ISSUE 21 / JANUARY - MARCH 2014
TOP READS FROM 2013: Leaders from around Ireland recommend their favourite books
UNITY AND RECONCILIATION: Are we making every effort?
AFTER THE STORM:
Responding to the devastation in the Philippines
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EDITORIAL
Across the divides “Peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of creative alternatives for responding to conflict,” - author Dorothy Thompson. onflict surrounds us. Children squabble on the street. Neighbours refuse to talk to each other. A married couple suddenly separates. A community is divided by sectarianism. Men and women shake their fists at God. The destructive force of a bomb blast graphically illustrates the devastation of broken relationships. They cause a tidal wave of pain, which spreads far beyond the epicentre of division. This is why the Gospel is so radical. Through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, the dividing walls are torn down. Jew and Gentile, slave and free, male and female… suddenly there is the hope of healing where once there was only bitterness and strife. What strikes me is the way that Jesus took initiative to restore relationship. He didn’t stay in heaven and wait for mankind to repent. He was in the right. We were in the wrong. And yet, He made the first move, in fact He made all the moves (long, long before we were willing to change)!
C
RESENTMENT IS LIKE DRINKING POISON AND THEN HOPING IT WILL KILL YOUR ENEMIES. -NELSON MANDELA
Jesus ‘moved into the neighbourhood’ (John 1:14 The Message paraphrase). He was a ‘friend of sinners’ (Luke 7:33-35). His kindness led some to repentance and to restored relationship with God but for others it was rejected or taken for granted (ten lepers were healed but only one returned to thank Him). Jesus’ love compels us to act with the same sacrifice and generosity. To say reconciliation in any situation is impossible is to deny love. Crossing over to the other side of the road, without any care or concern to resolve conflict, is not an option for a follower of Jesus who is loving their neighbour as themselves! In this edition of VOX, we take a look at what reconciliation means for Christians in Ireland. The results of our survey (page 12) make interesting reading and there is a lot to learn from two Christian leaders (pages 14 and 22) on the subject. For me, though, it is the story from Ireland’s history that carries the most profound lesson (page 17). Jesus took the risk. He reached into our space to offer us peace with God. It cost Him everything. How can we act differently (Matthew 18: 21 - 35)?
Why free? At VOX magazine, we’re celebrating our 5th birthday by giving YOU a gift. For one year, we are offering the magazine “free of charge”. Why?
VOX is more than a magazine - it is a vision. VOX gives voice to Christians in Ireland. It helps us to engage with one another and with our society. And as we listen to the stories of people encouraged, challenged and inspired by what they read in these pages, we want to do so much more.
So, we’re taking a risk... Offering something of value at no cost to you (hmmm that sort of reminds us of someone else!!) so that more people in Ireland can engage, share, enjoy, discuss, communicate and celebrate what God is doing in our nation. We're glad you're with us on this journey.
Vox Team The
Ruth Garvey-Williams Editor (editor@vox.ie)
P24
STRENGTHENING MARRIAGES
P12
P40
VOX SURVEY RESULTS
TOP READS FROM 2013
JANUARY - MARCH 2014, ISSUE 21
CONTENTS
ISSN: 2009-2253
14 28 40
PUBLISH E R Solas Publishing EDITOR Ruth Garvey-Williams editor@vox.ie OPERATIO N S & A DV E RT I S I N G Jonny Lindsay jonny@vox.ie LAYOUT Krista Burns krista@vox.ie PROJECT A DV I S O R Tom Slattery SUBSCRI P T I O N S Ireland & UK: €7 for four issues Overseas: €18 for four issues / €30 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 its partners. The acceptance of advertising does not indicate endorsement.
PRINT Castle Print, Galway VOX magazine is a quarterly publication, brought to you by Solas Publishing.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH: 04
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12 17 20 22 24 31 32 36 32 06 08 10 16 18
COVER STORIES Unity and reconciliation: are we making every effort? After the storm: responding to the devastation in the Philippines Top reads from 2013 - leaders from around Ireland recommend their favourite books
FEATURES AND INTERVIEWS VOX survey results: Reconciliation The door of reconciliation Transformed students, transforming their campus Reconciliation in the Church: what splits us up and what brings us together? Strengthening marriages: where do we go to get help? Caring for the most vulnerable - on the ground in the Philippines Investing in Leadership - responses from leaders at the Global Leadership Summit
VOX VIEWS Legalising Death - Lorraine Neil looks at the topical issue of assisted suicide Blessed are the pure in heart - a visit to Africa prompts heart searching for VOX’s graphic designer Krista Burns
REGULAR FEATURES VOX: Shorts VOX: World News Your VOX: Letters to the editor NEW SERIES: Profit from the prophets
19 43 44 46
Confessions of a Feint Saint Reviews Event Listing VOX: PS with Seán Mullan
Family Focus
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IRELAND
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VOX is a volunteer-run initiative, cheered on by a number of organisations, but solely funded by donations and income from advertising. Until recently we had some income from sales, but this ended up being a small proportion. So we decided to try something new for 2014.
That’s because we love VOX
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much!
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Subscribe to VOX. For just €7 per year, each issue of VOX will land on your doormat (you’ll be first to get it). When subscribing at www.vox.ie/subscribe you have the option to top-up your subscription fee with a gift.
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VOX SHORTS
Tips for Jesus?
A mystery benefactor has been giving enormous tips to restaurant staff across the USA. The anonymous tipping campaign began in September in Michigan when a $3,000 tip was left on an $87.88 bill. Each receipt is stamped with the handle @tipsforjesus and bears an illegible signature, sometimes next to the words "God bless". The tipper also takes photographs of smiling restaurant workers holding the bills and posts them onto an Instagram account that has attracted thousands of followers. This Instagram feed comes with the tagline:
"Doing the Lord's work, one tip at a time." The trail of generosity stretches from coast to coast and down to Mexico - all charged to American Express. The man left a $5,000 gratuity on a US$112 bill in Connecticut, while a waiter at a hotel in Manhattan received $7,000. Former PayPal vice-president Jack Selby has been rumoured to be behind the generous giving. An original member of the PayPal team, Mr Selby made millions when the company was sold to eBay.
Equipping the church
OM Ireland is running a ministry training weekend on Friday, 31 January and Saturday, 1 February in Clontarf Methodist Church, Clontarf, Dublin 3. The event, which is open to all churches in Dublin, features something for everyone with training in creative ministry (puppetry, balloon modelling, thinking creatively, storytelling), evangelism and apologetics. For more information and to register online (recommended), visit www.ie.om.org.
Top of the Rock Centre opens When St Finbarr of Cork visited the “Top of the Rock”, Drimoleague in the sixth century, local tradition has it that he “admonished the people to return to Christ and then went on his way to Gougane Barra”. In recent years, this 32km path has been reopened and attracts increasing numbers of people eager to “foot it” for two days through four hidden valleys in a quest for meaning, spirituality and fresh air! To cater for this need, David and Elizabeth Ross have recently opened the "Top of the Rock" Pod Páirc and Walking Centre, a unique farm accommodation centre offering affordable breaks in "Pods" which were originally designed on the template of the Gallarus oratory in West Kerry. The centre can accommodate 32 people but if camper vans and tents are brought along this can rise to about 50 in the summer. See the website www.topoftherock.ie for more details!
Social Media in Ireland
Award-winning Bible App
The Bible Gateway App has been declared the "Christian Mobile/Tablet App of the Year". The award was announced at the Christian New Media conference in London. The multilanguage, multi-version Bible app seeks to make it easy for users to engage with the Bible. Find out more at www.biblegateway.org.
Do you have a story to tell?
Agapé Ireland is looking for faith stories to include in the Irish student website. Stories should be by students telling about their spiritual journey to Christ in non-theological English (or Irish). The ideal length should be around 250 words. Agapé will also welcome stories in the form of one-minute video clips. Contact office@agape.ie.
It is estimated that 57% of Irish people (over the age of 15) now have a Facebook account, 27% have a Twitter account and 23% use LinkedIn. Dublin has the highest penetration of Facebook users of any county with three in four with a Facebook profile. Although the second largest county by population, Cork came in seventh place. Leitrim and Roscommon have the lowest number of users (only one in five). The number of people with a Twitter account in Ireland has surged significantly, but almost 50% of Irish “tweets” come from Dublin and Cork. 06
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Amazing Grace
The second annual Amazing Grace Festival will take place in Buncrana, Co Donegal from 5 - 8 April. Celebrating Ireland’s connection with the inspirational story of John Newton, Amazing Grace and the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade, the weekend festival is designed for all ages against the stunning backdrop of Lough Swilly and the hills of Donegal. See www.amazinggrace.ie.
Taking risks for Jesus
A Hollywood stuntman who doubled for stars such as Harrison Ford, John Alden’s 20-year career took him to the heights of success. His credits include over 150 feature films and TV shows such as Air Force One, Independence Day, Clear and Present Danger, Lethal Weapon and The X-Files. But John’s personal life was a “disaster movie” until, in desperation, he cried out to God in a darkened hotel room. John now travels the world sharing his story. This January, John is visiting Ireland. Call 086 108 7730 to find out more: • Longford Arms Hotel, Co Longford: Monday 20 January • The Strand Hotel, Ballyliffen, Co Donegal: Wednesday 22 January • Letterkenny Institute of Technology, Co Donegal: Thursday 23 January • Jackson’s Hotel, Ballybofey, Co Donegal: Friday 24 January • Biker’s Church, Gort, Co Galway: Sunday 26 January
Pastoral Prayer Training
Churches have a responsibility to care for people with pastoral needs. This training day, run by New Wine Ireland, is designed for leaders and those who want to get involved in pastoral prayer ministries. Roland and Susan Heaney from Redcross, Co Wicklow, will provide teaching from years of experience in ministry. The training day will be hosted by Willowfield Church in Belfast on Saturday 8 February. For more information or to book your place visit www.newwineireland.org.
Massive increase in calls for help Calls for assistance to the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) have more than doubled since 2009 and continue to increase year on year. Figures revealed at the launch of the SVP Annual Appeal today show that the cost of providing direct assistance has also escalated, from €24m in 2007 to over €40m now. Helping families with their energy costs has tripled in the same period.
Pilgrim Paths
Ireland is to have a new Easter Festival based on the country’s network of medieval pilgrim walking routes. The event is aimed at the growing numbers of Irish walkers now travelling to Spain to complete the Camino of St James. Holy Saturday (April 19) 2014 has been designated as Ireland's first National Pilgrim Paths Day, with a nationwide series of walks planned along the country’s medieval penitential walkways. A new website, www.pilgrimpaths.ie will soon be available to book places on these walks over Easter weekend 2014.
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Image: Team Hope
WORLD NEWS
OVER 900 CHRISTIANS KILLED IN NIGERIA
2013 was a deadly year for Christians in northern Nigeria, with over 900 Christians killed in the ongoing campaign of violence by Islamic organisation Boko Haram. In late November 2013, Pamela Coulter and David Turner of Church in Chains met Nigerian Ambassador, Felix Pwol to express concern at the continuing attacks on Christians and to ask the Nigerian government to provide adequate security for churches and Christian communities. Christian leaders believe the campaign of violence is aimed at taking over the predominantly Christian areas to acquire land for grazing and to expand Islamic territory. Guerrilla-style attacks on Christian villages in which children are shot dead as they sleep support their suspicion that the assaults are motivated by a desire to eliminate Christianity. Speaking after presiding over a mass burial of 15 victims from a single village, Nigerian church leader Rev Soja Bewarang said, "God has the final say on man and his security concerns. Therefore we must always surrender our security concerns to the Lord, because the watchman watches in vain if the Lord does not watch alongside him." Boko Haram is sometimes described as the "Nigerian Taliban". It promotes a version of Islam that forbids Muslims from taking part in any political or social activity associated with Western society, including voting in elections, wearing shirts and trousers or receiving a secular education. Boko Haram launched military operations in 2009 with the aim of overthrowing the Nigerian government, creating an Islamic state and imposing strict sharia law. In April 2013, Boko Haram rejected Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan's controversial proposal of an amnesty.
