How New Zealand could be

How New Zealand could be

Sangster

The challenging, and sometimes depressing, news we receive daily, ranging from domestic violence at home to the Euro-Brexit abroad, reminded me of something we posted back in 2008 about the British Methodist minister, W.E. Sangster.

In a 1953 sermon, Sangster, who was pastor of Westminster Central Hall, London, asked “What would a religious revival do for Britain?” His answer: 1) pay old debts; 2) reduce sexual immorality; 3) disinfect the theatre; 4) cut the divorce rate; 5) reduce juvenile crime; 6) lessen the prison population; 7) improve the quality and increase the output of work; 8) restore a high sense of destiny for the nation; 9) make Britain invincible in the war of ideas; and 10) give happiness and peace to all the people, (found in a web article by Mark Bumpus, First Baptist Church, Mineral Wells).

Would revival … would turning back to God, solve all our nation’s problems? It may be hard for some people to see how. But it’s even harder to see how the results that Sangster claims would be bad in any way.

There’s evidence to suggest that the benefits claimed by Sangster do happen.

There are stories in our newspapers from time-to-time of people who settle decade-old debts after having “found God”.

Churches are well known for promoting marriage as the proper context for sexual relationships and supporting people in their relationships.  While we don’t always manage to live up to our ideals, it is an important part of our faith. The evidence linking uncommitted relationships and negative outcomes is pretty strong.

“Disinfecting the theatre” would extend to TV, videos, and films, which would no longer need to carry warnings about “content which may offend” – and of course the internet.

NZ church life survey figures indicate that marriage break-up rates are significantly lower in the Church than the general population. This translates into fewer family breakdowns and resulting cost in society.

The majority of young people are not involved in crime whether they are part of a church or not.  But youth involved in Church are supported in spiritual growth, and frequently participate in activities for the benefit of local communities.

A UK survey showed that Christians volunteer for community activities at over 4 times the rate of the general population.

The evidence from our faith-based prison units shows that the behaviour in prison is better, and recidivism rates are reduced, where people have found faith in God.

The “Puritan work ethic” is now something of a cliché, but highlights the fact that Christians have played a significant role in developing people’s understanding of work.  Scripture says “do everything as if for God and not just for humans” which is a constant challenge to the quality of our work.

New Zealand was once called “Godzone”.  Revival would restore a sense of destiny for the nation.  A nation hungry for God would be a nation hungry for justice, goodness, purity, strong families, compassion, honesty, and integrity.  Who does not want to see these things in in New Zealand?

Revival would open people to God’s wisdom which is infinite. This wisdom is the foundation of Christian living which evidence again suggests leads generally to happier, wealthier, longer lives, and even enjoy better sex lives than the general population.  Who would not want these blessings for themselves, their families, and for our country?

Life is intended to be lived in right relationship with God, which helps people live in right relationship with each other.  In faith communities people develop a relationship with God, which the Bible says is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom.

A secularist approach to solving society’s ills, does so, without reference to God.  But the heart-change God produces in revival, which can be seen every week in churches around the country, could remove many of these ills altogether.

Where is the love?

Where is the love?

Collins post
Click to read the post on Facebook

NZ Herald social issues reporter Simon Collins posted a story on his Facebook page (June 27) about community backlash when a sex offender was relocated into their community.

His comment finished with the words …

I hope one day a school that is told about a child molester in its community will offer love instead of hatred; bring in the local churches and psychologists and counsellors instead of vigilantes; find the man a job with a good boss and supportive workmates and invite him for dinner instead of shunning him. Will it ever happen?

I’ve met Simon Collins. In my opinion he’s a good man and a balanced journalist, who does his best to present issues fairly. I am certain that like all of us he understands the need to consider issues of safety when relocating sex offenders into the community.

