Death or life

I spent some time yesterday at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens. Besides just being simply beautiful. It struck me that there is a striking contrast between natural areas relatively devoid of human construction and those areas characterised by naturally occurring plants, rocks stone etc..

Human structures and building stand out as lacking harmony. The desire to obliterate life is most common- no 'weed'/ undesirable plant may grow where we do not want it- the monoculture of grass so beloved of suburbanites, farmers and others. The exclusion of life by means of fences, walls, paving etc.. The hardness of surfaces and the complete lack of symbiosis.

Nature engages in no such genocide- there is the constant struggle for space, resources and such, but it is rare that a complete alienation of all other species occurs.

I wonder about us as human beings and the death we sow- I despair some days feeling caught up in a machine that seems to wreak havoc on the earth. The Judeo-Christian scriptures contain the oft quoted dictum- be fruitful and fill the earth. I think this is one of the few commands we can say human beings have achieved remarkable success in. Going from 3.5 billion in the 1960s to 7 billion this year. I suspect however that we have achieved this command a number of years ago and now we are in a state of 'overfilling' the earth.

Social scientists predict that increasingly the wars to come (if not some already) will be fought over access to food and water. Already seeing China amongst others buying land for cultivation in other countries alarms me.

Mid last century there was a deep sense of perilousness with our nuclear arms race- a sense we were about to destroy ourselves in the cold war. Today I often feel we are faced not with a singular event that will be cataclysmic but rather a billion or trillion small decisions coalescing into the slow gradual extinction of humans.

I am not to concerned about the survival of life on earth- the earth has faced far greater threats than humanity. Yes there is the sad truth that we continue to extinguish the diversity of life the Creator seems to so enjoy, but if anything our continued discovery of life in extraordinary environmental conditions reminds me that it will be very hard to destroy all life before we extinguish of our species.  The questions is whether we will survive?

I really struggle to process all these thoughts with my faith- we are called to be people of hope. However I often feel a sense that the path we are gradually moving in is despair.

What would it mean to have hope in the midst of such environmental crisis that I often feel we are unconscious of?

Liminal Space

One of my favourite theologians is Father Richard Rohr, OFM. He often speaks about the possibility of change, and that the potentiality increases in certain moments. Moments of prayer, moments of pain are definite areas where God-given change is more likely to occur. Richard refers to these moments as liminal space- the word coming from the latin meaning threshhold. Modern English uses it to describe the area on a beach that is washed by the waves- not quite solid ground neither water nor land. Interestingly I am led to understand this is the area on the beach where life is found most abundantly.

I am in liminal space currently. In around five months I move to a new faith community to assume the role of pastor there, however I am still currently ministering in Weltevreden Park as pastor. I feel like I am in liminal space- a place of prayer -God help me here and God prepare me for the future, a place of pain- the pain of leaving the familiar- familiar lines on peoples hands I see when I serve communion like this past weekend, the familiar laughs and smiles, the familiar problems and joys. It is painful to leave and the denomination I am a part of I think doesn't do this well-leaving is often a drawn out process that stretches for months and sometimes over a year.

In this space there is that spaciousness- there is a certain freedom that comes with leaving- the possibilities of a new thing. There is a different way of looking at things that brings fresh perspectives that living deeply in a community sometimes hides. There is a freedom to wonder and dream and hope, and ponder and reflect on what has worked, what has failed, what has been faithful and unsuccessful, things that have been unfaithful and successful, and vice-versa that is the peculiar manner of doing church.

It is still hard though, the ground feels unsteady and untrustworthy. And perhaps that is the greatest gift the reason God works best it seems it liminal space- there is little that is certain except God, and it is into uncertainty that the Spirit can move guide, shape, transform and mold.

I have made many mistakes here and God is pointing them out often most graciously through others, and the gift is that the uncertainty of the future is helping me to see these and humorously humbly ponder whether God perhaps desires a different way.

As a Christian is God bigger than Christianity??

