Following on from his article last week, Clifford Hill continues his response to the recent attacks in France.

The huge press coverage of the Paris atrocities and the vast chatter on social media does little more than demonstrate the confusion that has arisen. Neither journalists nor politicians know what to do and the church stays silent.

President Hollande declared to an assembly of French mayors that he is proud of the secularism of France which they will continue to defend by increasing their bombing of the Islamic State.¹ David Cameron wants to join in the bombing and Nicola Sturgeon is reconsidering her position.

Meanwhile leaders of the Islamic State posted their views saying: "In a blessed battle whose causes of success were enabled by Allah, a group of believers from the soldiers of the Caliphate set out targeting the capital of prostitution and vice, the lead carrier of the cross in Europe – Paris...And Allah granted victory upon their hands and cast terror into the hearts of the Crusaders in their very own homeland."²

By contrast the Muslim Council of Great Britain took out full-page advertisements in national newspapers on 19 November stating: "The barbaric acts of Daesh (or ISIS as they are sometimes known) have no sanction in the religion of Islam, which forbids terrorism and the targeting of innocents."

So, Where Does the Truth Lie?

I have lived and worked among Muslims for most of my working life in London and I know that most Muslims are ordinary, decent, peace-loving people - but also that most of them know nothing of the history of Islam and have very little knowledge of the Koran. The young men of the Islamic State are following Muhammad as their example.

Muhammad advocated violence in the 'Second Pledge at Al-Aqabah' through which he unleashed violence against those who refused to accept his new religion. He also used Koran 9.5 which demands conversion on pain of death.

Muhammad himself carried out horrendous acts of cruelty especially against Jews, as in the slaughter of Banu Qurayza in April 627 AD. The whole town had already surrendered to him but Muhammad decided to slaughter all the adult males. Some 800 to 900 captives were beheaded, with Muhammad himself cutting off the heads of two of the Jewish elders. This was justified from the Koran "Some ye slew and ye made captive some. And he (Allah) caused you to inherit their land and their houses and their wealth, and land you have not trodden. Allah is ever able to do all things" (Koran 33.26–27).³

Whilst the proper interpretation of such quotations as the above remains hotly debated amongst scholars, the fact is that they are still being used today to justify killing. We have to leave it to the Muslim scholars to sort out the truth. Clearly they have a problem. The Koran defines me, a Christian, as an 'infidel' so I cannot help them; I can only urge them to study their history and the writings attributed to Muhammad and to define what is valid for today in the 21^st century. There will be no peace in the world until they do this.

Why Has God Allowed This to Happen?

The Western nations and especially Europe have despised their Christian birthright and have deliberately embraced secular humanism and all forms of depraved hedonism. The Queen, at her Coronation in 1953, received a Bible and promised to "maintain the laws of God and the true profession of the gospel". At this time, our nation agreed before God to be, corporately, a Christian nation.

Since then, Britain has forced the Queen to sign laws that break these promises. We are now reaping what we have sown so we no longer have the protection of God over the nation. We have sown the wind and we are reaping the whirlwind. Only repentance and turning to God can make any difference.

In 1953, Britain agreed before God to be a Christian nation. Since then we have broken those promises – and we are now reaping what we have sown.

It may be that God is allowing thousands of Muslims to come into Europe as part of his judgement upon us. But God is able to turn judgement into blessing and already there are reports of hundreds of Muslim refugees accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Europeans are being given the opportunity of witnessing to the truth by showing love and compassion to refugees from war.

In Britain we have made no attempt to teach immigrants the history of our nation and our great Judaeo-Christian heritage. We have not even insisted that they all speak English. This is sheer madness! It drives migrants into cultural ghettos like the suburbs of Paris. Immigration without integration spells disaster!

We have despised our godly heritage while at the same time allowing secular humanists to spread their teachings in our schools and universities and to change the laws of the land to accommodate their perversions of the truth. We have dropped the teaching of the Bible; and our churches have lost their prophetic mission to declare the truth fearlessly.

What Should We Do?

I am grateful to all those who put comments on my article published last Friday. It is so good to have open discussion on these issues that affect the whole nation. Everyone I speak to thinks what happened in Paris will happen in Britain and none of us really knows how to deal with the threat of terrorism - because it's nothing like conventional war. We are dealing with spiritual evil.

The threat to the nation is very real and Christians should be mobilising prayer. A good biblical example is in 2 Chronicles 20 when Jerusalem was threatened by a vast enemy army and the King called the whole nation to prayer which he led, calling upon God for help, "For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."

The threat to this nation is very real and Christians should be mobilising prayer. God always answers a true prayer of faith, especially when it is accompanied by repentance.

This prayer was wonderfully answered when the enemy army destroyed themselves through internal dissension. God always answers a true prayer of faith: especially when it is accompanied by repentance for our waywardness.

