DISSENT in the Kirk

Following the Church of Scotland General Assembly at the end of May and the decision to allow homosexual ministers to operate within the church, many are now expressing serious dissent regarding these actions.

Church of Scotland parish minister Rev. Gordon Kennedy of Portpatrick and Stranraer has written publicly to announce a new web site which allows all within the Kirk to express their concern regarding the course on which the church is following.
He writes concerning the web site www.dissent.uk.com -
"This web site contains a statement of distress at and dissent from the recent decision of the General Assembly on the matter of same-sex and the ministry.
I hope you may find that this dissent helpful for you and your congregation. If so, please spread news of this as widely as you can."
The web site offers the facility for any and every congregation, minister, elder, office bearer and member to express his/her dissent regarding the Assembly outcome.

The Church of Scotland has now issued a 'Further statement following the Special Commission on Same Sex Relationships and the Ministry' which affirms the setting up of a two-year theological study around same-sex relationships, civil partnerships and marriage.

Storms ahead

These developments along with other news and arrangements which are currently being put into place are strongly suggestive of a very signficant backlash to the Assembly's decision. It may not be too long before the depth of upset and anger becomes all too apparent.
Meanwhile four other Church of Scotland ministers and one Kirk Session have written in the following terms:
Statements from:

Lochs and Crossbost Church of Scotland

Rev. David J. Randall

St. George's Tron Church, Glasgow

Gilcomston Church of Scotland, Aberdeen

Draft Kirk Session Statement
Fellowship of Confessing Churches

-------------------------------------

Lochs and Crossbost Church of Scotland

• On the 23rd May 2011 the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland resolved to permit the Induction into parish churches of those actively and openly engaged in homosexual practices. With this decision they have chosen to define as sacred, and on a par with the sanctity of Christian marriage, acts which the Word of God nowhere approves but everywhere identifies as sinful. This is not merely a question of personal morality or even of the interpretation of Scripture, but rather a question of the nature, character and identity of the God whom we worship. Is it the God of the Bible or is it not? The General Assembly decision has effectively declared that the God of the Bible may be respected but is not necessarily to be obeyed. If He is not to be obeyed, what then is the context of our prayers to Him, and the singing of His supposed praises and the reading of His Word, if its demands may be so lightly and easily dispensed with? We have effectively replaced the God of the Bible with an alternative Jesus re-made in the world’s image, with another Gospel, and a different God.
• Consequently in the light of the General Assembly’s decision it is with the utmost sorrow and heartfelt grief that I have today informed the Kirk Session, and yesterday informed the Clerk to the Presbytery of Lewis, of my intention to demit the pastoral charge of Lochs Crossbost, and to resign from the active ministry of the Church of Scotland with effect from 31st August 2011. [Emphasis added Ed.]
I realise that this is rather longer notice than is customary, but there are a number of commitments and engagements which I feel obliged to honour before leaving. I also hope the additional notice may give the Presbytery a little more time to find the necessary replacements for the Presbytery posts which I currently hold. Naturally I hope it will also afford a little more time for myself and the family to arrange our domestic affairs.
• There will be those among you who will feel my decision to be entirely the wrong one. What of the flock? What of the people who will be left leaderless, and without a shepherd? I am not insensitive to such claims, nor am I out of sympathy with them. But what kind of shepherd, what kind of leader would I have been, had I preached to you of taking up the Cross to follow Christ, and then to refuse any sacrifice the Lord may require of me? The Cross is not simply to be preached, it is to be lived.
• That said, there will be many Church of Scotland ministers who will share my point of view but will not, in all conscience feel that they must lay down their charge and demit, and their individual consciences must, MUST, be respected as honourable and right for them, and between them and the Lord. I think no less of those honourable evangelical brethren who feel their place is to stay, and I hope and pray they will think no less of me whose conscience now dictates that I must leave.
• I do not expect, encourage or require that any of you should follow me out of the Church of Scotland, for I have nowhere to lead you, and I do not know the direction of my own future. I know only that whilst many good, godly and devout Christian men & women will continue within the fold of the Church of Scotland, I personally cannot continue to serve, and receive the stipend, of a Church which as an institution, has chosen its own gods, and departed from the God of the Bible, whatever words may be used to contrary. I have taken you as far as the Lord has allowed me to do. Over the past 18 years opportunities to have left this people, this parish, and to have served elsewhere, have been many and varied, but I have never felt it to be the Lord’s call....until now. Nothing but the Lord could compel me to sever these pastoral bonds, or to depart from the Church of my Fathers. Much less could anything but the necessity of faithfulness to the Lord persuade me to embark upon a course of action which has been the cause, and doubtless will continue to be the cause, of so many tears, such heartbreak, and such utter devastation to every single member of my family. And to me.
The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Rev. Andrew Coghill
Lochs and Crossbost, Lewis
(list of statements)
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Statement from Rev. David J. Randall

On Monday 23rd May 2011 the Church of Scotland, through its supreme court, the General Assembly, resolved to depart from its historic adherence to the Bible as its supreme rule of faith and life.
This outcome was reached in the context of a decision on whether practising homosexuals should be eligible for induction as ministers. It is clear that wherever the Bible mentions homosexual practice, it rejects it as unnatural and displeasing to the Creator of the human race. Many attempts have been made to re-interpret, modify or tone down the Bible’s teaching on this subject, but even advocates of homosexual ordination have admitted that the Bible’s teaching on the matter is clear.
It was emphasised before and during the Assembly that the real issue facing the General Assembly was the question of biblical authority: would the Church adhere to its acknowledgement at every ordination that “the Word of God contained in the Scriptures (is its) supreme rule of faith and life”.
Would the Church stand under God’s Word, or would it regard itself as the supreme authority?
Despite many excellent speeches by so-called “traditionalists”, who emphasised the crucial importance of these questions and pled with the Church to stand by its own title-deeds, the Assembly treated Scripture in a cavalier fashion and effectively trashed God’s Word .
The report of the Special Commission had clearly stated that there was no impetus for change. They had required all Presbyteries and Kirk Session to have special meetings to consider the matter and send in their responses. The Assembly chose to totally ignore the outcome of the Special Commission’s findings, leaving many people wondering what had been the point of the whole exercise. One commissioner ably summarised the situation facing the Assembly; he cogently argued that the revisionist proposals came on the back of a report which confirmed that the revisionist position
• is not wanted by the church
• is not supported by Scripture
• is not mandated by science
• is not required by law
• would destroy ecumenical relations
• would split the church in two
• and, after all that, would fall under the Barrier Act.

Despite all this, the Church has set its trajectory towards the acceptance of practising homosexuals. The Theological Commission which is to be set up has been told which direction it must take (and that it should even look at liturgies for the blessing of civil partnerships, despite all previous rejection by the Assembly).
In the aftermath of the decision, two things have been claimed by liberals:
a) Some have weakly tried to claim that no final decisions have been made. In a press statement, the Moderator said that he wanted to “stress that no decisions yet have been made”, and in his next sentence went on, “We very much hope that people who disagree with what has been decided will nevertheless remain part of our church”! It is clear that the Assembly has set its course for the induction and later ordination/induction of people living in situations which the Bible forbids.
b) The other claim is that what unites us all is greater than what divides us. This is simply untrue, since the issues concern the authority of Scripture, the definition of right and wrong, the authority of Christ as King and Head of the church. Sadly, the things that now divide us are greater than the things that unite us.

The Assembly has left conservative and evangelical members of the Church of Scotland ashamed, dismayed, disgusted and angered. Such comments are not made by people who are enemies of the Church. On the contrary, the record could show that such dismay is felt by people who have given much time and energy to the service of Christ through the Church, serving on committees, boards and councils as well as in their own parishes. Evangelicals have indeed been remarkably patient within an increasingly liberal church in recent years and take no pleasure whatsoever in the recognition that the Church now, in kicking away its own foundations, has rendered itself an apostate Church.
In the coming weeks, much consideration will have to be given to the proper action that should be taken by “traditionalist” ministers, elders, members and congregations. Options will need to be explored, but acceptance of this decision of the Assembly is not such an option.

Rev. David J. Randall
retired recently from Macduff
(list of statements)
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Walking away from Jesus

(St. George's Tron; Glasgow) Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in …ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ… scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.… It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. [Jude 1:3-4, 18,19]

I write in the immediate aftermath of our General Assembly, where the debate on the issue of same sex relations in the ministry resulted in a resounding defeat for those, like ourselves, committed to the orthodox, historic Christian gospel, to the absolute standard of authority upon which the Church of Scotland was founded, the Bible, and to the Westminster Confession of Faith, the principal subordinate standard of the Church of Scotland.

Let me quote directly from the official News Release from the Church of Scotland on Monday evening (called Good News from the Church of Scotland which is an ironic misnomer if ever there was one):

“Commissioners voted by 351 to 294 to adopt deliverance 7B, which means a move towards the acceptance for training, induction and ordination of those in same-sex relationships for the ministry.
The Assembly also voted to allow ministers and deacons in same-sex relationships ordained before 2009 to be inducted into pastoral charges (by 393 to 252.)”
[these are very decisive majorities as far as our GA is concerned - often votes are very close]

“A theological commission will be set up to bring recommendations to the 2013 General Assembly, as well as considering whether ministers should have freedom of conscience to bless civil partnerships and possible liturgy for such occasions.”
Speaking after the debate, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Right Reverend David Arnott, said.... ‘We as the National Church will continue to provide guidance and spiritual leadership for the people of Scotland.’ ”

That the last paragraph will be greeted with astonishment by Christian people who must wonder what kind of guidance and spiritual leadership can possibly be given by a denomination that has thus departed so dramatically and decisively from its moorings in the historic, reformed and biblical faith.

