any more, but rules that become a weight of duty that will in turn only lead to discouragement and inadequacy. This could so easily happen with giving. We hear Jesus saying clearly, ‘don’t worry’, ‘don’t hoard’, ‘don’t be afraid’, ‘sell your possessions and give to the poor.’ We know that Christians are called to share everything we have with those in need. But who could ever give enough to meet the needs around us? Who could give enough love, enough time, or enough money, to solve the problems that confront us every day? Even kind and selfless people can’t do that, which doesn’t bode well for the rest of us who know how selfish we are! So how do we become less fearful and more generous? As I studied Matthew 6 it became clear to me that lack of generosity is not just rooted in mean-spiritedness or tight-fistedness, but in fear and greed, and at the root of that is insecurity. Fear and greed prevent us from giving of our money, our time, our skills, and ourselves. Jesus gives us the way out of both. He tells us that we shouldn’t fear; first because of the immense value that God places on our individual lives, second because God is our provider and the one who cares infinitely for us, and third that He knows what we need. Firstly it’s sad how feeling worthless prevents us from giving. We genuinely believe we have nothing to offer. No one will notice if I
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017
Dr Lucy Peppiatt.
don’t turn up. Everyone else is more gifted than I am. It keeps us in the background, not offering what we could so easily give. Low selfesteem and a sense of worthlessness can prevent us from giving our skills, our time, and our presence to others. Secondly, we hoard and even become greedy with ‘things’ because we fear the future. We fear losing the things that give us identity, status and security. We fear ill-health and vulnerability. We think things will keep us safe, even though we know in our hearts this is not true. Our lives are in God’s hands. Thirdly, we become insecure about our spiritual gifts, which are only given to be given away, but if we want gifts from God to validate or prove our worth or status, we will be defensive and competitive rather than abundantly generous. Rather than just giving everything away and making space for others, we prefer to show things off and hold on tightly to our territory and our ministry. God’s solution for this is to give us His Spirit so that we know who we are in Him and to have an unwavering confidence in His character and His care, and then to practice giving to set us free from fear and greed. This is how we’ll be free to give, not out of duty, or to prove our worth, or for recognition and commendation, but out of a fullness of God, the one who gives so generously so that we too can give. Finally, we are set free by knowing the joy of giving, and the only way to do that is to have a go!
IDEA MAGAZINE / 21
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Daniel Jones Head of Communications Stewardship
TRANSFORMING GENEROSITY;
ONE GIFT AT A TIME For Ben and Heather, getting married didn’t just mean making vows in front of their wedding guests. They made a further vow, one that didn’t make it into the ceremony but which set their marriage on an important course. They chose to be generous in a specific, deliberate way; by increasing their giving every year of their marriage. Their story and attitude to generosity is both infectious and inspiring, and they’re not alone. In fact, they are two amongst thousands across the UK turning to Christian charity Stewardship to transform their giving. “We start the year, look at what our salaries would be and calculate a higher percentage for our giving than the year before,” says Heather. “We then arrange to have that amount deducted through payroll giving [one of many payment options supported by Stewardship], so it’s in our Stewardship Giving Account and can be used when the ministries we support need it most.” The couple’s decision to weave generosity into their marriage made planned giving a key part of their approach to generosity. “I think planning is important because it makes sure you will do it, and if you plan properly it doesn’t ‘hurt’ in quite the same way as having to write the cheque out at the end each month. Being able to give is such an IDEA MAGAZINE / 22
opportunity to be a part of what God is doing; it’s exciting, dynamic and joy-producing. You rarely exceed goals you don’t set. So you aim to give at a certain level and trust God to give you the means to reach it.” This year almost 35,000 Christians around the country will use their Stewardship Giving Accounts to support over 19,000 churches, ministries, full time Christian workers and other charities. From the widow’s mite to the rich young ruler’s treasure, these regular and one-off amounts will combine to around £70million, given safely and securely with Stewardship. Around 95% of what is given with Stewardship Giving Accounts goes to Christian causes around the world, including the Evangelical Alliance, Tearfund, Home for Good and many more. The remainder often goes to other large national charities like Cancer Research or the RNLI, or local charities suggested by account holders. Like Ben and Heather, many open a Stewardship Giving Account at important moments in their life; starting a first job, earning a promotion, getting married, or even receiving an inheritance. Others seek out Stewardship when they find the transactional barriers and administration starts to strip away the joy from their giving. Setting up a giving account is easy, as Frances Miles, who leads the Giving Accounts team, explains: “The Giving Account operates in a similar way to a bank or Paypal account. It takes a minute to register with Stewardship, using just your email address, and then start setting up
The Stewardship Giving Account 19,000 charitable causes at your fingertips. With a giving account from Stewardship you can find and support any one of our 19,000 charitable recipients at the touch of the button. No forms, no phone calls, no fuss. Or - if you want to give, but don't know what cause to support yet - you can build a balance to give another day.