THANK YOU IRELAND!
The Team Hope shoebox appeal in 2013 collected 163,513 giftfilled shoeboxes for needy children around the world. And for the first time, a truckload of shoeboxes was sent to children in Albania. In the capital city of Tirana, the Albanian partners unpacked the gifts from Irish families in Skibbereen, Fermoy and Thurles.
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NORTH KOREAN HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES OVERLOOKED FOR TOO LONG
“There can be few places in the world where the human rights situation is more overlooked than North Korea.” Professor William Schabas and Sir Geoffrey Nice, QC Public executions, systematic torture, forced labour, sexual violence and an estimated 200,000 people in prison camps are among the human rights abuses reported in North Korea. It is also cited as one of the worst in the world for the persecution of Christians. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (www.csw.org.uk) has called for an investigation of crimes against humanity with an international response to human rights violations. In a statement, the CSW said, “The gravity of the human rights situation in North Korea has for too long been overlooked by the international community.”
WATER RIGHTS AND WRONGS! • • • • • •
Over one billion people worldwide live without access to safe drinking water Water-related diseases are the second biggest killer of children. Up to 5000 children die from diarrhea each day! Women and girls in developing countries walkan average of six kilometres every day to collect water. The majority of those without access to clean water also live in extreme poverty (surviving on less than €2 per day). Visit www.drinking-water.org to find out more
YOUR VOX
Letters to the editor
Star Letter
of VOX we In each issue all of a €25 One4 ize pr a d ar aw r. tte le ite r favour voucher for ou u! It could be yo
Finding Faith Tour is cause for rejoicing! In the most recent edition of VOX (Oct - Dec 2013) I was very interested in your visits to so many places in Ireland and of finding faith in God expressed there. This report raises the hearts of all of the older generation of believers and causes them to thank God for what He has done. It is nothing short of a miracle! I remember a time when such an exercise would have resulted in a blank sheet of paper.
A JOY TO RECOMMEND
Thank you to all the contributors to VOX magazine. We really do appreciate the breadth of its appeal and the fresh way it is challenging us to be part of the new Ireland. It is always a joy to recommend the new issue when it arrives in Bantry Christian Fellowship. The last issue particularly was so informative about things we did not even know were happening around the country. I used the illustration of the upside down chairs at the Anchorage in my sermon a few weeks ago and then on the Tuesday night Nationwide mentioned the same place...great to see what God is doing. DAVID ROSS, BANTRY, WEST CORK
KEEP SUPPORTING CHRISTIAN BOOKSHOPS
Thanks to Eleanor for her letter to the editor in the last edition of VOX magazine (Oct - Dec 2013). We appreciate your support of your local Christian Bookshops. FOOTPRINTS BOOKSHOPS TALBOT STREET, DUBLIN 1 AND DUN LAOGHAIRE
There was a time when believers were ostracised for expressing a simple but personal faith in God. There was a time when I prayed earnestly for light in the darkness of spiritual experience here. Let us rejoice and join young and old in a big “Hallelujah!” JOAN BRADLEY DUBLIN 8
TIME TO VOTE WITH OUR FEET
The recent reports into the tragic death of Savita Halappanauar have revealed that her death was caused by sepsis and medical mismanagement - and not by Ireland’s abortion law. None the less, Savita’s tragic death was exploited by the pro-abortion lobby in media and politics to whip up understandable public emotion to drive their agenda. Pro-life people of all faiths and none who oppose this pro-abortion agenda in Irish politics and media now need to make their electoral votes felt in this year’s local and European elections (May 2014). If you elect pro-abortion politicians, at any levels, you will get pro- abortion legislation and policies in your parliament and society. Cowardly, fence-sitting candidates who don’t defend unborn human life against abortion now will not do so later in the Dail or Seanad. Vote for actively pro-life candidates who defend life. Educate your family, friends, church, college and community to vote pro-life. Pro-life voters should withdraw their advertising and financial support from pro-abortion media. Reject proabortion media and politicians now before it is too late, as in Britain. OLIVER MATTER DUBLIN 6W
SEND YOUR LETTERS TO EDITOR@VOX.IE OR YOUR VOX, ULYSSES HOUSE, 22-24 FOLEY STREET, DUBLIN 1 10
VOX JAN - MAR 2014
REALITY
Reconciliation survey results
90.8%
One of the recurring themes of our VOX tour last summer was a hunger for unity and reconciliation. It is a huge subject and, as always, we’re only able to scratch the surface of an issue that affects us individually, as families, in our churches, in our communities and in our nation and between nations. As part of our research, we asked you to tell us your views about the importance and priority of reconciliation as Christians in Ireland. The majority of responses showed a deep desire for reconciliation but some reflected concern about the potential for compromise and the demands on time and attention, which could distract from other vital areas of ministry. At its most fundamental, the definition of reconciliation is a restoration or healing of relationship. However, a secondary meaning that of “making one view or belief compatible with another” - can give rise to the fear of compromise. In the Bible, words translated “reconciliation” from the Hebrew and Greek can mean: the adjustment of differences, the covering over (atonement) for sin or wrongdoing, restoration to favour, to be gracious or merciful, to appease, placate or pacify and to restore relationship.
of people asked said it was VITAL
Unsurprisingly for a survey of Christians in Ireland, reconciliation between God and people was seen as the highest priority, with 90.8% saying this is “vital” and 9.2% indicating it is “important”. Not one person considered this unimportant.
Similarly, reconciliation between marriage partners was a high priority, with 83% seeing this as a vital Christian ministry and only one person seeing that this was not important (0.8%).
0.8% Not so important 30.6% Important 68.6% Vital
While still weighted significantly towards the importance of reconciliation, opinion was more divided on wider issues of reconciliation, especially those relating to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and reconciliation between Catholics and Protestants or between different denominations and types of churches.
Reconciliation between church leaders
Reconciliation between Catholic & Protestant
59.8% Vital
30.8% Vital
36.1% Important
49.2% Important
3.2% Not so important
16.7% Not so important
0.8% Unimportant
3.3% Unimportant
Reconciliation between Northern Ireland & Republic of Ireland
Reconciliation between different denominations & church groups
32.2% Vital 46.3% Important 18.1% Not so important 3.3% Unimportant
28.9% 12
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Vital
55.4%
Important
11.6%
Not so Important
4.1%
Unimportant
VOX MAGAZINE
We asked how important it is for Christians to be involved in reconciliation. What priority of our time and attention should be given to these matters? People’s comments showed that many are wrestling with this issue and the implications for Christians in Ireland.
Here’s what you had to say:
VITALLY IMPORTANT
GETTING THE RIGHT FOUNDATIONS
I would be of the opinion that if we are not living in peace with one another and equipping and enabling others to live in peace with themselves and others, we do not have the right to call ourselves Christians.
When I'm sharing the good news about Jesus, I follow this outline: "Creation, Fall, Redemption, Reconciliation”. If you miss the reconciliation element, you are probably sharing a consumerist form of the gospel - we're redeemed for a PURPOSE beyond our personal benefit! However, all biblical reconciliation starts with reconciliation between God and man. Forgiveness and grace towards others are the reflex "worship response" of those who have themselves been recipients of God's amazing grace. The ministry that God has entrusted to us is Gospelcentred - missing the "gospel centred" piece is why so many human reconciliation efforts are cold, contractual, graceless and powerless. Genuine reconciliation is supernatural and miraculous. We can sometimes broker human peace agreements that are really about cessation of hostilities and defining boundaries and "terms and conditions". But grace and truth are found in Jesus Christ.
Being involved in church for over 30 years makes me certain that reconciliation is our greatest priority and biggest challenge. We are called to be peacemakers. It is in this role that we bring a Christ-like strategy into any situation, be it church or secular. In doing so, we bring a portion of salt to heal wounds and a bit of light in otherwise very dark places. Reconciliation is at the heart of the cross - we must have something real to offer. In NI, churches have all too long been seen as a contributing to division, often mirroring hurt of congregations. I long that churches contribute in real way to dealing with the hurt of Northern Ireland. Because Jesus is Lord and we have been given a ministry of reconciliation, I am not sure any aspect of reconciliation can be described as unimportant.
CONCERNS ABOUT COMPROMISE AND PRIORITIES We cannot get reconciled with a church that teaches other than biblical truths. There will always be issues between different religions and countries because of sin. Reconciliation can only truly happen when we are born of the spirit of God. Otherwise it will be like whitewashed tombs. I believe this ministry of reconciliation Paul talks about is for us to point others to Him. If we spend our time working on 'secondary' reconciliations, we will be ignoring our primary task of 'making disciples of all nations.' If people are firstly reconciled to God, then all other relationships will flow from that.
AGREEING TO DISAGREE In any situation, we may not be able continue working together but we must reconcile and live in peace. 'Reconciliation' is too broad a term to cover all the options above. Truth and integrity cannot be compromised. Relationships can and should be mended, even when there are irreconcilable differences. Sometimes differences are genuine and we can accept differences, so it is okay to be separate.
A NEED FOR PRACTICAL HELP AND TRAINING How can we not be involved in all reconciliation needs around us and treating them with the utmost importance? Also important is that we look at training in handling conflict and in minimizing unnecessary or avoidable conflict - early intervention.
Reconciliation between individuals and groups who are in conflict
33.3% 54.2%
Vital
Important
10.8%
1.7%
Not so Important
Unimportant
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FAITH
UNITY AND RECONCILIATION: ARE WE MAKING EVERY EFFORT? BY: PETER FINCH
In October, a group of 80 leaders from across the island of Ireland gathered for two days to seek God and to pray and worship. One of the dominant themes of that time was the need for unity and reconciliation. Here, one of the organisers of that gathering, Pastor Peter Finch from Westport in County Mayo, shares his thoughts on the start of a journey towards greater unity among Christians in Ireland: It all begins for me in John 17. It was Jesus’ high priestly prayer that we may be one. His call to unity is mentioned three times. There seems to be a link here between unity and the glory of God being seen in the world.
It became apparent there were many barriers to unity. 1. Personalities: dominant characters often have an agenda and sometimes their own issues can be prominent rather than the kingdom of God. 2. Pride hinders reconciliation. 3. Parochialism means we are too busy focusing on our own narrow corner and have little concern for the big picture. 4. Prejudices / pre-conceived ideas can also get in the way of respectful and loving relationships. A group of us felt we needed to call leaders together from the four corners of the island to a place where the only agenda was to seek the Lord and to ARE WE DETERMINED TO GO THE EXTRA MILE hear what He had to say to us. It was a blank canvas. At first, it was a scary FOR THE SAKE OF UNITY? thought because the default is always to come prepared with an agenda. The second scripture is Ephesians 4, During our weekend together, we felt which is firstly a challenge to grow up into a strong call to lay aside the things that maturity. In the beginning of those verses, hinder unity and to focus on God and His there is a lot of determination required to kingdom. And as we did so, four principles maintain unity. emerged as the fundamental building Ephesians 4:3 says, “Make every effort blocks. to keep the unity of the Spirit through the 1. Humility - This is about laying bond of peace.” down our agendas for the sake of To me, that word “effort” is important. the body. Tangible humility is a It means, “let nothing stop you”. The Lord magnet for the grace and presence has been challenging me as to how much of God. It is declaring that effort we really make to maintain the unity of the spirit. Are we determined to go the extra mile for the sake of unity?
A DESIRE FOR CHANGE
What I noticed here in Ireland was that many people had a heart for unity. We agree it is important but many don’t know what to do. As I looked across the nation, I saw clusters of kingdom-minded individuals but they were meeting in isolation. 14
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we need God desperately and, secondly, that we need each other. We can’t achieve what God wants to do without each other. 2. Honour - even Jesus said a prophet is without honour in his own town and He could not do many miracles in Nazareth. Appreciation and respect for one another is a key ingredient in building unity. 3. Holiness - I believe God wants to raise the bar. Purity, clean motives and clean hearts please God. 4. Hunger - Apathy really slows things down. Hunger, passion and desire for unity fuel us and motivate us to move forward.