The Church of Scotland was established as we know it today when the Articles Declaratory of the Constitution of the Church of Scotland in Matters Spiritual were declared lawful by Parliament in the Church of Scotland Act 1921. The first declaratory Article states clearly:

The Church of Scotland adheres to the Scottish Reformation; receives the Word of God which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as its supreme rule of faith and life; and avows the fundamental doctrines of the Catholic faith founded thereupon.

The Scriptures of both Old and New Testament, our ‘supreme rule of faith and life’, speak with one voice and unequivocally on the issue of same sex union. Sexual sin is not the unpardonable sin, but like all sin, must not be acquiesced in—far less celebrated as holy—but must be repented of, or else one cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, that is, cannot find salvation.

Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (I Corinthians 6:9-10)

When the church faces controversial questions, The Westminster Confession of Faith (which the Second Declaratory Article states as ‘the principal subordinate standard of the Church of Scotland’) is clear about how these things are to be resolved:

The Supreme Judge, by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture. [WCF I.X.]

The Confession realistically acknowledges that people will often try to justify sinful behaviour, and warns us presciently: this is not a secondary matter; to use the language of Christian freedom and love to justify sinful behaviour in fact destroys the gospel itself, because the gospel’s whole purpose and goal is that we are saved from sin for holiness and righteousness:

They who, upon pretense of Christian liberty, do practice any sin, or cherish any lust, do thereby destroy the end [goal] of Christian liberty; which is, that, being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, we might serve the Lord without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. [WCF XX.III]

Thus, the decision of the General Assembly this year has set a clear ‘trajectory’ (to use the words of the Special Commission) that leads away from the Christian Scriptures, the Christian gospel, and the love of Christ himself, for Jesus said ‘whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me’ (John 14:21)

It is not that the voice of the truth was not heard; faithful brethren articulated clearly, competently and graciously the truth of God, and warned against the consequences of such a departure. Many interventions were made. But every attempt to amend the deliverances—even those which would have served simply to give more time and discussion—was defeated heavily. In the end, the revisionists won by a large and decisive majority.

If there is some comfort in all this, it is that God has now granted great clarity as to the true position and direction of our denomination. Those who have been naively deceiving themselves about the severity of the situation must now see the truth as it really is. We must all face the facts that some have been reluctant to acknowledge hitherto: the so called ‘win-able middle ground’ of the church simply does not exist. There is no middle ground. In so rejecting the Scriptures and the reformed confessions the ‘middle’, the centre of gravity of those who claim to represent The Church of Scotland today, has drifted to the point of now no longer being recognisably Christian in the sense understood by all Christians historically and the majority worldwide Christian Church today.

Nor are these simply impersonal ‘forces’ dividing the church, as if people were caught helplessly in the midst and we can all ‘work together for unity’. No. The rift is being caused by many—the majority, it seems—of people choosing wilfully to walk away from the biblical gospel, and walk apart from those who cannot and will not likewise abandon the faith once for all delivered to the saints, the faith of our fathers, the faith of the worldwide Church, and of our Church.

As the debate went on and I watched online (I was not a commissioner this year) it was as if, with Ezekiel, one could see the glory of God departing. One after another, speeches of increasingly blasphemous character seemed to indicate the withdrawal of all divine restraint, the Lord giving this institution over to self-destructive folly, and the inevitability of self-inflicted disaster. In the days of Samuel, when wicked corruption of priesthood and people was left weakly unopposed by good but feeble Eli, in the end the Ark of the Covenant—representing God's holy presence—was removed from the midst leaving people crying "Ichabod": The Glory has departed.

This week I was reading my father, James Philip’s Bible readings and came upon these words, on 1 John 5:16:

There are some sins in believers which bring them to their death. God is more honoured in taking them out of the way than in healing and restoring them…. All human sin is an admixture of ignorance and wilfulness, and one can visualise the possibility of sinful attitudes becoming more and more wilful and deliberate and presumptuous, and less and less partaking of the ignorance that makes sin ‘forgivable’ (see 1 Tim 1:13) until the possibility of forgiveness is past, and the irrevocable step has been taken which puts a man beyond the reach of the grace of God… ‘the sin unto death’ concerning which John says ‘I do not say that one should pray for that’…

He went on to speak of the corporate application of this same principle, citing the example of Jeremiah, where repeatedly the prophet is explicitly told by God not to pray for a people confidently proud of their status as “the national church” with their mantra ‘the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord’, but whose hearts were far from the God whose temple it was (see Jer 7:16, 11:14 and 14:11).
In the experience of Judah there came a point beyond which God would have no more to do with them. They had by the persistence of their sins passed the point of no return, and nothing then would have availed to turn away the threatened doom. And nothing did; for the people of God were swept away into captivity in the judgment that came upon their ‘sin unto death’.

So, it seems, in today’s Church of Scotland; his merciful hand of restraint has been lifted. As the apostle Paul describes in Romans chapter 1:

Claiming to be wise, they became fools...Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity...because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator.... And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. (Rom. 1:22...28)

Where, then, does this leave our church fellowship in St George's-Tron?
Alas, it seems, greatly at odds with the clearly expressed official will of the denomination to which we are affiliated. But, notwithstanding the deliberations and decisions of even the highest court of our denomination, we are simply not at liberty to walk away from Christ and his gospel, or depart from the historic foundations of our Church or separate from communion with orthodox Christian believers globally. To do so would be sin against God, and sin against our Christian brothers and sisters worldwide, many of whom are facing great persecution for their adherence to the truth. It would be to choose fellowship (koinonia) with the works of darkness and break fellowship with the worldwide believing church. This we cannot do. It is an instance when we must obey God rather than men. Our own Westminster Confession is plain here also:

God alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are in any thing contrary to his Word, or beside it in matters of faith or worship. So that to believe such doctrines, or to obey such commandments out of conscience, is to betray true liberty of conscience; and the requiring an implicit faith, and an absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience, and reason also. [WCF XX.II]

Dear friends, as has become increasingly clear over recent months in the hostility we have already experienced from our presbytery, we are entering days of uncertainty and difficulty as a fellowship when our faith is going to be tested in many ways, some of which we cannot easily anticipate. This should not surprise us. Jesus said “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” [Mark 8:34]. He warned that to be faithful would mean being at odds with many in the world and in the religious establishment, and indeed this has been the history of the church throughout the ages, and in our own land also.

Having lived for generations in days of peace we have forgotten that those who have stood for the biblical faith in Scotland have often been persecuted; just visit the graveyards of the Covenanters in Ayrshire for a reminder of the terrible ‘killing times’ of the 17th Century when many of our forebears gave their lives for the faith we proclaim today. The original Wynd Church, the antecedent of our present-day congregation, was itself formed in 1687 in dark days, by a determined group of believers who would not bow the knee to the imposition of high church episcopacy by the establishment, and courageously stood for their evangelical biblical faith against the odds. We thank God that we are unlikely to face the extremity of violence of those times. But violent opposition we may well have to endure, and we shall need great grace, courage, and unity if we too are not to be found unfaithful in facing the challenges the Lord is allowing us to meet in coming days.

We are not alone, of course. There are other churches in Scotland who feel as we do, grieving deeply over the decisions of the General Assembly and mourning together with us over such defiance of his Word. Grieving together, but also standing together, and acting together. I am sure that Dick Lucas is absolutely right in the words of encouragement he sent to us this week:
I see one thing in your favour … a clear cut and final decision, even if it is to embrace depravity. This at least means for you that no biblically minded Minister or congregation, can temporize over the matter.

We commit to praying and supporting all such, as many congregations now enter days of uncertainty and great difficulty and the rupture of communion becomes evident. We must pray for ourselves and for all with whom we unite in solidarity that we shall have courage to make whatever stand our Lord calls us to, however difficult and misunderstood it may be by some. May we all, as Faber’s hymn says, ‘learn to scorn the praise of men, and learn to lose with God’, that being found faithful in word and deed, the name of Christ may be honoured in us and through us.

Much prayer is needed. But not prayer alone. Having cited two of my chief mentors in life and ministry, let me quote from the third, William Still. Both he and my father, though greatly loyal to the Church of Scotland ministry, spoke to me often of a day when faithfulness to Christ and loyalty to the denomination could (and very probably would) come into such conflict that one would have to give way to the other. Neither was in any doubt where their loyalties would lie. They also saw clearly how it is that real cleansing and change is effected in a corrupted church. Writing in his Congregational Record as long ago as 1970, Mr Still’s words could hardly be more apt today:

“I am amazed at the ineptitude not only of individuals, but of whole schools of thought, and even denominations, in respect of evils which beset and bedevil their work. … What the Christian church needs in so many situations is great rows! The Holy Spirit in the Acts of the Apostles is not afraid of disturbance. Sometimes it is necessary.… Major evils, radical departures from biblical orthodoxy, deep corruption, bitter feuds, and adamant worldliness may not be dealt with by prayer without action…. If anyone ever used the Word of God as a hammer to break the rock in pieces, or as wildfire to set the straw, or as we say in Scotland, the heather on fire, it was Jesus.”

This week, indeed, the touch-paper of such a fire of disturbance has been lit. Let us pray that through it what William Still called the real Church of Jesus Christ in Scotland would grow and be strengthened even as a result of all that has happened, and that these things, which seem calamitous, would ‘really serve to advance the gospel’ as Paul's own trials and imprisonment certainly did (Phil 1:12).