Being able to give is such an opportunity to be a part of what God is doing; it’s exciting, dynamic and joy-producing.
your first gifts by Direct Debit, card or payroll giving. Some choose to use their accounts to build a balance to give over time, while others like to set up one gift in each month which we immediately distribute out to the different causes they’ve told us they wish to support.” Getting better organised with financial giving can have a releasing effect on people too, as Frances continues “Just last month we received a call from a man who had first opened a giving account just to support a missionary friend. But the rest of his giving had become a chore and a worry, with over 30 different amounts leaving his bank account each month to a myriad of causes. In less than half an hour on the phone we’d combined these into one gift to his Stewardship Giving Account, and we’ll worry about all those distributions from now on!” Churches are also now getting in on the act too and recommending Stewardship Giving Accounts to their members. Increasingly church leaders, particularly those
A Stewardship giving charity account is a secure and easy way to organise your giving online, whether you’re giving a few pounds a month, or a million. It only takes a few minutes to set up and allows you to credit your account and request donations to charitable causes in just a few simple steps. Use your giving charity account to support Charities, Churches and approved individuals in, or studying for, full-time Christian work. Plus, we'll automatically claim Gift Aid on your donation, adding 25p to every £1 you give.
planting new churches or pursuing a vision for growth, are turning to Stewardship for help with giving. Frances explains “More and more churches are sending their members to us to arrange their tithes and offerings, rather than diverting valuable time away from their mission to handle standing orders and Gift Aid reclaims”. Thanks to the additional benefits of having a giving account, including a complimentary magazine and access to events and resources related to Christian giving, the Stewardship Giving Account is helping disciple more and more in their expressions of generosity. “We recognise that ultimately our objective is to give all - 100% not just of our financial resources, but our hearts and passion - to Jesus,.” says Heather, as she reflects on what their giving account means to them as a family. “This is one way we make sure at least our budget continues moving incrementally toward that goal.”
To join Ben, Heather and thousands more giving with Stewardship visit NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017
www.stewardship.org.uk/give
IDEA MAGAZINE / 23
IN THE THICK OF IT
By Amaris Cole
The gift of your time is one of the most valuable things you can give. This year, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NVCO) revealed around 14.2 million people in the UK volunteered once a month in 2015/16*. We hear from volunteers working with our Alliance family; going the extra mile (literally) and giving their time to incredible causes. Amaris Cole, previous idea editor gives her final instalment in the story of the Muskathlon she ran for Compassion, and we hear how Tearfund and Keswick Conference volunteers give their time. GOING THE DISTANCE FOR THOSE IN NEED Running isn’t easy. Sometimes it hurts. Sometimes you want to give up. Sometimes you don’t even want to start. But sometimes, despite all this, it makes you feel better than you’ve ever felt before. Sometimes, running can not only be the best gift you can give yourself, but also the communities you’re running through. This isn’t the first time I’ve written about taking part in a Muskathlon to raise money for Compassion. You might have read in the July/ August edition of idea about my amazing adventure in April, when I travelled to Rwanda to meet my sponsored child, Shema Prince. I wrote then that the experience gave me more than I could ever have imaged. But a trip like that doesn’t come without sacrifices. There’s far more to it than a few bumpy minibus rides to the home of your sponsored child and unusual breakfasts – we had spaghetti every morning on our trip and no one could really explain to us why... Participants sign up to run a half marathon, full marathon, or – if you’re crazy – an ultra-marathon. Others opt for a 60km trek or a 120km cycle. In the African heat of a country known as the “land of a thousand hills”, this takes a considerable amount of training. It means giving up those Saturday lie-ins to hit the canal path and cutting the evening glass of wine for a trip to the gym.
Photo credit: 4M International
Gifted
Starting the challenge: 13 long miles and hundreds of pounds were raised.
