Baroness believes it’s time for Christians to get into politics

A former deputy speaker of the House of Lords says now is a good time for Christians to consider a political career. Human rights campaigner Baroness Caroline Cox believes this post-expenses scandal era is ‘an even better time for young Christians to go into politics to make a difference’. Speaking at this year’s Keswick Convention, the Baroness told her Christian audience that the current low reputation of politics is ‘all the more reason to go into it and change it’. But she cautioned against students going straight into politics without having some other work and life experience first: ‘One of the problems with some of our politicians is that they have never done anything else but politics.’

Source: www.christiantoday.com (29/7)
http://www.christiantoday.com/article/now.is.a.good.time.for.christians.to.enter.politics.says.cox/23896.htm

Methodist Church will bar members from joining BNP

The annual Conference of the Methodist Church, meeting in Wolverhampton, has agreed that no member of the Church can also be a member of a political party whose constitution, aims or objectives promote racism.

This specifically includes, but is not solely limited to, the British National Party (BNP).

The resolution was brought from the floor of the Conference, known within Methodist circles as a Notice of Motion.

Revd Sylvester Deigh, who proposed the Notice of Motion, said; “We must be clear that racism is a denial of the gospel. An openness to all people, regardless of nationality, is at the heart of Methodist identity.

“This does not mean that people will be excluded from attending church – God welcomes all, saints and sinners alike. But it does mean that members of racist political parties will not be able to become full members of the Church.”

The notice of motion reminds the Church that those who support racist parties are also God’s children, and in need of love hope and redemption.

People who speak on behalf of the Methodist Church will also be barred from membership of such parties. The Church will now undertake the legal work required to put this into practice and report back to the Methodist Conference in July 2010.

Souce: Methodist News Service 09/07/09

MPs urge Christians not to lose faith in politics

Christian politicians across the spectrum are hoping the current expenses row will not turn Christians off politics. Speaking to the Baptist Times, Tory MP David Burrowes said: ‘The important Christian response is – yes, be concerned, be upset, be angry – but also be one of the few groups in this country to affirm the importance of praying for and supporting politicians and Christians in politics.’ Burrowes is parliamentary chairman of the Conservative Christian Fellowship and shadow justice minister. Christian Socialist Movement director Andy Flanagan and Liberal Democrat Christian Forum spokesman the Revd Simon Wilson also warned against the growth of cynicism.

Source: Baptist Times (14/5)

Delegation to Three Main Party Political Conferences

THE METHODIST CHURCH NEWS RELEASE 09/09/08

The President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference will be attending the three main party political conferences this autumn. UK poverty, the Millennium Development Goals and community action top the agenda

President Revd Stephen Poxon and Vice President Mr David Walton will visit the conferences as part of a Free Church delegation made up of representatives from the Methodist Church, United Reformed Church, Baptist Union of Great Britain, Salvation Army and the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).

The delegation will spend time with Liberal Democrat, Labour and Conservative politicians, learning more about their processes and decisions in order to better engage and debate with policy makers.

Stephen said; ‘‘This will be a valuable opportunity to engage with some of the key decision makers in British politics about issues that matter to the churches, to those in our congregations and to those living in the communities we serve. We will be talking with MPs and party spokespeople on subjects such as UK and worldwide poverty, and how churches work to support the disadvantaged in their communities.’

Other issues the delegation hope to raise include business ethics, gun and knife crime, asylum and immigration, food and farming, and the role of churches in delivering public services.

‘Politics is about so much more than Election Day or what goes on at Westminster,’ said David. ‘By having a presence at these conferences, offering support to our politicians but also challenging them on significant matters, we hope to understand the important and difficult choices they face, and the pressure under which they work. Only through real engagement can we work to make the changes that matter.’