July 2012 by VOX Magazine

ISSUE 15 / JUL - SEP 2012 / €2

IGNITING THE FIRE

Lessons in prayer from the African church

OUR SPECIAL CHILDREN “Imagine your children were from another country and spoke a different language.”

EDITORIAL

Separation anxiety

"Please make the pain in my tummy go away."

ou are not connected to the internet.” When the horrifying message appears on my screen, I’m careful to remain calm. The first step is to turn off my Wi-Fi connection, switch my modem off and then on again and restart my Internet browser. No problem! Until the message reappears. Suddenly, I feel a panicky sensation somewhere in the pit of my stomach. Irate messages begin to flash from my mail programme, “Cannot send message using server." Skype has gone offline. Facebook has un-friended me. Even Google is not responding. In today’s world of constant communication and incessant interruptions, the moment of separation can be terrifying. We’ve become so used to the invisible chords of connection; the clamour of a myriad virtual voices I wonder, do we have the same desperate need to stay connected with God? Do we check and re-check our voice mail for His messages? Are we terrified when communication breaks down? Or do we even notice when this “server” is offline?

DO WE HAVE THE SAME DESPERATE NEED TO STAY CONNECTED WITH GOD? Embarking on the theme of “Prayer” for this edition of VOX seemed almost too predictable. Surely, everything that needs to be said, has already been spoken, written, sung, preached…? From the earliest Sunday School songs to the rows of “how to” books, we’re taught that prayer is one of the nonnegotiables, the building blocks of faith and the litmus test for super saints. Yet, in the real world, experience rarely matches the ideal. Distractions, false expectations, even falling asleep seem as common as the “powerful and effective” prayer of the righteous (or more so?). Perhaps, as one of you so rightly expressed in response to our survey (Prayer Attitudes and Practice, page 14) we’ve put our focus in the wrong place - on religion instead of relationship - and in the process we’ve become disconnected (Igniting the Fire! Fanning the Flame! - Lessons in prayer from the African church, page 12). The Internet may be down but I can still whisper goodnight to my husband. In the slightly shocking offline silence, can we reboot the deeper connection with our Father’s still, small voice?

Spend yourself on behalf of the hungry. Isaiah 58:10

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Donate online, by cheque or call us.

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IGNITING THE FIRE

SHOOTING HIGHER

JULY - SEPTEMBER 2012, ISSUE 15 ISSN: 2009-2253

CONTENTS 12 14 20

PUBLISH E R Solas Publishing EDITOR Ruth Garvey-Williams editor@vox.ie ADVERTI S I N G Jonny Lindsay advertising@vox.ie LAYOUT A N D O P E R AT I O N S Jonny Lindsay jonny@vox.ie PROJECT D I R E C TO R Tom Slattery (Evangelical Alliance Ireland) SUBSCRI P T I O N S Ireland (32 counties): €10 for four issues / €16 for eight issues Overseas: €15 for four issues / €24 for eight issues All cheques should be made payable to Solas Publishing. SOLAS P U B L I S H I N G Ulysses House 22 - 24 Foley Street Dublin 1 Tel: 01 443 4789 info@vox.ie www.vox.ie DISCLAIM E R

The views expressed in letters and articles are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Solas Publishing or Evangelical Alliance. The acceptance of advertising does not indicate endorsement.

PRINT Cube Printing, Limerick VOX magazine is a quarterly publication, brought to you by Solas Publishing.

18 22 24 31 33 16 26 27 28 30 06 08 10 16 18

COVER STORIES Igniting the fire! - Lessons in prayer from the African church How do you pray? - what you told us about prayer Our special children FEATURES AND INTERVIEWS Invitation to a journey - part two Church spotlight: Raising up the age-old foundations in Rathmines A pinch of salt - faith and fostering in Ireland VOX Sport: Shooting higher What do Irish students believe? VOX VIEWS Anyone for organic church? Sex for sale: the oldest profession or abuse of women? Are we drawing closer? Rescuing Christ from toxic Christian culture Reflections on fundraising Through different eyes VOX: Shorts VOX: World News Your VOX: Letters Facts from Acts Family Focus

19 22 35 36 38

Confessions of a Feint Saint Web Watch Reviews Event Listing VOX: PS

Cover Image: Krista Burns (www.thecrimsonclover.net) with Martins Orobato, Rosey Regan and Nicole Pigott

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH: 04

VOX JUL - SEP 2012

IRELAND

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Tokyo

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VOX SHORTS

HIV and Healing

Christians and the medical profession need to work together to respond to rising numbers of people living with HIV in Ireland. This was the message from Richard Carson of ACET Ireland (AIDS Care Education & Training), who delivered a workshop at the Royal College of Physicians in Dublin. The workshop came in response to a recent phenomenon of HIV patients refusing to use anti-retroviral treatments because they believed God would heal their illness. While the scale of this practice in Ireland is unclear, there have been serious consequences to some patients’ health as a result. “The challenge of individuals living with HIV believing that nonadherence to medication will lead to their healing should act as a spur for

Summer Sunshine good news stories from around Ireland

church leaders, faith-based organisations, hospitals and secular NGOs to work together in developing mutual understanding and effective responses,” Richard said. Sean Mullan of Evangelical Alliance Ireland commented: “Most Evangelical and Pentecostal Christians believe in both God's power to heal and the wonderful benefits of medical science and see no conflict between the two.” While believing in God’s power to heal, the “Healing on the Streets” project in Dublin advises people to stay on their medication even after receiving prayer for healing unless a medical professional advises them to stop taking it.

Eating Disorders - Did you know?

ASYLUM SEEKERS RAISE €1000 FOR CRUMLIN CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL Fifteen people took part in a fashion show to raise funds for the cancer ward at Our Lady's Children's Hospital. The asylum seekers from Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, Cameroon and Palestine joined with others from Dublin for a stylish parade of international clothes. “We wanted to show the Irish community that asylum seekers have talents like any other people and we wanted offer something to the very ill children,” explained organiser Miriam Omoro.

« 200,000 people in Ireland are affected by eating AWARD-WINNING PILGRIM’S WALK! Described as the “Camino de Cork”, St Finbarr’s Pilgrim Walk in West Cork won an award for “Best Community Organised Event” in the National Heritage Week awards of 2011. This year’s contemplative walk, reflecting on the Gospel that St Finbarr brought to these lovely valleys, is planned for the weekend of 18 - 19 August. The walk is free of charge. Bus transfers, at a nominal charge, will do the return journey to accommodation in Drimoleague or Bantry. To book, or to find out more, contact David and Elizabeth Ross at davidross316@gmail.com or 028 31547 or check out www. westcorkwalking.com!

disorders. Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental health condition. Every year in Ireland, 80 people die as a result.

« Up to 10% of cases of anorexia are now occurring in

those aged under 10. The mortality rate associated with anorexia is 200 times higher than the suicide rate of females in the general population.

« Self-image was identified as the number one factor that ‘hurts’ the mental health of Irish teens.

« The average age for the development of an eating disorder is 15 years old but there are no dedicated treatment units for child and adolescent eating disorders in Ireland. Find out more at www.bodywhys.ie

VOX JUL - SEP 2012

Tearfund CEO moves on

VOX MAGAZINE

Tearfund Ireland is celebrating the legacy of an inspirational leader as Chief Executive Reuben Coulter steps down this summer. As Tearfund Ireland’s inaugural CEO, Reuben established a charity that is now wellpositioned for future growth. In the past year, Tearfund Ireland’s income has increased to more than €800,000 and it recently secured significant funding from Irish Aid for a threeyear church-based programme in Malawi. Under Reuben’s leadership, Tearfund Ireland has responded to major natural disasters such as the Haiti earthquake and Pakistan flooding in 2010 and more recent drought and famine in Africa. Within Ireland, Reuben has developed strong relationships with volunteers, supporters and churches. “Reuben has made a significiant contribution to the church’s mission, both globally and in Ireland,” commented VOX editor Ruth Garvey-Williams. “We’ve valued the opportunity to work alongside Reuben and we wish him all the best as he takes on new challenges! We’re also confident that the work of Tearfund will continue and thrive.” Image: Reuben Coulter sharing a joke with Joe Costello TD at a screening of "The Lady" hosted in June by Tearfund.

A lifeline for troubled marriages Many couples struggle with disillusionment, conflict or communication breakdown, especially when family or financial pressures add further strain. The Retrouvaille programme offers the hope of healing and forgiveness for couples in Ireland. The next weekend programme takes place in Dublin (October 19 - 21, 2012). For further information or an information pack please contact Anne and Tony on 01 495 35 36 or visit www.retrouvaille.ie.

The passion in real time

It began with a question many ministers ask at the start of the year: “What are we going to do this Easter?” A group of church leaders in County Monaghan questioned how their services could capture the magnitude of the events of Holy Week. Then came the idea to follow the events in “real time” beginning on Thursday night and ending on Easter Sunday. The first task was to form a chronological account combining all four Gospels and to choose suitable locations for each part of the story. A church on a hill was used for Good Friday. Another church with neighbouring rectory and hall were used for the comings and goings with Pilate, Herod and the council of Elders. Without the time to do justice to a dramatic performance, organisers focused on combining readings, hymns, video clips, prayers and times of reflection. The climax came with the dawn on Easter day when around 60 people met to greet the sun and risen Lord! “It has been hard to put the experience into words,” shared Richard Beadle. “Those who took part will always see the Passion with different eyes.” Read the full story online at www.vox.ie “Passion in real time”.

25% increase in reports of child abuse New figures released from Women’s Aid show a worrying rise in the reports of domestic abuse, with an increase of 25% in incidents directly involving children. The free helpline and support services responded to a total 13, 504 incidents of physical, emotional, sexual and financial abuse in 2011. “Domestic violence remains a serious problem in Irish society,” said Margaret Martin, Director of Women’s Aid. “We are particularly concerned about the increasing number of children being directly abused or exposed to domestic violence. Women have told us that

their children were being hit, smacked, constantly shouted at, and in some cases, sexually abused.” Several thousand children will witness their mother being abused. Ms Martin added, “It is heart-breaking to listen to women who, with their children, are living in a constant state of fear. 1 in 5 women in Ireland are affected by physical, emotional, sexual and financial abuse. The sad fact is that it can happen to any woman, in any home and at any stage in her life.” All too often, women feel alone and isolated, unaware that help is available. Despite the harrowing stories behind each of these calls, Ms Martin emphasised, “There is help available! For almost 40 years, Women’s Aid has helped countless women and children to go on to lead safe and fulfilling lives." The Women's Aid National Freephone Helpline 1800 341 900 is open from 10am - 10pm, 7 days a week.

SEVERAL THOUSAND CHILDREN WILL WITNESS THEIR MOTHER BEING ABUSED.

