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Silence speaks louder than words - 8/06/09 |
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In our 24/7 news driven media have you noticed how loud life has become. I remember as a child hating Sunday's thinking them boring, nothing to to and all day to do it. No TV or radio nothing! Now such a day seems bliss. Turning on the TV to catch up on how the European elections went there was a little comment on the Scottish element of the show that the results would not be finalised till Monday as the Island constituency didn';t count on a Sunday. I know many see the sabbath observance as an out of date, old fashioned irrelevance today but I wonder. In this clear pause in the week they have time for each other, or community, for God in a way that is only a memory to most. In our rush for modernity have we lost something? Consumerism is the new idol worshipped by many Sunday is another day to go to their temples and make their offerings of time and money and in return get some stuff that will some be out of fashion, soon need to be replaced - is it worth it? In the Old Testament the law and the sacrifice system was a temporary salve to the sore of sin (yes another old fashioned word and concept - perhaps we'll think about that another day) continually having to be reapplied. IN the New Testament we have a new covenant in Christ made once and for all and for always. We would do well to pause and ponder, are we living in the freedom of Christ or under the yoke of new idols. But to ask the question hopes that someone is taking time to think and so take stock and in the silence hear a quiet whisper, the word of the Spirit perhaps hinting that we should slow down you move to fast!! |
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My gran tells a family story of her mother being a political activist and going out with flags and handbills and shouting down the other candidates when they did this old fashioned thing of speaking to public gatherings. Changed days, now the majority of people don't vote. These European elections have been marked with a distinct lack of canvassing - I haven't had a single leaflet through the door. I wonder if local or domestic issues are being seen as diverting attention to matters best left alone. I think in many ways this attitude has already contaminated the church. During the Victorian era there was a distinctly middle class move to privatise faith, people got embarrassed, didn't want to talk about it. The result has been generations growing up with a pick and mix understanding of the Christian faith, vague notions about Christmas and Easter, who were involved and what actually happened, not inspired by Disney or Hallmark orthey major in sectarian label bashing with no understanding what ever. The church has to reclaim the streets again, get out sharing the gospel - if people don't want to know then that is fine, its up to them but they have to be given the choice or the church has failed in its God given call to spread the gospel and make disciples. Oh well back off the soap box on to the work bench and see what God inspires us to make. |
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Here begineth the next week! |
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Another Monday and contrary to the received wisdom and commentary of the world ministers work more than a Sunday. Today has started with a team meeting working out who will do what and by lunchtime 3 funerals have come into the study to be done this week. In the church there has been an ongoing debate as to whether parish funerals are something we in ministry should give so much time to. With declining membership and diminishing congregations through linkages and unions, does the church really hold the place in the lives of the people that it used to?
I don't think it ever really held sway in the way it is made out to have but when people need the church to be with them, shouldn't we be there? To simply refuse to do a parish or non-church member funeral would even further disconnect people from the church. Perhaps it is actually in times of distress that people are more open to the big questions of life and meaning, the spiritual question that everyone will have to answer within themselves at some moment in their life.
How much of Jesus' ministry was in the church and how much was in the streets or market places. Ministry is where people and gospel meet, sometimes side by side through life, sometimes head on when lives crash and stumble. I wonder if Jesus would have closed the churches and moved into the street or moved away from the streets and into the church - now there's a question! |
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For the last week I have been at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, its annual meeting that shapes and drives the policy or the church. It has been a mixed week to say the least. The press coverage has all been about one issue when there were so many good things that could have been covered. The highlights of the Assembly can be seen on the Church of Scotland web-site. One of the big moments for me was the Address by Desmond Tutu - absolutely fantastic, encouraging and challenging.
One thing is clear the church is ona road of change with major structural changes coming forward next year and over the next few years having to wrestle with some difficult topics that threaten the unity of the church and we'll will watch with interest what comes forward. But for now its back to the parish where the church really is. The church is not about the high courts of its administration though they are needed, the church is about the people and where they are and the journey they are one - so back to the really important the stuff of faith and life, challenge and change that face everyone who follows Jesus Christ. |
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With the current melt down of parliament I don't think I am the only one who wonders "who is running the country?" IN an effort to keep the up front costs of MP's down a culture of hidden expenses has emerged - no wonder they were resisting the freedom of information act applying to them.
Luke 12:3 "What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs" (NIV)
To regain some confidence from the public there needs to be complete honest and open governance of the affairs of the MP's if they keep trying to wriggleoff the hook this matter will not go until they do. What then, who will rise from among the people to give vision and leadership? |
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First time for everything! |
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With the new church web site comes another first - a blog. Here is my "wall" on which to paint my thoughts. |
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