United Kingdom

The Evangelical Alliance in the United Kingdom says it agrees with the message of a new humanist advertising campaign proclaiming that children should make up their own mind about their beliefs.

The British Humanist Association has put up posters in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast depicting children alongside different faith labels and the slogan "Please don’t label me. Let me grow up and choose for myself."

The campaign has been timed to coincide with Universal Children's Day on Nov. 20 and follows on from the high profile atheist bus campaign launched by the BHA in January with the slogan "There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life." more >>

The general secretary of the Methodist Church of Great Britain has called for a greater variety in church planting and fresh expressions.

Delivering the opening address at the Mission21 conference in Bath on Tuesday, Martyn Atkins said the need for variety was essentially missional but also political in light of a society that is becoming increasingly distrustful of religious groups while at the same time recognizing the “bonding and bridging capital” that renders them necessary.

“We find ourselves in a political context where Christian communities are both regarded as dangerous and as vitally necessary. Consequently the mission opportunities are enormous and we must not miss the opportunities that the next two to three years will give us through another round of social and political change,” he said. more >>

Thousands of Church of England schools are taking part in the United Kingdom's first interfaith week, which kicked off on Sunday.

The week is being facilitated by the Inter Faith Network for the United Kingdom and the Department for Communities and Local Government.

It is being led at the community level with local groups holding events to highlight their work in promoting understanding between people of different faiths and beliefs, and the contribution faith groups make to their neighborhoods and the wider society. more >>

LONDON – If Christians want to save people then they have to be prepared to spend time with them.

That was the message from the founder of Street Pastors at the organization's inaugural conference Saturday.

Les Isaac said many people today feel unloved but Street Pastors has the potential to change that by going out and “being Christ” on the streets of the United Kingdom’s towns and cities. more >>

LONDON – Hundreds of street pastors and supporters are in London for the ministry’s inaugural conference to share their experiences and consider how they can minister more effectively to the people out and about on Britain’s streets each weekend.

The inaugural Street Pastors conference opened Thursday with a keynote address from London Mayor Boris Johnson who praised their work in transforming the capital.

“We can’t just transform the physical infrastructure because that’s not what really counts," he said. "What counts is the human capital of London. It’s the young people of London that we need to invest in if this city is to lengthen its lead as the greatest city on Earth. more >>