JUL - SEP 2012 VOX

WORLD NEWS

Image: Christian Aid

UN CRITICISES PAKISTAN’S BLASPHEMY LAW

18 MILLION FACING STARVATION IN WEST AFRICA

A long-predicted food crisis in West Africa continues to escalate despite desperate appeals from aid agencies. Millions face starvation as a cruel combination of drought, high grain prices, environmental degradation and political instability has bombarded poverty-stricken regions of Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad, Senegal, Mauritania and Gambia. Speaking with VOX magazine on his return from Burkina Faso in June, Niall O’Rourke, the Emergency Officer for Christian Aid Ireland, shared how families have been forced to eat seed grain simply to survive. And with 18 million at risk of starvation, one of the most shocking aspects of this crisis is the apparent indifference of the west. “We’ve struggled to get the message out and public awareness is relatively low,” Niall shared. “The challenge is that this is not a sudden natural disaster but a slow-onset food crisis. We’re keen to get the message out that there are huge needs.” “Christian Aid was already working in these communities on a longterm basis. A lot of our work is around building resilience to help them cope when a crisis comes. But in this instance, the scale of the crisis has overwhelmed many of the communities.” Agencies such as Christian Aid and Tearfund are providing immediate food aid through trusted local partners as well as investing for the future. Niall O’Rourke said, “A lot of families were left with all food stocks gone and all means of income exhausted. We are providing seeds and agricultural support to allow them to plant again in the hope of a harvest this year.” [Although there are no guarantees - please join in praying for rain!] "The international community has begun to respond but we urgently need to address a huge gap in funding for aid projects," Niall O’Rourke added. “We need people’s help in the short term but there is a wider issue about what we can do collectively to address the underlying fundamental roots of these problems.” To donate to Christian Aid’s West Africa Food Crisis Appeal, please visit www.christianaid.ie/westafrica, or call 01 775 8080 or 028 9064 8133 (Northern Ireland). Tearfund Ireland is also responding with food aid. Visit their appeal online www.tearfund.ie or call 01 878 3200. 8 VOX 08 VOXJUL JUL- -SEP SEP2012 2012

Pakistani judges are often pressurised to convict people accused under the blasphemy laws and lawyers are reluctant to defend these clients because of intimidation, according to Gabriela Knaul, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers. Her comments were made at the end of an 11-day visit inspecting Pakistan’s judicial system. Church in Chains has campaigned for many years on behalf of victims of the blasphemy law (including Asia Bibi, who is currently awaiting a hearing on her appeal against a death sentence). When the issue was debated in the Dáil, Joan Burton TD urged the Pakistani Government, “…to resolve Mrs Bibi's case as soon as possible and to initiate a thorough review of its blasphemy law, including the use of the death penalty...” The Church in Chains annual conference will highlight the suffering of Christians in Pakistan this autumn. Sohail Johnson from Sharing Life Ministries, Pakistan is guest speaker for the conference on Saturday 8 September in Athlone. Visit www.churchinchains.ie.

BEHIND THE FAÇADE

The Eurovision Song Contest in Azerbaijan and Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine were great spectacles this summer. But go just a little off the soccer or song contest tourist trails and you’ll see a different picture. Beyond the image the authorities want us to see lies a world of need. Here Team Hope is bringing God’s love and hope to people who have little to look forward to - like the Ukrainian village of Mayori just outside the port city of Odessa where families live in a run-down barracks without electricity or running water. Through a local partner, Team Hope is helping this community by providing food and running social and physical programmes for the children, where there is nothing else to do. Why not take a look behind the glitzy façade to glimpse the reality of daily life for people in Eastern Europe or the former Soviet Union who have nothing? For more details of how you can help, contact Team Hope on 01-294 0222 or visit www.teamhope.ie.

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Cherishing & protecting Christian education Ireland is envied around the world because of its high standard of primary education available free of charge to all citizens. As Christians, we should value the privilege of sending our children to schools under church patronage whether Catholic or Protestant. Though we may not agree with every doctrine taught in Catholic primary schools, we should recognize the positive aspects of a Catholic education for our society. Church of Ireland and Presbyterian schools do not teach the doctrines of any church but rather teach children from the Bible and have an ethos based on biblical standards. For generations, these schools have given children a Christian moral compass, introduced them to the God of the Bible and have given them the chance to accept or reject Him for themselves. There has been a lot of talk recently about the teaching of religion in Irish education. An active and vocal minority is pushing for a totally secularised model of schooling. See www.teachdontpreach.ie! While this minority claims to promote diversity, on careful reading, the contrary seems evident. Fairness dictates there should be a place for secular education

SMALL SCHOOLS UNDER THREAT

Recent budget cuts will have a huge impact, both directly and indirectly, on schools under Church of Ireland / Protestant management because such a high percentage of our schools are small rural establishments. The statistics are startling. Our National Board of Education calculates that 75% of our schools will lose a teacher as a result of Budget 2012. Dr. Ken Fennelly (Church of Ireland Education Officer) tells us that 40 schools have less than 26 pupils and 38 will become one teacher school (thus 20% will face possible closure). Before Christmas, our Board of Management took the unprecedented step of sending a circular to schools nationwide enquiring about their situation. Principals responded and most letters spoke of the fear with which their schools face the future. To quote: 10

VOX JUL - SEP 2012

in Ireland; however, we should be wary of seeing smaller church-based schools being steam-rollered into a secularised model. So-called ‘secular’ education systems operating in other countries are based on atheistic presumptions. Compartmentalising faith to one small part of the school day or even making it an optional extra is a worrying suggestion. The ethos of Christian schools goes much deeper than an RE timeslot in the day and includes virtues and standards such as respect, love, forgiveness, kindness and the valuing of all people. This is something we should both cherish and protect. So what can Christians in Ireland do? Firstly PRAY and secondly speak. Encourage teachers and all involved in the education system for the good work they are doing and all that is positive and biblical. Voice your belief that Christian ethos and teaching the Bible in RE is good for children and society. FROM A CONCERNED TEACHER IN DONEGAL (FULL NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED TO EDITOR)

“…great concern for our whole school community” “…recent budget will remove Church of Ireland schools from the map particularly in the west of Ireland” “…detrimental effect on our school” “…eleven schools in the diocese, only one is relatively safe from losing a teacher." HEATHER SMITH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, CO CORK

TIME TO TALK ABOUT SUICIDE IN IRELAND?

Well done to VOX for publishing the 'call for a Christian response to suicide' and ‘inside the suicidal mind’ (Apr-Jun 2012). The question now seems to be how to take the call for a Christian response to suicide forward in a timely fashion. We wonder whether it might be appropriate

to convene a meeting of interested parties, somewhere central in Ireland with good road/rail links (Athlone?), to conduct a consultation on a Christian response to suicide in Ireland and to consider the issues raised in further depth. We are willing to facilitate such a meeting if there is sufficient interest. In the past, we have known God to use one email to lead to a national consultation, so two articles in VOX might really be used mightily! So, if God has put the issues of suicide and self-harm (etc.) on your heart and you would be interested in taking things forward from here, please contact us via bradleys101@yahoo.co.uk and we’ll see where God wants this to go. STEVE BRADLEY, NUI GALWAY GRAEME WYLIE, HOPE TRUST

FAITH

Igniting the fire! Fanning the flame! LESSONS IN PRAYER FROM THE AFRICAN CHURCH IN IRELAND BY PASTOR DEJI COO IMAGE: KRISTA BURNS WITH MARTINS OROBATO

s Christians from other parts of the world have arrived in Ireland, they have brought with them a vibrant faith and passion for prayer. Here, Pastor Deji Coo from the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) shares this passion with VOX readers.

“Prayer is to the believer what water is to the fish.” The average African believes that life is a battle; a constant reality he is confronted with on a daily basis. He is conscious of the raging warfare all around him. At every stage of life, there is a struggle to survive spiritually, physically, relationally, financially and socially, but African Christians are also aware of the spiritual world and recognise the unseen battles.

UNDERSTANDING THE BATTLE

pastor and together the church prayed for the cycle to be broken. This man’s birthday came and went. He was the first man in many generations of his family to turn 40!

NEED-DRIVEN OR GOD-DRIVEN?

We need to look at prayer orientation. For some people, prayer is need-driven. They come to God because they need or want something and they expect God to simply give them what they want. For others, prayer is God-driven. They are passionate about prayer and they enjoy it because they want to be together with Him. They want to see change in Ireland as well as in their personal situations.

VIBRANT PRAYER AT THE HEART OF CHURCH LIFE

In the Redeemed Christian Church No one is exempt from the battles of God (RCCG) headquarters in Dublin, of life but perhaps because of their prayer is at the very heart of church life. experiences, Africans are more conscious We meet virtually every day to pray. of this. Even when an African moves Different prayer initiatives are in place to Europe, he knows that there are no interceding for the nation, the church, barriers or borders in the spiritual realm. families and individuals. Numbers vary Romans 8:35 says, “Who shall from 10 to 50 people at any of these separate us from the love of Christ? prayer meetings. Shall trouble or hardship or persecution For the African church, prayer or famine or nakedness or danger or meetings are not solemn, quiet places. sword?” You won’t be able to fall asleep! African Christians know that we The African is exuberant in the place cannot fight this battle physically. “For of prayer… it is ‘noisy’, if you understand though we live in the world, we do what I mean! When I first came to not wage war as the world does. The Europe and experienced “conversational” weapons we fight with are not the prayer (when each person prays in turn) weapons of the world. On the contrary, it was a big culture shock for me. In the they have divine power to demolish “African style” everyone joins in and strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:3 -4) contributes to the time of prayer. We are much more aware of the Of course, that does not mean we existence of the supernatural world. We all have to pray like that, but it can be encounter people involved in witchcraft easier to pray for longer when everyone is and we see the real impact of spiritual engaged and taking part. oppression as well as God’s miraculous Our times of prayer start with the power at work. word of God and we take that back to In a particular family, they recognised God. Testimonies abound from there as people share their stories about what has FOR THE AFRICAN CHURCH, PRAYER MEETINGS ARE NOT SOLEMN, God done.

QUIET PLACES. YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO FALL ASLEEP!

that after they got married, the men of the family never lived beyond the age of 40. One young man had become a Christian. When he was nearing his 40th birthday, he felt Satan was telling him, “You are the next to die,” so he rang his

One of the key areas for us is praising God for who He is and not just for His acts in our lives. I would love to encourage all of us in Ireland to keep the fire burning and to experience another Pentecost!

TOGETHER!

Apart from relationship with Jesus, we also need to be in relationship with each other. We should not close ourselves up; we should reach out to each other. As we build relationship and trust with one another, we can start to pray together, appreciating each other’s culture and background.

PRAYING FOR OUR NATION

Ireland has been instrumental in the spread of Christianity throughout the world. You would think this nation would be on fire for Jesus but unfortunately it is not so. What we have is religion, not relationship. But things are changing and getting better. God is calling us to a place of prayer. We believe the hour has come for us to stand together and pray for this nation. Especially with the recession, people have lost

WE BELIEVE THE HOUR HAS COME FOR US TO STAND TOGETHER AND PRAY FOR THIS NATION. faith in human government and they are driven to look for alternatives. If they cannot find it, depression sets in, often leading to problems like alcoholism and suicide. This is an opportunity for us to bring the message of hope. Some might feel discouraged that they are not seeing the result of their prayer. Don’t give up! God is doing amazing things. We need to keep on praying and make sure we are not too busy or too distracted! The Apostle Paul admonishes us to pray without ceasing.... knowing that we will reap if we do not faint. To show our love for Ireland, we should pray daily for this nation; our welfare is tied to this great nation (Ps 122:6).