References

1 Paris Attacks: president Hollande addresses French mayors' congress. Youtube video (running time 27:45), France 24.

2 Fisher, M. Here is ISIS' statement claiming responsibility for the Paris attacks. Vox, 24 November 2015.

3 MA Khan, 2011. Islamic Jihad: A Legacy of Forced Conversion, Imperialism and Slavery. iUniverse, p35. Full text available here for free (PDF download).

4 Basilan, M. Muslim refugees converting to Christianity in Berlin church. Christian Post, 8 September 2015.

Weekly Readings: Genesis 23:1-25:28, 1 Kings 1:1-31, Matthew 1:1-17; 1 Corinthians 15:50-57.

Sarah was central to God's purpose for Israel. She was chosen just as Abraham was and in a few brief chapters we survey their life together. She gave birth to and nurtured Isaac into manhood. Her faith was tested just as Abraham's was and indeed she grew in faith to please God.

The Life and Death of Sarah

Sarah's was a long life by today's standards - a full 127 years. The account of her life is brief by comparison to its length, and the account of her death is even briefer. Yet there is enough in the account of her death to cause us to pause and reflect.

Death was certain for Sarah as it is for every human being. As we meditate on her passing and, for that matter, the death of many others in the Bible, death is taken into the compass of a life. She lived and she died - death being a part of the continuum of the life of faith. We know that her death was not final, any more than it is for any of God's family of faith. She is prominent in Genesis and she is also prominent in the book of Hebrews:

By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. (Heb 11:11)

Her prominence in Hebrews, along with her husband Abraham and many others, is because they looked forward to the fulfilment of God's eternal promises, to be completed in a time and place beyond the transient life on earth – however difficult and long that life had been.

Dying in Faith

The brief account of Sarah's death is full of things to consider particularly in an age where many people are losing sight of the way to die in faith, treasuring the last days as much as the former ones of our life.

Chiefly, her death was full of dignity. It was a step of faith for her and for Abraham. Nevertheless, mourning was a full part of the human response and care was taken over her burial. All surely was in the hands of God - a glorious death for this reason.

Precious to God

Life is precious for us all. Old age has its place in the God-ordained processes of life. If, during our lives, like Sarah, we allow God to build our faith through the hills and valleys of experience, then we too in dignity will die in faith at the right time.

Life is precious right to the end and the death of a disciple is as precious to God as the life we have lived. Let us learn to trust him in all this, as surely Sarah did.

Author: Clifford Denton

It was with great sadness that we heard of the death of Dennis Wrigley earlier this week. He was the founder and leader of the Maranatha Community, with prayer groups in many parts of the UK and Ireland. Dennis had a unique ministry that was both prophetic and practical. His wise and biblically-based teaching and personal witness will be greatly missed among ministry leaders as well as in his own community.

The funeral will be on Monday 23 November, in Manchester.

Details from Maranatha Community Office, 102 Irlam Road, Flixton, Manchester M41 6JT. Tel (01617) 484858.

Rev Dr Clifford Hill

Listen to a recent sermon from our Study Editor, Dr Clifford Denton.

One of our own team at Prophecy Today, Dr Clifford Denton, spoke last week at Father's House in North Wales, on the topic of going deeper in the word of God.

You can listen to his sermon by clicking on this link (running time: 57:48).

Is Euroscepticism a sign of a deeper dissatisfaction with the direction in which Britain is heading?

Over the next few months the question of whether Britain should be in or out of Europe is no doubt going to occupy a great deal of the news media. David Cameron's publication of the demands that he intends presenting to the European Council were a surprise only for the mildness of what he expects to achieve.

Mild Demands

In his letter to European Council President Donald Tusk, the Prime Minister set out his four key objectives for the re-negotiation of Britain's place in Europe. They are: –

1. Protection of the single market for Britain and other non-Euro countries
2. Boosting competitiveness by setting a target for the reduction of the 'burden' of red tape
3. Exempting Britain from 'ever-closer union' and bolstering national parliaments
4. Restricting EU migrants' access to in-work benefits such as tax credits

With such a mild set of demands an impartial observer could be forgiven for wondering what all the fuss is about! In any case, to get any meaningful changes in the EU's governing treaties before 2017, when Cameron has promised a referendum, is quite impossible. His demands are far too modest to satisfy those who want to see substantial differences in Britain's relationship with Europe.

The demands will be formally debated by the EU leaders at a summit next month, although no doubt most of the EU leaders were already well aware of what our Prime Minister is asking. He has had extensive talks with Angela Merkel, who has already indicated that she would go a long way to make concessions that will keep Britain in the EU - provided nothing infringes on the free movement of people within the Union.

