worshippers outline plan to take over their church

-
0
worshippers outline plan to take over their church

In a public meeting on Thursday held by Will John Anderson, a church elder at St Magnus in Hamnavoe in Yell, Kirk members expressed the desire to run as an independent church instead.

Mr Anderson told Premier that the decision to try to buy the church wasn’t a knee-jerk reaction to the planned church closures.

 

He said that members had “thought long and hard” about it.

“I have been thinking about us buying the church building for more than two years,” he explained.

The closures are among a raft of measures included in a new plan endorsed by the majority of the Church of Scotland’s 975 members in Shetland.

Shetland, which includes more than 100 islands – 15 of which are inhabited – will be served by just one parish minister, under the plan.

Mr Anderson said while he wasn’t sure how much it would cost to buy the building, others in the area had sold for between £10,000 and £15,000.

However he said he was “hopeful” they could buy it with everyone in the church chipping in until they can get finance arranged.

“We will be completely independent – run as a centre with Christian services and different community activities taking place as well,” he added.

The following 20 churches have been named by the Church of Scotland as the churches set to close on the Shetland Isles:

  • Bigton St Ninians
  • Bressay
  • Cunningsburgh
  • Dunrossness
  • Fair…

… Read More

—

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

قالب وردپرس

Billy Graham Center Receives $1 Million Grant to Expand Church Evangelism Initiative

-
0
Billy Graham Center Receives $1 Million Grant to Expand Church Evangelism Initiative


Billy Graham Center Receives $1 Million Grant to Expand Church Evangelism Initiative


The Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College has received a $1 million grant to help build the Church Evangelism Initiative, a program that supports religious organizations and helps pastors build mentorships with other clergy.


The Church Evangelism Initiative is part of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Thriving in Ministry program. 


“With support from Lilly Endowment’s Thriving in Ministry, the Church Evangelism Initiative’s fruitful efforts will considerably expand to gather pastors into pastor cohorts of 6-10 each for peer mentoring, problem-solving and mutual support,” said Ed Stetzer, executive director of the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College. 


“The result is that pastors will thrive in their congregational leadership and thus enhance the vitality of the congregations they serve.”


The program expects to work with more than 200 pastors over five years.


“We have piloted an approach to revitalization that has begun to work in many churches, and now, thanks to the Lilly Endowment grant, we can expand significantly in both the numbers and the diversity of the pastors and churches we are serving,” said Dr. Rick Richardson, Project Director.


Stetzer said many pastors today don’t always feel like they are “thriving.”


“Pastors today face a complex set of leadership challenges and are often struggling to feel like they are…

… Read More

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

قالب وردپرس

BA cross case worker Nadia Eweida in new action against airline

-
0
BA cross case worker Nadia Eweida in new action against airline

Nadia Eweida won a claim of religious discrimination against BA in the European Court of Human Rights in 2013 after being sent home for wearing a silver crucifix around her neck.

She had been locked in the highly publicised legal dispute since falling foul of a new employee clothing policy in 2006 – a case that ignited debate, but was rejected by the British courts.

Ms Eweida, who still works in customer service for BA, has launched a fresh case against the airline, alleging the publicity singled her out for mistreatment when she returned to her role in 2007.

In 18 incidents dating back to 2012, she accused the airline of victimisation, harassment and punishing her for whistleblowing.

At a hearing at the Employment Tribunal in Watford on Friday, Ms Eweida said the long-running disputes with BA since 2006 had been “traumatic and harrowing”, and she accused the airline of failing its duty of care.

She added: “My proceedings at the court in Strasburg triggered resentment at BA and caused a continuing campaign against me.

“This whole process from 2006 to date has been traumatic and harrowing.”

Giving evidence, Ms Eweida said on one occasion she had been denied a break in March 2017 after experiencing strain on her eyes in the wake of an operation for glaucoma.

She was instead told to cover a flight gate – and given an informal warning by management when she refused to do…

… Read More

—

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

قالب وردپرس

Male P.E. Teacher Told to Monitor Girl Showering or Lose Job, Group Says

-
0
Male P.E. Teacher Told to Monitor Girl Showering or Lose Job, Group Says


Male P.E. Teacher Told to Monitor Girl Showering or Lose Job, Group Says


A male P.E. teacher could lose his job at a Florida middle school because he refused administrators’ demands to supervise the showers where a biological girl could be showering with boys, according to a legal group.


The biological girl at Chasco Middle School in Port Richey, Fla., claims to be a transgender boy and was given access by the administration to the boys’ bathroom and locker room “with no forewarning” to the boys or their parents, Liberty Counsel said in a letter to the Pasco County School Board. Liberty Counsel is urging the board to change the policy. The letter was dated Sept. 28 but was released to the public this week. 


Both P.E. teachers, Robert Oppedisano and Stephanie Christensen, objected to the biological girl being allowed in the bathroom and locker room without accommodations being made. 


“The girl was admitted to the boys locker room for the first time, and walked in, catching boys (literally) with their pants down, causing them embarrassment and concern by the fact that they had been observed changing by an obvious girl,” the letter says.


