VOX January 2018

ISSUE 37 / JANUARY - MARCH 2018

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TODAY’S IRELAND

Contrasts and Concerns

21ST CENTURY IRELAND

EXPLORING OUR CULTURAL CONTEXT

YOUR GREATEST CONCERN

AS WE ENTER 2018 JAN - MAR 2018 VOX

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EDITORIAL

What do you see? wonder if we’ve lost the art of looking, really looking at what is going on around us?

Take a quick scan as you walk along the street or sit on a bus or ride a tram today and you may see what I mean. Dozens of fellow travellers will stare intently at screens or chat with a distant caller, seemingly oblivious to what is going on around them.

In this issue of VOX, we’re taking a closer look at what is going on around us. What is our cultural context? How has Ireland changed? And what are the implications for Christians on this island?

In the Old Testament, the LORD frequently asked the prophets the question, “What do you see?” or its variation, “Do you see...?”

Some would prefer not to look at all. It is much easier to be distracted by a YouTube video, an important phone call or even a theological discussion, than to take careful note of our reality.

Others do look, and the result is fear. The problems seem overwhelming. The pace of change is accelerating. Things appear out of our control.

Yet, the lesson of Scripture challenges these reactions. God calls us to look but not to panic, to understand the times so that we will know how to respond. And that response is one of faith not fear.

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HABAKKUK WRESTLED TO MAKE SENSE OF WHAT GOD WAS DOING. Faced with the dire realities of his context, the prophet Habakkuk wrestled to make sense of what God was doing. By the end of the little book, the only thing that had changed was Habakkuk himself. He was at peace knowing that the Lord was still on His throne.

So, journey with us as we look at the realities of postChristendom Ireland (21st Century Ireland, page 12), as we see mission in action around the country (The view from where I stand, page 26 and Responding to needs within the community, page 34) and as we hear what you told us in our readers’ survey about issues of concern (pages 10 and 30).

This year, let’s not be those who shrink back in fear but rather face the realities of our context with faith!

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JAN - MAR 2018 VOX

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CONTENTS

JAN - MAR 2018 ISSUE 37 ISSN: 2009-2253

12 30 18 20 22 24 26 28 32 34 36 39

COVER STORIES 21st Century Ireland - exploring our cultural context

E DITOR Ruth Garvey-Williams editor@vox.ie

What is your greatest concern as we enter 2018? the results of our VOX survey

L AYOUT, ADVE RTISIN G & PROMOTION Jonny Lindsay jonny@vox.ie

FEATURES AND INTERVIEWS Creation Care and Mission - part three in our thought-provoking series The Faith Crisis of Irish Youth - Barna survey reveals the legacy of Irish Christendom

SUBSCRIPTIONS Tara Byrne tara@vox.ie

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10 years in Maynooth - “One of our visitors challenged us to... be good news for our community as well as seeking to share good news with our community.”

SUBSCRIBE : Ireland & UK: Min. €10 for four issues Overseas: Min. €20 for four issues

Questions and Pub Sessions - Agapé connects with students in Irish Universities

Subscribe online at www.vox.ie. All cheques should be made payable to ‘VOX Magazine’.

The view from where I’m standing - Heather Morris explores mission in post Christendom Ireland My Story - Meet Brendan Madden Loving Beyond Limits - “It is one of the most unnatural things in the world to have to bury your own child.”

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DISCL AIME R

The views expressed in letters and articles are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the VOX Team or our partners. The acceptance of advertising does not indicate endorsement.

Responding to needs in the community - five home-grown projects that are transforming lives in Ireland and Northern Ireland Can Leprosy be confined to history? A new name and a fresh determination.

PRIN T Ross Print, Greystones, Co. Wicklow

From Pilgrim’s Progress and the Narnia Chronicles to insipid romances: Nick Park asks “Whatever happened to Christian Fiction?”

Cover Image: Bethany Garvey-Williams

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REGULAR FEATURES VOX: Shorts VOX: World News Your VOX: Letters

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The Soapboxer Confessions of a Feint Saint Book Reviews

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VOX SHORTS

Highlighting the Horrors of Direct Provision

Rubicon is an annual conversation around faith and culture that takes place in Dublin. The reality of Ireland’s Direct Provision was top of the agenda in November 2017 with speakers sharing their personal experiences as refugees.

After spending five years living in Direct Provision, activist Ellie Kisyombe co-founded “Our Table” with Michelle Darmody to raise awareness of this “abhorrent system.” “Our Table” is a communitydriven, non-profit creating a pop-up café to provide disadvantaged migrants with an independent income, and open the conversation about Direct Provision.

Thiru Guru, a refugee from Sri Lanka, shared his story of arriving in Ireland. A journalist and a poet in his own nation, Thiru experienced a gradual erosion of his confidence while living in Direct Provision.

“Listening to [Thiru’s] heartbreaking story at Rubicon quite honestly reduced many of us to tears,” blogged Rev. Stephen Neill, @paddyanglican.blogspot.ie.

“The most tragic part was that his pain didn't end when he got to our shores. He got sucked into the inhumane and soul-destroying reality of Direct Provision, which robs people of any sense of purpose and their lives of any meaning.

“He talked of a barbaric regime where supervisors in these centres told the refugees that they were lucky to have shelter and food. He could not work. He could not choose or cook his own food. He had no space that was his own. And he was still dealing with grief and trauma that he had experienced before he arrived in Ireland. It is time to put an end to this barbaric policy.

“Many have said it and I am convinced that Direct Provision will be seen by generations to come as the Magdalene Laundries of our time.”

Breaking news from IBI

As VOX was going to press, it was announced that the Irish Bible Institute has been successful in revalidating their BA and MA programmes with York St John University. This is extremely significant for IBI and important for the wider church in Ireland. VOX has arranged for an interview with IBI in our April issue to find out what this means for the Dublin-based theological college.

CS Lewis Festival

Grant Available for TEFL training

From early 2018, Bishops’ Appeal will be funding a limited number of people who wish to receive a TEFL qualification so that they can provide English language classes to refugees, asylum seekers and migrants living in Ireland. Each person who avails of the grant will be requested to contribute one tenth of the cost themselves and will commit to volunteering some hours with refugees once qualified. Find out more at the Bishop’s Appeal office 01 4125610 or bishopsappeal@ireland.anglican.org.

Surprised by Joy was the theme of the fifth annual CS Lewis Festival, which took place in Belfast in November, 2017. The annual arts festival features talks, films, theatre, arts and crafts, readings, discussions, music, workshops, exhibitions, tours and more, designed to showcase CS Lewis’ works, his legacy and his strong connections with his childhood home of East Belfast. A number of the events were held in local churches. Check out the festival page on Facebook @CSLewisFestival for photos of the event.

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VOX MAGAZINE

COMING SOON IN 2018 NEW WINE LEADERS’ CONFERENCE Tuesday 6 to Thursday 8 February Venue: Radisson Blu Hotel, Ballincar Road, Rosses Point, Sligo | All Day An opportunity to gather Church Leaders together from across the island of Ireland and from every denomination and background, so that we can encourage and strengthen each other, discover how we can better support and be resourced by one another and receive some excellent input and teaching from the keynote speakers. Rev Canon Ian Parkinson is a Leadership Specialist at CPAS (Church Pastoral Aid Society), Coventry and an Associate Lecturer in Professional Practice at St Mellitus College, London. Maureen Ross Jones is part of the Senior Teaching Team and an Elder at Emmanuel Church, Lurgan. To find our more or to book, visit www.newwineireland.org.

CHAPEL YOUNG ADULTS CONFERENCE Friday 9 March at 7pm and Saturday 10 March, 9am to 9pm Venue: St Mark’s Church, 42a Pearse Street, Dublin 2 Chapel Conference is a gathering of young adults from all over Ireland to see brokenness healed, burdens lifted, hope restored and futures secured. With worship from the Chapel Band and guest speaker, Pastor Chris Durso from Christ Tabernacle NYC. Tickets start from €20.

A full weekend pass costs €35. Find out more or to register visit at www.chapeldublin.com/conf.

REBOOT #NOQUESTIONOFFLIMITS 10am to 5pm on Saturday 10 March Venue: Methodist College (Whitla Hall), 1 Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 6BY With events in cities across the globe, REBOOT provides a place for young people, with or without a faith or church background, to explore life’s tough questions, raise their objections and investigate different perspectives on life. The Belfast event will look at ‘How can we know God exists?’, ‘Why does God allow suffering?’ and ‘Hasn’t science disproved God?’ with the aim of giving young people the chance to be honest about their doubts. This oneday conference, run by the Zacharias Trust, is open to all young people aged 12 – 18 and their youth leaders. The cost is just £8 per person whether over or under 18. To book, visit www.rebootglobal. org/belfast.

AMAZING GRACE FESTIVAL 2018 Wednesday 4 to Monday 9 April Venue: Buncrana, Co. Donegal A Chéile (Together) is the theme of this year’s Amazing Grace Festival, which takes place every year in Buncrana.

Celebrating the life and legacy of John Newton, author of Amazing Grace, the festival uses art, music, storytelling, history and family events and more. This year’s programme features the John Newton story brought to life with an interactive walk along the shores of beautiful Lough Swilly meeting characters such as William Wilberforce and John Newton himself. Find out more at www.amazinggrace.ie.

Thank you!

Niall Barry from Team Hope writes, “A huge thank you to all VOX readers who took part in the 2017 Christmas Shoebox Appeal. Lots of you filled shoeboxes with fantastic gifts for children in Africa and Eastern Europe, and for these children your shoebox was the highlight of their year.

“Many more of you helped out with one of Team Hope’s local teams around the country – speaking in schools, collecting shoeboxes, or working in one of Team Hope’s shoebox checking centres. Thank you for making a huge difference in the lives of children living on the margins of society, bringing a lot of joy, laughter and God’s love to children who feel they’ve been forgotten by the world. Thanks to you – they haven’t!” The final total for 2017 was €264, 579!

What got people talking in 2017 According to Twitter, Ireland’s most popular hashtags about news stories were: #Repealthe8th #Brexit #Ophelia #IrishWater #TuamBabies

And here are just a few of the top tweets from the Irish Christian scene in 2017: New Horizon: “You can have the soundest, best doctrine but if your character is not becoming more like Jesus, you are not mature!” @ ddaverichards4 #NH2017 New Wine Ireland: “I would rather go down in flames doing what I feel God is telling me to do than risk nothing and do nothing.” @ missionalfrog #Sligo17 VOX magazine: “Pray as if it all depends on God and live as if it all depends on us” - hearing about @247prayireland at #LeadingforLife.

WORLD NEWS

IRANIAN CHURCH KEEPS ON GROWING

“God is working beyond our wildest dreams”, says Sam Yeghnazar of Elam Ministries (Church in Chains’ Iran partner).

The church in Iran is often described as the fastest growing church in the world and Iranian church leaders simply describe its growth as revival. It is now believed that there are up to 800,000 Christians in Iran. Most are from a Muslim background and have come to faith in Jesus after receiving a copy of the New Testament, well-known in Iran because of government warnings against the “red book”. Many tens of thousands of Iranians are also hearing the Christian message through satellite television and are being discipled on social media.

Church growth in Iran is accompanied by severe persecution.

The authorities view Christians as “enemies of the state”. The persecution is driven by religious zeal. Christians meet in strict secrecy in house churches all over Iran, wary of the secret police who are always trying to find and break up church meetings. They target church leaders, who distribute New Testaments and those who host church meetings in their homes. Over 200 Christians have been arrested since 2016. Some have been given long prison sentences. Find out more at www.churchinchains.ie.

ZIMBABWE – A MIXTURE OF HOPE AND ANXIETY

Zimbabwe is home to over 720,000 orphans, partly as a result of deaths from AIDS-related illnesses. Denford Munemo is the National Director of ZOE (Zimbabwe Orphans through Extended Hands) which is Tearfund Ireland's programme partner in Zimbabwe. ZOE's vision is to promote and foster a culture of church-based community orphan care. Since 2003 they have inspired over 100 churches to care for orphans. In recent times their work has become increasingly challenging as the fallout of an unstable economy has meant an increase in child marriages, school drop outs and child trafficking. Following the resignation of President Mugabe in November, Denford called for prayer into the 'hope and anxiety' of the recent political developments and the role ahead for the church in uniting people who are still deeply divided along political factional lines.

Photo: Eleanor Bentall, Tearfund.

RWANDA GENOCIDE – 20 YEARS ON

For those who survived the atrocities of the Rwanda Genocide in 1994, the memories are still raw. Many still live in depression and loneliness. Team Hope is partnering with Solace Ministries (a local Rwandan Christian NGO set up by survivors) to bring help to widows and orphans of the genocide. Solace Ministries listens to and comforts survivors, provides medical and spiritual care, education, and employment for those who are physically able. Survivors’ dignity is being restored and support networks are created for people who are traumatised, lonely, poor and desiring hope as they confront an uncertain future.

Since 2012, Team Hope has been working alongside local partners to provide quality education for children in Kigali and in rural areas. This is helping Solace Ministries to develop and establish 70 new viable small businesses for survivors and their families in Kigali. These new businesses, which guarantee income, dignity and hope for families cost just €200 to set up.

Standing outside a church in Nyamata - the site of the murder of 10,000 men, women and children in 1994, Niall Barry (Team Hope’s Executive Director) met Genocide survivor Immaculata. She told Niall, “My family thought we were safe going into the church. Then they came, killing everyone – my parents, my brothers and sisters, my husband and all my wider family. I lay on the floor of the church for a couple of days, pretending that I too was dead until it was safe, then I fled into the safety of the bush. It was hard to forgive at first but God helped me.”

If you want to get involved visit www.teamhope.ie or call (01) 294 0222.

BISHOPS’ APPEAL SUPPORTS CHRISTIAN AID PROJECT IN INDIA

The Bishops’ Appeal in Ireland recently funded a Christian Aid project in India where regular flooding is causing water contamination. The programme will provide water purification and measures to prevent water borne diseases. They have also partfunded a Fields of Life project in a small fishing village in Uganda providing the secondary school with a separate latrine for the girls and the supplies to make sanitary towels so the girls who currently have to miss school during their menstrual cycle, can attend. This is part of a broader programme educating staff and students about gender-based violence and the rights of women and girls.