Finally, beloved in the Lord, in all that lies ahead, in all we may be required to do, and in all we may have to face, let us remember and cherish the command of the apostle we were considering together the very week of the General Assembly:
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them…. Do not overcome evil by evil, but overcome evil with good’ [Rom 12:21]

and also the comforting words of our Lord Jesus himself:

‘In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world!’ [John 16:33]

Yours, in the truth that is in Jesus Christ, who alone is the Divine King and Head of this Church,

(Rev.) William J U Philip
28 May 2011
(list of statements)
------------

Dear Friends,

Statement out at Gilcomston Church of Scotland on Sunday 5 June 2011.

"The Kirk Session of Gilcomston South Church believes that the decisions of the General Assembly on Monday 23rd May concerning same-sex partnerships and the ordained ministry represented a clear and deliberate move away from the authority of Scripture as the Word of God and our supreme rule of faith and life. It is therefore with great sadness that we feel we can no longer be part of the Church of Scotland and will take such measures as will allow us and the congregation to leave the denomination. The Kirk Session has therefore agreed to call a congregational meeting on Monday 27th June.

"Our decision is not a knee-jerk reaction. It is the culmination of careful study, sincere discussion and prayer over the past two and a half years. We have weighed up many different options and believe the decision we have reached has the most integrity.

"Our decision is not about Scott Rennie. Our decision is a response to the way in which the General Assembly, as the highest court of the Kirk, has marginalised the Bible by approving the practice of same-sex relationship for ordained ministers. Our decision is about the Bible and its place in a modern church and a modern Scotland. Those who twist our view into a personalised attack on one man badly misrepresent us.

"Our decision comes from a view shared by most Christians. This view has been shared throughout 2000 years of the history of the worldwide Christian church. The Kirk prefers to align itself with a handful of Western European and North American denominations, which have torn themselves apart by taking the same novel line. The Kirk need not wring its hands in false anguish that it has managed to split the broad and historic Church of Scotland. The General Assembly knew exactly what is was doing. Far from showing courage by doing this, it showed contempt for our Christian brothers and sisters all over the world. Ironically, the Kirk, seen against this worldwide and historic Christian family, is in a tiny minority.

"We believe the Bible is the supreme rule for what God wants us to believe and how God wants us to live. Despite our great sadness that we feel we must leave the Church of Scotland, we retain a clear conviction about what the Bible teaches.

"We believe that God loves us as we are but that his love doesn't leave us where we are. Jesus loves us by transforming us. Jesus shows us that God understands and loves every single person unconditionally. Jesus also show us that God's love is not the same as God's approval, even of things that we might see as natural for us. Love can say 'No' precisely because it is love. That's why Gilcomston has proved to be open and welcoming to a large, diverse and increasing number of people. We appreciate the many differences that we all have and we understand the many temptations that we all face.

"We also believe that it is God who has the say over what is right and wrong. It is for us to work out from the whole Bible what God says and then to follow him and trust him. We believe that it is definitely not our place to tell God what he must approve on the basis of our understanding of ourselves, which is what was argued at the General Assembly. Jesus said that anyone who wants to follow him must deny themselves, take up their cross daily and walk in his way.

"This is why we took this decision. We seek to follow Jesus wholeheartedly, with integrity and joy, and to tell the Bible's good news, the message of the cross, that we are more sinful than we can begin to understand and more loved than we could ever imagine."

(list of statements)
-----------

A draft Kirk Session statement

(from a Church of Scotland source)
************Church Kirk Session Statement
1. The Kirk Session of ************ Church trusts wholly and entirely in the revelation of God through the Scriptures, which we recognize to be the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. (i)

2. ************ Church welcomes all.
a. For clarity, we make no distinction in terms of sexual orientation.
b. We call everyone, and each other, to ongoing repentance, walking together with us in a life of obedient faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, expressed in submission to his commands through the apostles (Matt 28:19-20; Acts 17:30; John 14:21; 2 Peter 3:2).

3. The Kirk Session of ************ Church finds certain decisions (ii) reached by the General Assembly 2011 to be:
a. Contrary to the character and will of God revealed in the Holy Scriptures, and therefore blasphemous.
b. Contrary to the hitherto clearly established doctrinal foundations, teaching and belief of the Church of Scotland on this matter, and therefore heretical.

4. The Kirk Session of ************ Church therefore finds its communion (koinonia) with the present structures of the Church of Scotland to have been severely impaired by the radical departure of the denomination away from the Scriptures, from historic Christian orthodoxy, and from its own confessional teachings in the matter of sexual purity.

5. The Kirk Session note and fully support the decision of our Minister should he surrender receipt of his stipend in order to maintain personal integrity in his ministry.

6. The Kirk Session recognize its primary role to be the service of our Lord Jesus Christ and his Church represented in the congregation of ************ Church and considers its duty as trustees of the charity of ************ Church to be at odds with the now-stated trajectory of the national church.

7. By reason of the resulting severe impairment of communion/fellowship caused by the matters above the Kirk Session of ************ Church finds itself meantime:
a. unable to contribute funds (iii) to the current structures of National Church or the Presbytery of ********
b. unable to recognize proper oversight from the Presbytery of *******
c. unable to participate in regular meetings, committees or occasional meetings of the Presbytery of ********* or of the national denominational structures.
d. willing to remain open to discussion with the Presbytery and the denomination towards resolving our impaired relationship in such a way as to be able to carry out our ministry in good conscience.

8. The Kirk Session of ************ Church deeply regrets the breach of fellowship forced upon us by the General Assembly, and the disunity that has been and will be further caused by this issue.

9. The Kirk Session of ************ Church remains deeply committed to serving the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ through leading the ministry of our congregation in ************ Church, to the whole parish, and beyond, in fellowship with all who submit to the authority of Christ through his apostles.
(i) Or, to express this more fully, in the language of the First Declaratory Article of the Constitution of the Church of Scotland , and the Westminster Confession of Faith, the principal Subordinate Standard of the Church of Scotland:

The Kirk Session of ******** receives the Word of God which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as its supreme rule of faith and life and avows the fundamental doctrines of the Catholic faith founded thereupon.' We 'adhere to the Scottish Reformation' and adhere to the Westminster Confession's statement that in deciding all matters of faith and conduct 'the supreme judge...can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture.'

(ii) in particular the decision to uphold sections 4 and 7b of the deliverance of the special commission. Section 4 allows any ministers and deacons ordained before May 2009 who are in, or may enter, same sex relationships to be freely inducted into charges on an ongoing basis. Section 7b set up a special theological commission with a stated trajectory away from orthodox biblical teaching.

(iii) Fellowship/Communion (koinonia) finds tangible expression in sharing (sugkoinoneo) 'in the matter of giving and receiving' (Phil 4:5). We are in fellowship, or active partnership, with those we share finances with. But we are clearly commanded by the apostle 'do not share (koinoneo) in the sins of others' (1 Tim 5:22).

(list of statements)
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Fellowship of Confessing Churches

(extract of Statement)

Thus,the decision of the General Assembly this year has set a clear trajectory that leads away from the Christian Scriptures,the Christian gospel,and the love of Christ himself,for Jesus himself said ‘whoever has my commandments and keeps them,he it is who loves me’ (John 14:21). In so doing,our denomination positions itself outwith the fellowship of orthodox, creedal Christianity worldwide and has thus forced a grievous crisis of communion. We must obey God rather than men.

We acknowledge that God has provided great clarity as to the position and direction of our denomination. We must now give careful consideration to the proper action to be taken by ministers,elders,members and congregations who cannot and will not walk away from Christ and his gospel,depart from the historic foundations of our Church and separate from communion with orthodox Christian believers worldwide.

We deeply grieve over the decisions of the General Assembly and mourn together over such defiance of his Word. We commit to praying and supporting one another by all means possible as many congregations now enter days of uncertainty and great difficulty as the rupture of communion becomes evident.

We must not be surprised to find our faith tested in many ways,some of which we cannot easily anticipate. Jesus said:‘If anyone would come after me,he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me’ (Mark 8:34). Christ warned that to be faithful would mean being at odds with many in the world and in the religious establishment,and indeed this has been the history of the church throughout the ages,and in our own land also.

