Methodist Church’s new Learning Network to encourage discipleship and evangelism; Evangelical Alliance – Church’s task is to model marriage to a society that has forgotten what it is; Same-sex marriage set to enter law
Methodist Church’s new Learning Network to encourage discipleship and evangelism
The Methodist Church is to launch its new Learning Network in the autumn.
The Discipleship and Ministries Learning Network launches on 1 September with the aim of helping Methodists grow and learn as disciples, and encouraging evangelism and prophetic action.
Jude Levermore, Interim Head of the Discipleship and Ministries Cluster, said: “We are on target to have the new Network up and running on time. It’s going be enable us Connexionally to deliver learning and development for the whole people of God who identify as Methodist in a contextual, contemporary and excellent way.”
The network will support discipleship, ministry, church and community development with scholarship and research.
Much of its work will be focused upon 11 regions grouping together Districts across England with Wales, and Scotland and Shetland.
Richard Andrew, Discipleship and Ministries Learning Network Project Manager, said: “The Methodist Church has always been a pioneer in theological education.
“The development of the Learning Network is a real opportunity for Methodism to build upon the legacy of the past in a way which meets the needs of the present and future whilst continuing to work closely with ecumenical partners. I feel genuinely excited by this opportunity in our history to renew the connections between learning, discipleship and mission at every level of church life.”
Evangelical Alliance – Church’s task is to model marriage to a society that has forgotten what it is
Dr Dave Landrum, director of advocacy at the Evangelical Alliance, has issued this statement after the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill passed through the House of Lords
Marriage has not been extended; it has been redefined and effectively privatised to privilege adult choice. The changes have stripped husband and wife of their obvious meaning and marginalised adultery and consummation. Marriage has been made into a fluid, gender-neutral institution defined by consumer demands and political expediency.
The state has created a form of marriage that is no longer the lifelong union between a man and a woman for the procreation of children and the foundation of family life. They have decided that it should be something other than what it has been throughout history and different from its natural and biblical meaning.
It is now the task of the Church to model marriage to a society that has forgotten what it is. In the light of pressures that Christians and others will no doubt face in coming years, this new legal fiction provides a chance to model and reach what marriage really is.
In making this highly contentious change the government failed to properly consult, they ignored overwhelming opposition, and were determined to avoid public debate. They have failed to think about what marriage actually is, or the impact on children, and they have fast tracked the legislation to bypass democracy. Protections that are essential and would normally be expected in a situation like this were brushed aside in their haste to get this on the statute books, and in the hope it will fade as an issue before the next general election.
Although the law has changed, real marriage is and will always be exclusively a lifelong union between a man and woman. We can acknowledge the fact the legal definition has changed but we should also understand that we do not need to approve of the legal fiction created.
We also know that God is not fazed by this, and as Christians we should have confidence to speak and teach the truth with grace and love. And we should help each other sustain marriage as a covenant before God.
Same-sex marriage set to enter law
BBC – The bill allowing same-sex couples to marry in England and Wales passes its final hurdle in Parliament and is set to enter law later this week.
Read more:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-23338279
Marriage Equality To Become Law In Britain This Week
Towleroad – Under the terms of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill, religious organizations will have to “opt in” to offering weddings, with the Church of England and Church of Wales being banned in law from doing so. MPs decided not to oppose a number of minor …
http://www.towleroad.com/2013/07/marriage-equality-to-become-law-in-britain-this-week.html