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YOUR VOX

Letters to the editor This issue of VOX explores our cultural context in Ireland so we wanted to know what was on the minds of our readers as we enter 2018.. In a VOX survey, we asked you to tell us what issues were of greatest concern to you. With a huge response, we have decided to publish more detailed results (see page 30) but for “Your VOX” we have chosen some of the most thoughtful responses from around the country.

THE POTENTIAL FOR A REFERENDUM TO REPEAL THE 8TH AMENDMENT

While there are many other important issues including homelessness, refugees and hidden crises in places like Yemen, the plans to legalise abortion on a wider scale will have major impact on the way life is valued or devalued in this country.

CO. CORK I just can't believe that we are actually going to legalise abortion and [that people] cannot see as a nation what we are doing i.e. killing unborn children. I do accept there is a debate to be had around life of mother and child but fully accessible abortion is beyond comprehension and all of this championed by the Minister for Children, among others.

CO. CAVAN

THE IMPLICATIONS OF BREXIT/ BORDER CONTROL

This is on my mind mainly because it has more 'air time' than any of the other issues you list above. All the issues are of concern to me as a Christian. The Brexit border issue is important though because not only does it have potential impact on me personally, living near the border and shopping/trading on both sides, but because of the implications for everyone on this island in terms of peace (or a lack of it) and increased tensions across communities, trade and the impact on businesses and farming. It could divide people and, due to impact on business and trade, could distract people from looking after others with less than us - when we should be supporting those whose lives are far harder than ours.

CO. FERMANAGH

THE HUMAN IMPACT OF "HIDDEN" CRISES IN PLACES SUCH AS YEMEN, SOMALIA AND DRC Christians should be deeply concerned with relieving suffering and ending poverty and injustice, in particular in parts of the world where people have no voice or advocacy. The 'church' should try to have a more public voice and influence on these issues as well as to give generously and act where possible.

DUBLIN

THE HOMELESS CRISIS

This issue concerns me greatly because the homelessness figures are rising rapidly and the government isn’t responding responsibly. Many Churches are responding but the task is a

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Star Letter

of VOX we In each issue all of a €25 One4 ize pr a d awar letter. ite ur vo fa r ou voucher for u!

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mammoth one and resources are limited. Individuals and families are in such an awful predicament and no tangible end is in sight.

These are very sad times that almost bring us back to some of the darkest times in Ireland’s homeless history.

CO. MAYO

THE FALLOUT FROM INTERNATIONAL UNREST (E.G. US POLITICS, MIDDLE EAST, CRISIS IN SYRIA, ETC.)

This just affects us all, terrorism and unrest, oil, poverty, health, resources, debt, war arms - just massive ramifications and repercussions.

CO. WICKLOW

THE CURRENT STATE OF POLITICS

Growing up during the "troubles" in Northern Ireland, I would be very concerned that unstable politics along with Brexit difficulties could allow a drift back to the horrors of sectarian violence.

CO. CORK

LOOKING AT THE BIG PICTURE

When I look at the state of the nation, or the world, I'm dismayed.

When I try wrestling with the issues, even by grace, I can feel overwhelmed. But when I listen to the Spirit, as He leads in peace, His outcomes are better than mine.

CO. GALWAY Most of these issues mentioned in the survey are complex. My concern is that the church would respond to such concerns superficially and in an uninformed way that would result in an unhelpful or ineffective response. We have to be able to find ways to hear others in order to be informed biblically and to understand the times.

CO. DONEGAL Although the Lord is sovereign and will never leave Himself without faithful witnesses the Church in Ireland is incredibly unattractive currently to many non-Christians. Problems include abuse scandals, financial scandals, bullying, an absence of good governance or accountability, and a relative absence of apologetics or media skills. To an increasingly educated population the poor way churches present their message makes it increasingly irrelevant.

CO. ANTRIM

SEND YOUR LETTERS TO EDITOR@VOX.IE OR YOUR VOX, ULYSSES HOUSE, 22-24 FOLEY STREET, DUBLIN 1

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21STCENTURYIRELA exploring our cultural context

Recently, the Evangelical Alliance of Ireland commissioned papers exploring the cultural context of modern Ireland. The resulting works by Fraser Hosford and Patrick Mitchell were so insightful that at VOX magazine we decided (with their permission) to publish the following shortened versions of their work.

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VOX MAGAZINE

ND oday, there are two Irelands: the old Ireland with its religious feel and the new Ireland which is more secular and notably materialistic. These two cultures co-exist, albeit not peacefully, as demonstrated by the recurring culture wars over social issues.

One of the favourite stories of Jesus is the Prodigal Son (Luke 15). It is better titled The Parable of the Two Sons, as it contains a message for both. Intriguingly, the two sons mirror the two Irelands.

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THE OLDER SON

Luke 15 begins with the grumbling of the religious leaders at Jesus’ interaction with those who were deemed sinners. This parable is told in response.

The older son is presented as a “religious” person. He comes across as stern and puritanical. We are told that he was angry and refused to join the celebrations.

His attitude to his younger brother is judgmental.

His words evoke a tone of resentment as he focuses on his own work on the estate and his lack of reward. His case is overstated because as the eldest son he would still have been entitled to his inheritance - two thirds of the estate, since the younger son had only taken his share. The older brother’s reaction is driven by his own sense of deserving more. And when talking to his father he doesn’t call him by name or even by title, just by the impersonal pronoun “you”. He stayed with the father but he, too, is far away. Here is a son who does things for his father, rather than enjoying being with his father.

There is much of the old Ireland in the older son. The Irish State that evolved post-independence was an overtly religious nation. The 1937 Constitution included a special place for the Catholic Church. The vast majority belonged to this tradition and mass going rates were among the highest in the world. This religiosity continued for over half a century with the Pope’s visit in 1979 attracting over 1,250,000 people. Politically, the Catholic Church wielded unmatched influence over moral and social policy.

The caricature of faith in the old Ireland

A TALE OF TWO IRELANDS

BY FRASER HOSFORD

fits with that of the older son: working for But this secularisation is not just a drift God became slaving, and living for God away from the church but a revolt against it. became obeying. With faith so embedded Nearly half of people now view the Catholic in the culture, it was inevitable that people’s Church in an unfavourable light; and only experience of faith was through ritual. Its amongst the over 55s does the church morality became a cultural norm, because have a strong ‘favourable’ ranking. This is of the Church’s size, and so faith tended to largely driven by the scandals, including focus on religious rituals and requirements child abuse, that have engulfed the church rather than on the person of God. since the turn of the century. And secular Many Irish people’s dissatisfaction with Ireland is obsessed with freedom and choice, faith, across denominations, revolves around reacting to the past dictates of the church. an experience of law keeping, and the fear In Luke 15, it is clear that money plays of religion “telling us what to do.” Only such a large part in the story. The younger son’s an outward faith could explain the dramatic initial demand is for his share of the father’s falls in mass attendance in one generation. wealth. Enjoying the lifestyle money Many would testify to the brings was part of the plan. The cultural judgementalism of old Ireland, seen in the background is interesting. In his book, The sad and dark parts of our history. Those who Good Shepherd Ken Bailey shows us that in didn’t live up to the standards of the church Middle Eastern culture asking to receive were punished and hidden from society. an inheritance immediately was akin to These tended to be women - unmarried wishing that your father was dead. The son mothers who were sent in great numbers to wanted wealth more than his relationship mother and baby homes, forbidden to keep and rear their own children in view of society. The 2009 THE CARICATURE OF FAITH IN THE OLD IRELAND FITS WITH Ryan Report also detailed THAT OF THE OLDER SON: WORKING FOR GOD BECAME the lives of disadvantaged, SLAVING, AND LIVING FOR GOD BECAME OBEYING. neglected and abandoned children who were sent to industrial schools where they suffered neglect and physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. These with his father. And a large part of the events cast a long shadow over the Irish secularisation of Ireland occurred alongside church today. the Celtic Tiger - a groundbreaking decade of prosperity which led to a surge of THE YOUNGER SON materialism. Coinciding with the loss of The younger son lends his name to the religious observance, the offer of wealth title of the story, the Prodigal Son. We are and career success was on hand to fill the introduced to him as he demands, “Father, spiritual and moral gap that had emerged in give me my share of the estate”. It is this many Irish hearts. leaving of the father, the God character in the story, that resembles the new Ireland. It THE FATHER seems that Ireland has abandoned God just The final character in this story is the as the younger son abandoned his father. father who represents God - a truly loving In recent decades, Ireland has gone and gracious God. This father assents to the quite far down the path of secularisation. wish of the younger son for his inheritance.

As recently as the 1970s, mass attendance Then after the son leaves, we see a father in Ireland was above 90%. Recent research who scans the horizon for his lost son. suggests that only 30% of Irish Catholics He acted in joyful abandon when attend weekly mass. And in Dublin this he finally saw his lost son, “filled with figure has dropped to below 20%. Census compassion for him; he ran to his son …”. data shows that the percentage of those who This run went against what was culturally identify as Catholic dropped from 94% in acceptable for a man in his position. But the 1971 to 78% in 2016. father didn’t care. He just wanted to be with JAN - MAR 2018 VOX

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his son. This joy is expressed again when the father cuts short the son’s speech as he tries to apologise. It is an extraordinary welcome.

The son is fully welcomed back in as a son, given status and authority with a ring and a special robe, and a party is thrown for him. This would all be in stark contrast to the slander that the local village would have thrown at him.

The father’s joy overlooks the son’s betrayal in the past. The theological term for this is “grace” - a love and mercy that is undeserved. The son only returns out of self-interest because he is starving to death.

But the father welcomes him back as a son and doesn’t even let him finish the speech.

A full apology is not necessary for the son to experience the father’s joy.

IMPLICATIONS FOR IRELAND

So where does this leave the church in Ireland today? Are people rejecting the older son, when it should be the father who is on offer? The contrast between the two is dramatic. They represent two entirely different types of faith.

If this parallel is true, then it changes the western narrative of a religious nation

losing its faith as it modernises. It defines the nature of the initial faith and highlights its flaws. The older son in the parable didn’t have a right relationship with the father.

This then suggests another reason for the loss of faith: it was an inevitable reaction to a self-righteous expression of religion.

A faith based on human rules and rituals is inherently unstable. It is no wonder that the new Ireland departed from the God that was presented by the old Ireland. A God only interested in the external can never capture the heart. Just as a baby smiles when their parent smiles, so an experience of heart faith has to be rooted in a God of the heart.

The good news for Ireland is that loss of faith is never final. The father continues to seek the younger son. Scripture shows us that God uses His church to reach those who are lost. And so the Irish church will be used to help find those who have moved away from faith.

But the Irish church needs to move from the attitude of the older son to that of the father. Integrity will be paramount after the scandals of recent years; humility will be necessary in recognition of this past; a nonjudgemental attitude will be required and

this will be sorely tested with a new abortion referendum on the horizon, but grace is about a disposition of love. And it will be costly - love always is.

So a revival of faith will not signal a return to the past; rather the nature of faith needs to change. This change is not simply a matter of how we present the faith, it has to be a genuine inward change. Critically, the grace that flows from the Father is on offer to the religious too. The father doesn’t rebuke the older son; instead of punishing him for his insolence, he leaves the party to plead with him outside.

And here the story ends unfinished, with the listeners left hanging awaiting the older son’s response. The readers of the Gospel are left wondering how the Pharisees will ultimately respond to Jesus’ ministry. The story of Ireland remains unfinished for us today too. The door remains ajar. That is the nature of grace.

Fraser Hosford works as a pastor and an economist, based in Dublin.

OUR POST-CHRISTENDOM CONTEXT

BY DR. PATRICK MITCHEL

hristians are living in an increasingly post-Christendom Ireland. By “post-Christendom” I mean that the consensus that placed Christianity at the controlling centre of social, political and religious affairs is fast evaporating.

Christians in Ireland cannot avoid doing business with the baleful legacy of Christendom ‘Irish style’. Such has been the horror associated with a church exercising freely-given, and virtually unlimited, religious, social and political power, that many people in modern Ireland are convinced that “religion is bad for you” and are determined to construct a society free from its “negative” influence.

There is a strong suspicion of religion in Ireland today - an astonishing reversal from the days of ‘Catholic Ireland’.

The shaping assumptions of a postChristendom liberal secular democracy include a commitment to values, which are optimistically understood as providing a path towards a healthier, fairer and more advanced society than that of the religious past.

Pluralism: The plurality of cultures,

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religions, and beliefs within modern societies makes it a necessity for the state to accommodate all and privilege none.

Political liberalism seeks to achieve this by making the state ‘neutral’ and therefore, in effect, intentionally non-religious.

Tolerance: There is an understanding that all beliefs and behaviours within the law should be tolerated.

Individual choice and human rights: Of critical importance here is the belief that freedom of choice is an ultimate right.

Increasing separation of church and state: This is the dismantling of the legacy of Christendom where churches had central and controlling positions.

Equality: A society in which, by law, all citizens must all be treated equally regardless of their beliefs or lifestyles.

CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT

Some Christians assume their job is simply to assert Christian truth and (somehow) expect society to order itself according to Christian principles. This is what Oliver O’Donovan calls ‘abstract idealism’. Other Christians appear afraid of speaking with a distinctly Christian

perspective. This failure of nerve leads to what O’Donovan calls ‘colourless assimilation.’ How can Christians live out the tension between these two approaches?

Similarly, John Stackhouse talks about ‘cultural transformers‘ versus those advocating ‘holy distinctness.’ The ‘cultural transformers’ tend to have a ‘take it over’ approach pursuing the goal of shaping society according to Christian values.

An opposite stance is what John Stackhouse labels as ‘refuse all entanglements’ leading to a vision of ‘holy distinctness’, a Christian community living in contradistinction to the rest of society.

The cultural tide that swept the church into power and created over a millennium of Christendom culture in the West is fast receding. And while it is a gross simplification to say that everything to do with Christendom since Constantine was a disaster, untold damage has been done to the authenticity of the church’s witness by the blurred boundaries between church and state. Just look at the contemporary legacy of Catholic Ireland for an example.

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FIVE REALITIES OF LIFE AND WITNESS IN A POST-CHRISTENDOM IRELAND

I suggest that Christians need to engage with at least five political, cultural and spiritual realities as they engage with Irish culture.

1. REALISM ABOUT THE AMBIGUITY OF FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP

to be loved” or “The rights we desire for ourselves, we are glad to affirm for others.”

Christian love is not selfcentred, fearful or defensive.

