Christmas - A shared gift.

This year we joined in with our local baptist church (Lighthouse Community Church) for carols. Some of our musos and our choir from the morning service joined in. We cancelled 'connecT' for the night and had church 'take away. It was good to sit back and enjoy the evening. There were carols and solos, skits and plays, sermon and testimonies, and good community. It was the 'Lighthouse's' gift to us and, hopefully, for some others who came to have a look.

The gift of ecumenism is that not all churches are alike. The service was different to both 'connecT' and our traditional morning services; but, why not? The gift of Jesus at Christmas reminds us of the gift of the other. God came into the world and was different to what most people expected. Jesus provoked and comforted, angered and healed, unsettled and accepted, lived and died and rose again. The gift of the Christmas Jesus is that paradox. God came to bring peace, and disturb our settled lives.

Chris

The Christmas Challenge

Ah, blog-humbug. For months I couldn't sign in and then gave up trying, but I'm back!

Over the last few weeks at connecT we have been reflecting on Christmas and taking our time to unpack the depth of its message. Last week we explored the shadow side of Christmas based on the post-Christmas text of Simeon, Joseph, Mary and Jesus in the Temple - Luke 2: 22 - 35. The text that pierced my heart was; 'Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel and for a sign that is spoken against' (Vs 34). This verse was a blessing given by Simeon to Mary. Christmas blessings are often associated with material comfort and over indulgence, but a blessing like this - that doesn't sound very blessed - presents us with a challenge. The sweet babe is not what he first appears to be!

This verse reminds me of the challenge of Christmas. Most of us are not prepared to be challenged at Christmas; comfort is what we are looking for. But to be reminded that Jesus will demand something from us, and be divisive, just as we are called to be decisive, is the shadow side of Christmas. Jesus was, is and will be the cause of 'the rise and fall of many'. The baby grows up and lives to issue a challenge - 'come follow me'(Lk.5: 27). Is that too hard for most at Christmas, I wonder?

Chris

Preaching the Gospel

Most Christians know the saying attributed to St Francis of Assisi - though probably apocryphal - 'preach the Gospel every moment and sometimes use words'. Good saying, even if he may not have said it. In recent years, certainly in my time, the church has shied away from talking about the gospel of God's love expressed through Jesus Christ and alive in the world through the Holy Spirit. This is partly due to the insensitivity of the church in the past and by some zealots in the present, but also because our 'secular' nation has become a little intolerant to things to do with faith.

I was reminded of this on Sunday night at 'connecT' as we listened to a Christian pastoral support worker speak about her ministry at a local school. There are many restrictions on what she can say, but there are no restrictions on her living the gospel daily as she spends time with students and staff showing something of God's love: this she does well.

This leads me to think about how we can learn new ways of 'walking the talk' without denying our central message. The 'emerging church' is leading the way in this, I think, as we seek to be creative, innovative and sensitive without denying the rich heritage and message of the Christian faith.

Chris

Church - Sunday only?

Last week at 'connecT' we kicked around the idea of church gathering on any day, at any time. Some churches are gathering on Friday or Saturday nights; others during the week at lunchtime. Does church have to be on a Sunday? Some say yes; others, maybe not. If the basis of church is 'when 2 or 3 are gathered' does that have to be on Sunday morning. Did Jesus set a special time? I don't think so. With the society around us having moved to 24/7 activity, work and entertainment, it seems odd that the church keeps to a rural time frame from another era. But, on the other hand, with all this frenetic activity, is the concept of 'sabbath - 24 hours of rest, relaxation and worship' being lost. Who sets the agenda for 'sabbath' keeping, church (or synagogue, mosque, temple - depending upon your faith) or world? And what about community? How do we gather together as one church - albeit a bit factionalised anyway - when we gather separately in smaller more specialised groups? Is the church in danger of even more fragmentation. Good questions; no immediate answers. However, you might have some. What do you think?

The Church

Over the last few weeks at 'connecT' we have been looking at what it means to be church and where the 'emergent church' fits into the discussion. Some in my tradition (Anglican) say it is not really church because it sits loose with denominational ties and clergy, and encourages strong lay leadership and decision making. Others find it a bit uncomfortable because it is seen to be loose with the christian tradition, scripture and liturgy. Others, like me, see it as a global expression of the search for a deeper ecclesial experience that is not stitched up over rules and regulations. By the way, I love the Anglican tradition, being a priest and working within denominational structures, but, at the same time, there is always room for a creative response to the Holy Spirit as it blows where it wills (Jn 3:8) and thinking about what the Spirit might be saying to the churches (Rev 2: 7).

But, what is church for you? 2 or 3 gathered, or more?

Chris

1 Thessalonians 4 - sex and respect.

Paul's first letter ever! Well, that is what many scholars have said and it has provided good discussion at 'connecT'. We have looked at leadership in a collaborative setting and Paul's ability to communicate in such a way that he connected with people. And this week, 1 Thess. 4 - wait for it - we looked at sexual purity. A somewhat old fashioned subject I admit, but one that is not irrelevant.

What was suggested though is that sexual purity has less to do with Puritanism than respect. Sex is a good thing when used well; A good servant, but a poor master. Respect for others, ourselves, God were some of the suggestions that came up. Yet, that was not the end of it.

The second half of 1 thess. 4 has to do with respect between Christians. Perhaps, a greater challenge. Many Christians, myself included, take a dim view of those with whom we differ. The challenge from Paul hits home; simple really, respect.

Back to the Bible.