Churches in membership at 13/06/11

The South West

Carmyle Church,Glasgow
Kenmuir Mt Vernon Church,Glasgow
Partick Trinity,Glasgow
St George’s-Tron,Glasgow
St Margaret’s Tollcross,Glasgow
St Rollox,Glasgow
Torrance Parish Church

Balmaclellan and Kells,Castle Douglas
Caldercruix and Longriggend
Dalry Church,Castle Douglas
Kirkmuirhill Parish Church
Kirk o’Shotts
Loudoun Church,Newmilns
New Luce,Newton Stewart
Old Luce,Newton Stewart
St Andrew’s Church,Harthill
St Columba Church,Kilmacolm
Troqueer Parish Church,Dumfries
Blackridge Parish Church

The South East

Davidson’s Mains Church,Edinburgh
Holyrood Abbey Church,Edinburgh
New Restalrig Church,Edinburgh
St Catherine’s Argyle,Edinburgh

Bo’ness Old Kirk,Bo’ness
Logie &St.John’s (Cross),Dundee
Brightons Parish Church,Falkirk
Larbert Old Church

The North East

Gilcomston South Church,Aberdeen
High Church,Hilton,Aberdeen
St Columba’s Church,Aberdeen

Banff Parish Church
Gardenstown Parish Church
Macduff Parish Church
New Deer:St Kane’s
Peterhead:St Andrew’s Church
Peterhead &Boddam:Trinity Parish Churc

The Highlands

East Church,Inverness
Kinmylies Church,Inverness

Alness Parish Church
Connel Church of Scotland,Argyll
Durness &Kinlochbervie Church
Glenelg &Kintail,Kyle of Lochalsh
Invergordon Church of Scotland
Lochalsh Parish,Kyle of Lochalsh
Tain Parish Church

The Islands

Kilmuir &Stenscholl,Isle of Skye
Snizort Church of Scotland,Isle of Skye
Strath &Sleat Parish,Isle of Skye

Barvas,Isle of Lewis
Cross Ness,Isle of Lewis
Kinloch Church of Scotland,Isle of Lewis
Knock,Isle of Lewis
Lochs-Crossbost,Isle of Lewis
High Church Stornoway,Isle of Lewis
Uig Church of Scotland,Isle of Lewis

Tarbert,Isle of Harris
Manish-Scarista,Isle of Harris

Carinish Church of Scotland,North Uist
Kilmuir &Paible Church of Scotland,North Uist
Berneray and Lochmaddy Church of Scotland,North Uist
Benbecula

Firth Church,Orkney

(list of statements)

(Author: Christians Together)

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Articles in this group

Local Churches Dinner Outreach
Churches in the Nairn area which were involved together with the PWAMM Challenger Bus outreach are now hosting a series of joint outreach events the communities in the Nairn and surrounding districts. (Author: Local Churches)

The Acute Jihadist Threat in Europe
Stratfor suggests that a timeline of terrorist plots and attacks within EU countries suggests a growing threat from those who feel disadvantaged and accordingly prone to radicalisation. (Author: Stratfor)

Christians Face Persecution and Extinction in Islamic Lands
With the rise of violent Islamic regimes, Clare M. Lopez writes on the dire situation facing followers of Christ across the Middle East and North Africa. (Author: Clare M. Lopez)

Halal or Horse: what are we eating?
With the recent scandal surrounding the unwitting purchase of horsemeat in food products, the issue of food labelling is again on the agenda. (Author: The Editor)

New Moderator-designate for FC Continuing
The Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) has appointed Rev. Warren Ewing Gardner as the denomination's moderator for the forthcoming 2013 General Assembly. (Author: Free Church of Scotland (Continuing))

Police chaplain forced out over same-sex views.
A Christian minister and police chaplain has been forced out of his position and he expressed his views on same-sex marriage. (Author: Christian Concern)

Death for Preaching Christ in 'Liberated' Libya
Raymond Ibraim writes of four Christians in Libya who are facing a possible death sentence following 'missionary' activities in the newly-liberated North-African state. (Author: Roymond Ibraim)

An earnest call
With the Catholic Church in the headlines over the Pope's demission Scott Brisk expresses his concerns regarding underlying issues within the Church of Rome. (Author: Scott Brisk/Moriel Ministries)

Pakistani girl raped and her family threatened.
A Christian advocate tells the story of a young Pakistani girl who was raped and her family threatened when her father went to the police. (Author: Sardar Mushtaq Gill)

Aberdeen church leaves the Church of Scotland
Believers from within Gilcomston South Church in Aberdeen's Union Street is the latest congregation to leave the Church of Scotland. (Author: Dominic Smart / Christians Together)

Algeria: Islamists a 'large and existential threat'
Patrick Sookhdeo of Barnabas Fund writes "the world needs to come together to deal with the present threat in North Africa. (Author: Patrick Sookhdeo)

EA responds on Steve Chalke on homosexuality
The Evangelical Alliance (UK) has issued a statement in response to an article on homosexuality written by Steve Chalk in Christianity magazine. (Author: Steve Clifford / Evangelical Alliance)

Training Event for Pioneer Mission
A 3-day training conference is schedule for the last weekend in January designed around the means of expressing the Great Commission in our contemporary world. (Author: Guy Pembroke)

Christianity being wiped out in the Middle East
A new report entitled 'Christianophobia' and published by Westminster think-tank Civitas 'lays bare the scale of the vendetta against Christians'. (Author: Christians Together)

School massacre and a call to repentance
Joel Rosenberg reports on the tragic killings at a Connecticut school and summons preachers to call the United States to repentance in the face of demons of violence. (Author: Joel Rosenberg)

Tron Congregation Leaves Church Building
Following the dispute with the Church of Scotland over the denomination's stance on sexuality the congregation of St. George's Tron church are to leave their Buchanan St. building. (Author: Tron Church)

Remarkable Pictures
Those who go down to the sea in ships, Who do business on great waters; They have seen the works of the LORD, And His wonders in the deep. For He spoke and raised up a stormy wind, Which lifted up the waves of the sea. (Ps. 107:23-25) (Author: Christians Together)

Jordan next?
As Syria heads for an end-game and regime change, the 'Arab Spring' has now reached Jordan. Israel could again end up surrounded by countries hell-bent on its destruction. (Author: Christians Together)

Women bishops; and the art of completely missing the point
The current shambles within the Church of England regarding women Bishops derives from failings to understand more fundamental issues. (Author: Christians Together)

French marching against same-sex marriage
Over 100,000 marched in France in protest over plans by the French Government to legalize same-sex marriage next year. (Author: Christians Together)

Israel and Hamas Pause for Negotiations
In the current escalating conflict between Hamas and Israel reports state that an un-named Israeli official has travelled to Egypt for talks aimed at forestalling a ground invasion of Gaza. (Author: George Friedman - Stratfor)

Israel Ambassador thanks UK church leaders
In the midst of current and escalating crisis in Israel, Daniel Taub who is Israel's Ambassador to the UK has written to Christian leaders in the UK to thank those who have been expressing their support. (Author: Daniel Taub; UK Israeli Ambassador)

Potential for war in Israel
The escalating rocket attacks from the Gaza has put both Hamas and Israel into a difficult position. Neither is looking for a full-blown war; but both are having their arms twisted. (Author: Stratfor/Christians Together)

Reality in the Highlands to close
The Highland branch of Reality Adventure is to close at the end of November. A warm invitation is extended to interested parties to a 'farewell bash' on 27 Nov. (Author: Reality Adventure Works)

America: what now?
In the immediate wake of the presidential election in the US two believers give their thoughts. While writing about America their words speak to the nations. (Author: John Terry / Christians Together)

Benghazi attack: the Set-Up and the Cover-Up
The attack on the US mission in Benghazi; the unexplained stripping of security prior to the attack and the alleged refusal to send help during it. (Author: Clare M. Lopez)

Cameron warns of nuclear-armed Iran
Last Friday it was reported that UK Prime Minister David Cameron is considering stationing Eurofighter Typhoon warplanes in the Persian Gulf. (Author: Christians Together)

Worldwide body expresses its concerns to the Kirk
An international grouping of evangelical denominations, ministries and academics has written to the Church of Scotland expressing its deep concern for the situation surrounding the Tron Church. (Author: Christians Together)

CARE tackles Government on broken promises
A Christian social policy group is challenging the UK Government in its failure to uphold promises on consultation and legislation regarding abortion counselling issues. (Author: Christians Together)

It’s the Tron today: but what next?
The current upheavals within the Church of Scotland rumble on with implications for the wider presbyterian body. (Author: Christians Together)

Are You a Member, And a Member of What?
Christians Together site member John Miller gives a background, overview and comment on the actions of the Glasgow Presbytery of the Church of Scotland to evict the congregation of St. George's Tron Church in Glasgow. (Author: John Miller)

Why Global Blasphemy laws would be a mistake
In the context of current, violent and international Muslim 'rage' Patrick Sookhdeo of Barnabas Fund writes that calls for a global blashemy law must be resisted. (Author: Patrick Sookhdeo / Barnabas Fund)

Europe Bows to Muslim Demands to Limit Free Speech
In the present round of 'outrage', Muslims are now pressing governments to outlaw any expression of opinion which is deemed to be insulting to Islam. (Author: Soeren Kern)

Christians facing backlash from Anti-Islam Film
Christians in countries rocked by violent demonstrations over a film deemed offensive to Islam are concerned that Muslim anger could turn against them. (Author: Barnabas Fund)

War and Bluff: Iran, Israel and the US
Tensions in the Middle East are running very high as the Syrian crisis degenerates into civil war and the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran draws evermore real. (Author: Stratfor)

Down's Syndrome girl charged with Blasphemy in Pakistan
A young Christian girl with Down’s syndrome has been detained by police in Pakistan, falsely accused of blasphemy; hundreds of Christian families have fled their homes amid a violent Muslim backlash. (Author: Barnabas Fund)

Visions and Dreams awakening Muslims
A missionary who was skeptical about reports of God speaking to Muslims in supernatural ways is now planning to publish a book on amazing stories about how Muslims are coming to faith through dreams and visions. (Author: Christianity Today)

Christians crucified in Egypt
Reports state that Muslim Brotherhood supporters of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi are crucifying opponents of the new regime. (Author: CP Africa)

Why does the BBC ignore Usain Bolt's God?
Alongside media coverage of Mo Farah's faith in Islam, the BBC stands accused by one writer of deliberately failing to acknowledge Olympic hero's Christian belief. (Author: Cranmer)

War of words over Dawkins visit to the Hebrides
Following the reaction Richard Dawkins forthcoming date at a Lewis book festival, the scientist has ducked a challenge to debate his beliefs in what has become a war of words. (Author: The Editor)

