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SUSA resource launched ...

To celebrate the launch of the exciting new Bible Society SUSA resource, CiP held a debate in the parliament in Wednesday 3^rd February.

Provocatively entitled: ‘Does Christianity have a future in politics?’ the debate contributed to the wider discussion about the sacred/secular divide in relation to public life. Chaired by Rod Liddle, a panel debated the issues consisting of: Bishop Graham Cray, Steve Webb MP, journalists Ruth Gledhill and Andrew Copson of the British Humanist Association.

The event was accompanied by some polling by ComRes about perceptions of political leadership, and it was attended by Parliamentarians, journalists and others concerned about the role of Christianity in our public life. It included the launch by Andy Reed MP of the Bible Society’s SUSA resource:

SUSA is a large web portal that provides information and links for Christians to be more effectively and extensively engaged in politics.

It is a Bible Society project, and has been developed in partnership with 24-7 Prayer, Christians in Parliament, and Christians in Politics. It's not just about Christians voting (although that would be a good start!) It contains all sorts of video and written material to help Christians and churches to get involved in politics, both prayerfully and practically. From 'how to contact your MP' to 'how to become a MP' etc. It is completely cross-party and inter-confessional, and it does not provide comment or information on policy issues - it's about engagement.

It is designed to develop over the years to become a one-stop-shop for Christian engagement in politics. It aims to inspire and educate Christians to see political engagement as being: biblical, missional and possible. It will be rolled out throughout the summer at Christian festivals, and there will be a series of road-shows later in the year. More information will follow in due course.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO: www.susa.info

Get praying for parliament & government ...

Week of Prayer for Parliament & Government

5-11 June 2010

Thank you for your interest in this site, and for your prayers for Christians in Parliament, and for all those called to serve and lead in politics for Jesus Christ.

For your diaries - the seventh annual Week of Prayer for Parliament & Government will take place from Saturday 5th to Friday 11th June 2010. Supported by Bible Society and 24-7 Prayer, this important event is a partnership between Christians in Parliament (CiP) and Christians in Government (CiG). Driven by the Christian communities that work in politics and government, it will involve daily prayer walks around Parliament and Whitehall, daily prayer across the parliamentary estate and in Whitehall government departments, large worship events, prayer for political parties and much, much more. With prayer support form Christians and prayer networks across the UK and the world, this is a great opportunity to pray for God's mercy and blessing on our nation. .

You very are welcome to get along to many of the activities planned for the week, and of course to pray! So, please put the date in you diary. A host of online resources will be available on this site to support your prayer during the week. More detailed programme information will appear on this site in due course.

Register with CiP

If you would like to be sent occasional e-mails that provide updates about praying for Christians in Parliament and events like the annual Week of Prayer for Parliament & Government, the National Prayer Breakfast, and other initiatives and activities you can register your e-mail by clicking on the CONTACT US link on the left.

Thanks again for your prayers, and God bless you.

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7v14)

Commons debate on the role of Christianity

MPs show unity in debate on the contribution of Christianity in public life

Christian MPs from four different political parties came together to debate the contribution of Christianity in public life. In response to recent media stories about Christians being challenged about expressing their faith in the workplace, the MPs highlighted the invaluable and growing social contributions that Christian individuals and organisations are making in the UK, and sought government assurances that this would continue to be valued practically.

Andrew Selous MP for South West Bedfordshire and Chairman of the Christians in Parliament group secured the debate on Wednesday 11^th March. Christian MPs from the Labour, Conservative, Liberal-Democrat and Scottish National Party joined him in expressing their support and acknowledgement of the good work Christians do in this country and the vitally important role that the faith has in supporting public and voluntary services.

Andy Reed MP for Loughborough joined in the debate as Vice Chairman of Christian in Parliament and expressed his desire for Christians to live out their faith in the work that they have been called to. He said “It was encouraging to see the breadth of support for the contribution of the Christians in public life. It is clear that the Bible has an important and developing role in politics.”

The Minister from the Department for Communities and Local Government, Ian Wright MP responded to the debate for the government by acknowledging the good works that Christians provide, and offered further government support for Christian groups. In recognising the Christian heritage of the UK, he accepted the need for Christians to continue to play an important role in public affairs – and to be able to express their faith as the central component of their identity.

The Ministers’ positive response was very welcome as he acknowledged the huge role Christians play in our day to day lives. In the debate Sharon Hodgson MP for Gateshead East & Washington West presented a strong defence of the role of Christian faith in British culture, and Gary Streeter MP for South West Devon identified the challenges and opportunities facing Christians in public life. Lembit Opik MP for Montgomeryshire said: “Although there must be tolerance of all different faiths in this country, nevertheless we live in what must reasonably be called a faith-based society with Christianity at it core.”

Faith in the Future report

The primary cause of unhappiness in Britain is not lack of material wealth but a loss of faith in God and religion, a group of MPs says today. In a new report on wellbeing, a crossparty group of Christian MPs echoes concerns raised by the Conservative leader, David Cameron, who has emphasised repeatedly the importance of action to improve society’s sense of “wellbeing”. They say that the Christian voice is not being respected properly because it comes across too often as “negative”.

Steve Webb, a Liberal Democrat MP, said: “Over the years, many of us who are MPs rooted in the Christian community have been concerned that our voice in the public square can come across as being too negative.

“We are easily identified by what we are against, but less clear what we are for.” He said that, despite material wealth, society lacked a sense of wellbeing. He argued that this had been caused by the erosion of religious values.

(Extracted from report by Ruth Gledhill in The Times - http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article3913720.ece)

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