UNITY REQUIRES SECURITY
People are scared to make mistakes. They feel judged, measured and a need to perform in order to be accepted. This breeds insecurity, and where there is insecurity, you are treading on eggshells. That does not lend itself to healthy relationships. Where there is insecurity, there is fear, and where there is fear, there is no love. But love casts out fear. In a climate of acceptance and love, there is a willingness to engage and to see that every person has something to contribute as well as something to receive. We can enter into whole relationships.
VOX MAGAZINE
UNITY MUST BE INTENTIONAL
brother and sister of Christ. Then, as we grow in maturity, we can progress towards unity in the faith (not being tossed to and fro by every wind of teaching). Many people want to start with unity in doctrine first. I don’t think it is something you can arrive at over night. Doctrine is important but unity in these matters is something we progress towards. It is a journey. There are many people who won’t have fellowship with me because I believe certain things, even though we are brothers in Christ. Where there is maturity, there is a willingness to engage and discuss UNITY IS A PROCESS respectfully. There is even the ability to beg The starting point is important. In to differ on certain issues. Ephesians 4, the starting point is not Truth can defend itself. If somebody doctrine; it is unity in the Spirit. This says to me 2 + 2 = 10, I don’t get bent out means recognising every believer as a of shape over that. I don’t have to beat them over the head. I just recognise that I don’t believe what they are saying. WHERE THERE IS MATURITY, THERE IS A WILLINGNESS When a person is insecure, they feel the need to accost TO ENGAGE AND DISCUSS RESPECTFULLY somebody and try to bring It takes effort and determination. We need to understand that not everybody is going to see things the way we see things but where there is honour and dialogue, there can be progress. There needs to be leadership. We need to create an environment where some of the big issues can be discussed in a safe place (just as the apostles wrestled with the big issues of Acts 15). In Ireland, those issues include the north-south divide as well as doctrinal differences.
them into line with their own way of thinking. We don’t need to do that.
JUST THE BEGINNING…
We came away from the gathering with the strong sense that this is the beginning of something. We haven’t arrived. We have the table of contents but we have yet to open the book. I hope many others will engage in the process.
Peter Finch is the pastor of Amazing Grace Church in Westport. A trained social worker, he is originally from Ireland but was raised in Brazil and New Zealand. He has spent over 26 years in church ministry in Ireland and in other parts of the world.
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JAN - MAR 2014 VOX
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YOU ARE INVITED TO THE LAUNCH OF THE JESUS AGENDA WITH ADDRESS BY REVD DR JOEL EDWARDS Wednesday 15th January 2014 CORE, St. Catherine's, Thomas Street, Dublin 8 10.30 tea/coffee for 11.00 start Followed by a light lunch
A great opportunity to come and hear Revd Dr Edwards, International
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Evangelical Alliance UK
PROFIT THE PROPHETS FROM
The new series from Warren Nelson ard to find, harder to remember and, initially, hard to understand, the so-called minor prophets (Zephaniah, Habakkuk, Micah, Obadiah and the rest) seem so remote to us. With their talk of Assyria, Ephraim, cereal offerings and chariots, they appear irrelevant. But there are unchanging realities in our world, principally the righteousness of God’s rule and the recurring sinful folly of humanity, which make the teachings of these prophets a “must read” for today. They help us rise above the partisanship of politics and the glib sound bites of “experts” to recognise wrongdoing and corruption, whether it be of the left or the right. The language of Israel and Judah’s prophets is very different to ours, yet their words speak from God against corruption. Whenever there is power, in politics or the media, in business or the Church, we will still need the corrective words of the prophets. Amos’ words of nearly three millennia ago have an arresting resonance for the victims of the Celtic Tiger: “They sell the needy for a pair of shoes… and trample the poor into the dust,” Amos 2:6.
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And for those who profess to follow God’s ways, there are warnings about the merely external nature of much that passes for religion. Lip service is not good enough, gifts and offerings alone are of little worth; God looks for mercy not sacrifice (Hosea 6:6), righteousness and kindness (Micah 6:8) rather than showy giving. Is there exploitation? There was then. Do people think a little outward religion will make whatever ‘god’ they believe in more benevolent? That was a big idea in those days. Are there charlatans who smooth talk others into their schemes? That’s what the droves of false prophets were doing. Do governments look for solutions by military alliances? Well, that was why they kept talking about chariots. The aim of this new series is to blow off the dust from the last twelve books of your Old Testament and to let them speak today. When seen clearly, they could be (I wish they were) written for tomorrow’s newspapers!
REALITY
VOX MAGAZINE
THE DOOR OF RECONCILIATION "GOD WAS IN CHRIST RECONCILING THE WORLD TO HIMSELF..." 2 CORINTHIANS 5:19 n 1492, two Irish families, the Butlers of Ormond and the Fitzgeralds of Kildare, were engaged in a bitter and bloody feud. Both families wanted one of their own to hold the position of Lord Deputy. The tension broke into outright warfare and after a skirmish outside the city walls of Dublin, Black James Butler and his men sought refuge in the Chapter House of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. As the Fitzgeralds followed in hot pursuit, their leader, Gerald Fitzgerald, the Earl of Kildare, realised the fighting was out of control. Through the closed door, he pleaded with Black James to accept a truce. Suspecting treachery, Black James refused to let Fitzgerald inside. Fitzgerald ordered his men to hack a hole in the solid wooden door and thrust his arm through as a pledge of his good faith. The daring gesture was enough. Seeing that FitzGerald was willing to risk his own arm, the Butlers reasoned that he was serious in his desire for peace. The two leaders shook hands through the door and as the Butlers emerged from the Chapter House, the warring factions made their peace with one another. Today this door is known as the "Door of Reconciliation" and is on display in the cathedral's north transept. Some believe this event was the origin of the English expression, "to chance your arm" (to take the initiative or to take a risk).
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Men, have you risen above the things that hold you back from reaching your God-given potential?
Maybe you had a dream to reach higher heights, but things have got in the way!
Men’s Conference Weekend 31st Jan – 2nd Feb, 2014 Castledaly Manor, Athlone Speaker: Graeme Wylie, Hope Counselling A time to be inspired and to inspire, encourage and be encouraged, to find and launch yourself into your God-given potential. Come join us for fun, fellowship, the Word and ministry. Start time(s): Friday evening with dinner at 6:00 and the first session is 7:30. Saturday first session at 10:00. Concludes with lunch on Sunday
CONFERENCE OPTIONS & COST: Option 1 €130 for a single room, includes food and conference fee for Fri – Sun (limited places)
Option 2 €110 for a sharing room includes food and conference fee for Friday Sunday
Option 3 €100 for a bed in a dorm includes food and conference fee for Friday Sunday
Option 4 €60 day rate for Saturday, includes meals, conference fee
For booking form email gfwylie@eircom.net, phone 09064 89110 or text 0870568925
CONFESSIONS OF A FEINT SAINT
ABy Annmarie Sorry Tale Miles
Mammy said I have to say that I’m sorry
remember as a child being “forced” to apologise to someone for being rude. I was in a bad mood and had ignored a cheery greeting as we were coming out of Mass. So I was “escorted” by my mother to the lady’s door. Of course, I apologised - there’s not much else to do when your mother is standing behind you. I cleared my throat and said, “Mammy said I have to say that I’m sorry for ignoring you, even though she’s done it herself enough times.” While being frog-marched home again, I gritted my teeth and wondered why I was still in trouble. I was more upset by that than anything else. The willingness to be wrong has not come any easier to me in my adult years. But there is only one thing worse than having to say, “I’m sorry” when I’m in the wrong. And that is the seeming-cruel injustice of having to say it when I’m NOT in the wrong. For some reason, apologising to that lady hadn’t put me back in my mother’s good books… (Well, how was I supposed to know that she hadn’t meant me to quote her directly?) But whether we are not at fault (or just THINK we are not at fault), I reckon there is only one way to break a stalemate. It’s the only way to move forward in the hope that tomorrow might be a little easier than yesterday. Remember what happened in school - if no one owned up then everyone suffered the punishment. That’s what happens with disunity and disharmony. Everyone involved suffers – even though not everyone involved caused it. Jesus Himself turned this whole thing on its head. He stayed silent when being wrongly accused. He took the blame when He was blameless. He didn’t just take a random beating – He took a beating that I, MYSELF should have taken. The least I can do is let it go that my sister borrowed something from me and then lost it! What was it? Oh, I can’t remember, it was 30 years ago. Still though…
Illustration: Olly Blake - www.ollyblake.com
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Annmarie Miles is originally from Tallaght, now living in Kilcullen, Co. Kildare. She is married to Richard from Wales. She spends her days writing, teaching and talking. Her first collection of short stories, 'The Long & The Short of it' is available in all formats at www.emuink.ie (Fiction Section) and also in Footprints in Dun Laoghaire. JAN - MAR 2014 VOX
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FAITH
TRANSFORMED STUDENTS IFES IRELAND SHARES A FEW OF THE EXCITING STORIES THAT ARE HAPPENING IN OUR UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES.
