It's sad, the state of the church. There is little sense of community, as evidenced by the rapid drift from one church to another of many church goers. They are looking for something, but not finding it. Could it be that entertainment doesn't satisfy?
This week has been an interesting one, as I have seen something good outside the church, and something lacking within. I state it this way because it has to do with community.
Let me give the 'good news' first. Last night I was at a facility in inner suburban Brisbane, attending an induction night for volunteers working with refugees. After our trip to Ethiopia, I have yet more of a heart for the dispossessed (not to mention being homeless ourselves for some months!). I saw some men assembling out on the back veranda as we had our meeting, and assumed it was the new mens' group they have just started. I inquired after our meeting and was told "It's a community meeting. The men meet together to discuss issues within an ethnic community". There was obviously a sense of cohesiveness and care in the group as they met to discuss issues that were affecting the community as a whole, and individual families or couples in the community. I said to the person I was talking to that it was something we in the west has lost, perhaps with industrialisation. It reminded me of the elders in the ancient Hebrew culture, and at the time of Christ. Something good.
The scenario that was lacking this week demonstrated exactly the opposite in terms of community, and unfortunately occurred within the church. A rebellious teenager had left home, and eventually gone to a friends home to live, taken in by the friend's parents. These well-meaning people took the boy in to try and help. Sadly, they did not confer with his parents, and were given the boy's perspective on recent history without the parents being consulted at all for their perspective. The problems I see with this are several:
We need to remember that marriage is a type of Christ and His church. We need to remember that family is close to His heart. We need to be cognisant that He is always watching, and hoping we will follow the commands and exhortations found in his word.
Australia is in some ways further from godly culture than some other nations. There is much to be learned from the bible, and a good knowledge of Hebrew culture can help. It is sad that the culture of a Moslem nation to my mind shows itself superior to that of our Christian culture in Australia. Our people perish (are confused and in disarray) for lack of knowledge. I hope and pray that next time something like this happens, we will see the Christians acting more as a body of elders with understanding and consultation and as Christ would have them.
This week has been an interesting one, as I have seen something good outside the church, and something lacking within. I state it this way because it has to do with community.
Let me give the 'good news' first. Last night I was at a facility in inner suburban Brisbane, attending an induction night for volunteers working with refugees. After our trip to Ethiopia, I have yet more of a heart for the dispossessed (not to mention being homeless ourselves for some months!). I saw some men assembling out on the back veranda as we had our meeting, and assumed it was the new mens' group they have just started. I inquired after our meeting and was told "It's a community meeting. The men meet together to discuss issues within an ethnic community". There was obviously a sense of cohesiveness and care in the group as they met to discuss issues that were affecting the community as a whole, and individual families or couples in the community. I said to the person I was talking to that it was something we in the west has lost, perhaps with industrialisation. It reminded me of the elders in the ancient Hebrew culture, and at the time of Christ. Something good.
The scenario that was lacking this week demonstrated exactly the opposite in terms of community, and unfortunately occurred within the church. A rebellious teenager had left home, and eventually gone to a friends home to live, taken in by the friend's parents. These well-meaning people took the boy in to try and help. Sadly, they did not confer with his parents, and were given the boy's perspective on recent history without the parents being consulted at all for their perspective. The problems I see with this are several:
- There was no honouring of the parents by the other parents. Both were of good standing in the local Christian community, and the parents deserved the right to give an account as they saw fit; for the benefit of themselves and their son.
- The lack of consultation has caused difficulty for the boy's parents, as the rebellious boy is being taken round by this family now, happy to be rid of his parents and having an easier ride (even if it is probably temporary)
- The approach taken will not help the boy in gaining maturity, but rather will probably reinforce that rebellion pays; and that he can have his way by bucking the system.
- The cohesiveness of the local Christian community has been broken, as the actions taken have divided both children/teenagers and parents.
We need to remember that marriage is a type of Christ and His church. We need to remember that family is close to His heart. We need to be cognisant that He is always watching, and hoping we will follow the commands and exhortations found in his word.
Australia is in some ways further from godly culture than some other nations. There is much to be learned from the bible, and a good knowledge of Hebrew culture can help. It is sad that the culture of a Moslem nation to my mind shows itself superior to that of our Christian culture in Australia. Our people perish (are confused and in disarray) for lack of knowledge. I hope and pray that next time something like this happens, we will see the Christians acting more as a body of elders with understanding and consultation and as Christ would have them.
No comments:
Post a Comment