I would characterize myself as a passionate follower of Jesus. While my journey is a long way from completion; there are many pockets of deep entrenched sin in my life that I habitually fall into- I find the faith of Christianity has deepened my spirituality, brought transformation and life to me and through me to others. I am also deeply aware of the reality that for many Christianity has been something that has damaged and wounded them, from the antagonism towards other faiths that led to the murderous crusades and still marginilizes many, to the cover ups of the sexual abuse, to the veneer of Christianity that characterises the worship of money of many televangelists and others.  

However I am still a Christian, but believe that the way of Jesus leads me to celebrate that there are many ways to deeply encounter God. Many Christians struggle with this comment and ask how can you say this- why are you then a Christian? I have often struggled to enunciate this clearly, but simply have affirmed my own experience of transformation, and life richly blessed in my faith. BUT I do not limit God to my own faith.

Many rejoice at this statement but in conversation I am often deeply disappointed, as I discover people hearing me saying 'anything goes', 'I can make my own faith', which at its essence reduces to an idea that I can run my life myself. This is not what I am saying, rather it is my belief that it is only when we surrender deeply to a faith tradition that we can open ourselves to the transcendent power of God. I deliberately use the word surrender as I feel that so much fundamental religion whether Christian, Muslim, Buddhist or other rests on a refusal to surrender, but rather the use of religion as a something to accommodate my will and desires. As Newsweek recently helpfully put it - "many people regard religion as a therapeutic lifestyle aid' (Newsweek June 13 2011- Mormons Rock). 

The challenge thus is to take ones spirituality- growth, nurture- whatever term you use seriously, to take responsibility for ones spirituality and to engage. The syncretic nature of modern life is to take whatever suits you as your own- as a friend helpfully puts it 'we end up reading the Bible instead of the Bible reading us'.

I have been helped by the following quote offered within Don Scrooby's blog http://seeingmoreclearly.blogspot.com/2011/06/religious-diversity-my-response.html

"If we do not allow ourselves to go down deeply somewhere, we are in danger of floating on the surface in an erratic, unaccountable and lonely way. Our humanity calls for particularity - a particular channel of grace. My own primary channel through Jesus Christ and the historical and living community that takes seriously his claimed intimacy with ultimate Truth, offers a very personal , particular "way in" to universal reality. My commitment to truth through him opens my eyes to grace everywhere. He is not someone to protect and defend. He reveals the loving light that frees me to live in the naked simplicity of nothing ultimately to protect and defend. Then I am free to claim every moment and person as friend - and to see the grace in every tradition as mine; as part of our common human treasure."

Is God bigger than Christianity?

I have just read Rob Bell's Love Wins and have been struck by the questions he asks- are those who have never  encountered Jesus' teachings doomed to eternal damnation, are other faiths simply a way to hell.

This conversation within myself was abruptly brought into a real meaningful debate when a member of my congregation questioned the use of our halls for the practice of Iyengar Yoga.

Without putting words into his mouth he argued at various points- that although this yoga was innocuous it might through our endorsement of this form open persons to alternate spiritually suspect forms, he also indicated however that the poses 'asanas' in and of themselves open one to demonic forces, alternatively that all yoga was idol worship. I could not reconcile all his comments which seemed at times contradictory.

However the simple reality is that it has created deep debate in our community. In preparing for the meeting I spent time in prayer and the tear in my soul developed. I believe my surrender to Jesus entails the gradual, though painful at times, releasing of my desire to get my own way, to feel correct and have everybody abide with my correct stance. This contrasted with the feelings that if the community were to reject these folk it would be an act of the Body of Christ saying we don't want you here. My need to be right which I am trying to let go of, contrasted with the call to act on behalf of those excluded or marginalized.

The persons involved in yoga were never consulted, engaged or questioned as to what they were doing-this despite my inviting the person objecting to do this, and my colleague inviting the executive to investigate. I eventually invited the yoga practioners to the meeting.