very year, thousands of teenagers to lead and was given confidence in sharing one of IFES Ireland’s most effective make the transition from school my faith among my mates in the halls, the ministries is to international students to university or college. It can be soccer team and the drama society.” through six International Cafes on an exciting but also a frightening Along with his staff in specific campuses, campuses and in churches around time as many of the security nets of Monty’s job is to inspire and equip students Dublin. One of the things that excites family, friends and even church fellowships are to be followers of Jesus. IFES has CUs in over Monty the most is: “seeing young left behind. 30 colleges and universities around Ireland. Asian, African and Eastern European As they immerse themselves in a totally “The pressures are enormous”, says Monty. students open up and ask the big new culture – student culture, IFES Ireland: the “The pressure to conform in lifestyle issues, questions while they are away from Christian Unions seeks to help Christian their family and cultural pressures students with that transition and, above and ready to seriously consider the all, to encourage them to reach the many claims of Christ.” students in their college classes and One Irish student whose life IT WAS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING AND residences with the good news of Jesus. has been changed and strengthened ALSO ONE OF THE MOST LONELY NIGHTS OF MY LIFE. by the Christian Union is Aoife The new director of IFES Ireland, Dr David (Monty) Montgomery, remembers from Abbeyfeale, a trainee teacher his first night away from home. “It was studying at NUIG. She says, probably one of the most exciting and also “Being involved in a group of young one of the most lonely nights of my life. But it to deny or give up your faith, or to be silent enthusiastic followers of Christ was was an incredibly important moment when I and ineffective. But the reality is that most so encouraging to me. It showed me knew that my faith was not second-hand. It was students are incredibly lonely and insecure, that there was more to it then just me not dependent on the hold I had on God but and the Gospel of Jesus offers hope. By praying by myself. Having a strong was based on the hold God had on me. reaching students, we could influence a whole group of Christian friends really helped “From my first day, I identified with other generation of Irish men and women.” me more along my walk with Christ.” Christians through the CU, and there I learned And not only Irish, of course, because Aoife is passionate about the
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importance of sharing the Gospel with others – something that students read the Gospel of Luke with their friends. IFES wants to help her do. “It is so important that there is a witness See www.uccf.org.uk/uncover) to Jesus on campuses. People need to know how wonderful it is to “After one of the studies, she came to one of our lunch events. walk with Jesus. Even if they just see it through how happy we are, or Whatever issue was being spoken about, I didn't think it was the just casually talking about faith can make a huge difference. Showing most relevant. I was blown away when afterwards she told me that people how awesome Jesus is, is so important.” it all made sense. Sinead is studying at UCC. She says, “My life has been totally “Over the summer, I got a text from her saying she had just transformed since coming to Christ and the CU in UCC has aided my become a Christian. Since then, the Holy Spirit has been so clearly spiritual growth. It was during this beautiful summer just past, God at work - she has been hungry for more. I am amazed by God's was putting things and people in my goodness and faithfulness in way that gave me a desire to seek Him. revealing Himself to her. It has I can’t pinpoint a particular day on been unbelievable to see God which I can say that I accepted Jesus as BEING INVOLVED IN A GROUP OF YOUNG ENTHUSIASTIC move in such a powerful way.” my Saviour. But I know now I am on “It is stories like this”, says FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST WAS SO ENCOURAGING TO ME. fire for God. I am truly a new creation. Monty, “that make the ministry so “Before, I was lacking hope and encouraging. There are a million meaning. I was in a pit of despair since I things students could be involved was a little girl. Now, I know that the Lord has a plan for my life.” in while they are at college but if they are serious about Jesus, I It hasn’t always been easy, though: “The CU has been such a would encourage them to get stuck in to their Christian Union. great support to me. Through the CU I have been attending an Alpha We will do all we can to help them.” course; I would so recommend it to everybody, especially a newcomer to Christ. The CU has given me the confidence to express my faith For more information, see www.ifesireland.org or email hannah@ with others without shame." ifesireland.org. One of the major emphases of IFES Ireland is encouraging students to share their faith. Last year Ciara from Belfast took the plunge and decided to pray for natural opportunities to witness to one of her classmates: “A girl from my course broke her foot last September, and I helped her with some of the course material as she couldn't make it to class. Over coffee, we got to talking about my faith and how it impacted my everyday life and actions, and it was such a privilege to share Jesus with her. She wanted to find out more, so we started Uncover together. (Uncover is a resource available through IFES, which helps
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FAITH
RECONCILIATION IN THE CHURCH WHAT SPLITS US UP AND WHAT BRINGS US TOGETHER? BY KEN BAKER
y dictionary defines reconciliation as “the restoration of friendly relations” or “the action of making one view or belief compatible with another”. So, we are talking about a massive change - from distant to close, from enemies to friends. On the very simplest of levels, I need to experience “reconciliation” with myself. It’s hard to carry on the everyday processes of life if you are not comfortable in your own skin, or content with who you are. Someone said, “Most people live in a perfectly balanced state between narcissism and perpetual self-loathing!” Self-reconciliation awaits. The Bible also claims that we are at perpetual odds with God and we need reconciliation in that direction too. Very few would argue the point. Even the cries of an atheist - “I don’t believe God exists” demonstrate a lack of relationship! Thirdly, of course, we are deeply
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divided from one another. We divide by genders, by classes, by status, by wealth, by races, by religions, by denominations…oh, the list is endless. It’s as if being divisive is the default position of humanity. In the New Testament, there is a constant association between those three directions. How can you truly love others while despising yourself? How can you love a God whom you do not see while refusing the friendship of those whom you do see? In Ephesians 2, Paul addresses this. He begins with our personal need for reconciliation with God. In 2:1 he says, “And you he made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins”. In short, he’s saying, “Don’t forget where you came from!” You were dead. It’s a metaphor for our condition before the spiritual encounter that changed our lives forever, a word-picture of our condition without God in our lives.
We desperately need reconciliation with God because we are habitual rebels who have “trespassed” - stepped over the line - and failed to live up to God’s standards.
BUT GOD…
God stepped in when we were at our worst and “made us alive with Christ”. The mercy and love that prompted this action form the “grace” that saved us. We are disqualified from bragging about something that was done for us when we were totally incapable – imagine someone was dragged ashore by a lifeguard and given mouth to mouth but then claims he rescued himself! And because you are set right with God, Paul says, you are now on a level with everyone else who is set right with God, so there cannot be divisions between you.
Clearly, Paul is writing to a church where there are divisions between Jewish believers and non-Jewish believers. The source of contention between Jew and Gentile was the fact that the Gentiles did not keep the law. But since Jesus fulfilled the law on our behalf and bore the penalty for our failure to keep the law, we are reconciled through His work on the cross - putting to death the source of contention. Not only are Jews and Gentiles saved by the same gospel, but they also have the same essential walk with God and access to Him. One group does not have a greater access than the other does.
WHAT DOES RECONCILIATION LOOK LIKE?
“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” Eph 2:19-22 Now, we have to be honest about this: the picture painted here looks very different
from the church in the world where You can choose not to. It depends how we live. For a start, there are probably important it is to you. Unless you really, a thousand different denominations, really believe that this person’s doctrine and many of those refuse to talk to each makes it impossible for you to be near other! We spit and snarl over our walls them…? and believe that we have the handle on Jesus is coming back for one church. the truth that others have lost or never Fill in the blanks. possessed. Some will cheerfully consign all A pastor said to me once, “Relationship who think differently to an eternity of hell. is more important than doctrine.” I have So, we return to the opening question: what splits us up and what brings us together? IT’S AS IF BEING DIVISIVE IS THE DEFAULT Paul was answering POSITION OF HUMANITY. the specific issue of Jew and Gentile in the church but his discussion is instructive. At the simplest level, they were thought long and hard about that one. I divided because of their backgrounds, have decided that I don’t quite agree. So their separate cultures and their general here’s my alternative: “Relationship is the approach to God. Sound familiar? doctrine.” And there’s a measure of pride and The world will know what God is like superiority right there. Some were when they see how we love each other. not willing to give up their traditions and brought them into the way they approached God. They downgraded any Ken and Val direct several missional who thought differently. communities across the midlands of If you want to, you can refuse to be Ireland. Ken’s books Evangelism in divided from other Christians. You only Acts and Evangelism as Encounter fall out with people that you choose to. are available on Amazon Kindle.
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LIFE
STRENGTHENING MARRIAGES "WE WERE LEARNING TO BRING JESUS INTO THE HEART OF OUR MARRIAGE.” - EUGENE SMITH
WHEN DO WE GO FOR HELP AS A COUPLE?
Relationships of all kinds need constant care and attention to keep them healthy and happy. A marriage relationship is no different. In fact, because it is a close and lifetime commitment in most cases, we need to give it special attention. Our happiness, our homes and our children’s security depend largely on good solid marriage relationships. Vicky McEvoy, a couple’s counsellor and Executive Member of the Irish Association of Christian Counsellors from Dublin, suggests that we should put our marriages through regular N.C.T. or M.O.T. tests. Marriage courses and weekend workshops to check are frequently on offer around the country. These courses and weekends focus on learning new skills and spending quality time together. They are helpful for all couples, at all stages, not just those who are in difficulty. “In my experience, many couples wait until things are really bad before they ask for counselling help. That is such a shame,” Vicky said. “A stitch in time saves nine. The IACC has lots of good counsellors who will be delighted to work short term or longer term with couples who want to restore, refresh or renew their relationship.” Find a list of counsellors on the IACC website, www.iacc.ie, or contact Oasis Counselling Service in Ballyfermot on 01 6268519. Vital Connexions also run training courses for pastors and counsellors who wish to equip themselves to work with couples who come to them for help and advice. Visit www.vitalconnexions.net to find out more. 24
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he focus in Cana is not so much about just the couple but about pointing both of them towards Jesus, and then they find unity together with Him.” - Tim Phalan “The Cana week is a unique experience because children are included, it allows parents of even very young children to take time out for themselves as a couple and to grow spiritually.” - Sally Phalan Marriage relationships face complex challenges in 21st-century Ireland. Although figures for marriage breakdown in Ireland remain lower than in other EU countries, according to the Central Statistics Office, the number of separated and divorced people increased by 22.3% between 2006 and 2011 from 166,797 to 203, 964. And Christian couples are not immune! Cana Ireland is a ministry that seeks to strengthen marriage relationships. “Marriage is the cement that keeps society together. If there is a breakdown in marriage, then society breaks down,” explained Eugene Smith, one of the national coordinators. “As a Christian couple living in today’s world, you need support from others around you. We are hoping Cana can grow and strengthen marriages in local communities and society as a whole.” An international programme, Cana was born out of the Chemin Neuf Catholic community in France but is designed for all Christians. The programme begins with a six-day residential for couples. Children are welcome
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and provided with their own programmes, designed for each age group and by a team of dedicated volunteers. After the Cana week, couples are offered the chance to join a small group to provide on-going encouragement and support for one another. The first Cana Ireland programme ran in Castledaly Manor near Athlone in 2012 with just six couples. The following
Maruska added, “I realise I had become resigned. Things were disturbing me and hurting me but I thought there was no chance it would change. I kept pushing things away and they built up and built up. “We experienced a time to forgive each other and to ask for forgiveness. Sometimes that is not the easy thing to do, especially when you are living so
AS A CHRISTIAN COUPLE, LIVING IN TODAY’S WORLD, YOU NEED SUPPORT FROM OTHERS AROUND YOU. summer, 17 couples from all walks of life, ages and social backgrounds took part. Eugene and his wife Maruska took part in a Cana week at a time when they felt their marriage was a a crossroads. “The honeymoon stage was over and there was a lot of dryness in our relationship,” Eugene said. “We were taking each other for granted.”
closely with someone.” Growing together spiritually was particularly significant for Eugene and Maruska. “During the week, people are really encouraged to pray as a couple,” Eugene said. “We had been used to praying on our own but we were never shown how to pray together. We were JAN - MAR 2014 VOX
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learning to bring Jesus into the heart of our marriage.” Tim Phalan, originally from America, and his wife Sally were the first to take part in a Cana programme and introduced it to many others in Ireland. “The Holy Spirit runs the programme from beginning to end,” Sally explained. “Every Cana week is different. People are free to be themselves. First and foremost, it is a spiritual journey for the individuals and together as couples with an emphasis on healing and forgiveness. “We enjoyed getting to know the other couples and we loved the community aspect of the week, which included moments of fun and
WE WERE TAKING EACH OTHER FOR GRANTED.
celebration. We came away with so much. We've heard it said, ‘Prayer is the oxygen of a marriage’. In Cana, we learned a new way to pray together. Aldo and Orla Oliveri took part in the Cana retreat in summer 2013. The programme had a profound impact on their relationship with one another and with God. Aldo shared, “We have always been a very argumentative couple. I come from Sicily. Over there, we are open but in a way that can be in-your-face for an Irish person. Orla always says what she thinks no matter what. Sometimes she can be very blunt. We loved each other a lot but it wasn’t always easy. Orla added, “We can have a Hollywood perspective on marriage. There is no real preparation. You go for a one- or two-day pre-marriage course and most of that is about how to file your tax return. Then you are let at it.”
When Orla picked up a leaflet about Cana, it seemed exactly what they needed. They booked right away. “Our biggest concern was the children, but they had fun,” Adlo said. “Our little fellow had the time of his life with the other kids, learning songs and games. “Coming home, we were warned we would miss the retreat. One day, we started to have an ‘animated discussion’! I thought about what I had learnt and realised we had discovered a new way to communicate. We still argue, but we are learning. Our marriage is a work in progress.” The next Cana course will run from 13 - 19 July 2014. Find out more from Eugene and Maruska Smith: telephone 0857330191 or email: canaireland@ gmail.com
MORE RESOURCES DON’T JUST SURVIVE… THRIVE!
Family Life Resources offers “Mind your Marriage” weekends around Ireland with the aim to give couples the time and space to refresh their relationship with helpful, encouraging and practical tools and teaching based on Christian principles. Run by Derek and Trich Dodd from Ashford, Co Wicklow, the weekends are available as a resource to churches and Christian groups. Contact Family Life Resources for further information: 040442726, email:info@familyliferesources.ie or visit www.familyliferesources.ie.
THE ALPHA MARRIAGE COURSE
The Alpha Course is well known across many different churches in Ireland. Perhaps less well known is the Alpha Marriage course. Over seven sessions, couples are treated to a romantic meal at a table for two while listening to practical talks on the DVD. The focus is on giving the couple space to be together and to discuss explore vital issues for their relationship. 26
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At a recent course in Blarney, County Cork, 11 couples provided feedback about their experience. Here are a few of their comments: “It just has made us realise how much we love each other and how important we are in each other’s lives. This is easily forgotten and taken for granted with busy workloads, small children, peer and family pressures.” “We’ve tried a lot of things, and this has been the most practical, helpful – and enjoyable – by far.” “...we have really looked forward to our Monday nights together at the marriage course. It helped me see how special marriage is and how much we have already. It also gave us really practical tools for tackling problems and making things better.” Find out more at www.alphaireland.org.