Climbing into the minibus, bleary eyed at silly-o’clock, the nerves set in. What on earth were we about to face? Were we fit enough? Were we crazy? Sat among people who had quickly become friends on the trip, I realised just how much each of them had given. One had sacrificed his family holiday to afford the trip. A woman, who could barely climb the stairs the year before, committed to losing 120lbs so that she could take part – and finish the race. Another had overcome their fear of going out running alone to train. All had given hours of their time – and now a week of annual leave. Injuries, financial worries and fears had all been conquered to do something amazing for people they hadn’t yet met. Crossing the start line was daunting. By mile one, I’d found a rhythm and some lovely Dutch runners to talk to. We shared stories of why we were running. We wished each other well. Then the second mile. It was still fairly flat, maybe this was going to be easier than expected? Mile three told me that this was not the case. The incline began, but the route here followed a road, and as the cars passed, people waved and bibbed their horns. I’ve never felt more encouraged. Mile four saw the first real hill. Deep breaths and shorter strides – and a father and son running team who spend the next three miles overtaking, being overtaken and overtaking again. The half way point was marked by a small village and another water stop. Children ran alongside me here and I had to step up a gear to keep up with them in their flip flops.
Injuries, financial worries and fears had all been conquered to do something amazing for people they hadn’t yet met.” James Adams – a Keswick volunteer who goes the extra mile.
IDEA MAGAZINE / 24
IN THE THICK OF IT
Planting a vegetable patch together with staff from Ethembeni.
After the rush of the village, us runners began to spread as the elites picked up their pace and the slower runners set in for the final push. I found myself quite alone through the eighth mile. I was suddenly struck by the presence of God. His creation was outstanding. I was now high up after facing another killer hill and looking down at the green lands. Fields with the specks of people working the land. Trees. Birds flying overhead and insects crawling along the dirt underneath my trainers. There were emotional and physical ups and downs through the next few miles. But then came the last mile. I could hear the drums far
Photo credit: Tearfund
before I saw them. Through the trees, I could see a group of people. As I got closer, the cheers got louder, the drumbeat quickened and children started to dance. I had done it. 13 long miles and hundreds of pounds raised to help mothers and babies who thanks to Compassion, now had the chance to start life well. We’d visited the Child Survival Programme days before, and I couldn’t get their faces out of my mind as I crossed the finish line. I had given it my all, and I could not have been prouder to wear that medal. *Ref: UK Civil Society Almanac 2017 / Volunteering Overview, NVCO, May 2017
KESWICK: SET UP, SET DOWN
GIVING TIME IN SOUTH AFRICA
Keswick Convention run a yearly Bible teaching conference for evangelical Christians. More than 600 volunteers help set up and set down the site and assist over 15,000 delegates.
Jeff Clarke and his family from North Yorkshire volunteered their time in South Africa recently working with communities who are living with the effects of HIV, AIDS and TB. Local organisation Ethembeni provide practical support and distribute food where it is most needed. Instead of a summer holiday, the family helped with a range of activities with them.
As well as raising thousands of pounds on a sponsored cycle event from Land’s End to John O’Groats, James Adams also volunteers his time to the Keswick conference. “James is 74 years old, and has volunteered at the event for 12 years, says Jutta Devenish from Keswick Convention. “James gives five full weeks of his time every summer supporting the event as a steward and helping with set up to set down. His smile is contagious. He hangs out with volunteers who go the extra mile, encourage one another and know how to light up someone’s day with a friendly word.”
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017
Says Jeff of giving his time: “Everything that we have is only ours because God has provided it for us. That includes our time, our money and our abilities.” “The opportunity that Tearfund has provided for myself, my wife and our three teenage daughters to use all those things to serve God and the people here in Mpophomeni is, we hope, a blessing to those who we met. It is certainly an experience that we will never forget.” IDEA MAGAZINE / 25
BIG INTERVIEW
John Kirkby Four CAP debt centres offering the service opened in 1998. CAP now also tackles the causes of debt and poverty through their CAP Debt Help and CAP Job Clubs. A new service CAP Life Skills, helping people to live well on a low income has also just been launched. We asked John how he was inspired to set up CAP and his thoughts on giving. Why did you set up CAP?
John Kirkby pioneered Christians Against poverty (CAP) in the 1990’s in order to help the many affected by debt who found themselves facing eviction and unable to cope. Setting up budgeting systems and negotiating with creditors, John was able to offer vital help to those in need.
Proverbs 11:24-31 says the world of the generous gets larger and larger.”
I had my own experience of being transformed by the power of God through the Church, and how that spun out into my life and took my loneliness and my struggling to cope and managed to get my finances under control. Then I recovered spiritually and emotionally enough to become married to Lizzie. I used my experience of 12 years in the finance industry, supercharged by God.
