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NEWS

Pastors and church leaders oppose ban on parental smacking

More than 650 pastors and Christian leaders from across a wide spectrum of churches (Anglican, Baptist, Brethren, House Church, Congregational, Independent Evangelical, Pentecostal, and Presbyterian etc) have strongly opposed moves to introduce a new law which would turn parents into criminals if they smacked their children.

The church leaders, including popular Christian authors John Benton, John Blanchard, Brian Edwards, Roger Carswell and Melvin Tinker, have endorsed a statement prepared by Families First which asserts that appropriate physical correction, in the context of a warm family environment, has an important place in the overall discipline of children. Referring to the teaching of both Old and New Testaments, they note that it has a positive and gracious purpose.

As MPs prepare to debate an amendment to the Children Bill next week which would impose a legal ban on smacking by parents, the leaders warn that such moves would be disastrous for children and families. Not only would good, caring parents run the risk of finding themselves in court if they smacked their children, but already overstretched child protection resources would be diverted away from children who are suffering real abuse.

A ban on smacking would also give rise to religious liberties issues because the law would be forbidding parents from doing something expressly commended by God in his Word. But the 650+ evangelical church leaders have expressed their commitment to continue to bring the teaching of the Bible to bear on every area of life, even if by so doing their preaching is going against arbitrary man-made laws.

A briefing paper on the Children Bill is available on request from Families First at: Families First, Penny Farthing, 192 New Road, Chilworth, Guildford GU4 8LX; e-mail: info@families-first.org.uk

See News Extra for more background to this issue
What's your view - is smacking justified on occasion, or something you never use with your children? Mail info@cfnetwork.co.uk or use the Bulletin Board to let us know what you think

Nation responds to message about prodigals

Church leaders across the UK have been inspired to consider how to encourage people back to faith at Mission Prodigals, a series of events organised by national charity Care for the Family.

Those attending heard Rob Parsons, author and speaker on the subject of Bringing Home the Prodigals, encourage them to get ready to welcome their prodigals home.

Mission Prodigals comes ahead of Care for the Family's seven large-scale Bringing Home the Prodigals events in November. The demand for tickets has already been high with some venues completely sold out already. As a result, people are being asked to book soon to avoid disappointment.

"These evenings are about encouragement and hope," says Rob when asked to explain their appeal. "At the events a number of issues are addressed like getting over feelings of guilt, how churches have treated 'prodigals' in the past and the worry and pain experienced by those who have seen loved ones turn their backs on God. We give people the opportunity to come together in prayer, specifically for the nation's prodigals.

"At the end of the evening, it is immensely moving to see so many people coming forward to lay the name of their prodigal at the foot of the cross. It's an action that stems from hope as we humbly ask God to bring them home."

Bringing Home the Prodigals will be at:

Hull City Hall 4 November
Bradford St George’s Hall 5 November
Watford The Colosseum 11 November
Guildford Spectrum Leisure Centre 13 November
Peterborough Broadway Theatre 19 November
Events at Norwich and Egham, Surrey have already sold out

Tickets for Bringing Home the Prodigals cost £6 from Care for the Family, PO Box 488, Cardiff, CF15 7YY, by phone on (029) 2081 0800, or online at www.careforthefamily.org.uk

CCPAS in new campaign to help those who have suffered abuse

A fresh initiative which aims to tackle the cloak of secrecy that often surrounds abuse among Christians has been announced by the Churches Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS).

The initiative, which was launched this week at the Midlands Christian Resources Exhibition in Birmingham, will be followed up by two special seminars, at St Philips Church in Solihull on 6 November and Aspley Evangelical Church, in Aspley, Nottingham on 14 November. The seminars - Facing the Unthinkable - are designed to help churches develop effective Child Protection policies and advise those dealing with people who may have experienced abuse in their lives.

HELP is a set of materials for use by individuals as well as churches and other Christian organisations for whom issues of faith and spirituality may be particularly relevant. The HELP initiative, is aimed not just at the growing numbers of Christians who have been abused themselves but also at those who have experienced abuse either as a parent or a friend of someone that has been abused.

HELP comprises a series of booklets such as 'Help … my child's been abused - now what?' and 'Help … I need someone to talk to', that have been produced in an effort to break down the barriers of secrecy and guilt which often surround abuse. Further instalments in the series yet to be published include materials designed specifically for youth and children in the 8-14 age bracket.

David Pearson, Director of CCPAS, said "Too often Christians are inclined to address the issue of abuse 'in-house' with little reference to social services and other professional agencies. Through this series we aim to improve understanding of the effects of abuse and dispel some of the fears that exist which can hinder healing and recovery."

The HELP materials particularly encourage responses in line with good child protection practice. "At CCPAS we know from years of working with adult survivors of child sex abuse that where children are listened to and where justice is seen to be done, long-term damage is kept to a minimum", explained Pearson.

Each booklet has been prepared by experienced members of the CCPAS team but also includes input and comments from individuals who have first hand experience of the issues. In addition to the series of booklets, HELP will encompass a media campaign focused on Christian media and make all the materials available through its website at www.ccpas.co.uk.

For more information or free samples of the new pocket guide people should send a SAE to CCPAS at PO Box 133, Swanley, Kent, BR8 7UQ, or telephone the office on 0845 120 4550.

