Christians called to be 'not ashamed' of Christ
A major 'Not Ashamed' campaign has just been launched inviting Christians to 'Stand Up for Jesus in Public Life'. The initiative - stemming from incidents where believers have been taken to task for expressing their faith – has the backing and support of well-known leaders.
"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.
But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven."
The words of Jesus Christ (Matt 10:32-33)
 CHRISTIANS, subject to ‘discrimination’ in schools and work-places as a result of being open about their Christian beliefs, have launched a nation-wide ‘Not Ashamed’ campaign. They are urging Christians across the country to stand together.
Christians whose plight have been highlighted by the national media, including Shirley Chaplin, Olive Jones, Sheila Matthews, Andrew McClintock, Gary McFarlane and Lydia Playfoot, launched the campaign outside Parliament.
Not Ashamed Day
Wednesday 1 Dec. 2010
Campaign organiser, Christian Concern for our Nation, is urging Christians to wear the ‘Not Ashamed’ logo during Advent this year, and especially on Wednesday, 1 December (2010) - ‘Not Ashamed Day’.
Lord Carey of Clifton, former Archbishop of Canterbury is currently writing a special leaflet for the campaign, explaining why Jesus Christ is good news for all. It is hoped that it will be delivered to every household in the country.
Andrea Minichiello Williams, founder of Christian Concern said:
“As the Pope’s visit has highlighted, there is widespread recognition of the attempt in our society to remove Jesus Christ from public life, restricting Him to the domain of the ‘private and personal’, with disastrous effect for both individuals and our communities.
“This has meant that many Christians have felt unable to speak and live out their faith or confused and bewildered at what they are allowed to say and do in public. This campaign is about giving the grassroots the courage to stand up and be counted and fearlessly declare that they are not ashamed of who they are or what they believe in. The Campaign encourages them to wear a highly visible Christian symbol and also, give to family, friends, neighbours and work colleagues Lord Carey’s leaflet.
“It is time for the Church to find her voice again. We are praying that this Campaign will achieve just that by igniting a flame in Christians such that they find their voice and place in public life. The Not Ashamed symbol of the cross is designed to act as a reminder of the hope that is found uniquely and supremely in the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Christian Concern has written to a range of Christian leaders urging them to back ‘Not Ashamed’ Day when thousands of Christians across the UK will wear merchandise sporting a cross encircled in a speech bubble, encouraging people to ask what the logo is all about.
The group, which has been at the forefront of defending Christian freedoms in the workplace, and society at large, also asks Christians everywhere to back wholeheartedly the Advent Evangelistic opportunity, encouraging their churches, networks and denominations to distribute Lord Carey’s evangelistic leaflet.
The organisers have set up a web site which carries further details about the campaign and includes the facility to purchase articles which might be of help to Christians in publicly declaring their faith in Jesus Christ.
Footnote:
Some of those Christian believers mentioned above have supplied their comments:
Gary McFarlane: Not Ashamed is a very good idea. There comes a stage when you just have to nail your colours to the mast in your Christian faith. If we are going to be salt and light – light is very visible and salt is head and shoulders above all other flavours. Jesus said if you will acknowledge me before men I will acknowledge you before my Father in heaven. And this is part of my personal witness.
Olive Jones: If you are a Christian you have to be a Christian 100% of the time not just in Church. You have to be a Christian wherever you go and share the Good News of Jesus Christ because He is a good God and He wants the best for everyone. He has given everyone gifts to be used for His glory. God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life. God wants everyone to have eternal life and to live life to the fullest. God desire is to set people free emotionally, physically and spiritually. He wants to make people whole.
Shirley Chaplin: I was asked to choose between my faith and work. I am not ashamed of my faith. No-one in 21st century Britain should be asked to make that choice. When pressurised to do so I chose to stand up for Jesus.
Sheila Matthews: If the Christian faith is true and if He died for me then I have no option but to live my life for Him. If it is not true then I am wasting my time. I am staking my life on this being true and if it’s true then half- hearted measures are not appropriate. If Jesus Christ be God and died for me then than I am compelled to follow Him. I am not ashamed. As God is the final Judge then He is the one I answer to in how I live my life.
Lydia Playfoot: Young people are looking for purpose and direction and for something being very real to them. I am not ashamed because Jesus gives me all of this. I know Jesus is by my side all the time for the rest of my life but in today’s world I feel it may become increasingly difficult for us to step out and declare our faith.
Ruth 19, Natural Science Student: People segregate into groups but Christians are not just another group. Jesus transcends all boundaries, all social cliques, and provides hope to everyone.
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