The Taming of the News

A phenomenal experience last night, as Les and I went to see Jesus Christ Superstar at the Echo Arena (a late birthday present - thanks family!) I was totally gripped by the whole performance, amazed at the power and the energy, and deeply moved by the story. I've seen it on stage once before, years ago, and am acquainted with many of the songs. After all, it's been around since 1969! Interestingly JCS was released as an album before it was a stage show. Lloyd Webber, who wrote the music, was only 21 at the time. It's hard to believe that, when it first came out, it was regarded as blasphemous by some Christians, who opposed it vehemently, not least because it finishes with the Crucifixion - there is no resurrection. Somehow, they seemed to miss the point: this was a representation of the Gospel story, not the whole truth.

Cleverly, the setting for this performance is the global economic crisis, and the Occupy! movement. Jesus' disciples come from the ranks of the protesters outside an unidentified government building. From the beginning, revolution was in the air and the message of Jesus was one that naturally threatened authority, both political and religious. He drew people around himself, eager for his 'good news' of love and empowerment for the weak, the sick and the powerless; he shows himself indifferent to the opposition of the state. You could tell it was written by young men! He was always controversial, and a key figure in the show is Judas - an anguished and desperate man, who is disillusioned in the end by Jesus. Like everyone else in the story, Judas just doesn't 'get Jesus'. ('What's it all about', sings Mary Magdalene.)

The most powerful moment in this production is Jesus in Gethsemane, wrestling with God (a truly amazing performance by Ben Forster) as he finally surrenders himself to death. Humanity and divinity in conflict, and resolved only by surrender. Goodness, it seems, must sacrifice itself in order to triumph. The final scene in this production is the kind of shrine that we see nowadays, when a community or nation mourns - as we first experienced when Princess Diana died. A huge outpouring of grief, guilt, love and sorrow.

It made me think how tame sometimes is our presentation of  the 'good news'; how ineffective the church in commending the power of God's love, proclaming the arrival of a new world order under the sovereignty of the now risen and ascended Lord Jesus Christ. Perhaps it is because we are unwilling to sacrifice ourselves. Perhaps we are more interested in self-preservation. How does one - how do I - recover that sense of a divine, cutting-edge mission which brings good news?

I have been driven back to the Gospel, and spent a couple of hours reading Mark this morning. It's interesting how often (in Tom Wright's translation, which I read for freshness) the words 'astonished' or 'amazed' or 'afraid' occur in reaction to Jesus' words and actions. How often is there any kind of reaction to what the Church does? Is that about social indifference to the Gospel in our culture, or our failure to connect?

The Gospel of Mark begins: 'This is where the good news starts...';  it ends 'They (the disciples) went out and announced the message everywhere...' There is an obvious connection  between the message Jesus brought (and died for) and what the Church is about (and dies for?) I'm not sure we always 'get it' - 'get Jesus'.

Stocks, Shares and Stories

I have never owned stocks and shares, but I have a sense that the flotation of the Royal Mail reveals something of what is wrong in our society and with modern capitalism. As I understand it, the original idea of stocks and shares was to enable a company to set up business and the shareholders had literally a vested interest in the enterprise. Those who paid the piper called the tune, you might say: managers or directors managed or directed on behalf of the shareholders. But with the growth of capitalism and the flourishing of huge multi-national corporations, the distance between shareholder and manager grew and grew with the result that ownership was separated from overall control. Managers/directors reign supreme and shareholders have become impotent, though with one benefit: the shareholder has exchanged control and responsibility for the delights of liquidity (F. Mount, The New Few). In other words, the shareholder can make a killing and institutional investors make vast fortunes: in the case of Royal Mail, £433m on the first day!

Now there is nothing wrong with this per se, and it is a perfectly acceptable way of investing and making money. However, it seems to me that lack of 'ownership' is a problem becoming endemic throughout society, and our economic system reveals it. There is powerlessness on the part of the many, and increasing power and wealth for the few. Everything is someone else's problem, which leads to the opt-out we are seeing in our political system. In the end, we just play the game and do what's right by ourselves. Or as someone said recently, 'No one believes anything any more'. An overstatement that makes the point.

How refreshing then to see the film Les and I watched at the weekend, Life of Pi. It was a wonderful film, both visually and the plot. Often you asked yourself, 'how did they do that?' - boy and tiger on lifeboat following shipwreck. The best line for me is when Pi describes himself as a Catholic Hindu (or was it Hindu Catholic?)  'I didn't know you could be both,' says his friend. 'Yes,' says Pi. 'I feel guilty before a hundred gods!' Essentially, it is a story about human growth through adversity with a richly spiritual theme, as Pi does battle with what St Paul might call 'the elemental spirits of the universe.' In the end, it turns out there are two versions of  the same story and Pi's friend is invited to choose which he prefers - with or without God? The version with God being the better, according to Pi.

