Fellowship focus 3 - July 1997
Christian Connections
The bible is full of exhortations to us to care for other people: You shall love your neighbour as yourself (Lev 19:19); Remember the prisoners as if chained with them (Heb 13:3); As we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith (Gal 6:10).
Christian love requires us to show an active interest in people and situations outside our own immediate circle of family and friends. In a world of so much evil and need, it is often difficult to know where to begin and what to do. The organisations listed below will be able to provide relevant and up-to-date information on a variety of subjects of interest and concern to Christians everywhere
- CARE, 53 Romney Street, London, SW1P 3RF (0171-233 0455) Aims to promote Christian action, research and education in a wide variety of social, moral and ethical issues and to challenge Christians to participate in local caring initiatives and become actively involved in the democratic process.
- Christian Institute, Eslington House, Eslington Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE2 4RF (0191-281 5664) Seeks to apply the bible's teaching to a vast range of current issues so that Christians can present a biblical case in an informed and compelling way. Subjects covered in recent issues of their News Digest have included euthanasia, drugs, homosexuality, moral values in schools, European Union law, and marriage and divorce. CI regularly informs subscribers of bills before Parliament of specific concern and suggests action to take.
- Christian Solidarity International, PO Box 99, New Malden, Surrey, KT3 3YF (0181-942 8810) Founded in 1977, with nineteen branches worldwide, CSI helps persecuted Christians of any denomination, in any country, by prayer, campaigning and practical action. Recent literature has focused on the needs of believers in Indonesia, Sudan, Vietnam, Mexico, Pakistan and China, together with the names and addresses of officials to whom Christians in the UK may write on behalf of their persecuted brothers and sisters.
- Evangelicals for Life, Life House, Newbold Terrace, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 4EA A special interest group within LIFE seeking to persuade evangelicals to present the biblical case against abortion and to get involved in the pro-life cause. In addition to providing useful and informative literature, LIFE provides a nationwide care and counselling service for pregnant women, unsupported mothers and women suffering from the effects of an abortion.
- Families for Discipline, 173 Frinton Road, Kirby Cross, Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, CO13 0PD Established in 1993 to counter pressure to legislate against parental chastisement of children, FFD seeks to promote a positive and proven approach to discipline and to preserve the liberty of parents to use reasonable physical correction. they have recently produced a leaflet and a booklet aimed at helping parents to discipline their children in the context of a warm, secure and lovinf relationship.
- Family and Youth Concern, 332 Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 7NS (01865-556848) Aims to promote responsible attitudes to marriage and family life, using the most recent anad reputable research to produce leaflets, books, reports and videos, including resources for use in schools. FYC is a non-religious organisation, although many of its members and supporters ar Christians.
- Full-Time Mothers, PO Box 186, London, SW3 5RF Aims to promote an understanding od a child's need for a full-time mother, supported by academic research, and to campaign for changes in the tax and benefits system to make full-time motherhood more economically viable. Again, not a specifically Christian organisation, although a number of its members and local group coordinators are believers.
- The Jubilee Centre, 3 Hooper Street, Cambridge, CB1 2NZ Undertakes research on social, political and economic issues from a biblical perspective. Since its inception in 1984, areas covered include criminal justice, family policy, caring for the elderly, homelessness, keeping Sunday special, the National Lottery, and consumer credit and debt.
- National Viewers' and Listeners' Association, All Saints House, High Street, Colchester, CO1 1UG Founded over thirty years ago by Mary Whitehouse, NVLA is dedicated to improving broadcasting standards. The Association lobbies Parliament and broadcasting organisations and produces research reports with a view to eliminating pornography, violence, bad language and blasphemy in the media, and supporting wholesome family viewing which respects human dignity and portrays good moral standards.
- SPUC Evangelicals, Phyllis Bowman House, 5/6 St Matthew Street, London, SW1P 2JT A Christian group working within the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children to uphold the sanctity of life from conception and campaign for legislation for protect children within the womb. Several useful publications are available, including a well-researched book entitled Love Your Unborn Neighbour.
No individual Christian or church can possibly take an active interest in every issue, but why not write to one or two of the addresses above and find out more about a subject that may not affect you directly, but which is rightly an area of direct concern for many other members of the body of Christ, and see what you can do to help?
...let us not love in word or tongue, but in deed and in truth.
1 John 3:18