Dozen new abuse victims came forward following press coverage, inquiry told

Sussex Police reopened the case into sexual abuse allegations made against the disgraced bishop under the name Operation Dunhill on July 25 2012.

In total, 12 new victims came forward as a result of press coverage, more than 20 years after he received a police caution for one count of gross indecency and resigned due to ill health.

 

Detective Superintendent Carwyn Hughes was the senior investigating officer on the inquiry which resulted in Ball being jailed in 2015.

Mr Hughes told the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) on Wednesday that one complainant “unknown to the Church” came forward when the investigation was launched.

He added that the November 2012 arrest of the ex-Bishop of Lewes and Gloucester “generated further publicity at which point seven new victims came forward”.

A further four individuals approached him following Ball’s guilty plea, conviction and sentencing.

But those cases were not considered in the public interest and not investigated as Ball was already behind bars.

Asked by IICSA counsel Nikita McNeill how the force balanced “the benefits of press coverage” with its potential to damage the investigation or trial, Mr Hughes alluded to Cliff Richard’s High Court privacy battle against the BBC, which the singer won last week.

He said: “It’s really interesting from my perspective as well, because use of the media, obviously it had a…

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Disgraced bishop’s friendship with Charles well known at Lambeth Palace

Dr Andrew Purkis, who was George Carey’s secretary for public affairs from 1992 to 1998, told the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse on Wednesday that disgraced bishop Peter Ball’s prominent connections were well known.

Mr Purkis, who advised on public perception of the church and media coverage, said of the bishop’s friendship with the senior royal: “I don’t think it was (significant) for me in the dealings I had – that was not really a significant actor that was brought to bear.”

 

Asked if it influenced Lambeth Palace’s treatment of the clergyman, he said: “Not specifically. I think it was very well known in Lambeth Palace that not just some great and good people but also loads of church people had a very high opinion of Peter and kept writing letters saying so.

“We would take that into account in the way we talked about things publicly.”

Mr Purkis – who helped to draft press releases from Lambeth Palace – admitted that some statements at the time of Balls’ arrest in 1992 were ‘one-sided’ and gave little to no emphasis on the victim.

A press release from the Diocese of Gloucester expressed hopes that the investigation would “clear his name”, which IICSA counsel Anna Bicarregui said would not be accepted today.

Another statement in 1993 focused on the “great sorrow” felt by Lord Carey at Ball’s resignation.

He added that the then head of the Church of…

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How to Know You are NOT a Church Revitalizer or Replanter – Revitalize & Replant #051

SUBSCRIBE TODAY: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play

Being a revitalizer or replanter is not for everyone. Today we discuss seven considerations to help you decide whether it might be for you or not.

Today’s Listener Question:

FROM RONALD

I finished seminary a couple years back and am on staff at an established church currently, but I’m possibly feeling the call to lead a church replant in a neighboring county. I’m just not sure it’s my selfish desire or the Lord telling me to go. I’m just not sure I’m the right kind of person for this task, or if I should stay on staff where I am. I listened to Episode 34 on how to know if you’re a replanter. But what about some reasons or ways to know if I’m not a replanter and should just be faithful in my current ministry?

Episode Highlights:

  • You have to consider the impact on your family when deciding whether or not to take a new job.
  • If you have to have constant and quick wins to keep you motivated in ministry, revitalization efforts might not be a good fit for you.
  • In today’s church culture, more than five years of tenure is seen as being a long-term leader.
  • The comparison game will eat you alive as a pastor.
  • If your church is not connected to its community, there’s a problem.

The seven reasons we discuss are:

  1. If you don’t have your family’s support
  2. If you must have quick results to be motivated
  3. If you can’t see beyond five years
  4. If you can’t get away from church comparisons
  5. If you can’t see…

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Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Thom Rainer.

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Royal wedding bishop Michael Curry reveals that he has cancer

Most Rev Michael Curry opted to undergo surgery next Tuesday for the disease, which is diagnosed 47,000 times in UK men each year.