Rather, since love is relational, it should also involve a sacrificial commitment to meet, talk with and listen to the ‘other’. Since love is not equivalent to mere toleration or unthinking acceptance, how it is expressed in different contexts will require significant wisdom and discernment.

A challenge for Christians is how to deal realistically and faithfully with the ambiguity of life in a plural democracy.

In The Bible in Politics, Richard Bauckham observes “… the political material in the Bible consists largely of 3. A REALISTICALLY POSITIVE ATTITUDE TO stories about and instructions addressed to PLURALISM political societies very different from our Christians, I suggest, should not only own … The adaptations needed to transfer be willing to live with difference but should biblical teaching on personal morality... actively support the construction of a are comparatively easily made but a more plural society where difference is tolerated. imaginative and creative hermeneutic is Christians cannot construct the ‘New necessary for the Bible to speak to modern Jerusalem’ here on earth by law or coercion. political life.”

There are biblical An authentic sins that it is theological not realistic or MANY PEOPLE IN MODERN IRELAND ARE engagement must desirable to treat as CONVINCED THAT “RELIGION IS BAD FOR YOU” crimes. have a dual nature as it negotiates the As Christians tension between seek their own an eschatologically religious freedom orientated faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and within a plural democracy, they need to a simultaneous active commitment, shaped realise that tolerance works both ways: the by kingdom of God values, to the wellbeing ‘rights’ we seek for ourselves we should also and renewal of contemporary culture. In seek for others. other words, walking between ‘abstract Christians’ defence of religious liberty idealism’ and ‘colourless assimilation’. should not be narrowly self-centred and self-interested. Rather it should defend the 2. REALISM ABOUT THE IMPLICATIONS right of others to use God-given freedom to OF JESUS’ COMMAND TO “LOVE YOUR make choices about spiritual matters, even NEIGHBOUR” when this leads to actions antithetical to Jesus commanded his followers to ‘do to the gospel. This form of tolerance is a civic others as you would have them do to you’ virtue. Irish Christians should welcome and to love those that do not love in return some aspects of pluralism.

(Luke 6:31-32). Love for the ‘other’ holds However, this does not mean Christians an absolutely central place in biblical ethics simply embrace relativism or endorse beliefs (Leviticus 19:18, Matthew19:19, 22:39; contrary to their conscience. Living with Mark 12:31-33; Luke 10:27; Romans 13:9; difference is quite distinct from affirming Galatians 5:14; James 2:8). Yet, there is that difference. often little or no discussion of what it means to practice love for the ‘other’ in many 4. REALISM ABOUT IRELAND’S CHRISTENDOM Christian responses to life.

PAST: THE NEED FOR HUMILITY AND A This is an important and complex LISTENING EAR question, but one that needs to be thought We need to be realistic about the legacy through by those who are following Jesus. of Ireland’s recent past as well as political Neighbour love isn’t an optional extra of liberalism’s associated fear of privileging any less importance to ‘defending the truth’ or one voice (especially a religious one) in the arguing for your own rights. public square. In such a context, there is a The whole point of Jesus’ parable in need for humility, listening and dialogue Luke 10:25-37 is that neighbour love

by Christians, given Christianity’s negative is costly, radical and shocking, since it associations with self-interest and power. generously offers grace across deep gulfs of As Christianity moves to the margins hatred, suspicion and alienation. ‘Neighbour of Irish public life, evangelical Christians love’ does not pretend profound differences cannot assume that their views will be either do not exist but rather, in the face of such heard or understood, especially given their difference, says “I love you as I would wish status as a tiny minority of the population.

How unseemly it is for Christians to fight in the courts and legislatures for what remains of the dubious honours and advantages of Christendom. There is no more prudent time to do unto others as we would have them do unto us.

5. REALISM ABOUT THE NEED TO DEFEND AND ARGUE FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

Christian realism should, by definition, not equal naivety. Certainly postChristendom will be significantly (and probably increasingly) less ‘hospitable’ to Christianity than Christendom. It is perfectly possible that an absolutist secularism will progressively encroach on religious freedom.

Christians should be forthright defenders of religious liberty since deep in the heart of the biblical narrative is the pursuit of justice for the oppressed and the marginalised.

A realistic Christian response will have a healthy distrust of the human propensity to seek control and impose one’s values on others. Christians should resist a ‘hard secularism’ that criminalises, marginalises, denigrates or dismisses religious views as illegitimate and results in legal actions, like suing people in court for holding Christian views, or forcing Christians to retreat from religiously motivated service in the public square. This is especially so if it threatens the rights and dignity of the weak, vulnerable and powerless by the assertion of competing ‘rights’, abortion being a prime example.

We can resist this is by coherent persistent articulation of the need for a truly inclusive pluralism and exposing the inherent flaws in an ‘illiberal liberalism’ that leads to the oxymoron of an enforced monopluralism.

Dr. Patrick Mitchel is Senior Lecturer in Theology at the Irish Bible Institute. You can follow his blog at www.faithinireland. wordpress.com.

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R E X O B P THE SOA

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BY DR KEN BAKER

THE VANISHING VICAR

n his book After Christendom, Stuart Murray defines In the UK, it’s all tied up with the fake nostalgia of Vicar ‘post-Christendom’ as ‘the culture that emerges as of Dibley days, and the sub-text xenophobia of Daily Mail the Christian faith loses coherence within a society headlines. The church’s privileged status in society meant it had that has been definitively shaped by the Christian a vested interest in the status quo. This in turn, meant that the story and as the institutions that have been developed to church was aligned, or was perceived to be aligned, with the express Christian convictions decline in influence’. establishment.

Here are Stuart’s seven points of transition that mark the shift In Ireland, that was also true, but the situation is rawer, more from Christendom to a post-Christendom culture: serious here. And yet (I believe) there’s a greater opportunity From the centre to margins In Christendom, the Christian for God’s “something new.” What I mean by that is that the story and the churches were central but in post-Christendom collapse has been so catastrophic, the scandals so shameful and these are marginal. pervasive, that there can be no going back.

From majority to minority In Christendom, “Christians” Because the demolition creates the possibility of a whole comprised the (often overwhelming) majority but in postnew build, we are not pessimistic. There are signs of life. Many Christendom, we are a minority. churches are healthy. There’s a gutsy commitment to church From settlers to sojourners In Christendom, Christians planting across all the different tribes of evangelicalism. There felt at home in a culture shaped are hundreds of new expressions by their story, but in postof the kingdom of God across Christendom we are aliens, exiles our small nation. There are new and pilgrims in a culture where we springing up, connecting, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF NEW EXPRESSIONS OF THE networks no longer feel at home. re-connecting and pointing to signs KINGDOM OF GOD ACROSS OUR SMALL NATION. From privilege to plurality of kingdom life all over the place.

In Christendom, Christians It’s just that everything will look enjoyed many privileges, but in different from here on out. Mission post-Christendom we are one will take its rightful place as the community among many in a plural society. rationale of everything the church does, (rather than being a From control to witness In Christendom, churches kind of adjunct activity for the weird few). The church itself will could exert control over society but in post-Christendom, we be unrecognisable with an emphasis on informality, food and exercise influence only through witnessing to our story and its friendship. The input of paid clergy will be reduced and any implications. clergy/laity split will seem, frankly, bizarre.

From maintenance to mission In Christendom, the In fact, when I read those seven points of transition above, emphasis was on maintaining a supposedly Christian status quo I realise just how much our situation now is like that of the first but in post-Christendom, it is on mission within a contested century, when the church of Christ did most of its growing. environment.

Or, maybe the situation in, say, 2040 will resemble the From institution to movement In Christendom, churches godless place that St Patrick once visited long ago, at the very operated mainly in institutional mode but in post-Christendom edge of the known world. we must become again a Christian movement.

But why should I fear the future? God’s Word is being So, what is the legacy of Christendom with which we are proclaimed. The gospel is still the power of God for salvation. left? Some might think it largely positive - charity work, schools, “The Lord’s arm is not too short that it cannot save.” The Holy hospitals and so forth – but in Ireland, much of that is tainted Spirit is alive and well and Jesus said, “I will build my church.” with corruption and unhappy memories. Consequently, many And He will. celebrate the passing of the Institutional Church, with the grim bitterness of - as someone said to me - “some things can’t be Ken Baker is a writer and forgiven.” pastor living in Bandon, And this is the vital point. This is what makes postCounty Cork.

Christendom in Ireland so different from the UK (the two countries in which I have spent my life).

I

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CREATION CARE AND MISSION

PART THREE

FAITH

BY MATT WILLIAMS AND JONNY HANSON

In the third of our four-part series, Matt Williams and Jonny Hanson explore loving service that changes the world.

hat defines Christianity? educating people about the diversity and as less important than the needs of others.

Frequently, whether we’re wonder of life; or building low-carbon Such sacrifice goes beyond platitude to part of the Church, or on the housing. But service should always involve (literally) getting our hands dirty, as Jesus outside looking in, it can seem like it is the matching our God-given skills with this illustrated when washing the disciples’ service (of the Sunday-morning variety).

God-given world to meet God-given needs feet. This exemplifies humility; we cannot And if we’re not careful, endless meetings in our fellow human beings. claim to be humble while remaining aloof can come to define our faith. Congregating The Son of God calls us to serve; that from the physical responsibilities that come together is, of course, essential for Christian call alone should set us on our way. But a with a planet of seven billion neighbours fellowship, proclamation and discipleship. deeper understanding gives us direction, and millions of other species. Doing this But the Son of God, who calls us to equitably poses a huge moral and a life of radical love, personified and logistical challenge but if we shirk practised another type of service, of it our service will remain horribly the world-changing variety. It is this SERVICE SHOULD ALWAYS INVOLVE MATCHING OUR GOD- deficient. type of service that we discuss here, Meeting the needs of others GIVEN SKILLS WITH THIS GOD-GIVEN WORLD TO MEET through looking especially at how it relates loving service is a key tenet GOD-GIVEN NEEDS IN OUR FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS. of Christianity, as Jesus Christ, the to God’s creation.

The third mark of mission is Servant King, demonstrated. Realising defined as ‘responding to human the links between many of these needs need through loving service’. and the rest of God’s creation helps us Human needs are complex and varied but starting with John 17:18. Here Jesus prays to to ground our holistic mission firmly in this can be broadly categorised as tangible needs, the Father in the presence of His disciples: wondrous and inter-connected world. May such as oxygen, water, food and shelter, “Just as you sent me into the world, I also send loving, humble and equitable service, of the and intangible needs, such as love, beauty them into the world.” This sending is at the world-changing variety, define our faith on and purpose. We don’t live in a vacuum heart of the cosmic mission of God, bringing Sunday morning, on Monday morning and but in a physical part of God’s wonderful new life to the whole of creation through the every day of our lives. world. Therefore, every human activity is, forgiveness of sins. We cannot replicate the by default, an environmental activity, and cross - it is a finished work - but when we Matt Williams and most human needs have an environmental receive this gift we enter into this mission Jonny Hanson are two dimension to them, too. with Jesus Christ. of the co-founders of Whether it sustains or inspires us, God Jesus was sent to serve and He also Jubilee, an Antrim-based uses creation to care for us as much as He demonstrates how to serve, rooted in God’s interdenominational uses us to care for creation. Our service love ( John 3:16). To serve lovingly is not Christian environmental and can take many forms, be it synthesising primarily about being nice or sharing others’ agricultural organisation new medicines from rainforest plants; feelings (though it can involve both); it is launched in August 2017. restoring wetlands to reduce urban flooding; about a willingness to count our wellbeing

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CONFESSIONS OF A FEINT SAINT

VOX MAGAZINE

Does my head look big in this hat?

By Annmarie Miles

few months ago, I spent an afternoon with a group of people I hadn’t seen for a few years. One of them didn’t recognise me. She had no idea who I was and didn’t believe my sister when she tried to convince her that it really was me. (I do look quite different these days, having shed some poundage.)

Every so often, over the course of the afternoon, someone would comment how different I was. How I got up off the chair with little effort. How I knelt to talk to one of the children and didn’t struggle to get back up. More family arrived and this time one of the children didn’t recognise me, and off we went again. It was great, don’t get me wrong but I was spun further into an identity crisis that had been brewing for some time.

Life has changed so drastically in the last few years and I feel that the person I am is being stretched to my limit. My world has changed and I’m not 100% confident that I always fit into it these days. And now I don’t even look the same.

I spent some time alone and pondered what was going on. I made an unhelpful list (‘cos I wasn’t confused enough). “Who am I really, Lord?” I prayed.

I’m Irish, but I live in Wales. So, I’m an immigrant really.

I used to be ‘a wife’ now I’m the Pastor’s wife, and “YES!” they are two different jobs.

The writer in me is in constant angst (so no change there, then).

I’m a deacon in the church, which carries joyous responsibility and plenty of scope for me to mess up.

I worked for 15 years in the Christian charity sector. I now work in customer service in local government.

I’m a former extremely fat person and a current fat person.

I still make a mean banana bread – I just can’t eat it anymore.

Nothing drastically different, but nothing is the same. I spent time asking God, “Who am I? Am I still me if some of the people I love don’t even recognise me anymore?”

It was pretty scary. I always thought it was about hats, you see. I’d answer most questions with my hat question. “Are you asking me about the trees outside the church with my deacon hat or my local council hat?”

“Are you asking me about the newsletter with my writer hat or my deacon hat, or my pastor’s wife’s hat?” “Are you asking me about dinner with my wife hat, or my weight loss hat?”

This year, I want to continue to lose weight. I want to develop in all the different areas of life that God has opened up for me. And I want to see how all these pieces of my life fit together.

I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s not so much about the hats, as the head. Colossians 1 talks about Jesus being “head of the body, the church”. All that I am and all that I do, comes under His headship. My identity lies in Him and my whole life, every part of it, is hidden with Christ in God. That’s also from Colossians, chapter 3. It tells me who I really am…

His. I’ve lots more to think and pray about. In the meantime, I think I’ll head out for some fresh air. A nice long walk. What’s that? Did you say, “It’s cold outside?”

Should I wear a hat?

A

“I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s not so much about the hats, as the head.”

Annmarie Miles is originally from Tallaght, now living in her husband Richard’s homeland, Wales.

If you’d like to read more between VOX Magazines, her blog is called Just Another Christian Woman Talking Through Her Hat. The Long & the Short of it, her first collection of short stories, can be found at www. annmariemiles.com/books, or you can pick it up in Footprints bookshops in Dublin.

