VOX April 2018

ISSUE 38 / APRIL - JUNE 2018

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IN SEARCH OF WHOLENESS “JESUS IS THE ULTIMATE EXAMPLE OF AN INTEGRATED THRIVING PERSON, WHO MODELLED WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE WHOLE.”

CELEBRATING A LIFE OF SERVICE ARTIST ROSS WILSON TALKS ABOUT HIS WORK AND HIS TRIBUTE TO AMY CARMICHAEL

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Warrior Bride It’s Time To Arise!

Will you fight the good fight of faith for our Nation to be saved?

Intercessors For Ireland

Calling all Intercessors for Ireland to unite! These are perilous times in which we live. We are well aware of the challenges facing believers today, and it’s our commission to prepare them for the days ahead. Often, when asked, “How do I prepare for what is coming – I feel so unprepared?” We tell them all the same thing; pray!

Prayer is what we do: We teach intercessors how to stand in the gap on behalf of cities and nations. It is the prayers of these intercessors that will bring stability when the shakings occur. Every time we intercede; we root ourselves further into His will and His desires for our Nation, revealing the truth that births change on a foundational level.

That is the work we do are called to do. It’s not an easy work. In fact, it’s just the opposite; it takes time, perseverance and determination – it gets tough on the battlefield!

“No great event in history comes to pass unless God finds His human channels of faith and obedience. Prophecies must be believed into manifestations, as well as foretold.”

Rees Howells

Will you rise to the call: And be part of the stabilizing force, driven by our Lord, and enlist in His end-times Army? Will you join us and fight the good fight of faith for our Nation, cities, communities and families to be saved and healed?

We need your help: We will be holding strategic prayer meetings in the 32 counties in the weeks and months to come, and we could surely use your help! If you would be willing to let us use your church, or meeting facility, to facilitate these meetings please contact Tracy Hogan at: (083) 848 1995 or tracy@thevoiceofmybeloved.com.

Antrim: Coming soon!

Armagh: Coming soon!

Carlow: Coming soon!

Cavan: Coming soon!

Clare: Coming soon!

Cork: Coming soon!

Derry: Coming soon!

Donegal: Coming soon!

Down: Coming soon!

Dublin: Coming soon!

Fermanagh: Coming soon!

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Meeting Dates

Galway: Coming soon!

Kerry: Coming soon!

Kildare: Coming soon!

Kilkenny: Coming soon!

Laois: Coming soon!

Leitrim: Coming soon!

Limerick: Coming soon!

Longford: Coming soon!

Louth: Coming soon!

Mayo: Coming soon!

Meath: Coming soon!

Monaghan: Coming soon!

Offaly: Coming soon!

Roscommon: Coming soon!

Sligo: Coming soon!

Tipperary: Coming soon!

Tyrone: Coming soon!

Waterford: Coming soon!

Westmeath: Coming soon!

Wexford: Coming soon!

Wicklow: Coming soon!

For more information: thevoiceofmybeloved.com | (083) 848 1995 | Email: info@thevoiceofmybeloved.com

VOX APR - JUN 2018

EDITORIAL

Are You Well? he story is told of a painting competition in which artists were challenged to capture the essence of “peace.” Serene landscapes, tranquil lakes and flower meadows were among the entries. Yet, when the winning painting was revealed, it caused a stir.

The artist had depicted a violent storm with waves crashing against a cliff face - surely the opposite of peace?

Yet tucked safely into a crevice in the rock, a bird had found a resting place and sanctuary - peace in the very midst of the tempest.

The beautiful Hebrew word “shalom” is often translated “peace” and yet it has much deeper shades of meaning.

Shalom is a sense of safety and wellbeing, of wholeness, completeness, fulfilment and harmony. The word appears 239 times in the Old Testament - this is God’s intention for His creation.

A quick Google search on “wellbeing” offers hundreds of results including mental health charities, HSE websites, yoga, meditation and the Dalai Lama, but not a single page from a Christian perspective.

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SURELY OF ALL PEOPLE, WE SHOULD HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO FLOURISH? “O Thou who art my quietness, my deep repose, my rest from strife of tongues, my holy hill, fair is Thy pavilion, where I hold me still... Thy hand will hold me fast; though the tumult of the storm increase, grant to Thy servant strength, O Lord, and bless with peace.” - Amy Carmichael In this issue, we take a closer look at wholeness and wellbeing from a Christian perspective. Dig deeper into Scripture with Helen Locke’s introduction “In Search of Wholeness” (page 12), find out how you can be Equipped to Care (page 20) and consider what it means to glorify God in our choices about food (page 28).

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you shalom! (Numbers 6:24 - 26).

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Ruth Garvey-Williams Editor (editor@vox.ie)

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CONTENTS

APR - JUN 2018 ISSUE 38 ISSN: 2009-2253

12 30 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 33 34 36 39

COVER STORIES In Search of Wholeness - “Jesus is the ultimate example of an integrated thriving person, who modelled what it is like to be whole.”

E DITOR Ruth Garvey-Williams editor@vox.ie

Celebrating a Life of Service - artist Ross Wilson talks about his work and his tribute to Amy Carmichael.

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

FEATURES AND INTERVIEWS Finding Faith Tour 2018 - Do you want us to visit you?

SUBSCRIPTIONS Tara Byrne tara@vox.ie

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

Vision for Leadership - encouraging, equipping and empowering Christians who lead to transform Ireland.

Equipped to Care - providing a Christian response to those who are in distress.

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

The Necessity of Self-Care - it’s time to put on your own oxygen mask before you help others.

Moving Forward - lifting the veil on domestic violence.

Fearless Women - celebrating what God is doing through women in Ireland.

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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.

Nutrition and Wellbeing - learning to glorify God in the choices we make about food.

Creation and Justice - part four of our thoughtprovoking series on creation care.

Leading the Way in Theological Study - IBI receives a ringing endorsement.

PRIN T Ross Print, Greystones, Co. Wicklow

New Data Protection Rules - how will they affect your church, charity or group?

Unity in the Midst of Controversy - Nick Park shares about EAI’s work to protect the 8th Amendment.

VOX Ma g a z i n e Ulysses House 22 - 24 Foley Street Dublin 1 Tel: 01 443 4789 info@vox.ie www.vox.ie

VOX magazine is a quarterly publication, brought to you by a passionate team of volunteers.

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

17 19 43

Musings (NEW COLUMN!) Confessions of a Feint Saint Music Reviews

45 44 46

Book Reviews Event Listing VOX: PS with Seán Mullan

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IRELAND

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G U N AWA N , 7 Y E A R S O L D , I N D O N E S I A

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VOX SHORTS

Word for the Day... for Ireland!

For the first time, UCB Ireland is producing an Irish edition of the popular Word for Today devotionals. Station Manager, Robbie Frawley explained, “UCB Ireland’s mission statement is ‘Serving the Church, Reaching the Nation.’

Our desire and focus is to provide you with resources you can trust including The Word for Today devotionals, radio programmes and online content, and also through social media.

“We are always looking to serve you and I am so excited to announce that from our next edition of The Word for Today, UCB Ireland will be producing its very own copy. Bob and Debby Gass will still write the devotional but the booklets will have a wider

focus on what’s happening across the island of Ireland, supporting ministries in Ireland and hearing from Irish people about how God has changed their lives.