I was struck by the humility, the gentleness that in general was truer of those engaged in yoga than the Christians present. There were moments where both groups reacted with comments that were harsh, but the sense that the listening was far more common on the side of the so called heathens (though one at least is a practicing Christian). My own behaviour was at times less than exemplary- people quoting internet websites without actually engaging the persons concerned just enraged me- how easy to sit at ones desk and form a judgement than to engage with people. I failed to hold the discussion in a way that would honour Jesus- no one but me is too blame- God has lots more work to do with me.

I wondered whether certainty is the enemy of God's Spirit- how can God do a new thing when we are so certain as to how and where God can work. Could Mary have responded let it be with me according to your will if she knew that God could only work in certain ways. I wonder about my own prejudice and whether God has to toss my off my horse on the road to Damascus as Paul was in (Acts, chapters 9,22,26) , in order to get me to recognize that he may work in ways that are just so radically new that they seem like blasphemy at first?

I have practiced Iyengar Yoga on and off for six years- my first experience was as a means to getting in touch with my body that the reformed tradition has so rejected in many ways- (strange when we believe in the incarnation). Being aware that my body affected my ability to concentrate, and prayer was a gift and I have found yoga a wonderful means to grow my prayer, to de-stress and to get in touch with the reality that I am a spirit in a particular body (Christians seem to struggle with this language yet talk of the Holy Spirit entering us is commonplace).

The ultimate debate though comes back to this can, could, has God (as revealed through the Judeo-Christian tradition) never spoken to a person of another faith- either breaking into their faith, or working within it? Are all practices from alternate faiths inherently evil?

I just cannot conclude this- God is to big, to loving, to graceful to have abandoned so many people. This week we celebrate Ascension Day- where we celebrate Jesus ascension to heaven. I believe Jesus existed prior to his birth, that people were saved (welcomed, received, transformed, forgiven) prior to his human death, and that as the Cosmic Christ exists for all people all nations.

My God is just to big to exclude these people.

rearranging the furniture

As Easter draws closer I have reflected on the events that led to Jesus murder, through a death penalty called for by religious leaders, and sanctioned by government authorities.

The week before his crucifixion he arrives at the temple and clears it of those selling goods in areas reserved for God fearing foreigners (Luke 19:45-48). This action inflames the anger of the religious authorities and in some way leads to his death. I wondered what would Jesus do if he arrived at our church. Are there any habits, practices, traditions, attitudes he would want to challenge. Would he throw any of our furniture around? Have we made sacred cows of anything that would be better used for hamburgers. The question really for me is are there any ways in which we limit God’s grace, or limit access, belonging to only some? I believe to remain faithful the church must consistently ask this question- what does Jesus desire from us? I sometimes wish for a little rearranging!

Following from this is the obvious reality that we see our bodies as God’s temple, where God’s Spirit will dwell if we permit him- however is there any part of our life that needs rearranging, the furniture needing to be tossed around? the self-examination draws me to the basement of my life where unforgiveness and anger, hurt and resentment are often still firmly entrenched? Sometimes scared to let the light in here

Disciple making

Our church has been exploring the idea of a new vision- something that can hold us accountable to journeying in the direction God would wants us to move.

The vision we have moved towards is "Weltevreden Methodist exists to grow disciples who will serve the world".

I think this is close to Jesus' heart, but sadly don't see it in most churches. Dallas Willard speaks of the 'great ommision'- the failure of the church to facilitate the training of disciples as envisioned by Jesus. We seem to want to get people to believe the correct doctrine (and sadly I think this is true on the side of both liberals and conservatives), instead of working towards the shaping and forming of our wills (decision making processes) into the likeness of Jesus' will.

I am excited by this vision but also apprehensive: as I leave this community later this year, and I wonder where this vision will take them. Will it simply be another phrase bandied around or will it be a radical rudder steering them towards faithfulness that will cause the world to mutter in surprise.

