The territorial dimension of the hierarchical church, centered on the authority of the bishop, has found it difficult to come to terms with the charismatic energy of the movements, more inclined to follow their own lay leaders than the local bishops.

In the days and weeks that followed, I tried to contact them but the mail I sent to them was returned to me as the flat was no longer occupied. Puzzled, I made enquiries with their neighbors, but bizarrely, no-one seemed to have ever come across them..

Brainwashed in the blood of the Lamb.

Being in a relational situation where you are unloved can feel very oppressive. But the Lord sees your situation. He says, “I will show my love to the person who is not loved” (Hosea 2:23).

They have also found Philistine pottery, lending credence to the biblical account of them living in the city until being vanquished by King David.

“We have a lot to learn from Christians from other continents where being in minority is the ordinary way of life for a church”, says parish pastor Haakon Kessel. 15,000 left the Church of Norway after deregistration was made available online.

A lobby uses the new regional law against LGTBI discrimination approved this month in Madrid to report the case. The bill “only supports those who accept their own sexual orientation”, the coach believes.

Ministries and churches attended a special summit five days after the tragedy. 40 organisations aggree to “coordinate the efforts in order to bring together into a single stream the various initiatives.”

Is there a Bible school where you could take a single course? Diligently hunt the best books to read, as well as well-informed people to engage with in conversation.

“The strong spirituality and familiar atmosphere in independent evangelical churches respond to the needs of the new converts”, admits a Protestant minister. Many converts face threats after leaving Islam.

The agreement between the government and the FARC is celebrated by many, but also criticised. Evangelicals have divergent views but are willing to get involved in the reconciliation process and to work for lasting peace.

“Is the gospel about human salvation from a condemned world or does it include hope for creation’s good future in Christ?” Lausanne Movement and World Evangelical Alliance sponsor the regional gathering.

The Church of Norway now webpage allows people to verify their membership status, sign up or leave the church. “No one should be a member of a religious community against their will”, leader Kristin Gunleiksrud says.

Hundreds of participants will participate in specialised networks. The morning Bible teacher will be Prof. John Lennox and evening plenary speakers include Lindsay Brown, Leonardo De Chirico, Hans Bayer and Michael Reeves.

“Nobody is your friend, nobody can feel what you feel and what you have left behind you… you need ears that listen to you.” M. tells her story as a refugee.

Michael Oh, Os Guiness, René Breuel, Rebecca Manley Pippert, Mutua Mahiani, Anne Zaki, Ravi Zacharias and others shared their views at the Lausanne Movement Younger Leaders Gathering in Jakarta (Indonesia).

A team of Russian archaeologists announces “a discovery of international significance” in the ancient Greek site of Phanagoria (Crimea). Darius I is mentioned in the book of Ezra.

Dr Pablo Martinez explains the causes of spiritual abuse from a biblical perspective and recommends steps to take action.

God’s Secret Agent... (still on active service!)

How to build an Emergent Church in 30 easy steps.

Five reasons why I cannot pray to the Virgin Mary.

Do American teenagers still have reverence and interest for the Bible? That's a central question that guided a study conducted by Barna Group and the American Bible Society.

To forgive requires first to be aware, through God’s light, of the dark hidden corners in our own heart.

The Italian Evangelical Alliance is active in contributing to relief work and to coordinate its work with evangelical agencies. Condolences of European believers.

The extreme political right has simply developed a compelling narrative that weaves a dystopian mythology around the themes of ethnic dilution, conspiracy, migration, religious terrorism, and resource scarcity.