Boys came out of the locker room to express their concern but were told by Oppedisano and Christensen that nothing could be done. Administrators “had placed a gag order on them, and told them that they could not answer the boys on these questions,” the letter says.


Administrators…

… Read More

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

قالب وردپرس

Switchfoot Makes a Comeback One Year after Announcing Hiatus

-
0
Switchfoot Makes a Comeback One Year after Announcing Hiatus


Switchfoot Makes a Comeback One Year after Announcing Hiatus


Christian rock band Switchfoot made a comeback last Friday by dropping their first song since announcing their hiatus last year. 


The rock band, which had vowed to take a hiatus “for the foreseeable future,” announced the release of a new album titled Native Tongue which is set to come out on January 18, by releasing the album’s title track. 


According to The Christian Beat, the Granny winning rock band’s frontman Jon Foreman wrote the song “Native Tongue” with the bassist Tim Foreman and One Republic’s Bret Kutzle. 


The group also decided to release the tracklist for their upcoming album on social media. Switchfoot members took to Twitter with a photo of a handwritten tracklist and captioned it, “Here are the tracks of our rock-&-roll love letter to you.”


The album’s first single tells a story of how love must overcome hate in such a divided world. The lyrics read: “Back before we learned the words to start a fight / Back before they told us that the haters were right / He spoke the truth, “let there be” and there was / Love is the language, love is your native tongue.”


The Christian Beat reports that Foreman wrote this song with the polarization of the world in mind. Forman said, “These are polarizing…

… Read More

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

قالب وردپرس

Five Major “What If” We Regrets We Are Hearing from Churches – Rainer on Leadership #479

-
0

Podcast Episode #479

SUBSCRIBE:
iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play • iHeart Radio • Spotify

Regret often comes when it’s too late to change things in a church. Today, we discuss five of the most common regrets we hear from churches.

Some highlights from today’s episode include:

  • Sometimes, churches need to relocate for good reasons but wait too long to do so and miss the opportunity.
  • Too often, churches ask meaningful questions about their health when it’s too late.
  • The right time for a church to be acquired by another usually comes before the dying church is willing to be acquired.

The five regrets we are hearing are:

  1. What if we had relocated?
  2. What if we had changed our name?
  3. What if we had gotten outside help?
  4. What if we have been acquired?
  5. What if we had not run off the pastor?

Resources mentioned in today’s podcast

Episode Sponsors

The ministry landscape is changing, and the need for biblical training is more necessary than ever. It’s time to get your Master of Divinity degree. The M.Div —Midwestern Seminary’s flagship degree program — is the primary track for ministry preparation. At just 81 hours, the Midwestern M.Div offers a complete foundation for full-time ministry leaders, offering everything you need, and nothing you don’t. Join other students in vibrant Kansas City as you train in a unique collaborative environment focused on the local church or study online in your current ministry context. Midwestern Seminary is developing a…

… Read More

—

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

قالب وردپرس

Man arrested trying to steal Magna Carta from Salisbury Cathedral

-
0
Man arrested trying to steal Magna Carta from Salisbury Cathedral

The 45-year-old man was arrested on Friday morning and remains in custody in Melksham, Wiltshire.

Police said in a statement that shortly before 5pm yesterday, alarms at the cathedral were activated following an attempt to smash the glass box surrounding the Magna Carta.

 

The man matching the description given by witnesses was arrested on suspicion of attempted theft, possession of an offensive weapon and criminal damage.

Only four known copies of the document exist, with the version held at Salisbury considered by historians to be the best-preserved.

Salisbury Cathedral

 

The Magna Carta wasn’t damaged and no one was injured in the incident.

Police are appealing for any witnesses who haven’t already spoken to them to get in touch via 101 and quote crime reference number 541800101438.

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 every morning.

… Read More

—

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

قالب وردپرس

FBI analyzing bombs sent to prominent Democrats

-
0
FBI analyzing bombs sent to prominent Democrats

At least ten suspicious packages have been sent this week to prominent Democrats and critics of President Trump. None of the devices have exploded, and nobody has been hurt.

On Wednesday, authorities intercepted bombs intended for former President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Suspicious packages were sent to Joe Biden and several other top political figures as well.

CNN’s New York bureau was evacuated after a package containing a bomb was discovered. The latest package was sent to actor Robert De Niro. The FBI is analyzing the packages at its laboratory in Quantico, Virginia.

“These terrorizing acts are despicable”

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders issued a statement condemning the attacks. “These terrorizing acts are despicable,” she said, describing the perpetrators as “cowards.”

She is exactly right. Such threats against political figures threaten us all. Whatever our political differences, we are the “United States.” Whatever our background and beliefs, we are all Americans.

The priority of solidarity is a lesson I see on display each time I travel in the Middle East. As I write today’s Daily Article from Jerusalem, I am looking from my hotel room at a city composed of Jews, Arab Muslims, Arab Christians, and dozens of other sects. I love visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where six different Christian traditions worship together.

But unity in the face of adversity is not enough to end all adversity. To solve our most persistent problems, we must admit another fact of solidarity, one that affects us all.

