News from Steve Clifford

Steve Clifford, Director Evangelical Alliance and member of Inspire Core Group writes:

"I can’t believe it’s nearly three months now since I’ve been in post at the Evangelical Alliance. I still feel somewhat overwhelmed with a whole mixture of emotions – thrilled, excited, humbled and scared just being four of them. But I remain very thankful to God for the amazing privilege of taking up such a role in an organisation which has such a history of significant contribution not just to the Church but also to wider society. I recently met with a whole crowd of previous staff members including a General Director who was in place in the 1960s.

"So how can you pray for me? It does seem that we are at a pivotal moment in history. There is so much going on around us both amongst the financial and political institutions and indeed in the Church. This is a time where the decisions being made will shape the future for generations to come and it is vital that our voice is heard in the midst of all the other voices that will endeavour to influence and shape what is to come. It seems increasingly the moral bankruptcy of secular humanism is being exposed. It has been unable to shape values or indeed influence behaviour. My own conviction is that this is a time for us - as Christians and the Church as God’s primary agents for change - to stand up and be counted. The gospel of Jesus Christ through both words and actions is good news for the health and well-being of our Nation – physically, emotionally and spiritually. We really don’t need to apologise for that. It is time for us to speak it out humbly yet with a God given confidence that it’s truth and will resonate with the deepest aspirations of women and men.

"So do pray for us. There are some enormous challenges to work through – what kind of organisation are we going to be? What kind of values and culture do we need to put in place in order to be that organisation?

"For me personally, whilst I am knowing God’s grace and am energised by what I am doing, I am also aware of the large work load and the great danger that with so much information coming in, I won’t really see clearly where the wood is because I’m surrounded by so many trees.

"I am working with a great bunch of people – do please pray for us all in the next few months as we endeavour to re-shape and re-mould interest, focus, and clarity as to what we are giving ourselves to."