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FAITH

FAITH CRISIS IRISH YOUTH ...OR THE LEGACY OF IRISH CHRISTENDOM

A new study by American research organisation, Barna, on behalf of Christ in Youth examines the attitudes and opinions of young people in the Republic of Ireland concerning faith and Christianity. Launched at a series of meetings around the country, the report reflects and confirms widespread anecdotal evidence by youth leaders and churches of the changes that have taken place. Readers will notice that there are similarities between the findings here and those of the VOX magazine research into Millennials (18 - 35 year olds) released in 2015.

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arna and Christ in Youth conducted their research in two phases - firstly gathering youth workers from a variety of denominations for focus groups and then interviewing young people and their youth leaders individually. This was followed up with an online questionnaire distributed to 14 to 25 year olds from a wide range of different denominations and backgrounds. A total of 790 young people participated in the study.

B

SOME KEY FINDINGS OF THE REPORT INCLUDE:

1. Most Irish young people (70%) think of themselves as Christians.

2. This “Christianity” is largely nominal - one quarter say they are non-religious (the “nones”) and the majority, 63%, are not actively practicing their faith.

3. One in four Irish young people are experiencing a crisis of faith - 25% of those surveyed shared that they were “significantly” doubting their faith while another 40% have experienced doubts in the past.

4. Religious apathy results in theological ignorance - Only about half of “Christian” youth in Ireland agree with any of the Apostle’s Creed. For example, only 41% believe that Jesus is equal to God the Father. The young Irish view of Christianity puts more emphasis on rule-following than on a relationship with a loving and gracious God. Six in ten (60%) agree that, “if a person is generally good, or does enough good things for others during their life, they will earn a place in heaven.” Similarly, 42% of those who describe themselves as Christians believe that Jesus is mostly “concerned about people doing good things and morality in general.” Only 11% currently read the Bible for themselves.

5. Young people feel increasing conflict between “progressive values” and Christian morality - sexuality is a key obstacle in the willingness of young people to identify with or practice Christianity. For instance, 45% think the Church’s teachings on sexuality and homosexuality are wrong while a further 36% would “partially” share this view.

6. Attending Christian events is linked to a more personal and active faith - festivals, retreats and weekends away play a key role in inspiring a deeper and more active faith among Irish young people. For instance, if a teenager has attended a Christian event, he or she is significantly more likely than those who have not attended to report a personal prayer life (53% vs. 25%), to attend church monthly (53% vs. 22%) and to say that Jesus has deeply transformed his or her life (25% vs. 11%).

7. Academic and work pressures weigh heavily on young people - The strongest concerns of youth and young adults are closely connected with a pursuit of success and stability, as evidenced in preoccupations with money, test scores and job security. Leaving Cert points score as an extreme stressor for teenagers (67%) while money worries (55%) and job security (31%) are major concerns for young adults.

8. Irish young people want closer relationships between churches - More than half of those who self-describe as Christians (51%) and nearly all youth workers say there is too much tension between the Catholic Church and other Christian churches. Young people in Ireland are eager for more unity across denominations. 79% of Christian youth and all but a few youth workers agree, at least somewhat, that a person can be a good Christian regardless of the church he or she attends.

9. Adult influence is important - mothers have the strongest positive influence on the faith of young people (42%) while ministers, pastors or priests can also have a significant influence (33%) Even so, more than half of Irish young people (55%) do not know an adult who regularly talks with them about their faith.

10. Irish young people are open to a deeper, more personal faith expression - Despite the pressures facing their generation some young people surveyed are eager for a dynamic religious expression. More than a third of Irish youth (37%) say it’s mostly or completely true that they’d like to find a way to follow Jesus that connects to the world they live in.

FESTIVALS, RETREATS AND WEEKENDS AWAY PLAY A KEY ROLE IN INSPIRING A DEEPER AND MORE ACTIVE FAITH AMONG IRISH YOUNG PEOPLE.

WHAT THE RESEARCH MEANS

In this unique era in the Republic of Ireland— when the nation’s spiritual landscape is shifting, young Irish people need meaningful spiritual relationships and encounters to achieve a healthy sense of perspective on their life and faith. Adults who care about young people’s spiritual development could play a key role in taking them from a nominal to a sincere faith—a shift that could redefine an individual’s life, and on a larger scale, the spiritual landscape of the Republic of Ireland.

VOX editor, Ruth Garvey-Williams examined the research in detail. This was her response to the findings regarding adult influences and mentors: “With the seismic shifts that have taken place in Irish culture over the last 20 years, along with the digital revolution, young people are bombarded with myriad messages from every conceivable perspective. More than ever before, young people are hungry for mentors who will journey with them as they explore their questions about faith and spirituality. And yet, it is also evident that older Christians often seem unable to provide the kind of environment in which there is freedom and safety for young people to wrestle with their concerns.

“There is a significant opportunity for older Christians who will live out their faith with integrity and authenticity—people who will be like Jesus (bearing fruit of the Spirit) and point to Jesus.

Healthy discipleship will create safe spaces for young people to ask their questions without fear of immediate condemnation or criticism. It will also focus on teaching young people the tools to think through the tough issues by seeking God and searching the Scriptures rather than demanding immediate conformity to a particular viewpoint.”

MORE THAN HALF OF IRISH YOUNG PEOPLE (55%) DO NOT KNOW AN ADULT WHO REGULARLY TALKS WITH THEM ABOUT THEIR FAITH.

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10

YEARS IN MAYNOOTH REFLECTIONS ON THE JOURNEY THUS FAR

BY KEITH MCCRORY

n November 26, 2017, Maynooth Community Church celebrated its 10th birthday since constitution as a new congregation with the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. MCC’s Pastor, Rev Dr Keith McCrory, reflects on their experiences over that first decade.

It is inevitable that our tenth birthday would lead us to some ‘reflective practice’ as we look back over our first decade as a church. Being asked to put this reflection on paper for VOX Magazine was not so expected but it has been very welcome.

and provisions have led us to where we are today. As Paul says (1 Corinthians 3:10), wisdom and skill are needed to establish new churches. But looking back has reminded me yet again that we are never more than mere helpers in another’s great work. Starting or developing our churches is beyond us. We are always, entirely and utterly dependent upon what God does. He is the only true builder (Matthew 16:18) and only One who can build His church (Psalm 127:1).

Having said that, there are some key things that have shaped our church’s development:

COMPLEXITY AND THE TRUE BUILDER

COMMUNITY

O

There is simplicity, yet an amazing complexity, to the work of establishing new churches. In some ways, describing our development as a congregation here in Maynooth could seem quite straightforward: “God called a few of us to seek to start a new church in north County Kildare and, as we have allowed Him to lead us by His Holy Spirit, and have sought to share our lives and the Gospel of Jesus with those around us, a new church has developed.” Sounds simple enough.

And yet, without question, there has been an amazing complexity to our church story. Countless incidents, decisions, people 22

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Almost always, when new members share what stood out for them when they first encountered MCC, they answer “the sense of acceptance and love.” (I always hope they will say ‘Keith’s great preaching’ but you have to live with disappointment as a pastor.) I believe, this embodiment of John 13:35 is there because of what happened in our initial home group.

On our very first evening there were just nine of us, and five had never been to a Bible study before. We were as unlikely a gathering of ordinary and broken people as you could hope for. However, I will never forget what happened after our study when

I asked folks to share where they were in their lives. The honesty and depth of sharing that took place was truly amazing. Over the following weeks, as we looked at Scripture’s admonition to love one another and what it meant to be a church, people took risks in sharing their lives together. Their vulnerability and willingness to love one another was truly moving. In this way, the importance of genuine acceptance and love was sown into the DNA of our congregation long before we ever met for public worship.

BUILDING BRIDGES

When starting up, we felt God was calling us not only to build connections with people but also with our town itself.

From the earliest days, we tried to connect with Kildare County Council, our local politicians, Maynooth Community Council, the University, our schools, sports clubs and the other local churches. Some of this happened naturally through existing relationships. Some required quite an effort. Ten years on, the impact has been enormous. The Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board’s decision to allow us to meet in their facility in Manor Mills is a great example. Kildare County Council’s decision to sell us a site on which to build a permanent facility is another. All

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these relationships have taken years to build and have not only improved how we are perceived but have also allowed us access to resources and opportunities that were crucial for our growth.

EVERY MEMBER MINISTRY

Seeking to include as many as possible in ministry has made a huge impact. One of our core values is being “Ministers Together”.

This Sunday, there will be 23 people on our church rota and all are needed. Currently, we meet in a corridor above Dunnes Stores in Manor Mills Shopping Centre. (It is much nicer than it sounds!) We only have access to our meeting place on Saturdays and Sundays and so we have to set up our sound system, chairs etc. each week and take it all down again afterwards. It is amazing to watch our folks at work. One of our insider jokes is that ‘MCC puts the service back into Church Service’!

Creating a place where participation is constantly encouraged, where it is ok to have a go, where it is ok to fail as well as succeed, has undoubtedly contributed to having so many members involved. Even more encouraging is the impact on spiritual growth. We have learned that participation is a key element in discipleship. Learning to lead worship encourages people to worship; leading a Bible study helps people grow deeper in their understanding of God’s Word; sharing their story of faith is a huge help in realising what God has been doing and saying; preparing and delivering a sermon is a great boost to people’s confidence and skill in sharing the gospel.

SERVICE

Gaining the trust of our local communities is difficult – and understandably so. Why should those around us have anything other than distrust when we arrive and dare to say that we have a message that calls people to repentance and can transform their whole lives and eternities? In the days of the early church,

people regarded the first Christians as pagans because they refused to worship the local gods, and as cannibals since they spoke about drinking blood and eating someone’s body! Early on, one of our visitors challenged us to become a blessing, to be good news for our community as well as seeking to share good news.

Our small attempts in this have changed our town’s view of us and have allowed us to build relationships that might otherwise have been impossible. Our annual Arts Festival, our Christmas Concert in Aid of Refugees and our Saint Patrick’s Day Breakfast have been our public attempts to serve.

Redecorating efforts for families in need, putting in new kitchens in local homes and in a local school, volunteering with Tidy Towns, serving on housing associations and the community council have been much smaller ways to serve but have nonetheless contributed to a change in how we are perceived. They have also led to great opportunities to share our faith.

THE WONDER OF GRACE

There are lots of other things I could highlight such as the importance of building teams, learning to handle conflict, helping people develop their own spiritual practices, getting things clarified in writing. My final reflection is simply on the joy it has been to see people come to understand the wonder of God’s grace. I come from a tough and broken background. Discovering that the God who created me loved me, and that He wanted me to know Him, was the greatest news I had ever heard. It changed my whole life. To be allowed to work alongside an incredible group of believers and see that same discovery happen in other people’s lives is such a privilege.

Often, we do not know the impact we are having. Recently, I looked down during the service and saw a visitor from the US sitting in our congregation. Kim is now a lawyer in New York but had spent one

“ONE OF OUR VISITORS CHALLENGED US TO BECOME A BLESSING, TO BE GOOD NEWS FOR OUR COMMUNITY AS WELL AS SEEKING TO SHARE GOOD NEWS.” semester in Maynooth six years ago as part of her degree. She had deliberately chosen to come back to Ireland and to Maynooth. Kim wanted to let us know that she had become a Christian at our Alpha course all those years ago and to say “thank you” to those who had helped her to find Jesus. We had no idea!

At our birthday service, two current members shared. One talked about the impact of being cared for. Another described how God had helped her to learn to forgive.

Ministry is often hard and discouraging but such moments remind us why all our efforts and all our churches are so important. God’s love for us in Jesus continues to change lives today. What greater endeavour could we give our lives to than in allowing every person in our nation (and beyond) the opportunity to discover that wonder for themselves?

We are now moving into a new phase as a congregation with a large building project and all the challenges that will bring. I am tempted to feel overwhelmed by what’s ahead. Where will all the resources we need come from? Surely, they will come from the same source as all the provisions of the past decade.

1 Samuel 7:12 was our text on our 10th anniversary. It sums up what all of us feel when we look back: Samuel set up a memorial stone and said, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” He has indeed!

Keith is the Pastor of Maynooth Community Church and Chairman of the Saint Patrick Foundation - a reconciliation ministry based on the life and legacy of our Patron Saint.

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LIFE

questions & pub sessions Agapé Connects with Students in Irish Universities

BY CHLOE HANAN

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VOX MAGAZINE

gapé Ireland (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) is committed to the great commission of Jesus, and to the spiritual renewal of Ireland. Working in universities, staff members and interns are committed to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ before they leave university.

Agapé began work in universities Ireland in 1973 and also brought the Jesus Film, which was a popular outreach in the 1990s. The team is currently based in Dublin, with monthly trips made to other cities in Ireland to foster movements there.

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INTERNSHIP: THE STORY SO FAR

This year, five courageous graduates took the challenge to join Agapé for a year of training in mission. They are nearly half way through the academic year and have already been immersed in the student culture, travelled the country, fostered new relationships and shared the Gospel widely.

Monday to Thursday the team are out on campus in Dublin, with one trip each month made to other cities in Ireland. Fridays are the ‘classroom’ day when they get intensive good oul’ book learning.

The tenacious team have travelled recently to help launch a spiritual movement in Bordeaux, France, where they spent a week learning what spiritual multiplication is (2 Timothy 2:22) and what it looks like in practical terms - finding young leaders, passing on a vision, facilitating rather than spearheading and growing others’ leadership. Training also featured leading ‘catalytically’- a fancy way of saying using technological means to advance student movements where there are no staff present.

Here’s what the interns have said about the year so far: “This internship has been challenging, rewarding and I’ve grown a lot. It’s been a great bridge between university and workplace.”

“I have cried, I have laughed, I have

experienced community, training and learning what mission looks like - beauty in the madness” “I have never seen myself grow so much in such a short period of time.”

“It’s an opportunity to have to trust Jesus in the midst of challenge.”

“I think that the most rewarding part for me has been seeing students growing closer to Jesus as I journey with them.”

THE FOUR

We live in a world that thrives on story, and when it comes to telling God’s story, we want to get the main events featured.

Spiritual conversations can take you by surprise, so preparation is key. At Agapé, we train people in how to simply communicate God’s story to others, so that when that moment comes, there is a framework to start with.