A New Identity

I watched our latest rental DVD on Friday night: 'Blood Diamond', with Leonardo diCaprio in the lead role. The setting was Sierra Leone 1999, and a story about diamond smuggling. The subtext was about young boys being brutally kidnapped from their homes to become boy soldiers on the side of rebel forces. For me the most moving scene occurred when one such boy is pointing a gun at his own father, who gently approaches him, reminding him of the life they once shared and of their relationship which could now be restored. Both characters are in tears, as the boy lowers the gun and they embrace each other. His identity as 'soldier'gives way to that of 'son'.

On Saturday, I had the great privilege of sharing half a day with 40 or so key leaders from our three churches. I spoke to them of our identity in Christ, of how despite the challenges which face us in today's world, it is our identity as God's people (with which God clothes us) which is determinative for all we do and say. I also shared this quotation from CS Lewis from Mere Christianity:

‘The Church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs. If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time. God became man for no other purpose.’ 

It's a challenging statement, but I do believe it is ultimately what we are about: helping everyone to find a new identity. This does not mean of course that we are overbearing or manipulative; but it does mean that we are in a state of constant invitation. We hope to follow this through with a Week of Blessing at the end of this month, with the themes of Heaven, Hope and Hospitality.

Then on Sunday, it was the 30th anniversary of a couple from St Barnabas, who wanted the whole church to celebrate with them. I spoke again of the new identity, how man and woman accept the identity of husband and wife, given them by their marriage vows. From the realisation of that identity should come the necessary changes in behaviours and priorities which go with being married.

I suppose 'become what you are' sums it all up.

‘The Church exists for nothing

else but to draw men into Christ, to

make them little Christs. If they are

not doing that, all the cathedrals,

clergy, missions, sermons, even the

Bible itself, are simply a waste of

time. God became man for no other

purpose.’  CS Lewis  Mere Christianity

 

‘The Church exists for nothing

else but to draw men into Christ, to

make them little Christs. If they are

not doing that, all the cathedrals,

clergy, missions, sermons, even the

Bible itself, are simply a waste of

time. God became man for no other

purpose.’  CS Lewis  Mere Christianity

Of Malls and Palaces

The recent event in Nairobi is the stuff of which nightmares are made. Trapped inside a building, under fire from brutal men (and woman?). It is significant of course that the terrorists went for an up-market shopping mall, a symbol of wealth and prosperity, hitting a country where it would hurt most.

I have been thinking this week about the interior life. Our spirits sometimes feel they are being invaded by hostile forces which threaten us: fear, unfulfilled ambition, anxiety, low self-esteem, desire for wealth, power or recognition. We all have different 'soft spots' in the landscape of our lives, which we try to protect in a variety of different ways. It's what sometimes makes us aggressive, over-sensitive, depressed or moody.

I am struck by something CS Lewis wrote in Mere Christianity, borrowing an analogy from George MacDonald. Imagine yourself as a house, in a bad state of repair. As we grow in grace, it is as if God is fixing the damage but then we realise he has another plan altogether. Lewis concludes,

You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage: but God is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it himself.

Thinking about the interior life, what is going on in the minds and the hearts of terrorists? How corrupted have they become? What can persuade them to sacrifice themselves not for the life but for the death of others - thinking of the Christians recently killed in Pakistan? It is as if they themselves have been invaded, and the spirit of their creator God driven out.

Syria - and the Common Good

It seems like more than a week ago that I was on a conference at Liverpool Hope University, entitled 'Together for the Common Good'. It was an exploration of the work of Bishop David Sheppard and Archbishop Derek Worlock, to see what might be learned for today's Church in facing issues of social justice. Below, you can read a letter which I wrote to the Church Times afterwards, and is published today. A first for me! The conference was obviously rated significant enough to merit 4 letters on the letters page, plus a report.

However, on my mind the whole weekend was Syria - as it has been before and since. I am so thankful Parliament took the stand it did; that President Obama seems to have followed suit; and that now there seem to be diplomatic moves between Russian and Syrian governments, to deal with the issue of chemical weapons. However, these weapons don't seem to me to be the issue: tens of thousands more lives have been lost by the use of conventional weapons and by various forms of brutality and torture on both sides. Chemical weapons (like WMDs in Iraq) cannot be made a reason for intervening, making a truly terrible situation even worse.

