Church Partnership: Talks and Seminars by CARE User

Church Partnership

Talks and Seminars

Hi there, CARE is a Christian charity working to see politics renewed and lives transformed. We think God has a better story for our society where humans, made in His image, can flourish. We’re based in Westminster, a stone’s throw from the Houses of Parliament (and we have offices in Glasgow and Belfast as well). My name is Pete Killingley. I trained at Wales Evangelical School of Theology, and have 11 years’ experience in pastoral ministry. I know how busy pastors are, and how many competing pressures there are on your time. I know the tension between wanting to equip your congregation to live as faithful followers of Jesus in society, while not wanting to distract from the centrality of the Gospel. That’s why in the Church Engagement team, we’re looking to partner with you. Our heart is to engage, equip and empower the Church to be a faithful presence in our society. To bring our expertise to supplement the week-in-week-out labour of church ministers. Because we’re all invested in seeing churches and Christians not just survive, but thrive, in a complicated world. We want to help Christians think biblically, compassionately and graciously about the big issues we face in the 21st century. To be salt and light, founded on truth and driven by love. To reflect God’s heart for

Talks:

the poor, and to know what it looks like to stand up for the most vulnerable. There are two main ways we do that. One is through resources – see our ‘Equipped’ email, which is featured on page 25. We will send you occasional emails with prayer resources, topic primers to help you teach on complex issues, and so on. But this brochure is more about the talks, seminars and sermons we’d love to share at your church. From an overview of CARE; to why Christians should engage in politics; and topical messages on pressing issues in today’s society, whether that be gender ideology or assisted suicide. So have a look through, see what grabs your attention, and then turn to the ‘Next steps’ page at the very end.

• • • • •

All about CARE Love at the heart of politics The image of God – an essential foundation Opposition… or opportunity? Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s

Topical seminars The better story for:

4 6 8 10 12

Poverty and the cost of living Gambling addiction Abortion Assisted suicide Artificial intelligence Human trafficking and modern slavery Gender ideology Parenting in the modern world

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

EQUIPPED… to pray, pastor and preach Next steps Contact me

• • • • • • • •

I look forward to hearing from you!

Pete Killingley Head of Church Engagement (England)

26 27

All about CARE

For 40 years, CARE has been at the heart of British politics. The story began with the Nationwide Festival of Light in the 70s, leading to a grassroots movement of Christians involved in prayer and petition, before Reverend Lyndon Bowring founded what is now CARE in 1983.

and what Christians can do about it.

In this talk, we look at what makes CARE distinctive. We have always been known and respected for our tone. We aim to be salt and light, speaking truth and grace in society. And, above all, we seek to love our neighbour as ourselves. We think about how these distinctives are lacking in Parliament today,

We cover some of the achievements and victories of the past 40 years, while looking forward to what is next. And finally, we invite people in your congregation to partner with us and pray with us as we work to see politics renewed and lives transformed.

We give an overview of the work of CARE – equipping politicians to stand up for the weak and vulnerable in parliament; engaging with churches and partnering with them in the work; and empowering future leaders through our highly respected Leadership Programme.

Nationwide Festival of Light Trafalgar Square, London, 1971. Turn to ‘Next steps’ on page 26 for details on how to book a CARE speaker.

Love at the heart of politics Love is the heartbeat of the Christian life. God first loved us and through His Holy Spirit teaches us to love. Jesus tells us that the greatest commandment is love. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength, and love your neighbour as yourself. And as we grow in love, we become more like Him! These three talks focus on the place of love in politics and society. In a world where ‘love is god’, how does the truth that ‘God is love’ transform the way we interact in public life?

How to love your MP, whoever they are This is a practical talk looking at the why and how of engaging with your MP. What responsibilities do they have to their constituents? What can be achieved by writing to them? What does it look like to love them, even if you fundamentally disagree on most of the key issues? How can the fruit of the Spirit infuse all of our conversations? How can we, as Christians, be different from their other constituents?

What’s love got to do with it? How can Christians be different in public life? Many are disillusioned with the state of Parliament today, and sometimes rightly so. Politics is toxic, and dialogue seems hopeless. This talk asks the question, ‘How can Christians be different?’ How does our faith shape the way we interact, and what we expect from others? St. Augustine wrote about love being at the centre of politics – is that the answer? And what would that look like in practice?

