On Your Marks: Is your church ready for the Olympics?

As the countdown to the Olympics continues, a national organisation aimed at preparing churches for the Games is urging leaders to come and find out what they can do to reach their communities leading up to and during the contest.

It's nearly a year to go London 2012 kicks off, and as all eyes will be on the capital and hundreds of thousands of people descend on our shores, churches are being urged to come up with a plan of action.

More Than Gold, an agency established by the main Christian denominations including the Alliance, is hosting 18 presentations in major centres during May and June to help equip churches to respond to this unique opportunity to share the gospel in new and innovative ways.

Hundreds of churches are already planning their response to the Games, but the On Your Marks will resource and equip those also wanting to make the most of the opportunity.

The tour follows a series of vision-setting events last year, attended by more than 1,200 church leaders.

This time the focus will be on helping churches turn inspiration into local activity, as the events take place in a host of locations up and down the country, including Leeds, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham, Newcastle and London.

With the Torch Relay route recently announced, the events will also look at how this can offer opportunities for churches to hold community festival and sports outreach.

David Willson, CEO of More Than Gold, said: "Athletes around the world are in training. The UK public are thinking about which events to attend. And it is time for churches to be making their own plans. This tour gives them the help they need."

Revd Canon Duncan Green, the Church of England's Olympic and Paralympic executive co-ordinator, adds: "The 2012 Games give churches a unique opportunity to reach out into their communities. With More Than Gold offering a wealth of experience and expertise in events, festivals and sports ministry."

For more information, visit the More Than Gold website

Look out for more on More Than Gold in the July/August edition of idea magazine.

Source: http://www.eauk.org/articles/on-your-marks.cfm

Reprinted with permission from Evangelial Alliance UK