Norwich pastor has to count the pennies

MarkFairweatherTall Mark Fairweather-Tall, pastor of Norwich Central Baptist Church (NCBC) has decided to live on the job seekers' allowance of £59.15 per week throughout Lent.

Mark (pictured right) says he is doing this because he usually enjoys a comfortable lifestyle and wanted to do something which makes a real difference to the way he lives.

"I have felt challenged over recent weeks about the comfort of lifestyle that it is so easy to enjoy in this country," said Mark.

"The question has arisen in my mind, 'Am I always a wise steward of all that God gives?' It is a question I need to continue reflecting on and I am going to use Lent to help me do that. Along with reflection, I am going to take some action! Over the next six and a half weeks, I am going to aim to live on the job seekers allowance of £59.15 per week.

"Any money from my salary on top of that I am going to give to one of two causes: an orphanage in Bulgaria which is supported by NCBC and a church trip to South Africa which will be happening this summer to work with children with HIV."

As Lent is traditionally a season of reflection, Mark is using the time to re-orientate life and his priorities. You can follow Mark's experiences throughout the next 40 days on his blog at www.norwichcentral.org