If I am even marginally correct in the observation that we are in a qualitatively different era of difficult times, then there is going to be a growing demand for what Christ offers through his Church to those in all sorts of personal need: we must to be ready and organised to deliver what Ezekiel described as the actions of good shepherds. (1) Doing nothing is not an option. (2)
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As you will know there is a point in John’s gospel when the crowds dwindle because the cost of following Christ becomes clearer. Perhaps the ‘miracle goodies’ lose their initial glamour and Jesus drops from the top of the trend setter list. (3)
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Much of the rest of his gospel concentrates on Jesus preparing his disciples for mission. The climax of this is his prayer for the unity of the disciples in mission:
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“I in them and you in me
so that they may be brought
to complete unity.
Then the world will know that
you sent me and have loved them
even as you have loved me.”
Of all the New Testament writers, John survives to be the older statesman of the early church. By the time he writes his letters he has witnessed all the ups and downs of the new churches. His letters are dominated by his response to this experience: the supremacy of the processes of unity and love in Christ in the life of the Church.
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There is a lot of kit out there that we can mobilise to stop us sinking
in the sands of time: to stop us being overwhelmed by
the tides of social change and the pressures of modern life.
We have the resources of the Lord
We have opportunities at this time in this area
to travel in this direction
ANOTHER PLACE IN THE SAME LAND?
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POST SCRIPT
Those who know something of the history of missions will know of the ‘Cambridge Seven’ who went as missionaries to China in 1885. They were an inspiration to their generation. Those who have read between these covers will understand when I say that I have been able to add a star fish to my inanimate collection of shells. I have become aware of a group of seven young Cambridge graduates who are currently pursuing their careers but have chosen to live in a demanding residential inner city area to discover how to be church in and for that community. Can they be an example to us all and inspire a commitment to a revolutionary renewal of our attitudes?
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Another Place in the Same Land is a limited edition discussion paper. Rights are reserved to publish as original material. Individual pictures of shells are reproduced from internet sources with no intention to infringe copyright.
All other photographs are original
Antony Gormley’s figures were put in place in 2005. There is now a striking difference between those that are close to shore and those that have survived the regular attrition of the ebb and flow of the tides.
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I suspect that churches and individuals that really open themselves up to Christ’s call will display similar symptoms, being exposed to strong currents, difficult conditions, controversy and risk.
1. Ezekiel 34 2. Matthew 215: 31ff 3. John 6.66
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