Unity

E D I U G R E Y A PRA

‘

May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me

‘

John 17: 23

IS…

WHAT WE’RE ALL ABOUT

Unity is the core value of the Evangelical Alliance, because it was Jesus’ heart for his people; the single focus of that impassioned last prayer for us before his crucifixion:

‘

‘

May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent me.

So this is who we are called to be – God’s people uniting in mission, catalysing the Church to joint action, to the glory of God. With a staff team spread across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland the Alliance consists of 30 denominations, 3300 local churches, 725 organisations and 24 000 individual members.

We’re all the Evangelical Alliance.

And as we come together in God’s service, we start to see amazing things happen. I want to share just a few of them with you in this prayer guide, to encourage and inspire you to join us in prayer for the incredible, transformative work of the Church we belong to.

With thanks and appreciation Steve Clifford

General Director

2

Cover image © iStockphoto | andrea laurita

IS…

FALLING IN LOVE WITH THE BIBLE

It’s nearly 400 years since the King James Bible began to radically impact the English language and the culture of Britain. Yet according to a survey run by Bible Society, only 35 per cent of Christians today claim to read the Bible daily.

So began Biblefresh, calling Christians back to a fresh experience of the Bible in 2011, the anniversary of this most famous of English translations. This campaign is vital – a unique opportunity to come together to remind ourselves, and others, of the immense transforming power of the Bible for our generation.

Watch the Evangelical Alliance website for your chance to participate by contributing a photo of yourself sharing how the Bible has changed your world.

So far more than 50 agencies and denominations are partnering with the Alliance on Biblefresh – all we need now is for you to get involved!

Greg Haslam, Senior Minister, Westminster Chapel, says: ‘Biblefresh will let the Bible loose again in the minds of both rooky novices and jaded old hands. Light the fuse and God's dynamite should do the rest! Masses of people will be enchanted to rediscover the big picture of the Bible's world-shaking worldview and become agents for widespread conversion and massive cultural change in our nation, just as previous generations experienced this too.’

• For Biblefresh meetings taking place with church leaders around the country from January to March 2010. Pray that many leaders will attend and that God will speak to them, encourage them and prepare them for all that he has in store for 2011.

• For momentum to build as news about Biblefresh spreads.

• For wisdom for Biblefresh leaders, drawn from a number of organisations, that they would be led by God and be of one mind in all their planning.

• That the church and nation will be changed through God’s word.

www.biblefresh.com Partners include: Authentic Media, Baptist Union, Bible Reading Fellowship, Bible Society Centre for Biblical Literacy & Communication, Christianity Magazine, Churches for All, Cliff College, CPO, CRE, CWR, Damaris Emerging Culture, Evangelical Alliance, Evangelical Alliance Northern Ireland, Evangelical Alliance Scotland, Evangelical Alliance Wales, Friends and Heroes, Friends International, Girls' Brigade, Global Action, Good Book Company, HarperCollins, Hodder & Stoughton, ICC, IVP, Keswick Ministries, LICC, Living Leadership, London School of Theology, Methodist Church, Moorlands College, Nationwide Christian Trust, New Horizon, NTCG, Partake Ministries, Precept Ministries UK, Prospects, Scottish Bible Society, Scripture Union, Scripture Union Scotland, SGM Lifewords, Share Jesus International, Spring Harvest, St John's College, Durham, St John's College, Nottingham, Summer Madness, Torch Trust, UCB, Walk through the Bible, Wycliffe Bible Translators, Youthwork Magazine

3

IS…

TRANSFORMING OUR COMMUNITIES The Gweini report being handed over by the Gweini Team to Dr Brian Gibbons, Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Social Justice and Local Government (l-r: Julian Richards, President of Gweini; Elfed Godding, Chairman of Gweini & EA National Director for Wales; John M Evans Research Director of Gweini; Dr Brian Gibbons AM Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Social Justice and Local Government

We’ve always known the Church is at the heart of our communities, but working together in Wales enables us to be more effective at serving – and to show the government just how valuable the churches really are.

Gweini, The Council for the Christian Voluntary Sector in Wales, is an Evangelical Alliance initiative aiming to represent the Church to all levels of government, inform churches about funding and best practice and network churches locally and nationally.

The Gweini report in 2008, which showed that faith communities contribute the equivalent of £100 million to the Welsh economy, was described by First Minister for Wales Rhodri Morgan as of “great importance” for fostering better understanding and awareness of faiths and cultures in Wales.

Dr Dan Boucher, Director of Public Affairs for CARE says: ‘Gweini provides a means whereby different Christian bodies in Wales can work together to be salt and light. They achieve this by providing welfare services in a way that would be quite impossible if the different organisations sought to do things by themselves. It has lifted the Christian Voluntary Sector in Wales from a place of relative obscurity to a place of growing influence. It’s great to see what God does when Christians work together in truth and love!’

