Nehemiah was the key figure, along with Ezra, who was used by God in the fifth century BC to help bring about one of the most profound revivals in biblical history.

He was a skilful politician, a clever strategist, a brilliant manager, a social reformer who championed the rights of the poor, and an intransigent visionary who never gave up despite threats and opposition from those in high places.

His achievements were monumental. He rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem in 52 days when it had lain in ruins for 150 years. He reestablished full employment in a climate of economic recession. He reconstructed an effective social welfare system for the marginalised and reintroduced Bible exposition, resulting in nationwide repentance and revival. He reinstated public worship and rooted out heresy and idolatry. He was used by God to put a whole nation back on its feet.

But first of all Nehemiah was a passionate man of prayer. When he was told that 'those who survived the exile…are in great trouble and disgrace' and that 'the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire' his response was to weep, fast, pray and then offer himself to God as part of the solution.

When opponents tried to discourage him by pointing out his meagre resources, small progress thus far, strength of the opposition, and size of the task, he asked God to 'turn their insults back on their own heads'. And when he felt his strength was giving out he called upon God to 'strengthen my hands'.

When his perseverance was rewarded with the completion of the wall we read that his enemies 'were afraid and lost their selfconfidence, because they realised that this work had been done with the help of our God'.

As Christian doctors today we are involved in a similar task of rebuilding in a similarly broken society. Our consulting rooms, clinics and hospital wards are filled with people who have physical, social and spiritual needs. Some are repairing the consequence of poor lifestyle choices. Others are there through no fault of their own or because they have been sinned against.

Every day we are sent like the first disciples to preach good news, heal the sick, and be advocates for those who have no voice. The task is huge. The progress is slow. The resources seem inadequate. The opposition is strong. Let's also, like Nehemiah, be people of prayer and perseverance.

Member loses employment tribunal over gay adoptions

Former community paediatrician Sheila Matthews, now retraining in general practice, lost her job as medical advisor to an adoption panel because she was refused permission to abstain from voting on gay couples adopting children. At an Employment Tribunal on 16 November a case for religious discrimination brought on her behalf by the Christian Legal Centre was lost.

Sheila said 'I took this action…to highlight what is becoming a very worrying and ultimately damaging trend. Christian professionals, who seek to express their professional judgment in the very best interests of children, are being silenced or discriminated against…it seems that the rights of other groups such as homosexual people trump that of Christian believers. I believe it should be possible in most cases to have a better balance of rights.'

CMF win media awards

CMF was joint winner of 'Best Christian Organisation' website in the Christian New Media Awards 2010. One current student intern, Liz McClenaghan, was a finalist in 'Best Newcomer Blog' for Pretty little wilderness? Andrew Horton, Media Producer, won two Jerusalem Awards, recognising excellence in Christian media, for a Passion Play told at Easter over Twitter and Facebook. Peter Saunders' blog was number 7 in the Jubilee Centre's top 'salt and light' blogs (more blogging will soon be prominent on CMF).

We asked, you answered, we responded

From ~ 4,300 graduate and student members (with e-mail addresses) we received 1,098 responses (25%) to the online communications survey earlier this year. The highest response categories were graduates aged 21-40+, and of those qualified, the largest response groups were hospital doctors, followed by GPs. The answers re Triple Helix indicated most people 'read some' of the content but few passed it on in either a medical or church context. 389 had written comments which were generally positive, though members were requesting 'more relevance'.

609 hard copy questionnaires were mailed to those without email addresses and 149 responses were received (24%). These members were predominantly retired and by choice most had no internet access. They still felt busy, and often overwhelmed by all the literature from other organisations they supported. While the article mix in Triple Helix was praised by both groups, the Newsletter and CMF Files received very little comment.

Many felt they didn't have time to read the material, and as a response to this, CMF News will from now on be shorter and punchier. With less time to read, or surf, a frequent request was: could CMF consider podcasts? With our new Media Producer, they are arriving – go to award-winning www.cmf.org.uk.

Autumn Appeal over £80,000 – thank you!

Against our prayed-for target of £100,000, on going to press we had received £83,332. At a time of economic constraint, this has come from significantly more members than last year, and is just one of many encouraging signs. Thank you all!