“This is the single biggest change to UCB Ireland in a decade and the whole team is so excited that we can fully focus on serving Ireland for the first time with our very own edition.”

The new UCB Ireland edition of The Word for Today will be available from the end of April ready for the May/June/July publication. To order your copy of this first Irish edition please contact UCB Ireland: telephone (01) 42 99 8 99 (office hours), email: info@ucbireland.ie or online at: www.ucbireland.ie/signup.

Praxis – Mission for Ordinary People

Do you have a heart for God’s mission? Are you interested in following Jesus on His mission to rewrite the story of our culture? Are you involved in a small church or small mission focused project? Or are you part of a larger church that you would love to see move from maintenance towards mission? Praxis means action, exercise or practice. Our desire is to see ordinary followers of Jesus embody their faith in actions, habits and lives that bring change to those around them as part of God’s mission wherever they are.

Praxis is firstly a conference bringing people together to learn on Saturday 19 May at Dublin Central Mission, Abbey Street, Dublin 1. Through this gathering and on-going learning communities, we want to envision and encourage more practical expressions of mission across Ireland. Brian Sanders and Hugh Halter (author of the Tangible Kingdom) will be joining us for the day.

They both have extensive experience internationally in facilitating small communities turn theory into action in many different contexts.

We will also hear from local Irish leaders. An important part of this conference is for Irish Christians to engage with each other on what mission could be in Ireland today.

Praxis is organised by a group of Christian leaders from small grassroots communities in Dublin and beyond, desiring to see God build His Kingdom. To find out more visit www.praxismovement.com.

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Illuminated Prayer Book on Display

The Coëtivy Hours 9 March – 2 September 2018 Chester Beatty Library, Dublin Castle, Dublin A masterpiece of 15th century illumination is on display in the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin Castle until 2 September. The Coëtivy Hours is a medieval prayer book (a book of hours) produced in Paris (1443-1445) to mark the occasion of Prigent de Coëtivy’s marriage. The manuscript is made from parchment and comprises 364 folios, each illuminated with decorative borders. In addition, it includes 148 three-quarter page miniatures painted in vibrant blues, reds and greens with an abundance of gold. The pages are as vibrant today as when they were created as a devotional aid nearly 600 years ago, illustrated with birds, insects and animals, saints, supplicants and sinners and divine beings, monstrous hybrids and mythological creatures within the foliate borders of recognisable flowers, scrolling acanthus and golden vine-leaves.

Edith Beatty purchased the Coëtivy Hours in 1919 from another avid collector, Henry Yates Thompson, and presented it to her husband Chester as an anniversary gift. The exhibition has been organised to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Chester Beatty’s gift to the Irish nation. At his request, all but four of the miniatures were removed from the manuscript enabling people to view them individually. This exhibition will allow visitors to do just that, showcasing both the bound manuscript and all 144 mounted miniatures. Find out more at www.cbl.ie.

VOX MAGAZINE

Tearfund Ireland’s Sharan Kelly to chair European Network

Sharan Kelly, CEO of Tearfund Ireland, has been appointed as chair of EU-Cord, a network of European Christian Relief and Development agencies from approx. 23 countries, which all have a passion for working with the poor, marginalised and oppressed. The network, which has been operating for over 20 years, enables organisations to share knowledge, expertise and learning as well as working together in advocacy and development work overseas.

Sharan, who has been the only female CEO in EU-CORD for the past three years, described her appointment as a “great honour and privilege” and an endorsement of “Ireland’s great reputation as a humanitarian country with a big heart.”

“EU-Cord is a network of members that puts great emphasis on mutual respect, trust and value. [It] is at a very exciting juncture having set itself an ambitious new vision and strategy for the coming years to make an even greater impact in eradicating poverty and injustice, by working more effectively together,” she added.

Sharan has been CEO of Tearfund Ireland since 2012 and is also the current chair of Dóchas, the Irish Association of Non-Governmental Development Organisations and the chair of Evangelical Alliance Ireland.

Christian Ministry Centre For Sale

The Crucible - a Morning for Leaders with Leaders

Venue: Irish Bible Institute, Dublin Date: Tuesday 8 May from 10:30am to 1:30pm A morning for leaders exploring the question of how Christian leaders are shaped by various people, events and experiences they encounter in the course of their leadership journey.

Dr Alan Wilson (whose doctoral research explored this subject) will interview three experienced Christian leaders: Roz Stirling, director of Cleopas, a ministry dedicated to helping people to cultivate their relationship with God, Bishop Ken (Fanta) Clarke, mission director for SAMS (UK and Ireland) and formerly Church of Ireland Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh and Dr Trevor Morrow, Minister Emeritus of Lucan Presbyterian Church and former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

You can expect to be encouraged as you listen to stories of God at work in leaders’ lives, and challenged as to your own leadership and relationship with God. Tickets available from www. eventbrite.com

A former pub that was turned into a Christian Rehabilitation Centre and later a church has gone on sale in Mitchelstown, Co. Cork. Frank and Linda Gillespie, who have run the Gilgal Christian Centre for the last 13 years, are moving back to England for health reasons. But they would love to see the property continuing to be used for Christian Ministry.

To find out more email frankandlinda2@gmail.com.

Unseen

A new Irish resource from Christ in Youth (CIY) provides a powerful tool to help open up conversations about mental health and suicide amongst young people and young adults. Unseen is a short film narrative about the relationship of a 17-year-old boy with his grandfather who discovers him preparing to end his own life. It later unfolds that the grandfather’s wife, the boy’s grandmother, had also died by suicide 17 years earlier but no one ever talked about it. Premiered in Dublin, Limerick and Belfast in March, the film is designed for use in schools, youth groups, universities and colleges. To find out more visit www.unseenfilm. org or contact Jasper Rutherford (European Director of Christ in Youth) at Jasper.Rutherford@ciy.com.

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WORLD NEWS

NEW REPORT DETAILS RISE OF PERSECUTION IN INDIA

Church in Chains has published a new report OFFICIAL INDIA: ON THE SIDE OF THE MILITANTS in response to the dramatic upsurge in attacks on Christians in India by Hindu militants in the past two years. These attacks have the tacit approval of local police and government officials.

The report documents 57 serious incidents of persecution of Christians between July and December 2017.

The Evangelical Fellowship of India documented at least 351 cases of violence against Christians during 2017.

Indian Christians trace the upsurge in attacks to the landslide election victory of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014. He was supported by Hindu extremists who have been emboldened by his election and are now pursuing their Hindutva (Hindus only) agenda.

Pastor Khel Prasad Kurre was attacked

by Hindu extremists in Chhattisgarh state in October 2017 while on his way home from visiting a church member. He was hospitalised and needed 12 stitches to his head. Police threatened Pastor Kurre with arrest on charges of luring people into Christianity.

In these cases, no effective government action has been taken to combat the attackers, protect the victims or promote religious freedom. This government inaction (at local, state and national level) has led to a climate in which local police and government officials often “turn a blind eye” – not only refusing to prosecute the perpetrators but often arresting the victims on spurious charges.

