The Third Degree
38,000 attend CU missions
Pod Bhogal
Date posted: 1 Jun 2014
UCCF Staff Workers report that around 38,000 students attended a Christian Union (CU) mission week in 2014.
The 2014 figures represent a 19% increase from 32,000 students in the previous year. The figures include both CU and non-CU member attendance at lunchtime, evening and small group evangelistic events spread across 115 university missions.
Out of black shadows
Stephen Lungu, from South Africa, tells his story
I had no premonition at all. I didn’t even know it existed: the final missing piece of the jigsaw of my life.
Is personal evangelism dying?
Mike Mellor
Date posted: 1 Dec 2014
Mike Mellor challenges us all to become soul-winners
I am burdened to bring to our attention a greatly endangered species in the UK church.
The new wave of feminism
Karen Soole
Date posted: 1 Dec 2014
Karen Soole on the mistakes of the past and the biblical way forward
Injustice against women is in the news.
Abandoning crisis repentance?
William Wade asks if we are replacing definite conversion with a relational journey
The way we do evangelism has changed.
Conversion of an archbishop
Andrew Atherstone meets the man who led Justin Welby to Christian faith
The convert is now a global religious leader.
The Third Degree
Forum for CU leaders
Daniel Stafford
Date posted: 1 Oct 2014
If you change the university, you change the world.
The world around us today is being shaped by the students of yesterday – nearly every business person, politician, academic, media presenter and opinion former started out as an undergraduate, their worldview formed and shaped by their university experiences. It follows logically that to shape tomorrow’s world, we need to shape tomorrow’s leaders today. That is why the witness and ministry of Christian Unions is so vital.
Letter from America
Light on gay marriage
Josh Moody
Date posted: 1 Nov 2014
The U.S. Supreme Court has just decided to not decide on gay marriage.
As anticlimactic as a non-decision decision is, this was nonetheless of great significance. Effectively, the Supreme Court has legitimated the decisions of States to allow gay marriage by refusing to intervene (one way or another). Commentators have wondered whether this was motivated so as not to be tarnished with a Roe v. Wade like stigma which the Court has carried ever since its decision on abortion in the eyes of the conservatives.
The Third Degree
The Bristol come-back
Pod Bhogal
Date posted: 1 Aug 2014
Pod asked Canon Michael Green to write his column this month
It proved to be a remarkable mission which will not soon be forgotten.
Sized up?
JEB on what a prospective pastor might want to ask about your church
I did manage to accidentally retire a pastor before his time recently – but only in print. Graham Heaps doesn’t step back at Dewsbury until next Christmas.
From law to gospel
John Stevens tells us about the birth of the City Church in Manchester
In 1996 I joined the Law Faculty at the University of Birmingham as Lecturer in Property Law.
New kid on the block
Dave Gobbett has recently become lead minister at Highfields, Cardiff, one of the largest churches in Wales. EN interviews him
Dave is married to Sally and they have three young children.
The Third Degree
Equipped to read the Bible
Pod Bhogal
Date posted: 1 Sep 2014
Pod is leaving UCCF to take up a role at Scripture Union. In his final third degree column he reflects on the impact of Uncover.
UCCF have a rich history of producing high-quality seeker-sensitive resources.
John Stott’s right hand
Frances Whitehead was John Stott’s secretary and played a crucial role in his life. EN carries a slice of her upcoming biography
The staffing for John Stott’s global operation was modest, as was its office space.
TCKs: the third dimension
Alan Hewerdine on how missionary kids can enhance churches and Christian Unions
The 3D science-fiction movie Gravity won seven Oscars at this year’s awards ceremony.
Why he hates the Reformation
Leonardo de Chirico gives an insight into the Pope’s thinking
Friendly. Appreciative. Always wanting to stress commonalities and to lay aside differences.
Scotland: which future?
Andy Hunter reports on the SOLAS debate on Scottish independence which took place at Charlotte Chapel, Edinburgh on June 11
All sides of this debate are agreed on one thing.
Operation Trojan Horse?
Sam Soloman looks into the deeper implications of the Ofsted report into the Birmingham schools
It was disclosed that there was a programme of Islamisation going on in some Birmingham schools.
What in the world are we doing?
Michael Prest encourages the UK church to get out more!
World mission is not exactly having a heyday in the UK church.
Passion for life – in the swing
Sunita Selvarajan tells us what’s been happening as churches have reached out
Months of prayer and preparation has seen Christians across the country share the good of Jesus with neighbours, colleagues, friends and family.
Letter from America
Meet the president!
Josh Moody
Date posted: 1 May 2014
Josh Moody interviews David S. Dockery, the newly appointed president of Trinity International University.
This university in Illinois, USA, includes Trinity Evangelical Divinity School where Don Carson is a professor.
Notes to Growing Christians
Creation, fall, redemption
David Jackman
Date posted: 1 Jun 2014
Cultivating a consistent biblical world view is a priority for every Christian.
In recent columns I have tried to relate this to the Great Commission to proclaim the good news to all the world. Far from being a tangential occupation for those with an academic bent, developing a biblical mind-set is vital for every believer. It is the only way that we shall be able to stand against the onslaught of secular materialism and so, like the church in Pergamum, to remain true to Christ’s name (Revelation 2.13). But it is also essential if we are to communicate effectively with the alien world views which govern our culture. A biblical world view is not a retreat from evangelism, but a necessary tool for its accomplishment.
Enjoy your prayer life
Mike Reeves stimulates our desires to spend time with God as he reminds us of the Holy Spirit’s work
Prayer is enjoying that the Father really is our Father.
Healing abortion’s heartbreak
Lyn Coles tells her story and how she now helps others
The ripple effect of one abortion can affect as many as 45 to 50 people.