Pentecostals and Presbyterians get together
Two local churches which sit at opposite ends of the theological spectrum have recently held a joint service in their local town. (Author: Christians Together)

Hebridean churches losing the culture war
With the prospect of arch-atheist Professor Richard Dawkins due to attend a Hebridean book festival it appears as if those who are fighting to maintain the traditions of the Western Isles are fighting a losing battle. (Author: Christians Together)

Olympic 'Praise Bus' ends 65-day journey
The bus carrying the sound of Christian praise has completed its journey around Britain following the path of the Olympic Torch. (Author: Assist News Service)

Homosexual lobby wages economic war in the US
An American chain of fast-food restuarants under attack for its tradtional view of marriage has see nationwide support expressed in a Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day. (Author: Christians Together)

Consequences of the Fall of the Syrian Regime
The inevitability of regime change in Syria has very significant consequences for the stability of the whole region and the international geo-political alignments. Assad's fall is a game-changer. (Author: Stratfor / Christians Together)

Phew: Assad won’t use them on us!
The general response to Syria’s recent admission of holding chemical weapons has been one of (mock) shock and few countries are thinking beyond their own interests. Satan however is looking at the big picture. (Author: Christians Together)

New Roman Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow
The Roman Catholic Bishop of Paisley Philip Tartaglia has been named by the Pope to succeed Most Rev Mario Conti as the Archbishop of Glasgow. (Author: Christians Together)

Olympic security debacle: 40 years on
The humiliating and extremely serious lapse in 2012 Olympic security arrangements is not a new phenomenon. There is at least one people group which can painfully testify to that fact. (Author: Christians Together)

Russian Churches to defend British Christians
The Orthodox Church in Russia is intending to assist two British women who were forbidden to wear Christian symbols. The women are appealing to the European Court of Human Rights. (Author: Christians Together)

Tron Church quits the Church of Scotland
One of the highest-profile congregations in Scotland has quit the national church over the latter's alleged departure from the authority of God's Word. (Author: Christians Together)

Report of recent trip to Israel
David Masson has recently returned from a trip to Israel: he gives a report of his visit which belies much of the disheartening news which we see in our mass media. (Author: David Masson)

Top Saudi cleric calls for destruction of churches
The Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia the highest official of religious law in the Sunni Muslim kingdom has called for all churches in the Arabian peninsula to be destroyed. (Author: Catholic Herald / Christians Together)

The Perils of Global Intolerance
Simon Deng, speaking at an 'antidote' gathering to the Durban III conference which has been accused by Western governments for allegedly promoting rather than combating racism. (Author: Simon Deng)

Where is Russia headed?
With Europe politically and economically weak, uncertain and divided, and America distracted by foreign conflicts, Russia has an opportunity. (Author: Stratfor)

Chuck Colson the Prison Fellowship founder dies
Charles ‘Chuck’ Colson, the Nixon aide who became one of the “25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America” in 2005, has died at the age of 80. (Author: Christians Together)

Anglicans accuse London Mayor of censorship
Boris Johnstone has stepped into a bus advertising campaign to ban a response by Anglican Mainstream to a pro-gay slogan carried on London buses. (Author: Church Times/Christian Together)

Highland International Church open for service
On a 21st-century anniversary of Jesus’ final entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, a newly-formed congregation of the International Presbyterian Church had its first meeting in an Inverness Hotel. (Author: Christians Together)

Healing on the Streets appeal ASA ruling
A Christian team operating in the city of Bath is to appeal a ruling by the Advertising Standards Authority against the team's website claim that God can heal. (Author: Evangelical Alliance)

Germany moving centre-stage
Since reunification in 1990, the economic tsunami in 2008 and the Eurozone sovereign-debt crises, Germany's strategy is key to Europe and possibly the world beyond. (Author: Stratfor)

Christian Exodus from Iraq
A recent report on the flight of believers from post-war Iraq has stated: "The consequence of this flight may be the end of Christianity in Iraq." (Author: New York Times)

BBC will mock Jesus but not Mohammed
The BBC's director general said the the broadcaster would never mock Mohammed like it mocks Jesus. (Author: Christian Institute)

Christine Keeler on the 'Swinging Sixties'
Christine Keeler whose affair with a British government minister rocked the government has spoken out against the (im)morality of that period. (Author: Christians Together)

Inverness minister quits Kirk to form new church
An Inverness minister has now left the Church of Scotland and is working to set up a new church in the city linked to a separate presbyterian denomination. (Author: Christians Together)

Germany calls for 'invasion' of Greece
Germany has tabled a proposition which would effectively see Greece losing its sovereignty to the EU; with the latter taking control of the country's finances and the democratic process as the price supporting the Greek economy. (Author: Stratfor)

Nigeria: Christians killed by extremist groups
Early morning attacks in Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi state in Nigeria on Sunday (Jan. 22) left at least seven Christians dead and a church building destroyed. (Author: Obed Minchakpu)

Stratfor: Free Reports for 2012
Stratfor the respected intelligence has made available the following summary of the situation around the world as we head into 2012. (Author: Stratfor)

Military Drill or Preparation for War?
A recent report from an Israel-based Christian news source report about 'the largest joint US-Israel war game ever held' has been described by an American general as more a 'deployment' than an 'exercise. (Author: Lonnie C. Mings)

Pray for this lady; a prophet to the nation
One of the most prophetic voices in the country at the moment is an agnostic (her description) Jewish columnist for a national newspaper. Pray for this lady who champions Christian values. (Author: Christians Together)

Making Sense of the Syrian Crisis
Stratfor the respected global intelligence agency reports on the escalating crisis in Syria and the government under President Assad has attempted to stamp out internal protests within the country using military force. (Author: Stratfor)

United States plans to lock up its citizens
Recent legislation which has passed through the US Senate allows the US military to hold civilian detainees in military facilities for indefinite periods, without charges and without due process. Could it happen in the UK also? (Author: Hal Lindsey)

Evangelicals say 'No' to same-sex marriage
Over 70 of Scotland’s largest evangelical churches, attended by more than 20,000 people, have signed an open letter to First Minister Alex Salmond urging him not to redefine marriage. (Author: Christians Together)

Tain minister to leave parish
The minister in Tain Parish Church of Scotland has written to his congregation to say that he can no longer continue with them in the context of both local and national issues in relation to Kirk's stance on sexuality. (Author: Christians Together)

Syria, Ezekiel and the possible consequences
While it is tempting to think of Syria as just another part of the 'Arab Spring, the country occupies an important square on the global geo-political chess board. (Author: Christians Together)

An interview with Asia Bibi facing death penalty
A human rights activist based in Pakistan has supplied Christians Together with the transcript of an interview with Asia Bibi, the Pakistani woman facing the death sentence for blasphemy. (Author: PJ (Pseudonym))

What to do about Greece... and everything else
Serious riots are continuing in Greece over the Eurozone financial crisis. Stratfor the global intelligence agency has produced a chart summarising the options and likely outcomes. And Woody Allen gives a view. (Author: Various)

Sharia controlled zones in London
Columnist Melanie Phillips writes on the subject of a 'parallel legal system' being introduced to communities in the UK capital which is 'creating another no-go area in Londonistan'. (Author: The Editor)

From the Med to the Hindu Kush: what next?
Global intelligence agency Stratfor presents an analysis of the current situation across the Arab world and outlines the prospects for the turbulent region which figures so prominently in end-time prophecy. (Author: Stratfor)

Kirk hosting Christian/Muslim Conference
The Church of Scotland is hosting a conference in December for a 'dynamic weekend' to find common ground between the Chistianity and Islam. (Author: Mission and Discipleship Council)

Tibetan sacred chant in Aberdeen church
Queen's Cross Church in Aberdeen is offering an evening of 'Masked Dance and Sacred Chant' performed by Tibetan monks. (Author: The Editor)

Coptic Christians in escalating protests
Initially-peacefull demonstrations by Coptic Christians looking to have a demolished church rebuilt have escalated into violent clashes wti the military. (Author: Christians Together)

MSP congratulates KJV transcription effort
Skye, Lochaber an Badenoch MSP Dave Thompson has invited fellow parliamentarians to join him in congratulating the organisers of a marathon effort of transcribing all the verses of the King James Bible at its 400th anniversary. (Author: Christians Together)

US denomination ordains first gay minister
The US Presbyterian Church has ordained its first gay minister last Saturday when Scott Anderson was ordained in the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Madison, Wisconsin. (Author: Christians Together)

Skye minister to leave Church of Scotland
Rev. Ivor Macdonald, the parish minister at Staffin Church of Scotland is to leave the denomination because it is 'leading further and further away from the Lordship of Christ'. (Author: Christians Together)

Police apologise to Christian café owner
Police have given a partial apology to the owner of a Christian café who was wrongly told displaying Bible verses on a TV screen was a breach of public order laws. (Author: Christian Institute)

Iranian Pastor to hang for 'thought crimes'
Please pray for an Iranian court has passed down a death sentence on a Christian pastor, who was found guilty of so-called “thought crimes. (Author: Michael Ireland / Assist News Service)

New York protesters clash with police
With thousands protesting in New York about the economy at least 700 people have been arrested, including a New York Times reporter. (Author: RT)

Episcopal Church and Interfaith event
A Scottish Episcopal Church in the Diocese covering the Grampian and Highlands and Islands regions has been a central part of a '9/11' multi-faith event in Aberdeen. (Author: )