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FAITH
AFTER THE STORM
RESPONDING TO THE DEVASTATION IN THE PHILIPPINES
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VOX MAGAZINE
n Friday November 8, Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines with winds of up to 380 km/h. The monster storm, known locally as Yolanda, was one of the most powerful typhoons ever recorded. It flattened everything in its path, wiping out homes, schools, hospitals, businesses and churches. As VOX went to press, the number of confirmed deaths stood at 5,209 while almost 4 million people had been displaced. The city of Tacloban on Leyte Island was one of the worst affected. The world watched in horror as news reports broke but for Jaime Casilan the tragedy was personal. Tacloban is his hometown. Now a cook at the Halfway House restaurant in Walkinstown in Dublin, Jaime waited anxiously for news of his relatives but communications were devastated by the storm.
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10 OF THEIR RELATIVES HAD DIED AND TWO MORE WERE MISSING “Where I grew up, you can see the open sea,” Jaime told VOX magazine. “On that Saturday morning (9 November), I contacted my sister in Manila and asked, ‘What is happening?’ But there was no news. I was very worried. I rang again on Sunday. Finally, on Monday I called her again and she told me, ‘I have bad news. It is very bad news.’ I was shaking.” Jaime’s sister confirmed that 10 of their relatives had died and two more were missing. “On Thursday before the storm struck, many of my neighbours and relatives went to try to find higher ground,” Jaime explained. “But my half-brother and my niece and her whole family decided to stay. They thought that the house could survive. They did not realise the water would rise so high.”
Jaime’s church in Dublin was immediately galvanised into action. Word International Ministries is an international church of 140 people that meets in Chapelizod. The congregation is 95% Filippino.
A TIME TO RE-BUILD
Pastor Manny De Leon began coordinating efforts to raise funds that are being carefully targeted. Street collections in Tallaght and Lucan and a special event organised by the local residents' association in Chapelizod raised over €10,000. “Word International Ministries has set up a response centre in Cebu. From there we can bring goods and funds to neighbouring islands. We are also supporting another project that is helping to build new homes and temporary shelters. Our partners are careful to assess the needs rather than simply handing out relief packets to avoid duplication.” In the meantime, Jaime was desperately trying to support his surviving relatives. With help from the church and a generous advance from the Halfway House restaurant, he was able to arrange transport for his brother's family and other relatives from Tacloban to the Philippines' capital city, Manila. “At the moment there are 14 people living in one room and another 16 people in a small apartment,” Jaime said. “I’m very thankful for this church because they gave us money and helped the whole family. A few days ago, I was finally able to talk to my brother. He was crying and saying, ‘Thanks to God, I am still alive’. They came to Manila just with the clothes they were wearing. They lost everything in the storm.” Word of Life Ministries has been overwhelmed with donations of clothes, bottled water and tinned food.
They arranged a 20-foot container which left Ireland on December 17 filled with relief supplies. “Our main focus now is on rebuilding people’s homes and livelihoods,” Pastor Manny said. “It will be a long process. I think it will take at least five years to rebuild. As well as homes, we want to help rebuilding churches. It costs around €4,000 to build a church in the Philippines.”
GIVE ME A BOAT
Jaime feels it is vital to focus on longterm rebuilding rather than short-term relief. “In Tacloban, 70% of people are fisherman. The people in my hometown are saying, ‘Don’t give me a bag of rice; give me a boat and then I can rebuild my life.’ There are still fish in the ocean. Shortly after the typhoon, one person even made a boat out of an empty refrigerator!” One boat can support an entire family, providing them with the means to feed themselves and to earn an income. A good quality boat and net costs in the region of €1,000.
DON'T GIVE ME A BAG OF RICE; GIVE ME A BOAT AND THEN I CAN REBUILD MY LIFE. Pastor Manny appealed to Christians in Ireland to support the ongoing rebuilding work in the Philippines even after the disaster has disappeared from the news headlines. “The first thing we need is prayer for the Filipino people. The second is money to buy boats and to rebuild homes. I also hope Irish churches will help us to rebuild churches that have been flattened by the typhoon."
Visit www.wordinternationalireland.com for details of how to donate through the church. Alternatively, you can donate via aid agencies such as Tearfund and Christian Aid. See page 31. JAN - MAR 2014 VOX
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Project name Item name Job number Client Client team Proof stage Feedback by
LENT CYB 2014 Ad to promote app in Ireland Methodist Newsletter 14-610-J2087 Helen Newell Ireland 3rd Proof date 16/12/13
Make Lent count
13/12/13
Pray for the persecuted church in 2014
Count Yo ur Blessin gs
40 inspirational reflections to help you to pray, act and give, delivered straight to your smart phone or tablet. This Lent, download the free app – search ‘Count Your Blessings’ in your app store. christianaid.ie/lent Northern Ireland charity number XR94639 Company number NI059154 Republic of Ireland charity number CHY 6998 Company number 426928 The Christian Aid name and logo are trademarks of Christian Aid. © Christian Aid January 2014. 14-610-J2087
Church in Chains magazine is the only Irish magazine giving information and prayer points for persecuted Christians around the world. Contact us to receive your free copy. The quarterly 20-page magazine includes news and analysis and also features an Action Page which gives you an opportunity to get involved. involved. Sign up on our website to receive a weekly email newsletter with up-to-date news of persecuted Christians.
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REALITY
CARING FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE TEARFUND RESPONSE TO TYPHONN HAIYAN
THE LONG ROAD TO RECOVERY
ow do you start again when everything has ovember 8th is seared on the memory of many Filipino gone? That is the question facing people in families as it was the last day they saw family members and the Philippines in the aftermath of Typhoon friends alive. At its most intense, over a four hour period, Haiyan. Livelihoods that took years to build Typhoon Haiyan battered the coast of the Philippines and it were swept away overnight. People are still desperately will take many years to rebuild the lives left in ruins in its wake. seeking missing friends and family. Aid is getting through, As the weeks pass, the scale of destruction and the level of suffering but many people still have insufficient food, clean water and are becoming clear. Millions are shelter. affected and the final death toll is unknown. Tearfund’s church partners are helping survivors. Unicef TO ALL THE NATIONS WHO HAVE EXTENDED estimates the 2.5m of THEIR HELP TO US, THANK YOU! the worst affected are children. Layo Mateo, a fisherman in Basey Christian Aid partners are working hard to reach more than is concerned for the 100,000 people with emergency relief in some of the worst wellbeing of his children. affected and most isolated areas. As VOX went to press, Christian “Sometimes my children Aid partners had already provided relief still get scared. Now, even aid of food, water, sleeping mats, the level-one typhoon warnings blankets, shelter kits and hygiene scare us.” kits to 55,000 people in Leyte, The Philippine children’s ministry Samar and Iloilo. network (PCMN) is Tearfund’s partner on the ground. On the “Although people have island of Samar, PCMN has an established network of 60 local done their best to clean up, the devastation is still shocking. The majority of houses were completely SOMETIMES MY CHILDREN STILL GET SCARED. NOW, destroyed, along with most of EVEN THE LEVEL-ONE TYPHOON WARNINGS SCARE US. the coconut trees”, Christian Aid humanitarian officer Ciara Loughney, speaking from the Philippines. explainend. She added, churches active in child protection. In the first weeks after “The community is extremely grateful for the disaster, PCMN distributed emergency supply kits and the assistance and touched that people from provided psychosocial care through pastors and volunteers of as far away as Ireland want to help. I passed one sign the local churches. on the roadside saying, ‘To all the nations who have Given their strength as a child centered ministry, they are extended their help to us, thank you!’ While there is also involved in the rapid registration of displaced children. a huge amount of work to do to rebuild people’s lives In the short to medium term PCMN will be involved in and livelihoods, I was humbled by people’s courage and hope. Another tracing family members, setting up child safe places, interim sign announced, ‘We will rise again!’” educational services in the absence of school and child Rebuilding will be a long-term effort. In the months and years ahead, trafficking prevention. Christian Aid will continue to help people build back stronger homes and Girly Malitante is a primary school teacher in Marabut. livelihoods, more able to withstand the next disaster. Help is still urgently needed. She says, “Giving children the routine of going to school helps recreate a sense of normality for them. While adults begin the work of rebuilding their homes and their lives, How you can help:To donate to the Christian Aid Philippines Typhoon Tearfund partners are working to create safe spaces for appeal, call 01 611 0801 or online at www.christianaid.ie/philippineschildren. We received some food and clothing from the typhoon. Department of Education, and the government has said • €25 could provide a month's emergency food for three families. they will repair our school, but not until January.” Although it will take time to rebuild schools, Tearfund • €50 could buy essentials for a family like a tarpaulin, blankets, pots and a torch. partners are already creating places for children where • €120 could provide 50 families with hygiene kits and help prevent the they can play, make things, and express their emotions spread of disease. with on-site care providers. Children suffering acute trauma are treated by Filipino psychologists.
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Donate online at www.tearfund.ie, send your gift by post: Tearfund, Ulysses House, 22-24 Foley Street, Dublin 1 or telephone 01 878 3200 to speak directly to a member of the Tearfund staff.
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REALITY
Sean Mullan spent many years as a church leader. Now as an entrepreneur / businessman he still finds inspiration from the GLS: The principles I am learning are as applicable now that I’m in business as when I was in church leadership. The GLS recognises the reality of God at work in all of life. I was struck by Bill Hybels’ teaching on the need for courageous leadership. The crucial issue for me was the need for courage to establish a healthy culture. Every day, a business faces so many different forces - the needs of customers, competition in the marketplace, staff performance and the squeeze on finances. Yet, I have a responsibility to create a culture where the values of God’s kingdom are held high.
Nathan Reilly is MD of video production company Tiny Ark in Dublin. He prioritises the GLS as a time for his own development as a leader: Being a leader of any kind is a race against the clock. You never seem to have enough time! But it is essential to invest in yourself in order to be able to invest in others. Reevaluating the most simple things can have a dramatic effect. I found the session by Henry Cloud particularly helpful. He emphasised the importance of looking at what we can control rather than focusing on what we can’t. In our business, sometimes we have more work than we can handle but the future is uncertain. We never know what will happen a few months down the line. We need to look at what can we take control of right now rather than focusing on the uncertainty.
Pastor Dare Adetuberu is originally from Nigeria. Now he leads the Redeemed Christian Church of God congregation in Tyrrelstown: We have a Nigerian saying, “We are blessed with everything except leadership.” The world has a huge leadership crisis. We have a vision that we can do something about not just within the churches but also as a catalyst for social change. Today, I was particularly struck by the need to transition from having a vision to establishing values. After all the agonising of, “I wish we could do this…”, now it is time to write out the core values we will implement to make our vision become a reality.
Investing in Leadership
THE GLOBAL LEADERSHIP
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Rector Trevor Stevenson from St James’ Church, Crinken, feels he can’t afford to miss the GLS: I come to learn more about leadership, to keep up to date and to be motivated and challenged. The nuggets and gems I learn here can save me days, weeks and months, even years. I have been looking at the idea of identifying young leaders in the church. Listening to Pastor Oscar Muriu from Kenya talking about developing leaders has encouraged me to put that into action.
VOX MAGAZINE
Every year, VOX magazine joins leaders from around Ireland for the Global Leadership Summit. This two-day conference, run by the Willow Creek Association, is held near Chicago, USA, each summer and is then shared around the world by video-cast. Uniquely for a leadership conference with Christian values, the GLS invests in both church leaders and business leaders. Read summaries of key sessions on the VOX website. In November, VOX editor Ruth Garvey-Williams caught up with some of the Irish delegates at the GLS hosted by Open Arms Church in Newbridge, County Kildare, to find out why they attend the conference and what lessons they have learnt.