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		NEWS Pastors and church leaders oppose ban on parental smacking More than 650 pastors and Christian leaders from across a wide spectrum of churches (Anglican, Baptist, Brethren, House Church, Congregational, Independent Evangelical, Pentecostal, and Presbyterian etc) have strongly opposed moves to introduce a new law which would turn parents into criminals if they smacked their children. The church leaders, including popular Christian authors John Benton, John Blanchard, Brian Edwards, Roger Carswell and Melvin Tinker, have endorsed a statement prepared by Families First which asserts that appropriate physical correction, in the context of a warm family environment, has an important place in the overall discipline of children. Referring to the teaching of both Old and New Testaments, they note that it has a positive and gracious purpose. As MPs prepare to debate an amendment to the Children Bill next week which would impose a legal ban on smacking by parents, the leaders warn that such moves would be disastrous for children and families. Not only would good, caring parents run the risk of finding themselves in court if they smacked their children, but already overstretched child protection resources would be diverted away from children who are suffering real abuse. A ban on smacking would also give rise to religious liberties issues because the law would be forbidding parents from doing something expressly commended by God in his Word. But the 650+ evangelical church leaders have expressed their commitment to continue to bring the teaching of the Bible to bear on every area of life, even if by so doing their preaching is going against arbitrary man-made laws. A briefing paper on the Children Bill is available on request from Families First at: Families First, Penny Farthing, 192 New Road, Chilworth, Guildford GU4 8LX; e-mail: info@families-first.org.uk See News Extra for more background to this issue What's your view - is smacking justified on occasion, or something you never use with your children? Mail info@cfnetwork.co.uk or use the Bulletin Board to let us know what you think Nation responds to message about prodigals Church leaders across the UK have been inspired to consider how to encourage people back to faith at Mission Prodigals, a series of events organised by national charity Care for the Family. Those attending heard Rob Parsons, author and speaker on the subject of Bringing Home the Prodigals, encourage them to get ready to welcome their prodigals home. Mission Prodigals comes ahead of Care for the Family's seven large-scale Bringing Home the Prodigals events in November. The demand for tickets has already been high with some venues completely sold out already. As a result, people are being asked to book soon to avoid disappointment. "These evenings are about encouragement and hope," says Rob when asked to explain their appeal. "At the events a number of issues are addressed like getting over feelings of guilt, how churches have treated 'prodigals' in the past and the worry and pain experienced by those who have seen loved ones turn their backs on God. We give people the opportunity to come together in prayer, specifically for the nation's prodigals. "At the end of the evening, it is immensely moving to see so many people coming forward to lay the name of their prodigal at the foot of the cross. It's an action that stems from hope as we humbly ask God to bring them home." Bringing Home the Prodigals will be at: Hull City Hall 4 November Bradford St George’s Hall 5 November Watford The Colosseum 11 November Guildford Spectrum Leisure Centre 13 November Peterborough Broadway Theatre 19 November Events at Norwich and Egham, Surrey have already sold out Tickets for Bringing Home the Prodigals cost £6 from Care for the Family, PO Box 488, Cardiff, CF15 7YY, by phone on (029) 2081 0800, or online at www.careforthefamily.org.uk CCPAS in new campaign to help those who have suffered abuse A fresh initiative which aims to tackle the cloak of secrecy that often surrounds abuse among Christians has been announced by the Churches Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS). The initiative, which was launched this week at the Midlands Christian Resources Exhibition in Birmingham, will be followed up by two special seminars, at St Philips Church in Solihull on 6 November and Aspley Evangelical Church, in Aspley, Nottingham on 14 November. The seminars - Facing the Unthinkable - are designed to help churches develop effective Child Protection policies and advise those dealing with people who may have experienced abuse in their lives. HELP is a set of materials for use by individuals as well as churches and other Christian organisations for whom issues of faith and spirituality may be particularly relevant. The HELP initiative, is aimed not just at the growing numbers of Christians who have been abused themselves but also at those who have experienced abuse either as a parent or a friend of someone that has been abused. HELP comprises a series of booklets such as 'Help … my child's been abused - now what?' and 'Help … I need someone to talk to', that have been produced in an effort to break down the barriers of secrecy and guilt which often surround abuse. Further instalments in the series yet to be published include materials designed specifically for youth and children in the 8-14 age bracket. David Pearson, Director of CCPAS, said "Too often Christians are inclined to address the issue of abuse 'in-house' with little reference to social services and other professional agencies. Through this series we aim to improve understanding of the effects of abuse and dispel some of the fears that exist which can hinder healing and recovery." The HELP materials particularly encourage responses in line with good child protection practice. "At CCPAS we know from years of working with adult survivors of child sex abuse that where children are listened to and where justice is seen to be done, long-term damage is kept to a minimum", explained Pearson. Each booklet has been prepared by experienced members of the CCPAS team but also includes input and comments from individuals who have first hand experience of the issues. In addition to the series of booklets, HELP will encompass a media campaign focused on Christian media and make all the materials available through its website at www.ccpas.co.uk. For more information or free samples of the new pocket guide people should send a SAE to CCPAS at PO Box 133, Swanley, Kent, BR8 7UQ, or telephone the office on 0845 120 4550. © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.