It can be depressing viewing from the rooftops rather than at ground level. I run an art group within church premises but open to all. As people learn new interesting techniques conversations are open interesting and fruitful and we support a wide neurodiverse community. Numbers joining the group, and alpha as a consequence have doubled. Yes in terms if population and demographic we are a small % but one that invites people as they are and offers support to transform, if taken up i.e.no pressure to conform just an open invitation. Acorns or better mustard seeds growing.
Thanks for the recommendation. There are signs of hope, Dawkins 'God delusion' and the angry middle aged men who made up the New Atheists seem quite out of fashion amongst the intelligensia.
From a UK perspective however I am
worried that some of this new found interest in, and appeal to, Christianity may just be part of some 'culture war' phenomena waged against ill-defined 'wokism' or Islam or some other perceived threat to 'British values' rather than a genuine following of Jesus.
Haven't read Brierleys book yet, but I think he is a very impressive guy.
Maybe I dont get out enough but I am not seeing signs of a rebirth of faith. Alas, the sickening extent of clerical abuse and cover ups within my own denomination, and, more recently the deeply neurotic and dysfunctional partnership between USA evangelicals and their role in elevating (again) the current president has deeply harmed the cause of Christ.
I really enjoyed Brierley's book. I also think the incredible number of college (and even pro) football players expressing their faith and specifically in Christ, both before and after games, and even after defeats, was noteworthy, and was widely commented on.
It can be depressing viewing from the rooftops rather than at ground level. I run an art group within church premises but open to all. As people learn new interesting techniques conversations are open interesting and fruitful and we support a wide neurodiverse community. Numbers joining the group, and alpha as a consequence have doubled. Yes in terms if population and demographic we are a small % but one that invites people as they are and offers support to transform, if taken up i.e.no pressure to conform just an open invitation. Acorns or better mustard seeds growing.
Thanks for the recommendation. There are signs of hope, Dawkins 'God delusion' and the angry middle aged men who made up the New Atheists seem quite out of fashion amongst the intelligensia.
From a UK perspective however I am
worried that some of this new found interest in, and appeal to, Christianity may just be part of some 'culture war' phenomena waged against ill-defined 'wokism' or Islam or some other perceived threat to 'British values' rather than a genuine following of Jesus.
Haven't read Brierleys book yet, but I think he is a very impressive guy.
Maybe I dont get out enough but I am not seeing signs of a rebirth of faith. Alas, the sickening extent of clerical abuse and cover ups within my own denomination, and, more recently the deeply neurotic and dysfunctional partnership between USA evangelicals and their role in elevating (again) the current president has deeply harmed the cause of Christ.
I really enjoyed Brierley's book. I also think the incredible number of college (and even pro) football players expressing their faith and specifically in Christ, both before and after games, and even after defeats, was noteworthy, and was widely commented on.