Love your ‘enemies’ – how to disagree well In our society today, more and more people lack even a basic understanding of Christians beliefs. Without that framework, some of our moral and ethical positions seem nonsensical to them. How do we engage people with different worldviews in a way that bridges divides? Where do we start? This talk is broader than politics – it applies to the workplace, the dinner table and more.

Turn to ‘Next steps’ on page 26 for details on how to book a CARE speaker.

The image of God – an essential foundation Genesis 1 tells us how mankind is the pinnacle of God’s creation. Unlike any other creature, we are made in God’s image, giving us immense dignity and value. Yet this same chapter tells us that we are just creatures, not the Creator. As humans, we have dignity, yet we are dust – we are ‘dignified dust’. It’s a truth that’s not recognised in much of today’s society. As a result, people come up with their own ideas of who they are, why they matter, and how to live. But these constructs are shifting sands – they don’t provide a firm foundation for identity, dignity, or equality. Unmoored from the Biblical anchor, these values become warped and distorted. These three talks look at what it means to be made in the image of God, and how that shapes our view on these fundamental concepts. They can be done as a series, or stand-alone.

Dignity

Equality

Identity

‘Dignity’ is cited as a reason to support assisted suicide, yet Christians see the God-given dignity of every life as a reason to oppose it. So, what is dignity? Made in the image of God, we all have it – but is it possible to lose our dignity? Far from an academic discussion, this talk gets to the heart of who we should protect, and how we value the least among us.

‘We hold these truths to be selfevident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.’ So reads the American Declaration of Independence. But if you take the Creator out of the picture, is equality self-evident? This talk asks where equality comes from, and where it has gone wrong.

‘Who am I?’ is a question that we all have to wrestle with. But who gets to answer that question? Do I define myself? Or is that something only God gets to do? Does it matter? In this talk, we look at how we’ve got to where we are today, and why a clear understanding of the doctrine of humanity is essential for every Christian today.

Turn to ‘Next steps’ on page 26 for details on how to book a CARE speaker.

Opposition… or opportunity? It doesn’t compare to the persecution in many nations, but Christians in the UK seem to be facing higher levels of antagonism than in recent generations. The new tolerance is remarkably intolerant. Diversity only goes in one direction. Jesus tells us to expect all this, but it still takes some getting used to. These three talks are honest about the challenges we face today, but also hopeful. Is the opposition as bad as it seems, or only in certain spheres? How can we make sure we don’t come across as hostile and defensive? There is a temptation to withdraw and keep our faith private, yet there is opportunity in all the opposition – a new door opened to love our neighbours and point to Christ. 10

When did Christians become the bad guys?

How to be a faithful Christian in pride month

Christians used to be seen as the good guys in society. Now we’re the bigots, the hateful and harmful ones. Drawing on Stephen McAlpine’s work, this talks explores the areas where Christianity is most at odds with our culture’s new orthodoxy – the areas where we are the ‘bad guys’. Up to date and relevant to the challenges we are facing today, we look at strategies, opportunities, and think about the Christian way to respond.

June is ‘Pride Month’, a time of celebration of the LGBT cause. It’s an astonishing phenomenon, with everyone from politicians to supermarkets, from police officers to banks, signalling their support. How should we respond, especially when it comes to the workplace? This talk explores the history and theological significance of pride, is honest about some of the dilemmas we face, and helps us to love our neighbours, whatever their sexuality.

Is there still a place for Christians in public life? From Tim Farron to Kate Forbes, Christians seem to face extra scrutiny when running for public office. Is there a glass ceiling for Christians? It’s not just in politics – in many parts of society, we’re told to keep our faith private. Should we? Would that even be possible? In this talk we think about the myth of secular neutrality, what society loses when we are excluded, and how to lead with our faith rather than hide it away.

Turn to ‘Next steps’ on page 26 for details on how to book a CARE speaker.

Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s

As Christians we face a number of strange paradoxes. We are in the world, but not of it. We are citizens of heaven, yet also citizens of nations on earth. We have one true King, yet we respect and honour the kings and rulers of this world. We are exiles on our way to a heavenly home, yet we still must live in the here and now. With our eyes fixed on the future, it’s tempting to withdraw from the world of politics. This is especially true in times of disillusionment with the parties vying for our votes, with high levels of cynicism as to whether anything will ever really change. Let’s just focus on preaching the Gospel! Yet politics can still be a force for good, and an effective way of loving our neighbours, particularly the weak and vulnerable. These three talks bring optimism, giving biblical reasons for engaging in politics, while keeping the Gospel central. They are about the how and why of engaging with the political process when we are strangers and exiles in the world, and about setting realistic expectations of what can be achieved by political engagement when only the Gospel can transform lives eternally.