• For the Gweini team as they help church leaders set up a local Gweini in each Local Authority in Wales.

This will help provide a primary line of communication between the Local Authority and churches, focusing on community issues.

www.gweini.org.uk Partners include: Evangelical Alliance Wales, Tearfund, CARE, Bethlehem Church Life Centre Cefn Cribwr, Housing Justice, Danescourt Christian Fellowship and Prospects.

4

IS…

ENABLING MISSION spoke at a MAP Christian Union mission road show, held at Queen’s University.

Mission at the core of the Church in Northern Ireland – that’s the aim of Mission Agencies Partnership (MAP), which brings more than 40 different agencies, including the Evangelical Alliance, to encourage Christians to heed God’s mission mandate to the Church.

And these agencies are discovering that working together has benefits for their individual work as well as the greater good of the Church.

John Hamilton, Mobilisation Director for Wycliffe, continues, ‘The next day Stephanie told me, "Afterwards, even though I wasn't talking about Wycliffe, four people came to talk about how they might get involved in Bible translation. So hey! MAP works!"

‘That's why I'm happy for Stephanie to spend part of her time working with MAP – it works because of the input the Evangelical Alliance Northern Ireland has provided. In Wycliffe UK we want to work in partnership with other agencies to promote God's mission to his world. As we do that together with enthusiasm, people respond to God and he leads individuals to us wanting to get involved with Bible translation.’

Stephanie Angus, a youth worker from Wycliffe Bible Translators, one of MAP’s member agencies, recently • That churches throughout Northern Ireland would continue to catch MAP’s vision and recognise the importance of world mission in their own congregations.

www.mapmission.org

Pastor Martin from the Ndop Plain, North West Cameroon, reading the first ever Bible story written down in the Bamunka language during the Cameroon Engage (Wycliffe) team visit in 2007. Photo © Cynthia Innes

Stephanie Angus, a youth worker with Wycliffe Bible Translators

Partners include: Abaana Ministries, AIM International, Arab World Ministries, Asterias Organisation, Belfast Bible College, Bible Society, Careforce, Christian Vocations, ECM, Exodus, Feba, Friends International, Frontiers Ireland Habitat for Humanity NI, Global Connections, IFES Ireland, International Teams, Interserve Ireland, Latin Link, Leprosy Mission, LIFT, Logos Ministries, MAF, MECO, Mission Africa, OMF International, OMS International, Open Doors, Operation Mobilisation, PCI – BMO, PCI – BMI, People International, Samaritans Purse International Relief, Sandes, SIM Ireland, Tearfund, UFM, WEC International, Wycliffe Bible Translators, Youth For Christ

5

IS…

INSPIRING YOUNGER LEADERS

Whether it’s inspiring them to fight injustice or equipping them for church leadership, uniting to harness the potential of our younger generations is an exciting task.

Just Generation is seeing the Evangelical Alliance Scotland partner to draw together young adults from across the nation, focusing on the biblical call to tackle injustice.

Elaine Duncan, chief executive of the Scottish Bible Society says: ‘The theme of justice is one that comes up time and again within the Bible. It is great to see young people engaging with issues of justice… based on a strong belief that the Bible speaks deeply into these areas.’

• For Just Generation, that more young adults would be inspired to pursue the biblical call for justice and that local networks would spring up across the nation where people can share resources, ideas and stories.

www.justgeneration.org

Partners include: Evangelical Alliance Scotland, CARE, International Justice Mission, Scottish Bible Society, Tearfund and the Leprosy Mission Scotland

And the Evangelical Alliance Wales initiative, New Generation Leaders (NGL), is working to enable local churches to equip a younger generation of leaders in Wales by convening conferences for aspiring leaders and mentoring workshops for existing leaders.

Andy Hughes of Urban Saints in Wales says: ‘Together we are able to reach a wider network of church leaders and young people to release a new generation of Christians into service, mission and church life. Evangelical Alliance’s leadership and co-ordination of this partnership is invaluable!’

• For the NGL planning team as they prepare a resource DVD to help local churches mentor younger leaders and prepare for a conference in April 2010.

www.eauk.org/wales/ngl

Partners include: Evangelical Alliance Wales, Urban Saints, YWAM, Going Public and Ignite Cymru

Delegates worshipping at the recent Just Generation Conference in Scotland

6

IS…

GATHERING THE WISDOM OF THE ELDERS Combining deep-thinkers, Godly-influencers from business and politics, and senior leaders from across the spectrum of our churches, the Evangelical Alliance Council grapples with the issues facing Evangelicalism today in order to serve you.