In an open letter, the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church said: “I am happy to say that the prognosis looks very good and quite positive.”

 

Announcing that the tumour was discovered during his annual physical examination a few months ago, the 65-year-old said the procedure will seek to remove his prostate gland.

Bishop Curry said he anticipates being in hospital for at least one day which will be followed by recuperation at home for between four and six weeks.

He added: “I have spoken with several others who have gone through this, and who have offered both encouragement and helpful advice.

ITV/PA Wire

 

“I plan to resume my duties in early September and I do not anticipate any significant changes in my commitments.

“I am very blessed with a wonderful family, a first-rate medical team, a great staff, dear colleagues and friends, a calling to which I have given my life, and above all a good, great and loving God in whose hands we always remain.

“So, do say a prayer. And know that I look forward to being back at my post in September.”

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

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Joyce Meyer’s Daily 26 July 2018 Devotional — God Will Change You

Topic: God Will Change You [Joyce Meyer’s Devotional Thursday July 26, 2018]

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” — John 13:35

Even though you may still be operating in old habits, you still have hope of change, but you can’t change yourself. God will change you, if you seek Him with your whole heart.

Don’t be in a hurry for God to finish working in your life. We want everything to be done instantly, but God is not interested in our schedule. The enemy may thwart your plans, but God’s plans don’t get thwarted, and He has a unique plan for you.

Seek God’s plan for your life. Stay on fire, red hot, zealous. Pursue His purpose for you with every ounce of energy you have. There is nothing in this world that is worth seeking more.

Prayer Starter: Father, help me to not give up on myself. You are my Source of change. Help me to earnestly seek You in every season of life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Joyce Meyer Daily Devotional HERE’’

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries.

The post Joyce Meyer’s Daily 26 July 2018 Devotional — God Will Change You appeared first on Flatimes.

MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional 26 July 2018 – But He Refused (II)

TOPIC: But He Refused (II) (Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Thursday, 26 July 2018)

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Genesis 39:10-12

MEMORY VERSE: “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” – 2 Timothy 2:22

The MESSAGE:

Many believers are divinely positioned to certain posts to do the biding of heaven and make life easy for people so that they can glorify God who positioned them there. It is painful that such Christians see it as opportunity to exploit the people they are supposed to help. Immediately they assume the position, those who have been there before initiate them into various ungodly activities with ease. It is just because they cannot refuse the apple that satan dangles before them. They are just like a young man that lacked understanding in Proverbs 7:6-27, who was enticed by a crafty harlot who was looking for a soul to prey on and destroy. The harlot succeeded because he could neither resist her sweet talk nor the fragrance of the strong perfume she wore on her laid bed.

Despite all his credentials, Joseph, an overseer of his master’s house, a channel of blessings to his master’s household and a handsome young man, refused his master’s wife’s offer to commit fornication with her. But why? To Joseph, it was ungodly. ‘How would I do this great wickedness and sin against God?’ Joseph exclaimed. Are you guided by the fear of God in your heart and in everything that you do? Do you consider eternal consequences of your act, behaviour and attitude, in this present world? Though Joseph was persecuted, hated, lied against and finally thrown into prison (Genesis 39:10-20), at the end, he wore a glorious crown. Matthew 5:10 and 12 states: “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven…12) Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

Why did Joseph refuse? He refused because he feared (reverenced) the Lord. He carried the presence of God everywhere he went. He had the spirit of the fear of God. He saw the offer as a sin against God and a great wickedness against his master. Joseph had seen his future and what was ahead of him (Genesis 39:2,9b). Do not allow five minutes of pleasure to send you to eternal damnation (hell). You cannot eat your cake and still want to have it. Daniel for example, purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself (Daniel 1:8). Spiritual defilement is a terrible thing. Run for your dear life! Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart, open it and let Him in. Samson did not discipline himself; he ended up his glorious destiny grinding pepper in the camp of his enemies. That will not be your portion, in Jesus’ name. All that glitters is not gold. You can be like Joseph who said No to the devil.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
HOW WOULD I DO THIS GREAT WICKEDNESS AND SIN AGAINST GOD?