Change of name for Ghobe Ministries
God's Healing of Broken Emotions (GHOBE) Ministries will now operate as the Mishkan Resource Centre from its base in Inverness. (Author: Sheila Cardwell)

Harvest is past; the summer has ended
The Kirk in General Assembly during May 2011 confirmed its most public and corporate act of apostasy since its formation in 1560. The result is turmoil and utter confusion. (Author: Christians Together)

To discipline or not: that is the question
St. Andrew's Presbytery of the Church of Scotland, and the Kirk itself has been put into a difficult position following the actions of a lesbian minister in Fife: it is potentially a no-win situation. (Author: Christians Together)

What in the World is happening for Heaven's sake?
David Masson looks across the world stage and offers a view of what may be lying behind the upheavals around the planet in recent days. (Author: David Masson)

Re-Examining the Arab Spring
6 months after the Tunisian uprising STRATFOR's George Friedman gives an overview and analysis of the impact and dynamic on and within the region. (Author: Stratfor)

Hope amongst 'spirits of judgement and fire
As the word of God tells us there is nothing new under the sun. The prophet Isaiah could stand in Parliament Square and preach the same message as he did two and a half millennia ago. (Author: Christians Together)

A 'Very Urgent Call'
The Manchester-based Maranatha Community has issued a call to prayer, with the view that "the current riots across the land hold up a mirror to the moral and spiritual sickness of our nation". (Author: Maranatha Community)

John Stott called home
The Revd Dr John Stott, one of the most influential evangelical leaders of the twentieth century, passed away on Wednesday afternoon at the age of 90. (Author: Christian Institute)

A letter from Afghanistan
Believers in Afghanistan are facing increasing persecution and the following letter comes to Christians Together from a Christian leader in the country. (Author: Christian leader in Afghanistan)

Still singing off different 'hymn' sheets
Since the extraordinary Plenary Assembly of last year the divisions within the Free Church of Scotland on acceptable forms of worship continue to manifest. (Author: Christians Together)

Insecurity and Unity
Current upheavals in the world of organised religion are producing some visible responses in terms of new alliances. (Author: Christians Together)

Judgment; cause and effect
At a prayer conference in the summer of 2010 a Christian leader spoke of the UK coming under judgment. We are now seeing these things in our daily newspapers and in the church. (Author: Christians Together)

Support group hosts 'Opening Doors Evening
Reality Adventure Works team in the Highlands is inviting all who are interested in the work of supporting young people to an 'Opening Doors Evening' in their new offices. (Author: Christians Together)

Geert Wilders cleared of 'hate speech' charges
Geert Wilders the Dutch politician who speaks out against the influence of Islam on Dutch public life has been cleared for charges against him relating to incitement and hate speech. (Author: Geert Wilders/Christians Together)

The Church of Scotland 'trajectory' rejects God
Following the Church of Scotland's vote in the May 2011 General Assembly there has not been much tangible sign of any reaction. But a meeting on a wet day in Glasgow last week broke the corporate silence. (Author: Christians Together)

BBC 'Suicide' programme one-sided
The BBC is facing a storm of controversy after it aired Sir Terry Pratchett’s “very unbalanced” documentary on assisted suicide last night. (Author: The Editor)

The 'earthquake' of the Arab Spring: now Syria
With the immediate future for Syria hanging in the balance as 'a corrupt and brutal dictatorship which is now creaking under the weight of popular discontent.' Victor Mordecai gives a view on the implications for the region. (Author: Victor Mordecai)

Church of Scotland: leaders meeting planned
Since the shock decision to allow practising homosexuals to serve as ministers in the Church of Scotland, ministers and elders are planning to meet this week to consider what action to take. (Author: Christians Together)

Multitudes, multitudes in the Valley of Decision
Following the decision by the Church of Scotland in its General Assembly of 2011 to allow actively-homosexual clergy in its churches, it is 'make your mind up' time for all within the national church. (Author: Christians Together)

Splits in the foundations
The current problems besetting the Free Church of Scotland are symptomatic of fundamental issues which are wreaking havoc across the presbyterian world and the denominations beyond. (Author: Christians Together)

Going for Free?
With the national Kirk in turmoil over gay clergy, some ministers might make it jump for it. And the invitation might be to bring their hymn books too. (Author: Watchman)

Kirk minister ponders leaving on gay clergy issue
Following the vote and decision at the 2011 General Assembly of the Church of Scotland a West-Highland minister is now considering life beyond the national church. (Author: Christians Together)

The Church of Scotland: 1560 - 2009
In a dramatic climax to an issue that has been rumbling for 50 years the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has finally surrendered on a key issue of appointing an openly gay minister. (Author: Watchman)

Forthcoming General Assemblies
Three 'Church of Scotland' denominations are scheduled for the last week in May. Each is facing serious issues within its ranks. (Author: Christians Together)

Visegrad: A New European Military Force
With the rapidly-changing political and military scene a 4-nation alliance is establishing a new military group independent of NATO. (Author: Stratfor)

Muslims come to Christ as others seek violence
Rick Ridings who leads the Succat Hallel intercessory and praise ministry in Jerusalem brings news and insights into what God is doing in the Middle East. Through the turmoil in that region Muslims are coming to the Lord. (Author: Rick Riddings)

Muslim Brotherhood: a force for good?
With the present upheavals in North Africa and the Middle East many are wondering what will fill the vacuum as we see many of the 'strong men' being deposed by the uprisings of the 'Arab Spring'. (Author: Philip Wren)

The Royal Wedding; a special day indeed
Whatever the present and future significance of the Royal Wedding it will always be remembered as a special day for our family. (Author: The Editor)

David Wilkerson dies in car accident
David Wilkerson the Internationally-known author of the Cross and the Switchblade and the founder of Times Square Church NY, has died in a car accident. (Author: Christianity Today/Christias Together)

Persecution forcing Christians out of Egypt
Christians in the Middle East: further sectarian protests in Egypt and fears of mass emigration by Coptic Christians from the country. (Author: Just Journalism)

Van driver instructed to remove cross
A Christian is under investigation and faces possible disciplinary action because of his display of a small palm cross in the company van he drives. (Author: Christian Concern)

Facebook lines itself up with Biblical prophecies
In a world which is being increasingly driven and shaped by social networking and internet-based multi-media an international campaign has been launched on Facebook which falls into line with the prophesied purposes of God. (Author: Christians Together)

Orkney Bible translator killed in bus bomb attack
In a renewed surge of terrorism in Israel an Orkney woman serving with Wycliffe Bible Translators was killed in a terrorist bomb attack in Jerusalem. (Author: Christians Together)

Church wins court case over banned ad.
A Judge has ruled in favour of a Belfast church and against a decision by the Advertising Standards Authority to ban an advertisement by Sandown Free Presbyterian Church in its stand against homosexuality. (Author: Christians Together)

Israeli family slaughtered by terrorist.
A Palestinian terrorist broke into a home of young Jewish family living in the Samarian community of Itamar and brutally murdered the five members of the family as they slept. (Author: Ryan Jones)

Preservation of Historic Scottish Presbyterianism
A prominent notice was carried in newspapers during the second week of March 2011 relating to a disagreement on 'worship' within the Free Church of Scotland. (Author: Former Free Church Moderators)

Kirk minister takes issue with Prime Minister
Rev. Louis Kinsey, a Church of Scotland minister in Aberdeen, has put down a challenge to David Cameron over the Prime Minister's public comments relating to Christians fostering children. (Author: Louis Kinsey / Christians Together)

Pakistani Christians protesting recent killing
Thousands of Pakistani Christians on took part in protest rallies across Pakistan expressing anger over the brutal assassination of the Federal Minister for Minority Affairs, Shahbaz Bhatti, in Islamabad. (Author: Christians Together)

God has no place in British law say judges
Despite the UK's long history of religious observance and the traditions of the churches, there is no place in British law for Christian beliefs two High Court judges have said. (Author: Christians Together)

Afganistani Christian facing death freed.
An Afghan Red Cross worker who was jailed for nine months for converting to Christianity has been released after an intense campaign by international diplomatic missions and Christian activists, an official. (Author: Christians Together)

Christchurch earthquakes: a sombre story
Behind the most recent earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand is a sombre story of an event which didn't happen. (Author: Andrew Strom / Christians Together)

Shimon Peres: Google, Facebook and Antichrist
According to current reports Israel’s President Shimon Peres sees Google and Facebook as the means to accomplish what the Bible tells us will be the role of the Antichrist in bringing a solution to the turmoil in the Middle East. (Author: Christians Together)

Libya: another domino falls?
The unrest (revolution) which is shaking North Africa and beyond is claiming another victim. Stratfor the intelligence agency gives its take on a situation in the Middle East which is changing by the hour. (Author: Stratfor Global Intelligence)

Civil Partnerships, Marriages and churches
A joint statement has been issued by five evangelical organisations on the subject of homosexual marriage and the registration of civil partnerships in churches. (Author: Christians Together)

Irish Evangelical Alliance backs gay 'marriage'
EA Ireland’s General Director stated: “The Government is seeking to legislate for greater justice and fairness for co-habiting couples, both same-sex and opposite-sex couples. As Christians we should support that stance.” (Author: Christians Together)

Lord Mackay speaks out on Civil Partnerships
Lord Mackay of Clashfern who served under both Margaret Thatcher and John Major has stated that Christians should not be forced to act against their beliefs by equality laws. (Author: Christians Together)