Battle for Greater Independence

One thing David Cameron has already made clear to the rest of Europe is that Britain is totally opposed to any closer political union within the EU. But whether he can achieve greater independence and - in particular – freedom to control our own borders, is very doubtful. Perhaps the greatest danger is that the EU leaders will collectively conspire to make the achievement of even the smallest concessions look extremely difficult so that Cameron is able to claim a magnificent victory in the face of fierce opposition.

David Cameron might have made it clear that Britain opposes closer political union within the EU, but will he manage to achieve greater independence for the UK?

Our Prime Minister could then put his 'hard-won' victory to the British people and achieve a 'Yes' vote for staying in the EU without actually ever having achieved what the Eurosceptics want – greater independence so that we can make our own laws and re-gain our national sovereignty, for which we fought two world wars. They want to be able to trade with Europe without being under the heel of Brussels.

Deeper Dissatisfaction

But is there not a deeper reason why so many people want freedom from the European Union? A recent poll reported on the Conservative Home website says that more than two-thirds of Conservative Party members are likely to vote for Britain to leave the EU. Why is this? What is making people so dissatisfied with the present situation?

Could the reason for this dissatisfaction be the vague sense of having lost our national heritage? The older generation, in particular, has lived through the most incredible period of social change in our history. The changes have not only been in technology and scientific discovery that have given us space travel, the internet, heart transplantations and weapons of mass destruction; but also radical changes to our whole culture and national way of life. It is now hard to define 'British values'– what it is to be British.

What is making people so dissatisfied with the present situation? Could it be the vague sense of having lost our national heritage – what it means to be British?

Change of Pace

Even our humour and entertainment have changed beyond all recognition in the past decade or so - as looking at old films from the 1970s or 80s confirms. I was never very keen on films such as the 'Carry On' series, but at least they were harmless slapstick nonsense - although many of their subjects would fall foul of our politically correct restrictions today. Moreover, you could take the children to see them without blushing at the filthy language that litter so many films and TV programmes today!

Many of today's Eurosceptics are really looking for 'the good old days' when life was a lot simpler and the pace was not so hectic. One of my friends who works on a TV news programme told me the other day that she has on average 500 emails a day! I usually have 40 or 50 a day (plus 2 or 3 scam phone calls) but even that I find a drain on my time and a huge test of my patience and endurance!

Abandoned Foundations

We are not going to be able to put the clock back or make radical changes to our national way of life whether we stay in the EU or whether we wave goodbye. The plain fact is that as a nation we have abandoned the most valuable part of our heritage that has been part of the foundations of this nation for hundreds of years. What I'm referring to is our biblical heritage: the values and principles that were enshrined in the nation that gave us freedom and justice and schools and hospitals and welfare programmes. Rights and obligations were built into our unwritten national code: respect for other people, plus honesty, truthfulness, integrity, faithfulness, loyalty, love and generosity.

All these things were part of being a good citizen; they were taught in church and school, so that they became part and parcel of being 'British'. They were taken for granted as part of the national character. This is what we have lost through the onslaught of secular humanism and the aggressive campaigning of cultural anarchists who care nothing for truth and integrity, but care only for themselves and the achievement of their destructive objectives – especially destroying family life.

Our biblical heritage enshrined principles of freedom and justice into our nation – but we have taken these things for granted as part of 'British' character, and now they are being lost.

Spiritual Rebirth

Whether we stay in the EU or get out may not make much difference to the cultural life of the nation. The only way to bring about fundamental change is through a spiritual rebirth: the rediscovery of the spiritual dynamic that can set us free from the powers of darkness that are driving us towards an ever greater national catastrophe. Our young people are being threatened by indoctrination with evil and corrosive values that, if left unchecked, will spread a social cancer across the nation. Many people no longer recognise ultimate values of truth and integrity but are being seduced by the nihilistic hedonism of the age.

But the tide could still be turned if all the Christians in Britain would be active in sharing their faith! Angela Merkel recently spoke of her strong evangelical Christian faith and called upon German Christians to be more active in speaking about their faith with their new Muslim neighbours coming from the Middle East in such large numbers. It would be great to hear more of this kind of witness from our national leaders.

Most people think that the slave trade happened hundreds of years ago, with little or no relevance to us in modern, multi-cultural Britain. But this view is now being challenged by a growing movement of community leaders, rallied by the newly-formed Movement for Justice and Reconciliation.

REPORT

Most people think of the slave trade as something that happened hundreds of years ago, far away from the UK, with little or no effect on our lives today. The Movement for Justice and Reconciliation (MJR), co-founded by Prophecy Today's own Editor-in-Chief Dr Clifford Hill and launched this past September, is a new charity dedicated to challenging these views and to exploring and addressing the very modern, very real legacies left by Britain's history of slavery and colonialism.

On Tuesday 10 November in the House of Lords, MJR was presented to members of both Parliamentary Houses in what was a truly inspiring meeting. In just two hours, under the insightful chairmanship of Baroness Cox, people from all racial backgrounds and walks of life shared their insights on the contemporary consequences of slavery, in the very building in which the Emancipation Act was passed in 1833.