But his question about when will we offer love instead of hatred, and his hope that things would change, struck a chord with me, and prompted me to add this comment …

“I hope so too Simon. But we do need to start asking the really deep questions including the awkward ones about the relevance of God. I was talking one time with a lecturer at Vic Uni (the discussion was about 3 strikes legislation) and he said something that has stuck with me. He said: “If God is love, and love casts out fear (quoting from the Bible), then when a society moves away from God, what this *means* is that it is moving away from love and towards fear. So (he said) we should not be surprised that there is an increasingly punitive attitude in society in the area of criminal justice.

“I think your article illustrates another example of this. People get upset about the failings of Christians and the church, and rightly so. There are many, and we (Christians) have to take responsibility for them. But the picture is not as bad as it is often painted. Most Christians genuinely strive to live by faith as God wants. We know we’re flawed, but churches are still places where people are taught and challenged to love our neighbours, and even to love our enemies, just as Jesus instructed. If we want society’s response to such issues to be more loving, maybe we need to look to where love comes from?”

Our post prompted the following response from another person …

As someone who is no longer a Christian, I find these words strangely uplifting

As I ponder this exchange, a few points stand out to me which I offer for your consideration.

  1. Social media is a space where people ask some very important questions.
  2. Many of those question offer opportunities to talk about God and the Church.
  3. When we talk about God, are people left with a sense that God loves them?
  4. The last person’s response shows that we can connect with people if we communicate well.
  5. Being human means we won’t get it right all the time – (we certainly don’t, and this post is not intended as an exercise in self-promotion). But we all still need to be engaged in talking to people about God, whether in social media, or face-to-face.
  6. It’s great to see a journalist talking about “bringing in the local churches”. Let’s pray that more journalists are willing to name churches as offering solutions to society’s pressing social issues.
  7. Within our churches, do we talk about society’s pressing issues, and how God would have us respond?

There’s plenty of other questions that could be raised. How about you?

Does your church talk about social issues? Do you talk to others about God, or is this something you find difficult?

Let us know what you think. If you want ideas about resources, or help in any area, please send us an email.

Empathy

Empathy

nikki

Nikki Bray and her husband Andy are very ordinary people in whom, and through whom, God has done an extra-ordinary work. Nikki and Andy received the NZ Christian Network Unsung Hero award in 2013 for their ministry in the area of marriage and family, and their faithful witness to Jesus Christ.

The following post from Nikki is worth a read… and the link to a 3-minute humorous video clip with a serious message.  If you like it, why not follow them on Facebook, and maybe even get along to one of their seminars. See FamilyLife for more info.


So many wrote to say how much you enjoyed Brene´Brown that I decided to do a follow-up.

I received a phone call today at the FamilyLife office –  another SOS. One of our volunteers has a friend whose son was killed 2 months ago in a car crash. She wants to know what she can do to make the Mum feel better. Oh … my heart went right out to her friend! Gosh, in that situation nothing can make you feel better.  When our world comes crashing down like that we don’t want to feel better, we just want our life to return to normal; to the way that it was. It can take some of us a while to realise that that can never happen.  We need someone to walk the journey with us. We want someone who can identify with our pain and help us carry the burden. We want some empathy.

As I said, I mentioned Brene´Brown in my last update – she really is a superstar. Take a look at this little video on the difference between empathy and sympathy.

I love her line “rarely does an empathic response begin with ‘at least'”. The desire in us to make another person feel better often drives us to use the words “at least”. I had it happen to me when Natasha died. “At least you had her for 16 years”  or, “at least she died doing something she enjoyed”, or “at least her life left a meaningful impact”. Words of truth from some well-meaning people who really wanted to help, but didn’t quite know how to.

I admit that in the past I’ve used those words too: “At least …”.  I’ve since learnt that it’s only the person carrying the burden who has the right to use the words, “at least”. Brene´’s last line is powerful “rarely can a response make something better; what makes something better is connection”.

And that’s my hope. That when someone is hurting, I must resist the urge to try and make it better.  Instead, I can just truly listen from their perspective and try to connect to their pain. I can’t make it better, or the person better, but they may feel felt! And hopefully they won’t feel alone in their pain.