When you established the organisation, how did you encourage Christians to grasp hold of the concept of giving? Within a month of CAP being established – started with a £10 donation in my bedroom office – two things became obvious. I was born to do debt counselling but I would have to spend significant time inspiring, encouraging, and challenging individuals to give generously and with enthusiasm to see the poor reached and the gospel spread. I resolved that even though it would stop me seeing as many people in the short term, I would have to spend two days a week on this second task. It was a vital ingredient and I had to do it at the cost of seeing more clients. At that time I hoped to be able to help thousands of clients, little was I to know that it would result in hundreds of thousands being saved from poverty. I think people grasp the concept when they give. I focused on the act not the concept. In my past experience, I had been an influencer and persuader and I came into my own when captivated by people coming to Christ. The fruit of that giving was in the lives of people they would never meet but there was fruit for the giver. Proverbs 11, 24-31 says the world of the generous gets larger and larger and Lizzie and I have seen that. We are living that life and that’s the best position to be in if you’re asking others to give. You have to live it and then you can transmit that. We now have 29,000 regular givers.
IDEA MAGAZINE / 26
John Kirby.
Do you feel attitudes to giving and generosity have changed over the years? Yes and no! The world has understandably suffered compassion fatigue and charity as a brand has taken some significant knocks, some deserved. The vast majority of our funding is from Christians so the stability of the word and His Spirit has shown an enlargement in giving. As a recipient of generosity you have a responsibility to those people to thank, to report back, inspire and show the fruit of what you’re able to do. Lizzie and I support various charities but there are situations when, after two years of giving with no feedback, that connection wanes. Charities owe their givers communication – it’s part of their responsibility to deliver.
What do you think is the key to keeping the momentum to give in all aspects of life? Complacency is the killer of so much. It’s so easy to sit back and say yeah, I give enough for all the right reasons. As a couple, we’ve decided to increase our giving by 1 per cent every year. That ensures our complacency is kept in check. Yes it does hurt when you can’t do something because of your giving but that’s how you keep giving it an edge, keep striving on for all it achieves.
CAP Debt Centre Staff.
Join John and Lizzie – donate to CAP today If it was not for CAP, I’d still be in the same dark place. I was going to be evicted and felt so guilty about debt. But now, you’ve made a sad home a happy home. I’ve got God in my life which means everything! Steph, CAP Debt Help client
Help see more people like Steph saved from the grip of UK poverty. Give monthly to CAP today and receive your free povertea travel mug.
capuk.org/idea always hope.
Charity Registered No: 1097217 (England & Wales), SC038776 (Scotland)
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CULTURE
By Liz Bradley
Edited by threads For more posts like this, visit threadsuk.com
Is it time to redefine success? As part of this edition on giving, I’m reflecting on whether success is actually more about giving than getting. There are moments when we measure ourselves: a big birthday, a relocation or perhaps a redundancy. For me, the end of maternity leave has been a catalyst for questioning the trajectory I’m on. Am I successful? There’s a tendency to think of success in terms of attainment. Money, relationships and social status are all criteria used to define success – tangible tokens that prove other people think we have value. But pursuing praise from others is exhausting. Anyone on social media can tell you that the desire for ‘likes’ and positive comments increases exponentially with each interaction. I find myself tempted to raise my voice, drawn to jostling, restless in the fight for recognition. Into that angst, Jesus drops an illuminating hint about where I’m going wrong: “Do you want to stand out? Then step down… If you’re content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.” (Matthew 23:11-12 MSG). The point of my life is not to collect ever-increasing indicators of my worth, but to give my simple, authentic self to those around me. It sounds straightforward enough. But what does it mean to set my striving and the expectations of others to one side? How can I ‘just be myself’ throughout all the changes life brings?
Sacrifice for the sake of others
The mistake I’m tempted to make when thinking about being myself is to focus inwards. I think about the skills I want to use and the characteristics I want to demonstrate. I set goals and take personality quizzes. And I get frustrated and discouraged when my daily routines don’t advance my sense of personal achievement. But the Bible doesn’t talk like that. When the Bible invites us to become our true selves, we go by way of the cross – it’s an invitation into self-sacrifice. Maybe that’s making difficult compromises to support others in fulfilling their potential. Maybe it’s taking on the unwanted stress of serving through leadership. It could be the inconvenience of realigning the choices I make as a consumer to protect the environment and the rights of others. Whatever form it takes, self-sacrifice is the freedom to live beyond my own concerns – it’s the paradoxical fulfilment of the quest for self-actualisation. Jesus says: “Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way - my way - to finding yourself, your true self.” (Matthew 16:25 MSG)
The ultimate gift
The rhetoric of service and self-denial can be used to oppress and belittle, goading us to undervalue our own needs and worth. But that’s not the model Jesus set. Speaking of his ultimate sacrifice he said: “No one takes my life from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it back up again. This command I received from my Father.” (John 10:18 NIV) For us this means having the capacity to pursue the good of others, secure in the knowledge that we can cast all our anxieties about ourselves, our needs and our worth on God because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). IDEA MAGAZINE / 28
Love Jesus, let him lead
According to the Bible, God is the only one with a rightful say over our identity: “It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.” (Ephesians 1:11-12 MSG). Even so, it’s not always easy to know what God is asking of us. We’re the ones who have to work out the daily reality of living. We apply for jobs, pass or fail exams, reach relationship cross-roads and make choices that close off as many options as they open up. As much as I want to let God direct me, I also don’t want to be paralysed by indecision, waiting for a cosmic hint and living as if life will start as soon as I finally understand what I think I’m supposed to do. So, I’m embracing the flux. I’m trying to “let the peace [and] soul harmony which comes from Christ … act as umpire continually … deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise…” (Colossians 3:15 AMPC), overruling my whims and the whisper of comparison and peer pressure.