Pastor Deji Coo is the National Administrator of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in the Republic of Ireland. He is happily married with three amazing children. JUL - SEP 2012 VOX

HOW DO YOU PRAY? WHAT YOU TOLD US ABOUT PRAYER

On May 31, VOX magazine launched a survey on Prayer Attitudes and Practices across Ireland. As the message went out through social media, by email and through partners and friends, we were overwhelmed by the response. In just two weeks, 371 people took part, representing many different churches and from a wide range of ages and backgrounds. “Thank you” to everyone who took part - for your honesty and for sharing both the positives and the negatives! First a disclaimer: VOX is a magazine not a university! Our research was not conducted scientifically - this survey was like

testing bath water with your hand rather than with a thermometer. While we’ve gained an overall sense of people’s opinions, attitudes and practices, there are wide variations as well as similarities. Here we simply share some findings and draw conclusions from what we’ve “heard”. More importantly, we share some of the moving, insightful, challenging and helpful comments you made. If you feel important insights are missing, please write to us (editor@vox.ie) or share your opinion on The Conversation (www. theconversation.ie)“VOX prayer survey” where you’ll find more detailed results.

KEY FINDINGS ABOUT PERSONAL PRAYER 60% describe prayer as relational (like talking to a friend). 67% say they prayer frequently throughout the day rather than at set times. 30% spend two or more hours in personal prayer every week (this rises to 39% of those in full-time Christian ministry). Over 49% expressed a hunger for more in their personal prayer life.

Many shared mixed feelings. There were positives:

CONTENTMENT: 19% EXCITEMENT: 19% PEACE: 26% But a large number struggle with:

GUILT: 22.5% FRUSTRATION: 19% FEEL YOU COULD DO BETTER? YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Many find prayer difficult and struggle with unfulfilled expectations or seasons of dryness. "I know the need for devotional prayer and praise but it always seems to be a struggle."

SO MANY PEOPLE STRUGGLE WITH SIMILAR FEELINGS, WE FOUND THIS COMMENT HELPFUL: "I wonder if in emphasising the need for Christians to pray, we have put our focus on the wrong place. Prayer is not an end in itself. Neither is it a requirement for Christians about which they should feel guilty and remorseful if they fail. For me, prayer is about our relationship with God. It is the consequence of knowing that God has invited us into relationship with Him and our happy desire to respond to that invitation. Like reading the scriptures, we don't pray because we have to, we pray because we can; we don't pray to earn God's favour but because we already have it; we don't pray to be accepted by God, but because we already are; we don't pray so that God will work in our world, but because He is at work."

"It's the only place I find truth and peace, but so often it gets left aside, leading me to live in lies and anxiety."

DIFFERENT STAGES OF LIFE AFFECT PEOPLE’S PRAYER LIVES (NOTE THE UNDERSTANDABLE CONTRAST):

"I always wish I would do more - it is so easy to get distracted."

"Right now, most of my time is taken up balancing additional work pressure, family and church responsibilities. I don’t really have much prayer time despite my best efforts."

"Prayer provides so much peace and the joy that comes from connection with God. It provides an almost immediate "full" sensation in my soul. Yet something within me doesn't want to do it and I'm often feeling guilty or disconnected from God."

VOX JUL - SEP 2012

"I am retired so I have more time to pray now. After my breakfast each morning, I take out my Bible and spend anything up to two hours with the Lord. I love it."

WE LOVE WHAT THESE FOLKS HAVE TO SAY! "Prayer for me is less words and more silence. It's about re-orienting my heart to become more like God's." "There are times when I resist talking to God but it always gets to a point where I give in and then wonder, "why didn't I do this earlier?" as He fills me with such peace and reassurance." "God is always there and always listening but sometimes that total availability can mean I take Him for granted. When I pray, it is like a release valve; praise brings joy and intercession brings peace." "I find that prayer is … a constant awareness of God's presence throughout the day and chatting to Him in all things, be that in work, playing football, playing guitar etc. He loves to be included in all we do!" "Prayer is so much easier when I stop trying to pray like someone else who appears more spiritual and instead allow myself to be me."

VOX MAGAZINE

KEY FINDINGS ABOUT CORPORATE PRAYER (Prayer with others in the church, hence “corporate” or “as a body”)

•• •• •• •• •• ••

The overwhelming majority considered corporate prayer as vitally important 74% or important 15%, with only 3% saying it was optional. There were wide variations in practice - a significant number admitted the importance of prayer was not reflected in real life. Over 18% do not have a church prayer meeting or only pray together if there is a specific need. Based on our findings we estimate* that in most churches only around 10% of the congregation actually attend the church prayer meeting (*this is not scientific data). However, 22% of churches have prayer meetings two or more times every week with a few reporting over 50 people attending. 31% described church prayer meetings as “vibrant” and 18% said prayer times were “not to be missed”.

One commented, “A prayerless church is a lifeless church.” However, another observed, “I get annoyed with Christians who measure people by attendance at prayer meetings.”

HOW IMPORTANT DO YOU THINK CORPORATE PRAYER IS TO THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH?

IMPORTANT VITALLY IMPORTANT

FAIRLY IMPORTANT ONLY IMPORTANT FOR SOME PEOPLE OPTIONAL

HOW MANY PEOPLE WOULD USUALLY ATTEND THE MAIN CHURCH PRAYER MEETING?

16 - 25

26 - 40

WHY DON’T PEOPLE ATTEND CHURCH PRAYER MEETINGS? The pressures of work and family commitments clearly affect attendance at prayer times. A number said they would love to go but meetings clashed with their children’s bedtimes. Others felt corporate prayer was the domain of the experts or the super spiritual. There was a marked difference between those who are in full-time Christian ministry (74% attending prayer meetings always or regularly) and those who are not (51%).

NOTE:

At VOX, we appreciate that every Christian is called to live for Jesus and that unnatural distinctions between those involved in “full-time” ministry and others are unhelpful. However, in this survey, we asked the question to explore whether those released into Christian ministry found it easier to devote time to prayer. The answer was clearly “yes”.

THE STYLE OF PRAYER MEETING DOES MATTER

"Haven't really seen it [corporate prayer] done well so not very excited about what I see in some churches but I do think it's crucial to the life and role of the church."

WE DON'T HAVE A PRAYER MEETING

6 - 15 5 OR LESS

CORPORATE PRAYER CAN SEEM EXCLUSIVE "I don’t much like long, elaborately worded prayers - prayers from a sincere heart are more appropriate no matter how simple." "It needs to be simplified down so nobody feels excluded. We pray together for strength. Many stay away because they leave prayer to the 'holy ones'. " "It requires vulnerability, honesty and the ability to bear with a huge range of personalities, styles and approaches to God." "I don’t like people showing off their prowess in prayer - it puts me off."

"Prayer is most vibrant among small groups of believers where we are all known and support each other." "We've seen some amazing answers from God. We've been so blessed and are excited each time we pray to see what God does next." "I feel Christians can limit corporate prayer. A lot of emphasis, especially in worship, is on loud, open and free. While that is good, in my opinion, there is a need for silence and even ritual."

0 -5 50+

WHO TOOK THE SURVEY? •Respondents’ ages ranged from under 18 to over 60 with an even split (approx. 33% each) between under 40s, 40 - 50s and over 50s. •While 72% (184 people) were Irish, there were also 30 British people living in Ireland and 84 other nationalities including

THERE WAS A SENSE OF LONGING SIMILAR TO THAT DISPLAYED IN ATTITUDES TO PERSONAL PRAYER: "I really feel the need of prayer for our church as we feel defeated." "Looking forward to the time the church would stand together as a body to pray when the wall of denomination will be broken!" "Would be nice to see more attend, especially the men." "I feel a bit frustrated because I believe it could be something much more powerful and passionate."

many from Nigeria, South Africa, America and Brazil. A total of 8% were from Northern Ireland. •Every county was represented with (unsurprisingly) the largest response from Dublin (27.7%). Outside of Dublin, the highest response came from Donegal with 7.6% (yeah!) - sorry Editor’s bias. JUL - SEP 2012 VOX

FAITH

ANYONE FOR ORGANIC CHURCH?

BY MARK FORSYTH

ome time ago, I picked up a book called Pagan Christianity by Frank Viola and George Barna. As I flicked through the book, I was fascinated by its thesis – as the back cover says: “Most of what present-day Christians do in church each Sunday is rooted, not in the New Testament, but in pagan culture and rituals developed long after the death of the apostles.” Although I did not agree with everything, a lot of what it said resonated with my own experience and my quest for something more relational and infused with the presence of God. Yet the book didn’t articulate an alternative model of church. My curiosity aroused, I ordered Frank Viola’s followup book: Reimagining Church and I also came across Organic Church by Neil Cole. Both authors shared similar ideas about the nature of church and how it should function. As someone who is passionate about mission and discipleship, I have been reading about various “alternative” church communities. Books like The Tangible Kingdom and Total Church are inspiring. However, I find myself drawn more and more to the idea of Organic Church and I wonder if there is anybody else out there in a similar position? Some features of organic churches are:

WHAT IT SAID RESONATED WITH MY OWN EXPERIENCE AND MY QUEST FOR SOMETHING MORE RELATIONAL AND INFUSED WITH THE PRESENCE OF GOD.

• The church is seen as a living organism rather than an organisation • Gatherings are small and normally held in a home with everyone participating • The meetings are primarily Spiritled (though with some preparation in advance) • Leadership is functional rather than appointed If you are interested in pursuing the concept of organic church, regardless of where you live, please get in touch with me at mark.forsyth@irishmethodist.org. Mark Forsyth is an ordained Methodist minister living in Dunboyne and working part-time as an actuary to support a pioneer mission in Co. Meath.

PART 3 BY WARREN NELSON

Tangible evidence illiam Fife and Son were yacht builders in Scotland in the ‘golden age’ of classic yachts – the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Recently, a descendent of the family published a history of the company, with a list of all the yachts they built for the ‘great and the good,’ including those built for Sir Thomas Lipton of grocery fame. Among the owners was a certain Scottish explorer, geologist, Arctic traveller, linguist, coin expert and Bible scholar, James Smith (1782 – 1867) from near Glasgow. He was not a theoriser, tucked away in a book-lined study, but a ‘hands on’ practical scientist. In his Fife-built yacht, he spent several seasons sailing the Mediterranean tracing Luke’s account of the voyage and shipwreck of Paul (Acts 27). With his exacting study of every aspect of coasts, wind, ship-handling and even soundings - pages and pages of nautical detail - he put it beyond all doubt that Luke was a reliable reporter of historical events. If only all Bible scholars spent such time and effort looking for real external evidence instead of regurgitating ideas they find inside their own heads or in little books. But does it matter? Is it not just of curio value for

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nerds who ‘like that sort of thing’? Yes, it does matter. Christianity calls us to life-changing decisions; it calls us to believe in an unseen God and live to a different set of values to people around us. We are entitled to expect concrete, tangible evidence and not just clever philosophical reasoning. Even Thomas, though assured by the other disciples, asked for proof (John 20:25). We are not asked to believe that the moon is made of green cheese; we are not asked to believe just because a session of worship made us ‘feel good’. We are not even asked to have faith in ‘faith’. Our faith is to be in the God who has acted in history, again and again, throughout the ages and supremely in the life of his son, Jesus Christ, who walked this earth. Fairy stories have no anchorage in time or space, but real events are stitched into the fabric of history and geography. Our adventuresome scholar, in his yacht, has traced some of those stitches for us. *James Smith’s work can be found in his book: ‘The Voyage and Shipwreck St Paul’. Available in reprint form.