Nikki

Jump in Puddles

“Myanmar Mission:  Super-sized Challenges, Opportunities and Threats” – New Zealand national ministry tour with Dr Aung Mang.

“Myanmar Mission: Super-sized Challenges, Opportunities and Threats” – New Zealand national ministry tour with Dr Aung Mang.

How can Kiwi Christians get involved in strategic mission in Myanmar, now that the doors are opening there for the Gospel?  Aung Mang, evangelist, church-planter and Chair of the Myanmar Evangelical Graduate School of Theology, ministers nationally in New Zealand in April and May, hosted by LeaDev-Langham. Find out where and when across the country he’ll be speaking at www.leadev-langham.org/news-room

Has God Given Up on Humanity?

Has God Given Up on Humanity?

Call for Papers – “HAS GOD GIVEN UP ON HUMANITY?”

The Value of Life Discussion Group[1] (a group convened by NZ Christian Network, see members below), is calling for papers from practitioners and academics for a book to be published in November 2016.

[1] Discussion group members: Peter Mihaere (Stand Against Slavery), John Kleinsman (Nathaniel Centre), Darren Ward (Direct Impact Group), Phil McCarthy (Prison Fellowship), Campbell Roberts (Salvation Army), Glyn Carpenter (New Zealand Christian Network)


When we think about wars and the refugee crisis unfolding nightly on TV, or the shocking numbers of people trapped in employment and sex slavery, or increasingly punitive attitudes in criminal justice, or the controversy around harvesting of foetal body parts, or growing pressures to liberalise laws on euthanasia or abortion, or a culture with growing levels of binge drinking, drug abuse, and other forms of self-harm, it is hard not to wonder “Has God given up on humanity?”

Does the notion of ‘human beings made in the image of God’ still have any relevance to modern day life? Does this fundamental biblical doctrine have any connection to areas such as trafficking, criminal justice, social justice, human rights, disabilities, or bioethics? If so, what is the relevance?  And what might be the consequences of dismissing this in the ongoing debates in any of these areas?

The publication will provide an opportunity for a reflection on the biblical doctrine of the imago dei(image of God), and its significance across a wide range of social issues. It will include the main issues facing society today, and explore sociological as well as theological and spiritual factors involved. In addition, the book will look at the unique role that the Church should play in addressing these issues.

The intended audience of the book is primarily Christian leaders, but it is expected that the book will be of interest to community and political leaders who are open to exploring all dimensions of the issues covered. The Value of Life Discussion Group will also be looking at ways to share the essential information in this book to the widest audience possible.

We welcome papers addressing a broad range of topics related to social issues, human dignity, and the value of life that is made in the image of God, including:

CALL FOR PAPERS

Please email a title and abstract (no more than 300 words) along with your name, contact details, and church or organisation, by 30 April 2016 to:
Glyn Carpenter, NZ Christian Network
glyn@nzchristiannetwork.org.nz

The editing group will review the abstracts and respond by 10 May to let interested contributors know which papers will be included in the book.

Papers will be required by end of July and need to be submitted along with the name of a recognised theologian who confirms that the work is consistent with biblical principles and teaching.

Please circulate this Call for Papers to interested parties with relevant expertise and knowledge.

  • Poverty
  • Bioethics
  • Slavery/ trafficking
  • Criminal justice
  • Environment
  • Theological exposition
  • Refugees and migrants
  • Euthanasia
  • Abortion
  • Disabilities
  • Social justice
  • Human rights
  • and implications of the Other… imago dei doctrine

The Nature of a Christian Voice

The Nature of a Christian Voice

Salt-and-Light

We live in a world that is saturated in information, misinformation, and conflicting voices. Seeing God’s will done ‘here on earth as in heaven’ involves having a Christian voice in public debates and in stories covered in news and other media. But when Christians don’t agree, what then?