Twelve-time national champion cyclist Tarja Owens competed at the Sydney Olympics and the World Championships during a long and successful international career. But when she gave up professional cycling, she found a new passion. Along with Niall Davis, the only Irish cyclist to compete in the World Cups in both downhill and cross-country mountain biking, Tarja set up “Biking.ie” - a company dedicated to introducing, resourcing and helping people to enjoy biking: We work directly with people, helping them to build confidence and new skills - that can be daunting. How we do that is so important. We need to make sure the people we have working for us have the same ethos. Every year, as the business grows, our needs grow. We have to adapt and grow as well. The GLS brings a fresh perspective every year. Here, you take the time to reflect a bit more. It doesn’t add to your workload. Every time I come away with a snapshot of the long road. Thinking a bit further ahead helps you to pace yourself. It puts things in perspective and helps you evaluate how you are spending your time.
As a parent and with leadership responsibilities at work, Racheal Afolabi found immediate opportunities to put the teaching from GLS into action: I was challenged by the session on being an unintentional “diminisher” (not allowing people to operate at their full potential). I have four kids and usually we give them orders and instructions saying, “Do this… Do that…” Last night, I tried something different. I asked my teenage daughter, “What do you want to do?” She immediately came up with a solution to the problem. I need to learn to let my children figure things out for themselves. We have invested a lot into them. With my team at work, so often I’m giving orders. But they are professional and intelligent people. I’m planning to go in on Monday and ask them the question, “What do you think we should do about this…?” I want to let them figure it out.
PJ Booth is Senior Pastor of Open Arms Church in Newbridge, County Kildare and the national leader of Assemblies of God Ireland. PJ wants to see more leaders taking advantage of the training on offer: I believe everything revolves around leadership. If we limit the leadership, we limit the church. Leaders are not born. They are developed, raised, taught and mentored. GLS for me is about reaching lost people and making disciples by raising up leaders. Personally, I’m taking away the challenge to continue to be courageous. I need to keep taking those steps of faith. The more successful you feel you are as a leader, the less steps of faith you can take. It is not what I did yesterday that counts but what I am doing today!
Ross and Toni Williamson are part of the leadership team at the Lighthouse Church in Navan, County Meath: This year, the highlight for Toni was being introduced to the work of Compassion Ireland and signing up to sponsor a child. We can be so focused on our own community. We forget about the bigger picture. We forget that the world is suffering. The GLS exposes you to the outside world. Ross added: I was particularly struck by the talk on the “downward spiral of a leader”. I had a meltdown in March and it lasted several months. When Henry Cloud was explaining the downward spiral, I saw myself. It really hit home as to why it happened to me.
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LIFE
HOW MANY LEAVES MAKE UP A BUSH? 2ND PRIZE WINNER IN THE VOX WRITING COMPETITION 2013 BY HOLLY KREBBS
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he red dirt under my feet swirled in a powder dust as I abruptly turned. My raised brow, my flailing hands, my exhausted voice, all cried out with the same confused resignation, “What?” “How many leaves make up a bush?” It was somewhere in autumn by the calendar but it was really just the same long summer day it had been two years prior when I first arrived in Uganda. It was hot and the air was gritty, filled with the smells of burning rubbish and body odor. It was a short walk to town from the orphanage but it started with a slow rising hill and, on days like this, I felt I was dragging my body more than walking. I was tired and broken. Holidays had been suggested to me many times but I couldn’t hear them through the misconceptions I had about what it meant
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I WAS TIRED AND BROKEN to serve God. I hadn’t learned that when man was created, he was born into rest, thus enabling him to work. I was trapped in my own cycle of believing that I should only be allowed to rest when the job was done. But that job involved the hearts of several families, the futures of multiple children, dealings with corrupt officials and balancing on the political tightrope that connected two governments. Just when an end would start to appear, word would always come back from the courts that our cases had been once again delayed. And so I dragged myself on.
SHE WAS MY SANITY Stacy had come originally as a volunteer. My earliest memories of real conversation with her came from our chats during my first bout of malaria. I remember her looking at me like I was crazy entertaining her with tea while fuzzy from the sickness. A friendship formed and when she came back later to adopt, she volunteered her services as my assistant. It was well timed, as the cases had
just gotten more involved and I needed her question. She reminded me how someone beside me. she struggled believing she could hear Some days there would be loads to anything from God, of how unsure she do and we joked, calling her my “lackey.” was of herself. She talked about how Other days, we could do nothing but the very nature of our work challenged wait, cry and pray. She’d say she felt her faith. She explained how nervous like she wasn’t helping. On those days I she was to even speak to someone called her my “sanity.” about it, lest she be wrong. Stacy, in her sanity, had long Then she continued, “You know all encouraged me to take a break. Go this about me. Yet if there is one thing somewhere. Get rest. She was there to I am sure of… it’s this.” She began help and could cover while I recovered. listing all the miraculous little signs that Twice she’d almost convinced me. I had a sense that my time in Africa was coming near “MY LIFE CHANGED BECAUSE A FRIEND WAS WILLING an end and I needed the TO STEP OUT IN FAITH AND SPEAK DESPITE HER OWN retreat to ask God what He wanted next. I was DOUBTS AND FEARS” convinced it would be to go somewhere else in Africa, or India maybe. But I was so had popped up in the last months and emotionally raw, I couldn’t even hear. said, “There are all of these little leaves The discussions had brought up just dropping off you and they are all Ireland as a possible holiday. It was screaming ‘Ireland’.” somewhere I’d always wanted to go but She put her hands in front of me as never believed I would. I had once been if holding something. She said again, asked where my perfect destination “Now how many leaves do you need would be, to which I answered, before you have your burning bush?” “anywhere green and by the water.” It was while I was in Ireland on that But because of my erroneous belief holiday that God spoke to me about that God was a little vindictive, albeit His next direction for me, which is for my own good, I was certain I’d never another story of its own, but needless to see those shores, not even for holiday. say, ended up with me finding a home After all, how could I justify the cost? somewhere green beside the water. How could I justify the time? I was Stacy was right. My life changed accountable as one in ministry. because a friend was willing to step out in faith and speak despite her own doubts and fears.
DESPERATE FOR A SIGN
I was so reluctant yet I was also desperate. This debate had been lingering for several months in my head, my heart and in conversations with Stacy. So I said my prayer vocally in both frustration and complaint that day as she and I walked up the hill. “God, I just wish I could have some burning bush type sign!” “How many leaves make up a bush?” The moment that changed everything for me came when Stacy began to explain
Holly Krebs is just a girl who passionately loves God. Originally from Oklahoma, she loves calling the seaside town of Dungarvan, Co. Waterford her home. You can find her wherever there is good singing, good coffee and good conversation. JAN - MAR 2014 VOX
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REALITY
Legalising
DEATH BY LORRAINE NEIL
In April 2013, MS sufferer Marie Fleming lost her Supreme Court challenge to the ban on assisted suicide in Ireland. The court ruled that there is no constitutional “right to die” or to be assisted to do so. In the UK, Lord Joffe has made several attempts to introduce bills that, if implemented, would make ‘assisted suicide’ legal, while Lord Falconer’s “Assisted Dying,” bill will be debated in the House of Lords in May. According to one pressure group, there is 80% public support for such a change in the law. Here Lorraine Neil examines how Christians respond to a controversial and emotive issue. hile the terms “Assisted Dying” and “Assisted Suicide” may sound interchangeable, there are distinct differences. The former, ‘Assisted Dying’ is not a legal reference. It is a term used by organisations such as ‘Dignity in Dying’ to convey the message that terminally ill, mentally competent adults have the right to decide when they die and assuming they’ve met strict legal safeguards, the dying patient should be allowed to self-administer the drugs that will end their life. In March 1998, the US States of Oregon implemented the ‘Death with Dignity Act 1994’. A decade later, 341 people suffering from terminal illness have used the law to bring life to an end. While it is not a criminal offence for someone to take their own life, “Assisted Suicide” - helping someone to end their own life - is illegal in both the UK and
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Ireland and can be punishable by a prison sentence. In some circumstances, assisted suicide is permitted in Switzer-land.
VULNERABLE
Dr. Saunders said, “The abuse and neglect, particularly of older people in the community whether by families, carers or institutions, is real and dangerous. A law that allows the active hastening of death could so easily be exploited. This is why strong laws are necessary.” Advocates of changes to the law point to the US state of Oregon where it is argued that such fears have been unfounded. They state that in the past 15 years, there have been no substantiated records of abuse. However, Dr. Saunders takes a different perspective. Using the same time frame he quotes an enormous 450% increase in the number of assisted suicides in Oregon. “Developments overseas are disturbing. In Switzerland there has been a 700% increase while in the Netherlands
As the debate continues, it is obvious that this is a subject no one can afford to ignore. For many in the church, the standpoint that God alone has the right to determine the boundaries of life is straightforward and unequivocal. However, doctrinal belief is not the only basis for opposing change. There is the fear that an individual who is ill or vulnerable THERE IS THE FEAR THAT AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS could feel pressured into ending their life to avoid feeling a burden. ILL OR VULNERABLE COULD FEEL PRESSURED INTO Dr. Peter Saunders, Chief ENDING THEIR LIFE TO AVOID FEELING A BURDEN. Executive of the Christian Medical Fellowship, covering both the UK and Ireland, is among those who believe that a change in the law would be a huge mistake.
VOX MAGAZINE
the number of euthanasia cases has almost doubled since 2006,” he added. It is often argued that the right to end a life is a matter for the individual to decide. But, for doctors, active participation goes against fundamental ethics. On entering his profession, Dr. Saunders, like his colleagues, made a vow that was intended to instill confidence in his patients. Even today all young doctors promise, “not to harm the patient or give them poison”. The remainder of the oath, “even if asked,” may be less familiar but is no less important. Would a change in the law also require an alteration in the current medical oath? Could patients continue to have full confidence in a doctor’s word?
TABOO
Society has changed enormously. Greater knowledge and developments in technology have led to better health and longer life. In our youth-oriented world and with so much emphasis on living life to the max, it is easy to forget that death is also part of the cycle and a natural process. Northern Ireland GP Roselle Birnie believes that death has become a taboo subject. “Despite the progress in contemporary society, we have allowed death to become shrouded in mystery and steeped in fear. Yet, reality is often less frightening. I have witnessed the passing of patients and loved ones. I have to say that, contrary to belief, the majority of people, with the right support network, experience a good death.” Still, the question remains: What about those few individuals for whom death will be difficult? Those against changes in the current legislation argue that hard cases do not make good laws. Dr. Peter Saunders continued, “Once a ‘right’ to assisted suicide or euthanasia is established for restricted groups, it is inevitable that there will be incremental extensions to others through the application of case law in ‘hard’ cases. Our current law with its blanket ban does not need changing. The penalties it holds in reserve act as a strong deterrent to
those who stand to gain from another her stance on Assisted Dying. She person’s death. It also gives discretion to believes that individuals have a right prosecutors and judges to apply mercy to dignity, and that means having in genuinely hard cases.” choice as to how they die. Considering the media frenzy “Terminally ill people have no surrounding the subject, it would be choice,” she said. “Many are forced easy to lose sight of the number of cases to endure enormous suffering actually involved. Dr. Saunders points against their wishes. It simply isn’t out, “Persistent requests for euthanasia are extremely rare if people are properly cared for. Our priority must be to DESPITE THE PROGRESS IN CONTEMPORARY make good care – killing pain SOCIETY WE HAVE ALLOWED DEATH TO BECOME without killing the patient – accessible to all. This is SHROUDED IN MYSTERY AND STEEPED IN FEAR the best way of safeguarding vulnerable people and addressing patients’ physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs.” right. Neither should these people be forced to seek help from abroad. I believe a change in the law would SUFFERING spare them the added burden and For those enable them to die in the familiar immersed in the surroundings of their home.” reality of pain and Jo refutes any suggestion that suffering, statistics changing the law would leave it are irrelevant. open to abuse. “Any alterations Behind each would include stringent controls to prevent abuse. It is important to understand that the people we are trying to help are those who have been diagnosed with and are suffering from a terminal illness. They are mentally competent adults who know what they want. We are not proposing a law to assist chronically ill or disabled people to end their life. In that case, we would advocate finding ways to improve life instead of ending it. But where death is inevitable, we want to help number is an people substitute a bad end with a individual for whom good one.” life is no longer bearable. Jo denies any suggestion that the It is these individual Assisted Dying campaign conflicts tragedies that convince with the Christian faith. She says, people like Jo Cartwright, “Christianity is about compassion Campaigns Manager for the and love. Being able to help end the organisation Dignity in Dying, suffering for those in terrible distress that there must be a change in the and without hope of recovery is the current law. The daughter of a ultimate act of kindness. ” Congregational minister, Jo finds no conflict between her beliefs and
Changing the law is a major step into unknown territory. Write to us at VOX to share your views (editor@vox.ie or VOX Magazine, Ulysses House, 22 - 24 Foley Street, Dublin 1). Lorraine, originally from Belfast, is married with three children and is passionate about sharing her faith through the written word.