Unexpected opportunities
I’ve been open to unexpected opportunities in unlikely places, believing that: “God uses us to spread his knowledge everywhere like a sweet-smelling perfume” (2 Corinthians 2:14 NCV). Our forerunners in faith have been persecuted and powerful, creative and commercial-minded; no sphere is automatically off-limits. I echo the Psalmist, treasuring scripture as “a lamp for my feet [and] a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105 NIV). And I remember – like Paul – that every role I have and every accomplishment I steward is less than secondary “to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ” (Philippians 3:8 NIV), the central ambition of a Christian life. It’s in knowing Jesus better that we love him more. And it’s love that causes us to commit to the experiment of trusting his knowledge of what’s best for our lives. If we love him, we obey his commands (John 14:15 NLT).
Doing what He asks
Ultimately, I do the things I do with my life not because they feel right or fit or I’m good at them. I do them because, to the best of my understanding, I believe them to be what Jesus asks of me. Jesus said: “I came to give life – life in all its fullness” (John 10:10 NCV). So, I’m learning to trust him. It’s not straightforward. I don’t have all the answers to my current questions about work and motherhood. But I do have hope. Hope that, in the final analysis, “he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold” (Job 23:10 NIV). A life on God’s terms doesn’t always look the way we’d imagine, but it leads to an aliveness we can be proud to own – the flourishing of our true selves. If I can look in the mirror at the end of each day and say that I honestly loved God and others to the best of my ability, I’ll know that I’ve given the world something worthwhile. It might not come with accolades. But that sounds like success to me.
CULTURE
BOOK REVIEWS
Here’s a roundup of some latest releases. Resources to support you giving in all areas of life. Faith Hope and Charity is a book for charities giving them an a-z of governing and Ann Clifford’s inspiring book is a beginner’s guide to saying goodbye.
FAITH, HOPE & CHARITY: THE A-Z OF GOVERNING A CHARITABLE ORGANISATION
TIME TO LIVE: THE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO SAYING GOODBYE
By Paul Martin
By Ann Clifford
Malcolm Down Publishing
Talking about death is tough; but Ann Clifford skillfully and compassionately guides us through the subject. She helps us think confidently about death and moving towards our goal of life with God. Ann gives real examples and stories of people experiencing death and guides us through the fear of death sensitively and boldly. She challenges the lack of desire to have conversations about death in church and looks at facing it with faith. There is practical, sensitive advice for the carer and the cared for, looking at how to embrace the journey openly and creatively. Ann argues that key to this issue is relationships and weaves in experiences of bereavement and relationships in her own life. A must read to gain an inspirational understanding of how to deal with this issue.
This is not a book to read from cover to cover, but a reference resource on the running of charities (religious and secular). The author has forty years’ experience in the charity sector and explains the practicalities of setting up a charity, the legal responsibilities of trustees and the role of the Charity Commission. There are sections on the responsibilities of trustees and employees and fundraising and budgeting. The author is aware of all that can go wrong and advises on what to do when organisations fail. The information reflects changes in the law with a section describing the General Data Protection Regulations which are to replace existing legislation in 2018. The book is commended by church leaders including the Alliance’s Steve Clifford.