The Four is a modern take on the traditional Four Spiritual Laws or Knowing God Personally booklets that have been used widely in past generations. This is the full millennial updated version with wristbands and suitable graphics to boot. It is centred around four images: Heart - God loves you, Division symbol - we are separated from Him because of sin, Cross - Jesus interrupted the story by dying on the cross, and lastly a Question mark - we all have a choice to make.

This is the bare bones. The training equips individuals to be able to communicate the story personally in a way that makes sense, and also to tell their own story. Check out the @the_four_ie for our instagram and www.thefour.com for the international website.

NATIONAL STUDENT BELIEF SURVEY

This year, we kicked off the academic term by launching a new National Student Belief Survey. There are three steps to this process: Create, Collect and Collate.

We wanted to be sure to include factors in the survey that would interest us and the wider Christian community when it comes to what students believe. We like to know things like what students think about Jesus, and His main message. But also measurable factors like scaled questions of interest in faith and God, and what is important to them in their lives.

To collect responses, our team of five interns and three campus staff hit the road.

We talked to students across Ireland, in all four major cities, to get 1000 surveys that have a wide representation from all the major universities. The aim of the survey was not to have a spiritual conversation, although

if the participant asked questions we were always happy to continue the conversation after the survey was finished. Too often surveys can be used disingenuously, with no collation or publication planned. Students are no fools, and any hint of masked motives only serves to hinder.

We are still in the process of finishing and then finally collating the surveys, but in the meantime we have published results on www.irishstudentbelief.com. It has a brief overview of the survey, some snazzy pictures of students, a chance to do the survey and then a results page that we update when we pass a 200 mark. At the end, we plan to publish a report of the findings. So stay tuned.

DOYLE’S SESSIONS

In October, we launched a new endeavour called Doyle’s Sessions. This was born out of a passion for having a place where students can hear the Gospel, and a place where Christian students can invite their friends, without having to explain an unfamiliar “meeting” culture. So we hit the pub! Doyle’s is a thriving hub of city centre students, so we saw no better place to set up shop than their upstairs space.We invite people to hear a podcast recording on a range of subjects like ‘Grace over Karma’, ‘Heart over Appearance’, ‘Sacrificial Love’. As organisers, staff banded with alumni student leaders to launch it, and our core value was that there was a clear representation of the Gospel in each session.

We had a wide attendance of students from many different walks of life, a lot of craic, and each week we talked about Jesus in the pub. It was with glee that one of our staff members found, in the toilet cubicle, graffiti that proudly stated (amongst a wide range of other ‘statements’) “There is a flag flying high in the castle of my heart, in the castle of my heart, in the castle of my heart. There is a flag flying high in the castle of my heart, for the King is in residence there.”

Keep up to date with the Agapé team on Facebook: www.facebook. com/AgapeStudentLife/, Instagram: @ agapestudentlife and on the website: www. agape.ie. For any info contact chloe.hanan@ agape.ie

Chloe Hanan is a Dublin/ Wicklow native, and has worked in ministry since a young age, with Agapé since 2009. Her passion is to see spiritual transformation in Irish lives.

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FAITH

{

THE VIEW FROM WHERE I STAND...

MISSION IN POSTCHRISTENDOM IRELAND

BY REV. HEATHER MORRIS

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}

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evelation 1 records John’s powerful vision of Jesus, “someone ‘like a son of man’” (1:12) standing in the middle of seven golden lampstands. When Jesus speaks, He says to the terrified John “Do not be afraid.

I am the First and the Last. I am the living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” They are words that point to Jesus’ love, understanding and care as He says, “Do not be afraid.” They speak powerfully and straightforwardly of Jesus’ Lordship. And where is Jesus standing? Well, John wants us to be clear, “the seven lampstands are the seven churches” (1:20) And in 2018, Jesus still stands in the middle of His Church.

In my role, I get to see some of what God is doing primarily across Methodist congregations in Ireland. Irish culture has changed radically since many of the congregations I know best were established, and continues to change at an astonishing rate. I have been asked to reflect on where I see life as congregations engage with the community and cultures in which they are placed. The themes, which I will develop, are simply the view from where I stand.

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THERE IS LIFE WHERE CONGREGATIONS ARE ORIENTED TO OTHERS AND MISSION

In Millstreet, Co. Cork the Lighthouse operates out of a shop on the main street.

A couple of days a week, they are open and serve coffee. Over normal conversation, they find themselves talking about Jesus. There is something powerful about that natural “gospel fluency”.

In Limavady Methodist, up near the North coast, people had been praying about starting a “Kids and Carers” drop-in. Then they heard that the school across the road was about to close it’s “Kids and Carers” because of a lack of volunteers. Rather than starting their own, they made the courageous decision to volunteer in the school and help make the facility in the school the best it can be. The self-oriented decision would have been to run their own, and get people to come in to their place, but in crossing the road to the school they have found themselves engaging with all sorts of people, some of whom might not have gone into a church.

THERE IS LIFE WHERE GOD’S PEOPLE ARE COMMITTED TO PRAYER AND DISCERNMENT

A theological model of mission recognises that God is at work in the world, and that the task of God’s disciples is to join in with what He is already doing. This model is life-giving and exciting, not least in that it recognises God’s initiative-taking activity.

It is, however, frighteningly easy to nod in the direction of that model, and then lapse into the default of asking God to bless what we think best. John’s vision was not simply of Jesus in the midst of His Church but of Jesus as Lord of His Church. I see life where Christians commit themselves to prayerfully looking to see where the Spirit is at work.

The Methodist Church in Ireland has clearly heard and is responding to a call from God to pray - 24/7 Prayer is partnering with us in this. The focus for prayer is for renewal, for numerical and spiritual growth and that we would hear God’s voice as we engage with the communities in which we are placed.

This model challenges a “franchise” Christianity. One size does not fit all, and faithful response to God will look different in different communities. In Sydenham in East Belfast members of the congregation prayerwalked their suburban community. They noticed the activity and life at the local train station and now offer tea and coffee to early morning commuters. In Kerry and North Cork, the minister felt the Holy Spirit’s stirring to establish a church. With a couple of others, he prayer-walked local towns and villages, asking God where to begin.

THERE IS LIFE WHERE INDIVIDUALS MOVE BEYOND ‘HELPING’ TO REAL RELATIONSHIPS

Ballymena Methodist went a step further than collecting food or toy parcels for folks in a nearby hostel. Once a month they visited, and spent time with the folks over a Chinese meal. Real friendships and relationships developed, which are a gift to everyone.

One result is that members of the church are now part of the town’s response to offering mental health support. There is a similar story to tell in Carlow. When writing to the Thessalonians Paul notes (1:5b) “…You know how we lived among you for your sake.”

Paul pushes us here to recognise that we need to be careful with our understanding of hospitality. Hospitality cannot end with simply welcoming people to our space as guests; it demands a willingness and commitment to be a friend, not simply to be friendly.

Kathryn, then living in Newcastle, in Co. Down made a commitment to build relationships at the school gate, as did Simon and Cheryl who are part of the leadership team in the Ignite Network in Dublin. In both these cases, small missional communities developed, slowly.

In Centenary, in Dublin, members of the congregation developed relationships with the people coming to the English classes they offer and discovered that some of those learning English were talented musicians.

They now play in the church band.

THERE IS LIFE WHERE CHRISTIANS ARE COMMITTED TO LIVING AS DISCIPLES, EVERY DAY

A commitment to missional discipleship is part of Methodist heritage. John Wesley organised Christians into small groups of three or four called “bands” and into classes of about HOSPITALITY a dozen, the aim of which was to DEMANDS A help each other WILLINGNESS to be more like AND COMMITMENT Jesus, not simply in the small group TO BE A FRIEND, but every day. A NOT SIMPLY TO BE group of Methodist congregations, from FRIENDLY. Inishowen through Belfast and Lisburn, Dublin, Tipperary and Kilkenny have been working with Neil Hudson from the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity via Skype.

Based on the “Imagine Church” material they are helping each other to be Christians on their “frontlines” and working together on how “gathered church” on a Sunday needs to develop to equip these everyday disciples.

Others are part of Wesleyan bands.

Fergus O’Ferrall, the Methodist Lay Leader, speaks of how being in a “band” has not just changed the way he sees Jesus, but it has changed the way he sees others as well.

There are more stories to tell of established congregations trusting God enough to take risks and go on adventures and of what God is doing in multi-ethnic congregations like Waterford, featured in a previous edition of VOX. Alongside those are stories of struggle as Christians wrestle to see the future God has for them.

This is just a glimpse of the view from where I stand, in the part of God’s Church, which I get to serve. And Jesus? Jesus still stands in the middle of His Church.

Heather Morris is a Methodist minister currently serving as General Secretary of the Home Mission Department of the Methodist Church.

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MY STORY “My Story” is an opportunity for ordinary people living in Ireland to talk about their journey to faith or the impact God has in their daily lives.

MEET BRENDAN MADDEN

Dublin-based designer and artist Brendan Madden creates woven stories with thread and fabric for his fashion label Brendan Joseph.

From the silvery blues of Dublin Bay to the rusted leaves of Autumn in New England, he wordlessly describes a world bursting with life.

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF

In an interview with Karen Huber for VOX magazine, Brendan shares his story from his childhood on an organic farm in Midleton, Co. Cork to a manor in Avoca where he first encountered sincere devotion to Christ, to becoming a father and entrepreneur.

amazing woman. She rode a motorbike and through the wording and tradition of the I’m the second youngest of four, and brought the stories of Jesus to life, as well as ceremony and its origins, and so I made my the only boy. I spent my first few years being kind and patient with us. We did First confirmation. just outside Midleton before moving to Communion and First Confession and it was Glasnevin in Dublin. In Cork, we lived all really special.

WAS THERE A SPECIFIC INSTANCE WHEN in a beautiful Victorian mansion in the It wasn’t until I was applying to JESUS BECAME MORE REAL AND YOU countryside and my mum ran an organic mainstream secondary school that I even INTENTIONALLY CHOSE TO FOLLOW HIM? farm and guest house. My parents were realised this ‘special school’ was not called At 15, I thought that if God was real, both originally from Dublin. Granny had an that because of how each child there was so then surely faith would make a difference in absolute cave of toys and always made cakes, deeply cared for. I was just glad to be there, people's lives. I wasn't seeing that around me and Grandad, who was blind and a basket and because of that I didn’t see autism (I had and I wanted to. One afternoon, we dropped weaver, sometimes brought me on errands. a diagnosis at age two) as anything wrong. my sister down to Ovoca Manor, a Christian I was fascinated by how he ‘saw’ with his I expected things to be the same in the camp in Avoca, Co. Wicklow, and I saw hands, as well as his sense of place. He local church, but it wasn't. The ladies who something I'd never seen before: teenagers always knew exactly where he was and what ran the events wanted us to be perfect and my own age who were excited to be there, direction to go. to do what we were told. They were cross being themselves and talking about Jesus.

I love to understand and explore the if we didn't. At mass, I was skeptical of the I knew some of these kids from school history and meaning of things all around me. whole 'sign of peace' gesture with people and they were totally different. It was like At 15, I went to school in Munich, and the who I knew were whispering cuttingly about they went from guarded and cold to fluid rush of freedom excited me. Each weekend, each other moments before and moments and free, and I wanted to know more. What I would travel and explore some far flung after. It felt like such a lie. I declared I wasn't was it that gave them the confidence to drop town of Bavaria. I loved to draw and create, going to confirm unless it was what I truly the act and be open with one another? And and so when I went to the National what was it that made this place College of Art and Design and safe, special and undefinable? So started weaving, I found a way to I signed up for the next camp. work on all the things I love at once. I REALISED MY RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD WAS NOT TO BE Since I was certain this was only going to be a research trip, DETERMINED BY WHETHER I WANTED TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH I found HOW DID FAITH/ RELIGION FIT INTO a Bible at home and WHAT OTHERS DID WITH THEIR CHRISTIAN LABEL. RATHER, IT highlighted all my questions YOUR LIFE AS A CHILD? I went to a special needs primary WAS A RESPONSE TO HIS LOVE FOR ME AS HIS SON. and notes. My big questions all school called St Declan's that was set centred around the difference up by a Jesuit priest. Fr Andrews was between what people practice a very kind man and totally radical and what they preach, and in terms of how people thought about believed. My mum arranged for me to meet whether or not I wanted to be a part of it. children at the time. St Declan’s was a place with a priest who sat with me and patiently At camp, a woman named Kathy simply where children were loved and cared for, explained how Jesus could be God's only opened the Bible and showed me the and where each of us was empowered and Son, how all of us were also God's children, answers to each and every question in the of worth. My first teacher, Sr Marion, was an and how Jesus died and rose. We pored words of Jesus. It was utterly compelling. I 28

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realised my relationship with God was not open and interested. I’m not trying to to be determined by whether I wanted to be convince them of anything; I’m just sharing associated with what others did with their what I’ve explored and answering questions.

Christian label. Rather, it was a response to The church can be deeply afraid of His love for me as artistic creation.

His son. Nobody I’ve had people ever told me tell me my work Christianity wasn't IT SOFTENED HOW I TALK ABOUT GOD; I CAN needs to share the about what other Bible (in a literal people were doing, SPEAK WHAT I BELIEVE THROUGH WHAT I DO. sense), but this or what other sacred/spiritual people thought of divide is a false me. Christianity one. Either using was about responding to Jesus. your gifts to serve God is worship, or it isn’t.

I'd never before used simple words to Worship can’t only apply to a specific set describe my feelings out loud, to people of gifts people are comfortable with, and it I didn't know. So when I found myself can’t only apply to what you do in church standing up and explaining to everyone services. there the decision I had made, I was as surprised as my friends from school. I DID BECOMING A FATHER CHANGE YOUR started a Christian Union group at school RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD? and things were never the same again.