FROM TOUCHING ROCK BOTTOM TO TOUCHING THE NATIONS Nick Park

"I was moved to tears, profoundly disturbed and prompted to wonder, love and praise. This book is brilliant. You will not regret reading it." Bishop Ken Clarke

Available from Scripture Union Bookshops, Amazon and direct from www.nickpark.ie

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FAITH

INVITATION TO A JOURNEY PART TWO: PRAYER BY ANA MULLAN

n the last issue, we looked at the Christian life not just as a destination but as a journey. It is a lifelong process in which we collaborate with God towards inner transformation into the likeness of Jesus. Many elements take part in a journey. In the words of Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, the follower of Jesus makes space or arranges his/her life around certain activities that enable him/her to live in the fruit of the Spirit. Prayer is one of those elements. The word prayer brings up different reactions: duty, time, frustration, community, quiet, guilt. Most would say we would like to pray PRAYER IS NOT AN EXERCISE OF DUTY more; we wish we had BUT RATHER AN EXCHANGE OF LOVE. more time. Life is like a dance. It needs rhythm to work well: a rhythm that reflects our identity as children of God. Often we talk as if we are totally helpless and have no choice but to accept the rhythm that is imposed on us. However, we do have a choice. Going to a prayer meeting is not so difficult. Being with others helps us to connect with God. But very easily that can replace or justify not making time to

pray outside those meetings. Prayer is not an exercise of duty but rather an exchange of love. It is a conversation between two people who love each other. Yet for some the thought of spending a long time in prayer seems quite hard. We imagine it is only for those who are “holier” or at a higher level in their spiritual journey. But if we understand prayer as a relationship, then, like in any other relationship, it is developed through set times and informal ones, over meals, as we do dishes, as we walk and as we mind children. Eugene Peterson says: “Not all that we do is prayer BUT all that we do CAN become prayer. So in reality we can do much more praying than we think we can.” As disciples, we need to work with our Master not only at a certain time but also in everyday life. The sink, the desk where we work or study, the bus journey, pushing the buggy, can all become “holy places,” “thin places”, where heaven and earth almost touch. They become the altar where we can bring our joys and

sorrows, gain perspective about life and enjoy His company. As we develop this type of companionship, it becomes easier to spend lengthier periods with our Father. Words might not come easily, but silence is okay too. Every good relationship enjoys silence - so don’t fear it. The words of a passage just read can become ours or written prayers can help us when we cannot find our own words. We can keep a journal and write our prayers, we can draw and use colour to express what we feel, we can type them and save them in our computers. There are no written rules. God works with our desire, understands our personalities and situations, and above all, enjoys our company. Ana, originally from Argentina, is married to Sean and has three adult children. She loves to encourage others in creative ways of praying and reading the Scriptures.

FAMILY FOCUS The couple that prays together….

For many of us, prayer is a very personal part of life. Praying together as a couple can add a richness and spiritual connection within marriage. Sometimes we find it hard to make time just to chat, let alone pray together. But if we make prayer a priority in our marriage, it can make a world of difference. It helps resolve family and relationship issues, it brings peace and encouragement and brings couples closer together. Katie from Dublin told us this story: “Ron and I both believed prayer was important but we had separate prayer lives. A friend introduced us to ‘When 2 Pray’. At first it was a bit nerve-wracking praying out loud with each other. We quickly got used to it and I found it so encouraging to hear Ron thank God for our marriage. It was also really helpful if we disagreed about something. It wasn’t a magic spell that made it all go away but it did help when we asked God together to give us wisdom and grace.” If you would like to improve your prayer life as a couple and don’t know where to start, try this five-day guide. The aim is to try to pray together for a few minutes five times during the week. If you’re going to give it a try, do let us know how you get on! You can find more information about ‘When 2 Pray’ on our website www.family.ie or go to the When2Pray website www.when2pray.net. 18

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DAY ONE… First things first This is an opportunity to reaffirm our trust in God that He will bring us through and provide for our every need. A time too for checking where our priorities lie. First things first! DAY TWO … Loving you, just the way you are! Success in marriage depends on growing mutual understanding, trust and love. Even if differences that were once endearing become irritating. DAY THREE … Forgiveness – without limits? 70 x 7 comes to 490! That many instances of forgiveness could be used up quite quickly! Let’s take this opportunity to forgive and express it in prayer. DAY FOUR … Romance Quite often for a wife, intimacy means emotional connection. For many men, it means physical connection. Praying together encourages communication and shows appreciation and desire without embarrassment. DAY FIVE … Keep on trusting Sometimes a storm in our lives knocks away our perspective. Jesus wants us to defeat fear with faith. What storm are you encountering? Where is your trust based?

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LIFE

Our

special children BY RUTH GARVEY-WILLIAMS

IMAGINE YOUR CHILDREN WERE FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY AND SPOKE A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE.

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AUTISM:

Always Unique Totally Interesting Sometimes Mysterious

VOX MAGAZINE

comes from my relationship with the Lord Jesus. I am able to fulfill what I am meant to be and recognise that there is no plan B. My joy is in the simplicity of bonding with my children and wife.

WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE?

fter a day’s work, I never know what to expect when I enter through my front door. Lately, my young son greets me with a smiley, “Stop”. This greeting has two meanings to me. 1. Stop and give me your attention, Dad, and 2. Tom is beating me to the word he hears most from my mouth, “Stop Tom” and he’s gett’n in a quick, “You Stop”. He’s a bright little guy. Nigel Stephens and his amazing wife are parents to two special children. Carla, aged 13, and Tom, aged 9, both have autism. Nigel took time out to share his experiences with VOX editor Ruth Garvey-Williams.

AUTISM CONJURES IMAGES FROM FILMS LIKE RAINMAN AND MERCURY RISING. BUT WHAT EXACTLY IS AUTISM?

Autism is a disorder of the mind. It can affect all or some of the basic things we need for daily life like the movement and control of our bodies, communication, the ease with which we relate to somebody or how we decide whether we can trust someone. Although you can train your brain to a certain extent, autism is a permanent brain disorder. People with autism lack the ability for imagination and to process information in the same way we do each day. For example, there is no point in asking Carla or Tom what they would like to eat. You need to give them specific options. Autism affects people’s ability to build relationships. Carla and Tom will give eye contact but it is normally when you ask for it. Autistic kids like to know what is going to happen. They don’t take surprises too well or sudden changes like sneezing or loud-toned voices. The biggest areas of challenge with my kids are with speech and language - their ability to communicate and to retain words. It is not a lack of intelligence. Someone once said, “Imagine your children were from another country and spoke a different language.” Would they immediately understand everything that you were saying? With autistic children you are not speaking in a way that they can understand. You need to teach them what words mean. Find out more at www.autismireland.ie.

HOW DOES ALL THIS RELATE TO DAILY LIFE? WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR YOU AND YOUR WIFE?

I have to watch how I word my requests. On one occasion I said to Carla, “Could you get a spoon?” She opened the draw and said, “Spoons”. In other words,“Which one?” I know what I wanted her to get and most children would know which spoon they would need to use. For her, I was asking for a spoon

I did go through a period about but there were many spoons and she did two years ago when I really wrestled not know which spoon I wanted. with the fact that I cannot know The experts told us our boy wouldn’t the future. In some respects it is be able to experience affection or desire frightening, in others it’s a lesson to be affection. But we have changed that with content. Tom. He is the most lovable, huggable Parents with regular children young man. The bond between us is just the best. It’s one of wrestling matches and like to hear their children’s dreams, about what they want to do and a lot of rough and tumble. This did not become. With Carla and Tom, you just happen. We’ve spent years breaking have to settle for getting to grips the cliché that autistic children don’t like with the basics of understanding to be touched. In my family we like to be jolly and silly, and so we like to laugh as much WE’VE SPENT YEARS BREAKING THE CLICHÉ THAT as possible. Following that through to my AUTISTIC CHILDREN DON’T LIKE TO BE TOUCHED. circumstances at home, I sometimes wake up my children with silly songs. And I regularly get a little life, eating properly, sleeping bit of a smile. For me it is a diffuser; a properly, comprehension and simple coping mechanism. development. At the close of each day, I try to have We have to live one day at a time. some interaction with Carla. We have We celebrate the little things. When a giggle as she plays with her Nintendo Tom eats with a spoon, when they say DS plus a song or two. Occasionally she something or respond to something says, “Tickle me”. That may be just her we say - for us this is monumental. feet, under her arms or the inside of her hands.

HOW DO YOU STAY SO POSITIVE?

I do not really know the answer. I cannot always be strong but Psalm 68 v. 9 speaks to me. “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Saviour, who daily bears our burdens”. That has certainly stuck in my mind. God is there to bear our burdens every day. He says, “I will never leave you." I cannot afford to bring my bad workdays home, so I need that! I do not hold it against God for allowing my life to be the way it is, even though a lot of times I wish it was much easier. I don’t ask, “Why me?” Sometimes I say, “Why not me?” Everybody around me has got it difficult in different ways. On the other hand, I do see prayers answered (not all of them) and things happening. I keep my life busy so I do not get downtime to be miserable. I need to keep my focus on being a dad and husband. There is always so much to be done. In some ways, I feel my positivity

HOW CAN CHURCHES HELP FAMILIES CARING FOR SPECIAL CHILDREN?