Rebecca Taylor
Graham Hedges
JOIN US AT: ABOVE AND BEYOND
FREE BOOK FOR CHILDREN
Running churches and Christian organisations for the glory of God. 20 February 2018 – St Mary’s Church London. A day conference for anyone involved in running or administrating churches and Christian organisations, with input from experts on how to navigate the challenges and hurdles of regulation and law and ensure you serve your mission. Find out more at eauk.org
A free book on Christian heroes who have made an impact on society has been given out to all primary schools in the UK during October. ‘A World of Difference’ commissioned by the Christian Book Promotion Trust (CBPT) and written by Bob Hartman is aimed at children in Key Stage one and two. Also available at www.cwr.org.uk/home
THIS ADVENT
TRANSFORM LI VES
Register now at www.sleepoutchallenge.org.uk to sleepout and raise money to help transform the lives of homeless people this advent. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017
IDEA MAGAZINE / 29
POLITICS
By Daniel Webster, advocacy and media manager at the Evangelical Alliance
Giving to public life Sometimes you can try too hard to crowbar an article into a theme, or force it to fit a topic, and I thought that might be the case on this occasion. How can I talk about politics and public life in a magazine focused around giving and generosity? Not exactly an obvious fit.
But perhaps the fact that we see giving and generosity as far away from politics is our problem, not a problem with politics. So instead of analysing the presence of generosity within politics I want to set a challenge: what can we give to politics and public life? Public life is much broader than the politics we see through newspapers and media coverage, it is wider still than the politics which takes place at a local level in councils and town halls across the UK. Public life is made up of the institutions and organisations that contribute to our society, whether that is a business providing services, or a voluntary sector organisation, or friends in a neighbourhood working together.
IDEA MAGAZINE / 30
Here are three areas where we can give to public life:
1. Give our hands to our local community The recently published What kind of society? resource from the Evangelical Alliance comments: “We should also commit to the hard work of helping people practically. We may not be able to make our nation more free but we can probably help a neighbour.” It is easy to be overwhelmed by the scope of challenges that face us, the best place to start is what we can each give to our local community. How can we love our literal neighbours today? What can we give to contribute to the sort of society that we want to see become a reality in the coming years?
Christians contribute vast quantities of time and energy to local projects, an exhibition in the Scottish parliament in September profiled the £100m economic impact of faith groups’ contribution through 9,000 faith based groups and 11 million hours of service. Read more at www.eauk.org/wkos
2. Give our lives to leadership Instead of becoming downhearted about the state of leadership in public life, what leadership can we give to parts of society that need it? Whether we look at a local community level, or in national politics or professional sectors, there is a need for better leadership. God gives us a mandate to act with His authority and exercise leadership and influence in our nation. Through our Public
POLITICS
Leadership work the Evangelical Alliance wants to equip Christians to see how they can bring leadership that works for the good of all and works for the glory of God. The gift that we receive from God, of getting to join in with His ongoing work of creation, is a gift that we can give to the world around us. We sincerely believe that leadership is what makes things change. Find out how you can change your world with our new small group course. www.thepublicleader.com/ changetheworld
3. Give our voice to speaking up We act by giving our hands to the needs of our neighbourhood, and we give our lives to leadership in places that need it, and the third way we can give to public life is to give our voices. As an Alliance we speak up in parliament and to government to ensure that the voice of evangelicals is heard. But we can’t do it on our own, we would love you to give your voice to the issues that concern you, that arise from what you
witness in your community, or reflect the world you want to see future generations grow up in. In the coming months the government will be largely preoccupied with legislation around Brexit, but other issues will also appear on the parliamentary agenda. This is likely to include a review of gender identity legislation, sex and relationship education in schools, and responses to extremism. On all these issues the voice of evangelicals is crucial to help the government know what it means for society to thrive, and to ensure our ongoing freedom and liberties are not eroded. Find out more on current issues where your voice is needed at www.eauk.org/voice
4. Give our prayers for the persecuted Church This autumn we want to see the Church join together with one voice to pray for the persecuted Church. The Alliance’s Religious Liberty Commission brings together member organisations, Christian
What can we give to contribute to the sort of society that we want to see become a reality in the coming years? Solidarity Worldwide, Open Doors and Release International, to focus the Church’s attention on places where Christians risk their lives to worship, read the Bible and preach the gospel. The international day of prayer for the persecuted Church is 19 November and resources are available to help churches pray at www.eauk.org/rlc
essentialchristian.org
An inspirational Easter break Daily Bible teaching from:
Jeff Lucas Skegness 2-6 April
Simon Ponsonby Minehead Two 8-12 April
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017
Lucy Peppiatt Minehead One 3-8 April
Malcolm Duncan Harrogate 3-7 April
IDEA MAGAZINE / 31
eauk.org
eauk.org
Stay in the loop with everything the Alliance is up to online
DOWLOAD OUR RESOURCES Talking Jesus: what can I do? Together with The Church of England and HOPE, the Alliance have produced a new booklet Talking Jesus: What can I do? which summarises research into people’s views of Jesus and evangelism. The research among adults and young people in England has already been a huge encouragement to people who’ve read the results. Tim Rowlands from Festival Church, Chester said, “We found it to be a real confidence boost… you could see people’s faces lighting up in the congregation when we talked about it.” talkingjesus.org
HALLOWEEN RESOURCES For alternative, exciting ideas for kids from Pumpkin Heroes to light parties and resources from Scripture Union and World Vision to name a few. Find inspiring light filled ideas on how as well celebrate goodness with your family and community. Go to eauk.org/church/resources/halloweenresources for more.