Indeed, there was a sense of history in the making at this meeting, which united people with a passion for seeing 'history past' re-written in acknowledgment of the pain and injustice of slavery, and for seeing 'history future' re-shaped as positive ways are sought to come to terms with its legacies.

There was a sense of history in the making at this meeting, which called for the re-writing of 'history past' and the re-shaping of 'history future'.

The meeting room was full to capacity, with 48 in attendance. After a warm welcome from Baroness Cox, whose passion for the topic was evident, ten speakers offered short presentations before the floor was opened for questions and comments from other delegates. Presentations were made by MPs, academics and members of the clergy, including: Revd Les Isaac, Professor James Walvin (York University), Jenny Cooper, Khareem Jamal, Revd Alton Bell, Stephen Timms MP (East Ham), Nigel Pocock, Professor John Wolffe (Open University), Bishop Dr Delroy Hall and Revd Dr Clifford Hill.

Thought-Provoking Speeches

As the meeting progressed, slavery went from being an impersonal, overwhelmingly large and historical issue to being grounded in gritty, personal and contemporary insights on mental health disorders, identity denial, shame complexes, dysfunctional families and changes to the National Curriculum.

As the meeting progressed, slavery went from being an impersonal, overwhelmingly large and historical issue into something gritty, contemporary and personal.

Emphasis was put on the emerging research consensus that traumas inflicted on slaves hundreds of years ago (e.g. physical, psychological) have passed down the generations, leaving scars on their descendants in mind, body and spirit. Thought-provoking speeches were made about how black communities in Britain today suffer much greater levels of deprivation, poorer mental and physical health, higher rates of imprisonment and strong senses of hopelessness and despair - to name a few manifestations of the 'curse' of slavery.

After the presentations the floor was opened for comments, giving other delegates the opportunity to contribute. Heartfelt personal stories were mingled with calls for new narratives about slavery in education and the mass media.

Relevant to You

What became apparent as different perspectives were shared is that this issue is relevant to everyone in Britain, regardless of their racial and cultural background. It is fundamentally a white British issue as well as a black Afro-Caribbean issue. It has created a landscape of abundant wealth and grinding poverty, of astounding privilege and undeniable injustice, that defines all of our lives today as much as it did 200 years ago - and as much as Britain is still defined by cups of [colonial] tea, cake with [colonial] sugar, or pomp and circumstance.

This issue is relevant to everyone in Britain, regardless of their racial and cultural background. It's a white issue as well as a black issue.

Yet, not only has the injustice of slavery never been formally acknowledged or apologised for by Britain, but most Britons lack any understanding of how it has profoundly affected their own psyche, culture and quality of life (David Cameron's recent comment to Jamaicans that slavery is something from which we all need to move on are particularly telling). Ignorance and denial remain two of the biggest challenges facing MJR and its partners.

Key Role for the Church

There was a sense of cross-sector unity present at the meeting which could only have been provided by the Holy Spirit – indeed, MP Stephen Timms commented that the Christian passion for justice and love is unmatched in the secular realm, and that this 'unstoppable motivation' makes churches key actors in any future response to this issue.

Several other speakers remarked on the resources that churches can offer in this respect, from therapies and counselling to strong community leadership, to providing senses of hope, family and destiny. Also implied here was the role that Christ alone can play in bringing freedom from all forms of oppression and bondage.

It was recognised that the Christian passion for justice and devotion to community are unmatched in the secular realm – meaning that churches are vital partners in any future solution.

Rallying Call

In all, the meeting provided an uplifting, informative platform from which MJR can begin its vital work. It was generally agreed that there is a long road ahead if these issues are to be properly addressed, and that quick laws and glib statements from politicians will not provide the whole answer. MJR's particular contributions will include research, public promotion and community projects (such as the permanent installation of a replica of the Zong slave ship on the Thames as an educational facility).

What was also evident from the buzz in the chamber and the hallway after the meeting was that it had amounted to far more than a selection of short presentations - it had brought together like-minded, passionate people from vastly different sectors and communities, investing in existing relationships and establishing new ones. William Wilberforce may have left a legacy of unfinished business which has been steadfastly ignored for nearly 200 years, but MJR is certainly rallying a new generation of campaigners, driven by the same passion for justice that Wilberforce himself was given – a passion which is at the heart of God.

MJR is rallying a new generation of campaigners driven by the same passion for justice that Wilberforce himself had – a passion which is at the heart of God.

For more information on MJR, see their website, www.mjr-uk.com.

Clifford Hill looks at questions of trust surrounding the recent Russian plane crash, noting similarities between today's threats and life in the time of Jeremiah.

The human tragedies behind the crash of the Russian passenger airliner over the Sinai Desert are incalculable. The loss of all 224 people on board plunged the whole city of St Petersburg into mourning as most of the returning holidaymakers came from there.

