Heres HOPE
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Greater<br />
TOGETHER<br />
We also learned that<br />
we are greaterer<br />
together than we<br />
are apart. Churches<br />
h<br />
were<br />
realising<br />
that<br />
it was not enough just to serve<br />
the<br />
community, or simply to preach<br />
the<br />
gospel. To follow Christ’s<br />
example, words had to be backed<br />
up with actions, and those who<br />
served had to be prepared to give<br />
a reason for the hope they had.<br />
Good examples are the Trussell<br />
Trust foodbanks, which began in<br />
2000, and Street Pastors, which<br />
began in 2003.<br />
Several years later politicians were talking<br />
about the ‘Big Society’, which aimed to<br />
encourage people to take an active role in their<br />
communities, transferring power from central to<br />
local government, supporting social enterprises<br />
and<br />
encouraging volunteering. Although the<br />
‘Big<br />
Society’ idea came and went, churches still<br />
continue to work together playing an active role<br />
in their communities. That works best when local<br />
church leaders have forged strong relationships<br />
of friendships and trust with each other.<br />
The model of ‘words and action’ evangelism, with<br />
churches working together,<br />
which characterised<br />
the city-wide events, inspired many similar events<br />
across the country, including London’s Soul in the<br />
City in 2004. In each case, the local churches led<br />
the way, working together across denominational<br />
and ethnic boundaries, bringing together local<br />
communities by delivering social action and<br />
community-building projects. These ranged from<br />
environmental clean-ups, painting projects, car<br />
washes, barbecues, children’s activities, fun days<br />
and youth concerts.<br />
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