Speaking about issues, whether in formal public statements or informal chats to friends, involves particular risks for Christians, including failing to correctly represent God’s will, and undermining our Christian witness.

So how do we recognise a genuine Christian voice in the news or public debate? When Christians go into politics, or engage in lobby groups, or claim to be public watchdogs, or when they speak on public issues from the pulpit, how can we know that they have a proper biblical view on any given issue, balancing public and private morality, and not confusing the roles of state and the individual? How do we know they are communicating the mind, and heart, of God?

This short paper attempts to highlight some of the challenges we face in hearing God’s voice today, and lay out some principles which characterize an authentic Christian voice.

Challenges

  1. The unprecedented profusion of voices – The internet and social media have enabled everyone with a computer or smartphone to search, receive, and broadcast a greater array of comment than has ever been possible before. “Friends” (and others) post links to articles on topics and by authors we have little or no knowledge of.
  2. The nature of broadcast media – Within the constraints of time and budgets, radio, TV, and news media do a reasonable job of presenting information to us. But commercial media outlets have to produce what sells. Regrettably, all too often this is entertainment or controversy based stories, where the popular and extreme win out over the informed and moderate.
    .
    The news cycle demands quick responses on issues, which favours those who comment immediately (even if what they say is wrong), over those who need time to develop a more accurate response. It also favours simple, strong, statements, over more complex, nuanced, ones, even if that reflects the true picture.
  3. Time – None of us has the time to check all the information we receive, so we take a lot on trust. But if the people or sources we are getting our information from have not had the time (or inclination) to check the accuracy of the information, we can find ourselves passing on information which is not true. Either that, or we become cynical and don’t believe anything we hear – (which creates its own problems!).
  4. Preconceived ideas – We all hold views on a wide range of topics. These views come from our culture, our history, our churches, our families and friends, and they become part of our identity. Wisdom tells us that there is good and bad within all of these areas, and that not all of the views we hold now, or will hold in the future, are correct. But it is very hard to change our views, even when they are wrong. It is natural to process information that agrees with our preconceptions more readily that information that challenges them.
  5. Complexity of public issues – Most issues do not lend themselves to simplistic solutions. Issues like religiously inspired terrorism, human sexuality and relationships, welfare and poverty, and criminal justice, certainly don’t. Even experts have different ideas on how to understand and address complex issues. Non-professionals joining the discussion often add more heat than light.
  6. The Bible! – Even though some people don’t like the fact, and some people try to deny it, the reality is that the Bible does not give simple, clear, prescriptive answers to many of the issues we face today. If it did, there may not be as many divisions in the church as what we have.
  7. Anti-Christian sentiment – This should not be overstated, but there is a small section of society which is active in trying to limit the role of religion in general and Christianity in particular in society. When people or groups identified as Christian speak or behave badly, this can be a significant encouragement to those seeking to privatise religious faith.
  8. Lies, damned lies, and statistics – Numbers are often used to support arguments. The only problem is that statistics are seldom as straightforward as they appear (or are made to appear). Also many people have little understanding of how statistics work.

With all this in mind, what are some of the principles that should characterise an authentic Christian voice in the public discourse?