Council represents our diverse membership to act as the source of consensus and guidance on all matters related to the overall direction of the Alliance.

Through various forums throughout the year, Council members seek to hear God’s voice as they determine significant matters of policy and theological understanding within the movement and as they ensure the Alliance’s public representation of evangelical interests and concerns is consistent and credible.

Steve Clifford, General Director of the Evangelical Alliance says, ‘As an Alliance we are committed to provoking conversation on the important issues facing the Church and society. The Council provides us with a space to listen to God and one another – with participants from many walks of life, right across the evangelical spectrum.’

• For the 81 Council members as they juggle the major responsibilities of their day jobs with their involvement as ambassadors for the Evangelical Alliance.

• For wisdom in choosing and prioritising the topics to be discussed at Council and for fruitful outcomes from the meetings.

• For wisdom in the selection process as new Council members are selected to join in 2010.

Mike Pilavachi of Soul Survivor was the keynote speaker at Council September 2009

Council members are drawn from: The Girls Brigade, Bible Society, Morden Baptist Church, People, Excellence and Culture, Restore, Scottish Bible Society, World Prayer Centre, LICC, Urban Saints, Care, Tearfund, Share Jesus International, Theos Think Tank, Manchester Network, Labour Party, Stewardship, Elim Pentecostal Churches, University of St Andrews, Icthus Christian Fellowship, Central Baptist Church, Youth for Christ, Global Connections, New Community Church, GEAR, CPAS, Pedro Emmanuel Solicitors, University of Durham, Church Army, Friends International, The Salvation Army, Scripture Union, CWR, Vineyard Churches, Soul Survivor

7

IS…

LISTENING SO WE CAN SPEAK AS ONE

Dr Justin Thacker of TAPPAC delivers a plenary address at a World Evangelical Alliance meeting.

The Theology and Public Policy Advisory Commission (TAPPAC) promotes grace and truth by helping the Alliance respond to a range of controversial issues affecting evangelical unity.

This influential panel exists to provide advice and support to the Alliance on a wide range of public policy and theological issues. It helps to inform, shape and guide the work and messaging we provide and at the same time to maintain a balanced view on a range of issues.

Paul Woolley, Director of Theos says: ‘TAPPAC brings together some outstanding theologians to reflect on the challenges and opportunities confronting today’s culture.

The breadth of perspectives and experience around the table enables TAPPAC to make a real contribution and reflects the Alliance’s commitment to building unity.’

8

• That TAPPAC will be able to advise and respond with wisdom and sensitivity as they seek to support the public policy and theological work of the Alliance.

Representatives are drawn from some of the following: Theological colleges including Regents and Moorlands, theologians from Universities including St Andrews and Aberdeen and organisations including Theos Think Tank, Bible Society, CMF, CARE, Lapido Media and Tearfund

IS…

WORKING TOGETHER LOCALLY

In cities and regions across the UK, Local Evangelical Fellowships (LEFs) unite the church in its call to mission, seeing God’s work in their local areas.

The Manchester Network, one of 21 LEFs around the country, exists to connect like-minded people in Manchester who have a passion for serving their local communities.

Through prayer and unity they passionately believe they can achieve more together for the welfare of the city than each church working on its own.

Network was a key part of the steering group working with church leaders and the Conservative Christian Fellowship (CCF) to organise a church service during the October Conservative Party Conference in Manchester.

The Conservative party chairman, who is not a CCF member, said: ‘It was an honour and pleasure to take part in such a positive and uplifting service, and to hear about the fantastic work the churches are doing in the local community.’

Patsy McKie (Mothers against Violence) interviewed by Rev Peter Horlock at the church service organised by CCF, Network Manchester and other partners for the Conservative Party Conference in October.

Photo © Cate Thornton

• For the Network’s ongoing dialogue with Members of Parliament through the biannual breakfast meetings and the Labour Party Conference in 2010.

• For 'Fresh Thinking', on February 10, an annual event which brings together church leaders, organisation directors, and strategic thinkers to look at Greater Manchester from a fresh perspective.

• For new LEFs planning on launching in various cities around the UK. Congregation at the church service organised by CCF, Manchester Network and other partners for the Conservative Party Conference in October. Photo © Cate Thornton

www.network-ea.org.uk

See www.eauk.org/about/getinvolved/local-networks.cfm for a list of LEFs around the country.

Manchester LEF includes: Over 100 churches and organisations covering all of Manchester, Bolton, Wigan, Rochdale, Thameside, Bury, Heywood and Middleton, Oldham, Salford, Stockport and Trafford. Organisations include, among many others, Ambassadors in Sport, Friends International, City Light Trust, IMAGE, Manchester City Mission, Open Hands International, The Mustard Tree and Word of Life.