Gay partnerships to be classed as marriages
A new law is being introduced which will class gay and lesbian partnerships as marriages with further reforms planned which will destroy the traditional view of marriage. (Author: Christians Together)

They're building a new caliphate says Israeli PM
In an important address to a policy conference of European leaders the Israeli Prime Minister warned of several serious threats to world peace and Western civilization. (Author: Christians Together)

Egypt rejects Muslim Brotherhood
An authentic testimony received from a protestor at Tahrirs Square in Cairo Egypt suggests that the internional media are portraying a distorted account of the 'anti-government' revolution. (Author: Direct from Egypt)

A Letter from Egypt
In the midst of the social and political turmoil in Egypt God has His people. This is a report from a Christian pastor speaking in the midst of a dangerous and volatile situation. (Author: Egyptian Pastor)

YWCA abandons its Christian name
In a controversial move, the YWCA in England and Wales has adopted a new name which has dropped all reference to the organisation's Christian origins. (Author: Christians Together)

Stand Up for the King
A Canadian choir, a football fan and a flock of birds might be parables of God's call on our lives; and as a 'resolution' in each and every year. (Author: The Editor)

Women victims in Israel targets of terror attack
Arab terrorists attacked and killed a visiting American Christian woman and badly wounded her UK-born Messianic Jewish friend south of Jerusalem on Saturday. (Author: Christians Together)

BBC to screen prime-time screening of Nativity story
A new adaptation of the Nativity Story occupies a peak-viewing slot on BBC1 this month. Producer Tony Jordan said: ""The challenge for me was to retell a story that has been told countless times before." (Author: Christians Together)

Case about 'orientation discrimination' postponed
A judge has postponed his ruling over a case relating to Christian guesthouse operators Peter and Hazelmary Bull who refused accommodation to a homosexual couple. (Author: Christians Together)

Deface the Bible but don't touch the Koran
Arrest and no action. Two similar stories illustrate remarkably different reactions from the authorities over the desecration of holy books. (Author: Christians Together)

Free Church to allow hymns and instruments
Following a special Plenary assembly the Free Church of Scotland is to allow for the singing of hymns and the use of musical instruments in its congregations. (Author: Free Church Statement)

Lennox takes on Hawking: again!
In his tireless rebuttals of the 'scientific' view that our world was created by some random process, John Lennox argues that you can't explain the universe without God. (Author: Professor John Lennox)

The BBC's obsession with sexuality
If there was ever any doubt that the term ‘diversity’ relates to ‘sexuality’ the BBC has confirmed the link in a new survey; but only at the end. (Author: Christians Together)

God at work in Pakistan amongst the dangers
Two Pakistani pastors who are working in their country to spread the Gospel amongst Muslims have sent a prayer/news update to Christians Together outlining points for praise and for prayer. (Author: B and A (pastors in Pakistan))

UK denies entry to persecuted Christian speaker
After months of effort and planning by Release International to host a series of meetings across the UK about the persecution of Christians, the speaker has been denied an entry visa. (Author: Christians Together)

Chilean miner tells Luis Palau of God at work
Jose Henriquez joined Luis Palau on stage in Chile last month to reveal that fully two-thirds, of the Chilean miners turned to Christ whilst waiting to be rescued. (Author: Christians Together)

Al-Queda launches holy war against Christians
"All Christian centres, organizations and institutions, leaders and followers, are legitimate targets for the mujahedeen (holy warriors) wherever they can reach them." Statement by al-Qaeda group (Author: Christians Together)

A Middle East exodus of Biblical proportions
Christians are fleeing from the persecution in the Middle East with reports of violence, bloodshed and murder. (Author: NewAmerican)

Bible Society launches new Gaelic Gospel
At the National Mod in Thurso the Scottish Bible Society launched a fresh translation of John's Gospel as the first in a (Author: Christians Together)

Miracle rescue of trapped Chilean Miners
Stories from above and below ground reveal God powerfully at work during the 'miracle' rescue of the Chilean miners. Prayer were said and the Gospel was preached. (Author: Christians Together)

Tesco slow in 'Halal' refund
Tesco store reluctant to refund Irish shopper after she unknowingly purchased of Halal meat from her Belfast store. (Author: Christian Institute)

Christians called to be 'not ashamed' of Christ
A major 'Not Ashamed' campaign has just been launched inviting Christians to 'Stand Up for Jesus in Public Life'. The initiative has support from national leaders. (Author: CCFON/Christians Together)

Northern Christian Police Association news
The Northern Constabulary branch of the Christian Police Association has 're-ignited' and now extends an invitation to join with the branch's monthly prayer breakfast in the Inverness CYC/YMCA. (Author: Northern Constabulary CPA)

Roma gypsies: Germany yesterday, France today
France's expulsion of Roma Gypsies has been likened by a top EU official to that which took place under Nazi Germany during the Second World War. (Author: Christians Together)

Papal visit 460 years after the Reformation
The Pope makes a first and historic visit to the UK since the 16th century Reformation. He has been received in Scotland by the Queen who is head of the Church of England (Author: Christians Together)

Koran burning threat offensive and dangerous
Dr. Patrick Sookhdeo of the Barnabus Fund has stated that the proposal by an American pastor to burn copies of the Qu'ran is an "unnecessary, offensive and dangerous gesture”. (Author: Barnabus Fund / Christians Together)

Don't mention God: no do!
A Christian worker who was sacked under a charge of 'gross misconduct' for mentioning God has had his appeal rejected by an employment tribunal. (Author: Christian Legal Centre)

Pakistani Christians being raped and killed
A Pakistani believer and site member of Christians Together and reports of much trouble in his country. Please pray for him and other believers there. (Author: Khuram/Christian Solidarity Worldwide)

Prospect of a Gay Bishop: a Scottish response
With the controversies in both the Anglican Communion and the Church of Scotland, one Kirk member has written to another. (Author: One Kirk friend to another)

Afghan Christians urgent need of prayer
The Afghan Christian Community has just written an open letter to the body of Christ worldwide outlining the great persecution they are facing in their own land. (Author: Afghan Christian Community)

'Strathpeffer' Convention move to Inverness
The decision to move the 'Strathpeffer' Convention to Inverness has caused some eyebrows to be raised. The organisers respond to some of the questions being asked. (Author: Christians Together)

Initial report following team visit to Congo
On return from an eventful and rewarding missionary trip to the DR Congo, team leader Jim Rettie supplies an initial report. (Author: Jim Rettie)

Soldiers and their families; the cost of separation
Watching the daily news footage of the conflicts in Iran and Afghanistan it is easy to forget the price that soldiers and their families pay in terms of the worry and loss that separation brings. (Author: Christians Together)

News update of Inverness team in Congo
In spite of an alarmist headline and sensationalised report about being 'ambushed' the team are safe and well and continuing with their planned programme. (Author: Christians Together)

Congolese Macedonian call; a Highland response
As a result of a 'random' e-mail, a team from the Highlands is set to depart on a ministry trip to the Congo and to believers there amongst Pygmy tribes. (Author: Christians Together)

The Reformation: they think it's all over; it is now
The Reformation has been cancelled. A Stornoway-born and recent Church of Scotland Moderator Rev. Sheilagh Kesting has proclaimed a ‘first’ in a post-Reformation pact with the Roman Catholic Church. (Author: Christians Together)

Franklin Graham disinvited from Pentagon Prayer
An invitation to Franklin Graham to speak at the Pentagoon on the National Day of Prayer has been withdrawn following objections from a 'watchdog' group. (Author: Stars and Stripes / Christians Together)

Anti-semitism on the rise in France
The following account has come from a reliable source and lists a series of recent anti-semitic incidents in France which illustrates a continuing increase in anti-Jewish prejudice in that country. (Author: Anon)

Judges biased against Christians say churchmen
In an unprecedented move, senior Church figures are forcing a showdown over concerns that most senior judges are prejudiced against Christianity. (Author: Christian Concern for our Nation)

American evangelist jailed in Glasgow
Street preacher Shawn Holes, an American Baptist, was apprehended, jailed and fined in the course of preaching the Gospel in Glasgow (Author: Christians Together)

Haiti: three days of prayer and fasting
One month after the quake, a nation that was dedicated to Satan has been called by the Haitian president to three days of fasting and prayer to God. (Author: Jerry Miel)

Islamic scholar issues fatwa against terrorism
Pakistani-born Sufi scholar Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri has issued a fatwa denouncing terrorism and describing those involved as 'unbelievers'. (Author: Christians Together)

Amazing move of the Spirit in Algeria
Despite anti-conversion laws, Muslims are turning to Christ in an amazing move of the Spirit in Algeria. A pastor reports packed churches and 800% growth. (Author: Operation Mobilisation)

Young people coming to faith in Finland
An amazing move of the Holy Spirit is bringing many young people to faith in Christ. They then go out into their street and communities to reach out to others. (Author: Dr. Mike Story)

Healing ministry: seasonal update report
Jim Rettie gives a seasonal update report on the work of the Fellowship of Christian Healing (Highland) over the past year. (Author: Jim Rettie)

Case against Christian couple thrown out
Whilst the charges against the Christian owners of a guest house has been thrown out, the case raises serious questions about how the case ever went as far as it did. (Author: Christians Together)

Free Church pulls out of talks with Kirk
As a symptom of the confusion and division within and beyond the Church of Scotland, the Free Church has pulled out of dialogue with the Kirk. (Author: Christians Together)

Paul Moore; whistleblower for God?
Paul Moore was sacked by HBOS for criticising the company's risky lending. His wife assured him of 'God's plan' and he subsequently blew the whistle on the company's dealings. (Author: Christians Together)