Does the Bible have anything to say about politics? From Joseph to Nehemiah, and Moses to Esther, all the way to Jesus standing before Pilate, political engagement is everywhere in the Bible. This talk explores the principles found in the Bible, and seeks to apply them to the modern world

Why should I vote, and who should I vote for? This talk does not recommend any particular political party. Instead, it explores some of the principles that should guide Christians as they think about voting, particularly in an era of cynicism and disillusionment where many want to vote ‘None of the above’.

Should we aspire to be a Christian country? What even is a Christian country? When Christianity becomes overly entangled with the state, it can lead to bad outcomes. This talk surveys the past, thinks theologically, and looks to chart a way forward that isn’t triumphalist and overly optimistic, or defeatist and pessimistic! Turn to ‘Next steps’ on page 26 for details on how to book a CARE speaker.

Topical seminars – introduction We also offer talks that look at live issues that we are facing in our society. Some of them are thorny topics, controversial in public debate. There’s a reason our society is divided over these questions – they might involve competing rights or values, or different assumptions as to what human flourishing really looks like. Many of them are pastorally sensitive. They can be complex to teach on in an informed way, all the while knowing that there will be people in your congregation who have personal experience of the issues at hand. Some pastors want to teach on these topics themselves – for others, it’s useful to get someone in from outside. At CARE, we want to help. We combine

topical expertise and knowledge with a pastoral heart. We take a hopeful and gracefilled tone, avoiding simplistic explanations and straw man arguments. Our approach is to look at the biblical principles, and then apply them to real life situations. We want to show how God has a better story for all those who are facing these things in their everyday lives. For each of these issues, CARE has been working in Parliament to influence legislation. The talk includes prayer points for your congregation to take away with them. This list of talks is not exhaustive - if the topic you’re interested in isn’t covered, we may still be able to help. Turn to ‘Next steps’ on page 26 for more details

Poverty and the cost of living Gambling addiction Abortion Assisted suicide Artificial intelligence Human trafficking and modern slavery Gender ideology Parenting in the modern world

Topical seminars – the better story for…

Poverty and the cost of living

Poverty

God’s heart for the poor is seen throughout Scripture. Psalm 140 tells us that ‘the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.’ Jesus came to proclaim ‘good news to the poor’. How we treat the most vulnerable is a picture of how we treat God himself.

the problem. In Deuteronomy 15, we’re told both ‘there need be no poor people among you’, and ‘there will always be poor people in the land’.

Christians have always been at the forefront of caring for the poor and the weak in our society, but with the cost of living crisis, poverty has been pushed back into the centre of public attention. Nine million people in the UK currently face problem debt; and six million go without heating through the winter months. The Bible has so much to say on these issues, and it recognises the complexity of

What are the causes of poverty? What are the solutions? What is the responsibility of the rich towards the poor? What action can the Government take? And where does the Church come in? Above all, how do Christians offer hope to those trapped in poverty? This talk takes a look at the Bible and at inspiring stories from churches past and present. It seeks to give practical advice for what the Church can do, as well as signposting where people can get support.

Gambling addiction

Poverty

While for some, gambling is just harmless fun, for a significant minority it causes genuine devastation. Addiction can lead to job loss, relationship breakdown, and in some cases, even suicide. There are estimated to be 430,000 problem gamblers in the UK. With the boom of online betting, alongside a lack of regulation, there are believed to be a staggering 55,000 under 16s struggling with gambling.

have a better story, true and genuine hope, that gambling itself is unable to offer.

Yet it doesn’t get the attention it deserves, particularly among Christians, who can fail to see the addictive and exploitative tactics used by online betting companies. Gambling ensnares people, but then gives a false gospel by promising that it will be the answer to the problems it has created. Christians

CARE has worked in the area of problem gambling at a policy level for many years. Out of love for our neighbours, we seek to promote policies and laws that will protect people from the devastation caused by gambling addiction. This talk looks at gambling addiction from a biblical perspective. What does the Bible teach about gambling? Is this an issue that should be higher on the Church’s agenda? Where does self-control fit in, and how do we help those who seem to have none? How might you reach the people in your community whose lives are being destroyed by problem gambling?