The Church in Chains’ report calls on Indian Prime Minister Modi to speak consistently in support of religious freedom, asks state governors in India to make clear that religiously-motivated violence will not be tolerated and urges the police to stop arresting victims and instead to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.

Church in Chains has asked the Irish Government to express concern at the upsurge of violence against Christians in India, to raise the matter with the Indian ambassador to Ireland and to raise the issue as a priority for the next session of the EU-India Human Rights dialogue.

Read more at www.churchinchains.ie.

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30 DAYS OF PRAYER FOR THE MUSLIM WORLD

Interserve (GB and Ireland) publishes an annual prayer guide to equip Christians to pray with love and respect for Muslim peoples. The resource is designed for use during the month of Ramadan, and aims to help individual Christians and churches to gain a better understanding of what it means to be Muslim and to pray that Muslims will meet Jesus.

This year’s “30 Days” guide runs from 15 May - 14 June 2018, and children’s prayer guides are also available. To place an order, just email sales@kitab.org.uk. 30 Days of Prayer is distributed by Interserve but supported by many churches and mission agencies.

Julie Mehaffy is the new Interserve Ireland Ministry Facilitator. She told VOX magazine, “Interserve is passionate about making Jesus known among the peoples of Asia and the Arab world. Our desire is to journey with the local church as we reach out to migrants here in Ireland. We also believe that despite the paradigm shift in our missional and cultural landscapes, Christians should still go, helping to support indigenous growth in some of the harder countries of this world. If you would like support in unpacking what local and global mission means within the context of your congregation, or need to build up courage in engaging cross culturally, please get in touch.”

Visit www.interserve.org. uk or contact Julie Mehaffy at juliem@isgbi.org.

www.ibi.ie MA PROGRAMMES BA PROGRAMMES CERTIFICATE COURSES FLEXIBLE STUDY Be part of a community that offers you the opportunity to discover more about God and your calling FIND OUT MORE See our website: www.ibi.ie Call us: 01 806 9060 Email us: Sarah@ibi.ie Drop in for a chat with one of the IBI team Look out for Open Days (advertised on our website)

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YOUR VOX

Letters to the editor

Star Letter

of VOX we In each issue all of a €25 One4 ize pr a d ar aw r. tte le ite ur r favo voucher for ou u!

It could be yo

The Referendum is a Gospel Issue Shortly, our Government will ask us what we think about the Eighth Amendment and what we think about legislating for abortion. As Christian believers, we need to have our homework done on this subject.

The actual word “abortion” isn’t in the Bible but what is in the Bible is massively helpful to us.

The Old Testament deals with the death of unborn children. Causing a woman to miscarry carried a special penalty (Exodus 21:22). The killing of pregnant women was a most abhorrent transgression with the even wider significance of eliminating the next generation (2 Kings 8:12; Amos 1:13).

In beautiful passages in the Psalms, God counts on the life of the yet unborn to praise Him and teach His Word (Ps 22:31; 78:6). Supremely in Psalm 139, God “knit me together in my mother’s womb” and “all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

The New Testament begins with two pregnancies – Elizabeth’s with John and Mary’s with Jesus.

When the two women met, John jumped for joy in Elizabeth’s womb. Elizabeth explained that this was because of meeting with Mary “the mother of my Lord.” In this short passage, the personhood of both unborn babies is expressed - both have already been named!

The Referendum will ask us if we want to remove the current equal protection for both mother and baby. In tandem with that, we will be asked if we want to hand over the destiny of unborn children to our politicians. There are certainly politicians who are upright, honourable men and women who seek the common good. But do you want to leave it to whomever turns up in Dáil Eireann in coming years to have the last word over these human life issues?

This is a gospel issue. We’re personally indebted to the grace of God and our job now is to show that grace to others. That will include seeking the best options for vulnerable women with unplanned pregnancies – apart from abortion. John’s gospel tells us that “the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” The trick now is to be unyieldingly truthful while being beguilingly graceful. We love half of 1 Peter 3:15 “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” However, there’s another half, “ …but do this with gentleness and respect.”

DAVID WILSON DUBLIN

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

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FAITH

IN SEARCH OF WHOLENESS

BY HELEN LOCKE

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VOX MAGAZINE

iIn a world where the global “wellness” industry is worth $3.7 trillion, people are constantly isearching for a healthier and more fulfilling life. Could it be that striving for this sense of wellness iis actually a deeper, more unconscious search for wholeness? The World Health Organisation idescribes wholeness in terms of “physical, mental, and social well-being” and in 1984 a “spiritual idimension” was added to this definition. After completing her dissertation on “Biblical and iPsychological Wholeness” for her MA in Applied Theology with the Irish Bible Institute, Helen iLocke has distilled some of her key findings into this in-depth feature for VOX magazine.

esus Christ came to offer us life others through their own areas of expertise, in all its fullness ( John 10:10). so that each member functions as God He is our example of a whole, intends (1 Corinthians 12). integrated person, who is open The church community would and genuine in His relationships with others benefit from incorporating some of the while modelling an intimate, dependent understanding from psychology that relationship with His heavenly Father. facilitates growth in wholeness and maturity.

The word “wholeness” is not specifically Some people may regard psychology with used in the Bible but this concept is suspicion but understanding people and emphasised throughout the Scriptures, how they function can provide valuable referring primarily to healthy relationships tools that enhance our ability to fulfil the with God (Romans 6:23), our neighbour commands to love God and to love others as (Romans 12:9-13), ourselves (Galatians we love ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39).

5:22-23) and the environment (Genesis Our churches need to develop 1:28). The Bible maintains that when communities that are healthy, authentic, our relationship with God is broken, this accepting, empathic and self-aware as we subsequently disturbs all other relationships. work together to become whole in Christ.

The salvation Jesus offers is not just a decision to follow Him or an assurance A HEALTHY COMMUNITY of heaven after death but a transforming The journey of transformation into relationship, rooted in love, that brings Christlikeness or wholeness (2 Corinthians healing and deliverance to the deepest parts 3:18) is not just an individual experience of our being so that we become more Christ- with God but a process that often involves other people. The author Jeannette Brown like and whole (Romans 8:29).

The biblical concept of wholeness suggests that wholeness involves “communal suggests it is possible for everyone to well-being and equity” (shalom), along with experience well-being and fulfilment personal integration and maturity, that may through their relationship with God and be observed in the authenticity of “who one one another in the context of a supportive is” with “what one does”. This maturity and community. wholeness does not imply an absence of pain or suffering, but can be observed in healthy, The apostle Paul wrote that one of the life-giving relationships that practice love, goals of his ministry was to present people hospitality and generosity. as whole and mature in Christ (Colossians The theologian Francis Schaeffer 1:28, Ephesians 4:12-13), suggesting that this is an important theme for church leaders wrote, “Our relationship with each other and communities to pursue. Transformation is the criterion the world uses to judge into Christlikeness, or wholeness, is a journey involving the whole person, not just one’s thinking or belief system. This involves a radical change UNFORTUNATELY, NOT ALL FAITH COMMUNITIES ARE in our lifestyle, demonstrated by an SAFE, HEALING, TRANSFORMATIVE COMMUNITIES. integrity of heart and mind that is outworked in real life.