Tourists Stranded

The knock-on effect in the cancellation of returning flights for British tourists stranded in Sharm el-Sheikh is a small inconvenience in comparison with the terrible loss of life suffered by the Russian people.

Was the British Government right in suspending flights to and from Sharm el-Sheikh? The Egyptian Government was understandably furious because of the effect upon its tourism industry, which is the strongest part of its economy. But any government's first commitment is to the safety of its own citizens, so the UK has surely been right in taking steps to ensure the safety of flights home for the thousands of British holidaymakers who were potentially at risk.

Questions of Trust

Tributes outside Pulkovo airport, St Petersburg.All of this raises major questions of trust. We all put our trust in others every time we leave our own home. If we are travelling by bus or train or boarding an aircraft, we put our trust in the driver or the pilot. But even when we drive our own car on the road we are dependent upon other motorists obeying the rules and not endangering our lives. We have to trust other people every day in a multitude of circumstances.

We all also know that there are risks involved in travelling today. If terrorists are determined to get a bomb on board an aeroplane they will find a way of doing it - even if it is simply paying a crooked bag-handler working at the airport.

Trust is at the heart of all our human relationships; from travelling in safety to business transactions. Businessmen need to be able to trust the word of those with whom they are signing contracts or the whole economic activity of society would be impaired. Even in simple everyday things there has to be trust. If we cannot trust the shopkeeper to sell us healthy food or trustworthy goods, life would come to a standstill.

Trust Breakdown

If trust breaks down the whole life of the community breaks down. But that was the situation in Jerusalem in the time of the prophet Jeremiah (around 600 BC, a turbulent period in history). In chapter 9 he describes the breakdown of trust. He says,

Beware of your friends; do not trust your brothers. For every brother is a deceiver, and every friend a slanderer. Friend deceives friend, and no one speaks the truth (Jer 9:4-5).

Jeremiah warns the citizens of Jerusalem: "You live in the midst of deception". The dire scene that he describes has some similarity to the situation facing us today. On the international front there was a growing threat of terrorism and at home there had been a catastrophic collapse of faith and morality.

Jeremiah describes a scene much like our own today, with a domestic collapse of faith and an international threat of terrorism.

The Assyrian Empire based at Nineveh (which today is called Mosul and is the capital of the Islamic State) had just been overthrown by Nebuchadnezzar (609 BC), the ruthless dictator of the rising Babylonian Empire. The Assyrians had been a byword for cruelty and the Babylonians were already outdoing them. Their army was on the move through Syria and threatening the tiny state of Judah and its capital Jerusalem.

Both the political and religious authorities assured the people that there was nothing to worry about because God was on their side! They said that as long as the Temple stood in Jerusalem, God would never allow an enemy to enter the gates of the City because it was his special shrine. Jeremiah could see everywhere lies and deception, greed and corruption, immorality and injustice. He publicly proclaimed that God would not defend the City so long as it was full of evil and faithlessness. He said,

From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain, prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit. They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. 'Peace', 'Peace', they say, when there is no peace. (Jer 8:10).

In Jeremiah's time, the authorities assured the people that God would protect them – but Jeremiah proclaimed that they were deceiving themselves.

Urgent Warnings

As the Babylonian merciless murderers drew closer, burning and raping cities and even destroying the countryside on their way towards Jerusalem, Jeremiah's warnings became even more urgent. He told the people that they were putting their trust in a building created by human hands instead of the God of Creation who had made a covenant with their forefathers which they were now breaking. As anxiety increased among the people, instead of turning to God in repentance, they turned to different forms of idolatry and divination.

Recent research shows that less than half the population in Britain now believe in Jesus and only about 10% are regular churchgoers.¹ This means that we are not only abandoning our heritage of Christian faith that has protected this nation for hundreds of years, but it means that there are fewer people of faith praying for the nation and ensuring a covering of protection over the land at the very time when the threat of terrorism is rising.

In modern Britain, our Christian heritage is being abandoned, leaving less and less people to pray for the protection of the nation.

In Jeremiah's day his warnings went unheeded. In 587 BC the army of terrorists broke through the walls of Jerusalem and ran amok through the City tearing down the Temple and all the great buildings, slaughtering the people as they went from street to street. An eyewitness wrote,

The Kings of the earth did not believe nor did any of the world's people, that enemies and foes could enter the gates of Jerusalem. But it happened because of the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests, who shed within her the blood of the righteous (Lam 4:12).

Real Wisdom

This should be a strong warning to us. Where do we put our trust? Is it in politicians; or bankers and brokers; or social reformers; or educationalists; or philosophers? But these are just fallible human beings and what we are facing are no less than demonic spiritual forces that cannot be overcome with physical force or human wisdom.

The threats we face today cannot be overcome with physical force or human wisdom. So in what - or whom - will we place our trust?