Turn to ‘Next steps’ on page 26 for details on how to book a CARE speaker.

Topical seminars – the better story for…

Abortion

Poverty

In every pregnancy, both the woman and preborn baby have inherent value and dignity, by virtue of being made in the image of God. He knits us together in the womb. He knows us and cares for us before we are born. He cares for the most vulnerable, and there is none more vulnerable than the unborn child.

that they didn’t feel like they had a choice.

But too often the abortion debate has been polarised and toxic. It pits women’s rights against the rights of the unborn. It’s divided into pro-choice and pro-life, but the testimony of many women who have had an abortion is

This talk takes a compassionate Christian approach. It is pastoral and sensitive, assuming that there might be someone in the room who has had an abortion. It examines biblical and scientific principles, looking at when life begins and what life is worth. It’ll explore how Christians can offer help and hope to those facing unexpected pregnancies, and grace for those who have had an abortion in the past. We’ll show how Christians can be passionately pro-woman and pro-life.

Assisted suicide

Poverty

A former Archbishop of Canterbury recently said that legalising assisted suicide would be ‘profoundly Christian’. His comments reflect the strong and emotive arguments in favour of assisted suicide, and the confusion in some parts of the Church.

We must understand how immensely difficult it is to suffer or see a loved one enduring pain, but also be passionate about protecting and caring for the most vulnerable above all.

The campaign to legalise assisted suicide is gathering speed, and is heartened by ‘progress’ in the Netherlands and Canada. There is increasing uncertainty even in the UK as people wonder if they will be prosecuted for helping a loved one travel to a clinic overseas. More than ever, Christians need a clear theology on life, death, suffering and dignity.

This talk looks at the big questions: Is assisted suicide just between me and my doctor, or does it have wider consequences? How should we respond if someone in our family is intent on ending their life? We try to present an alternative – being proactive in valuing the elderly and their contribution to life and society. We must stand firm against changes in the law while also offering a better story for those nearing the end of their lives.

Turn to ‘Next steps’ on page 26 for details on how to book a CARE speaker.

Topical seminars – the better story for…

Artificial intelligence

Poverty

Stephen Hawking once said, ‘The development of full AI could spell the end of the human race.’ With the advent of ChatGPT, AI has now gone mainstream. And we’re left asking, is AI an existential threat to humanity, or overblown hype? Will a robot take my job? Or is this all another false dawn?

human? Is a world where robots do all the work a utopia, or quite the opposite? What does God tell us about the development of technology, and are there some boundaries that we shouldn’t cross? Will AI ever come up to an answer to the problem of death? Above all, do we need to fear what the future holds?

Artificial Intelligence may not be mentioned in the Bible, but God’s Word does give us the tools to answer many of the major questions that AI is raising. What does it mean to be

We can approach the questions raised by AI from a number of different perspectives, depending on what would work best for your church.

Human trafficking and modern slavery Human trafficking, modern day slavery and exploitation in the commercial sex industry are some of the grossest violations of human dignity. As Christians, God calls us to bring freedom and restoration to those who are oppressed. This talk touches on the great successes of Christians in the abolition of the slave trade in past centuries, but warns against complacency. Research shows there are now more people enslaved around the world than in all the 400 years of the trans-Atlantic slave

Poverty trade. Modern slavery is a very real issue, often overlooked because it is unseen. Whether they be in hand car washes, nail salons or the sex trade, vulnerable people are forced to work for little or no pay, with limited freedom and poor living conditions. What can Christians do about modern slavery today? It’s much harder to fight because, more than the slavery of old, it is a hidden and secretive evil. How can we be alert to the signs of it? How can we stand up for the most vulnerable? What should we be encouraging our government to do?

Turn to ‘Next steps’ on page 26 for details on how to book a CARE speaker.

Topical seminars – the better story for…

Gender ideology

Poverty

In a recent survey, 76% of church leaders said gender ideology is one of the most pressing issues Christians face today. The very essence of who we are as humans created male and female has been eroded. It is now normal (expected, even) to add your pronouns to your outgoing email. People lose their jobs for ‘misgendering’ a customer, or someone they work with. And individuls face the threat of ‘conversion practices’ legislation which could make it a criminal offence to pray with someone wanting help with their gender dysphoria.

think the world has lost its marbles. And we see the backlash – JK Rowling’s brave stand, Nicola Sturgeon’s downfall. Yet behind it all are people made in the image of God, desperately confused, many suffering with mental illness, or physical complications as a result of surgery to ‘change’ their gender.