Church communities need an whether our message is truthful - Christian integrated, biblically-centred approach to community is the final apologetic”. This wholeness that encourages not just spiritual suggests that the church community has growth but also growth in areas of physical, a significant role in the transformational emotional, social and intellectual maturity. journey as it seeks to make disciples that This could be facilitated by using the skills represent Christ to the world around them. and gifting of church members, equipping

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Unfortunately, not all faith communities are safe, healing, transformative communities as issues like competitiveness, defensiveness and fear of intimacy may result in superficial interactions. If the church community developed spiritually and psychologically healthy groups that were willing to go deeper with authentic sharing and support, perhaps they would be able to offer the relational connectedness and sense of belonging that people need.

These groups could facilitate the journey to wholeness by helping to heal wounds of the past and equip people with skills to resolve conflicts with one another. If the goal of these groups is to grow and mature people into Christlikeness, then the outward evidence of this transforming work would be revealed in the way others are treated with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness and love (Colossians 3:12-14).

AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY

Authentic community provides a sense of belonging, connection and safety where people feel they matter and have a contribution to make. The church community could grow in their capacity to love genuinely, as each person lives an authentic, honest life where the words that are spoken are matched by an integrity of heart and outworked in real life. The development of an authentic lifestyle guards against any inconsistencies, such as knowing and quoting substantial portions of Scripture, while not being aware of our own depression, anger or critical nature. It also protects against hypocrisy by aligning the inner, unseen world with that of the outer world (Matthew 23).

The church community could teach skills such as reflective practice - honestly questioning and critically examining inner beliefs, values, habits and assumptions and assessing subsequent experiences and behaviours. This reflective capacity develops insight and perspective, which facilitate growth in awareness and APR - JUN 2018 VOX

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openness in our relationships with ourself and others. Other practices, like meditating on Scriptures, listening prayer and journaling can also aid in acknowledging difficult emotions like fear, guilt, shame, anger, loss or pain and undesirable thoughts like doubt, confusion, negativity, criticism and judgements. As we uncover inconsistencies in our inner lives, we allow for growth and change through the transformational work of the Holy Spirit.

feelings, thoughts and behaviours.

Developing deeper understanding, sensitivity, sympathy and tolerance of our own emotions and difficulties, allows us to be more empathic first to ourselves and then towards others. To experience empathy, we must first be able to distinguish our own emotions from those that belong to the other person.

An example of this might be talking to a depressed person and beginning to feel depressed as well. Although we are experiencing the same feelings as the other person, the ability to consider the other person’s thoughts and perspectives is lost, as the listener becomes absorbed in their own thoughts and emotions. The Scriptures teach that “we love because God first loved us” (1 John 4:19) and it is this love that empowers us to love others, by consoling and bearing one another’s burdens (2 Corinthians 1:4).

A secure individual who has accurate and positive beliefs about themselves, rather than feelings of shame and self-negation, will be able to empathise and show compassion

SELF-AWARE COMMUNITY

Psychoanalytical theory maintains that the thoughts, feelings and motives that we are aware of are a small part of those hidden in the unconscious. It is these hidden parts that often influence our behaviour and motivations. These unconscious behaviours happen daily, particularly with familiar tasks like driving a car, where little thought is required to change gears, brake and accelerate unless one is a learner driver.

Another influence of the unconscious ACCEPTING COMMUNITY occurs in forming first impressions of The ability to accept another person people, where quick judgments and without trying to fix or change them (that assessments are made based on our is God’s job), helps to build safety and unconscious material. Perhaps, this inability trust in relationships and enables a person to be aware of ourselves fully is one of the to face their conflicts, wounds and painful reasons why Jesus warned about judging experiences. Paul exhorts the believers others unless the log from our own eye is in Rome to accept one another as Christ removed (Matthew 7:1-5). accepted them (Romans 15:7).

The church community would benefit Using personality measurement tools, from understanding that lack of selflike the Enneagram and the Myers-Briggs awareness hinders our ability to view others personality test, can be helpful in bringing objectively and may inadvertently cause personal and community understanding us to reject others. Time spent praying of the different personality types, and reflecting about relational while encouraging acceptance of difficulties may reveal hidden issues differences and uniqueness rather within ourselves and enable greater than an expectation of conformity.

BEING HEARD IS SO CLOSE TO BEING LOVED THAT FOR THE insight and compassion for others.

There may be a tendency for Carl Jung identified that each AVERAGE PERSON, THEY ARE ALMOST INDISTINGUISHABLE. person has a “shadow side”, that some Christians to focus more on the sinful nature of a person, contains the unknown, shameful even after conversion, rather than or weaker parts of the self that are the potential of human goodness more difficult to acknowledge. enhanced by the restorative work of the These negative, unacceptable parts may toward themselves and others with true Holy Spirit. Accepting communities search be ignored, rejected or suppressed and humility. for this goodness and envision people to removed from conscious awareness, thereby Active listening is a key ingredient of see what they can be in Christ – forgiven, increasing the danger of their expression in empathy. This type of listening does not supernatural people with renewed natures some unhealthy way. Wholeness does not interrupt, give advice, make assumptions, and restored hearts that desire to follow involve the removal of the shadow side but judgments or corrections but clarifies by God. asking questions, attending to body language involves acknowledging and integrating it into conscious awareness. The process of and feelings, not just words. Real listening EMPATHIC COMMUNITY surrendering to an authentic relationship requires full concentration, undivided Empathy is one of the important with Christ involves an inward journey attention and accurate reflection and characteristics that Jesus demonstrated that may reveal the deeper issues that are feedback of what is said. in becoming human and fully identifying influencing our thoughts and behaviours.

People sometimes drop “door openers” with the suffering and trials of humanity Examples of the impact of the into conversations to test whether a person (Hebrews 4:15, Philippians 2:6-8). Paul unconscious may be observed in those who is safe to talk to. An attentive ear will mentions in Philippians 2:3-4 that an struggle with hidden issues. It may also respond by asking open-ended questions inflated view of our capabilities, value and that show concern and interest, allowing the explain the high incidence of pornography rights, along with competitiveness and pride, other person to share more deeply, if safe to usage among church members. A recent negatively impact our ability to empathise do so. The gospels describe many accounts Barna Group survey of 2,770 participants with one another and look out for the needs of Jesus listening and engaging with people revealed that 57% of pastors and 64% of of others. Instead, Paul encourages us to such as the Samaritan woman at the well youth pastors in the US have struggled with have an attitude of humility, similar to the ( John 4:1-30) and the two disciples on the pornography at some point, of which 21% of mindset of Christ. road to Emmaus (Luke 24:17-20). youth pastors and 14% of pastors admitted The church community would The author David Augsburger, they currently struggle with pornography. benefit from integrating a theological and summarised the importance of effective The unconscious at work might psychological perspective on humility that listening when he identified that “being be observed in the behaviour of King ensures that the self is not shamed or lost heard is so close to being loved that David when he committed adultery with but rather that people develop a healthy for the average person, they are almost Bathsheba and subsequently plotted to sense of self, which is God-centred in focus indistinguishable”. This highlights the murder her husband. David’s response of and identity. importance of teaching listening skills, so repentance and prayer for God to create Empathy involves experiencing, that the church community can grow in their a pure heart within him (Psalm 51) is an understanding and perceiving another’s ability to love one another. example to all believers of the appropriate 14