Companions in Christ (spiritual formation material) offers the following as a guide to help churches reflect. I have replaced the vision they have used as an example with the one we are looking to adopt for this community: It seeks to really help churches to take seriously the mission statement

We propose that every aspect on congregation life be approached in light of the mission of our church: "Weltevreden Methodist exists to grow disciples who will serve the world". Activities that do not support or further this mission will be eliminated or transformed.

I have wondered what my mission statement is, and how aligned my life is in terms of energy and activity towards the direction I purport to live.

Sentimentality vs Suffering Servant

This Sunday seven young people were confirmed in the community I serve. Confirmation in Methodist Tradition is the moment a person takes on the responsibility for their faith, seeking to commit themselves in response to God's grace to a life of faith.

I offered the confirmands a movie clip by Stanley Hauerwas in which he makes numerous challenges. One of the the comments he makes is that we as parents are unwilling to allow our children to suffer for the gospel. We create a kind of sentimental Christianity of niceness- a Christianity which is so enmeshed in the strands of greed that it scarcely knows or believes there is an alternative. Rather it places a veneer of religion onto the predominate societal flow.

What would it mean for our children to take a stand against violence and war, greed and lust. These stands don't endear one to society. Are we willing to let our children suffer? I have wrestled with this for the last while. My son is 2 years old- I want the best scholarly education for my child- but what kind of education does he get going to a school with only the wealthiest. Which education is more important? The scholastic education or the socialisation he receives from those who come from the wealthiest of homes.

Helen and I have no answers at the moment sadly we are just wrestling- hopefully we are in good company- the new name given to Jacob who wrestled with God was Israel the one who wrestles with God- we as Christians claim our roots in that tradition.

Relating to people of another faith

It seems that this generation will be marked by historians as another generation where the battles lines of wars so often lie not within faiths but where the people warring with each other worship different God's Predominately this is seen by the world to be Christians vs Muslims (though Hindu's and Muslims are also are war in many countries).


How does one remain faithful to Jesus when so much of the world desires to have us stand opposing each other?
A member of the congregation I serve recently asked to begin an online discussion with me regarding this issue. The thoughts he has expressed and the questions he has asked has made me wonder about this in more depth.


Jesus taught 'Love your enemies and do good to those who hate you' (Luke 6:27). Trying to make sense of how to love those who hate me is difficult. This friend who initiated the conversation made the point that whilst serving in an emergency rescue function he sees no race, creed, culture etc. but just sees another human being needing help. However the suspicion and enmity that pervades so much of our cross-religious engagements means that when one first sees the religious accouterments one so easily does not see humanity.


Is there any place where Christians and Muslims are having authentic friendships, respectful conversations. 

Murphy writes the following on her blog when speaking of 'liberal' Christan's calls for tolerance and some angry responses to it:

“But Jesus didn’t preach such things. Jesus preached — embodied, actually, in a way that got him killed – love. Risky, radical, costly, inconvenient love. Messy, complicated, difficult, demanding love. Love of neighbor, of stranger, of enemy.

Tolerance costs me nothing. Loving others — seeking their good, willing their prosperity and happiness, genuinely desiring their companionship — this is the hazardous business of community, of relationship-building, of making and sustaining friendships for the long haul. Tolerance is all too happy to avoid all this. Tolerance turns out to be a means for keeping us estranged from one another while we pride ourselves on our progressive politics or our general open-mindedness whatever our politics. 

Nine years after 9/11 most of us are tolerant of Islam but we don’t really love Muslims. We don’t really know any Muslims to love. Tolerance has kept us at a safe and sterile distance.”[1]

I have read numerous articles describing how there are Christian's raising funds to rebuild mosques destroyed by war in Iraq, heard stories of Muslims going to church to protect Christians after the bombing of a church in Egypt. 

Which reminds reminds you of Jesus? What do you think Jesus would be doing?

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[1] http://debradeanmurphy.wordpress.com/2010/09/09/jesus-didnt-preach-tolerance/