PROPHETIC WORD:
The powers hunting your life will fail woefully.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING
1. I soak my blood, bones and flesh in the wonder-working power of the blood of Jesus, in Jesus’ name.
2. Material of confusion in my body, catch fire, in the name of Jesus.
3. Power that wants me to go from church to hell, you are a liar, die, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING
4. Spirit of sexual perversion, jump out of my life, in the name of Jesus.
5. I will not end my glorious destiny on the lap of Delilah, in the name of Jesus.
6. Foundational power programmed to send me to hell fire, release me and die, in the name of Jesus.
7. My glorious destiny, hear the word of the Lord, reject bewitchment, in the name of Jesus.

“If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional HERE 

MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries, Worldwide)

Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

The post MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional 26 July 2018 – But He Refused (II) appeared first on Flatimes.

David Ibiyeomie: Guard Your Conscience

Topic: Guard Your Conscience

Rom.9:1I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

The conscience is the moral being within you; it is the police of the heart that controls your life. When your conscience is dead, life has ended. To succeed in life, business and career, you must have a living conscience. Most times, making a mistake is not the issue with God but having a conscience is more important. There are people who don’t even feel it when they make mistake; their conscience is already dead. A dead conscience does not see evil as evil anymore. If you want to last in life, never get to a point where your conscience is dead; where you call evil a weakness.

A man’s treatment of money (how he makes and spends money) is the most decisive test of his character. There were times my wife and I have stayed with no food to eat; and with church money in our custody; yet we never tampered with it. Today, the story is different. A man with a living conscience will feel guilty when he is wrong. Never keep a man with a dead conscience around you; it is not the mistake the person made but having a dead conscience. In the day of your trial, it is your character that will speak for you.

If you want to be successful, watch your thoughts because they will become words and your words will become actions; your actions will become habits, your habits will become your character and your character will become your destiny.

Thoughts >Words >Action >Habit >Character >Destiny

Every word and deed of a parent is a fiber woven into the character of a child that will ultimately determine how that child fits into the fabrics of the society. Anything you do, your children imitates you without talking. Every child have traits of their parents’ character. The workshop of character is everyday life – the eventful and the common places; that is where the battle is either won or lost.

Prov. 4:27 – Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

Titus 2:6-7 – Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness {NIV}

The discipline of desire is the background of character because when liberty lacks control, it becomes captivity.

Henceforth, everything about your life will speak success! I see you succeed as you make God’s word your guide and keep your conscience alive in Jesus name-Amen!!!

God bless you

Also Read: Other Inspiring Messages by Pastor David Ibiyeomie

Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

The post David Ibiyeomie: Guard Your Conscience appeared first on Flatimes.

Kenneth & Gloria Copeland 26 July 2018 Daily Devotional – Feast on the Word

Topic: Feast on the Word [Kenneth & Gloria Copeland 26 July 2018 Daily Devotional]

Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. – Matthew 4:4

The Word of God is to your spirit as bread is to your body. When your body feeds on physical food, it produces a physical power called strength. When your spirit feeds on the spiritual food of the Word, it produces spiritual power called faith. And just as you can’t eat one meal and then feed on the memory of it for several weeks, you can’t just remember what the Word says and stay strong in faith. You have to read it. Even if you’ve read it a hundred times, you need to read it again.

Try this: Close your eyes and see yourself slicing a lemon. Now stick that lemon slice between your teeth and when I say, “Three,” bite down on it so hard that the juice squirts into your mouth. One. Two. Three. Bite!

Chances are, you have such a vivid memory of what it’s like to bite on a lemon that your mouth is watering right now. But let me ask you this, “Have you received any nourishment from that memory?” No.

Remembering the Word of God isn’t enough. You must continually feed on what it says. Get it out and read it. Go to church and hear it preached.

