Evangelical Alliance hosts Money; Let’s Talk seminar to urge and equip Christians to address financial issues head on
19 May 2009
Churches are failing their members and communities by avoiding talking openly about money and debt, says the Evangelical Alliance.
The Alliance wants to equip churches to avoid shying away from money taboos and to directly address financial issues, especially during the current financial climate. The Money; Let's Talk seminar, as part of the Pentecost Festival, will provide a proactive way of taking up this challenge.
Chris Tapp, Director of Credit Action, said: "Money is generally seen as a very private subject and this all too often leads to reluctance on the part of churches in discussing financial matters. However it is an absolutely crucial issue for Christians to tackle especially today when so many in our churches and communities are struggling desperately with money and debt issues.
"Unfortunately pastors and church leaders may feel ill equipped to address the topic and that's why we want to give practical advice and encouragement to people who can then teach and support others in the area of money management. Money; Let's Talk is a fabulous opportunity to do this."
This seminar, hosted by the Evangelical Alliance on Saturday 30 May from 2-5pm at Church.co.uk, will look at how Christians can respond to the economic situation, address financial concerns and will emphasise the vital contribution Christians must make practically in their local area and how to participate in the ongoing conversation.
Through interactive group discussions and expert speakers, Money; Let's Talk will examine how we talk about money and the vital role that churches must play in fighting insecurity, unemployment and debt. This event aims to enlighten, encourage and equip attendees to teach on and support others in these areas of life.
The day's sessions will be led and informed by Chris Tapp, Director of Credit Action and John Preston, the National Stewardship and Resources Officer for the Church of England.
Money; Let's Talk is part of the Alliance's Life Beyond Debt campaign and is free to attend but those interested in participating in the discussion are asked to register at www.eauk.org/lifebeyonddebt. When registering online, attendees are given an opportunity to win two free cinema tickets to see the film Son of Man, showing at 6pm the same day in Leicester Square.
Notes to editors:
The Evangelical Alliance is working in partnership with Credit Action, The Church of England, Community Money Advice and Church Action on Poverty to produce Money; Let's Talk. The seminar will be held at Church.co.uk, Waterloo at 2pm, which is 1a Kennington Road, London, SE1 7QP www.church.co.uk
Credit Action operates at a national level through advocacy, collaboration and partnerships with various groups and companies as well as at a local level through a variety of targeted projects, with a particular emphasis on those most vulnerable to financial difficulties. www.creditaction.org.uk
Church of England. John Preston, the National Stewardship and Resources Officer for the Church of England. provides encouragement, advice and support for the Christian stewardship and fundraising activities within the dioceses of the Church of England and the wider Church. John has authored a new booklet The Money Revolution, and an accompanying website www.themoneyrevolution.net www.cofe.anglican.org
Church Action on Poverty is a national ecumenical Christian social justice charity, committed to tackling poverty in the UK. They work in partnership with churches and with people in poverty themselves to find solutions to poverty, locally, nationally and globally. They offer a range of resources, tools and training to help everybody handle their money well, and help others to do likewise. www.church-poverty.org.uk
Community Money Advice assists churches and other community organisations in setting up debt advice centres in their local community. They provide training and resources to local initiatives across England and Wales, and have helped set up over 75 advice centres since our foundation in 2003. www.communitymoneyadvice.com
The seminar is included as part of the Pentecost Festival programme. The Pentecost Festival is a dynamic national Christian Festival co-ordinated by taking place in Central London over the Pentecost weekend 26th - 31st May 2009. The festival is highly visible and takes place in the parks, coffee shops, bars, churches, clubs and theatres of central London. A great number of churches, organisations and charities take part, attracting thousands of people to Central London and showcasing what the Church in the UK is all about. www.pentecostfestival.co.uk
The Evangelical Alliance, formed in 1846, is the largest body serving evangelical Christians in the UK, and has a membership including denominations, churches, organisations and individuals. The mission of the Evangelical Alliance is to unite evangelicals to present Christ credibly as good news for spiritual and social transformation. According to a Tearfund survey (Churchgoing in the UK, 2007), there are approximately 2 million evangelical Christians in the UK. For more information, go to www.eauk.org .
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