As Jeremiah said of the people in Jerusalem, "Since they have rejected the word of the Lord, what kind of wisdom do they have?" (8:9) In Britain today we face a similar question – what kind of wisdom do we have as we face the rising tide of destruction that threatens us? If God would allow it to happen to Jerusalem, why do we think it cannot happen to us in Britain? Surely our only hope is to re-discover the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ whom as a nation we have so wilfully and stupidly abandoned.

Weighed in the Balance

The warning signs are everywhere to be seen. The writing is on the wall for Britain and the nations of Europe that have despised their great Christian heritage. We are being weighed in the balance as God is slowly withdrawing his covering of protection. The midnight hour approaches for Britain and Europe.

Will there be repentance and turning before catastrophe strikes? That is still a question. We may not have long to wait for the answer. But what are we doing to warn our families and friends and others to help save our nation?

References

1 Jesus 'not a real person' many believe. BBC News, 31 October 2015.

Our latest instalment on 'Changing Britain?' looks at ageing trends in the church and what we can do about them. Following the statistics is a comment from Monica Hill.

The Ageing Church

Re-printed from Brierley Consultancy's FutureFirst, June 2014 issue, with kind permission.¹

The latest (2011) Population Census confirmed what has been known for some time – British society is ageing. A fifth, 22.3%, were 60 years of age or over in 2011, and this percentage has increased by 1.4% in 10 years.

The basic reason for this increasing proportion of older people is that the population is not being balanced by an increasing proportion of younger people. In 2001 the proportion of the population under 20 was 25%; in 2011 it was 24% - a small percentage difference but quite large in real terms. Projections by the Office for National Statistics paint the same trend for the decades ahead.²

An age crisis is not likely to descend in the short term, partly because of the continuing numbers of relatively young immigrants who come to the UK, and partly because the number of babies being born to this group (Total Fertility Rate, TFR) is relatively high. The population balances if the TFR = 2.1; in recent years in Britain it has been 1.9, but in years gone by it has been much lower, such as 1.7 in 1996.³

Greying Europe

This ageing problem is spread across not just Britain but most of the world. Women in the Southern World are wanting fewer children, and contraceptives are becoming more widely available and affordable. In Europe, where abortion is more of a factor, the overall TFR averaged 1.5 between 2005 and 2010.⁴ In Poland it was just 1.2, and 1.3 in Germany, Greece, Italy and 8 other European countries.⁵

These downward trends could take 80-100 years to adjust, hence the importance of immigration for these countries. Meanwhile, an increased proportion of elderly people increases demand for medical care, whilst decreasing income tax revenue to pay for it. According to Jerome Vignon, Director of the EEC's Directorate for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, this trend will affect almost every aspect of life, from consumption to family life to public policy.⁶

Ageing Church?Figure 1: Sunday Church attendance in England by age group 1980 – 2010 and estimated to 2025.

Whilst systematic data is not yet available, it is likely that the church in Britain is caught up with this broader ageing process. This paper focuses on statistics available for England from the four Church Censuses, as England represents the major demographic component of the UK. Figure 1 illustrates numbers of churchgoers by age-group, from 1980 and projected to 2025, using figures from UK Church Statistics.⁷

It is obvious, even to the casual observer of the world scene, that the English church has an ageing problem, and this is a much more acute one than that facing the demographers across Europe! This is because the number of young people in church is decreasing rapidly – there has been a 43% drop in those under 20 between 1980 and 2000, and a projected 45% drop between 2000 and 2020.

Consequently, the proportion of those at the other end of the scale is increasing – and gathering momentum. More than 1/3 of churchgoers in 2015 are 65 or over, and this is likely to increase to 42% by 2025.

Third, Fourth and Fifth Agers

Churchgoers aged 65 and over can be sub-divided into three groups: the Third Agers (65-74), Fourth Agers (75-84) and Fifth Agers (85+). These groups differ markedly in health, ability, availability and outlook.

1. The largest cohort of churchgoers is currently the Third Agers (65-74), who generally enjoy strong health, high energy levels, large pensions and money to spend on pleasure and leisure. However, whilst they have long made up the largest group of church attendees, this group is neither growing nor shrinking at an obvious rate.
2. By contrast, total numbers of Fourth Agers are on the increase (+16% 2000-2020, then +19% 2020-2025). They are usually grandparents, may have lost a spouse and may need help getting to church.
3. Numbers of churchgoers in their Fifth Age increased almost 4-fold in this period, from 47,000 in 2000 to over 170,000 by 2025 (+264%). They are often confined to the home, experiencing an increasing dependency and only attend church on special occasions.

This is gradually changing the demographics of the 65+ age group in church. The proportion of those attending in their Third Age is dropping – from 62% in 2000 to 48% in 2025 - and that of those in their Fifth Age is projected to increase from 6% to 16% in the same time.

