China’s Young Churches Overflowing | 304 | Report 13&14

Like other Christians around the world, Zhang Fei celebrated Christmas Day in traditional fashion. She attended a morning church service, joining in the carol singing led by a cassock-wearing choir, and then watched a nativity play performed by children from the congregation. But Miss Zhang’s Protestant church is an illegal one, and its 1,000 members have grown used to worshipping in a variety of office buildings across Beijing in an effort to avoid the scrutiny of the authorities.
A 25-year-old junior manager in an engineering company, Miss Zhang has been a Christian for four years. She says many people, including her parents, who are members of the Communist Party, think she is ”crazy” and question both her faith and the wisdom of being a Christian in a Communist country. “They say, ‘There’s no God in this world,’” she said.
“They haven’t stopped me being a Christian and I wouldn’t let them, but it’s a source of tension between us. I pray for them.” But unlikely as it sounds, Miss Zhang is part of a huge and growing number of like-minded Chinese who celebrated the story of Christ’s birth. Up to 100 million are practising Christians - possibly a higher proportion of the country’s 1.3 billion people than in Britain, and they outnumber the 76 million members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
The Chinese constitution officially guarantees religious freedom but in an effort to monitor the activities, Christians, whether Roman Catholic or Protestant, are required to attend state-controlled churches – a stricture ignored by those who meet instead in flats, office blocks, university dormitories and even the private rooms of restaurants. The authorities frequently clamp down on their activities, yet the number of Christians continues to grow. Jin Tianming, the pastor of the house church which Miss Zhang attends, said: “When we started in 1993 there were just 10 of us. Now, we have more than 1,000 members. Every Sunday there are 30 newcomers.”
Particularly worrying for the CCP is the spread of Christianity’s appeal from the countryside, where it first took root, to the young, university-educated residents of China’s cities – the very people whom the party traditionally recruits. When The Sunday Telegraph attended the church, worshippers, mostly under the age of 40, occupied every seat and stood lining the walls, many clutching Bibles and prayer books in both Chinese and English.” New Christians are particularly drawn to the fervent, evangelical Christianity of the Protestant house churches, which has spread from nearby South Korea.
“It’s no problem if the government doesn’t like Christians or house churches,” said Miss Zhang. “God is in charge of us, not the government.”

Source: The Daily Telegraph

BIBLE STUDY: Psalm 122:1-9

Report 13 – PRAISE: God that He IS in charge and the Gospel is spreading to the whole nation.
Report 14 – PRAY: That Chinese Christian witness may continue to show that the Gospel changes nations.

BBC Screen Writer Changed by Jesus | 304 | Report 1&2

The BBC’s 4-part Christmas series The Nativity proved to be a major departure from the Corporation’s habitual treatment of Bible stories. Far from the mockery and synicism that our main broadcaster has sadly accustomed us to, this production was a serious attempt to be faithful to the Biblical revelation: thoughtful, respectful and convincing. True the producers allowed themselves some poetic licence but, in the opinion of this editor, the average post-Christian British viewer would have found this to be a credible and moving telling of the story.
The scene in which the worshipping magi announce “the arrival of God himself among us”, or the portrayal of the shepherd’s emotion when he realises that he has come face to face with the Messiah, speak deeply to the viewer’s hearts and minds, leading them to ponder over who the child really is.
Much of The Nativity’s fresh and challenging approach is down to the “Damascus Road” experience of scriptwriter Tony Jordan who, by his own admission says in a recent Daily Telegraph interview, “I know that people from my sort of background have always discounted the story of the nativity and I certainly didn’t believe it when I started on it three years ago.” But research into the story of Jesus has changed Jordan from a doubter into a believer: “the only thing I know for sure is that the words I read as coming from Jesus Christ are the most truthful thing I have ever heard.” Interviewed by Aled Jones on BBC Radio 2, Jordan says that, although the theologians and scientists he consulted ridiculed the whole thing, he now believes the story is true, saying, “You just know truth when you see it.” He goes on to say that Jesus says He’s the Son of God, so that must be true also!
The scriptwriter for Eastenders found that he wanted to be faithful to the Gospels but give the mates he meets in the pub the opportunity to believe the story. Jordan puts it in his own down-to-earth way: “Woman gets home tells her husband-to-be that she’s pregnant – ‘it’s not yours, but don’t worry, it’s God’s’. He’s a bit miffed, has a dream, wakes up and says, ‘blessed am I’” “If you put it like that you’ve lost your mates in the pub – it doesn’t make any sense to them,” Jordan explains. By showing Mary’s fear at confronting Joseph, and Joseph’s anger and rejection, together with the drama the pregnancy creates among the villagers and family, Jordan makes the people (and therefore the story) come alive to the man on the street. The BBC are planning two more series on the life of Jesus and Tony Jordan says he would love to produce them. Let’s pray he does!

