baptism

July 8, 2014

Church, worldly values, the 'common good' and war

The ‘common good’ and support for current and former soldiers are among the topics to be discussed at the Church of England’s general synod in July 2014. Savi Hensman suggests that the institutional Church of England in its current form may be too heavily compromised by its closeness to the “principalities and powers” to be fully effective in seeking justice and peace. She argues that it will have to face a death of sorts in order to be renewed in Christ.
June 10, 2014

Baptism as a gateway to rethinking conflict transformation?

Questions of war and peace are sometimes seen by Christians as somewhat separate from core gospel convictions, and are pigeon holed as issues upon which we will differ 'on ethical grounds'.
April 24, 2014

Baptisms mutually recognised in European and American churches

A spate of European and North American church bodies are entering agreements recognising each other’s baptisms.
January 6, 2014

C of E criticises newspaper over 'misleading' baptism story

The Church of England has issued a rebuttal of a factually inaccurate Mail on Sunday story about changes to its baptism liturgy.
January 5, 2014

Is baptism being watered down?

Former Bishop of Rochester Michael Nazir-Ali has criticised a proposed alternative baptism service. This is being piloted in a number of churches before the Church of England decides whether to let it be used more widely. While the church should try to make worship widely accessible, changes that make getting baptised seem less meaningful should be avoided.
October 28, 2013

All baptisms are royal baptisms

Media coverage of George Windsor's baptism gave the impression that baptism is about conformity. Baptism began in a far more radical way, before its domestication by the powerful. Since then, many people have rediscovered baptism's original subversive force, as a sign of dedication to the kingdom of God – and a rejection of the kingdoms of this world.
May 31, 2011

Pilgrims are returning to West Bank holy site

Pilgrims are flowing back to the traditional site of Jesus' baptism on the Jordan River as Israel removes 40-year-old land mines. But barbed wire remains.
February 10, 2011

Baptism: A new world coming

Baptism is much more than a comforting ritual, says Savi Hensman. It is to be marked with the sign of a condemned criminal, to refuse imprisoning and narrow identities, to face up to mortality, and to be immersed in a new world where justice and peace reign.
August 2, 2010

River where Jesus was baptised 'too polluted' for pilgrims

Health concerns relating to water quality have triggered an environmental advocacy group to call for the banning of baptisms in the lower Jordan River.
March 8, 2010

Baptist church attendance goes up - as membership goes down

The Baptist Union of Great Britain has seen an increase in church attendance along with a decline in church membership. The figures are likely to fuel debate about the relationship between participation in a church and formal membership.