Implications for Church Leaders

As the 'greying' of the church gathers momentum, so church leaders should be aware of its likely implications. Culturally, those currently making up the Fourth and Fifth Agers will have had their world-views moulded by the uncertainties and hardships of the Second World War and its aftermath. But those currently in their Third Age will have been moulded by the revolutions of the 'Swinging Sixties' – this is the 'never had it so good' generation.

Churches will have to learn to cope with growing numbers of people with lesser physical ability, with different tastes in music, and with different ministry needs. In what practical ways can churches equip growing numbers of Christian grandparents (over 700,000 are attending church in 2015!), many of whom will spend part of their weeks looking after grandchildren. Should churches provide facilities especially for grandparents (and, increasingly, great-grandparents) – and help them to pass on the truths and values of the faith effectively?

The implications go on – and include concerns about patterns of financial giving, questions of access and transport needs, as well as considerations of retirement ages for those in leadership.

Elderly Evangelism

More elderly people may go to church than other age-groups, but there are yet many who do not go to church at all, and still need to be reached with the gospel. Nationally, 40% of Third Agers have never been to church. Organisations such as Outlook Trust are already devoted to reaching these groups, whilst many churches run Senior Alpha.
Like any other group of churchgoers, the elderly need to be befriended and enabled to join in suitable church activities. When Jesus said "The fields are white, ready to harvest", that included those 65 and over!

Comment

Monica Hill

We read daily in the newspapers about the world population 'explosion' and recognise the mass movement of peoples as a global issue. However, though the world population continues to grow - almost exponentially – we often view such statistics relatively and feel they do not affect us in our own country in any significant way. But most Western countries are facing huge changes in their national populations - not only in their racial composition but also in their age composition.

Moreover, the church (particularly in the traditional denominations) has a large and ever increasing percentage in the older age bracket. This presents a complex challenge to our thinking and understanding of God's purposes and all he is calling us to do.

Challenges

The analysis in this article raises a number of challenges for the church to which Christians need to respond. There may be others which you would like to add, or perhaps you can give examples of how you are responding to them - do post your comments below.

1. Rise of small groups: The ten-yearly Church Census is largely based upon Sunday church attendance – but we know of many older people who, having attended a particular church for much of their lives, now find fellowship and spiritual support in small groups. How can we recognise the large numbers of these when estimating numbers of older Christians in Britain?
2. Busy lives: Sunday observance, even for Christians, has reduced from a full day with at least two attendances at church to a maximum of one (except for the minister who can be expected to lead different services, of different kinds, in different places every hour!). Other activities crowd into our busy lives. Are we really giving enough time on this special day each week?
3. Commitment: Censuses used to include church membership, which indicated commitment to a particular branch of churchmanship or denomination. Is this no longer applicable – or even useful? How do we measure commitment these days?
4. Provision for the elderly: Resources are being poured in to attract children and young people - and rightly so - but are we giving as much attention to the other end of the age range?
5. Age segregation: Many congregations are still racially segregated, although bridges are being built – but far too many have only one or two age ranges attending. The challenge and joy of a wide family perspective is now often difficult to attain. I well remember taking a group of European leaders to visit a remarkable church plant and being greeted with "An answer to prayer – older people!" How can our churches be seen as a whole families of God's people, meeting the needs of all ages?
6. Learning and valuing: Can we find ways of ensuring that the generations value each other and build on the strengths evident at different ages, as well as the weaknesses? Is there a right use of the generation-to-generation experience?
7. Stereotypes: Far too often we stereotype the 'over 65s' as one group and limit the respective contributions that Third, Fourth and Fifth agers can make. Should we be re-assessing the 'army of the Lord'? Does this require a change of mindset?
8. Culture: Do we fail to build on the background, memories and cultures of those who are involved in our churches or groups? Do we mainly cater for churches of like-minded people - whether they are in their 20s or older? Do we expect all Christian communities to have the same culture?
9. Outreach: Are we outward-looking Christians – not only looking to the needs of others but increasingly aware of the opportunities for outreach – the importance of fulfilling the Great Commission? How natural is it for each of us, whatever our age, to share our faith with others?
10. Passing on the faith: Having held the baton, is the older generation ensuring that they pass the faith on to others? How can we encourage them to play their part in ensuring the continuance of Christianity in Britain?

Now it is over to you – for more questions and answers that can help others.

Sources

1 An expanded version of this paper is available This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

2 Office for National Statistics, Population Projections, given in 'UK Church Statistics', No 2, 2010-2020. Table 16.9, ADBC Publishers, Tonbridge, Kent, 2014.

3 Office for National Statistics, Population Trends, given in 'Religious Trends', No 4, 2003/2004. Table 1.4, Christian Research, Eltham, London 2004.

