The Faithworks movement has announced a new conference to take place in November 2005, which will attract some of the leading Church and Christian organisation leaders in the UK.
Faithworks, which was founded by Rev Steve Chalke in 2001, has dedicated itself to working towards empowering and inspiring individual Christians and every local church to develop their role at the hub of their community, as well as challenging and changing the public perception of the Church by engaging both the media and the government.
Faithworks’ new initiative will take place in Eastbourne from 4-6 November 2005, and will bring together top Christian leaders such as; The Evangelical Alliance’s General Director Rev Joel Edwards; the famous evangelist Dr Tony Campolo; the head of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales; as well as Faithworks founder, Rev Steve Chalke among a whole host of other international speakers.
The conference will invite Christians and the public to challenge themselves to the question “In 21st Century Britain, how does the Church make the message of Jesus’ unconditional love accessible for all people? A message that makes sense of God, the universe and life; for the sick and the healthy, the rich and the poor, the old and the young, men and women, the lonely and loved alike.”
The general society of the UK will also be analysed closely, showing that although the culture does seem to have unprecedented openness to the spirituality in life, a majority of people still find it hard to accept or believe that the Church can answer their burning questions in life.
Delegates will be confronted with asking themselves ‘how much do we as individuals and a society as a whole serve the world, rather than just ourselves?’
However, looking beyond these troubling questions, discussions and advice will also be provided revealing how faith can produce actions to make a positive difference in people’s lives and to the UK society.
Unity in society has become an image that has been very much blurred in the UK since the atrocities of the terrorist bombs on 7th July 2005 in London. New figures released have shown just how strained society has become in the aftermath of the attacks.
Official police released this week have indicated that faith hate crimes in London have increased by 600% after the explosions in London on 7/7, as 269 faith hate crimes have been reported since the blasts. In the same 3 week period in 2004, this number was at just 40.
Amid these worrying new signs, it is hoped that the conference can bring new hope and guide Church and Christian leaders on how to have an active and relevant faith, to reach out to the searching youth of today.
Faithworks invites all church leaders, as well as community workers or even people who simply want to make a difference to those around them. The Faithworks Conference 2005 will look to inspire and equip attendees to learn to become active in their faith.
For more information on the event or on Faithworks please visit www.faithworks.info
