Letters: Have your say.
IN YOUR WORDS
IN YOUR WORDS
e love hearing from you, so have your say on any W of the issues raised in idea or any comments about the Evangelical Alliance by emailing idea@eauk.org
YOUTH & CHURCH
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Some things do not change (What puts young people off church? (Sep/Oct)). When I was a teenager in a Baptist church in 1942, I remember us asking at the monthly church meeting if the services “could be jazzed up a bit”. The minister suggested we could use the piano instead of the organ and have a “Sankey’s evening” as those hymns were quite lively. We didn’t! The deacons were probably over 40 so they kept it as it was. But the young people kept going.
I was very surprised to see that you allowed to be published in your latest idea magazine an article (Domestic violence: In churches too), which is in my view is both biased and sexist. Why is it that the myth is still perpetuated that it is only men who commit domestic violence? As a man who has suffered at the hands of a woman I find this article very hurtful.
Peter Waring, Northamptonshire
Thanks again for idea. I have always valued the magazine, but over the last two years as the format has changed have found it increasingly valuable.
Yesterday I visited my seven-year-old granddaughter. We were both excited as we anticipated meeting with one another. We enjoyed our time together cementing and developing our relationship in the midst of our family. We were sad when our time together came to an end. For me, “church” is rather similar. I eagerly anticipate my meeting with my Lord and saviour, among my church family, knowing I will be developing my relationship with him. Perhaps the reason that 20 to 30-year-olds and others don’t go to church is because they do not have a living relationship with Jesus? Irene Thornley, Bristol In addition to what your learned contributors say, may I add my conviction? Young people do not go to church at 10:30 on Sunday morning because they don’t believe in God. Most of them leave school with the belief that ‘science has proved that God does not exist’. We know that this is wrong, and that not even scientists can prove a negative, but the young people don’t. Until the Church in the West tackles the problem of lopsided evolution teaching in schools, congregations will continue to dwindle. David King, Maidstone IDEA MAGAZINE / 36
Heard in tweets
On @EAUKnews we asked: What does it mean to be Christ-centred? @rhamage: “ it’s all about making much of him, helping people gaze at him and adore, ‘to the praise of his glorious grace’.” @Huduma_PC2: “ It means acknowledging, trusting, and submitting to Him in everything you do. And discipling others to do the same.” Follow the Alliance on Twitter: @EAUKnews @idea_mag
Editor Chine Mbubaegbu – idea@eauk.org Consulting editors Steve Morris, Krish Kandiah Contributing writers Phil Green, Lucy Cooper, Sophie Lister, Gethin Russell-Jones, Carla Prentice, Kieran Turner, Daniel Webster Advertising manager Candy O’Donovan – c.odonovan@eauk.org
David, via email
Design Red & Green Marketing
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Jim Shaw, Derby I have been subscribing to numerous Christian magazines for many years and I would like to say that your magazine is one of the best Christian magazines out. It is well-balanced and yet interesting enough. It talks about government, theology and people – all in one magazine. I particular like the section which gives an insight into people’s lives both within the Evangelical Alliance and within the Christian Church. Well done. Vivienne Oke, via email Editor’s reply: Why, thank you.
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idea is published bimonthly 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. 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, self-addressed 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.