FESTIVE THEMES - ADVENT Our newly developed Christmas resources page has a section on Advent and Christmas. With resource ideas for ideas in print, online and information on Christmas initiatives to help celebrate well. Find more at eauk.org/church/resources/ christmas-resources.
GREAT COMMISSION Receive updates from the Great Commission website about their latest resources now and into the new year. To get the latest go to greatcommission.co.uk and sign up.
Whatever your preferred social media channel, be sure to get the latest news from the Evangelical Alliance by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Just type Evangelical Alliance in the search bar and join the community. IDEA MAGAZINE / 32
LETTERS: HAVE YOUR SAY
In your words
MINISTRY IN MUSIC
We love hearing from you, so have your say on any of the issues raised in idea or make any comments about the Evangelical Alliance by emailing idea@eauk.org HEARD IN TWEETS Serve Scotland @ serve_scotland Thanks to all the MSPs who took part in the debate tonight. 12 speakers, 30 attendees & nearly 100 in the gallery. Amazing! #ServeScotland
Elim Pentecostal @ elimpentecostal What kind of #society do we want? How can Christians & churches help society? Check out this new @EAUKnews resource http://j. mp/2w63tRC
Dear Christian Friends, God has given me a ministry in music at a local Christian nursing home. Some of the residents grew up in the days of Youth Praise, published in the 1970’s. I have a copy of Youth Praise 1 but need a copy of Youth Praise 2. Can anyone help me? Please contact the Alliance on info@eauk.org if you can. Yours in Jesus love, T. Bowden SHARING THE BLESSING
@idea_mag The next edition of @idea_mag is all about giving and generosity. Answer our poll and tell us how you give generously #EAgiving Find the resource at www.eauk.org/wkos
Thank you for the July / August edition of idea. It was so encouraging for me to read. I had to pass this edition of your magazine to a friend to share the blessing. In particular I appreciated the threads article and the interview with Andy Bannister, but all of the magazine was helpful. Many thanks, may God bless you. S. Preston
mark greenwood @evangelistmark We @elimpentecostal churches are embracing @HOPEtogether for our outreach - do have a read of this publication Rachel Jordan-Wolf @DrRachelJ Preach the gospel, pray in promises, transform the city “I hear the sound of heavy rain” @ PeteGreig #talkingjesus
Acting editor: Rebecca Taylor Contributing authors Steve Clifford, Jo Frost, Kim Walker, Alexandra Davis, Daniel Webster, Lucy Olofinjana, Nicky Waters, Graham Hedges, Amaris Cole, Liz Bradley, Laurence Singlehurst, Dr Lucy Peppiatt, Israel Olofinjana, Peter Lynas, Jim Stewart, Kieran Turner, Chris Greenhalgh Advertising manager Candy O’Donovan c.odonovan@eauk.org Design & Print Cliffe Enterprise
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017
Tim Rowlands @ TimRowlands Time to reflect. Contributions at @ EAUKnews Council have been enjoyably challenging! #Unity #MakeEveryEffortMore IVP UK @IVPbookcentre If you haven’t discovered @great_comm by @ EAUKnews you really should. Packed with great resources for evangelism: http://ow.ly/xOet30faWfF
idea is published bi-monthly and sent free of charge to members of the Evangelical Alliance. Formed in 1846, the Alliance’s mission is to unite evangelicals to present Christ credibly as good news for spiritual and social transformation. There are around two million evangelical Christians in the UK, according to a 2007 Tearfund survey. idea is published in accordance with the Alliance’s Basis of Faith, although it is impossible in every article to articulate each detail and nuance of belief held by Alliance members. Articles in idea may therefore express views on which there is a divergence of opinion or understanding among evangelicals.