Church is a tough one. Carla and Tom cannot cope with all the noisy people in church. I say to some people, “If you do not see me on Sunday, pray for me because there is probably a very good reason why I cannot be there (family duties). If you are going to lecture me about regular church attendance, then forget it! My priority has to be supporting my wife and my children. (Mission starts in the home.)” It doesn’t help when people try to give advice or to tell you how you should respond. Start by asking, “May I ask you a few questions?” because some find it hard to give answers. What the family needs most is non-judgemental support, regular prayer and understanding (even if you can’t ever fully understand). Watch how you speak and learn to listen and be sensitive! JUL - SEP 2012 VOX

CONFESSIONS OF A FEINT SAINT

FAITH

# justasking ! By Annmarie Miles

’ve tried them all over the years. PRAYER: Positive Reassuring Action Yielding Eternal Results ACTS: Adoration Confession Thanks Supplication PRAY: Praise Repent Ask Yield And my own contribution… WAFFLING: Wandering Aimlessly Feeling Foolish Like I’m Nagging God I’ve bought lots of books on prayer. I’ve even read some of them! Yet contentment in my prayer life eludes me. It always seems like everyone else in the world prays more and better than I do. Like me, I’m sure you have a list of unanswered prayers; some, as the song goes, that you thank God for. When God said “no” to our prayers for children, I was grateful that it was a clear and quick answer. My consolation was that uncertainty would have been worse. When I’m not sure what to ask or how to pray, I’m always grateful for the Lord’s Prayer. It addresses our connection to God and to each other. It deals with provision, forgiveness and pretty much any predicament can be applied to it. And there’s one verse in there that always stops me in my gallop - ‘Your will be done’. The sovereign will of God can, at times, be a tough pill to swallow. Never more so for me than when I hold a newborn baby. It has taken a few years to get to the stage of accepting the Lord’s perfect will for my life. I don’t like it; I wouldn’t have chosen it, but then, God did mention that His ways are different to ours. This subject of prayer is a profound one and needs to be dealt with in a serious manner. But I wouldn’t want you to think that I’ve gone all serious! So, in case you’re worried that God and I don’t have any fun when we chat, let me share my favourite prayer memory. Before I was married I regularly prayed, “Lord, please send me a husband. I‘d like one who loves you and loves music. Oh, and if he was rich, that would be great too.” I went on to marry a Godfollowing piano player called Rich. And the moral of that story? It turns out that 1. God really does have a sense of humour 2. You can never be TOO specific!

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Illustration: Andrew Garvey-Williams

Waffle, waffle

Annmarie Miles comes from Tallaght in Dublin and is married to Richard, from Wales. She works for Focus on the Family and loves to cook, sing, read, talk and eat! Follow Annmarie’s blog at www.auntyamo.wordpress.com.

n the heart of Rathmines, the parish church of Holy Trinity discovered a new birth on Easter Day 2011. Building on the foundations of the past, Church of Ireland vicar Rob Jones is leading a dedicated team to establish a new faith community that seeks to embrace and rediscover some central values of community, fellowship and partnership. VOX magazine turns the spotlight on one of Ireland’s newest “old” churches. “I was brought up Church of Ireland but my father had a strong Roman Catholic influence and my mother was Methodist, so I had an awareness of both Catholic and Protestant,” Rob Jones explained. “We ended up in an Anglo-Catholic church, which I loved, but like many kids, I drifted away after confirmation and lost touch. Then in 1999, my mother developed aggressive cancer. She died in November that same year. She had an amazing faith. During those last few months, she shared her faith in a very open way. From then on, I went on a journey back into faith and ended up looking at ordination.” When Rob was ordained, he shared with his Bishop his desire to start something new that was still rooted in the Church of Ireland context. Within a few years, he was commissioned to establish a new congregation in the parish of Rathmines with Harold’s Cross. In November 2010, a small group of leaders began by spending six months praying together. Once a launch group of 35 people was established, the new church community was started in April last year. “We meet in a traditional building complete with the stained-glass windows but what we do is mainly contemporary. We value liturgy and tradition but also explore other ways of expressing worship and faith,” Rob said.

CHURCH AT THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY

Holy Trinity has a strong focus on being an integral part of the local community and caring for those most at risk. When the church gave mother’s day gifts to women at the local Women’s Refuge, the manager

VOX MAGAZINE

CH UR CH SP OT LI GH T:

RAISING UP THE AGE-OLD FOUNDATIONS IN RATHMINES wrote back, “I am sure that you are aware that all Bringing together leaders from the “I hope what we have done can families arrive here at the Refuge with no personal media, education, politics, arts and be reproduced and contextualised. belongings except the clothes that they are standing entertainment, business, the social sector What we have done could be very in. Without the help and generosity of people like you, and the church, the conference was a rare different to other areas but we hope the families’ stay in this Refuge would be quite a bleak chance to explore creative possibilities other Irish churches can learn from experience.” for developing and improving the local our experience." “We really try to value and understand what God community together. Find out more at www.htrinity.ie. is already doing in the city. God is at work and we are simply joining in the renewal of all things,” Rob said. “We have invited people in who are not Christians to come and speak in our church - to WE REALLY TRY TO VALUE AND UNDERSTAND WHAT GOD IS ALREADY DOING IN THE CITY. help us understand their issues and perspectives. “The great thing of being a parish is that you don’t face much suspicion, as there is a trusted history going back over 170 years. People understand who you are and what you stand for. Building relationships with other churches is important to us. This is not about compromising what we believe but about reaching out in love.” In the space of one year, the church has grown to over 100 people. While the emphasis is not on numbers, there is a sense of excitement and expectation.

DYNAMIC INTERACTION

Organising and hosting the Rubicon conference (www.wearerubicon.com) in Rathmines was a key achievement for 2011 and Rob hopes it can be repeated in October this year. Rubicon was a gathering of church and cultural leaders in an attempt to learn from one another and share new ideas for shaping the future. JUL - SEP 2012 VOX

REALITY

A PINCH OF SALT FAITH AND FOSTERING IN IRELAND BY KEN BAKER

t any one time, there are over 6,000 children in care in the Republic of Ireland, and 90% of these are in foster care. Ken Baker takes a look at the challenges and opportunities this presents to the Christian community…

My wife was brought up in care and had a real heart to help young people who are often marginalised or traumatised by their experiences, as she was. We considered fostering as an outworking of the impact of the Gospel in our lives. But these days, the question itself leads into a minefield of other questions… We read of Christian foster agencies being shut down. We read of Christians disallowed from fostering because they refused to promote homosexuality. We read of experienced foster carers being struck off the register when Muslims in their care converted to Christianity.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO BE TOO CHRISTIAN TO FOSTER?

So is our faith a help or a hindrance? Will we have to compromise our integrity as we seek to serve the Lord Jesus and the requirements of local authorities? Is it possible to balance faith and fostering? When we started thinking about fostering, we Googled various agencies, looked through the literature and then attended an introductory evening. Talking it all through with our young children was a big deal and we took plenty of time over that. We talked with existing foster carers and with our church leaders and then, with bated breath, we made an application. Eventually, we were invited to attend a training and assessment course and to undergo a series of home visits by a social worker who wanted to know everything! Years later, I attended these initial home visits as an experienced foster carer. It’s interesting to notice the things that set alarm bells ringing. I remember seeing one couple who hung up tea bags to dry with 24

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little pegs on a line over their sink; another couple received us in matching Elvis outfits; one couple forgot we were coming completely; one couple lived in a house so supernaturally spartan and polished (somewhere between a museum and a fridge) that you feared for any youngster tiptoeing in squeaky shoes through the sepulchral silence. “We love children,” they said. Okay, but how do you feel about broken porcelain? None of these things are wrong, necessarily, just a little odd, and you wonder if they point to a bigger, and scarier, eccentricity. The children’s safety must come first. And of course, in our culture, if your visitors saw a dozen framed Bible texts on the wall, they might fear a similar eccentricity. It’s reasonable, after all, to want to weed out unsuitable candidates. So is it possible to be too Christian to foster? Well, too religious perhaps! To sharpen the question of eligibility, there are further questions for a potential Christian foster carer: What are your motives for wishing to foster (is it a need in you or compassion for them)? What

possible areas of conflict might there be with your faith? What will you do if one of your young people comes home pregnant? Or, another says he/she is gay? Will their church attendance be enforced? How many meetings do you attend each week (how much time do you really have available for these vulnerable young people)? What sort of church do you attend? Will you pray for them? If so, how? All this will be looked at alongside discipline (smacking is not allowed). Tolerance, tact and understanding of other cultures and beliefs will be tested. We once had an adolescent placed with us because her family claimed the ghost who lived with them was going through a bad patch. Most candidates will find the whole process challenging and intrusive whatever their background. Sometimes the questioning and training can seem negative and even silly! Fortunately, it can be fun, too, and a bit of an eye-opener. It is also an opportunity for learning, personal growth and development and a time to make new friendships. You may be viewed with mistrust because of your Christian lifestyle. Your "rights" (or even the sense of what is "normal") can feel undermined or undervalued. The home appraisal can be disconcerting and long-winded. You might conclude, “It's a wonder you have any foster carers if the recruitment process is this hard!”

VOX MAGAZINE

But the truth is: If the church in this How were they to assess the country really took this on, we could difference? Only through sharing with wipe out the shortage of foster carers. If us over time. Some were devout, praying it means that sometimes, as Christians, in the bedroom thrice daily, which really we may find ourselves with bigger challenged the more laid-back approach hurdles to cross, does that really matter? of our own teenagers. It may be hard but that does not mean it Many of our foster is impossible. children would have We are called to be salt and light. “become Perhaps we Christians have been guilty of Christians” if I’d trying to spoon-feed the salt and shining have asked them. the light full beam into people's eyes and But I never did. the reactions we experience are selfIn fact, I actively inflicted! dissuaded my church from doing so. Just Here’s an example of how a pinch love them and do the best you can for of salt works: Recently, at a case them and commit them in your prayers conference, a foster child was angry to God. with her social worker and demanded The small print in most fostering retribution. The carer asked the young agencies acknowledges the importance person if she forgave her boyfriend when of spirituality and this has brought he did something about more wrong. She respect for assented. The personal carer then asked, IF THE CHURCH IN THIS COUNTRY REALLY TOOK beliefs, “Well, can't you whether the THIS ON WE COULD WIPE OUT THE SHORTAGE OF child's or forgive your social worker the carer's. FOSTER CARERS. too?” “I guess It is now so,” the young expected woman replied. that carers After the meeting, there was a queue will try to care for the spiritual and moral of professionals wanting to speak to the well-being of children as well as their carer about this “new” method called physical and emotional development. “forgiveness”! Of course, this can mean different This is life at the edge. The apostle things to different people: One James puts it this way, “Real religion, the participant at the end of a recent kind that passes muster before God the preparing-to-foster course said, “I think Father is this: Reach out to the homeless there needs to be a spiritual element in and the loveless in their plight, and guard the placement of children.” against corruption from the godless “What do you have in mind?” the world. Faith and works, works and faith social workers cried enthusiastically. fit together like hand in glove.” (The “I think that we should check all the Message) children's star signs before placing them As Christian carers, we cannot into their foster homes!” she replied. divorce our faith from our fostering I guess we could take a lead from the and the fruit inevitably has a Christian apostle Paul speaking in Athens. He trod flavour. Ultimately, it’s just like carefully, showing respect and exercising everything else about you. Christianity wisdom. We must acknowledge that isn’t a set of propositions you adhere to; there are a lot of good people who may it’s a lifestyle of grace. When you see it not share our faith in Christ but they that way, everything becomes possible. care about their community and they We have had many Muslim foster care about the children who need to be children and our own children’s fostered. They are doing a good job in a perspective has been broadened and difficult arena. challenged as a result. Some - from If you have a heart for this, then Kosovo - had actually fled persecution by all means e-mail and we’ll take the from “Christian” Serbs and came with conversation further*. For me, this is a high degree of suspicion and fear to a Christianity at the coalface, changing “Christian” family. lives and offering love.

