When the News makes you weep.

Many in the UK have been deeply shocked by news following the trial and conviction of seven men guilty of child rapes (click link).  This is just one of the latest news items about sexual abuse.  Some TV celebrities and some music teachers are among other people in the news for such offences.  Meanwhile a shadow hangs over the Roman Catholic Church because of the extensive allegations of abuse.  Some other denominations have also had heartache when abuse has taken place.

I am glad that many national and local churches have now put in place safety policies and are better informed on the subject of sexual abuse, the care of the victims and the management of offenders.  Most regular readers will know that I have helped with others to achieve better practise.  I co-wrote the book, Time for Action, and the Church of England Report Responding Well.  This Saturday I will be teaching on the Salvation Army's Safe and Sound Course at their College in London.  I have also taught on the Congregational Federation's Integrated Training Course and some clergy gatherings.

The best way to make our churches and Christian organisations safer places is to be well informed.  For that reason I am once more commending Time for Action.  This is such a valuable book and no church or minister should be without it.  You can obtain it from me at £7.95 and I will send your copy post free in the UK.  The book would also be valuable to those outside the UK and anyone interested can email me at barry@ruralmissions.org.uk.

There are many forms of sexual abuse.  Many who read this through email or online will have experienced abuse of some kind.  Sadly, most church leaders are not well informed and all too often trot out unhelpful advice.  Unscriptural and ill-informed advice on forgiveness is a common problem.  Much abuse in the Christian context has taken place because of poor teaching on forgiveness and repentance.  I have a little booklet on this topic if anyone would like it.

When we wrote Time for Action there were certain evangelical churches that believed that they were not at risk.  Some small rural churches also thought "It could never happen here".  Sadly, experience has taught them they were wrong. Please do not take chances.  A single act of abuse can blight the life of not just the victim.  Make sure that you understand the risks, how best to prevent inappropriate activities and how to be a caring church to any victims who may be there already or who might come your way.  Possibly as many as one person in five could have been a victim.  The high profile through the news recently could awaken bad memories.  Be able to be helpful.

Matters for Praise and Prayer

• Please pray for teaching on Saturday 18th with the Salvation Army (see above).
• Please pray for my ministry at Yelvertoft for the next two Sundays.
• Please pray for two school assemblies this week: Lubenham (Leics) on Monday and Yelvertoft (Northants) on Tuesday.
• Please pray for a Country Way editorial meeting on Wednesday, followed by a meeting of the Churches Rural Group which I chair.
• I found the CTBI Conference on Wednesday and Thursday last week a blessing.  Excellent worship times.
• We give thanks that we now have a date for the Prison Choir Concert (12th June).
• I am thankful that Microsoft replaced my tablet computer after it developed a fault with an audio socket.  The service was excellent and timely.
• During our extended weekend break last weekend we met with Dunks Green Evangelical Free Church, which is part of Action for Christ.  Lovely time of fellowship.
• I encourage continued prayer for my colleague in rural ministry, Stephen Cope, who recently lost his wife after a long battle with a brain tumour.  
• Please pray for Ron Spillards and family.  I heard from Ron this morning that his wife has also gone to be with the Lord after a long and difficult illness.  Ron is involved in the Rural Evangelism Network. Funeral is on Friday.
• We need a miracle in Action for Christ (formerly Mission for Christ). Funds are so low that the charity is unable to maintain quarterly payments for a multi-function printer.  This could have been bought outright for £6,000 at the end of 2010 but the managing trustee at that time entered a contract that could ultimately cost £11,000.  I am in correspondence with the finance company, and value your prayers.  Obviously, there is a legal obligation so there is no reason why this company should be kind to us!  One option would be to find a church or organisation that would be interested in a bargain printer that is two and a half years old.  Once I know what kind of settlement figure the finance company will require I will share this information.
• We thank God for the interest shown in purchasing the OHP from Action for Christ, and so much interest in purchasing the digital projector that we might need to invite written offers to be fair to everyone. (If you have already expressed an interest you should hear from me in a week about this).
• Please pray for my own rural ministry that the Lord will meet our needs.  Pray for Monica Cook as she currently works in rural Kenya.  We thank God for existing support for Sunrise Ministries (this includes Rural Mission Solutions) but also need to pray for growth in our small band of supporters.
• Give thanks for a ministry blog recently commenced by my niece.  It;s good top have another Christian writer in the family!  Pray for Vicki as she develops this ministry.

I finish with that famous quotation from William Carey, a great Baptist Missionary: "Expect great things from God and attempt great things for God".  He is greater than all the challenges that confront us.

Barry