Number of Christians facing persecution increases

From The Editor

MARCH traditionally heralds the beginning of spring.

The Big Question

Reflecting this month’s cover, this month’s question is: ‘What do you think has been the most significant change over the last 20 years?’

Being different

Ron Ferguson explains why the Church has a vocation to be ‘a holy community of resistance’.

Get ready

The Rt Rev Colin Sinclair urges readers to use Lent to review commitment to Jesus and the Church.

A spiritual Tsunami

The Very Rev Albert Bogle considers the necessary requirements for a modern life of Christian faith.

Scotland 2020

In the first 20 years of the third millennium Scotland and her people have witnessed change, some dramatic, some more subtle. In the first of a two-part series, Thomas Baldwin asks a number of figures with a perspective on daily life for their thoughts on statistics, politics and the media - and the changes since 2000.

Taking steps of faith

Thomas Baldwin meets Michael Harvey, the chief executive of National Weekend of Invitation.

The ideal model of a parish minister

Andrew G Ralston reflects on the life of the Very Rev Dr Nevile Davidson and his transforming work at Glasgow Cathedral.

The Big Picture

Digital photographs only should be sent to magazine@lifeandwork.org

Stepping into the unknown

In the first part of a new series, the Rev Martin Johnstone considers ‘life at the edge’.

The Church for everyone

John R Hume reflects on the history and design of a landmark church beween Scotland’s two biggest cities.

Changed by Africa

Jackie Macadam reports on a transforming trip to Africa for a group from an Edinburgh social enterprise.

The Great Unmentionable

Continuing the series marking the 50th anniversary of the Church of Scotland SRT, Dr Murdo Macdonald considers the issues surrounding the end of life in the 21st century.

Change needs to happen

Teenager Danielle Gray highlights some of the struggles facing young people inside and outside Church today.

Award for new Church

Thomas Baldwin reports on architectural awards made to a newly-built church in Angus.

A word of encouragement

In his continuing study of 1 Thessalonians, the Rev Dr Martin Fair considers the value of words of encouragement.

CROSSWORDS

ACROSS: 1 Lyric; 4 Cagiest; 9 How sweet the name; 10

Taking the first step

In the season of Lent, two ministers describe how getting fit has brought spiritual as well as physical benefits

Taking time

The Very Rev Dr John Chalmers emphasises the hazards of misunderstanding in communication.