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In the News

  • UK Parliament: Fostering: research and innovation examined
    April 19th, 2017

    As part of its inquiry into fostering the Education Committee examines Ofsted's recently published figures, which show the reported number of applications by potential foster carers has fallen by a third and that only one in three local authority providers are rated as 'good' or 'outstanding'.

    The session explores current research into areas such as peer support for carers, educational outcomes from children in care and concerns over special guardianship orders, as well as examining whether the system for commissioning placements is fit for purpose.

    The Committee then investigates some of the new projects being piloted under the Department for Education's Innovation Programme, and considers how some local authorities are trialling new ways of working.

    Read more.

  • BBC: Tim Farron: Lib Dem leader says being gay is not a sin
    April 19th, 2017

    Lib Dem leader Tim Farron has said he does not believe being gay is a sin, having earlier been criticised for not clarifying his views on the issue.

    When asked about his Christian beliefs on Channel 4 News after the election was announced, he would not say if he thought homosexuality was a sin.

    And when Conservative MP Nigel Evans asked him about the matter, Mr Farron clarified his stance.

    Read more.

  • Christian Today: Less than half of German Christians believe in heaven
    April 19th, 2017

    Less than half of German Christians will defend the idea of heaven and hell, a new poll has revealed.

    The study found a stark disparity between the ancient beliefs of Christianity and the views of most of its German adherents.

    Even among free and evangelical Christians – typically the most vociferous – just 49 per cent clearly defended the idea of life after death, according to Evangelical Focus.

    Read more.

  • CorpComms: How the Church of England is extending its congregation
    April 19th, 2017

    As the most important festival in the Christian calendar, Easter provides an occasion for the Church of England to celebrate with its congregation but for head of digital communications Adrian Harris it was also an opportunity to reconnect with a wider community.

    Harris has been tasked with using digital and social media to engage with the 97 per cent of people who, while they may identify as Church of England Christian on a Census, rarely, if ever, attend a church service.

    'We have a real opportunity at both Christmas and Lent and Easter to engage with really simple campaigns,' he explains. 'We took people on a discipleship journey throughout Lent using digital and particularly social – Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. It was about us sharing, across 40 days and 40 nights, a set of discipleness materials, such as bible readings and simple actions that could be done each day. People could engage on their way to work, on their way home or throughout the day.'

    Read more.

  • Christian Institute: Equality Oath would be 'slap in the face' for Christians
    April 19th, 2017

    The Christian Institute has issued a fresh warning over plans for an Equality Oath, as it appears the Government is pressing forward on the issue.

    Cabinet minister Sajid Javid has expressed support for an oath which teachers, doctors and other public office holders would be forced to swear.

    Now The Sun newspaper has reported that the minister's officials have held meetings with concerned parties in recent weeks.

    Read more.

  • Premier: Christian MPs back Theresa May's call for general election
    April 19th, 2017

    A number of Christian Conservative MP's have backed their leader after she called for a snap election on June 8.

    Theresa May insists it's the only way to secure stability before the UK leaves the European Union.

    The Prime Minister says she came to the decision both "recently" and "reluctantly".

    Read more.

  • Christian Solidarity Worldwide: CSW receives UN accreditation
    April 19th, 2017

    Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has been granted official UN accreditation by the 54 membered United Nations (UN) Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) after eight years of deferrals by the NGO Committee was followed by a denial earlier this year.

    On 19 April, 28 ECOSOC member nations voted in favour of granting Consultative Status to CSW, with 9 voting against and 12 abstaining, giving the organisation independent access to key UN human rights advocacy platforms, and the ability to organise side-events independently at fora such as the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) and UN General Assembly. The vote was requested by the Permanent Missions of China and Pakistan.

    Read more.

  • Gatestone Institute: UK: War on Free Speech at the National Union of Students
    April 19th, 2017

    The great effort of the present-day censors on campuses across the West is to make speech synonymous with action. Campaigners against free expression claim that words not only "wound" people but actually "kill". They claim that people associated with any group being criticised are not only suffering a verbal "assault" but an actual "physical" assault. Those who campaign against any and all criticism of Islamists, for instance, not only claim that the attacks are "Islamophobic" and target "all Muslims". They also claim that such words cause violence -- including violence against any and all Muslims.

    One of the notable things about their objection is that the people who make such claims rarely if ever exercise the same civic hygiene they demand of everybody else. It is interesting to consider what would happen were anyone to demand the same standards of these campaigners as they demand of others.

    Read more.

  • Times (£): Scottish churches propose changes to allow gay weddings
    April 19th, 2017

    Scottish churches look set to become the first in the UK to allow clergy to conduct same-sex weddings in church.

    The Church of Scotland has confirmed it will debate a report next month that could pave the way for nominated ministers and deacons to carry out gay marriage ceremonies.

    The document, which will come before the Kirk's General Assembly, proposes allowing ministers who are opposed to same sex unions to use a "contentious refusal" clause.

    Read more.

  • Mail: Tim Farron refuses to say that homosexuality is a sin
    April 18th, 2017

    Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron has come under fire this evening after he again refused to say if he thinks homosexuality is a 'sin'.

    The 46-year-old is campaigning to try and win seats for his party after Prime Minister Theresa May announced the UK would have a general election on June 8.

    But his hesitation around homosexuality was spotted by viewers, with former Great British Bake Off host Sue Perkins writing he has 'failed to clarify his views'.

    Read more.