For more information visit: www.cmf.org.uk www.dignityindying.co.uk
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FAITH
BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART BY KRISTA BURNS
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them… Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God...” (Matthew 5: 3 - 11)
I had been in Nairobi for a week to attend an international board meeting for African Enterprise, an organisation focused on evangelising the major cities in Africa through partnerships with local churches. I was blessed to hear from the local ministry leaders about how God was at work and to be surrounded by some truly remarkable people.
am fascinated by God's economy: the idea that He took everything that seemed natural to us and flipped it on its head, declaring that what was up is now down. We've been invited to live in an upside-down world. The poor will be rich, the hungry will be satisfied, the lowly will IT WAS AS IF JOY WAS DRIPPING FROM HIS PORES be exalted. I just wish it weren't so easy to forget. I heard a knock at the door and as I answered I was greeted by a broad Surprisingly, I had been asked to represent white smile on a dark African face. Ireland at the meetings, even though I’m not "Hi miss, I'm Joseph. I'm here to take you even Irish. This thoroughly confused people. to the airport; can I take your bags?" "So... you're Irish," they would say. I could tell he'd not had much "Actually, I'm an American, but I live in experience with rolling suitcases before Ireland and I’m here for Ireland." because instead of rolling it along the "But you're from Ireland," they would insist. footpath, he clumsily turned it wheels-up "Well, yes... but...I’m American too." and placed it on his head. I smiled to myself "Ooohhh...?!" and followed him to the car.
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I was excited by the opportunity to be there. I was also quite pleased with myself, if I'm honest. A 20-something girl from a small country town in Oregon sent to represent Ireland in Kenya at an international board meeting. I was going places. Joseph had managed to get the suitcase off of his head and into the boot of the car. “I've never been on a plane but someday I will,” he said, making flapping motion with his hands. “I hope you do!” I said as we settled into the car for the journey. “It was such a pleasure to have you with us,” he said. “I was so blessed to see you here, my sister! Someone as young as you! It makes me excited for the future of this ministry.” Flattered, I thanked him and for the next 15 minutes he asked about me. So I told him ALL about me. What I do, why I live in Ireland. We talked about my boyfriend and what he does. All the while Joseph listened intently. “I praise God for you, my sister!” he
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would say over and over. It was as if joy was dripping from his pores. The broad and infectious smile never left his face. “Anyway,” I said, realizing I had gone on long enough. “Tell me about you, Joseph.” So Joseph told me all about himself and it was a story that completely shocked and humbled me.
passages of the Bible in English without any English education! “I thought I was going crazy”, he said. “For weeks, I felt like blocks were moving around in my head, rearranging themselves. But I just kept praying because I wanted to understand. Then suddenly, I did!” Today, Joseph works at African Enterprise cleaning the offices and helping where he’s needed.
said. “I love to throw dance parties in the slums! I go with loud music and once a crowd of people has come around to dance, I stop the music and tell them about Jesus. Then, we dance even more to celebrate all the people who get saved! Now, I am saving up so I can buy a generator to take the music anywhere and have even bigger dance parties and tell even more people about Jesus, praise God!” In spite of all his past challenges and JOSEPH’S STORY present hardships, Joseph’s focus is Joseph was born into a village still squarely on Jesus. I sat in the outside Nairobi that was heavily passenger seat utterly ashamed by my influenced by witchcraft. As a child, own attitude. He had reminded me HE WAS SO EXCITED BY HIS NEW FAITH THAT HE his parents decided he was the least of something it is so easy to forget: likely of all their children to be PRAYED FOR GOD TO HEAL HIS LEGS SO HE COULD that God uses the weak things of successful. So they broke his legs and WALK TO CHURCH AND LEARN MORE ABOUT JESUS this world to confound the wise, and hoped that he would die. He didn’t die God’s heart is toward the broken. That but was left severely crippled and had is the beauty of God’s economy. to be carried from place to place. My week in Kenya began with my When local missionaries visited “I am a cleaner, praise God! I get to pride in being counted among the leaders. his village, they led Joseph to faith in Jesus clean the African Enterprise office and It ended with my desire to be like Joseph, Christ. He was so excited by his new faith now I am driving people to the airport! I the office cleaner. He was a person who, that he prayed for God to heal his legs so love serving Jesus any way I can,” he said, unlike me, understood that God is always he could walk to church and learn more his smile bigger than ever. enough and was fully satisfied to just know about Jesus. “God is so good to me, and I know that Jesus and make him known. Miraculously, over a period of a few whatever I do I’m doing for God.” Blessed are the pure in heart, for they weeks he went from being carried to Joseph now supports the family that shall see God. Thanks to Joseph, I see Him walking with crutches and then walking cast him aside so many years ago. Many of a little more clearly now too. unassisted. Using his new legs, he started his siblings have contracted HIV, leaving walking to church every Sunday. Joseph to care for their children as well. Trying to read the Bible proved “I take clothes and food back to my another challenge because Joseph only village when I can. They are always happy spoke Swahili and the Bibles were in to see me coming, because without my English! So again he prayed asking God visits, they would have very little.” to open his mind to read His Word. And “Do you know what I love to do?” he God did that too. Joseph was able to read
Krista Burns is VOX's graphic designer and photographer. Originally from Oregon, she moved to Ireland two years ago to be a part of South City Church in Stillorgan and is on the Board of Directors for African Enterprise Ireland. JAN - MAR 2014 VOX
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REVIEWS
top
Reads from 2013
We asked leaders from around the country to tell us what they were reading last year. Here’s what they told us about their top “reads” from 2013.
Pastor Jamie Corcoran from Lighthouse Church, Navan, Co Meath and Ven. Craig McCauley from Church of Ireland, Virginia, Co Cavan both chose Emotionally Healthy Church by Pete Scazzero. This is what they had to say about it: Jamie: It's an incredible read that truly offers a legitimate and surprisingly refreshing challenge to our paradigm on discipleship. The book proposes that a key component of discipleship is our emotional health. Highly recommend it! Craig : This book came at just the right time for me, when I was feeling a bit empty and exhausted after a very busy and demanding season of ministry. The basic premise is that many Christians, and Christian leaders, today are spiritually mature while emotionally remaining incredibly immature because they don't take time to cultivate the inner life. As someone who can be a bit of a workaholic, author and pastor Scazzero encouraged me to slow down and get back to spiritual disciplines such as solitude and silence. He exposes the shallowness of much contemporary ministry and church life, encouraging us to go deeper and live out of a place of intimate communion with Christ. A mustread for anyone in ministry, I have already given copies to some pastor friends. Richard Carson is CEO of ACET, a charity focusing on care, education and training surrounding HIV & AIDS in Ireland. With three children under the age of six, Richard admits finding time to read is a challenge (although he can recommend Dinosaurs Love Underpants by Claire Freedman) but when he does find the time, this is what he’s been reading: For the past few years I have been reflecting on the philosopher Slavoj Zizek's idea that the worst slave owners were the ones who were kind to their slaves. For an excellent examination of this and how charity work often perverts God's intention for power, trust, impact and change, look no further than Robert D. Lupton's latest offering, Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charity Hurt Those They Help (and How to Reverse it). It will disturb and challenge all those involved in charity work without allowing the reader to retreat into paralysed apathy or debilitating cynicism.
Ana Mullan’s series on spiritual formation was a great favourite with VOX readers. She continues to study issues surrounding the devotional life of believers and her reading choice reflects that: A book that I am re-reading is by a priest, Fr Timothy Gallagher, about The Examen Prayer. Gallagher introduces the reader to a prayer that was used by Ignatius of Loyola at the end of the day. It takes us step by step through what the prayer is and gives practical examples of how people use it and how it has helped them. The book is very honest about the author’s own struggles and has helpful anecdotes of how Ignatius used the prayer. Written in a warm and easy way, it is powerful.
As the Chief Executive of Tearfund Irelad, Sharan Kelly has been considering a similar theme. Brian Fikkert is quoted as saying, “Poverty is about broken relationships...poverty alleviation is about reconciling relationship.” What does Brian mean when he talks about broken relationships? Isn't poverty about people not having money or jobs or food? Is it really possible that the local church is the answer to poverty? If so, how can we as the church support poverty alleviation without hurting people? If you want to know the answers to these questions and much more, then I highly recommend “When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor”, by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert.
Ruth Cooke heads up International Justice Mission in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Here’s what was on her reading list in 2013: I re-read The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis. The insight Lewis shows into human nature consistently causes me to shake my head and think, “How does he know people so well?! It’s as if he knows me!” I also find the book lifts my eyes again to God - the One from whom all good gifts come. I’m currently reading Good News to the Poor by Tim Chester. I’m delighted by this clear discussion on poverty and justice. So far, it has helped me to articulate better some of my thoughts and ideas around these themes and has equipped me as I seek to share with others around Ireland about the work of International Justice Mission.
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VOX JAN - MAR 2014
VOX MAGAZINE
Patrick Mitchell is a lecturer at the Irish Bible Institute and a popular Christian blogger. His choices could never be described as “lightweight”! The Christian publishing phenomenon of 2013 was N. T. Wright’s long awaited Paul and the Faithfulness of God: Christian Origins and the Question of God Vol 4. Just out, it looks destined to be a profoundly significant book that will be shaping discussion of Paul for years to come. It’s big (1680 pages long), bold (it’s N. T. Wright after all), creative, controversial, academic yet wonderfully readable and expensive at around €50 (sure that’s only about three cents per page). It covers Paul and his world (part 1), Paul’s Apostolic Mindset (part 2), Paul’s Theology (part 3) and Paul in History (part 4). I’m just getting started – ask me in another year what I think! A handy little stocking filler for Christmas. J
With little time for reading, Methodist Minister Rosemary Lindsay enjoys relaxing with well-written murder mysteries (Ed note - glad I’m not the only one!). Here are two of her choices from 2013: My current read is satisfying in its turns of phrase: Bring up the Bodies. I like how Hilary Mantel writes in the present tense and draws you into each scene as history slowly unfolds; I also love how she gets inside Thomas Cromwell's mind and turns him into a human being. I could also tell you about “Between Africa and the West: A Story of Discovery” - written by a colleague of mine, Rev. Dr. Sahr Yambasu. He tells of his childhood in Sierra Leone and his discovery of England and Ireland (and his wife!) and then tries to analyse and make sense of the difference. I wish someone had proof read it better(!) but it's an easy read with a couple of very thoughtful and thought-provoking chapters at the end.
