Issachar Project resources

Call to Action – General Assembly 2019

The EEA is calling the Evangelical church in Europe to act around the issue of safety and security. This paper is a result of this years´s General Assembly under the

A FRENCH PERSPECTIVE ON EVANGELICAL SOCIO-POLITICAL PRIORITIES

A FRENCH PERSPECTIVE ON EVANGELICAL SOCIO-POLITICAL PRIORITIES Speach of Etienne Lhermenault, President of CNEF during 2017 CNEF’s assembly. He expresses his dismay that many Christians have succumbed to a politics

Left-wing Populism in Europe

This paper has been commissioned by EEA and written by X. Manuel Suárez.

LOVING OUR NATION WELL: A RESOURCE FOR CHRISTIANS AND CHURCHES

EEA resource designed for individual Christians, home groups and local churches.  It invites us to celebrate what is great about our nation from the Lord’s perspective. It creates the opportunity consider how to be proud of our dual citizenship – our national and our eternal one in Christ. It gives questions to ponder so that we make sure that our loyalty to Christ always comes first.

LIBERAL-VALUES-DOGMATISM

This paper has been commissioned by EEA and written by X. Manuel Suárez.

NATIONALISM, POPULISM, POLITICS AND IDENTITY

This paper examines identity politics and nationalism, raising questions about how the Church should relate to the State and how Christians balance their sense of belonging and joy in their national identity with their first loyalty to Christ.

THE SECULARISATION OF POLITICS

This paper has been commissioned by EEA.
Author:Dr David Landrum, Director of Advocacy, EAUK

WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO EUROPE’S POLITICS?

EEA paper written by Julia Doxat-Purser (EEA Socio-Political Representative and Religious Liberty Coordinator)

WHAT KIND OF SOCIETY?

If society was more loving, more free, more just, and more truthful, we would all benefit. This document contains the UK Evangelical Alliance’s vision for the kind of society they want the UK to become.

What kind of society? Summary Booklet

A short booklet produced by the UK Evangelical Alliance. It provides a vision for the kind of world that we want our children and grandchildren to grow old in.  This summary booklet

Socio-Political resources

WEA and European Evangelical Alliance Call for Prayer for Peace in Ukraine

The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) together with the European Evangelical Alliance (EEA) calls for prayers for peace between Ukraine and Russia amid the increasing tensions.

Ukraine-Russia: Evangelicals on both sides still trust in a peaceful resolution

The border between Russia and Ukraine has become the scene of regular tensions since the protests that began in November 2013, known as Euromaidan, which ended with the change of government in Kiev, the annexation of Crimea by Russia, the war in the Donbas region.

Support Us – A Day of Lobby Work in Brussels

A day of lobby work in Brussels with Arie de Pater, EEA Brussels Representative   On Wednesdays, I take a 6.30 h train for Brussels. As the train is still

EEA members in the spotlight

The European Evangelical Alliance is really proud of the fantastic socio-political work done by many of our members. So we wanted to honour them by asking a few to give us a taste of what they have been doing.

A Resource Pack for Election Time

This resource pack is designed to inspire individuals, local churches and Evangelical Alliances to pray, think, ask questions and encourage others to do the same. “I have come to the conclusion that politics is too serious a matter to be left to the politicians,” said Charles de Gaulle.

Matić – the good, the bad, and the ugly

On 24 June, the European Parliament adopted a report “on the situation of sexual and reproductive health and rights in the EU, in the frame of women’s health”[1].

Schuman Talks: EEA’s Brussels Office – What has been achieved?

On 9 June 2021, previous and current staff of the EEA Brussels staff was interviewed by one of its founding fathers, Jeff Fountain.

The Istanbul Convention is 10 years’ old – EEA Statement, June 2021

On 11th May 2021, Europe will mark the 10th anniversary of the signing of the so-called Istanbul Convention.

The EEA Brussels office in Corona times

Our social-political work in Brussels is a lot about building and maintaining relationships. Covid-19 is seriously limiting the ability to do so. So, how is the Brussels office dealing with the current situation?
Building and maintaining relationships with parliamentarians and their staff, with policy makers, and with the many non-governmental organisations working in Brussels, is crucial for the work of the EEA office in the European Union’s capital.

Doing politics “right”

This month, the European Evangelical Alliance is republishing 2 foundational documents which seek to answer these questions: EEA’s Socio-Political Approach. And the Socio-political Code of Conduct, which summarises the Approach in a few key principles.

