Confirmation Conversation # 3

Hi all

This week I would like to move the conversation onto the church. It is word we use a lot, obviously, and has associations with many things. Sometimes we think of the church as the building, such as St. Jude’s. When we speak of St. Jude’s we often think of the building that occupies 444 Brighton Road. At other times, we think of the church as a place we go to on Sundays. We say we are going to church, meaning not only the building, but also attending the act of worship that takes place inside it. We also speak of belonging to a church, and by that we mean we belong to a group of people who assemble at St. Jude’s. We also speak of belonging to the local or global church, or the Anglican Church, or one of the other denominations. Church is word that covers a multitude of meanings.

However, the New Testament mainly understands the word church as a ‘people’ (see Matthew 16: 18; Romans 16: 1, 23; Ephesians 5: 25). Occasionally, at St. Jude’s we sing a song that says;

I am the church! You are the church!

We are the church together!

All who follow Jesus all around the world,

Yes, we’re the church together.

The truth of this song, as it goes on to say, is that;

The church is not a building,

The church is not a steeple,
The church is not a resting-place,
The church is a people![1]

When we are baptized we become members of this church of ‘people’, and all of us are full and equal members of it. St. Jude’s church building might one day close - we hope not!!! However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the church itself will close. St. Jude’s Church could meet in a hall or school gym, because, ultimately, St. Jude’s Church is the people.

How do you understand the word church?

What does being a member of St. Jude’s mean to you?

Do you think the church could meet out of a church building and still be the church?

Chris

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[1] Richard Avery & Donald March 1972, ‘I am the church’, Hymn # 467 in ,Together in Song, HarperCollinsReligious, Sydney, 1999.

Confirmation Conversation # 2

Confirmation Class # 2 – Beginning to think about baptism

Last week I wrote a little about what it means to be a Christian. I didn’t, of course, say everything about being Christian, but gave you all a chance, I hope, to think about what it might mean to you to be a Christian. This week I want to write a little about baptism.

All of you, the ones I know, have been baptised, and some of you only in very recent times: what a great celebration that was. Baptism is sometimes described as the gateway into the Christian church, but, it does, have deeper meanings than that as well.  Baptism is the means by which we are united with Jesus Christ in his death and resurrection, and our sins forgiven.

The last statement about sin is a difficult one for many people. Many people do not like to think as themselves as sinners. Being a sinner sounds like something incredibly negative to them, or, at the least, should describe people who murder or steal and things like that. However, we understand sin to be that which separates us from God. The bible tells a picture story to illustrate this, and it is a story that we all know fairly well (The Book of Genesis chapter 3: first book in the bible).

Adam and Eve were in the garden made by God and they were happy and had everything they needed. Coaxed by the serpent, Eve encourages Adam to taste of the one fruit, forbidden by God, from the tree of life. They ate the fruit and then their eyes were open and they saw who they were and how they differed from God: they fell from perfection. After this they were banished from the perfect garden.

The world we live in is not perfect, and neither are we. We are all capable – and I do mean all, myself included – of doing nasty and spiteful things, treating people badly, gossiping, and other less than perfect things. This is part of our sinful nature with which we are born with. Something we all share in: the Adam and Eve that is in us. Like Adam and Eve we turn away from God and do not believe God or trust God. The Christian message is that we cannot place ourselves back in the Garden of Eden, but God in Jesus restores us to a right relationship with God by forgiving our sins through the death of Jesus. At the end of time we will be back in the garden (a place of perfection), but it will be a new one, so says The Book of Revelation chapters 21 & 22 (the last book in the bible: not a bad book, but a bit hard to understand!)

At our baptism we were asked four questions;

Do you turn to Christ?

Do you repent (meaning turning away from) of your sins?

Do reject selfish living, and all that is false and unjust?

Do renounce Satan and all evil?

We, or our godparents, on our behalf, answered ‘I do’ and then we were baptised (washed) in water to symbolize the ‘cleansing from sin that Jesus’ death makes possible’. Having been cleansed from our sin we become new ‘Adams and Eves’. The catch though, is that we still live in non-perfect world, and so we still sin from time to time. Having been baptised though, all we need do now is ask for forgiveness in prayer, turn away from our sin again, and ask God to strengthen us to do better (but more on that later).

Now, that is quite a bit to think about this week. We will have a chat about all this after the 9.30am service on 13 May. This week, May 6, we will chat about last week’s post, ‘Being a Christian’. Until then, please post a thought or a question.

Chris

Confrimation Conversation # 1

Hi all. Confirmation class begins again for 2013

Here begins a blog series for our confirmation candidates, people to be received into the Anglican Church, and general readers. It is incredibly hard to get everyone at the same place, at the same time on the same day for classes. So, I thought we will use the blog and catch up with the whole group a couple of times at church, and other places, over the next few months. There will also be a chance to catch up after the 9.30am service to have a chat about the blog. What I also hope is that some of my regular readers will join in the conversation and share their thoughts and wisdom.

