“It just isn’t democratic!”
Democracy is not democracy when one is left from the table, unable to voice, but who said that democracy was the ideal?
Category: society
“Lifestyles, values, and self-perceptions of most American adults have undergone change” — Barna Research
American faith trends opportunity for Christian community 2002. More than two out of three American adults and more than four out of five teenagers believe that truth is always relative to the individual and circumstances, according to Californian-based Barna Research. Surveys conducted in 2002 revealed that most of these people describe themselves as followers of… Read More “Lifestyles, values, and self-perceptions of most American adults have undergone change” — Barna Research
SLT sees training for Christians as wholistic, for life, and from “God’s perspective”
God’s rule and reign in every area of life 2000. God’s perspective must filter into every area of your life, says Barbara Thomas member of the Strategic Life Training board. “God’s principles apply to every area of life. It’s not just for Sunday’s or church meetings or that you deal with any area of your… Read More SLT sees training for Christians as wholistic, for life, and from “God’s perspective”
Support for church initiative to instill values into council planning
Recovering “village values” 2003. Pictured above: The Hutt City Council. A community charter initiated by local churches and adopted by Hutt City Council aims to support Lower Hutt as a safe and connected community, what Lower Hutt Mayor John Terris calls an effort to recover “village values”.
Community get-together an opportunity to look after each other
Antidote for fearful society 2002. St. James’s Anglican Church in Lower Hutt hosted a display of local community and social help organizations throughout the week ending with an ecumenical service on October 20.
Local events stir up action
Working together 2002. Pictured above: The Hutt River. Hutt City Council and local churches (In New Zealand) are making moves to work at creating a safe city, particularly since two unsettling incidents occurred on April 13 this year.
Children from India inspire Kiwis to lend a helping hand
Compassionate response to unemployment 2001. While watching a slide presentation of underprivileged children from India at a house group meeting, Ken and Wendy Fraser were impressed that God wanted them to help unemployed people in the Hutt Valley (in New Zealand).
Penalising approach not welcomed
Backing for beneficiaries 2005. A church agency representing the views of the national representatives of four mainline churches (in New Zealand) is concerned that a government bill at select committee stage will unduly penalise domestic purposes beneficiaries who do not establish paternity of their children.
“They were coming because they wished to meet with other people”
Loaves & Fishes only community meal 2001. The Community Outreach Mission for the Salvation Army Crossroads Community Church in Lower Hutt (in New Zealand) runs the only regular community meal in the city.
“I would not have imagined that the need would still be as great”
No let-up in demand for foodbank service 2006. While the Lower Hutt foodbank gave thanks for its 20 years in the community at a mid-week service at St. James Anglican Church, the use of foodbanks continued to increase in some areas of New Zealand.
“What will be the impact of proposals on the poorest and most vulnerable members of our society”
Getting Brash over welfare reform 2005. Christian-based organisations are calling National Party leader Don Brash’s proposals for welfare reform backward measures.
Was there enough room to move?
Parking problems 2007. More Lower Hutt residents want to go to the library on a Sunday morning than go to church. Response from a Hutt library survey of 3700 residents showed changing library hours to start at 10am was popular. But this means parishioners from the adjacent Anglican St James Church would be competing for… Read More Was there enough room to move?
Aged care overlooked – lobby group
Call to boost aged care 2005. New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services is challenging the Government to sufficiently fund rest homes and hospitals of elderly people and says a 3 percent funding increase is too little too late.
Ministry tackles family issues, aims to create “good families”
Impacting Christians and non-Christian 2000. NEW ZEALAND. “We exist so that God, working in and through us, will use us, to help people know, apply, experience, embrace and proclaim God’s truth on marriage and family. The result is godly families reaching others with God’s truth”, explains Andy Bray, Director of FamilyLife (in New Zealand), a… Read More Ministry tackles family issues, aims to create “good families”
Mental health consumers in the community: everyone “should have access to the arts”
Caring Christian community 2001. NEW ZEALAND. Twenty years ago, a person who had a psychotic experience may have been admitted into a hospital ward for years. That same person or a person with the same set of symptoms may never enter a hospital today because there is better care in the community and more support… Read More Mental health consumers in the community: everyone “should have access to the arts”
Storyteller's Eclectic Flying Machine 