Logo

 

Banner Image:   National-News-banner-Purple
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet


Justin Welby calls on Christians to 'challenge cynicism' 


The Archbishop of Canterbury urged Christians to resist political narratives that appeal to self-interest and instead vote for the common good in a keynote address to nearly 400 people at the Love your neighbour: Think, Pray, Vote conference in Coventry on Saturday. In his speech Archbishop Justin Welby said: “It’s impossible to love Jesus Christ and not to care about the welfare of people in every respect.

Justin welby

The Archbishop went on to appeal to Christians to be positive and avoid ‘miserablism’ – “If we don’t vote we share responsibility for the apathy and cynicism in our politics.”

The Conference was organised by the Joint Public Issues Team, which combines the expertise of the Baptist Union, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church, to launch the Love Your Neighbour: Think, Pray, Vote Election pack designed to encourage churches to explore themes of truth, justice, peace and wellbeing in the run up to May’s General Election.

Most Rev Justin Welby said that proclaiming the good news of Jesus and transforming society were "indistinguishable": “They are literally the two sides of the same coin. You do one, you do the other.” He called on Christians to "proclaim the vision that is transforming … that challenges the cynicism.”

Mr John Ellis, Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church commented: “Archbishop Justin showed how we should view politics through a lens of the Gospel: If we did that we would never succumb to apathy or the temptation to demonise individuals or political parties – instead we would honour the positive and support all those seeking the common good. So, as Christians we stay hopeful, with a stronger motivation to use the political process to fight injustices.”

Commending the Love Your Neighbour resource pack, the Revd Phil Jump, Regional Minister of the North Western Baptist Association and member of the Joint Public Issues Team, said: “Our hope and vision is that every member of our churches will enter the polling booth on election day, conscious that above everything else, they are called to be followers of Jesus.” The voting pack is designed for use in churches and small groups in the four weeks immediately before the General Election in May.

The conference programme included a Q&A session immediately after the Archbishop’s speech, reflective worship and a closing keynote speech from the Revd Ruth Gee, former President of the Methodist Conference. Delegates also had the opportunity to attend workshops on poverty, communications, building a relationship with your MP, immigration, climate change, preaching and praying, social justice and peacemaking.  Think pray vote pack


Find out what delegates and speakers had to say about the conference here


 

Baptist Times, 23/02/2015
    Post     Tweet
New Brian Haymes book launched
Contributions and Struggles: Some Theological Contributions brings together a selection of Brian's essays and sermons, edited posthumously. It launched at a thanksgiving service for Brian's ministry and life
Liverpool parade crash: 'Appalled and saddened'
Churches leaders in Merseyside shared the following statement and prayer in the wake of the incident that injured crowds celebrating Liverpool's Premier League title win on Monday
‘We can choose to tell a new story – one of gracious growth’
​General Secretary Lynn Green urged Baptists to embrace a story of hope and renewal rather than decline in her closing address at the Baptist Assembly
ba25report
'God's Baptist people are in good heart' - Steve Finamore's reflections
Outgoing Baptists Together President Steve Finamore shared encouraging signs of church growth and renewed hope across Baptist networks
ba25report
More than 60 ministers and pastors commissioned at Baptist Assembly
Ministers who have transferred to the fully accredited list, nationally recognised pastors and recognised local ministers were commissioned and prayed, in a session which also featured the In Memoriam
ba25report
Mission Resolution introduced at Assembly
Designed to build a shared understanding of mission across Baptists Together, this marks the beginning of a two-year process of discernment, dialogue, and engagement, with the goal of the resolution being adopted at the 2027 Baptist Assembly
ba25report
     Latest News 
    Posted: 04/06/2025
    Posted: 21/05/2025
    Posted: 07/01/2025
    Posted: 07/01/2025
     
    Text Size:  
    Small (Default)
    Medium
    Large
    Contrast:  
    Normal
    High Contrast