Amid the sometimes toxic mood of the public debate around Britain leaving the EU, the archbishops have led a last-minute change to the agenda of the Church of England’s General Synod in London next month.

It means a special debate, titled The State of the Nation, has been inserted into the schedule on the request of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Archbishop of York John Sentamu.

The motion states: “That this Synod, knowing through the experiences of parishes across the country that social divisions feel more entrenched and intractable than for many years, and concerned at the divisions within the major political parties which are stifling the emergence of a hopeful and viable vision for the common good in our communities.”

It includes a call to see “the voices of the poor and marginalised at the heart of the nation’s concerns” and asks “the nation’s leaders, drawing on Christian hope and reconciliation, to work together for that common good at this time of division”.

There is also a call for every diocese and parish regularly to “hold in prayer” their local MPs, politicians, the Government and civil servants, so they can seek God’s “strength and wisdom for the responsibilities they bear”.

The benefits of working with refugees and asylum seekers who are qualified in medicine, teaching, law or other professions, environmental programmes, evangelism,…

Amid the sometimes toxic mood of the public debate around Britain leaving the EU, the archbishops have led a last-minute change to the agenda of the Church of England’s General Synod in London next month.

It means a special debate, titled The State of the Nation, has been inserted into the schedule on the request of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Archbishop of York John Sentamu.

The motion states: “That this Synod, knowing through the experiences of parishes across the country that social divisions feel more entrenched and intractable than for many years, and concerned at the divisions within the major political parties which are stifling the emergence of a hopeful and viable vision for the common good in our communities.”

It includes a call to see “the voices of the poor and marginalised at the heart of the nation’s concerns” and asks “the nation’s leaders, drawing on Christian hope and reconciliation, to work together for that common good at this time of division”.

There is also a call for every diocese and parish regularly to “hold in prayer” their local MPs, politicians, the Government and civil servants, so they can seek God’s “strength and wisdom for the responsibilities they bear”.

The benefits of working with refugees and asylum seekers who are qualified in medicine, teaching, law or other professions, environmental programmes, evangelism,…

It concluded there are 187 live cases involving believers accused of insulting religion. Suspects face execution or life imprisonment if found guilty.

Human rights activists have previously warned that blasphemy accusations have been made to settle personal vendettas and persecute Christians in the country.

Fr James Channon from the Peace Centre in Lahore – a group which promotes inter-faith relations – told the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need: “The blasphemy law destroys the lives of those who have been accused, even if they avoid being executed.

“Any time Christians are accused of supposed blasphemy, all Christians in the region are indicted with them. This often leads to acts of violence against Christians.”

ACN News: “Even now, after [Asia Bibi’s] acquittal, she is anything but safe.” Full news report > https://t.co/FoX6474Fqz #Pakistan #AsiaBibi pic.twitter.com/2EUJbwgw9j

— Aid to the Church (@acn_uk) January 24, 2019

Pakistan’s blasphemy laws have drawn international attention during recent years, in light of the lengthy legal case involving Asia Bibi.

The Christian mother-of-five sent eight years on death row after being accused of insulting the Islamic prophet Muhammad. She always denied any wrongdoing.

She was acquitted by the Pakistan’s Supreme Court in October last year; however,…

The city council will consider whether to give the green-light to plans by Soul Church – formerly known as the Norwich Family Life Church – for their site on Heartease Lane.

The growing congregation has been reliant on temporary locations since a fire – started by lightning – tore through its old premises in February 2006.

Pastor Jon Norman told Eastern Daily Press: “What we want to be moving into is a purpose-built building which is not just for where we are today, but where we will be in the future.

“We want to serve our congregation and our community.”

If Norwich City Council grants planning permission, it is hopes Soul Church could move into its new home by Easter 2021.

Blueprints also include facilities for children and youth groups, a cafe, a nursery and almost 250 car park spaces.

Updated images created by architects Feilden and Mawson give an impression of what the proposed church would look like.

Soul Church is part of the Hillsong Family group of congregations. It currently holds three services each Sunday and is outgrowing its current home on Mason Road.

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Andy Palmer, who also announced that Christ Church Balham is joining an alternative Anglican denomination, described a “dominance of theological liberalism in the Diocese of Southwark.

The senior minister said: “We have made the decision to join the Free Church of England (FCE) denomination, which we believe will help us secure the gospel ministry here in Balham for generations to come…”

Similarly to the Anglican Mission in England (AMiE), the FCE is an evangelical Anglican denomination. It is a supporter of GAFCON – a global movement of conservative evangelical Anglicans.

Rev Palmer continued: “Given the theological trajectory of the Church of England, many churches like us across the country are now looking elsewhere for alternative oversight from evangelical bishops.”

In a statement, the FCE’s Southern Diocese offered its congratulations to Christ Church Balham for “being bold in making a stand for the gospel”.

The congregation shall remain part of the regional church-planting Co-Mission network.

During an interview with Premier published on Thursday, the Archbishop of Canterbury acknowledged there were deep divisions within conservative and liberal elements of the C of E over issues concerning sexuality.

Premier has contact the Diocese of Southwark for a comment.

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