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meet face-to-face with Christ but biblical to shift from an emphasis on a believer’s response when confronted with the shadow understanding suggests it is attainable to identity as a sinner, to God’s plan of a or fallen, sinful nature. Scripture confirms covenantal relationship with that God is the only One who Him through Jesus Christ. With knows the hidden motives of the a renewed identity as God’s heart ( Jeremiah 17: 9-10) and the journey to wholeness requires JESUS IS THE ULTIMATE EXAMPLE OF AN INTEGRATED, THRIVING humble, authentic, accepting and loving children, the church cooperation with the Holy Spirit PERSON WHO MODELLED WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE WHOLE. community has significant as He convicts and reveals these potential to impact the world motives and issues. around them, as each person grows in maturity and is conformed to the a significant measure here on earth, as we TOWARDS GREATER WHOLENESS IN CHRIST learn to love God and others with our whole image of Christ, by the power of the Holy Jesus is the ultimate example of an Spirit. being. The Christian community could integrated, thriving person who modelled grow and help others in their journey to what it is like to be whole. Wholeness is the process of becoming like Christ and clothing wholeness, by incorporating some of the insights from psychology around the self ourselves with love, compassion, kindness, and relationships. Education and training in humility, gentleness and patience (Romans Helen Locke works areas of self-awareness, listening, reflective 13:14). Genuine transformation involves as a Counsellor/ capacity, emotional regulation and relational the whole person as intellectual, emotional, Psychotherapist at spiritual, relational and physical functioning skills could also facilitate growth and Haven Counselling, Bray are inextricably connected. relational harmony. and co-leads the Bethel The journey of becoming more ChristGod desires to make people whole, Sozo Ministry in Ireland. She has an like is best facilitated in caring, supportive individually, relationally and communally MA in Applied Theology and a BSc. in community, where the focus is to see and He has made a way through Jesus, Counselling and Psychotherapy. individuals grow and mature into disciples to restore individuals and the church of Christ (Philippians 2). Wholeness as community to His original design and a goal may not be fully realised until we purposes. The focus of the church needs APR - JUN 2018 VOX

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FINDING FAITH TOUR 2018 1 - 7 MAY

ver the last five years, VOX Editor Ruth Garvey-Williams has visited all 32 counties and interviewed hundreds of people. The stories she has gathered have built up an amazing picture and testimony of God’s work in Ireland in the lives of individual Christians, through churches of all different denominations, backgrounds and flavours and through Christian organisations and groups. But we know there are still untold stories that will glorify God and encourage and inspire others.

Are you burning to share the story of what God has done for you? Are you feeling missed out or overlooked? This is your chance... Invite Ruth to visit your village, town or city during this year’s Finding Faith Tour. We want to hear YOUR story, visit YOUR church or group and find out what God is doing in YOUR part of Ireland. Check out the itinerary to see when we will be passing through your part of Ireland and then contact us today by emailing editor@vox.ie or by phoning 087 795 5401.

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Finding Faith Tour stops 2013 to 2017 Here’s a rough plan of the itinerary but there is flexibility depending on who invites us to visit!

DAY ONE: Tuesday 1 May - Possible visits in counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim and Mayo.

DAY TWO: Wednesday 2 May - Possible visits in counties Longford, Roscommon and Galway DAY THREE: Thursday 3 May - Possible visits in counties Clare, Limerick and Tipperary DAY FOUR: Friday 4 May - Possible visits in counties Kerry, Cork and Waterford DAY FIVE: Saturday 5 May - Possible visits in counties Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Laois and Kildare.

DAY SEVEN: Sunday 6 May - Possible visits in counties Dublin, Offaly, Westmeath, Meath and Louth.

DAY EIGHT: Monday 7 May - Possible visits in counties Cavan, Monaghan and into Northern Ireland.

Ruth will return home to Donegal either on Monday evening or Tuesday, depending on demand!

Musings...

...on Theology, Life and Ministry With Patrick Mitchel

t is a delight to join the team of columnists at changes are symptoms of a much bigger cultural shift – and we VOX. For my first article, I’m going to explain are not somehow immune from its effects. We live in a highly what I hope this column will be about by focusing consumerist Western capitalist society, which is structured in on six words. hundreds of ways to get us to worship the god of individualist Musings: Musings are more than random thoughts, they free choice. are (hopefully!) thoughtful reflections on the intersections Gospel: This brings us to the sixth, and most important, between theology, life and ministry. word – gospel. What does it look like to think theologically Theology: It is my passionate belief that all of Christian about life and ministry? Well, we must begin with the gospel, life and ministry is first and foremost a theological task. This the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ – His incarnation, is because the moment we start thinking life, teaching, death, resurrection and about God, ourselves, the church, mission, return. As Christians, we are to live “The wonderful thing future the gospel, leadership, justice or pastoral and think and act in light of this earthabout the Bible is how shatteringly good news. This is the true care we are ‘doing’ theology. Every one of us is a theologian – whether we realise it or not story that outshines all others. If we really it continues to speak and whether we like it or not! believe it, we will live accordingly. If we with relevance and Life: The wonderful thing about the don’t, we won’t. This is why one of Paul’s power across history.” favourite encouragements to his churches Bible is how it continues to speak with relevance and power across history. As is to “live a life worthy of the gospel.” If Jesus new issues and questions emerge, we have continually to is Lord, then we are to give allegiance to no-one or nothing be connecting God’s Word with our world. There is NO else. This may mean being sharply out of step with our culture area of life that is somehow exempt from the need for good and facing hostility as a result. It may also mean repenting of theological thinking – whether issues like sex, property prices, where we are far more shaped by the values and dreams of our music, books, films, food or politics or themes like love, culture than we may like to think. justice, guilt, pleasure, beauty, joy or hope or whatever.

Anyway, that’s a flavour of what’s going on here. Since Ministry: But, theology should primarily be for the theology should be anything but boring, I hope this column church. This is important. Many Christians have little time will dare to go pretty well anywhere. Looking forward to for theology because they think it consists of abstract debates having you along for the journey! about irrelevant issues. That is a tragedy on all sides. All Christian ministry needs to be thoroughly theological! So these musings will always be trying to make links back to the life of the church.

Context: A fifth word worth mentioning is ‘context’. In Ireland, our context is fast-changing from a strictly enforced religious culture to one that puts individual freedom of choice before all else. One moment all sorts of rules were in place (with harsh penalties) to enforce norms of behaviour. Now, such norms are seen as oppressive restrictions on individual freedom and must be overthrown. For example, the upcoming referendum on abortion is about the supreme freedom of the individual to decide what to do with her body, over and above another life that is voiceless and powerless.

But the ‘god’ of individual freedom reaches far beyond sexual ethics. As Christians, we need to appreciate that these

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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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A VISION FOR LEADERSHIP ENCOURAGING, EQUIPPING AND EMPOWERING CHRISTIANS WHO LEAD TO TRANSFORM IRELAND

ommy Stewart is the founder of “Christians Who of Ireland, in several sectors and on thematic subjects including Lead” a new organisation launching this June networks for doctors, teachers, musicians and prayer groups. that is dedicated to encouraging, equipping and Leadership Programmes: these provide opportunities empowering Christians who lead in every sector of for leaders to develop their identity as Christians who lead, the every nation. He is convinced that if all Christians who lead, in impact of their leadership and the influence of their leadership. whatever capacity of life, embraced their identity, developed Leadership programmes will offer accreditation and will provide their impact and maximised participants with the opportunity to their influence then Ireland have a leadership coach to help them would be transformed. along their leadership journey.

