Charity begins at home?

The findings of a survey, ‘Why Christians Give’(1), were recently launched at the Evangelical Alliance HQ by the author, Redina Kolaneci of McConkey Johnston International.

It is great to discover that evangelical Christians continue to give generously (on average 11.5% of their monthly income). It is good to know that nearly three quarters of evangelical Christians say that faith shapes their decision-making, including where they give their money.

The survey revealed that the favourite beneficiaries of their generosity are the local church, Tearfund and Barnabas Trust. Indeed, apart from the local church, Christian outreach and international relief charities attract the lion’s share of Christian giving.

This isn’t surprising as many of us have been told from childhood, and indeed the Bible tells us, that we should preach the Gospel to all nations and care for the poor and the oppressed who, we now tend to think, live abroad.

Obviously it is good to support these things, but what about the needs on our own doorstep? Children and young people in Great Britain are losing their way for want of spiritual guidance and direction. We are facing the situation described in Judges 2:10 ‘After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what He had done for Israel’

Many children and young people have little more than a rudimentary understanding of the Bible. A recent article in the Telegraph (6th June) reported an Ofsted finding that “Schools are neglecting to teach children the core beliefs of Christianity in religious education lessons”. Rev Janina Ainsworth, the Church of England's Chief Education Officer, said: "Ofsted's findings relating to the teaching of Christianity are of particular concern, suggesting that in too many schools, the faith held by the majority of people in this country is not being properly taught in an in-depth way.” This is illustrated in the article by a recent survey of more than 500 12-year-olds which revealed that only 54% knew that Christians celebrated the Resurrection at Easter (2).

Is it any wonder, then, that practically a whole generation have no core values by which to order their lives and their behaviour?

We are often encouraged not to be so negative about young people, and indeed many are living fulfilled and productive lives. But how can we be complacent when:

• in 2008, for every 1,000 girls aged between 15 and 17 in England and Wales, there were just over 40 pregnancies, nearly half of which ended in abortion (3)
• the number of children being treated for cocaine addiction increased by 64 per cent between 2005 and 2009 (4)
• across England, half a million children between the ages of 11 and 15 will have been drunk in the past four weeks, and young people under 18 will have consumed the equivalent of 2 million bottles of wine in the past week alone (5)

Every loving parent wants to protect their children from the consequences of making unwise choices. We want them to experience the guidance and protection that comes with knowing Christ from childhood. Do we want this for all children and young people – or just our own?

Many children and young people today are like lambs without a shepherd. If we (the Church) don’t do more to help save this generation BEFORE they become entangled in self-destructive lifestyles – then we risk a Judges 2:10 scenario for our land – and then who will become a Street Pastor, give money to Tear Fund or reach the generation after them?

It is desperately important that we are not so focused on helping the poor and needy abroad that we neglect the spiritual poverty of the young people in our own neighbourhoods.

Find out about Christian charities that work with children and young people here in the UK (like Oasis, Youth for Christ, Urban Saints, Hope UK, etc) and give them your support. Consider volunteering for your local church’s youth club – or starting one if there is none. Look at the needs of your community and pray about what you can do to make a difference. We can do something, and we have to start now.


Marolin Watson is Business Manager at Hope UK, a national Christian charity enabling children and young people to make drug-free choices by training volunteers to become Drug Educators in their own community. www.hopeuk.org

References:

1 Why Christians Give by Redina Kolaneci, June 2010 is available at: www.mcconkey-johnston.co.uk/researchongiving
2 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/7805772/Schools-failing-to-teach-children-the-core-beliefs-of-Christianity-says-Ofsted.html
3 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/8531227.stm
4 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/children_shealth/7346337/Children-treated-for-cocaine-addiction-up-65-per-cent-in-five-years.html
5 Guidance on the Consumption of Alcohol by Children and Young People, Sir Liam Donaldson Chief Medical Officer for England December 2009