A new Prime Minister - and a choice

Gordon Brown becomes our Prime Minister today. I believe he stands at a turning point in history. The last ten years of Labour government has created a healthier framework for a cohesive society, but the new PM must be careful not to allow the good work of the last decade to be unravelled.

There is still huge confusion over what it means to be a British citizen, and how we can have a culture of equality which also allows diversity to flourish. Gordon Brown faces a choice, which could make or break the citizenship agenda: will he continue to support the efforts by faith groups to develop and maintain a cohesive, healthy society that respects diversity, or will he bow to an increasingly aggressive secularist agenda that says we should cut faith out of the agenda altogether?

I call on Gordon Brown to show recognition that Christian faith is not just another service provider, but the most significant motivational factor in why millions of people do what they do in engaging with the poor and excluded in our communities.

The members of the Faithworks Movement and thousands of other agencies across the country are committed to unconditional service, the principles of working for genuine public benefit, and inclusive and compassionate community engagement. I am not calling for churches to have a place of unearned privilege in society, but for a recognition of the unstinting contribution to healthy communities being made by 48,000 expressions of Christian community across the UK.

In particular, I ask for Gordon Brown's premiership to be characterised by:
- A recognition of the local church's intrinsic commitment to and value in serving communities unconditionally.
- Development of partnerships that build on the successes of the last decade, and avoid the pitfalls of short-termism, particularly in funding agreements.
- A greater widespread understanding of faith as a motivator for volunteering and engaging with communities.
- A recognition of the vast resources the church has contributed and continues to contribute to the establishment of healthy communities.
- Ensuring that faith has a fair and equitable place in civil society and in dialogue over how we address deep-rooted issues.

There is still much to be achieved if Britain is to become a truly fair and equitable society, and efforts will ultimately be fruitless unless faith communities are at the heart of it. If the role of faith is tilted out, society will disintegrate.

I welcome Gordon Brown's appointment as Prime Minister. He has been outstanding in his commitment to the eradication of poverty on the international stage, and a key force in government policy on child deprivation and exclusion in the UK. The election of Harriet Harman as his deputy also brings a welcome male-female balance. They have my best wishes and prayers.

So, what are your hopes for our new PM? I'd love to hear what you think.

Asking the questions...

Last Tuesday, 22nd May, the Christian Socialist Movement (CSM), in association with Faithworks, hosted a hustings for the Deputy Leadership of the Labour Party election.  All six candidates addressed the audience of mainly CSM members at church.co.uk/waterloo and each answered six questions from the floor.

I have no vote in this election and Faithworks, of course, has no party political affiliation, but we were pleased to have the opportunity to be involved in challenging senior politicians to consider what the Christian faith and its followers contribute to our society.  Some of the candidates were very clearly engaged with that agenda and the phrase "the Labour party owes more to Methodism than Marxism" was perhaps the most used of the evening.  Harriet Harman and Hazel Blears both paid tribute to particular churches within their constituencies that are delivering effective solutions to local problems.

I found it refreshing to hear these members of parliament express the motivations behind their politics and to hear them passionately outline their views on the way forward on issues such as climate change, the second chamber, equality, immigration and poverty.

Perhaps my favourite question of the night was asked to, but not answered by, Jon Cruddas.  The question "is there any place in the Labour party for someone who is socially liberal but morally conservative?" would make an interesting discussion all by itself.

I will watch the results of the election with interest when they are declared on 24th June.

Dear Prime Minister...

Following the resignation of Tony Blair as Leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister last week, I felt it important to write to him, thanking him for his ten years in office.  Writing this letter gave me the opportunity to give thanks for some of the changes that have come about during Tony Blair's time in office, and also gave me the opportunity to be challenged for the future.  I'd like to share some of my thoughts with you, as I did with him, and include some of the parts of my letter...