For many years, Tommy has AS CHRISTIANS, WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY EACH DAY Leadership Missions: been advising and supporting where leaders can invest in the TO TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE WE LEAD. development of other leaders charities, churches and ministries across Ireland and by going on one-week multibeyond. Back in 2012, God disciplinary leadership teams to planted a dream in his heart cities across the world, where local to develop a charity that would enable Christian leaders to Christians who lead could benefit from support. bring the transforming presence of Jesus to their organisations, communities, cities and nations. But it wasn’t until 2017 that WHO CAN BE PART OF CHRISTIANS WHO LEAD? Tommy felt God leading him to begin developing Christians All partners are Christians who lead either in the workplace, Who Lead. the community or the church. They are likely to be emerging or “Our mission is to encourage, equip and empower current leaders of people, projects or programmes. Christians Christians who lead and our vision is to see Christians leading Who Lead welcomes participation from Christians across all the transformation of communities, cities and nations,” Tommy sectors of life including business, education, health, public explained. “Plans are already in place to launch in Ireland services, arts, media and entertainment, community and (North and South) in June this year with follow-up launches at voluntary groups, sports clubs and churches. events in England, America, Latvia, India and Australia within the first year.”

IT’S YOUR TIME NOW! Tommy Stewart added, “As Christians, we have an HOW WILL ‘CHRISTIANS WHO LEAD’ HELP? opportunity each day to transform the lives of the people we ‘Christians Who Lead’ is developing an online platform that lead, but often we can become discouraged and the pressures will provide: of life can be all encompassing. There is no doubt we all need Leadership Resources: including blogs, articles, podcasts encouragement. With this in mind we believe now is the and leadership tools that will encourage, equip and empower time for Christians who lead in Ireland to come together to leaders. Each day the website will host a new leadership article encourage, equip and empower each other so that we can see a written by one of 30+ contributors from across the world who wave of transformation sweep our land.” all are Christian leaders in the workplace, the community or the If you would like to know more visit www. church. christianswholead.com or follow Christians Who Lead on Leadership Networks: opportunities to create Christians Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn. You can also contact Tommy Stewart directly by emailing acl@christianswholead.

Who Lead Networks by geographical area, employment sector com. or theme. Already networks are being planned in various parts

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CONFESSIONS OF A FEINT SAINT

VOX MAGAZINE

I’ve Had Enough !

By Annmarie Miles o you want the rest of this?”

I spied the last pizza slice with affection. “No,” I lied. “I’ve had enough thanks.”

Truth is, I wanted that slice, and the other slices they had eaten, too.

That is a difficult memory to share but it’s a small step towards opening up. I’m working on a book about my problem with food and eating, in the hopes of helping others and myself. I’ve been pondering the concept of fullness as part of this painful project.

Examining the difference between feeling full and being full is very much at the centre of it.

I asked a friend of mine, who is a lecturer in Hebrew, to help me understand the concept of ‘portion’ in the Old Testament. Portion sizes have long been an issue for me and I wanted a biblical perspective on ‘portion’.

She told me that in some places, the original word for portion is closer to the word for part. God is my portion is not simply, ‘God is enough for me.’ It’s more that God is part of me. It was an exciting conversation as she gave me insight into the significance of the words used in some of the Psalms.

I am going through a bit of reconstruction on the outside but, more essentially, on the inside. I feel that God is taking me apart somewhat and, I pray, putting me back together as I should be. The eating, the weight, the self-loathing, the panic pretending that everything is okay, the self-doubt, the super confidence, the lying and crying… it all needs to be fixed. I need to be fixed.

I was invited to write a piece for a blog series on the subject of authenticity. I likened the experience of writing my book to Eustace’s experience in C.S. Lewis’ The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Eustace had been turned into a dragon. To turn him back into a boy, Aslan had to rip off the scaly dragon skin.

I wrote, “The truth is, authenticity is a huge risk. The scaly skin might be ugly and uncomfortable but taking it off hurts a lot. And when it’s gone, all that’s left is… well… me. I’ll be honest, I’m still not sure I’m ready for that.”

The path to wholeness, for me, is removing all crutches, coping mechanisms and chancing of my arm. I’m letting God do it, and it’s a scary thing.

But, how can I pass up the chance for wholeness? How can I turn down this offer to be transformed into who I was meant to be?

I want to be full. Full of what God wants for me, not the junk I’ve been settling for.

I want to be whole. Whole because He has filled me and fixed me, not the patched up version of it I’ve been settling for.

I believe it’s possible for me, and I’m not settling for small portions any more.

Except for pizza of course :)

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“The path to wholeness, for me, is removing all crutches, coping mechanisms and chancing of my arm.”

Annmarie Miles is originally from Tallaght and now lives in her husband Richard’s homeland, Wales. As well as VOX articles, she writes short stories, and is working on a book about her journey with food, weight gain, weight loss and God. Visit her blog at www.auntyamo.com. On Twitter she is @ amowriting.

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Equipped to

Care

PROVIDING A CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO THOSE WHO ARE IN DISTRESS

BY LINDA ROWETT AND DR STEVE BRADLEY

n 2005, newspaper reports of nine suicides in nine weeks in Roscommon stirred Graeme Wylie to prayer and action. An Irish charity was formed (Hope Trust) to provide a Christian response to the circumstances behind high suicide rates and the charity has been responding and developing in a variety of ways over the last 12 years.

In Ireland, there are approximately 400-500 suicides per year. A conservative estimate suggests that there are at least 60,000 cases of self-harm annually; most of these going unreported. Samaritans Ireland responds to approximately one call for help every minute. On Christmas Day alone, Childline in Ireland receives somewhere in the region 1,100-1,200 calls for help from young people.

1 in 4 of us are estimated to suffer from some sort of mental health issue in any given year. However, a mental health issue is not necessarily the same thing as mental illness. For example, one mental health service evaluation in Ireland found that approximately two thirds of those referred were not subsequently diagnosed as mentally ill, but were struggling with psychosocial issues such as alcohol and drug overuse, relationship problems and financial crisis amongst others.

The human condition since the fall of man has been one of struggle. Struggle to be at peace with self, God and others.

This struggle sometimes leads to fear, anxiety, panic attacks, suicidal thinking, self-harm behaviours, depression, anger, guilt and shame, negative thought patterns, hopelessness, addictive behaviours and grief

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over trauma, loss, abuse and relationship difficulties. A common theme in all of these is an inability by those struggling to connect (with themselves, God or others) which leads to withdrawal, social exclusion and loneliness.

Are these issues solely the domain of the professionals or is there something that we, the church, can do to help? Can we respond?

At Hope Trust, we believe that if Jesus is truly the ‘hope for the nations’, then the Christian church certainly can provide a response to people who are struggling in this life. Professor John Swinton in his book Resurrecting the Person observes that “the church needs to begin its journey in a different place.” That is, not to replicate secular services, but to provide a distinctively Christian response to those in emotional and/or psychosocial distress.

