You can download the Bulletin or read online at the Affinity July Bulletin page.

Affinity is a network of more than 1200 Bible-centred churches and Christian agencies throughout Britain and Ireland. By declaring and demonstrating our essential unity in the revealed truth of the Bible, we aim to make ourselves more effective in proclaiming the good news of salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The March 2010 issue of The Bulletin looks at what happened on the steps of Wakefield Cathedral on 2 October 1997. This was a day which has had a lasting effect, not only the legal protection afforded to street preachers, but on the way in which preaching events are now treated by the police. Andy Banton of The Open Air Mission, outlines how this has since been working out in practice on the streets of Great Britain.

Dr John R Ling provides an analysis of the final guidelines the Director of Public Prosecutions has issued in respect of prosecutions for assisted suicide. Dr Ling also looks ahead 10 years to 2020, and offers his best assessment of what British society will be like then in respect of life issues. Although his prognosis in some areas is of further descent into moral chaos and public policy utilitarianism, he does see one or two hopeful signs.

Following victories in the House of Lords over the Equality Bill, Rod Badams answers the doubts of those who wondered whether the campaigning churches and groups were merely “defending their own corner” in opposing the employment restrictions the Bill would have imposed on faith-based charities. The Bulletin also sets out in detail the precise changes which the Lords made to the Bill, and which the government later accepted.

“Voltaire died in 1778, and his passionate defence of freedom of expression is legendary. However, in Britain today, Voltaire’s once firmly-held ideal is eclipsed by the all-conquering anti-discrimination agenda. In the light of that, Rod Badams considers the importance of the recent retention of the free speech clause in current legislation.

Assisted suicide has been a prominent issue in recent months, and Dr John R Ling looks at the implications of the guidance issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions in connection with the likelihood of criminal proceedings against those who help others to die. Dr Ling also takes us on a bioethical world tour, touching on issues which have arisen in China, Korea and the USA.

Sheila Stephen challenges us to find ways of encouraging Mums to relate better to their children, and of helping to protect vulnerable adults oppressed and isolated by social pressures and stresses.

The Bulletin also reveals that local authorities all over Britain are opposed to moving voting from Thursdays to week-ends. The government is due to pronounce on this any day now.”

It is always a provoking read and the latest issue (March 2009) is now available on the Affinity site. Here is the summary of what’s in this issue:

Dementia has been said to be the current “demographic time-bomb.” Millions of people in the UK now have a longer life expectancy, but it has come with a projection that as many as 1.4 million people will be suffering from a dementia related illness by 2040. What are the church’s responsibilities and opportunities in ministry and pastoral support, both to the sufferers and their carers? In the latest March 2009 issue of The Bulletin, Roger Hitchings assesses the statistics, and suggests some ways forward.

Also in this issue, John Ling addresses two subjects which focus on opposite ends of the age spectrum – teenage pregnancies and euthanasia. Neither are good news at the moment.

Elsewhere in this edition, Sheila Stephen reports on families, Peter Fearnley on the education curriculum and Rod Badams on the proposed content of the 2011 Census. John Hayward reviews a significant new book on the modern attitude to sex.

Visit the Affinity site for a look around, browse the various Teams pages or go straight to The Bulletin page for March 2009.