As Christians looking on, seeing biological men dominate women’s sport and enter previously female-only spaces, it’s easy to

This talk seeks to make sense of it all. How have we got here? Why do the proponents of this ideology think the way they do? What should we do when someone tells us their pronouns? What about when our own children or family members tell us they identify as a different gender? There are no easy answers, but this talk helps us to think it all through from a biblical perspective.

Parenting in the modern world

Poverty Poverty Poverty Poverty Poverty Poverty

Raising children has never been easy, but today’s parents face challenges that no previous generation has had to deal with.

their children and teenagers to face the modern world. As well as online safety, we look at the disturbing world of Relationship and Sex Education in schools, and how to help your kids navigate gender ideology.

With the rise of smartphones, more than half of children now encounter pornography before the age of 13. What does that do to their pre-teen brain and their developing understanding of sex and sexuality? Then there are the issues of online bullying and grooming, and the addictive power of chasing likes on social media. This talk is not an overview of Christian parenting, but looks at specific issues that parents must grapple with if they are to equip

It would be easy to bury our collective heads in the sand, or give into fear and despair, but our children need to be equipped to deal with the world they are growing up in. This practical and hopeful talk explores how Christian parents can support and love their kids in the specific issues being faced in today’s culture. It also explores how CARE has been equipping politicians to keep our laws up to date with the realities of the digital age.

Turn to ‘Next steps’ on page 26 for details on how to book a CARE speaker.

EQUIPPED… to pray, pastor and preach Not every church needs an in-person presentation from CARE. But we’d love to equip you to pray in an informed manner for our government, to pastor those struggling with complex questions, and to preach on those thorny issues. Introducing our ‘Equipped’ email – it’s sent out every 1-2 months and is focused on resources that will help you in your ministry. It might link to topical primers – A4 documents with all the information you’d need to teach on a hot topic (e.g. assisted suicide) in one place. Or prayer videos – we produce 60-90 second videos from Westminster. They update you on a live issue in parliament, with 2-3 key prayer points. The idea is that you play the video in a Sunday service right before your time of prayer, so that you can be leading your congregation in praying in an informed way. By signing up to ‘Equipped’, you’ll get early access to these videos. We’re not here to spam your inbox, but semi-regularly point you to accessible resources that will help you in your ministry.

Next steps As you’ve looked through this brochure, I’m sure some talks have caught your eye. Perhaps it’s one in particular, or there’s a series you think could work well. Or there may be an issue that we didn’t have space to include that you’d really like to hear us speak on. If it fits in our areas of expertise, we’d be happy to help. We have a team of experienced speakers ready to come to your church.

better, as there is more time to explore and think through the topic. We’re even able to speak at church holidays or weekends away, covering a series of issues. You also might want to consider holding a joint meeting with other churches.

The next step is a conversation to explore that further. My contact details are to the right – get in touch and we can arrange to meet, either in person or on a video call.

There is no set length for the talks and we are flexible, depending on the time and context. However, to allow time for questions, we recommend 45-60 minutes as the ideal length. That being said, we are able to offer shortened versions of most of our talks to fit into a Sunday morning service.

Have a think about what day of the week is best to come to your church. Sunday mornings bring a wider audience, but often less depth on a particular issue. Many churches find that Sunday evenings or a midweek meeting work

All our talks and resources are free of charge, but a donation to CARE is really appreciated as it covers our travel costs and enables us to keep doing what we’re doing – standing up for the most vulnerable in society.

Contact me 07384117491

peter.killingley@care.org.uk or speakers@care.org.uk Pete Killingley @petekillingley 53 Romney St, London, SW1P 3RF

CARE (Christian Action Research and Education) Chief Executive Ross Hendry | Co-Founder Rev Lyndon Bowring 53 Romney St, London, SW1P 3RF 020 7233 0455 | mail@care.org.uk

care.org.uk

careorguk

CARE is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales at 53 Romney Street, London, SW1P 3RF Company No: 3481417 | Charity No: 1066963 | Scottish Charity No: SC038911