Human Identity resources

EEA Statement on Violence against Women and Girls

In May 2021, Europe marked the 10th anniversary of the signing of the so-called Istanbul Convention, the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combatting violence against women and domestic violence. The vast majority of people will support the Istanbul Convention’s desire for a “Europe free from violence against women and domestic violence.” Nevertheless, this document has also caused controversy across Europe. But the European Evangelical Alliance (EEA) does not want the core issues to be lost in all the argument.

Micah Network: Gender Policy

Right from the start Micah Network (2001) has been addressing issues of gender disparity, inequality and injustice. In 2009, Micah Network produced an interim Gender Policy. At that time it was noted

SEXUALITY EDUCATION

EurECA Position Paper on Sexuality Education. While different sides can agree upon the importance of sexuality education, there are disagreements regarding the philosophical, theological and thus anthropological views behind sexuality education.  

GENDER MAINSTREAMING

EurECA paper “Gender Mainstreaming & Related Issues: A short overview about Gender Mainstreaming, its history and its relationship to Non-Discrimination/Diversity Mainstreaming”   DOWNLOAD RESOURCE

WHEN TWO BECOME ONE

Original title:“När två blir ett. Sex och samlevnad ue wrr kristet perspektiv.” /’When two become one. Sex & togetherness from a Christian perspective.’/ This Youth resources are developed by the

THE IDEOLOGY OF GENDER

Original title:“Origen y desarollo de la ideologia de genero, fundamentos teologicos del matrimonio y la familia” /’The origin and development of the ideology of gender, Theological foundations of marriage and the

A Christian Understanding of Sex & Human Flourishing

“A Christian Understanding of Sex & Human Flourishing” – Part 1 Understanding and Responding to the Sexual Revolution. This resource contains 6 lessons with videos & questions and is developed

TRANSFORMED

“Transformed: A brief biblical and pastoral introduction to understanding transgender in a changing culture” This resource has been produced by EAUK and it seeks to help Christians, as individuals and gathered

HUMAN RIGHTS AND EDUCATION

EEA paper on “Human Rights and Education – What are the rights of parents, children and teachers when they object to parts of the curriculum?”. This briefing gives advice for those who

LGBT+ Rights

“LGBT+ Rights – responding to a changing world” This paper has been commissioned by EEA and contains reflections on theology, communication, legal & policy issues. DOWNLOAD RESOURCE

Church resources

Joint Statement on Ukraine

One year has passed since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The World Evangelical Alliance joins the European Evangelical Alliance and the Council of Evangelical Protestant Churches of Ukraine in condemning the aggression, honouring the people who are pouring out support to the victims, and challenging all evangelicals to follow Jesus as war continues to rage.

Following Jesus in Media and Communication

Our theme for the first half of 2023 is “House on the Rock”, and we asked Georg Schuster, Managing Director of Uplink Academy, to comment on this in the context of media and communication.
In Jesus’ parable, we must both hear and put into practice, to be able to build on the Rock. Georg pointed out that listening was an elemental principle in good communication: we must hear what people are thinking and saying before rushing in to share the Gospel, answering questions people are not even asking. And words are not the only thing that counts: people want to see us live out our faith.
Another principle in communication is to face outside perceptions, and here we accept that outside opinions about Christians are not positive. The Church is no longer seen as something relevant to society. It has largely forgotten how to listen and talk to the world. This led Georg and Mirjam to establish Uplink Academy, a media centre created to help Christians communicate better, be a space of encounter, and train those who see themselves as media missionaries.

House on the Rock means creation care

EEA’s overarching communications theme for the first six months of 2023 is extremely relevant in many ways. One of these areas, which ties directly to Jesus’ image of the “storms of life,” is the increasingly out-of-control phenomenon of global climate change. This is literally bringing us an increasing number of “storms” or as meteorologists would say: erratic weather events.

House on the Rock

How is the weather where you live? Not the physical weather, but the spiritual weather? Is it like a beautiful Spring Day, is there a storm building, or are you right in the middle of a storm? No matter what the weather, we know from experience that it will change. And no matter what the change or the challenge, we need a strong place to dwell, to stand and to be safe.
Our theme these next 6 months is: “A house on the rock,” from Matthew 7:24–27. In Jesus’ parable, there are a few things that Jesus presupposes but doesn’t mention. Four things that anyone who is planning to build a solid house needs to do. These four things are true if we build a physical house, and especially true when it’s our lives.

5th day of the earthquake – Updates and Prayer Requests from Turkey

We are now in the 5th day of the earthquake. We see every life saved after the first 72 hours as a miracle. May the Lord give strength to every life that is still breathing under the collapse and may we continue to witness more miracles.

