One of the congregations in my diocese, for example, has opened a Church in a disused pub and has created an ambience of worship which is very attractive to young people. Indeed, churches which relate to the needs of the their communities are relevant churches with a gospel relevant to those they minister to. We live in an Age of Shadow because it has not yet been revealed to us what the future will hold. The list goes on. And we live with the pervasive need to make a difference in our world.
Ominous shadows fall across politics, family life and education.
Scandals and scams are commonplace, as men and women trade character for cash and sacrifice commitment on the altar of selfishness. Divorce, drugs and easy sex create an environment of abuse for much of our youth. We stand on the brink of a new dark age. Now, it is difficult not to sympathise with that analysis to some degree. You see, this is God s world, and he is never absent from it, will never depart from it and will never give up on it.