At connecT, over the last few weeks, we have been thinking about the Bible. A couple of us reflected on the place of the Bible in our lives and the various ways we read it and reflect on its authority. 'Layers of meaning' seems to me to be an important way to consider the teaching of the Bible. This is not to say that the original authors, and pre-ceeding them the original orators, did not have a specific thought in mind, but to acknowledge that the Biblical text also has a life of its own. It is important to acknowledge what the original author had in mind, but we also need to allow for fresh illumination as we read the text. Also, the Biblical authors used individual stories differently to address their specific contexts. For example, John has the cleansing of the temple at the beginning of his gospel; the synoptics at the end. The same story used differently and for different effect.

The Bible is a great book that is new every morning allowing God's word to speak afresh in every context. At connecT we are looking at Paul's Thessalonian correspondence. Expect new insights!

Chris

connecT re-commits

connecT is a little over a year old now, so we decided to have a congregation meeting to look at our life together. Small discussion groups are the backbone of our sharing time together at connecT, so we did that to discuss the agenda items. Some of the things we recommitted to:

* Learning together (but with the occasional sermon)- 'Round Table Church'
* Eating together with shared responsibility for providing food.
* Shared leadership including younger people.
* Eucharistic worship in the round.
* Diversity in music.
* Strengthening our welcome to visitors.
* Shared financial responsibility.

Given it is the Easter season it was an appropriate time to look back so we could move forward led, we believe, by the presence of the risen Christ.

'Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands he blessed them.'(Luke 24:50)

Lessons, meal and Eucharist

There were so many things to enjoy over Holy Week and Easter. There were powerful and confronting stories of Jesus set to music, readings and sermon, but the highlight for me was the simple meal we had on Maundy Thursday. It was billed as 'Lessons, meal and Eucharist', and that is what it was. The lessons were taken from Luke 22, Jesus' last night before his crucifixion and the Eucharist shared at the tables at which we ate the Mediterranean inspired meal. At the tables we shared thoughts on the readings as well as talked about everyday things. There was something 1st century about it: simple Church with Jesus, meal and community.

Love & discipline

No, this is not a post for sado-masochism, but a serious reflection, I hope, on the connection between our relationship with God and self-discipline. Many people associate the word discipline with kinky sex or with punishment, and therefore regard it, either, with little seriousness or negatively. But Shelley, at connecT last Sunday night, helped us to see that discipline can be a good thing, especially in our relationship with God. After all, isn't discipline at the heart of Jesus' time of fasting and prayer in the wilderness.

Fasting & prayer doesn't sit well with with our self-gratifying contemporary lifestyles, but the Christian tradition has always valued a time of self-denial & prayer as being crucial for Christian 'discipling'. Love & discipline do go together, as any lover will know. Loving another demands self-denial. No relationship will last if we always put ourselves and our needs first. Neither will it last if we look solely to our own self-pleasure. A relationship, to be healthy, needs sacrifice and self-denial. This is no less true - or perhaps, even more so - with our relationship with God. The focus is taken from ourselves to God and others.

'If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me' (Matt 16: 24)

Chris

Love & Eucharist

For the lead up to Lent we have been exploring love. Recently, we did some thinking over the theme of 'Love & Eucharist' and how the two are inseparable. Some of our 'connecT' members were/are nurtured in other traditions than Anglicanism and so the reflection on the place of the 'Lord's Supper' was varied. Some held that the gathering together was the essential part of the celebration, others held that the eating and drinking of the body and blood of Christ was more important. Others still, suggested that there was no 'real presence' but it was a memorial meal. Others (including me) thought that Jesus was, indeed, present in the bread and wine and also in the community that celebrates. Old debates, aren't they? But what we all agreed about is that love is present when we gather together to celebrate the Eucharist. God's love for us, our attempts at love for God and each other.
Perhaps then, the debates about 'real presence' are superfluous because there isn't a time when God is absent: God fills all things. The Eucharist sharpens our minds to that fact.

Chris

Love

Over the next couple of weeks at connecT we will be exploring the theme of love. We are gearing up for 'St. Valentine's Day', where we are exploring love in relationships. Last week we started with God's love for us; a good place to begin.

You don't have to be a psychologist to work out that children learn all about love from their parents. One of the first things a baby experiences is the loving voice and touch of their parents. In time that child, as an infant, will return that love with a kiss and a hug. In turn they will begin to kiss and hug others; siblings, grandparents and friends. The love once born in the parents begins to embrace a wider circle. Very much God's love, I think. Those of us who are disciples of Jesus, having experienced something of God's love, begin to share it with others, or at least that's how the theory goes.

But when you hear the talk of people like Pat Robertson and other 'hard-line' Christians it makes you wonder, doesn't it? How far do we really believe in a God of love? Is it just talk?

'This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you'
(John : 15:12)

Australia Day Thoughts

I am back from leave, hence the little recent activity on this blog. 'connecT', however, has been continuing on in summer mode under the leadership of shelley and John. Last Sunday we gave some thought to this great country of ours - Australia. What does it mean to be Australian? Are we the lucky country and who are we lucky for? These questions were reflected on in the light of Matthew 25: 31 - 46; the parable of the sheep and the goats. My thoughts: I do feel lucky (blessed) to live in Australia. I have all I need; family, friends, freedom (religious and personal), responsible government (mostly), money, a good home, beautiful countryside and beach, and plenty more besides. What more could I ask for? I am very satisfied. But then I read about Haiti. Perhaps, the missing thing - responsibility!

'I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me'. (Matt: 25:35)