Christine Hand, the assistant pastor of Dublin Vineyard, was quick to recommend Ruthless Trust by Brennan Manning: This book has had a profound impact on my life. The late Brennan Manning is someone who really understood what it is to be loved by God and to live in the freedom that being loved brings. There are so many quotable quotes in this book; here are a couple: "The splendor of a human heart which trusts that it is loved by God, gives God more pleasure than Westminster Cathedral, the Sistine Chapel, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Van Gogh's Sunflowers, the sight of 10,000 butterflies in-flight or the scent of 1 million orchids in bloom.” "Unwavering trust is a rare and precious thing because it often demands a degree of courage that borders on the heroic.” I recommend Ruthless Trust to anyone who struggles with feeling loved or with feelings of shame, remorse, guilt, lack of self-esteem or self-hatred. Working in a bookshop, Padraig O'Caoimh from Unbound Ministries in Cork has plenty of opportunity to discover the best that the Christian publishing industry has to offer. He recommends Love Does by Bob Goff: Bob Goff has made a huge impact in both his home life and his business life. What fuels his impact? Love. But it's not the kind of love that stops at thoughts and feelings. Bob's love takes action. Bob believes Love Does. When Love Does, life gets interesting. Each day turns into a hilarious, whimsical, meaningful chance that makes faith simple and real. Each chapter is a story that forms a book, a life. And this is one life you don't want to miss.
Laurence Graham is the Methodist minister of Killarney, Kenmare and Millstreet churches. He also recommends an older book that he found particularly relevant during 2013: With regard to a book that I've read in the last year or so, I think the best is The Shaping of Things to Come by Frost & Hirsch. It was actually published in 2003, but this particular book is a far sighted and seminal study that continues to be relevant today. It contains a real challenge to the church to be incarnational in our mission given that the Church is no longer the centre of society in the Western world. I don't entirely agree with all of it (though I do with most of it); however, all of it is challenging, thought provoking and stimulating.
Canon Ian Jonas, Carrigrohane, Co. Cork recommends an old book that he keeps re-reading and found helpful again during 2013. He says: The Challenge of Change by Phil Potter really gets to grips with the issues facing churches that are stuck in their ways - especially the chapter on the priority of understanding the importance of shared values. It is very readable, packed with illustrations and personal experience. JAN - MAR 2014 VOX
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A Conference Sponsored by: The Irish Association Irish Association of Christian Counsellors A Conference Sponsored by:
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For Pastors, Counsellors, Carers FOR PASTORS, COUNSELLORS, CARERS Upcoming events: And Church Leaders AND CHURCH LEADERS Guest Speakers: “Meeting the Suicide Risk” - Heather Moore, Sat 23rd March GUEST SPEAKERS: from 10am - 2pm The Riasc Centre, Swords. GORDON & RACHEL HICKSON Booking forms: www.iacc.ie
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“I PRAY THAT THEY WILL BE ONE EVEN AS THE FATHER AND I ARE ONE” - JESUS
REVIEWS
VOX MAGAZINE
Reviews by Amy O’Byrne
ANDREW FEENEY - ALL FOR YOU Whilst this album is a few years old, I only heard it for the first time earlier this year after a dear friend handed me a copy and assured me I would love it. And, she wasn't wrong. From the very moment the first song, Refuge and Strength kicks in, your heart is captured by what seems to be Feeney’s heart's cry. There is an incredible level of intimacy woven through the entire album, which makes it like one entire love song to Christ. While listening to the album I did find myself asking if these songs were congregational. Is this a worship album for a church setting? I firmly believe it is. There are similarities between Feeney and Anthony Skinner - an authenticity and freedom in the lyrics. One of the main songs that resonates with me is Though You are God, which truly captures the heart of God. Another notable track is We want Freedom, which is a prophetic cry for our nation. He sings, "Freedom and righteousness be released to this nation, Jesus be glorified on earth as in heaven" . So, are these songs congregational? Yes, indeed they are. It's also encouraging that Andrew Feeney is one of our own. He was born and raised in Galway and continues to lead worship at his local church and at events across the country. This album is fresh, despite being nearly four years old, and is worth a purchase. Andrew is currently penning a new album and, while the recording date isn't finalised, it's definitely one to look out for. Find out more here: www.andrewfeenyireland.com. VOX Rating: «««««
HERE ARE THE UK’S TOP 10 HYMNS - WHAT IS YOURS? In 2013 the UK’s Songs of Praise TV programme conducted a nationwide survey.Tens of thousands of people voted for their favourite hymn, from a list of 100 titles.These were the top 10:
1. How Great Thou Art 2. In Christ Alone 3. Be Still, For The Presence Of The Lord 4. Dear Lord And Father Of Mankind 5. Here I Am, Lord (I,The Lord Of Sea And Sky)
6. And Can It Be 7. Abide With Me 8. Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer 9. Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace 10. The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended
The debut book from
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Annmarie Miles (a.k.a. VOX’s Feint Saint)
‘The Long & The Short of it’ is now available to buy in paperback and e-book, or to rent digitally at www.emuink.ie. (fiction section).
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EVENTS
VOX MAGAZINE
Events Calendar What’s happening where and when
JANUARY The Jesus Agenda Wednesday, 15 January CORE, St. Catherine's, Thomas Street, Dublin 8 facebook.com/thejesusagenda Engage Conference 24 & 25 January St. Mark’s Church, Dublin 2 www.agireland.org FEBRUARY Fire Conference Weekend 7 & 8 February Liberty Church, Dublin 8 www.libertychurch.ie
Pastoral Prayer Training Saturday, 8 February Willowfield Church, Belfast www.newwineireland.org/events wakeUP Ireland 20 - 22 February Inchicore, Dublin 8 www.mywakeupireland.com MARCH Kingdom Women Saturday, 1 March Willowfield Church, Belfast www.newwineireland.org/events IACC Conference Saturday, 8 March City West Hotel, Saggart Co. Dublin www.iacc.ie
C.S. Lewis Lecture 2014 Thursday, 13 March Institute of Chartered Accountants Ireland, Dublin 2 www.cslewislecture.ie APRIL The Christian Dance Fellowship Conference 11 - 13 April Newry Co. Down www.cdfi.weebly.com Got an event you want others to know about? Let us know - and we'll let everyone know. Email info@vox.ie
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“ O f M a r k e t s a n d M e n - R e s h a p i n g f i n a n c e f o r a n e w s e a s o n ” b y J a m e s F e a t h e r b y
1 3 t h M a r c h 2 0 1 4 I n s t i t u t e o f C h a r t e r e d A c c o u n t a n t s I r e l a n d 4 7 - 4 9 P e a r s e S t r e e t , D u b l i n 2 F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n a n d b o o k i n g s e e w w w . c s l e w i s l e c t u r e . i e w w w . f a c e b o o k . c o m / c s l e w i s l e c t u r e @ c s l e w i s l e c t u r e
REVIEWS
VOX MAGAZINE
BIBLICAL EPICS MAKING A COMEBACK?
Hollywood is set to release new films based on Bible stories this year. Here are three to watch out for. We’d love to know what you think about these movies and their potential for sparking conversations about faith. Write to editor@vox.ie with your comments and reviews!
SON OF GOD - FEBRUARY 2014
Following the unexpected success of the TV mini-series The Bible on the USA’s History Channel, 20th Century Fox has announced the release of a feature-length version using selections from the TV series plus additional scenes that were left on the cutting room floor. The film stars Portuguese actor Diogo Morgado and follows the life of Jesus from birth to resurrection. Husband-and-wife team Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, who produced The Bible TV series, said, " We are excited to be working with 20th Century Fox to release Son of God as a major motion picture. We responded to an overwhelming demand for the ‘greatest story ever told’ to be seen on the big screen. The result is a beautiful stand-alone movie. It's the story of Jesus for a whole new generation."
NOAH - MARCH 2014
With a huge Hollywood budget, an award-winning director and a star-studded cast (Russell Crowe, Emma Watson and Anthony Hopkins to name just three), Noah is already creating controversy before its release, with pre-screenings proving unpopular with Christian and Jewish audiences. US Christian writer Brian Godawa has slammed the blockbuster as “nonsense” and wrote on his blog, “If you were expecting a biblically faithful retelling of the story and a tale of redemption and obedience to God, you’ll be sorely disappointed.” However, Christian author Phil Cooke has challenged Christians to “lighten up” and see Hollywood films like Noah as an opportunity rather than a threat. "We need to be mature enough to understand that Hollywood isn't going to make Bible stories the way we grew up with them,” he said. “We don’t want them to cross dangerous theological boundaries but I'm willing to give them enormous slack just to get that out there. Anything that allows me to start a conversation with a friend or coworker about God works for me. We need to realise the value of these [films] in creating cultural conversations about the Bible."
EXODUS - DECEMBER 2014
Director Ridley Scott has assembled an impressive cast for Exodus - the new epic based on the life of Moses. Christian Bale is headlining along with Aaron Paul as Joshua, Joel Edgerton as Rameses, Sigourney Weaver as the Egyptian queen mother and Ben Kingsley also making an appearance. Scheduled for release just before Christmas, Exodus is currently being filmed in Spain and has generated considerable interest in Hollywood, thanks to the artistic potential of combining such a wealth of acting talent with Ridley Scott’s genius (Scott’s long career has featured box office smash hits such as Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven and Robin Hood). JAN - MAR 2014 VOX
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VOX PS
REBEL WITH A CAUSE BY SEÁN MULLAN
n old man in Africa breathes his last breath and the world stands still. At 95, his death is no surprise but we mourn as though it should never have happened. His memorial event is like a general assembly of the United Nations except that political enemies shake hands or embrace in shared loss. What was it about this man, who spent the best years of his life in jail, that captured the world’s affections? What did we see that drew us to him? And how do we best remember him? Mandela was a rebel. He rebelled against the evil of apartheid. He rebelled against the notion that one race was intrinsically inferior to another. And then, after years of captive waiting, having seen victory for his cause, he rebelled against the notion that the victor keeps the spoils for himself. In South Africa’s first all-race election in 1994, Mandela’s party won over 60% of the vote, three times the vote of the next largest party. With all that power in his hands Mandela, the rebel, chose to share it with his foes, including his oppressors. Both those who had kept him in prison and those who now threatened his political power were given seats at the cabinet table.
A
ANOTHER REMINDER OF OPPRESSION?
In 1995, one year into Mandela’s presidency, South Africa hosted the Rugby Word Cup. Rugby, the game of the white South African, had embodied their perceived supremacy. The Springboks, as they were known, had been the pride and joy of white South Africa but for black
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VOX JAN - MAR 2014
South Africans they were just one more reminder of the era of oppression. After a tough tournament the host team reached the final. But even on home soil no one gave them a chance against the undefeated and seemingly undefeatable New Zealand team. The Springboks seemed destined for the runner-up spot. Enter the rebel. Mandela arrived at the game wearing a Springboks shirt, the uniform of his old enemy. And suddenly everything seemed possible. Francois Pienaar, the South African captain, later said that after
RECONCILIATION ALWAYS REQUIRES THAT SOMEONE PAY THE PRICE. Mandela visited their dressing room with the Springbok emblem “over his heart,” the whole team would have gone through walls for him. And they did. In a close match, the teams were level at full time but after extra time it was the Springboks who were three points
ahead. And that little old African rebel, already more than a decade past retirement age, stood beside Pienaar and punched the air in triumph, celebrating the victory of those who should have been his enemies as though he himself had won it… and perhaps he had.
HE PAID THE PRICE HIMSELF
Mandela refused to either surrender or retaliate against his enemy. Instead, by absorbing into himself the evil the enemy had done, he changed the whole ball game. By refusing to let the opponent’s deeds or attitudes set the agenda, he sowed the seed of reconciliation. Reconciliation always requires that someone pay the price. Mandela chose to pay that price himself rather than forcing the opponent to pay. A rebel indeed. He wasn’t the first rebel to do this. The Jesus story, set out in the four gospels, pictures a rebel who loves his opponent and willingly pays, in his own suffering, the price of being reconciled with them. Then he throws out a general invitation to join the rebellion. The Mandela story leaves us with a profound challenge to our understanding of how life works. Even more so the Jesus story. But praising the rebels is no substitute for joining the rebellion. 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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