Principles

  1. Quite simply, the first and most important principle is to ask “Is what the speaker says actually true?” Or do they exaggerate or overstate the truth? Do they leave out relevant facts to give a slanted view of truth?
    .
    Jesus said “I am the Truth”. Speaking untruth, no matter how sincerely one believes it, undermines our Christian witness and is not of God.
  2. Are the speaker’s words faithful to the Spirit of Christ? Given the Great Commandments and Great Commission imperatives (to love, witness, lead people to Christ, and make disciples) as embodied in Christ, do the speaker’s words lead non-believers towards Christ or turn them away? Do they communicate love and compassion or judgement and condemnation?
  3. Think about the Golden Rule – how would you feel or react if the speaker’s comments were made about you?
  4. 10_commandments_of_logicAre the speaker’s arguments reasonable and logical?
    .
    This diagram of The Ten Commandments of Logic offers a good summary of some logical fallacies which cannot reflect the mind of Christ, yet appear often in public statements.
    .
    Carefully check out your favourite spokespeople to see if any of these apply.
  5. Authority – If the speaker is identified publicly as Christian, what is their Christian accountability? What are their credentials? Are they respected by other Christian leaders? Are there other well qualified voices that express a different view?
    .
    The World Evangelical Alliance is one useful reference point. The WEA was founded in 1846 and is made up of biblically orthodox, evangelical, theologians, leaders, specialists with PhDs, and practitioners, from 129 countries and covering 20 specialist areas including theology, religious liberty, and mission. This does not mean that when the WEA makes a statement that it is automatically right. But the breadth and depth of knowledge and experience behind the WEA does mean that it should be given the consideration it deserves.
  6. Does the speaker recognise the difference between church and state, between morality and law, and the limits of what the law can achieve?
    1. Does the speaker recognise that modern society is not the same as Israel in the Old Testament or the church in the New Testament? That ideas and words relevant for one group may not be for another?
    2. Is the speaker seeking to have Christian morality imposed on society by law? God gives humans free-will to follow His ways or not. We should be careful therefore about trying to compel people to act ‘morally’ by using the force of law.
    3. Limits to the efficacy of law:
      1. Professor Ian Harper from the University of Melbourne and Centre for Independent Studies has said, “It is important to recognize the limited capacity of the state to promote moral behaviour in human beings. Too often our energies and imaginations have focused on the state as a means of compelling our moral vision. We should realize that, beyond the core area of justice, the power of the state to do good and bring about a moral society is by no means unambiguous. For one thing, state-enforced morality often fuels resentment and breeds its own resistance (emphasis added)[i]
      2. Professor Warren Brookbanks from the University of Auckland, has commented in a similar vein, “… the crisis in families is not something that can be solved by more regulation … there are, I would suggest, real dangers in assuming that the law and public opinion are the best agencies through which the “rehabilitation” of marriage can be achieved”[ii]
  7. Some topics (e.g. terrorism) have the potential to spread fear. Other topics (e.g. sexuality issues) have the potential to marginalise people. The nature of the Gospel is to promote love not fear, to include people not marginalise them. The hard words of Jesus were directed at religious leaders who were guilty of doing those sorts of things, and he stood alongside those who were marginalised or regarded as sinners.
  8. Respect – The fruit of the Spirit includes gentleness, and Paul instructs Timothy to be ready to give reasons for the hope he has, but to do so with “gentleness and respect”. The combative nature of public communication is a particular snare for Christians who engage in this arena. The majority of people in the audience for mass communication are non-believers who we want to see, hear, and receive the Good News of Christ. In addition, when comments are made about another person or group, are the other person/group’s views represented fairly.

The chief end or purpose of mankind, according to the Westminster Shorter Catechism, is “to glorify God and enjoy Him forever”. Let us be committed to glorifying God, and being known as people who, like Jesus, are “filled with grace and truth” (John 1:14).


[i] “Christian Morality and Market Capitalism: Friends or Foes?”, Professor Ian Harper, Centre for Independent Studies, full text at http://www.cis.org.au/

Harper goes on to say … “The lessons of the Prohibition Era in the United States should not be forgotten. Moreover, we should remember Thomas Jefferson’s caution: ‘Never give power to a good man that you would not give to an evil man.’ If we rely too heavily on the state and bolster it, with a view to deploying its coercive power to our purposes, we may regret it when at some point the state begins to enforce values antipathetic to our own”

(Professor Ian Harper holds the Sidney Myer Chair of Commerce and Business Administration at the Melbourne Business School within the University of Melbourne. He is also Assistant Director and Dean of Faculty at the School)

[ii] “A Christian Perspective on Marriage, Family, and the Law”, W J Brookbanks LLM, BD, Associate Professor of Law, University of Auckland