This means providing a Christ-like response of love, care and acceptance (“radical friendship”) that allows the church to become a place of hospitality and welcome, where a listening ear can be found.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and most important command. And the second command is like the first: ‘Love your neighbour as you love yourself.” (Matthew 22:38-40 NCV) God is the source and ultimate expression of love; even to the extent of providing His Son as a sacrifice in order to restore an ongoing relationship with man and reveal His character and nature. Man so needs that connection with God to find purpose and value in life; without it, despair and hopelessness can so easily result. The

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EQUIPPED TO CARE WORKSHOPS COVER: 1. Relating and responding to others: • Developing skills to help in listening and responding to others by examining motivations, prejudices and levels of compassion • Listening and responding more effectively through active listening to oneself, others and God

body of Christ, the Church, can represent The Good Samaritan did more than bind God’s love, purpose and character to a up the wounds of the man who was attacked, hurting world if it reflects God’s heart. he provided a safe harbour for his recovery, To do this, we need not only to provision to cover his physical needs but understand, also dignity hear and in that he left respond to the him to recover broken but also THE BODY OF CHRIST, THE CHURCH, CAN REPRESENT without being to be ‘being prescriptive GOD’S LOVE, PURPOSE AND CHARACTER TO A healed’ and (Luke 10:25-37).

HURTING WORLD IF IT REFLECTS GOD’S HEART. made whole Jesus showed ourselves in an compassion ongoing way. for Mary and That requires Martha as they us to know ourselves and God intimately; wept for their brother Lazarus, despite only then can we begin to know our knowing that he was about to be raised from neighbour as ourselves. the dead, His heart was moved by their grief “God is the Father who is full of mercy and and He grieved with them ( John Ch. 11). all comfort. He comforts us every time we have If we are really going to ‘be there’ for trouble, so when others have trouble, we can others, we need to understand what they are comfort them with the same comfort God gives experiencing, without our own judgements us.”(2 Corinthians. 1:3-4 NCV) over whether this is right or wrong; listen to Henri Nouwen in his book ‘Here and them and let them know we are not shamed Now’ identifies that, “Compassion means or afraid of their pain. There are many within to become close to the one who suffers. But the church who are willing to respond to the we can come close to another person only needs of others but are unsure of what to when we are willing to become vulnerable say, or are afraid of ‘burn out’ from constant ourselves. A compassionate person says: ‘I requests for help. am human, fragile, and mortal, just like you.

For this vision of a welcoming Christian I am not scandalised by your tears, nor afraid church to become an increasing reality, we of your pain. I too have wept. I too have felt believe that there is a need for practical pain. We can be with the other only when training in listening and caring skills and a the other ceases to be ‘other’ and becomes clearer understanding of what the issues are, like us.” so that we might all be better able to share This requires that we are not in denial God’s comfort with our neighbours. over painful issues in our own lives and Hope Trust has developed the Equipped are open to God dealing with those issues. to Care series of workshops (see box for It also requires that we be vulnerable details) aimed at mobilising the church and honest about our own suffering and to demonstrate care and love. It is hoped inadequacies. Someone in pain or need does that these will assist believers with tools not require someone to fix them but rather that might lead to a greater understanding to stand alongside and validate their own of God and His heart for His creation, experience with understanding and love. particularly people.

(Romans 12:15).

2. Developing healthy caring patterns: • Understanding boundaries and dependencies • Developing safe support systems, particularly in a church setting or when relating to wounded people.

3. Responding to those affected by suicide or self-harm: • Understanding what triggers this response. How do we walk alongside someone who is struggling?​ • Keys to recognising when someone is at risk and managing a crisis situation • What is supportive behaviour that helps build hope in families affected?

4. Dealing with anger, conflict and bullying: • Understanding and channelling the emotion of anger. ​ • Keys to assist in conflict resolution.

• Power imbalance and communicating support to those affected by bullying and intimidation www.hopetrust.ie/contact Email: hopetrust.ie@gmail.com Tel: 085 1140983

Linda Rowett is a Christian Counsellor/Supervisor and Director of Hope Trust.

Dr Steve Bradley is Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing, UCC and a Consultant in Training and Development with Hope Trust.

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THE NECESSITY OF SELF-CARE

IT’S TIME TO PUT ON YOUR OWN OXYGEN MASK BEFORE YOU HELP OTHERS

BY ASHLEIGH CAIRNS

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f you ever find yourself around The Big House Ireland team, the chances are you’ll hear the term “self-care”. As a charity, one of our roles is supporting leaders on the ground as they care for young people in difficulty within their churches and communities. What happens though when the carers face similar difficulties? When the leaders begin to feel overwhelmed, anxious and uncertain? How do they keep caring for the vast range of people and needs they meet every week without burning out? In this article, Ashleigh Cairns explores the basics of self-care, why we are not always good at it and how some of the team at The Big House Ireland put self-care into practice.

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THE BASICS

In a nutshell, self-care involves any care you intentionally give yourself that helps prevent you becoming run-down or ill (or helps you recover). Put another way, selfcare helps you be at your best. It helps you remain physically, mentally and spiritually resilient, and ultimately helps you better care for people.

The basics of caring for ourselves include all the things we know we should do: a healthy diet, physical activity, time to relax and have fun, a good night’s sleep and solid relationships. Likewise, most of us can name our spiritual basics such as prayer, worship with others, reading God’s Word and receiving Bible teaching. I’m guessing most of us can even add to these, and are often the first to encourage others to pay attention to them. However, there is a difference between knowing them, teaching them and incorporating them into our own lives. We can spend all week praying or reading as we prepare for a talk but that is not for our own nourishment.

|| Pause || Our physical, mental and spiritual health are interconnected in complex ways, so don’t underestimate the impact of getting the basics right. Before you skim past this paragraph because you have heard this all before, take a minute now to consider the areas of self-care mentioned above. Be honest! This is not about being harsh with yourself or setting unrealistic goals like signing up for a marathon in four weeks time when you haven’t run since secondary school! Consider what areas are first to suffer when life is busy or stressful for you. Does your sleep go out the window, or do skipped meals or “comfort eating” become normal? Now be intentional and jot down what action(s) you are going to put in place.

Some common hindrances to self-care that we often hear are:

“I’M TOO BUSY”

It is normal to have busier periods but if busyness is making you feel frantic, is never followed up with quieter periods, or has become a bit of a badge of honour, it can begin taking its toll. The rhythm of rest and Sabbath is built into creation from the very beginning alongside work - both work and rest are necessary.

“I’VE TRIED BUT IT DOESN’T WORK”

This response sometimes comes with a description of how every time the person takes a weekend off or goes on holiday, they inevitably get sick. If this is you, it may not be a sign that self-care doesn’t work, but a sign that you have been pushing your body to the limit.

Begin to pay attention to your body and start putting things in place before you get to the crashing out stage.

