This week in the world press:

Bishops may face axe

The Church of England will consider axing dozens of bishops and senior clergy when its General Synod meets next month. There is a widespread feeling that the church’s reduction in paid parish ministers should be balanced by a leaner church hierarchy, according to representatives of Bradford diocese who have made the proposal. The move could result in cutbacks in the numbers of diocesan and suffragan (assistant) bishops, archdeacons and cathedral deans. Synod will also look at plans to merge or change some diocesan boundaries in order to slash staff and administrative costs.

Sources: The Times (23/6); Church Times (26/6)
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article6556358.ece?token=null&offset=12&page=2
http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=77185

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Christian banker chides finance industry – but gently

The chairman of the HSBC bank – an Anglican non-stipendiary minister – has admitted that bankers have fallen woefully short of ‘service leadership’ of late. ‘We’ve all become painfully aware of it in the past couple of years,’ Stephen Green told the Times while discussing his new book, Good Value: Reflections on Money, Morality and an Uncertain World. Green concedes that ‘morality in the markets’ needs to be addressed. But he believes ‘more than 90 per cent of people working in banks have been doing a perfectly honest sensible job’. Green says there is a need to maintain ‘a standard of integrity’ across the industry, from recruitment to training, appraisals and rewards. He adds that rich earners have a responsibility to give far beyond tithing, until ‘it feels like sacrifice’.

Source: The Times (25/6)
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article6571529.ece

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Two-thirds of teenagers believe religion is bad

Six out of ten teenagers believe religion ‘has a negative influence on the world’ and 55 per cent say family, friends, money and entertainment are more important. The findings came in a survey of 1,000 teenagers for Penguin Books. Half of teenagers claim they have never prayed and 16 per cent have never been to church, even for a wedding or a christening. Three in ten believe in an afterlife but one in ten believes in reincarnation. The survey marked the publication of a novel about a 15-year-old girl who questions God’s existence. Kevin Brooks, author of Killing God, said he ‘wanted to explore the personal attitudes of young people today, especially those with troubled lives’ towards religion. ‘Why do some people turn to God for help while others take comfort in drugs and alcohol?’

Source: Daily Telegraph (22/6)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/5603096/Two-thirds-of-teenagers-dont-believe-in-God.html

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This week in the Church press:

Methodists revisit Communion and minister extensions

‘Distressing’ situations arising when unrepresentative votes have blocked ministerial re-appointments have led the Methodist church to recommend changing its ‘reinvitation’ process. The most high profile example was the case of the superintendant minister of the Isles of Scilly, who appeared in BBC’s Island Parish series. Shock was caught on camera when he was told the circuit had voted against extending his term, in spite of earlier feedback to the contrary. At its 2009 Conference next week, the church will be asked to agree such appointments without a vote if circuit consultations have been ‘overwhelmingly favourable’. Another proposal before Conference will be to authorise local preachers, pioneering leaders and probationary ministers to preside at Holy Communion. On a broader level, the church’s General Secretary, Revd Dr Martyn Atkins, will call the church to greater boldness and openness to change while continuing ‘the jewels ... of our tradition’.

Source: Methodist Recorder (25/6)
http://www.methodistrecorder.co.uk/mrhlines.htm

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‘Credit crunch searchers’ turn to family not church

The financial downturn has prompted three quarters of adults to rethink their values and purpose but hardly any have considered going to church. The findings, from a survey of 2,000 adults conducted for Christian Research, showed that many were looking to spend more time with family. The second most popular way of coping and finding meaning was through contacting past friends. However, only 3 per cent had considered going to church. Despite this, 23 per cent of unchurched respondents said they were searching and 14 per cent of searchers had tried prayer. Benita Hewitt, director of Christian Research, said ‘now is the time to talk’ to acquaintances since three out of four are looking for meaning and community.

Source: Christianity (July 09)

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Rick Warren backs new US conservative province

The California pastor and author of The Purpose-Driven Life gave his full backing to the newly formed Anglican Church of North America (ACNA) this week. The new grouping is composed of conservative churches that have broken away from the US Episcopal Church. ACNA claims to have 693 congregations and a combined average Sunday attendance of 69,197 worshippers. At its inaugural gathering, Rick Warren referred to lawsuits issued by the Episcopal Church over parish property and said, ‘you may lose your steeple, but you won’t lose your people’. Pittsburgh Bishop Robert Duncan, elected archbishop by the group, called for a return to ‘muscular Christianity ... no cross, no crown’ and stressed their goal ‘to be part of the great reformation of the Christian Church’.

Sources: Church of England Newspaper (26/6); Church Times (26/6)
http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=77228

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Culture watch:

BBC under fire for decline in religious coverage

The Church of England’s General Synod will consider calls for the BBC to explain its reduction in religious programming and slimmed down coverage of Christian festivals. The motion also voices concern that Aaqil Mahmed, a Muslim and former Channel 4 religion commissioning editor, will be responsible for all the BBC’s religious output. The challenge coincides with fierce criticism of the corporation’s treatment of Christianity by former Radio 2 presenter Don Maclean. The former presenter of Good Morning Sunday claimed programming chiefs looked for a ‘negative angle at every opportunity’ when covering Christianity. He also said he had battled with radio controllers who argued his show should be a ‘multi-faith’ programme. Meanwhile, the BBC Trust announced this week it has asked the corporation to remove the most offensive language between 9pm and 10pm after a survey found viewers were offended by strong swearing and sexual content.

Sources: Daily Telegraph (20/6, 24/6); Daily Mail (22/6)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/5587136/Church-of-England-to-confront-BBC-over-treatment-of-Christianity.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1194580/The-BBC-keen-attacking-Christianity-support-Islam-claims-radio-presenter-Maclean.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/5628315/BBC-bows-to-viewers-and-curbs-swearing-after-9pm-watershed.html

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