“Living among the once-flourishing idols”

In Matthew 8, a centurion asks Jesus to heal his paralyzed servant. Jesus replies, “I will come and heal him” (v. 7). The centurion replies: “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof” (v. 8).

This confession prompted a remarkable prayer by the late William Breault, a writer and artist in California:

Lord Christ, I wish I could offer you a…

… Read More

—

Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Denison Forum.

قالب وردپرس

British Airways worker who won right to wear a cross embarks on fresh legal action

-
0
British Airways worker who won right to wear a cross embarks on fresh legal action

Nadia Eweida claims she has endured victimisation, harassment and punishment since winning her claim of religious discrimination at the European Court of Human Rights in 2013.

The 67-year-old hopes to receive compensation in a fresh employment tribunal claim which gets underway at Watford Tribunal Hearing Centre during a preliminary hearing.

 

Speaking with Premier in August, she said: “I do not see why I should be bullied or harassed out of a job that I enjoy.

“I’m hoping to make a stand for other colleagues in the same predicament to stand up against bullying and harassment and consequences of speaking out the truth.”

Ms Eweida took her claim to judges in Strasbourg five years ago after it was rejected by courts in Britain.

The airport check-in worker was sent home in 2006 for not adhering to British Airways’ clothing policy when she wore a silver cross around her neck.

Josh Hallett/Wikimedia Commons

 

Ms Eweida claims she has “never been forgiven” for bringing her case forward.

Responding to her allegations, a British Airways spokesperson said: “We strongly deny all of these claims.

“We work hard to ensure that all 42,000 staff who work for British Airways are treated fairly and consistently.

“We actively encourage staff to report concerns that they have about safety or their wellbeing, so that these can be discussed with managers.”

Stay up to date with…

… Read More

—

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

قالب وردپرس

MFM Daily Devotional 26 October 2018 – Overcoming Failure

CM Editor
-
0

MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional 26 October 2018 By Dr. D.K Olukoya – Overcoming Failure

TOPIC: Overcoming Failure (Mountain Of Fire and Miracle Ministries, MFM Daily Devotional 26 October 2018)

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Matthew 27:1-5

MEMORY VERSE: “And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” – Isaiah 58:11

The MESSAGE:

Man has often times failed God by disobeying His word. Adam and Eve failed God by being disobedient to the rules God gave them in the Garden of Eden. They had the privilege to commune with God daily but lost this as a result of disobedience to God. The human race also suffered the consequences of their failure before the coming of Jesus Christ.

Judas failed God and humanity. The opportunity to work with the Master as a treasurer, was given to him free of charge. He failed his generation, he failed his maker, and he failed himself. He committed suicide. Beloved, betrayal does not pay. Job’s wife died before Job, and Judas died before Jesus Christ. It seems the heart of Judas was wrong from the beginning and his motive to join Jesus Christ’s ministry was totally different from that of others. David the king had a repentant and rejoicing heart, which was committed to the Lord. Whenever there is a seed of failure in the heart, it gives satan every opportunity to act, and this seed in the heart of Judas made the devil to capture, manipulate and use him contrary to the meaning of his name “Praise”.

In 2 Kings 14:29, Gehazi failed, but his master Elisha never failed. Gehazi failed in the school of the prophets, despite the gift of discernment in him. Do not forget he discerned the woman had no child and revealed it to his master. He was intelligent, but the negative spirit of covetousness which he refused to deal with, dealt with him, and he was cursed. When David cursed Joab, one of the curses was that of leprosy. The seed of failure can cause disgrace and attack on generations. Beloved, it is possible to have all opportunities in this world and still fail. All of us are not the same because we carry different anointing. Jesus prayed for Peter and said, “I have prayed for you” but to Judas, Jesus said, “That which you want to do, do quickly”. These two statements of Jesus marked a big difference between Peter and Judas respectively. The fact that your colleague failed does not mean you must fail. Arise this morning and begin to kill the seed of failure in your life. You shall not fail God, in Jesus’ name.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
THERE IS NO PHILOSOPHY WHICH WILL HELP A MAN TO SUCCEED WHEN HE ALWAYS DOUBT HIS ABILITY TO DO SO AND HE IS ATTRACTING FAILURE.

PROPHETIC WORD:
For your sake, I rebuke failure; you shall succeed after the order of our Lord Jesus Christ.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING
1. Father, I thank You because failure is not my lot, in the name of Jesus.
2. By the power in the name of Jesus, from today, I reject failure, in the name of Jesus.
3. By the power in the name of Jesus, I claim success from today, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING
4. Inherited power of failure operating in my life, die, in the name of Jesus.
5. Failure at the edge of breakthroughs awaiting me this year, die, in Jesus’ name.
6. Failure unto early grave designed by the enemy for me this year, backfire, in Jesus’ name.
7. I shall succeed in good things this year by the power in the blood of Jesus, in Jesus’ name.

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 Daily Devotional 26 October 2018 – Overcoming Failure appeared first on Flatimes.

1...1,6221,6231,624...3,897Page 1,623 of 3,897