One day, you’ll read a familiar verse…a verse you’ve read thousands of times before…and suddenly God will give you the greatest revelation you’ve ever had. A completely fresh revelation from that old familiar verse! And it’s likely to be exactly what you needed to know about your current situation.

Yes, you can feed on the Word that is on deposit in your spirit. But remember this: You can’t get continued results if you don’t spend time in prayer and in the Word of God allowing the Spirit to nourish you daily.

Don’t try to live on the memory of your last spiritual meal. Replenish the force of faith within you. Feast on the Word of God today.

Scripture Reading: John 6:48-58

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Kenneth and Gloria Copeland’s Daily Devotional Here’’

This message was written by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, the leader of the Kenneth Copeland Ministries (www.KCM.org) that specializes in teaching principles of bible faith – prayer, healing, salvation and other biblical topics.

The post Kenneth & Gloria Copeland 26 July 2018 Daily Devotional – Feast on the Word appeared first on Flatimes.

Our Daily Bread Devotional 26 July 2018 – Unselfish Service

Topic: Unselfish Service [Our Daily Bread 26 Thursday July, 2018]

Read: Isaiah 58:6–12, Bible in a Year: Psalms 40–42; Acts 27:1–26

If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness. Isaiah 58:10

A small collection of people stood together, dwarfed by the size of the huge tree lying on the lawn. An elderly woman leaned on her cane and described watching the previous night’s windstorm as it blew down “our majestic old elm tree. Worst of all,” she continued, voice cracking with emotion, “it destroyed our lovely stone wall too. My husband built that wall when we were first married. He loved that wall. I loved that wall! Now it’s gone; just like him.”

Next morning, as she peeked out at the tree company workers cleaning up the downed tree; a big smile spread across her face. In between the branches she could just make out two adults and the boy who mowed her lawn carefully measuring and rebuilding her beloved stone wall!

The prophet Isaiah describes the kind of service God favors: acts that lift the hearts of those around us, like the wall repairers did for the elderly woman. This passage teaches that God values unselfish service to others over empty spiritual rituals. In fact, God exercises a two-way blessing on the selfless service of His children. First, God uses our willing acts of service to aid the oppressed and needy (Isaiah 58:7–10). Then God honors those engaged in such service by building or rebuilding our reputations as powerful positive forces in His kingdom (vv. 11–12). What service will you offer this day?

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for the acts of others You use to lift us up, and for calling us to do the same.

Selfless service to others brings honor to God.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Our Daily Bread Devotionals HERE

This message was written By Randy Kilgore [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

The post Our Daily Bread Devotional 26 July 2018 – Unselfish Service appeared first on Flatimes.

Fraud Claims Overshadow Pakistan’s Vote for New Parliament – Urban Christian News

Pakistanis voted for a new government Wednesday in an election marred by violence and allegations of fraud. The winner will face a crumbling economy and bloodshed by militants whose latest attack saw a suicide bomber kill 31 people outside a polling station.

Electoral authorities said official results declaring an outright winner were not expected before late Thursday morning. However, early unofficial results gave cricket star Imran Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Party a commanding lead over his main rival, Shahbaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League.

Jubilant Khan supporters danced to the beat of drums at his party headquarters in Islamabad, sensing a victory. The sound of fire crackers echoed in the night sky.

Sharif, the younger brother of disgraced Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who has been jailed on corruption charges, disputed the election results even before they were announced. He charged fraud and vowed not to accept the results, generating fears that disgruntled losers could delay the formation of the next government.

The parliamentary balloting marked only the second time in Pakistan’s 71-year history that one civilian government has handed power to another in the country of 200 million people. There also have been widespread concerns during the election campaign about manipulation by the military, which has directly or indirectly ruled the country for most of its existence.

Pakistani officials say a suicide bombing has killed at least 31 people outside a polling station in Quetta as voting got underway to elect Pakistan’s third consecutive civilian…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Urban Christian News

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