9

IS…

INFLUENCING OUR CULTURE

From politics to the arts, Christians can bring an incisive contribution to some of the most influential areas of our culture, with an incredible potential for social change.

The Forum for Change is part of a long-term strategy to mobilise the Church in influencing the key change drivers in our culture, bringing together people from the fields of education, politics, the media and the arts, business, sports and the professions.

Together, with the local Church, we are asking the question: 'What would a society influenced by the Christian faith and worldview look like?'

Dr Trevor Cooling, Education Cluster Host says, ‘Teachers are on the front line of Christian ministry and, behind parents, are the single greatest influence on children. Forum for Change provides an exciting opportunity for those of us active in education to catalyse each other's work so that Christian teachers are even more effective Gospel-shapers of society.’

• For guidance as the Forum for Change cluster hosts inspire their peers to live out their faith in their vocations.

• For strategic relationships to form across the different fields dealt with by Forum for Change.

www.eauk.org/forumforchange Partners include: Ambassadors in Sport, Association of Christian Teachers, Tell it in Colour, Bible Society, Christian Media Service Birmingham, Bradford Media Hub, Bristol Media Hub, Business Matters Edinburgh, Cambridgeshire Churches Media Trust, Cardiff Media Hub, CARE, Christian Schools’ Trust, Christian Socialist Movement, Christians in Parliament, Christians in Politics, Church and Media Network, Conservative Christian Fellowship, Dundee for Christ, Festive, Glasgow Media Hub, Jubilee Centre, Liberal Democrats Christian Forum, New Testament Church of God, Network Norwich, Oasis Manchester, Scripture Union, SPEAK, The Girls' Brigade England and Wales, The Independent Schools Christian Alliance, The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity, Romance Academy, The Stapleford Centre, theMediaNet, Theos, Together for Transformation – Liverpool, Transformational Business Network.

10

IS…

CARING FOR CHRISTIANS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Our Love Zim campaign aims to bring God’s healing to a broken people in Zimbabwe at this crucial moment in history with the support of a coalition of UK organisations and churches already working in and for Zimbabwe.

Launched on Valentine’s Day 2009 as a new unity government was sworn in to Zimbabwe, Love Zim challenges the British Church to pray for God’s blessing on Zimbabwe as they face economic and humanitarian crises.

Qobo Mayisa, Director of the Council of Zimbabwe Christian Leaders UK, says: ‘Love Zim is a clarion call to mobilise prayer for Zimbabwe and those Christians working in and for Zimbabwe. Only Christ can offer true reconciliation and peace, as a divided and damaged people begin to rebuild their country.'

• For a united Church in Zimbabwe as this is the first step to wider reconciliation within the nation.

• For God’s protection over partners working in Zimbabwe, for their freedom of speech and for God’s blessing over their work in government and communities.

www.lovezim.org

Partners include: Council of Zimbabwean Christian Leaders UK, Tearfund, World Vision, The Peace Alliance, African Enterprise, Global Connections and Newfrontiers

11

IS…

CAMPAIGNING ON TODAY’S BIG ISSUES The Alliance’s unique position as an umbrella organisation enables us to pull together organisations and experts to campaign on some of the major issues facing our society.

Our Life Beyond Debt campaign uses Biblical values around money, poverty and injustice to respond to the current economic crisis.

Life Beyond Debt operates on three levels: bringing together resources from a specialised group of Christian agencies committed to help prepare the Church to respond to those in need; implementing a Debt Advisory Group to examine what policy answers the Bible may have in response to the recession; and encouraging personal discipleship to help us to examine the spiritual hold money has on our lives.

The Alliance’s General Director Steve Clifford and his wife Ann shopping for bargains at their local market as they undertake to live on £5 a day on the Simplify campaign

Hazel Blears, former Communities Secretary at the launch of the Alliance’s Life Beyond Debt Campaign

Hazel Blears MP, former Communities Secretary, said at the launch of Life Beyond Debt: ‘Religious charities deserve to be recognised for their astonishing work. By making a commitment to offer the practical advice about family budgeting and debt management, the churches and groups here today can make a great difference to their neighbourhoods.’

• That churches are able to use the Life Beyond Debt resources to show God’s love to those affected by the recession.

• For the Debt Advisory Group, especially report author Prof Philip Davis, as they complete their recommendations for the report.

• That more churches and individuals take on the discipleship challenge of Simplify to spend less and give more.

www.lifebeyonddebt.org Partners include: Credit Action, Christians Against Poverty, Community Money Advice, Stewardship, Church Action on Poverty, Kingdom Bank, Church of England: A Matter of Life & Debt, Livability, Salvation Army, Care for the Family and Jubilee Centre