@EAUKnews Got your #Halloween light party pack from @SUEnglandWales? Packed with ideas resources and articles, including one from our own @great_comm HOPE @HOPEtogether What can you do to share Jesus? Pray, give, invite. Read the new #talkingjesus booklet out now @EAUKnews @cofe
Letters and story ideas from members are welcome, and will be considered by the editorial board, which reserves the right to edit letters and stories for length and style. We regret that we are unable to engage in personal correspondence. Unsolicited material will only be returned if accompanied by a stamped, selfaddressed envelope. idea accepts advertisements and inserts to offset printing costs. Advertising in idea does not imply editorial endorsement. The Alliance reserves the right to accept or refuse advertisements at its discretion. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from the editor.
IDEA MAGAZINE / 33
LAST WORD
Steve Clifford the general director, writes…
The generosity of God’s people As I write this Last Word, I realise I’ve been general director of the Evangelical Alliance for more than eight years. I remember well my first day as Ann and I arrived at Whitfield House (our old resource centre), welcomed by the whole staff team with a large cake to celebrate. These last years have gone so quickly. I admit at times, I still feel like I’m wearing ‘L plates’. The overwhelming emotion, as I reflect, is one of enormous gratitude both to a wonderful team of people I’ve had the privilege of working alongside, but most especially to God, who has proved Himself time and time again to be faithful - often knowing our needs even before we’ve had the chance to mention them. I look back on so many occasions when we have sensed His intervention, turning situations around, giving us wisdom and providing key people in the right place at the right time. Let me share just one such incident. At the end of last year, Emrys Jones, director of finance and operations shared with the leadership team his concern as to our finances. He was predicting a £50,000 deficit for the financial year. Income had not been coming in as we had hoped and we needed to take it seriously. As the leadership considered the situation, we were clear this was a time for prayer – with 1 February specified as a day for the whole team to set aside for prayer and fasting. The result was amazing. Within days, significant gifts from our members, both large and small, began to arrive alongside two wonderfully generous legacies. As we began to share the news with the team, you can imagine the excitement and indeed encouragement. By the end of March, what we had feared would be a substantial deficit had turned into a surplus. We just knew God had answered our prayers, but we also knew He had used our members and their generosity as a means to his end. I share this story as, what I hope will be, an encouragement. We are so grateful to you for your generosity in supporting the work of the Alliance – for some, over many years. It’s your faithful prayer and finances that make possible all that we do. We exist as an Alliance to serve you, our members, but we are also dependent on you to be God’s means of supplying our needs. IDEA MAGAZINE / 34
I look back on the last eight years with deep thankfulness for the generosity of God’s people. I’ve also found myself challenged as to my own generosity, even more so as I’ve built relationships with our One People Commission and experienced first-hand the warmth, wisdom and generosity of the ethnic minority Church. As we stand together in the difficult issues that our communities face I have learnt so much. Here are Christians from so many different parts of the world – South America, Africa, the Caribbean, China, Korea and South East Asia – living here in the UK, committed to praying and giving their time and finances for the sake of God’s purposes here. I remember vividly, Pastor Kingsley Appiagyei, Senior Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, South London, outlining his call to the UK. He recalled the history of whiteBritish missionaries bringing the gospel to his nation, Ghana. Often, these missionaries paid with their lives. They sailed to Africa
with their coffins, prepared for what might be just a few days of ministry. As Pastor Kingsley spoke, he expressed his gratitude for the seeds of the gospel which had been sown in his nation by men and women of which he and the Church in Ghana were the harvest. His call to the UK, he explained, was to bring something of the harvest back and for the Church in the UK to receive the fruit of its labour. I thank God for such a challenge to my generosity and my willingness to sacrifice. If we are going to see the UK impacted by the power of the gospel, if we are to see Jesus made known to the millions who know him only as a mythical character or a swear word, it’s going to require sacrifice from us all. Yes, of our time and finances, but also our willingness to overcome our fears. Is there a more generous act we as Christians can offer to anyone than to make Jesus known to those who don’t know him? It could be a gift of eternal significance.
JOIN US If I may, I’d like to take this opportunity, in this special edition on the gift of giving, to ask you to join us. When you join the Alliance family, you give so much more than just money. You give yourself to a growing, vibrant, united Church, fulfilling Jesus’ prayer in John 17 that we become one.
So, will you join us today? If you’re already a member, could you pass this onto a friend? You’ll find a leaflet in the centre pages of the magazine to enable you to set up a Direct Debit of £3 a month. Or visit www.eauk. org/supportea to sign up online. As a thank you, I would love to resource you with a few gifts to equip you to be salt and light in the world: •
Game Changers, Gavin Calver’s latest book
•
One, my personal journey of unity in diversity
•
Change the World, our recently-published Bible study course on public leadership
10 STORIES TO INSPIRE YOUR GIVING
Grab your FREE copy at stewardship.org.uk/simply NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017
IDEA MAGAZINE / 35
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