Severe earthquake in Turkey and northern Syria – urgent call for donations

On Monday morning, February 6th, at 4:17am, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake occurred in southeast Turkey and northern Syria. At least ten cities have suffered serious damage, buildings are destroyed and

EEA Prayer for 2023

Word of the year 2023: “You are the God who sees me.” (Genesis 16:13)    I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. (Ps 32:8) I will walk before

Setting sail to a hope-filled future

During a brainstorming meeting we had with some of the EEA staff members I, Jan, spoke about an image that had I had been working on in my mind and heart. It seemed to be the right narrative for this time that we are moving away from lockdowns and we also have a new leadership team. It is the image of a sailboat embarking on a fresh journey.

The Lord’s will for our nations?

Across Europe, some politicians are courting the “Christian vote”. The promise is of a Christian nation, the protection of Christian heritage and the strengthening of Christian values.
So how should Christians reflect on these political promises?
What does it mean to be a Christian nation?
What kind of nation pleases the Lord?

The power of a network

The European Evangelical Alliance is privileged to have loads of fantastic networks but we especially want to honour the European Freedom Network this year. The Christian humanitarian response to the Ukraine war, especially in nations bordering Ukraine and within Ukraine itself, has been unbelievable. But EFN’s specialist work to respond to the Ukraine war is remarkable.

Family, Children & Youth resources

HOW TO PRAY WITH YOUR CHILD IN SITUATIONS OF WAR OR CONFLICT

How can we explain war to a child? And how can we pray with children in situations of conflict? A simple guide by the World Evangelical Alliance Children’s Network. WEA

EUROPEAN FREEDOM NETWORK – PARENT RESOURCE

How to talk to children about human trafficking and other tough topics; Why parents need to know about trafficking; Online safety; Sexting European Freedom Network – Parent Resource  

THE FAMILY CHALLENGE CAMPAIGN

Materials on the Family challenge campaign from Transform World, supported by WEA. Family Challenge Booklet Facing the Global Family Challenge

Resources on relationships with Muslims

Sharing Lives – An online course for people interested in sharing their lives with Muslims

As of 22 April 2021, the course Sharing Lives is available online for everyone who is interested to begin to share their lives with Muslims! Bert de Ruiter wrote the course several years ago as part of his dissertation with the intention to help Christians reflect on their attitude towards Muslims and Islam, and to encourage them to begin to share their lives and in this context also the Gospel of Jesus Christ with Muslims that cross their paths.

Social and religious dynamics of Muslims in Europe: 7 trends and 4 responses (II)

European Muslims seem to create a balance between loyalty to the global ummah and loyalty to the local state. Many seek to harmonize a Salafist claim of the true Islam with the cultural and religious pluralism of the societies they live in.

Social and religious dynamics of Muslims in Europe: 7 trends and 4 responses (I)

European Muslims are often influenced by Muslim majority nations and transnational movements led by well-known leaders. But statistics do not give any indication of the real religious commitment of Muslims in our continent.

Why the West fears Islam

In this article Bert de Ruiter challenges the fear which many Christians in Europe have when they think of Islam and Muslims. DOWNLOAD RESOURCE

Undoing Islamophobia

Bert de Ruiter writes on the Christian answer to Islamophobia in Europe . DOWNLOAD RESOURCE

Seeing with our inner eye

Bert de Ruiter writes on the politics of fear and defends the idea that each Muslim in Europe needs a Christian friend. DOWNLOAD RESOURCE

My answer to Eurabia

Bert de Ruiter reflects on the Eurabia theory and its impact in Europe. DOWNLOAD RESOURCE

How to develop our integrative complexity

A short paper  by Bert de Ruiter on Integrative complexity or how we perceive reality. DOWNLOAD RESOURCE

2017/18 TRAINING COURSES REACHING OUT TO MUSLIMS

Bert de Ruiter (EEA Consultant for Christian-Muslim Relations) has put together a flyer, offering training to EEA Members and Affiliates. Besides these existing courses, Bert is available to conduct training,

Roman Catholic resources

INDULGENCIES

A free copy of the book by Dr. Thomas Schirrmacher Indulgences A History of Theology and Reality of Indulgences and Purgatory A Protestant Evaluation DOWNLOAD RECOURCES

The State of Europe resources

LAUSANNE GLOBAL ANALYSIS

Two article on the spiritual state of Europe “Europe: A most strategic mission field” by Jeff Fountain “Europe’s Crisis: God’s opportunity” by Jim Memory