In becoming fathers, I think a lot of men reframe 'the Father' in the image of the HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR WORK AS AN ARTIST father they want to be, which can negate the COMPLEMENTING YOUR LIFE AS A FOLLOWER complexity of the Trinity. The Father and OF JESUS? the Son are one and the Father sacrificed Identifying as an artist was a journey His own Son so we could be His sons and that, for a long time I felt I had to justify. I daughters. It’s impossible to understand the like to solve problems and debate solutions, idea that you could allow harm to come to but in real life, that's not how it works. In your only child but it's also impossible to taking on the identity of an artist, I came understand the idea that someone who was to terms with things I can't resolve or 'one being with God' would willingly submit understand through logic and reason. It to such brutality as the cross. softened how I talk about God; I can speak Struggling as a new parent, and as a new what I believe through what I do. When I business, I felt under so much pressure. talk to people about the themes of my work, Surrender to God, something I'd always some of which are deeply personal and found easy, no longer seemed so automatic. touch on creation, religion, and God, they’re I have an image I keep coming back to from

my journals of a man holding onto the last dead branch at the edge of a rushing waterfall. Life can be like that and, in finally letting go, I’ve learnt from my experience of being a father what it means to be a son.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR BRENDAN JOSEPH - THE MAN AND THE COMPANY?

In wanting to be a successful artist with a successful business, I've realised there are sacrifices at every turn. I find there can be an 'opportunity travellator conundrum' - we feel we need to keep moving on a series of conveyer belts never stopping to think if the destination is where we actually want to end up. The toll on health, wellbeing and relationships is not worth it.

One of the things I’ve learnt in the past year is to step back and make sure I’m going in the right direction. I know I'm called to create, but I also know I don't have to fulfil anyone else's version of what I should be. I need to choose between all these competing goals and decide what MY goal is, not from a menu of what's possible or what's considered a success, but asking: if I am truly listening to God, where does that take me?

Visit www.BrendanJoseph.com to explore Brendan’s work.

Karen Huber is a freelance writer and editor.

Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, USA, she lives with her husband and three children in Lucan, Co Dublin, where they serve with Greater Europe Mission in discipleship and arts ministry.

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WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST CO 25%

22%

The potential for a referendum to repeal the 8th Amendment (implications for abortion legislation in Ireland)

The homeless crisis (current figure in Ireland stands at over 8,000 people)

hortly before we went to print, VOX magazine carried out a survey to find out what issues were of greatest concern to Christians in Ireland as we enter a new year. In just a few days, we had a tremendous response with 156 people from all over the island, and from a wide range of different ages and backgrounds, giving their views.

When taken as a whole, the top two areas of greatest concern were the possibility of a referendum to repeal the 8th Amendment (that protects the unborn child) and the on-going homelessness crisis – 25% and 22% respectively. The third highest issue of concern (at almost 15%) was the potential fallout from international unrest.

Of note, however, is the on-going generational divide.

Those under the age of 30 are most concerned with the homelessness crisis (35%) and identify the refugee crisis as of next greatest concern (16%).

The 31 – 45 age category are most concerned about the 8th amendment (33%) with both the over 45s (25%) and the over 60s (26%) also placing this as the highest category.

The age group most concerned about international unrest were those over 45 (almost 21%) while the over 60s were the least concerned about this issue (11%).

The “hidden” impact of crises in Yemen, Somalia and DRC was only of major concern to 7% of those surveyed.

Perhaps the fact that it is largely hidden from the media means people are ignorant that this issue affects, by far, the largest number of people - millions are suffering and dying.

Of the few expressing concern about Brexit, the majority live in border counties, previously lived in the North or fear being directly affected (e.g. British citizens living in Ireland).

Here are some of your comments on the issues raised:

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The potential for a referendum to repeal the 8th Amendment (implications for abortion legislation) As a society we are moving towards a place that devalues life. Is it euthanasia next?

This is a country which insisted (not so long ago) that unmarried mothers had to give up their children and this stance was the social norm of the 60s, 70s and 80s Ireland. I believe that those who are carrying babies with any irregularities [disabilities] will have great social pressure to terminate their pregnancies, only apparent perfection will do. Iceland is a case in point.

In other countries, even with so-called restrictive abortion legislation, abortion on demand has crept in. Thousands of innocent unborn children every year could die as a result of “repeal,” and women left grieving after believing, until it was too late, the lie that abortion is harmless. Even if the scale of the abortion is smaller initially, every one is a tragedy that need not happen. Will Irish Christians be among those who raised a voice to defend the voiceless or among those who stood by and let it happen? Will they seek ways to reach out with compassion to the many women in crisis pregnancies to “LoveBoth” and support them and their precious children, or walk on by on the other side of the road?

I have been involved with the pro-life movement and nationally with the church I attend. I have found it very difficult at times and saddened by parts of society and their negative views towards the unborn. Also, the response of some churches has surprised me, in that they either do nothing or are very blasé about it.

This concerns upcoming generations - the lives (deaths) of our children and grandchildren. Abortion is a tragedy that hurts and damages women, and is an unnecessary evil that literally destroys lives – those of preborn children.

Life begins in the womb and sanctity of life must be preserved.

While the other issues and crises mentioned are also worrying and deserving of action in the coming year, the potential repeal referendum has the potential to destroy lives of babies and cause trauma and pain for countless mothers and fathers for generations to come. The next six months are critical to inform the public of the true realities and consequences of abortion.

NCERN AS WE ENTER 2018?

15% The fallout from international unrest

13% Others

The current homeless crisis in Ireland (over 8,000 people homeless according to latest statistics) The number of homeless people keeps rising but there doesn’t seem to be much being done to help them.

I think it is horrible to think that people living in quite a wealthy country such as Ireland, are homeless, especially during this cold time of the year.

Everyone should have a place to call home.

It seems anyone is now susceptible to homelessness.

People in power don’t seem to care, particularly about child homelessness and families living in hotels.

People are dying on our streets this winter and nobody seems to care, there is no political will to do something, maybe because homeless people don’t vote.

I see so many homeless people hanging around the town every day. I complain of the cold if I’m out in it for longer than 10 minutes, so I can’t even imagine what they must be feeling!

Luke 3:11: As Christians, we can give someone our spare coat, but shouldn’t we also be speaking up for the coatless?

The homeless crisis overlaps with an ongoing personal financial crisis that is not as visible in our nation. Although we have a relatively low inflation rate, there are increases in the cost of housing and utilities that can easily shove families, even those with a moderate income, into a poverty trap. While for some, the economic growth since the lows of 2007 - 2009 makes Ireland a great place to live, there are citizens in every town and village who are still shouldering the burden of that growth without seeing the benefit.

I believe the banks have acted despicably to their mortgage holders, and they should be held to account, and many of those families currently in hotel accommodation should be reinstated in their homes under mortgage/rent agreements.

8%

8%

The human impact The refugee of “hidden” crises in crisis places such as Yemen, Somalia and DRC.

5%

4%

The implications of Brexit The current state of politics on this island

The fallout from international unrest It seems like [global] politics is negatively affecting the life of the average person a lot more recently.

The state of international affairs is important to me, particularly with regard to our role as a nation and how we can best be part of the solution rather than the problem.

I’m concerned about places like North Korea and their threats of nuclear war and also the fighting in Syria has affected so many innocents in their country.

International unrest is counter to peace. It inhibits development, increases poverty and is negative in so many ways. By co-operation the world can be a better place, not by international disputes and confrontation. You could say that international unrest causes many, if not all, of the other issues mentioned. The Lord Jesus came that we might have life, and have it to the full.

Many a problem is created or solved through bad or good diplomacy. International politics, which are driven by tribal (nationalistic) instincts, have the potential for great harm.

Other issues of concern There were a range of issues and views expressed in the “other” category from climate change and the presidency of Donald Trump to the need for evangelism and on-going moral decline. Here are some of the comments you made: Climate change will increase political conflict, disproportionately impact women and girls and cause a refugee crisis. It is the biggest social justice issue my generation will inherit.

The economy, property prices, the cost of living, public vs private salaries, all these have an impact on society and the wider divide between social classes I think it’s clear when Jesus says to love God and love your neighbor as yourself. When we are truly loving others, we put our love into action.

Everything else is trivial in comparison to eternity. The way things are in the world at present is only going to get worse. The only thing to combat wickedness, however, is the gospel. Changing hearts and minds.

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LIFE

LOVING BEYOND THE LIMITS ONE ORDINARY MAN’S JOURNEY WITH HIS EXTRAORDINARY GOD

Trevor Hill is a church pastor in Athlone, a passionate golfer and a devoted husband and father who believed he was the last person on earth who would ever write a book. Here, exclusively in VOX magazine, we bring you a short excerpt from his autobiography Loving Beyond the Limits and Trevor talks honestly with Ruth GarveyWilliams about his journey and the challenge of writing it down!

n your book, you describe the heartbreak funeral) asked me, “Did it not make you doubt your faith?” I of losing your only son. How did this replied, “That is what faith is for. It is okay to have faith when experience affect your faith? everything is hunky dory. It is in the testing times that we find out I suppose, you have a choice of two reactions if our faith is real.” when difficulties come. Graeme Wylie mentioned this at Peter’s funeral. People either run to God or they run As well as Peter’s death, your story also from God. From a pastoral point of view, we includes the stillbirth of your little girl have seen both reactions. Because we had walked and the sudden loss of your parents WE KNEW ENOUGH OF HIS with God for so long, we knew that running within a few days of each other. You from Him wasn’t an option. We knew enough share the helpful, and unhelpful, ways GOODNESS TO BELIEVE THAT of His goodness to believe that He is good, even in which Christians responded to these HE IS GOOD, EVEN THOUGH OUR tragedies. How can we best show love to though our hearts were breaking.

Our whole lives, we’ve been talking those who are grieving?

HEARTS WERE BREAKING. about trusting God, believing God. The most When our baby died, we were numb. We had unimaginable thing that could have happened, been going to hospital to have our second child happened to us. But if we have that on-going and then there were complications. Diane had to friendship and relationship with God, then when the tough times deliver our little girl knowing that she had died. One well-known come we can’t just run away. About a year after Peter died, my preacher was sympathising with me but ended up giving me 11 hairdresser (who closed her salon down to cut my hair for Peter’s points from a Psalm. At the time, it didn’t mean anything to us!

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“It is one of the most unnatural things in all the world to have to bury your own child. It is supposed to be the other way around but unfortunately many other parents have had to do exactly that and we joined that number when [our son] Peter went home to the Lord on Tuesday 22 June 2004.

“For those who have had to say goodbye to a loved one, it is one of the most difficult and painful experiences in life.

There is no way around it. In my role as a Pastor, I have witnessed firsthand people’s faith, or lack of it, during these times. It is one thing to sit alongside people and seek to be there for them. It is quite another thing to be the one sitting there stunned, shocked, in disbelief and hoping beyond all hope that you are dreaming and are going to wake up and realise that it was only a dream.”

From Loving Beyond the Limits by Trevor Hill. Used with permission.

Another friend stood in the middle of the room, put his arms around us and cried. He asked us questions about our daughter.

For a number of months after Peter died, when we went into Athlone, we got the impression that people were saying, “That’s the couple that lost their son.” Some people came up and they wouldn’t stop talking but what they said was the biggest load of nonsense. What meant more was when the dad of one of Peter’s friends came home for the funeral. He stood in front of me and just cried.

We need to be real, to feel people’s pain and stop thinking that we have to have the answer for people. There is no answer.

What does it mean to you to publish this book?

A mixture of relief, shock and delight! I can’t believe I actually wrote a book. You know the saying, “There’s a book in everybody.”

I would have thought that was true for everybody but me.

I felt the Lord had prompted me to start writing and the church was amazing, so I took time off in the summer of 2016.

From the moment I sat down to write, I completed it in 39 days.

I named each chapter after the “holes” on a golf course (anyone who knows me, knows how much I love golf). When I separated them all out I found I already had the titles for 15 of the holes, so I didn’t have to sit and think too much.

My aim was that people would read it and think that I was across the table chatting to them. And in the end it wasn’t as daunting as I thought it would be. It just seemed to flow.

What is your hope for the book?

When I was writing it, I was conscious of friends at the golf club. If you mention God or Christianity, people automatically put you into a box. I hope that people of faith and people without faith can read my story and take encouragement from the reality of God in our lives. I hope they will see the friendship we have with God. I also hope it will inspire others. If I can do this, anybody can do it. I do believe there is a story in everybody. I would love to encourage others here in Ireland to write a book [Ed: or at least to share their story in VOX magazine].

To get your copy of Loving Beyond The Limits telephone 087 792 6602 or email riveroflife.ie@ gmail.com. The books are priced at €10 plus €3 postage and packing (anywhere in Ireland).

Cheques should be made payable to Trevor Hill.

JAN - MAR 2018 VOX

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REALITY

RESPONDING TO

Across Ireland and Northern Ireland, churches are finding creative and innovative ways to engage with their local communities and to see lives transformed. In 2017, the Cinnamon Network identified five of these projects that have the potential to be replicated in other churches. Over the next 18 months, Cinnamon advisors will work alongside these projects to provide mentoring and support through the “Incubator” programme. So here’s a taste of these five projects.

NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY HOME GROWN PROJECTS THAT ARE TRANSFORMING LIVES IN IRELAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND RELEASE Supporting former prisoners as they transition back into the community

R

elease is a charity that grew out of a ministry in St. Catherine’s church in Dublin. The Irish prison services states that the largest factor in offending (and re-offending) behaviour is the loss or lack of relationship, employment or accommodation (IPS Annual Report and Recidivism Study 2014).

Prison ministry volunteers from St. Catherine’s encountered this for themselves as they began leading Sunday morning worship in prison 20 years ago, forming what eventually became know as the organisation Release. They saw many men who had no friends or family and thus no sense of belonging, identity and worth. Building relationships and providing on-going support has transformed the lives of many former prisoners and significantly cut rates of re-offending.

Ex-offenders are matched with trained mentors. These relationships begin in prison and then continue into the local community, where there is support and help through the re-entry process. Group work through the Alpha Course, the Recovery course and other programmes helps to facilitate safe spaces for people to share honestly about their struggles and to gain tools for change. Release also provides advocacy with potential employers and landlords.

“I was looking to change my life. I was fed up with going in and out of prison. I went along to the Alpha Course. I heard about Jesus and who He is... it was completely different to what I thought. That gave me hope. I love being a Christian. I wouldn’t go back now. Life is a battle at times but I’m going in one direction.”

“I grew up in a rough area and I developed a bad heroin addiction.

You name it, I had done it. I would have done anything to get drugs. I was continuously in and out of prison... Now all the money in the world could not buy what I have because Jesus paid it all. He who the Son sets free is free indeed!”

