After a busy week and very strong engagement with the press and media, my work in leading the Faithworks continues, and the day to day work of serving churches and helping them to engage in serving all people unconditionally goes on. Although this weekend will see a whole spattering of BBC interviews (a dozen for radio stations across the country and one for Radio 4's Sunday programme) around the issues of the SOR's, it is important for me to remind myself and for the whole Faithworks Movement to remember that our job is to keep focused and to keep going in our commitment to service, professionalism and excellence and distinctive Christian spirituality and faith.
I want to thank the many, many people who have sent me messages of support, love and affirmation this week and encourage you to demonstrate your wonderful grace not only to me but to those fellow Christians who hold a different view on the SOR's. It would be such a shame if we met our fellow believers with anger and resentment whilst encouraging love and grace to others. That would contradict the very thing for which I think we should stand.
Whislt I have been caught up with the SOR's this week, I have also been really encouraged by the increasing recognition of the positive role of faith communities and of the Christian faith in community cohesion and development.
Tomorrow I get my hands on a keyboard again as I continue working on my next book - Kingdom Come. So if you have any stories to tell of how you are engaging in serving your community for Christ then let me know - maybe I can feature you in the book if you are interested.
Faithworks continues to grow and develop, with nearly 20,000 signed up members and I thank God for that. Maybe this current wave of speaking out will also lead to others signing up and becoming part of what is a fantastic bunch of people who love God and other people. Whatever you do to celebrate and demonstrate God's love for the world, keep going! Let me know what you do in your community and how we can best serve people on the ground. And if you hear me on the radio this weekend, then let me know what you think! Here's when I will be on air on Sunday. Encourage others to listen and get behind the Faithworks Movement.
- 7am BBC Cambridge
- 710AM BBC Derby
- 720AM BBC Notts
- 730AM BBC Jersey
- 740AM BBC Leicestershire
- 750AM BBC Northants
- 8AM BBC Oxfordshire
- 810AM 3 Counties Radio
- 820AM BBC Berkshire
- 830AM BBC Bristol
- 840AM BBC Oxford
- 850AM BBC Cumbria
And the Sunday Programme on Radio 4.