Distinctives, a manual - first published in 2002 - that instructs leaders of churches and Christian organisations on how best to apply people practices in the workplace, has been revised to help staff work through the spectrum of practical issues in managing staff and volunteers from a biblical point of view. The pack assumes little knowledge of personnel management as each section includes an introduction to a specific issue, highlighting the distinctly Christian aspects to this subject before offering a list of practical examples and key contacts. More explicitly, the revised edition includes a new section on how best to apply the rules of the Equality Act of 2010.
The Evangelical Alliance was significantly involved in engaging with the Government on this piece of legislation to ensure that its spirit and intentions gave fair and reasonable consideration to the needs of churches and Christian organisations.
Don Horrocks, head of public affairs at the Alliance, said: "Given the impact of legislative changes in the Equality Act, we have fought hard to retain the rights of Christian organisations so that they can continue to employ Christians in key roles." The book is the brainchild of Christian Distinctives Trust, a group that is made up of a number of charitable organisations comprising the Evangelical Alliance, YMCA, Mission Care, Prospects and Agape. These groups form part of a wider community of people who want to encourage churches and other Christian organisations to excel in professional excellence while remaining distinctly Christian in nature and outlook.