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RISE Providing mentoring and leadership training to encourage young people to become active in their local community

I

nnovista Ireland carried out the first pilot of RISE five years ago. During conversations with young people from challenging backgrounds at youth groups in St Catherine’s and at Abbey Presbyterian, they noticed a recurring comment when it came to thinking about change in the local community - “What’s the point? Nothing’s ever going to change.”

Determined to try to break that cycle of hopelessness, Innovista Ireland developed RISE as an opportunity for teens to experience making a change locally, learning leadership skills and connecting with positive role models from local churches.

As many churches struggle to engage local young people, particularly in areas of deprivation, the RISE programme provides a framework for youth leaders and volunteers to connect with teenagers in schools and youth groups.

“Our young people found RISE Leadership Programme to be inspiring, challenging and engaging. It equipped them to identify and tangibly meet some of the needs in our community.” - Norman Thompson, Youth worker.

VOX MAGAZINE

MOVING FORWARD Helping 16-25-year-olds to re-engage with employment and education and take care of their physical and spiritual wellbeing

D

eveloped out of Willowfield Church in East Belfast, Moving Forward was a response to the large numbers of young people who were entering adulthood having left school with few or no qualifications. This relational approach aimed to be a catalyst for change in the lives of young people in the areas of education, employment, physical fitness and faith.

The programme involves one-to-one sessions, sport, employment support, volunteer work and a range of other opportunities. Positive relationships with volunteers from the church have enabled the young people to break bad habits and overcome barriers to building a better future.

ACTIVE LISTENING Providing a listening and signposting service for vulnerable people

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orking in partnership with the PSNI, Active Listening was founded in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone by a Christian police officer who formed a team of volunteers through the local church network. First launched in 2007, it became a registered charity in 2014.

Community Police Officer, Mike Elwood, became frustrated that he did not have enough time in his policing role to spend time with people and really listen to them. At times, vulnerable people were calling the police service with genuine needs but more pressing emergency calls had to take priority.

Active Listening was set up to support the police service by providing a listening and signposting service for this type of caller. The volunteers receive referrals directly from officers on the ground and also from the 999 / 101 contact management system.

Trained volunteers then go out, in pairs, to meet the vulnerable person, to listen to their story and to build a connection with them.

Where appropriate the listeners will refer the person to expert local services specific to their needs. By connecting with people who are socially isolated and providing practical support and help, Active Listening seeks to see lives transformed.

LOVE WORKS CO-OP Helping churches establish cooperative societies that share the profits with the community

L

ove Works Co-op grew out of a vision to transform the local community through equipping and empowering local young men.

Founded by Fortwilliam and Macrory Presbyterian Church in North Belfast, the project was developed in response to high levels of unemployment, criminal activity, drug and alcohol abuse and sectarianism in this inner city area.

There was need for young men to have opportunities within their community where they could feel valued and accepted, taking ownership and responsibility for themselves, their colleagues and their community.

The three core strands of Love Works are gardening, bread-making and bike repairs.

Participants build new friendships, gain new skills and grow in confidence through their achievements and experiences.

Working out of a church hall, this worker-owned cooperative puts emphasis on relationship and environmentally sustainable practices. “We’re called Love Works because of the belief that love is an essential ingredient,� explained one of the founders.

JAN - MAR 2018 VOX

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REALITY

CAN BE TO

A new name and a fresh determination

BY KEN GIBSON

ust like the rest of us, Ram Subedi enjoys his cuppa! But danger and disaster lurk in the everyday task of making his tea. Ram has leprosy. His hands have been robbed of feeling.

That’s what leprosy does: it kills the nerve endings. It causes loss of sensation and pain.

Can you imagine it? Can you feel the horror? On one occasion, Ram grasped the teapot. He didn’t feel the heat. He held on tightly when you or I would have let go. He didn’t feel it but he wasn’t immune to its effects. Ram’s hands were severely ulcerated.

He could so easily have lost his hands. Thankfully he received treatment at a Leprosy Mission hospital before that happened.

THE NAME CHANGE IS SIGNIFICANT, FLAGGING Thousands of others are not so UP THE MISSION’S INTENT TO SEE LEPROSY fortunate.

Leprosy was driven from FINALLY CONSIGNED TO THE PAGES OF HISTORY. Ireland many years ago. Many believe it is a disease of Bible lands and Bible times, confined to the pages of history. Yet, every hour of every day more than 30 men, women and children are diagnosed with leprosy… arguably the cruellest and certainly the world’s oldest communicable disease!

Where leprosy causes loss of feeling, it exposes the body to horrific injury. But leprosy is curable. Injury and disability are preventable: if leprosy is caught in time,

J

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hands, fingers and limbs can be saved from amputation and destruction. Leprosy affects the whole person, physically, mentally, socially, economically and spiritually. Every year, thousands upon thousands of sufferers are driven away from family, friends and society.

The Leprosy Mission Ireland has a new name: The Mission To End Leprosy.

The name change is significant, flagging up the mission’s intent to see leprosy finally consigned to the pages of history.

Clofazimine, the main drug in the concoction of antibiotics for leprosy was discovered by a team of researchers at the Medical Research Council in Trinity College Dublin. Since its roll out in the 1980s it has been used to treat and cure more than 15 million people. Back then the World Health Organisation believed that the steady roll out of this drug would see leprosy fizzle out.

That hasn’t happened.

There are a number of reasons why leprosy has not yet been defeated. First, because leprosy is a stigmatising disease, many people don’t come forward for treatment. Fearful that they will be shunned by family, neighbours and employers, they try to hide their illness for as long as possible. But, leprosy is a progressive disease slowly damaging the hands, feet, eyes, face and nose. If it’s caught early, the damage can be arrested.

WHO statistics for the past decade show

VOX MAGAZINE

that an increasing proportion of new cases are diagnosed when the person presents with disability. That suggests that the illness is not being detected early enough. One of the core strategic objectives of The Mission To End Leprosy is to support programmes to detect leprosy earlier. This vital work prevents leprosy sufferers being condemned to lives of needless disability.

Conservative estimates suggest that in the past decade some 4 million people may have contracted leprosy but remain undetected. Closely allied to early detection, the Mission is leading the global campaign to identify all of these undetected cases.

Of course, undetected and untreated cases of leprosy mean that the infection spreads further. Recent investigations by the Mission and its partners identified up to three times more new cases than had been anticipated in some areas of India.

When Wellesley Bailey, a young man from the Church of Ireland, started the work of the organisation in 1874, there was no cure for leprosy. All that could be offered was compassionate care. When Wellesley first met leprosy patients in India, he wrote home to his fiancée, Alice, with these words “Their first and greatest need is the gospel but in bringing them the gospel there is so much more that needs to be done…” He went on to list all the practical steps that needed to be taken, clean water, sanitation, safe housing and compassionate care. That remains the

WHEN WELLESLEY BAILEY, A YOUNG MAN FROM THE CHURCH OF IRELAND, STARTED THE WORK OF THE ORGANISATION IN 1874, THERE WAS NO CURE FOR LEPROSY. heart of the Mission’s work.

From humble beginnings in Dublin in 1874, Wellesley could not have anticipated that this organisation would, today, be leading the global campaign to finally interrupt the transmission of leprosy. Last year, the Mission launched a major scientific research initiative called R2STOP, research to stop the transmission of leprosy. Funding €1 million of scientific research for the next 10 years, the Mission believes that it will find the way to stop leprosy spreading.

Despite being the oldest known disease in human history, the stigma and secrecy that surrounds the illness means that there are many things that remain unknown about how it spreads. It’s generally believed that it spreads by coughing, sneezing and living in poor conditions that compromise immunity.

But the Mission’s work in recent years has identified that the bacteria can remain viable in the soil or even in water. No disease can be defeated unless it is known how it spreads. The Mission’s research is vital to ensure final eradication.

The Mission To End Leprosy is a new name. It’s involved in exciting new global strategic initiatives, but this is still

a Christian Mission, bringing Christian compassion and care to men, women and children affected by this ancient disease. It’s mission statement remains, “To minister in the name of Jesus Christ to the physical, mental, social and economic needs of individuals and communities affected by leprosy, working with them to uphold human dignity and to eradicate leprosy.” It’s an exciting privilege to be part of eradicating the oldest known disease in human history but, as the team at the Mission says, “It is the people we serve that matter.” People like Ram. Of course, that work can only happen with the partnership of people and churches across Ireland who generously support the work through donations and legacies.

A number of years ago a wise supporter left a legacy to the Mission in Dublin. The condition was that it was to be invested and the income derived used to pay for all of the office’s administration costs. That’s such an enormous help, ensuring that every cent donated to the Mission in Dublin is used directly for the programmes. The work, established in humble beginnings in Dublin in 1874, continues to receive God’s blessing.

JAN - MAR 2018 VOX

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round 350 years ago, they get lynched (in love, of when the English course).

Civil War was still A case in point is William fresh in people’s Young’s 2007 novel The Shack. minds, a Puritan called John Milton I didn’t particularly enjoy the published an epic poem about a book myself but I recognised it civil war in heaven between God for what it was – a novel, a work and Satan. Paradise Lost, modelled of fiction, designed to get people on the great Nordic and Celtic poetic to think outside the box, and sagas, remains a landmark in English making no attempt to teach doctrine literary history. A few years later, John or theology. For some reason, Bunyan, while languishing in Bedford however, a posse of self-appointed Gaol for his religious beliefs, wrote his doctrinal policemen felt they had to famous novel Pilgrim’s Progress (described condemn it for not being theologically

by The Guardian newspaper as “the ultimate accurate. A pastor friend of mine, with English classic”). tongue firmly stuck in cheek, posted Over the years, many other committed on Facebook, “The Shack is heretical for Christians, in various countries and languages, portraying God as a black woman whereas have employed fiction as a powerful way to every good evangelical knows that God is a provoke people into thinking about biblical lion who lives in a kingdom called Narnia.” issues. Fyodor Dostoyevsky wrestled with the I have written and published 11 nonproblem of evil in The Brothers Karamazov, while fiction books. But recently I ventured far CS Lewis explored biblical themes of sin and outside my comfort zone to work on a novel redemption in his Narnia books, and also in the that seeks to challenge dysfunctional societies lesser-known Space Trilogy. that routinely abort unborn children diagnosed JRR Tolkien was a devout Catholic, and saw with Down Syndrome. The Missing Chromosomes his Lord of the Rings books as imagines a world where everyone fundamentally religious – not as an has Down Syndrome – until allegory but in making people think children that are ‘different’ begin to about the age-old battle between light AT TIMES CHRISTIAN FICTION be born. and darkness. Tolkien was also a biblical The novel is due for publication HAS CHANGED HISTORY. translator, translating Jonah for the at the end of January. No doubt some Jerusalem Bible, and also contributing to people will like it and some people the translation of the book of Job. will hate it. We all have different tastes.

At times Christian fiction has changed history. The I pray that, albeit in a smaller way, it might follow Uncle most notable example being Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin in stirring some consciences and promoting Tom’s Cabin which, perhaps more than anything else, was a more compassionate and inclusive society. But I have responsible for the abolition of slavery in North America. another prayer, that it might encourage more Christian This historical context makes me all the more frustrated at writers to be brave. The church needs writers who will refuse the current state of Christian fiction publishing. If you look for to play safe, who will not be cowed by those who are suspicious fiction in a Christian bookshop, you are likely to be swamped of imagination and creativity, and who will dare to dream of by a range of insipid Mills-and-Boon-style romances set in Amish producing great Christian literature that can reach and inspire country. the world around us.

Part of the problem is that many Christians have become so obsessed with heresy-hunting, and finding fault with each other’s Nick Park is Executive Director of Evangelical Alliance Ireland. theology, that authors are afraid to be imaginative or creative in case www.nickpark.ie

A

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St. Mark’s Church: We Are Hiring!

St. Mark’s Church is a life-giving Pentecostal Church in the centre of Dublin City. It is one Church with four locations and is part of the CCI Network. Our vision is to reach out with the Good News of Jesus Christ, so people can come ‘home’ to the Father and into a loving community.

We are looking for a Children’s Ministry Director who will pioneer a new vision and approach to our children’s work inside and outside the Church. This is a new post and an exciting opportunity for a visionary leader who enjoys working and team building in a creative, contemporary, fun, risk taking Church environment. We are passionate about raising the next generation and seeing the Church transformed through our children’s work in all our locations.

It is a part-time, salaried position with great prospects.

To receive more information and to express your interest in the role please email Cliona at office@stmarks.ie

by January 31st 2018.

Enhanced safeguarding checks will be required.

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REVIEWS

VOX MAGAZINE

HOW ON EARTH DID WE END UP HERE?

By Nick Park Reviewed by Patrick Mitchell This is not your typical church history textbook, nor is it trying to be one. It is a lively, story-filled and creative flying tour through the narrative of the church from New Testament times to the present. As Nick Park says at one point, he is not really trying to teach church history at all, he is identifying and learning key lessons from the past which he then applies at the end of the book. How on Earth is divided into four ‘books’.

Book 1 begins in the NT and tells the dramatic story of the early church. Book 2 reveals Nick’s key argument - that the development of Christendom, with Augustine as chief culprit, was an unmitigated disaster for authentic NT Christianity. Book 3 unpacks the story of the Reformation, Wesley, all the way through to 19th Century evangelical revivalism and the birth of the Pentecostal movement at the very start of the 20th. The focus widens in Book 4 to tell the stories of global mission, the rise and fall of liberalism, and the relationships between fundamentalism, evangelicalism and Pentecostalism. It closes reflecting on the recent decline of Christendom in the West.

Nick welcomes secular post-Christendom ‘at least for those of us who have the confidence to believe our faith will flourish when we rely on witness and evangelism rather than requiring Statesponsorship or coercion to force people into our churches’ (p. 214).

As a Pentecostal pastor, his concluding comments are mostly directed at Pentecostals. He warns of the Christendom temptation of respectability and losing evangelistic zeal in the process. He asks whether pursuit of ‘ministerial titles and doctorates’ by Pentecostals may lead to an increasing disconnect with the poor and downtrodden (p.225-26). And he wonders if Pentecostals can manage to ‘work with the proponents of the Prosperity Gospel to maintain their zeal while avoiding syncretism?’ (p. 226).

While these are important questions for Pentecostals, it would have been good also to hear Nick’s wider reflections on challenges for the broad spectrum of Pentecostals and evangelicals in today’s post-Christendom Ireland.

All in all, a provocative, passionate, mission-focused and fastmoving analysis. While it is unlikely you will agree with everything he wrote, Nick is a highly engaging tour guide and conversation partner.

