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“Be great friends”: a renewed call to deepen friendships amid COVID-19
One of these was highlighted by a BBC article that was published last week. It explained that our new rhythms and patterns “could have some long-term effects on some friendships”. As a result of lockdown, less office working, limited physical gatherings in churches and bans on mass gatherings, it…
Phil Knox
“Being a witness”: how sharing the good news is not just about what we do, but who we are
I’ve been reflecting recently about this verse from Acts 1:8 and how for many years I concentrated on why I was supposed to witness or share the message of salvation with others. Reasons that come to mind might be because of all that Jesus has done for me or because it was command language in the…
Rob Burns
Why save good news until last?
“And finally,” the news anchors utter at the end of their broadcasts when at last they get to share an item of good news. Finally, an antidote to counteract the seriousness and negativity of the previous news items. Finally, something to put a smile on people’s faces… In the midst of the challenges…
Hate crime and public order (Scotland) update
We want to encourage engagement with this bill and would encourage you to contact your MSPs to raise any concerns. However, in a highly charged media and social media environment it is also important to be clear about the what the bill does and does not do, where the concerns are, and how to most…
Kieran Turner
Lockdown latest: Scottish Government September update
This last month has seen some significant opening up of activities that many churches undertake with guidance published for a variety of sectors including youth and children’s work, community learning and development (that incorporates education), outdoor events and running meetings for the…
Kieran Turner
Report proposes a new deal with faith communities
The report recognises the invaluable role of churches noting that, “before the welfare state, social support was provided by parishes, and by a patchwork of independent charities, foundations, friendly societies, mutuals, trades unions, cooperatives – and churches… Many of our public services – our…
Peter Lynas
COVID and the future of work
Over the summer, the Evangelical Alliance hosted a roundtable of member organisations discussing the impact of the pandemic on the economy, and what the church can do in response. One issue that stood out for several participants was employment and the future of work. While the furlough scheme has…
John Coleby
Hope has a name, and its name is Jesus
The change in government guidelines and regulations that we’re seeing on a seemingly weekly basis exposes how vital hope is, and yet how easily we place our hope in the wrong things. We hope for a reduction in coronavirus cases to enable our lives to return to some semblance of normality. Better…
Danny Webster
Understanding the politics of lockdown
The system of individual local lockdowns in England has now been replaced with a three-tier set of restrictions, with every local authority placed in one of the three categories. At present only the wider Liverpool City Region is in the highest tier of restrictions, which sees the closure of many…
Danny Webster
Good news from small voices
Have you ever noticed how the news on the TV always starts with the UK-wide announcements before they read the headlines from the devolved nations such as Wales? There are also occasions when things are reversed and the smaller local voice is shared and the whole UK is encouraged to take note of…
Stephen Harmes
IDOP Online: Let's honour the persecuted church, our risk-taking family
Some of us may have heard the story of Hae Woo, a brave North Korean Christian, who once planted a church in a labour camp. In 2018, after speaking at a Christian festival in the UK with Open Doors, she gave out pairs of socks to some of us younger people. I treasure these socks in a box under my…
Helen Locke
The 500 Project
The Reformation changed everything - from work, the church, the modern state, democracy, free speech, capitalism, individualism, liberalism, the Enlightenment and many other areas of life have been revolutionised by the Reformation. Every aspect of our daily lives looks different because of a young…
New government safeguarding guidance: Keeping Children Safe
Keeping Children Safe consolidates all legislation and best practice that has come before from the government and informs safeguarding in churches and other faith-based organisations. For this reason, Paul Harrison of Christian Safeguarding Services (CSS), states this guidance will be a…
Jo Evans
Let's pray every step of the way
As I called out to God and asked for prayer backup, I realised afresh how much I needed my Father’s help and how easy I had become used to trusting others rather than in God alone. Fortunately, I was able to pick her up later that day. The doctors reassured me that the new medication should work…
Responding in recovery
However, as March came to an end and April moved us deeper into lockdown, it became more and more apparent that this was unlikely to happen. It was difficult and painful. My hopes and dreams for my wedding day were unravelling as quickly as new coronavirus cases were rising. We’ve all had our lives…
Rachel Arnold