Source: Revival Media; The Daily Telegraph; BBC Radio 2

BIBLE STUDY: Psalm 105:1-4

Day 1 – PRAISE: God that Jesus reveals Himself to all who seek to know the truth, and that the BBC has broadcast a series that proclaims Jesus as God!

Day 2 – PRAY: That, as a result of this film, many may want to know Jesus, and that Tony Jordan may find godly people who can nurture his faith.

Vietnam Allows Christmas Rallies | 2nd Mar 2010

On Sunday 20th December 12,000 people gathered in Hanoi for a Christmas rally. A programme of outstanding music and dance was followed by a Gospel message and an invitation to which, organisers said, 2000 people responded. This followed an even larger rally in Ho Chi Minh city on December 11th when up to 40,000 people gathered to hear the Gospel, and some 8,000 people came forward to “accept Christ”. This was held, “after a long period of intense prayer” and despite opposition from local authorities, said the Vietnamese Global Christian Network. “None of these groups is registered or recognized by the government,” a source said of the crowd at the event. “What you see is Christians standing up!” Recent freedom for Christians tolerated in large cities has not reached remote parts of this Communist-led country, where ethnic minority Christians live.

Source: Worthy News; Revival Media

BIBLE STUDY: Exodus 3:1-10

PRAISE: God that a nation once torn apart by war is now seeing steady openings for the Gospel. Pray that Christians will proclaim Christ boldly.

Vietnam Allows Christmas Rallies | 2nd Feb 2010

On Sunday 20th December 12,000 people gathered in Hanoi for a Christmas rally. A programme of outstanding music and dance was followed by a Gospel message and an invitation to which, organisers said, 2000 people responded. This followed an even larger rally in Ho Chi Minh city on December 11th when up to 40,000 people gathered to hear the Gospel, and some 8,000 people came forward to “accept Christ”. This was held, “after a long period of intense prayer” and despite opposition from local authorities, said the Vietnamese Global Christian Network. “None of these groups is registered or recognized by the government,” a source said of the crowd at the event. “What you see is Christians standing up!” Recent freedom for Christians tolerated in large cities has not reached remote parts of this Communist-led country, where ethnic minority Christians live.

Source: Worthy News; Revival Media

BIBLE STUDY: Exodus 3:1-10

PRAISE: God that a nation once torn apart by war is now seeing steady openings for the Gospel. Pray that Christians will proclaim Christ boldly.

Snow "catastrophe" in the south, survey shows Christian decline, and Christmas sermon by text.

Welcome to the final Weekly News Review from a Christian Viewpoint.  Patrick Woodward talks to Russ Bravo, (pictured) editor of Inspire Magazine, about the latest news from a Christian standpoint.  Today, as snow blankets the south, why does everything stop? A new survey of religious beliefs highlights decline in Christianity, and a Christmas sermon in 160 characters.

Story Links:

Snow:

guardian.co.uk Snow strands passengers at Gatwick and Luton

bbc.co.uk  Travellers hit by snow disruption

uk.reuters.com Snow hits commuters, cancels some flights

Survey:

ekklesia.co.uk New UK research shows significant decline in institutional Christianity

dailymail.co.uk  ‘Sharp decline’ in faith as number of Christians in Britain falls to half

Text sermon:

inspiremagazine.org.uk Christmas Day sermon – text version

This is the final Weekly News Review. Thank you for listening and downloading.  Happy Christmas to all our readers and listeners.

Politicians under fire again, schools fear child protection overkill, and the Archbishop's Christmas wrap

Weekly News Review from a Christian Viewpoint.  Patrick Woodward talks to Russ Bravo, (pictured) editor of Inspire Magazine, about the latest news from a Christian standpoint.  Today, as the MPs expenses row rumbles on, and rows emerge over cuts policy, will we ever trust politicians again?  As new rules on child protection come into force, schools fear they will deter volunteers,  and the respected former Archbishop of Cape Town designs a Christmas wrapping paper.