FOSTERING IN IRELAND

Fostering is coordinated by the HSE and through a number of private foster care agencies. The Irish Foster Care Association is the ideal first port of call for information about fostering, (visit www.ifca.ie or call 01 459 9474) and links to both the HSE and private foster care agencies. The IFCA also provides training and support for foster carers. Diarmuid Kearney, IFCA Head of Service, told VOX there is always a need for new foster carers in Ireland, especially in the Dublin area. Although the process of becoming a foster carer can be long and challenging, he explained that this is vital in order to protect vulnerable children and young people. “I have met the most fantastic people involved in fostering,” Mr Kearney said. “They are 'big' people who open their hearts and their homes to children. They do it simply because they care.”

Ken and Val Baker have four of their own children and have fostered about thirty others over many years: some stayed the weekend, others for a few years. They specialised in emergency care and gave temporary refuge to asylum seekers and to a series of special needs children. *Emails to editor@vox.ie will be forwarded to Ken. JUL - SEP 2012 VOX

REALITY

SEX FOR SALE THE OLDEST PROFESSION OR THE ABUSE OF WOMEN? BY EBENEZER SEGATU

According to Malarek, some men try to gain power and control over women by paying money for sexual exploitation.

UNDERSTANDING THE CONSEQUENCES

Norma Hotaling, the founder of SAGE (Standing Against Global Exploitation) and the “Johns’ School,” believes men involved in the sex trade don’t consider the consequences of their Reports by the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit actions. (AHTU) and NGOs like Ruhama indicate the global Malarek heralds Norma’s work multibillion sex industry is thriving in Ireland despite with the San Francisco First Offender the present economic crisis. Prostitute Programme. Norma was an Last year, Minister for Justice Alan Shatter ex-prostitute who was trafficked as a child announced that the Irish government is considering and spent 21 years selling her body on legislation to criminalise the purchase of sex in the streets of San Francisco. Ireland. The aim was to curb prostitution and Since 1996, Norma has educated trafficking for sexual exploitation. more than 5,800 men who were caught Following a heated soliciting debate in the Dáil, the sex. A study Ministry of Justice conducted in has launched a public indicates FOR THE MAJORITY, PROSTITUTION ISN’T A 2000 consultation process. This that the arrest PROFESSION, IT’S A PRISON SENTENCE. has raised opposition from rates dropped groups that argue that such a by half since law would not be a solution. the programme Diane Kelly, communication started. Norma and liaison officer at Immigration Council of Ireland, died of cancer in 2008, but others who says, “The sex industry has already spread to every stand against the exploitation of women corner of the country, posing the danger of becoming have adopted her idea of a Johns’ School. accepted in people’s minds as a normal feature of Malarek recounts stories of children everyday life, that it is an inevitable evil or the ‘oldest as young as three who are robbed of profession’ in the book.” their innocence. The heroic efforts of the Would a new law help to rectify such deep-rooted International Justice Mission is described misconception and stop human trafficking? as the A-Team for Jesus that kicks down doors and rescues children forced into THE ROLE OF DEMAND sex. In a single raid in March 2003, they Award-winning Canadian journalist Victor rescued 37 girls starting from age 5 in one Malarek examines demand in the global sex industry brothel in Svay Pak, Cambodia. in his book, The Johns: Sex for Sale and the Men Who Buy it. DEBUNKING THE MYTH OF THE “HAPPY Malarek believes men who buy sex are the HOOKER” driving force behind the thriving industry and the Opposing the notion advocated by reason why hundreds of thousands of women and so-called sex-workers’ organisations girls are trafficked into sexual slavery every year. His that prostitution should be considered investigation provides horrific stories of exploitation, a career choice, Malarek points out, cruelty, venality and the degradation of humanity. “For the majority, prostitution isn’t Men who buy sex often want to avoid a profession; it’s a prison sentence. commitment or real relationship. Married or single, Their lives aren’t fairy tales; they are these men depend on cash to get what they want in nightmares.” the way they want it. Some justify their actions by He debunks the happy face of describing the women as service providers. prostitution captured in movies like 26

VOX JUL - SEP 2012

‘Pretty Woman’ and uncovers the sad reality that most women don’t choose prostitution but are forced into it. Malarek concludes that legalising prostitution does not bring dignity to women. Malarek’s comments mirror a recent campaign launched by Dublinbased charity Ruhama. 'Women sell sex because they have to, not because they want to' is the message on the stark poster. Sarah Benson, CEO of Ruhama said: “This poster contradicts the glamorous veneer and images used to advertise and normalise prostitution. When you peel back the layers, it is no more than the transaction of money to access another person’s body for sex. Who the person in prostitution really is becomes irrelevant in this interaction. The buyer’s desires are prioritised.” Groups such as Ruhama and Tirzah are lobbying for Ireland to adopt a similar system to Sweden, in which the “buyers” are prosecuted. Since the introduction of the Sex Purchase Law in 1999, the number of men in Sweden who buy sex has dropped dramatically and so has the recruitment of women and girls for prostitution. Ebenezer Segatu, from Ethiopia, is married to Edwina and works for Grosvenor Road Baptist Church as an international student worker. Tell us what you think! Will criminalising the purchase of sex make things better or worse for prostitutes? How should Christians in Ireland respond to this issue? Join The Conversation (visit www.theconversation.ie) and share your views.

Image: Tommy Marrett

aunched in September 2010, Tirzah seeks to prepare the Church and society to act to bring an end to human trafficking in Ireland and to restore the lives of the victims. It is an initiative of the Evangelical Alliance of Ireland. Here, Tirzah volunteer Ebenezer Segatu explores the issues surrounding moves to criminalise the purchase of sex in Ireland and reviews a book by Victor Malarek exploring the role of “demand” in the sex industry.

LIFE

ARE WE DRAWING CLOSER? RESCUING CHRIST FROM TOXIC CHRISTIAN CULTURE BY SCOTT EVANS

o our formulas for Christian living protect us from God rather than help us encounter God? Are we analysing God’s words at the expense of listening to His voice? In a Christian culture that is obsessed with what we don’t do, how can we tune in to Jesus’ heartbeat and understand holiness as drawing ever closer to Him? Scott Evans’ new book Closer Still takes a look at the journey of faith. Scott shares this “taste” exclusively for the readers of VOX magazine.

Closer Still is the idea of moving beyond right and wrong. Of course, there is right and wrong but that is not the question we need to ask. For any lifestyle choice or attitude, we need to consider, “Does this bring me closer or further away from the person God has called me to be?” Take the commandment, “You shall not steal." To steal is wrong. Not to steal is right. But when we ask, “Why does God make this commandment?” it offers us insight into who God is, His heart and who we are called to be. Stealing is when I put my own consumption above my relationships with others. When I choose to have things I don’t need while others are in want, am I doing the same thing? Can I look them in the eye when I buy a new car even though they cannot repair theirs? At what point do I need to draw a line and make a change? Rather than asking what shouldn’t I do, what can I do here? Yes, to steal is to move further from the person God has called me to be.

Choosing not to steal moves me closer. thinking of ourselves in the light But if I want to go closer still, I need to of our meaningless successes or understand what this commandment paralysing failures. Instead, we find tells me: about God, about relationships healing as we start to see ourselves as and about where life is found. God sees us - made in the image of In Ireland, the idea of holiness has God and worth dying for! been portrayed as a life of repression and This presents us with a dilemma, self-denial. But what if holiness is actually however, because if I’m worth this about wholeness? About what it really much in the eyes of God, then so are means to be human; the people God you. God’s call on my life is to imitate created us to be? It starts by being at home in God’s presence. Jesus told WHAT IF HOLINESS IS ACTUALLY ABOUT WHOLENESS? the parable of two lost sons. One was lost in a foreign land but God’s heroic nature. It also changes recognised his need the way I see you. My words and and came home. my actions must communicate to The second was everybody else that they are created in lost in the field, the image of God. trying to earn As Christians, we have gone what he already beyond communicating that there are had. Both needed right and wrong actions. People have to find their home begun to hear that there are right and with the Father. wrong people. Once we For the most part, we don’t live a come home, to life that people want to emulate. Our start understanding culture’s response has been, “I don’t the character of God, want your life, so I’m not interested we stop in your beliefs.” Right belief is meaningless if it leads to wrong living. As John Ortberg says, “Don’t tell me what you believe. Show me how you live and I’ll tell you what you believe.” The time has come to rescue Christ from toxic Christian culture - driven by love of self, promises of abundance and safety, and excuses to judge others and find them wanting. It is time to stop asking ‘What am I not to do?’ and start asking “Who am I called to be?’ To order your copy of Closer Still, visit www.closerstill.ie or www. hopefullyclothing.com. Scott Evans studied at the Irish Bible Institute and has been a full-time youth worker in Ireland for the last eight years. Following the release of Closer Still he'll be unemployed. Will speak for food. JUL - SEP 2012 VOX

REALITY

t the Irish Bible Institute, we encourage students to do critical self-reflection as part of their studies. Questions such as, “What have I learnt about God and myself?” “Why did I think, act and feel that way?” “How will I act differently in the future?” It is only right, then, that I do my own critical self-reflection about IBI’s major fundraising appeal. This year, we launched our campaign to raise €1million. We hope it will have the wonderful result of dealing with current loans and future costs (totaling almost €4 million) at a 75% ‘discount’. Being debt free will be crucial for ongoing ministry and future development. There is a long way to go but to date we’ve received over €430,000, the vast majority from within Ireland. Throughout the process, a number of issues and questions about fundraising have been swirling around in my mind.

money. There can be a tension between projecting a ‘positive message’ (communicating vision) and ‘spin’ (when facts are glossed over or emotions are manipulated). For example, we’ve emphasised the appeal as a unique opportunity [which it is]. But it is also an unplanned response to events beyond our control needing an urgent solution.

4. HUMILITY

Pastors and Christian organisations talk a lot about giving generously but less about the whether a radically new, lower-cost, spiritual implications of receiving approach is needed. This is one of the money. Receiving from others is an big criticisms of established, inflexible echo of God’s grace. Such grace, Christendom church structures that if understood, leads believers to focused on real estate. It can also apply thanksgiving and a life of worship. to modern churches. One mega-church It has been deeply humbling to pastor remarked recently that it took $1 receive gifts, large and small. At times, million to run his local church each week. 1. THERE IS NO SACRED / SECULAR DIVIDE such sacrificial generosity has reduced When does such vast expense become All churches, charities and missions need money me to tears. It is an act of incredible unconscionable and unsustainable? to keep running. Jesus repeatedly reminds us that trust. You can’t ‘pay back’ grace. The money, and what we do with it, is only response is to give thanks to an integral part of life within the God for the encouragement of kingdom of God. Fundraising, His people and to use graciously business and budgets are all ‘spiritual’ A FUNDRAISING CRISIS IS THE RIGHT TIME TO ASK WHETHER given gifts for His glory. activities. For the latest news on the IBI A RADICALLY NEW, LOWER-COST, APPROACH IS NEEDED. fundraising project, visit www. 2. FUNDRAISING ETHICS ibi.ie. Many individuals are struggling to keep their heads above water right now and local churches are challenged with falling 3. ASKING HARD QUESTIONS giving. In addition, a primary calling of the Church Asking for money must go alongside in the west must be to think globally, to help the poor Patrick Mitchel is transparency, accountability and a and not just focus on its own needs. husband to Ines, willingness to be cross-examined by In such a context, an Irish Christian organisation father of two teenage potential donors. We met a Christian should have clear and compelling reasons to ask daughters, lectures in trust that did a marvelous job of asking people for money. Resources are finite. It is not good theology at Irish Bible well-prepared and searching questions. enough to appeal for money just to maintain the status They have a God-given responsibility to Institute and is on the quo. We must be sure an appeal is the right thing to leadership team of use their resources wisely. And recipients do. We need to ask, "how did we get here? What have Maynooth Community have a God-given responsibility to we learnt?" Church. manage God’s money well. A fundraising crisis is the right time to ask Another aspect is how to ask for 28

VOX JUL - SEP 2012

our stuDents woulD like to talk to you...

