Evangelical alliance challenges government on the ‘respect’ agenda

-12/07/06

The Rev


Evangelical alliance challenges government on the ‘respect’ agenda

-12/07/06

The Rev Dr Joel Edwards, General Director of the UK Evangelical Alliance, has called on the British government to accept the need for a fresh approach if its Respect Action Plan is to be successful.

ìRespect is a fundamental value that is vital to the wellbeing of every community,î Edwards declares. ìHowever, rather than focussing its strategy on simply the negative actions of a small minority the government should highlight the positive contribution of the respectful majority of young people up and down the country.î

Dr Edwards was speaking as the Evangelical Alliance, in partnership with the African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance and Christian youth organisations Youth for Christ, Crusaders and the Girlsí Brigade England and Wales, launched its second annual ëChampions of Respectí awards.

Following the success of the inaugural awards in 2005, where Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams shared in presenting an award to Gemma Gibson, also winner of the Anthony Walker Memorial Prize for her pioneering community radio station, the 2006 event aims to acknowledge young men and women who are acting as role models in their communities.

Dr Edwards explained: ìThe absence of respect leads to a breakdown in relationships at every level of society. The Evangelical Alliance wants to challenge the negative stereotypes regularly associated with young people in Britain today. So often, people talk about drugs and gun crime in the same breath as young people. The Champions of Respect competition is all about celebrating the good things young people do in our communities.î

The Champions of Respect award winners will receive their prize from Trevor Phillips, the Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality, as part of the Evangelical Allianceís annual Temple Address, on 15 November 2006. This year the Temple Address will focus on diversity.

To be considered for a Champions of Respect award a young person or group between 10 and 25 needs to be nominated, by a youth leader, teacher or even a next-door neighbour. In short, someone who can vouch for their contribution to community harmony.

Project partner, Matt Summerfield, Executive Director of Crusaders, said: ìWe want to see a more positive image of young people presented in our world today. The Champions of Respect awards provide a fantastic chance to show what great things many young people do, often unsung, up and down the country.î

Members of the public can nominate someone for a Champions of Respect award online or contact the Evangelical Alliance on 0207 207 2100. The closing date for nominations is 30 September 2006.

The Respect campaign is a key part of the Evangelical Allianceís ëvaluesí initiative, and follows the previous themes of Forgiveness, Hope and Trust. Over the next 12 months the Respect campaign seeks to challenge the Government over the implementation of its Respect Action Plan and through an active citizen programme being developed for churches, help restore respect at the heart of community life.

The Alliance claims a membership equivalent to some one million evangelical Christians in the UK. Its General Director Joel Edwards was recently awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Divinity from the Caribbean Graduate School of Theology (CGST) at Church of the Rock in Kingston, Jamaica.

[Also on Ekklesia: Claims of victory over religious hatred bill questioned; UK Evangelicals urge Bush to act on world poverty; Evangelical Alliance criticised for slur against same-sex couples; Evangelicals warn about proposed protections for other faiths; Eric the Evangelical; Evangelicals urged to drop the ‘e’ word; Evangelicals debate Chalke’s message of Jesus; Evangelicals say Charles and Camilla should have opportunity to repent; Evangelicals get £1.3m from Government for youth work; Evangelicals form network to support gay and lesbian Christians; Commission of Inquiry on Faith and Nation launched by evangelicals; Evangelicals win discrimination court battle; Political agendas of Evangelicals may be broadening; Church and community groups concerned about new super casinos; Muslims should be less sensitive to criticism says evangelical; Cliff Richard asks the churches to go easy on gays; Growing concern over violent church exorcisms; Christians explore links between doctrine and violence; Christian agencies unite to Make Poverty History]


Evangelical alliance challenges government on the ‘respect’ agenda

-12/07/06

The Rev Dr Joel Edwards, General Director of the UK Evangelical Alliance, has called on the British government to accept the need for a fresh approach if its Respect Action Plan is to be successful.

ìRespect is a fundamental value that is vital to the wellbeing of every community,î Edwards declares. ìHowever, rather than focussing its strategy on simply the negative actions of a small minority the government should highlight the positive contribution of the respectful majority of young people up and down the country.î

Dr Edwards was speaking as the Evangelical Alliance, in partnership with the African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance and Christian youth organisations Youth for Christ, Crusaders and the Girlsí Brigade England and Wales, launched its second annual ëChampions of Respectí awards.

Following the success of the inaugural awards in 2005, where Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams shared in presenting an award to Gemma Gibson, also winner of the Anthony Walker Memorial Prize for her pioneering community radio station, the 2006 event aims to acknowledge young men and women who are acting as role models in their communities.

Dr Edwards explained: ìThe absence of respect leads to a breakdown in relationships at every level of society. The Evangelical Alliance wants to challenge the negative stereotypes regularly associated with young people in Britain today. So often, people talk about drugs and gun crime in the same breath as young people. The Champions of Respect competition is all about celebrating the good things young people do in our communities.î

The Champions of Respect award winners will receive their prize from Trevor Phillips, the Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality, as part of the Evangelical Allianceís annual Temple Address, on 15 November 2006. This year the Temple Address will focus on diversity.

To be considered for a Champions of Respect award a young person or group between 10 and 25 needs to be nominated, by a youth leader, teacher or even a next-door neighbour. In short, someone who can vouch for their contribution to community harmony.

Project partner, Matt Summerfield, Executive Director of Crusaders, said: ìWe want to see a more positive image of young people presented in our world today. The Champions of Respect awards provide a fantastic chance to show what great things many young people do, often unsung, up and down the country.î

Members of the public can nominate someone for a Champions of Respect award online or contact the Evangelical Alliance on 0207 207 2100. The closing date for nominations is 30 September 2006.

The Respect campaign is a key part of the Evangelical Allianceís ëvaluesí initiative, and follows the previous themes of Forgiveness, Hope and Trust. Over the next 12 months the Respect campaign seeks to challenge the Government over the implementation of its Respect Action Plan and through an active citizen programme being developed for churches, help restore respect at the heart of community life.

The Alliance claims a membership equivalent to some one million evangelical Christians in the UK. Its General Director Joel Edwards was recently awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Divinity from the Caribbean Graduate School of Theology (CGST) at Church of the Rock in Kingston, Jamaica.

[Also on Ekklesia: Claims of victory over religious hatred bill questioned; UK Evangelicals urge Bush to act on world poverty; Evangelical Alliance criticised for slur against same-sex couples; Evangelicals warn about proposed protections for other faiths; Eric the Evangelical; Evangelicals urged to drop the ‘e’ word; Evangelicals debate Chalke’s message of Jesus; Evangelicals say Charles and Camilla should have opportunity to repent; Evangelicals get £1.3m from Government for youth work; Evangelicals form network to support gay and lesbian Christians; Commission of Inquiry on Faith and Nation launched by evangelicals; Evangelicals win discrimination court battle; Political agendas of Evangelicals may be broadening; Church and community groups concerned about new super casinos; Muslims should be less sensitive to criticism says evangelical; Cliff Richard asks the churches to go easy on gays; Growing concern over violent church exorcisms; Christians explore links between doctrine and violence; Christian agencies unite to Make Poverty History]