Story Links:

Politics:

bbc.co.uk Treasury ‘wanted tougher deficit action’

telegraph.co.uk Latest expenses claims

Youtube.com Cameron calls for MPs pay cut

Child protection:

bbc.co.uk School leaders query new vetting and barring system

dailymail.co.uk Anti-paedophile vetting regime ‘is ruining school life’, head teachers warn

press association Pupils ‘losing out’ under new rules

Desmond Tutu:

inspiremagazine.org.uk Tutu Christmas wrapping paper featured in today’s Guardian

guardian.co.uk Celebrity Christmas wrapping paper auction

The Messiah for Muslims and Jews | 24th Nov 09

This year Revival will place advertisements in the UK Muslim and Jewish press, offering a complete version of Handel’s Messiah. It will be accompanied by notes explaining each of the Bible texts on which the oratorio is based. The aim is that Jesus should be presented in a way that is both attractive and compelling. Meanwhile Intervarsity has come up with their “10 commandments for sharing the Gospel with Muslims”. It’s a helpful guide for Christians in regular contact with Muslims:

1 – Love is the key which unlocks the door.
2 – Rely on the Holy Spirit.
3 – Listen carefully.
4 – Clarify words.
5 – Show respect for their customs and for Islam.
6 – Introduce and focus on Jesus.
7 – Be lovingly bold.
8 – Pray faithfully.
9 – Use the Bible.
10 – Ask thought-provoking questions.

Source: Revival Media; Intervarsity.org

BIBLE STUDY: Jude 1:20-21

PRAISE: God for such an opportunity to present Jesus to Jews and Muslims. Pray that many may be moved to seek and find Him as their Messiah.

Life goes on in Afghanistan, the clash of experts and politicians, and humbug – Christmas lights go on in Oxford Street

Weekly News Review from a Christian Viewpoint.  Patrick Woodward talks to Laura Webster,  Head of Policy at the aid agency Tearfund about the latest news from a Christian standpoint. Today, life goes on in Afghanistan as ordinary people live their lives, how experts and politicians can clash, and Christmas comes early once again as the lights go on in Oxford Street.

Story Links:

Afghanistan:

telegraph.co.uk Afghanistan: Gordon Brown digs in

tearfund.org Afghan literacy project scoops UN cash prize

Experts and politics:

telegraph.co.uk MPs demand answers over Nutt sacking

guardian.co.uk Sacked drugs adviser Nutt may set up new body

Christmas Lights:

bbc.co.uk Actor Carrey switches on lights

viewlondon.co.uk Oxford Street Christmas Lights

The Messiah for Muslims and Jews | 24th Oct 09

This year Revival will place advertisements in the UK Muslim and Jewish press, offering a complete version of Handel’s Messiah. It will be accompanied by notes explaining each of the Bible texts on which the oratorio is based. The aim is that Jesus should be presented in a way that is both attractive and compelling. Meanwhile Intervarsity has come up with their "10 commandments for sharing the Gospel with Muslims". It’s a helpful guide for Christians in regular contact with Muslims:

1 – Love is the key which unlocks the door.
2 – Rely on the Holy Spirit.
3 – Listen carefully.
4 – Clarify words.
5 – Show respect for their customs and for Islam.
6 – Introduce and focus on Jesus.
7 – Be lovingly bold.
8 – Pray faithfully.
9 – Use the Bible.
10 – Ask thought-provoking questions.

Source: Revival Media; Intervarsity.org

BIBLE STUDY: Jude 1:20-21

PRAISE: God for such an opportunity to present Jesus to Jews and Muslims. Pray that many may be moved to seek and find Him as their Messiah.

Gordon Brown quotes the Bible to the Archbishop, workers face longest Christmas break as economy crumbles, and Cadburys chocolate changes content of "Heroes" boxes.

Weekly News Review from a Christian Viewpoint. Patrick Woodward talks to Russ Bravo, (pictured) editor of Inspire Magazine, about the latest news from a Christian standpoint.  Today, Gordon Brown quotes the Bible back to an Archbishop, workers face their longest ever Christmas break, and anger among chocoholics as Cadburys changes “Heroes” make up. Also, tea at No 10 as Russ Bravo meets the PM.

Story Links:

Brown quotes Bible to Archbishop:

guardian.co.uk Brown spending plans “like  an addict”

timesonline.co.uk Brown slaps down Archbishop..

Longest Christmas break:

telegraph.co.uk Thousands of workers take longest Christmas break..

Cadburys:

telegraph.co.uk Cadbury switches chocolate Heroes

cadbury.co.uk Official site

Russ goes to No 10:

number 10.gov.uk No 10 Official Site

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our readers/subscribers.  The next Weekly News review will be with Catherine Butcher on 8th January 2009

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