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The life of evangelical churches and their spiritual leaders has been portrayed in some recent films and series. Can they help us start conversations?
It is urgent to reflect on the issues and challenges of childhood, both as a society and as local churches.
Photo: Juan Pablo Arenas. (Pexels, CC0)
November 20 is the World Children's Day, a date when the media offer a space to the reality of children.
The risk is to give just a quick and superficial look at the reality. But just leaning to the surface, we can perceive several challenges that would be worth deepening.
DEMOGRAPHIC CHALLENGE
One of them is the demographic challenge. Europe leads the worldwide drop in fertility rates. According to the experts, the reasons are diverse, but some figures are incontestable.
It is increasingly difficult for young couples to consolidate a life project. In many European countries, it takes longer to enter the labor market, job precariousness stretches over time, and women choose or have to delay or forgo giving birth.
This imbalance between vital and biological maturity barely appears in the political debate, despite the consequences that this situation can have for the society as a whole, such as the problem that many European countries have with the decrease of the pension savings fund.
INDIVIDUALISM AND LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY
This socio-economic situation goes along with a prevailing individualist philosophy, what some sociologists call the prolongation of adolescence. We stretch a life stage in which responsibilities are scarce.
Our consumer culture encourages self-satisfaction and eludes sacrifice. And there are not many counterweights which offer a positive promotion of family, quite the contrary.
UNPROTECTED CHILDREN
What is the situation of children in Europe?
In Spain, for example, the NGO Save The Children reported that one out of three children is at risk of social exclusion. What are we doing to change this situation?
On the other hand, we see with concern the advance of gender ideology in health care and education. Governments are trying to impose a vision of sexuality that does not have scientific support, while at the same time questioning the capacity and responsibility of parents in the education of their children.
CHILDREN IN OUR CHURCHES
How do Christians respond to this challenge? What happens in the churches?
As Javier Martín, coordinator of an emerging Working Group for Children of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance, says: “We should continue to be amazed at the place Jesus gave children in His Kingdom”.
Is this gospel reality reflected in our churches? These challenges related to childhood need to be addressed seriously and urgently.
The psalmist alludes to the tall cypress trees that supported the heavy nests of the storks to highlight the way God cares for his creation.
There is not a single friend who can understand you like God can. He suffered more for us than we will ever be able to take in.
Julia Doxat-Purser: 25 years of EEA office in Brussels
An interview with the socio-political representative of the European Evangelical Alliance about how evangelical Christians work at the heart of the European Union.
Lars Dahle: Nominal Christianity, a mission field for the church
An interview with Lars Dahle, of the Steering Committee of the Lausanne Movement Global Consultation on Nominal Christianity held in Rome.
Testimony: Wildfires near Athens
Nico Spies, a Christian worker in Athens, gives details about the wildfires in Greece.
Glimpses of the ELF 2019 conference
Evangelical leaders from across Europe meet in Wisla (Poland) to network for mission in a range of fields. The vision is to renew the biblical church and evangelise Europe.
AEA Plaza opens to serve African evangelicals
After many years of labour, the Association of Evangelicals in Africa officially opened its new centre in Nairobi, Kenya. “Africa, your time has come!”, said the World Evangelical Alliance Secretary General Efraim Tendero.
‘Small churches, big potential for transformation’
Photos of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance’s annual gathering “Idea 2019”, in Murcia. Politicians and church leaders discussed about the role of minorities in society.
Mercy Ships volunteers perform 100,000th free surgical procedure
The milestone represents an important point in the nonprofit’s 40-year legacy.
What are the most important truths that Christians should seek to convey in a secular context?
Espen Ottosen talks about the truths Christians should share with people who have little knowledge and/or many prejudices about Christian belief.
A 50-metre high monument will encourage Britons to pray
Thousands of visitors will have the chance to discover “the God who is alive who listens and answers prayers”.
John Lennox on Acts
Professor John Lennox examines the three supernatural events in the first three chapters of Acts: Jesus' ascension, the Holy Spirit's descent at Pentecost, and the healing of a lame man by the Apostles.
Opinions expressed are those of their respective contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of Evangelical Focus.
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