Conversation # 1 What does it mean to be a christian? Over the next few weeks we will explore together issues around church, being a member of the Anglican church, baptism (confirmation), bible, worship, sacraments, and other christian issues as well. Where I want to start today is with what it means to be a christian. For many years we thought being a christian meant belonging, to say, a christian family or going to church occasionally or living in a christian country or being a good person with good habits. However, none of those things are what I think it means to be a christian. Quite simply, a christian is a follower of Jesus. A christian is someone who seeks to take the teachings of Jesus seriously and trys to live in world with a sense of justice, mercy and kindness. We also take, not only the teachings of Jesus seriously, but his life as well. What I mean by that is that we see his death as redeeming (big word: meaning,that by his death - Good Friday - our sins are forgiven: more on that in week or two. We also see his resurrection (rising from the dead - Easter) as bringing new life, hope and the gift of eternal life. As christians we like to celebrate these things with others who value these things as well (the church).

I grew up in a family where my mother was a practicing Anglican Christian. My mother took my sister and me to church regularly. However, it didn't really mean much until I was about 17, and then I became a christian: I took it seriously. Ironically, that was in another church denomination. After a few years I went back to the Anglican church and was confirmed at 21. That was about 28 years ago, and, to be honest, I am still learning about what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Being a follower of Jesus does not mean knowing everything about the christian faith, nor is it about being perfect. It is about following Jesus as we are and for who we are. So, as you thinking about confirmation, think about what being a christian means to you. Some questions: How would you describe a christian person? What is important for you about Jesus?

P.S. Leave a comment on the blog or send me an email about what you think. Also, just to remind you,we will be having a chat about these things after the 9.30am service next Sunday.

connecTing with a New Year

Last night connecT starting back after a summer break. We explored the theme connecTing (a pun, yes) with a New Year. Most of us make New Year's resolutions of some sort. The top 10 for 2013 are the usual we all make: lose weight, do more exercise, spend more time with family & friends etc. All good in themselves. However, using Colossians 3: 1- 17 as the basis, we gave some thought to how we might shape our resolutions by the insights of St. Paul. In Colossians 3 there is a great list of positive things to put on. Each year I give this text some thought, and each year, garment by garment, I try to put on some of Paul's suggestions. I'm still going! What resolutions are for you in Colossians 3 list? Chris

Casting Stones

Last week @ connecT we reflected on John 8, the woman caught in adultery, and the casting of stones (throwing rocks @ people). This was in the context of a little series looking @ forgiveness. We all do it, sometimes: casting stones, that is. Forgiveness, perhaps, a little less, I would suggest. We are all adept at noticing the sins of others and the justifiable punishment we often feel should accompany them. We are not so good at noticing our own: 'whoever is without sin, cast the first stone'. As we enter into Advent, Tony Kelly has some wise words on this theme: Christ alone is judge. Our responsibility as believers is to pass no final judgment...to us is given the task of proclaiming his Gospel in patience and forgiveness, in giving and receiving, in dialogue among ourselves and with those who do not believe, and in holding the grace we have received as meant for all. (Kelly, T 1996, The Creed by Heart: re-learning the Nicene Creed, HarperCollinsReligious, Blackburn, Victoria, P. 155) Chris

Forgiveness # 1

Last Sunday @ 'connecT' we started to look at the issue of forgiveness: the very heart of the gospel. A significant moment for me was listening to the very wise words of Desmond Tutu: forgiveness of others sets us free (paraphrase). At the same time, we can't command others to forgive. It needs to be done in their own time and in their own way. I know that from my own history. This week we reflect a little on the woman caught in the act of adultery (Jn: 8 1 - 11). Some people find actions in others unforgivable, even if they themselves were not directly involved in the act. Sometimes people, and we are all guilty of this at some time, are quick to pick up stones and throw it at those who do not meet our own moral or ethical standards. Self-righteousness we might call it. So often we want forgiveness for ourselves, but fail to give it to others. We can't see the trees for the forest. Who do we throw stones at, I wonder?

Chris

Hosea - A love story

Last week we wrapped up our look at Hosea. John (not apostle, but connecT member)led us back to the beginning, looking at Hosea - A love story. Sometimes with the prophets, I must admit, I get lost in the oracles. I get caught up with the passionate language. Im not alone in this. So, it was good to be reminded with how it all started: Hosea and Gomer. It reminded me of a text in Revelation: '...you have abandoned the love you had a first. Remember then from what you have fallen and repent...(2: 4-5). So, going forwards by going backwards. This week at connecT we explore a Hosean theme: forgiveness. Chris