Patrick Mitchel is Senior Lecturer in Theology, Irish Bible Institute.

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Church Insurance a broker with a difference

VACANCY The Irish Bible Institute is seeking to appoint a full-time Principal who will lead IBI into the next stage of its development.

The Principal will whole-heartedly embrace the mission, vision and values of IBI. The Principal will be responsible for the overall running of the different aspects of IBI and will appreciate the realities of ministry within the contemporary Irish context.

For details of the role and the application process, please contact kbarrett@ibi.ie and request the job pack or check the IBI website http://ibi.ie/news/vacancies/ Deadline for application is 12th Febuary 2018

We are a Christian insurance brokerage in business since 1984 and church insurance is an area in which we take a special interest.

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For your quotation please contact Rodney Croly at: Email: Rodney@croly insurance.com Phone 01-2989166 | www.crolyinsurance.com R J Croly & Co Ltd is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland Registered in Ireland no. 108865. Registered office 4 Finsbury Park Dundrum Dublin 14 Directors Rodney Croly QFA FLIA , Sylvia Croly QFA

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When a client meets with us, we carry out an assessment, review their current pension and discuss in detail their expected retirement objectives. Once we have a clear picture of our client’s retirement fund, tax liability and retirement goals, we can determine which type of pension is best suited to achieve those goals. The desired outcome is to have a financial plan that outlines the appropriate steps for the client and serves to guide them towards a financially secure retirement.

James Garza, QFA, of Trillium Financial Services, has over 17 years experience in the financial services industry.

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Mention this advert to avail of a free one-hour pension consultation with James Garza, QFA. Contact James Garza at james@trillium.ie or 086 073 9902 or 01 442 9950.

James Garza T/A Trillium Financial Services is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

REVIEWS

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COME BACK FIGHTING - Philippa Hanna Philippa Hanna has been writing some great Christian “pop” songs for some time, but her latest studio album is going to bring this Sheffield-born Christian singer/songwriter to the fore in 2018. Quite simply, this is Christian pop music at its very best. Brilliant production, powerful positive lyrics and crystal clear vocals make this an album that will be receiving much airplay and attention in the year ahead, not just on Christian radio, but on secular commercial radio, too. This album manages to capture the essence of a number of genres including country, pop and gospel. A brilliant collection of up-tempo and intimate songs. For me the standout tracks are Getting on with Life, a thought-provoking ballad, and a lovely version of Always on my Mind.

Abide with Me Sara Groves

After Christmas celebrations, I always hope for a quiet and gentle month of January.

This is probably reflective of the music I listen to during the sometimes dark and wintry first weeks. Thankfully, Sara Groves’ album is designed to get our spiritual lives off to a good start in 2018. Abide with Me is her 13th studio album and I love it. It includes her favourite hymns that have been a source of healing and comfort. I have no doubt they will heal and comfort you also. The album was recorded in a 105-year-old church building and each track captures the atmosphere and holiness of this ancient and sacred space.

The melodies are simple and beautiful, and will have you singing along. I loved her version of Praise to the Lord, which took me right back to my days in the school choir.

Other standout tracks are What a Friend, and The Dawn.

The Promise Soul Survivor

The latest recording from Soul Survivor impresses me hugely. Readers of VOX will know that I am not a huge fan of the big praise and worship events. Having said that, I think that there is a place for this style. The Promise serves up the whole live worship experience. It is filled with many soul-

soaring moments of praise as well as some beautiful deep worship. The recording opens with Come Holy Spirit, a soaring anthemic song that will have you singing along. We are led into a place of worship with two of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard, I Love You Jesus, and Build my Life, performed by Beth Croft. The seamless transition from intimate worship to exuberant praise is then achieved by the inclusion of an instrumental called Strings Resound. This starts out quite hypnotically and gradually increases the tempo to lead into the roof-raising Every Giant Will Fall, from Rend Collective. I think this album ticks all the boxes. The Promise (Live) from Soul Survivor is an early contender for the praise and worship album of the year 2018.

In Prayer

Salt of the Sound

In Prayer is the latest recording from husband and wife songwriters, Anita and Ben Tatlow. Based in Sweden, this couple has produced a Christian album with a difference. A huge difference. It contains no lyrics, just seven pieces of deeply affecting ambient music that are perfect for your time of meditation, prayer and reflection. Their aim is to create songs that encourage spiritual reflection both in church environments and in times of quiet, while also exploring musical styles and expressions that bring a freshness to the Christian music scene. Sometimes, when I

Albums reviewed by UCB Ireland Radio producer/presenter Vincent Hughes. Listen to UCB Ireland Radio on Virgin Media Channel 918, on Sky Channel 0214 or on your smartphone with our new Android app free from all app stores, and on your iPhone with the app free from the Apple store. UCB Ireland Radio: www.ucbireland.com.

find it difficult to quieten my mind after a hectic day, I turn to music to bring me into that place of peace where I can feel the presence of God. With no lyrics to distract me, these recordings have enabled me to enter into this space very easily. You will find this on Spotify. Give it a listen.

Impact

Acoustic Truth

"If we can help one person find the love of Jesus Christ each day, we are that much closer to our mission as Christians," said Acoustic Truth.

This Chicago-based husband and wife songwriting duo, Ryan and Sarah Knott, have been writing songs since 2011 but this is their debut album. Their sound is simple, stripped back and totally acoustic.

Impact is a first class album, beautifully produced, and impeccably delivered by two musicians who bring the best out of each other. The songs create a sense of intimacy. The vocals are razor sharp in clarity, and the harmonies are right up there with Simon and Garfunkel. It is hard to pick out any individual track for special mention but there are two tracks that touched me deeply, Come to Me, and Save the Children. I think you'll love this album.

As we move into 2018 I would like to showcase as much new Christian music as I possibly can. If you are looking for some exposure for your music and are releasing albums or EPs, please get in touch by email: vincent@ucbireland.ie. I am particularly interested in hearing from musicians and groups from Ireland, north or south.

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EVENTS

VOX MAGAZINE

Events Calendar What’s happening where and when

February New Wine Leaders’ Conference 6 – 8 February Radisson Blu Hotel, Sligo www.newwineireland.org March Chapel Conference 9 - 10 March St. Marks Church, Dublin 2 www.chapeldublin.com/conf REBOOT Youth Event 10 March, 10am Methodist College, Belfast www.rebootglobal.org/belfast

April MVMNT CCI Conference 4 - 6 April Helix Convention Centre, Dublin www.ccireland.ie Amazing Grace Festival 2018 4 - 9 April Buncrana, Co. Donegal www.amazinggrace.ie June Summer Fire Conference 22 - 29 June Trabolgan, Co. Cork www.summerfireconference.com Summer Madness Conference 29 June - 3 July Glenarm Castle, Ballymena www.summermadness.co.uk

Lent Prayer Project Begins Ash Wednesday (14 February)

July Sligo Summer Conference 8 - 13 July Sligo I.T. www.newwineireland.org August New Horizon Conference 4 - 10 August Ulster University, Coleraine www.newhorizon.org.uk Visit www.vox.ie/events for a more up-to-date event listing.

(You can also inform us about your upcoming event there.)

CREATED FOR…….

Six weeks Six prisoners (From China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan and Tajikistan)

Irish Association of Christian Counsellors Conference Saturday April 28th 2018

Sign up at www.churchinchains.ie to receive a weekly email containing daily prayer points

at The Riasc Centre, Feltrim Rd, Swords, Co Dublin.

COME AND CELEBRATE NEW BEGINNINGS WITH US……

Workshops: Created for ……. Connection (Rob Carley) Created for …… Caring (Carmel Shulmeistrat) Created for ….. Creativity (Fiona Burke) Drama by Shay Phelan and much more Lunch included €45 members, €50 everyone else CPD certs given for Counsellors

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More information and booking forms on:

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REVIEWS

VOX MAGAZINE

GOLIATH MUST FALL

By Louie Giglio

LUMINOUS DARK

By Alain Emerson

Alain Emerson seemed to have the almost-perfect life.

Pastor of a thriving church in Lurgan and national director of the 24-7 Ireland prayer movement, he met and married his soulmate Lyndsay Anderson, someone he described as the girl of his dreams. He could never have imagined that, in a few short months after their wedding he would be nursing her as she battled a terminal brain tumor.

Diagnosed in October 2006, Lindsay died six months later. She was 23 years old. Alain’s world had crumbled.

He was now a young widower, distraught and alone. The faith that had once seemed firm and secure felt like it was rapidly slipping away. In this time of darkness and bewilderment, he asked those questions so frequently asked by those who cannot understand why God allows such things to happen. After all, hadn’t he been faithful and obedient? Why had God not answered his prayers?

Why was God silent now? Why? He came to the realisation, in this time of great doubt, that he needed to face God, and to voice his pain and disappointment instead of keeping it all bottled up. So began a deep exploration of loss, shock, pain and grief.

In this remarkable book, Alain Emerson walks us through this profound experience. He describes experiencing God’s bewildering silence, the absence of simple answers, and the deepest despair imaginable. But having wrestled with God and with his crushing grief, he emerged with a stronger and deeper faith, and a sense of having seen God’s face.

(Spoiler alert) Alain has since remarried, and his wife Rachel has recently given birth to their third child.

Luminous Dark is a must read for anyone going through the grieving process. You will find great empathy in Alain. You may actually find that he brilliantly describes those tantalising and bewildering feelings and emotions that you cannot quite describe yourself. It is not, however, simply a book for the grieving. It is a story of great honesty, tenacity and courage. It is a story of challenging doubt and rediscovering faith. Quite simply, a brilliant book.

Goliath Must Fall by Louie Giglio, is a book that’s only been out a few months, but has already proved a big seller. We all know the story of David and Goliath. Even those who have never gone to church or read the Bible know the story. I was reading this book on the bus the other day and a complete stranger put his hand on my shoulder and said ‘I don’t wish to ruin the ending, but the big guy goes down.’

This book is not a new reflection on the story, although the author certainly helps the reader to look at the story differently. But the premise is that we all have some kind of threatening giant in our life, an adversary or stronghold that’s diminishing our ability to live a full and free life. He picks five of these strongholds in particular, fear, rejection, addiction, anger and comfort. (Comfort is a strange one, I thought, but it deals with various examples such as choosing the good things in life rather than the God-things).

The answer to all this, without giving too much away, is the answer to everything really, namely Jesus. He is the key to living free from our giants. It’s just a matter of keeping our eyes fixed on the ultimate giant-slayer.

One of my favourite passages in the book is in the chapter on fear. Louie looks at the example of Peter when he tried to walk on water like Jesus during the storm on the Sea of Galilee.

‘As soon as Peter said ‘Lord save me,’ immediately Jesus grabbed him. There was no hesitation. No delay. It says “immediately.” Jesus was closer to Peter than he thought. The storm didn’t stop immediately - that happened after Peter and Jesus reached the boat. No, the storm was still raging when Jesus caught Peter. On the way to the boat, I think Jesus probably said to Peter - just like Jesus says to us, “It’s okay. I’ve got you - even in the midst of this storm. You have nothing to fear.”’

Book reviews by Richard Ryan, owner of the Bookwell Christian bookstore, Belfast www.thebookwell.co.uk. Richard’s reviews are featured weekly on the Christian radio station UCB Ireland.

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VOX PS

A CHRISTIAN COUNTRY?

BY NICK PARK

Ed: Following a family bereavement, our columnist Seán Mullan was unable to write for this issue of VOX. Our thanks to Nick Park, who stepped in at the 11th hour to write our VOX PS just days before we went to print. n 1993, as a 30-year-old church planter, I caused uproar at a denominational conference in Wales. Why? Because I had pointed out the inappropriateness of a movement called ‘The Assemblies of God in Britain and Ireland’ launching a campaign under the slogan “Let’s make Britain great again!”

Speaker after speaker rose to rebuke me, insisting that God did indeed want Britain to be great again. And if such a slogan wasn’t helpful to a church planter in Drogheda then I should sit down and keep quiet.

Today, 24 years later, I still don’t think God has plans for Britain to be great. Nor do I think God is interested in making Ireland, or America for that matter, great again. The apostle Paul wasn’t interested in making the Roman Empire great. He was much too busy pressing on towards the high calling of Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14).

Combining nationalism and patriotism with Christianity doesn’t tend to end well. God told us a long time ago that He won’t share His glory with another (Isaiah 42:8). Trying to co-opt God to support nationalist agendas has often resulted in the blasphemous absurdity of clergy on either side of a conflict praying God’s blessing upon the slaughter of the opposing side.

Every so often, I hear someone insisting that we live in a Christian country, and that if we only returned to our Christian roots (which usually seems to involve enforcing our views on those of our neighbours who disagree with us) then God would make our country great again.

Don’t get me wrong. I love living and ministering in Ireland. I can’t think of

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anywhere else on earth where I would same reasons. Since the US is perceived by rather live out the rest of my days. I long for many to be a Christian country - a claim more Irish men and women to experience often made by Christian leaders - then that the freedom that comes from salvation marks out Christians in the Middle East in Christ. But, as potential traitors irrespective of what and targets for every my passport might militant who wants to say, my citizenship against America.

IRRESPECTIVE OF WHAT MY PASSPORT strike is in heaven and my In contrast to the loyalty belongs to the MIGHT SAY, MY CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN. siren calls for patriotic Lord of lords and the Christians to make King of kings, not to their countries great any of the nations of again, God’s Word the world. reminds us that we live as foreigners and In 380 AD the Emperor Theodosius exiles (1 Peter 2:11) who don’t really belong declared that the Roman Empire was now in this world. I suspect that such a message a Christian Empire. One of the immediate can be as unpopular today as when I first results of this was increased persecution tried to articulate it 24 years ago. of believers who lived outside the Empire.

There had been Christians in Persia since the First Century, where they had enjoyed a good measure of toleration.

However, Persia was an enemy of Rome, and now things changed dramatically.

Persian Christians were viewed as potential traitors.

A great persecution ensued with large numbers of Persian believers being martyred.

In a cruel irony, Christians in the territory that was once part of the Persian Empire (including modernNick Park is Executive Director of day Iran, Afghanistan, and parts of Pakistan, Evangelical Alliance Ireland.

Kuwait, Iraq, Chechnya, Yemen, and Saudi www.nickpark.ie Arabia) face persecution today for the exact

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