“My time at IBI has instilled in me a hunger for more knowledge. There is nothing to be scared of, no matter where you have come from or where you are in your walk with the Lord. The time you spend with IBI will be an absolute asset.” June O’Neill, Open Arms, Newbridge

woulD you like to talk to us? l persona y m d e chang to “IBI has proach p a y m ot life and e was n s r u o c . The but ministry cademia a n o d use e just foc What w l. a c ti c y pra our also ver ented in m le p im .” learn is ministry d n a s e daily liv

Simon Kilpatric k, Urban Junction , Dublin

“Perhaps the greatest lesson I have learned is about me. Personal challenges come in abundance in IBI - changing the heart, your thinking and your opinion of views which are different to yours.” Paddy Grant, Carlow Bible Church

Our passion is for learning that engages and transforms ‘head, heart and hands’. Offering validated BA and MA programmes in Applied Theology, we want students to be motivated by love, informed by God’s Word and committed to serving Christ in their churches and communities.

Phone Deborah 01-8069060 or email Deborah@ibi.ie or visit www.ibi.ie

LIFE

[ WEBWATCH ]

THROUGH DIFFERENT EYES BY ERICA DE MONACO LOWRY

got a fright one day when I was on the bus home. I started to read a book as soon as I sat down. It is my habit to carry a book or newspaper with me, just in case. As I read, I glanced through the window now and then to give my eyes a quick rest. All of a sudden, the bus was passing by a street that I did not recognise. Then a guy I had seen before on the bus got off at a completely different stop to his usual one. “Oh no,” I thought, “Where am I?” I despaired, thinking I had got on the wrong bus. My heart skipped a beat. I felt stupid for a few

My top five... Web highlights from VOX readers www.lightlive.org Scripture Union generously offers all its youth and children’s curriculums online for free. You can plan lessons, arrange your volunteer schedule and choose your activity options all from within your browser before printing the lessons in easy-to-read notes. www.adverts.ie The sister site to the popular message-board site, www. boards.ie, this is a mixture between a second-hand auction and a message board. It enables buyers and sellers to connect before agreeing on a sale, and even better: you can haggle! www.thejournal.ie An internet-only Irish news site, The Journal is all about interaction. Readers can submit stories, directly contact journalists and comment on stories. It has a great mix of serious news along with a good dose of lighter fare. www.foursquare.com This is one for smartphone users. Foursquare is paired up with a mobile app that turns going out and discovering places into a game, enabling users to earn badges for visiting different places or become the ‘mayor’ of popular spots. The real value, however, is the ability to see other users’ tips and recommendations. www.entertainment.ie If you’re looking for an alternative to TV or the cinema, Entertainment.ie is great for finding live music, comedy or theatre. It also has full TV and cinema schedules, offering plenty of choice. Mobile users in Dublin should also check out http://m.dublineventguide.com to find great free events.

Stephen McConnell (or Stan) is a youth worker from North Dublin. He’s currently studying in the Irish Bible Institute and helping to run a collective arts space, Exchange Dublin, in Dublin’s Temple Bar. www.exchangedublin.ie

VOX JUL - SEP 2012

seconds. Not a minute had passed when I realised that it was the same route. The guy had just decided to get off at a different stop. Relief! I laughed at myself. The day was so bright that the colours around made everything look different. Actually, it made everything more noticeable. The streets were the same, but the sunlight made it all so clear that, for a moment, I thought I was lost. I was so used to the cloudy skies and rainy days. It became the norm to ignore what was happening outside. I had been missing those beautiful days, those beautiful landscapes. When I got off the bus, I realised that it was summer - a new I HAD BEEN MISSING THOSE BEAUTIFUL season, a time to focus DAYS, THOSE BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES. on different things and to enjoy the surroundings. We can get used to doing things and then, suddenly, we do not even know the reason why we are doing this or that. We get used to a routine, to habits passed down to us by our parents, to performing actions or simply following traditions. We can get used to asking God for things, to accepting some things; to just getting by; to not listening to His heart. We can get used to conforming and missing His gifts, which are all around. God’s light exposes everything and draws our attention. What was dark or cloudy becomes close and clear. I need Him to guard my heart against indifference and insensitivity. I do not want to just get used to doing things without reflecting. Erica De Monaco Lowry is a Brazilian who has been living in Ireland for four years. She attends St. Mark's Church in Dublin and loves writing about her faith.

VOX SPORTS

SHOOTING HIGHER BY RUTH GARVEY-WILLIAMS

rince is from a neighbouring village. It takes him over an hour to walk to Gulati for our basketball practice but he is always one of the first there. He never saw himself as a leader or a role model. But now he feels a new sense of responsibility. It excites him to know he will be leading and coaching children in his village.” When Leah Westbrooks from Dublin won the Shooting Touch Sabbatical Programme* it offered her the chance to make an impact on the lives of young people in Africa using her basketball skills. Her journey began in South Africa. “For two months, I partnered with Hoops 4 Hope* using basketball as a tool to teach life skills and AIDS prevention in the townships,” Leah shared. “The first weeks were quite tough. Working in the townships there was extreme poverty but in the evening I was going home to a nice house in the suburbs.” From there she travelled to Gulati, a small village “in the middle of nowhere” in the Matopos region of western Zimbabwe. For the next seven months, Leah worked alongside the Matilda Project*, an Irish charity responding to the HIV and AIDS crisis. Leah lived with a local family with no running water and a temperamental electricity supply. “There were days when I said, ‘What am I doing here?’ The hardest thing was the language barrier and being so out of my comfort zone but that was also the greatest thing for me. I think that is where we learn the most. It forces you to rely on God. “I ran a basketball programme with young people and school leavers. Many of my crew should be in school but they cannot afford school fees, uniforms and all the other school expenses, or they just failed and were kicked out. There is a real problem with underage drinking and teen pregnancy. “At the end of each training session, we had circle time when we could discuss important life issues. The

plan was not DIGGING, HOEING, LEVELLING GROUND AND COLLECTING only to coach SAND FROM THE RIVERBED WAS BACKBREAKING WORK AS the young people to play THEY LABOURED IN THE BURNING HEAT. basketball but also to teach them how to become coaches FIND OUT MORE: and referees.” *Shooting Touch is a Boston-based company that uses the sport of BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE basketball to positively impact the Working together, Leah and the lives of children both on and off the young people built a basketball court court. www.shootingtouch.com in the village. The project took three months. Digging, hoeing, levelling *Hoops 4 Hope supports youth ground and collecting sand from the development in southern Africa riverbed was backbreaking work as they through basketball and other sports. laboured in the burning heat. But it was www.hoopsafrica.org worth every effort. “When we had the official opening, *The Matilda Project supports local hundreds of villagers and local teams responding to the HIV and officials came,” Leah said. “There was AIDS crisis in Zimbabwe. recognition for what we had achieved. www.matildaproject.com It was something to be proud of for the young people and gave them a sense of ownership and responsibility.” “For me personally, it was such a huge year. I was brought up in a Christian home but I was asking the question, ‘Do I believe because it is what I was taught, or do I believe it because I really know and experience it for myself?’ No one spoke English and most evenings I was free, so I had time alone with God. There were hard times but it was a huge opportunity for my own growth spiritually.” Leah has just been accepted to do a Masters in Community and Youth Work in Durham University in England. JUL - SEP 2012 VOX

Put the boot into poverty with this scenic weekend trek

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to see We would love se you there! Plea mily.ie contact info@fa or call us on 01 8066288 for more info.

REALITY

WHAT DO IRISH STUDENTS BELIEVE? BY DAVID WILSON

A • • • • • •

survey of Dublin students conducted by Agapé in April and May 2012 found that: Three out of four counted their family as a “most important thing in life” The most popular extracurricular activity is sport, over twice as popular as music Over 50% believe in some idea of God Nearly half consider Jesus to be just a man Two-thirds think that Jesus was teaching about morality 60% would want to know God in a personal way if it were possible

DOES IT MATTER WHAT STUDENTS BELIEVE?

The university is where we store our culture’s knowledge. It is the node for exchanging information. Students are more open to think, and have more time to do so, than they will in the next 40 years. And our Irish university system is a special case. The troubled development of colleges in the 19th century involved lobbying by clerics of all shades, the work of Cardinal Newman to enshrine his “Idea of a University,” and eventually the establishing of the National University of Ireland in 1908, which was banned from awarding theology degrees until 1997. Today we are presented with a historic window of opportunity. Of the students surveyed, 54% still believed in some idea of God. Only 18% said straight out that they don’t believe in God. It is interesting to note that we found some science students in awe of the universe and its design. The “science disproves God” response came more from Arts students who haven’t looked into it. Nobody mentioned Richard Dawkins. In response to the question of who Jesus was, 46% said that

What would it mean for Christian students, believing lecturers, believing chaplains, mission movements, churches with students in the congregations, student pastors? It will take all of us together, supporting each other, praying for each other, collaborating with each other and protecting each other. Believing lecturers hold a pivotal position. Since 80% of students reported choosing their subject on the basis of intellectual interest (rather than jobs), their lecturers are high up in the firmament of influence. The rest of us need to pray for college staff - not just that they are

he was a just a man. Although 30% responded with “Son of God”, in some of these cases it seemed to be a learned response. Students had great difficulty in coming up with anything taught by Jesus. Most thought he must have taught what they themselves admire IF WE WERE TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES FOR CHRIST TO BE GLORIFIED variations on “being AT UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE WHAT WOULD THAT MEAN? nice”. A massive vacuum remains in this area. good at their job (which they must be) but that they can work out good SEARCHING FOR MEANING ways to be open about their faith. Some basic information is still there. But time is not on our side. The current IMPORTANT QUESTIONS intake into Irish universities and colleges How does the gospel engage with includes people whose grandparents students without isolating them from did not go to church. As Breda O’Brien their family connection if family is so recently said in the Irish Times: “I teach important for 76% of them? young people. They are great young How can we provide a spiritual people, but many of them are closer “safe zone” for the 10% who are to benign agnostics with a bit of holy obviously God-fearers but normally water thrown over them than Christians. have no one to talk to about this? So many of them have never really One student, when asked about the encountered the Christian message. So many of them are searching for meaning.” identity of Jesus said, with some exasperation, “Exactly what it says on How long does this give us to the tin,” and when asked if he would contribute to a substantial difference in want to know God personally, said, the spiritual life of students? Ten years? “You’d be an idiot not to.” Five years? How do we harness and focus the altruism of the 18% whose lifelong WHATEVER IT TAKES ambition is to have an impact on It’s time to ask the question:“If we others? were to do whatever it takes for Christ to be glorified at university and David Wilson is the national college, what would team leader of Agapé. that mean?” www.agape.ie