Islam4uk march in support of Shari'ah Law
Islam4uk have organised marches and events in various locations around the UK for Saturday, 31 October 2009. In London stops are to be made a Westminster, Downing Street and Trafalgar Square (Author: )

South African Anglicans join in 'Confessing'
South African Anglicans have affirmed their fidelity to biblical orthodoxy by following the example of churches in Scotland, England and North America. (Author: Christians Together)

Christian minister sacked from radio station
A Pakistani-born Christian minister who was sacked by a radio station has won the right to take his case to the European courts. (Author: Christians Together)

Minister calls Kirk's Assembly to account
A senior Church of Scotland minister has circulated a searing analysis of the Kirk's handling of the sexuality issue at the May 2009 General Assembly. (Author: Christians Together)

Megrahi's release: what do you think?
An opportunity to say what you feel and think. Others from elsewhere in Scotland and from around the world will surely be interested. (Author: Christians Together)

Highland pastor's wife on the mend
Highland pastor's wife (Rev. Dr.) Sheila McLaughlan is making a recovery in a German clinic having suffered a stroke when attending a pastors' conference. (Author: Christians Together)

Increasing persecution of Pakistani Christians
A Pakistani believer who is a member of the Christians Together web site has written to outline the increasing persecution of Christians in his country and to ask for prayer for protection. (Author: Christians Together)

The Kirk in Crisis: nailing colours to the door
A current move by Church of Scotland congregations from across Scotland sets down a very significant marker in terms of a public response to the highly-controversial decisions made by the recent General Assembly. (Author: Christians Together)

The Kirk is imploding
The first appointment of an openly-gay minister reveals the extent of the Church of Scotland's sorry departure from biblical orthodoxy. (Author: Christians Together)

A bridge across an old divide?
In the wake of the Church of Scotland's failure to pronounce on gay ordination, there are signicant signs of Kirk leaders breaking ranks and entering talks with other denominations. (Author: Christians Together)

No bush has a life guarantee
An historical presence in the soil offers no guarantee for the future. Unhealthy and and unproductive bushes could find that their days are numbered. (Author: Christians Together)

Logos Hope visit to Edinburgh
Having called at Edinburgh and Belfast, the first-ever UK visit of OM’s new Logos Hope ship is at the halfway stage. (Author: Christians Together)

Gay adoption critics branded as homophobes
In a new publication giving information on gay adoption the state-funded British Association for Adoption and Fostering has branded critics of gay adoption as 'retarded homophobes'. (Author: Christians Together)

Muslim to head BBC religious broadcasting
The BBC has appointed Aaqil Ahmed as its first Muslim head of religious programming, following the agnostic Alan Bookbinder who was appointed in 2001 (Author: CCFON/Christians Together)

Credit crunch and search for ‘meaning of life’
New research out this week has revealed that three in four adults are rethinking their core values and big issues like ‘the meaning of life’. (Author: Christian Today)

Mr. Phelps you are not welcome in Scotland
A 'keep out' message to Mr. Phelps (Author: )

Fresh bid to reunite the Kirk and the Free Church
The media are often theatre; and the above headline from one Scottish daily is suggestive of either high drama or outrageous farce. (Author: Christians Together)

Beauty contestant gives 'wrong' answer
Miss California ruined her chances of becoming Miss USA by giving the 'wrong' answer to a gay competition judge who asked her opinion on gay marriage. (Author: Christians Together)

Dobson to set record straight
Dr. James Dobson has gone on air in the USA to counter a false impression given by a British newspaper and other media outlets that he has lost and given up the 'culture war'. (Author: Christians Together)

Bishop defender of the faith resigns
In the light of increasing attacks on the Christian faith in the UK, the resignation of Dr. Michael Nazir-Ali is viewed as a loss to the Christian community in the UK. (Author: Christians Together)

How to respond to Jehovah's Witnesses
It is not always easy to frame a proper response when someone comes knocking unexpectedly on the door; and it's useful to have some quick pointers. (Author: Christians Together)

Churches say Government is gambling with lives
A number of major denominations and Christian organisations have lauched a web-site to counter Government policy which they say promotes gambling addiction. (Author: Christians Together)

Scotland deports Christian workers
Reports this week cover stories of Christian workers being intercepted by immigration officials and deported back to the USA. (Author: Christians Together)

Christian Workers having to Pack their Bags
New immigration legislation is shutting doors to Christian workers from North America who wish to work in Scotland. And some who are here in the Highlands are having to leave. (Author: Christians Together)

Controversial priest declines promotion
A Roman Catholic priest who believes that Hurricane Katrina was a judgement of God has declined promotion in the face of controversy. (Author: Christians Together)

Indian Christians reaching out to Jade Goody
An Indian evangelical newspaper has asked its readership to pray for terminally-ill reality TV personality Jade Goody. Others have also been sending in their messages of support and prayer. (Author: Christians Together)

Mum faces dismissal for asking for prayer
The Archbishop of York has publicly expressed his support for a school receptionist facing dismissal because she asked her friends to pray for a situation regarding her daughter. (Author: Christians Together)

Dutch MP determined to come to Britain
A Dutch politician and party leader has been told by the British Government that he can't enter the country as he represents a "threat to social cohesion". (Author: Christians Together)

Can a Theological College Be Born in a Day?
A brief overview of the conception, founding and development of the Highland Theological College from its beginnings in Elgin through to the present. (Author: Hector Morrison)

Public trust in media sinks to a new low
Less than a third of the British public trusts the media, a new international survey reveals. And recent events have further damaged their reputation. (Author: Christian Institute)

Army chaplain fears 'God' will offend atheists
A senior army chaplain has removed a Christian Creed from Army services at Sandhurst in case it will offend minority faiths and others who do not believe in God. (Author: The Mail/Christians Together)

Grandparents forced to hand children to gay couple
Edinburgh City Council have forced a couple who wanted to look after their two young grandchildren to hand them over to a gay couple for adoption. (Author: The Scotsman/The Daily Mail/CT)

Scots schools to teach gay rights...
Scottish Government telling schools to promote ‘gay rights’ has prompted concern that parents will be denied a say in what their children learn. (Author: Christian Institute)

Scottish missionary imprisoned in The Gambia
International Christian Concern have submitted an appeal regarding the Scottish Christian missionary and his wife sentenced to a year of hard labour in The Gambia. (Author: Christians Together)

A gay minister for Queen's Cross Church
A Brechin minister who is in a 'live-in' relationship with another man has been chosen by Queens Cross Church of Scotland in Aberdeen: according to one influential minister, the matter could split the national Kirk. (Author: Christians Together)

Pope more concerned with Truth than popularity
Pope Gregory's affirmation of heterosexual marriage has created a backlash from 'Christian', homosexual and 'save the planet' groups. (Author: Christians Together)

Indian church leader speaks on Mumbai attacks
Gospel for Asia President K.P. Yohannan expresses his grief over the Mumbai attacks but cautions about jumping to early conclusions regarding the identity of the attackers. (Author: Gospel for Asia)

Bible Illuminated - of God or the Devil?
Of God or the devil; the Bible Illustrated published by a Swedish businessman is highly provocative and leaves little scope for ambivalent views. (Author: Christians Together)

Violence against Christians in Asia
Extremists in India are now offering money for those prepared to kill Christians. "We may have lost everything, but nothing will turn us from Jesus." (Author: WorldNetDaily / Release International)

Recital of controversial poems in Welsh Assembly
The LibDem's culture spokesman has invited a militant atheist to read his controversial anti-Christian poems in the Welsh Assembly building in December. (Author: Christians Together)

Parent jailed over issue with school
A Christian father has been jailed for taking issue with the school teaching his 5-year-old about the equivalence between heterosexual and same-sex marriage (Author: Christians Together)

Auntie Beeb in crisis
The furore surrounding the BBC is perhaps God's way of exposing the catastrophic moral degradation and the collapse of standards at all levels in our once-respected institutions. (Author: Watchman)

India must protect its Christians
Scores of Christians have been murdered. Their homes, churches, presbyteries, convents and charitable institutions have been destroyed writes Bishop Nazir-Ali (Author: Bishop Michael Nazir Ali)

Christian counsellor fired by Relate
Gary McFarlane, a Christian counsellor , has been dismissed from his position at Relate after raising concerns about advising same sex couples. (Author: Christian Legal Centre)

Christian worker murdered in Afghanistan
Taliban leader states that aid worker was killed "because she was working for an organisation which was preaching Christianity in Afghanistan". (Author: Christians Together)

Christian vicar says she was conned
Joanna Jepson says she was conned by TV producers into taking part in a programme which portrays Christians as being obsessed with the issue of sexuality. (Author: The Telegraph)

RC Church produces Bible with Hindu texts
A new Indian version of the Bible recently published by the Catholic Church includes verses from the Bhagavad Gita and references to the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. (Author: Christians Together)

Crisis in Pakistan
Should an al Qaeda-type Radical gain control of Pakistan and its nuclear weapons, we could be facing an apocalyptic moment. (Author: Joel Rosenberg)

News (08/08/08) from the Christian Institute
Some news this week (08/08/08) including a survey which shows that Scots are 'ashamed' of the Scottish drinking culture. (Author: Christian Institute)

Hybrids, Abortion, Saviour Siblings, Fathers
Watch four short but powerful presentations on Animal/Human Hybrids, Abortion, Saviour Siblings and the role of the Father in IVF (Author: Christian Concern for our Nation)