4 Eurostat Fertility Statistics.

5 Europe in Figures, Eurostat Yearbook 2008, Table SP12, p46.

6 Sigma, The Bulletin of European Statistics, 010-2008, p50.

7 UK Church Statistics, No 2, 2010-2020, ADBC Publishers, Tonbridge, Kent, 2014, p16.

For previous issues of this series on 'Changing Britain', click here.

Readings: Genesis 18:1-22:24, 2 Kings 4:1-37, Luke 1:26-38; 24:36-53; 2 Peter 2:4-11.

The arrival of baby Isaac must have brought such joy to Abraham and Sarah as none of us can probably imagine. A son of destiny and promise, Isaac was the miraculous provision of God to ageing parents who had long given up on ever having children. Both Abraham and Sarah had laughed in disbelief at the prophecy of Isaac's arrival. When he was born, their laughter became that of heavenly wonder (Gen 21:6).

God Our Provider

As much as Isaac's birth was the provision of Jehovah Jireh, The Lord Who Provides, Abraham did not declare this well-known name of God until a number of years later, on Mount Moriah, after God did the unthinkable: he asked for Isaac back. Abraham must have been distraught; after waiting a lifetime for the fulfilment of this promise, suddenly it appeared to have been recalled.

Our Abba Father knows how to give good gifts to his children (Matt 7:11). He is not a vindictive God who gives just to take away again. But neither does he want us to become more attached to his gifts and provisions than we are to him. That's why God tested Abraham: to see how loosely he was holding his precious, long-awaited son. Abraham was not being asked to love Isaac less – he was being tested to see if he loved God more.

God Our Provision

As the story unfolds, and the ram caught in the thickets is provided for a sacrifice instead of Isaac, we learn that God's intention is to provide for Abraham personally, in response to his display of faith. Almost 2,000 years later, this same agenda was fulfilled to perfection as God himself was offered up as the ultimate provision for mankind – for all who step out in faith and believe. Just as Abraham did not withhold Isaac, so the Father did not withhold the Son, but offered him willingly as a sacrifice in our stead. Fulfilling the prophetic words that "on the mountain of the Lord, it will be provided" (Gen 22:14), the sinless Saviour carried his own altar wood to his own sacrifice and became the 'Lamb who was slain' (Rev 5:12) for the sins of the world. The Giver became the Gift.

How often believers seem to be more occupied with God's blessings than with God himself! Is there anything in your life that occupies your thoughts or tugs at your heart more than the Lord does? It is worth meditating today on the promise that Abraham received from God at the very beginning of his journey: "Do not fear...I am your shield and your very great reward." (Gen 15:1, NKJV).

Author: Frances Rabbitts

Readings: Genesis 12-17, Isaiah 40:27-41:16; Romans 4:1-25

The lives of Abraham and Sarah, father and mother of the Jewish nation, are heavy with a sense of destiny. There is something awesome about the glorious, global plans of the Lord being focused down and worked out through the imperfect, unsteady lives of a human couple, who laughed at the Almighty in disbelief and constantly tried to take matters into their own hands.

The Bigger Picture

Through Abraham, God unveiled the 'big picture' of his covenant plan – first for Israel, then for all nations and generations to come. We witness great promises being spoken over God's fledgling people; promises of land, blessing and covenant love. We marvel at the prophecy of a miracle birth (deemed impossible by both parents because of their advanced age), multiplying out until the people of God number more than the stars in the sky.

From this end of history, we can rejoice at this beautiful foreshadowing of our Saviour's miraculous birth, which has led on to him "bringing many sons and daughters to glory" (Heb 2:10). We can also testify that God is faithful to his promises: he has not forgotten his people Israel, who he chose "from the beginning" (Isa 41:4), but desires to uphold and strengthen them.

The Smaller Picture

Encouragingly, Abraham and Sarah were not just useful to God for achieving a broader purpose – he actually cared deeply about them as individuals. From the moment they set out for an unknown land, they lived in utter dependence on God, communing with him, walking with him and stopping periodically to wait on him, worship him and seek his face.

Patiently bearing their detours, wrong turns and doubts, God always encouraged, always affirmed. Painstakingly, he taught them that he alone can fulfil his covenant promises – that the things of the Kingdom are established "'not by might, not by power, but by My Spirit', says the Lord Almighty" (Zech 4:6).

Friends of God

Abraham's life was that of a faithful servant, a life lived 'in waiting' for the fulfilment of God's divine promises. But in Isaiah 41, God reveals another insight into their relationship – he calls Abraham "My friend".

This beautiful, intimate desire of the Lord to walk closely with us as friends echoes down through history. Thousands of years later, he stated this eternal desire again, when Jesus declared that "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." (John 15:15).

At this time, it has never been more important to walk closely with God and take up this offer to know his business and to share in his work – to live not only as his servants, but also as his friends. Let us not miss this amazing opportunity.

Author: Frances Rabbitts