JUL - SEP 2012 VOX

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REVIEWS

IF GOD, THEN WHAT? BY GEOFF LILLIS

eoff Lillis is a Dublin-based atheist who enjoys discussions about Christianity, ranging from debates with street preachers to radio shows with New Testament professors. He blogs on http://GeoffsShorts.blogspot.com. Here’s what he had to say about Andrew Wilson’s book on Christian apologetics:

Over the last year or so, I've tried to read at least one book on Christianity a month. It's an odd hobby. Sometimes it's laborious work. On several occasions, I've had fun combing texts for errors, contradictions and absurdities. Some I've broadly liked, but separating where I agree with the author and where we differ has always seemed a tough review to write. There's much I agree with in, say, Bauckham's “Jesus and the Eyewitnesses”. I'd like to discuss its positive aspects and set out where we differ, but too often I find myself taking the easier option and dissecting Intelligent Design proponents or Young Earth Creationists who posit giant floating forests to explain our coal reserves. After a year of blogging, I was asked if I'd read "If God, Then What?" and discuss with the author on a London radio show. Despite my accent, I leapt at the opportunity. I expected a fun week of drawing up lists of flawed arguments and preparing to retaliate for slights against my fellow atheists. I'd heard the author, Andrew Wilson, on radio shows before and he seemed the sort who enjoys vigorous debate.

DISAPPOINTINGLY GOOD!

Without wishing to give away too much, my opening words on the book were “disappointingly good”. On a show that leans towards the debate format, I found myself in the awkward position of thinking Wilson had done a useful job. I went so far as to say that those considering a book on apologetics should seek his out. It's natural and important for us to want to talk about the ideas we hold dear, and I understand the drive to evangelise. Some Christians can talk about their faith quite well. Some are great at winning arguments. Some frankly trespass on hate speech, though in fairness these criticisms can apply outside Christianity's fold. Obviously Wilson is a Christian. There is nothing wrong in the author having a worldview and expressing it, and he makes no attempt to paint this as a disinterested summary of the questions involved. Wilson stands above some others by avoiding the trap of bending facts to suit his points - he even jokes how much easier it would have been to quotemine Hawking rather than tackle a chapter on fine tuning. I think he's misunderstood Dawkins' Weasel programme, but the error doesn't affect the point he's aiming for and it comes across as an honest mistake. If you're a Christian and you'd like to share your faith with others, buy this book. It's the best I've read in the genre and extends a hand of friendship rather than a wagging finger of disapproval. It didn't convert me, but it did leave me wanting to join the author for a coffee and a long chat.

WILSON STANDS ABOVE SOME OTHERS BY AVOIDING THE TRAP OF BENDING FACTS TO SUIT HIS POINTS

JUL - SEP 2012 VOX

EVENTS

VOX MAGAZINE

Events Calendar What’s happening where and when

JULY Murder Mystery: The Sultan's Pyjamas Friday, 6 July, 7 pm Westcourt Hotel, Drogheda www.thesolidrockchurch. wordpress.com/missions Amy Grant in Concert Saturday, 7 July, 7 pm Glenmachen Church, Belfast www.christianevent.info Irish Bible Institute Open Day Tuesday, 10 July Dublin www.ibi.ie

New Wine Ireland Summer Conference 8 - 13 July Sligo www.newwineireland.org AUGUST New Horizon Conference 11 - 17 August Colraine www.newhorizon.org.uk

(Do you have an event in your area that you’d like people to know about? Tell us and we’ll list it here at no cost.)

SEPTEMBER Healing Rooms Ireland Conference Saturday, 1 September Kilkenny Community Church kilcomchurch@eircom.net Tel: 056 770 3950

omeragh wilderness camp

A wilderness camping programme in the Comeragh Mountains. Providing group therapy for troubled boys who are unable to function in their home or school. therapeutic camping is a proven method of helping boys and families reach harmony. Boys live in groups with counselors in the forest, building their own dwellings while learning to relate and work together.

Need an organist/pianist and singer for your wedding service? Or maybe some background music as you mingle with guests before your reception? Based in Kildare, we'll travel countrywide to add that special something to your special day!

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OCTOBER Inside Out Men's Conference Saturday, 20 October, 10am Carlow Bible Church www.insideoutconference.org

VOX JUL - SEP 2012

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REVIEWS

VOX MAGAZINE

The Jagged Halo by Patrick Bentley

Love is an Orientation, DVD Reviewed by Richard Carson

Andrew Marin was a first-year student in college when, within the space of three months, his three closest friends told him they were gay. Marin dealt with the shock of these revelations by doing something radical. He listened. Over the course of the next two years, he visited gay bars and other LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) venues in his home city of Chicago and around the US. His goal was simply to learn more about what lay behind his friends’ stories and in particular how they interacted with the stories of their faith. The establishment of The Marin Foundation (which seeks to build bridges between the LGBT community and churches) followed, as did an award-winning book, Love is an Orientation. Now comes the release of the Love is an Orientation DVD, a curriculum-based resource that seeks to equip any church or community group in “elevating the conversation” with the LGBT community. The strongly bridge-building focus is best symbolised by the juxtaposition of the Zondervan logo on the back cover (a familiar sight on many Bibles and Christian books) with the fact that most of the filming of the DVD took place in Roscoe’s in Chicago, which was recently voted one of the top five gay bars in the world. Not surprisingly for a Zondervan published curriculum, the format of the DVD is extremely user friendly. Broken into six sessions lasting approximately 20 minutes and with a Participant’s Guide alongside, this will generate ample discussion. However, the highlight of this resource is the five accompanying personal stories that dispel the myth that the bridge to those who are different is long and inaccessible. Instead, it sometimes lies within our churches and runs right across the pew. The stories are moving and diverse and display a vulnerability that puts most of us who operate within the assumed comforts of the heterosexual mainstream to shame. This resource, as with the preceding book, is dangerous. If you have read this far in the review trying to figure out whether or not Marin fits nicely into the conservative or liberal box on homosexuality, then prepare to be disappointed. He values the people he works with too highly to let the viewer be distracted by what is not an unimportant issue but is one that cannot be allowed to hinder our capacity to listen. Of course, the DVD possesses the usual challenges of transatlantic translation. Marin is responding within a particularly polarised context and it will take a healthy dose of wisdom and discernment to see how the principles he proposes apply within the Irish context. The best way to honour this challenge, though, is to follow Marin’s example – not by agreeing with everything he says but by allowing the stories of those who have lived their life outside the heterosexual mainstream to be heard.

According to a Dublin judge, Patrick Bentley began stealing when he was “young enough to be home in a pram”. Constantly hungry, the six-year-old and his brother began a crime wave that soon labelled them as the worst criminals in the Skerries. Sent to a school for young offenders when he was just nine, Patrick suffered abuse at the hands of one of the Christian Brothers. The Jagged Halo charts a tragic story of neglect, abuse, cruelty and injustice. Patrick Bentley’s simplicity and raw honesty draws the reader into a harrowing tale, lightened by fragments of joy, cameos of kindness and poignant, bittersweet love stories. Hope blossoms when Patrick is introduced to Jesus, only to be crushed again by weakness and failure. Years pass, as his broken life and shattered identity is slowly and painfully remade. There are no short cuts or quick fixes. After the devastation of broken relationships and a life-threatening drug overdose, Patrick finally emerges into a season of wholeness through the miracle of God’s love. While suffering at times from Christian jargon and occasionally tending to wordiness, The Jagged Halo provides a heart-wrenching insight into the realities of 1970s Dublin and a moving account of a man’s search for healing, identity and love. The story ends rather abruptly but with the promise of a sequel perhaps that was intentional? Certainly worth a read.

Richard Carson is the new CEO of ACET (AIDS Care Education & Training) Ireland. His personal and professional engagements with the LGBT community include being a referee at the 2008 Bingham Cup - known to some as the Gay Rugby World Cup. JUL - SEP 2012 VOX

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ADMIRERS AND APPRENTICES BY SEÁN MULLAN

YOU CAN’T LEARN TO PLAY BY WATCHING FROM THE AUDIENCE – NOT EVEN IN THE FRONT ROW – YOU’VE GOT TO BE ON THE BANDSTAND.

uestion – what do the Lord Mayor of Dublin, an Argentinean Tango Orchestra and a first-century Jewish carpenter have in common? Answer: they are all whirling around in my confused mind these days. Probably best to start with the Lord Mayor. I heard him speak recently in a church where he said he was “not particularly religious” but was an admirer of Jesus and his teaching. It was refreshingly honest for an Irish politician to admit he’s not religious… in a church. But the idea of being an “admirer” of Jesus stuck with me. The Tango Orchestra entered my confused head space courtesy of an excellent documentary called “Si sos Brujo,” which roughly translates, “If you’re a wizard.” It’s the story a young group of tango musicians who persuaded a long-retired tango music “maestro” to train them in the techniques of 40s and 50s tango orchestras. Here’s the key to the story. The young musicians start by listening to recordings and reading music scores. But they soon realise that will only take them so far. They need someone who knows how to play like that, to sit down with them, to play for them and talk them through the techniques. Then, as the young musicians try to do the same thing, the maestro can watch them, instruct them and correct them. The maestro they recruit eventually recruits other grey-haired maestros of their instruments and the Tango Orchestra School is formed. Here’s the quote that sums up the film: You can’t learn to play by watching from the audience – not even in the front row – you’ve got to be on the bandstand. On the bandstand could mean fourth or fifth violin but until you’re actually trying to imitate the master, you’re not really learning.

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Now to the Lord Mayor and admiring Jesus of Nazareth. He’s part of a fairly large tribe, the admirers of Jesus. But admirers are not on the bandstand – they’re in the audience. And in the audience you don’t learn to play (live life) like Jesus. Learning how to live without anger and hate and anxiety and with love and humility and passion for God and others. It’s the old story Jesus told about the guys building houses on sand and rock – one was an admirer, the other was an apprentice. One heard the words,

admired them and did nothing. The other heard and started to imitate. One was in the audience – one was on the bandstand. In the story, the man whose house remained standing was the one who starting doing what Jesus said, not just admiring it. Jesus, it would seem, is not all that impressed by people who want to be His admirers. He’s in the business of recruiting apprentices – people who want to learn to play like Him – to imitate the Maestro!

Seán Mullan has been working in church leadership for many years. He has developed a new project in Dublin City Centre called, “Third Space”.

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