"There is no doubt that the changes made by your government have changed the landscape for churches and other faith groups in the United Kingdom.  Many steps have been taken, but those that have affected us most can be listed as follows:
- The 2001 manifesto commitment to increase and encourage partnership with faith groups has brought many more faith groups to the partnership table, engaging them in public service delivery.
- The introduction of discrimination legislation in employment has recognised the need to protect the ethos of religious organisations.
- The introduction of religion and belief as a recognised category of difference into the equality and diversity framework has significantly progressed the discussion about religion and belief as a difference and an identity.
- The fact that the Commission for Equality and Human Rights has a responsibility for religion and belief as a category of diversity is not only a first, but will also continue the important discussion about how religion and belief relate to the everyday issues of equality and diversity.
- The continued development of a more strategic approach to the third sector including the creation of the OTS and the attempts made to move toward more sustainable funding, long-term partnerships and the establishment of clearer, more accessible protocols.
- The establishment of the Academies programme and the consequent engagement in secondary education provision by a number of faith communities strengthening the choice and diversity of educational provision in the UK.
- The recognition of a partnership approach to welfare provision and the significant steps that have been taken in ensuring services are aimed at local people, shaped by local people, and delivered by local people, has completely changed both the language and the direction of the debate when it comes to community cohesion.
Together with many other changes all of the above are beneficial for the development of a just and fair society.  They have helped to strengthen both the identity of faith groups and the ability of those faith groups to serve those who are marginalised and excluded.  When I compare the landscape of the voluntary sector and faith communities in 2007 to that of 1997, I am amazed by how far we have come."

"We believe that if education and understanding about how and why faith motivates people's lives is supported in communities, we can look foward to a time when the work of faith groups will be more welcome in society and when faith groups themselves will be concerned not only about a right to their own identities, but committed to behaving with responsibility in society.  The privilege of public service and care provision for faith groups must be matched by a commitment on the part of those faith communities to behave as faithful citizens, who uphold the basic tenets of both human dignity and citizenship to Britain.  Faith has the power to be a tremendously transformational part of our society, but for that to happen people of faith must be committed to unconditional service and collaboration with others, whilst retaining their own identity.  Government must also be committed to full and fair partnership with faith communities."

"As the new Labour Party Leader is elected and takes office, I trust and pray that he will take all the achievements in the last decade and build upon them.  Whichever political party holds office over the next ten years, faith communities will continue to play a vital role in urban renaissance, rural renewal, community cohesion, and societal transformation.  Without the help, support and partnership of local faith groups such ideals will only be aspirational, but with the help and support of faith groups, I believe that these ideals can become an experienced reality in the lives of millions of people.  Once againn, however, a new leadership must be connected to "local churches" rather than only the "institution" of the church.  A re-settled welfare state must become a welfare system that embraces the unique capabilities and perspective of faith groups; local churches and faith groups are part of a great armada of service delivery in the UK, and we have much to contribute to a healthy society.  The 20,000 members of Faithworks and the churches and projects they represent are a significant part of that armada."

In thinking back and looking forward there has been much to inspire and challenge me - what about you?

A cause for celebration: Faithworks Awards!

At Faithworks we're often approached for advice on funding applications for projects.  We do what we can to help people, but at last it's that time of year again - applications for our own awards programme are now being accepted!

This year we have a total pot of £20,000 to give away to four Christian projects that are effectively serving the needs of their local communities.

The awards are:
- The Improving the Lives of Children and Young People Award, sponsored by Spurgeons
- The Community Inclusion Award, sponsored by Oasis UK
- The Community Excellence Award, sponsored by Congregational and General Insurance
- The Faithworks Members Awards for Community Commitment, contributed to by members of the Faithworks Movement

For the first time this year you can also nominate people for the Faithworks Lifetime Achievement Award - do you know someone who has made a huge difference to the lives of others?  If so, this could be an ideal opportunity to get their dedication recognised.

As well as being a valuable funding opportunity, the Faithworks Awards also celebrate the contribution that Christians and churches are making to our communities across the UK.  I am consistently moved when I read your applications and hear your stories, and the awards are a great opportunity to remind the world that Christian faith works!  I look forward to receiving and reading your applications and beginning the stringent process of finalising our shortlists later this year.  For more information - click here.

Back to the local church

This weekend I am being inducted as the Pastor of Mortimer West End Chapel, a small semi-rural church situated between Reading and Basingstoke.

Having been active in local church leadership for 15 years, I'm excited about taking on this role.  As Leader of the Faithworks Movement I work with church leaders on a day-to-day basis, so I'm passionate about being able to grapple with the same issues and challenges that many of them face.

I believe strongly in the power of a local Christian community as being transforming, including, healing and loving.  I'm looking forward to serving the people of the area, and to discovering ways of developing a community of Christ's followers who are committed to serving others and loving those around them.

I will, of course, continue as Leader of the Faithworks Movement, but I hope this additional role will help me bring new insights to my team's work, as we seek to resource and support local churches and groups across the UK.

I would value your prayers for me and my family at this exciting and challenging time.