There are at least three reasons for not getting involved militarily:

1. It's not just about Syria, but the whole middle-East, including Israel-Palestine. Robert Fiske (journalist with the Independent) points out that behind the current conflagration stands Iran - the real enemey, he suggests, in American eyes - and western interference could have the effect of bringing them further into the conflict with unthinkable results.
2. There is the issue of foreign governments involving themselves in the affairs of other sovereign states. Where would that end? There are many other unjust regimes in the world, yet the West has stayed out of those. The only justiable reason for such action would be if one's national security were threatened, as for example, Britain in 1939.
3. The Bible has a clear instruction for dealing with situations where wrong prevails. It is to 'overcome evil with good': 'Goodness is stronger than evil', says the South African song. To start bombing Syria would add evil to evil.

I don't believe that not intervening amounts to indifference to Syria's plight, as some have suggested. Humanitarian and diplomatic efforts are where the UK has historically excelled. Would it not be possible, for example, with the agreement of the governments concerned, to ring-fence Syria with refugee camps in Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan - even Israel and Iraq?

Could not 'common good' thinking apply to international politics as well as to local issues of social justice?

Here's the letter:

Letter to The Church Times, 10 September 2013

A Coalition of the Just

Sir – Hilary Russell’s article (Restate the Common Good, 30 August) rightly highlights the need for a new confidence for churches, acting together in the face of an increasingly polarised and unequal society. The conference to which the end of her article referred has just taken place at Liverpool Hope University. It was a truly remarkable event, drawing together over 150 people from a whole range of different fields: politics (including a smattering of MPs), journalism and the media, universities, charitiable organizations, and the Church (archbishops, bishops, clergy and various lay employees, from several denominations). These mingled with a number of mainly Christian local activists from all over the country to recall the Sheppard-Worlock partnership of the 70s, 80s and 90s to see what lessons could be learned for today.

I returned with two clear impressions. Firstly, the ‘state we’re in’ is probably far worse than many people realise. The growing number of foodbanks and the displacement of people from their homes because of the ‘bedroom tax’, are just two signs of chronic poverty particularly in our urban areas. Furthermore, as many delegates pointed out, our political system is proving quite incapable of dealing with the problems which face us. Meanwhile, it is evident that an oligarchy of wealthy individuals have increasing power while proving themselves indifferent to the needs of the poor.

However, in terms of response to our nation’s ills, the situation may be better than many people realise. The passion for justice and the common good at the conference was palpable and those present were only a tiny proportion of like-minded people, including their own colleagues. Not all were practising Christians; most were. And the clarion call of the conference was for them to have more confidence (like Sheppard and Worlock) that the Church does indeed have a prophetic voice to speak to a nation, city or community in distress. Furthermore, by partnering with each other, with those of other faiths, and those of none we can speak with a voice which unites rather than divides. We can form indeed a coalition of the just. With the raising of hope, action will follow.

With the 2015 General Election coming into view, could the language of ‘the common good’ be one we could speak together? Could this language help to form more alliances to address our local and national needs?

Papers and responses from the conference can be found at www.togetherforthecommongood.co.uk

 

Running Backwards!

It was the first home game of the season last Saturday for Everton, and only the second for our new manager, Roberto Martinez. We were playing West Brom, and it was not the most exciting of games, ending in a 0-0 draw. We will have to do a lot better if we are to achieve anything this season. But it's early days, as Martinez brings his own style to our team. One perceptive fellow-Evertonian said, 'I can see what Martinez is trying to do - but not sure we have the right players to do it!'  Time will tell whether they can adjust.

During one particularly uneventful period of play, I was captivated by the referee. (That shows how dull the game was!) I am not exaggerating, from a throw-in, he ran half the width of the pitch backwards! Once I'd noticed this, I became aware that referees often run backwards. I suppose that is part of their training: keeping their eye on the play, while getting to where the ball is likely to be kicked or thrown. It's quite an art actually: don't try this at home, but I bet you couldn't run far backwards without falling over!

I remembered this as I began to read a book I have recently been recommended: Relationships - A Mess Worth Making by Timothy S. Lane and Paul David Tripp. As the title suggests, it addresses an issue which I guess brings us the greatest joy and the bitterest struggle. Most of us, the writers suggest, live somewhere between two extremes as far as relationships are concerned: on a continuum between Isolation (the safe option) and Immersion (total dependence). Neither are healthy for human wellbeing. The first precludes healthy relationship altogether; the second inevitably leads to disappointment and dashed expectations. Somewhere along the line there has to be struggle, engagement, risk, hopes and values honestly shared. The writers say, 'The highest joys of relationship grow in the soil of the deepest struggles.' But they are worth it!

