Christian Today

• Fears for Iranian pastor facing execution
  There are unconfirmed reports that the Iranian authorities have decided to go ahead with the execution of a pastor
  
  
• Give a day back this leap year
  Church Urban Fund is encouraging people to give a day back on February 29
  
  
• Rethinking mission in secular Europe
  Christian evangelism and missionary work is most often associated with outreach in impoverished nations around the world but growing secularism in Europe is forcing some organisations to focus on the continent where much of the church underwent its early development
  
  
• Alain de Botton Religion is useful for atheists
  Atheist Alain de Botton has in a recent interview highlighted many ways in which religion is useful even for nonbelievers
  
  
• Droughtstricken Britain where respect is in short supply
  Not agreeing with someone is no reason to treat them disrespectfully
  
  
• Stephanie Smith releases Letting Go
  Gotee Records signing Stephanie Smith has just released her new single Letting Go to digital outlets
  
  
• Lent appeal to buy 4x4s for ministry work in Angola and Mozambique
  The Bishop of London is asking Christians in the capital to consider donating a portion of their travel costs during Lent to support ministry work in Angola and Mozambique
  
  
• Thousand Foot Krutch go back to where they started
  Sometimes the best way to move forward is to go back to the basics taking all of the raw energy and emotion of the past and channelling it into the present
  
  
• Christians do not need a privileged space
  The only power we require is the power of the Holy Spirit
  
  
• Petition supporting traditional marriage gathers 15000 signatures
  A petition calling upon the Government to maintain the existing definition of marriage has notched up 15000 signatures just one day after it was launched
  
  
• Ministering to the marginalised in Pakistan
  Siloam is working with Pakistani Christians trapped in bonded labour
  
  
• Susan Boyle cooks up pancake storm to support work against poverty
  Singer Susan Boyle showed off her pancake making skills today ahead of the start of SCIAFs Lent global poverty campaign
  
  
• Church of England launches Lent app
  Around one in five adults is preparing to observe the season of Lent when it gets underway on Wednesday
  
  
• Coptic Orthodox Church launches new ministry in the City
  The Coptic Orthodox Church has launched a new ministry in the City of London
  
  
• Lichfield Cathedral celebrates Queens Diamond Jubilee
  The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were among the guests at a service of thanksgiving for the Queen at Lichfield Cathedral on Sunday
  
  
• Poll reveals public unease about plans to redefine marriage
  A poll from the Coalition for Marriage C4M has revealed mixed feelings among the public about changing the definition of marriage
  
  
• New coalition defends traditional definition of marriage
  A new campaign group has been launched today to oppose the Governments plans to redefine marriage
  
  
• Where has common sense gone
  There is something childish about the secularist movement in Britain
  
  
• Christian worker forced to resign over request for Sundays off
  The Christian Legal Centre is defending a Christian worker who was forced to resign because she did not want to work on Sunday because of her Christian beliefs
  
  
• Vigil for murdered vicar
  A church vigil is taking place tonight for the Rev John Suddards who was found stabbed to death in his vicarage last week
  
  
• Welsh church leaders defend positive impact of faith communities
  Welsh councils told to spend two minutes thinking about the positive impact of faith in their communities
  
  
• Winans pay tribute at Houston funeral
  Gospel singers Cece and BeBe Winans joined friends and family of Whitney Houston in a moving home going service for the late singer
  
  
• Man arrested in connection to murder of vicar
  Police have arrested a 47yearold man in connection to the murder of a vicar in Gloucestershire
  
  
• Hoping for spring in Eritrea
  Ruta is settled in the UK now but she longs for the day that change will come for Christians in her native Eritrea
  
  
• Canon Andrew White tells of chaos after withdrawal of US troops from Iraq
  Following the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq the Christian minority faces continued sectarian violence political mayhem unemployment lack of security failing health care and the inability to buy food
  
  
• Spirit at work in Ukraines Ecumenical relations
  The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is optimistic about possible unity with Orthodox Christians in his country because faithful from across the ecumenical divide are demanding it
  
  
• Turkish Christians still experiencing discrimination
  Christians in Turkey continue to suffer attacks from private citizens discrimination by lowerlevel government officials and vilification in both school textbooks and news media
  
  
• Parliamentary group to protect teaching of RE
  MPs have formed a new group to safeguard the future of Religious Education in schools
  
  
• Pickles restores prayer to councils
  The High Court ban on prayers at council meetings has effectively been overturned by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles
  
  
• Barnabas Fund launches crisis appeal for Christians in Syria
  Christians in Syria are hungry and helpless in the midst of fierce fighting between government forces and rebels
  
  
• Lent challenge to demonstrate generosity
  Stewardship is inviting Christians to do their bit in changing the world this Lent
  
  
• Equalities chief says Christians are not above the law
  Christians are wrong to think that they should be exempt from equality legislation the chairman of the Equalities Commission has declared
  
  
• Young Anglicans supported in peacebuilding efforts
  A unique workshop is to take place this summer to support the peacebuilding efforts of young Anglicans
  
  
• Service to remember vicar found stabbed to death
  A special service is to be held on Friday in memory of a village priest who was found stabbed to death at his home on Tuesday
  
  
• Audrey Assad sings with her heart and soul
  Audrey Assad went to the top of the iTunes Christian Albums chart this week with her new album Heart
  
  
• The fire of faith burns bright in Bosnia
  Murat and Amina were in urgent need of assistance when they arrived at an aid warehouse run by Operation Mobilisation OM in Bosnia Aminas husband was desperately sick and they had no means or money to heat their home
  
  
• Church is underappreciated says Queen
  At a time of increasing division between faith and secularism the Queen has delivered a robust defence of the Church and faith in British society