Unfortunately, the tendency is to 'run backwards' from relationships. This is not the same as running away, turning one's back on the other person. It is more keeping one's distance, not getting involved, avoiding conflict or difference - and therefore not investing in that person's life. Inevitably, that means we will not receive from them either. The Church is full of people running backwards! And so is our culture.

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks has just retired as Chief Rabbi. In an interview on Sunday, he said that society is 'losing the plot', as illustrated by the collapse of various institutions, most notably the banks, and including marriage. At the heart of the problem is the loss of trust between people and institutions. The reason is that secular society is highly individualised (people running backwards?), fearful of commitment, which of course is one reason why marriage has become less popular.

Put positively, I often say at weddings that the newly-married couple are an inspiration! They believe there is a future, and that the future is held in trust to one another. The best thing about marriage is that one person promises another that they will give themself to the other for the rest of their life. The fact that this promise is mutual is the basis of trust in that relationship.

As in marriage, so in other relationships: they are healthiest when we move towards each other, and even embrace each other, rather than observe from a distance, preserving our own space, doing our own thing.

Leaving Church

Perhaps I should begin by saying, 'I'm not!' - leaving church that is! But an awful lot of people are, for a whole lot of different reasons. It's sometimes said that church has a narrow front door (it's hard to get into) and a wide back door (easy to leave). In my experience, not many people, having belonged to a church, decide to leave. They just miss for a few weeks - perhaps through illness or personal circumstances - and find they didn't miss it. Even worse, no one seems to have missed them either. At least, no one bothered to say so by getting in touch to enquire.

This presents quite a challenge for those of us in leadership. For one thing, we need to have a church culture where people are missed and are contacted if they go missing for any length of time. This is not as easy as it might sound, because these days not many people go to church every week: such are the complexities of modern living and the other choices available, from caring for elderly parents to owning a weekend cottage or caravan. It is also sad, but true, that too many people only come to church if they have some particular reason to do so: assisting in children's ministry (which might mean they don't appear in church anyway!), reading the lesson, singing in the choir or music group, administering at Holy Communion, being on welcome team etc. It betrays an attitude which is more about doing than being church. Whether or not we have a particular function on a particular Sunday, our presence is required. Who knows whether or not God might call on us to offer a word of comfort to someone who is struggling, or to rejoice in someone's good news? And don't we all  need to make ourselves available to God by offering ourselves in worship, open to the promptings of the Spirit and the teaching of the Word week by week? Ok - so not all sermons are brilliant, but you never know when that light-bulb moment may happen!

Recently, after a rather difficult church meeting, someone said 'Where was Jesus in that meeting?' I wish I had thought quickly enough to say, 'he was sitting next to you, or across the room'. In other words, he was present in your brother or sister. I think it was Martin Luther who used to say that every Christian should be a 'little Christ', representing their Lord to each other and the world.

I am reading 'Leaving Alexandria', by Bishop Richard Holloway, former Bishop of Edinburgh. Here is a man who has definitely and intentionally left the church, eventually finding the conflict unbearable between private doubt and public ministry. He is a scholar whose life journey has taken him from Glasgow slums to national prominence. It is a sad book, I think, and I find myself wondering whether his deep disappointment is more with the Church than with God. He seems to have fallen in love with Church - its rituals and its monasticism - in his teenage years and somehow this got in the way of his relationship with God. As disillusionment set in, so it became impossible to continue as a member of the Christian church. I am reminded of another bishop, John Robinson, years ago who wrote that it was important to love Jesus more than the Church.

To which I would add: we love the Church for Jesus' sake.

Coincidentally, I was reading at the weekend an interview with Barbara Brown Taylor - an American Episcopalian priest. She has also left the Church, in the sense that she has moved out of parish ministry, after many years as a particularly gifted preacher and pastor, into academia as a professor of religion. She says, religion gets in the way of God when the well becomes more interesting than the water...She has actually written a book called 'Leaving Church', which I suspect is more positive than Holloway's. What holds us together [as 'church'] is a certain way of seeing the world; a certain set of sacred stories that keep that view in place; and a certain way of responding to them that gives life meaning. That's not a bad way of describing what it means to belong to a 'community of blessing'.

September 29 is 'Back to Church Sunday' (www.backtochurch.co.uk). A good opportunity to re-engage with those who may not have left, just taken leave.