“OTHER PEOPLES’ NEEDS COME FIRST”

You know the analogy about putting on your own oxygen mask before helping others in crisis on an airplane? The same can be applied here. To help others in need, we have to ensure our basic needs are met first. Selfcare is not a selfish act, it helps ensure we are in a healthy position to help others as fully as we can.

|| Pause || Take some time to reflect on what hinders you from caring for yourself. There is no one size fits all. Everyone is built uniquely and our needs change depending on what is happening at any given time. During difficult or stressful times, we may need more time dedicated to looking after ourselves to help us cope with what we are facing. Self-care does not guarantee an easy life anymore than being a Christian does, but it will help resource you to navigate the challenges.

To give you an idea of what this may look like, here are some of the things that the Big House team do: Sarah: “I flip between spending time with people, and knowing when I just need time alone. Although they are both opposite, sometimes I need one and sometimes I need the other. When I am overthinking, I go for a walk while listening to an audio book. It means I need to concentrate on following the story, while also getting out in the fresh air.”

Colin: “I head for the sea, a wave-pounded beach, or to a mountain trail... somewhere wild where the power and raw beauty of creation take your breath away. Then I try to capture it with my trusty camera!”

Mark: “I have daily, monthly and yearly self-care routines. My daily is normally sitting in a coffee shop people watching or reading a paper; my monthly is a short time away, sometimes on my own; and yearly is family time away with no phone or computer access. When I speak at events on difficult subjects, I normally take someone with me so I can have a laugh and enjoy companionship on the way home.”

Ashleigh: “At the minute, my nonnegotiable self-care involves at least 30 minutes alone during a day (nearly always with good coffee) reading, praying or taking a walk outside. It is that simple, but I found initially that it could slip easily because ‘it’s just half an hour.’ If a day is going to be busy, I make sure I do it before starting anything.”

|| Pause || Do you have a self-care plan? Take time over the next few days to begin asking yourself what you need and what you can do to begin purposefully looking after yourself. This will require you to know yourself, and to think about any changing needs in your life at the minute. Then be intentional - put it in the diary if you need to!

ANXIETY, STRESS AND BURNOUT

We all occasionally experience some level of stress or anxiety. However, if you are reading this article and cannot remember the last time you didn’t feel stressed, the anxiety you are feeling is negatively impacting your everyday life, or you’re on the verge of burnout, some extra support may be beneficial. You can start by talking with someone you trust and who you think will understand. It can be tempting to avoid this, and tell ourselves it will get better/ it isn’t that bad. Remember, no one is immune to difficulty or struggle, not even church leaders.

Often sharing how we are really feeling is one of the first steps in ensuring symptoms don’t worsen. Your GP or local counselling agency may be a good place to begin and will help you determine what support is right for you. Or check out some of the great Christian counselling services available in Ireland (www.iacc.ie) or Northern Ireland (www.accni.org).

Ashleigh is part of The Big House Ireland team and is currently training as a counsellor within a community-based project.

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Moving Forward Lifting the veil on domestic violence

BY RAE MCKINLAY

Recent social media campaigns like #ChurchToo have highlighted the heartbreaking reality of abuse within churches as well as outside. It can be painful to admit the presence of abuse or domestic violence among people we know, and especially those we worship alongside. When we don’t understand, the all-too-easy response is to bury our heads or deny its existence but this has devastating consequences for those who have suffered abuse. Drawing strongly from her own personal experience and that of women she has supported and helped, writer Rae McKinlay has created this powerful account to lift the veil on what it is like for a domestic abuse survivor. ara, my therapist, peers down the rim of her blue spectacles and says, “You’re going through the grieving process.”

“Who died?” I remark. I seem to have developed a gift in sarcasm. I catch a glance at my reflection in the mirror, which hangs

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resplendent on the wall. The gaunt look is sessions. I feel they are not helping at all. fading but my wide set eyes still sag from Nothing seems to work. Five months, two lack of sleep. I sense her gaze, which brings weeks and three days and he is still in my me to the moment. I flinch, square my head. shoulders in a futile attempt to conceal my A smile spans across Sara’s face. “It’s time uneasiness. to consider your needs.”

“There was emotional investment, hopes I suppose what I really want is some and dreams, there’s a death in that.” form of divine retribution. I want him to feel It’s been five the same wretched months, two weeks pain that I felt and and three days since still feel. Then I escaped from the I WANT HIM TO FEEL THE SAME WRETCHED guilt sets in. Nice grip of a tyrannical Christian girls don’t PAIN THAT I FELT AND STILL FEEL. THEN partner and I still do anger, do they? So don’t know whether I GUILT SETS IN. NICE CHRISTIAN GIRLS I do what I am good am coming or going. DON’T DO ANGER, DO THEY? at - I bury my anger Gasping for breath, I and wear a painted reach out to the glass smile. of water on the desk.

What gets me The tremors begin to wane as I sip slowly. is that he seems to be doing all right. He I am at the end of my tether and, to be has not been in touch since I fled the house honest, I really want to ditch my counselling in my dressing gown. It is the first time he

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hasn’t. Usually he contacts me, sorrowful effort to change. I am angry that he talked and remorseful, sometimes with a bunch me out of my job. It was “his place” to HOW TO GET HELP of flowers. There was always something, be the breadwinner and mine to be the If you have been affected by any of my cooking, my clothing or my speech homemaker. I am angry that he used the the issues highlighted in this article, that would trigger his rage.

Bible to validate the abuse. I am angry that help is available both in Ireland There is a petite woman with long I am still wasting energy thinking about and Northern Ireland. See below for ebony hair and Bambi brown eyes hanging him. I am red with anger and now I’m the some of the services available. We around him, now. Perhaps that’s why he one who wants to resort to violence. I recognise that these issues can hasn’t contacted me. But it is all in my want to punch his round bullying face... affect both women and men. Most mind, he laughs. His towering presence services have facilities to provide bellowing that he is a godly man. I’m the ... Six months, three weeks and one support and care regardless of one who has dishonoured our marriage, day. My husband is no longer a Facebook gender. he adds. “She is just a member of the friend. In an act that took less than ten fellowship group.” But I scrutinise every seconds, the thread that kept me attached HELPLINES AND PRACTICAL photo on Facebook looking for the chink. to him is cut. Though darts of rain pound SUPPORT He posts a lot these days of him enjoying the streets, it has been one of my better Women’s Aid (Ireland) life. It only serves to keep me miserable. days. I feel safe and revel in the joy of National Freephone Helpline 1800 Tears prick my cheek. It is all too being able to sleep without wondering 341 900 (24/7) much for me. I am alone and isolated. I whether I ought to push the bed against www.womensaid.ie - including a list was the one who had to leave the church. the bedroom door. I feel so good that I of all Women’s Refuges and local Though everyone said they weren’t taking even bought a new mustard jacket in the support services. sides, it became sales. The first new item I have Women’s Aid (Northern Ireland) apparent that I was bought myself in years.

24-hour Domestic and Sexual too uncomfortable He never liked mustard.

I AM ANGRY THAT HE USED THE “Too gaudy,” he maintained.

Violence Helpline 0808 802 1414 to be around. It www.womensaidni.org - including a was difficult during BIBLE TO VALIDATE THE ABUSE. Now I am slowly making list of Women’s Refuges and local tea. I had to endure my own choices. The path support services. furtive glances and ahead is difficult and guilt whispers. Years of still makes its presence RAPE CRISIS HELP (Ireland)* walking on eggshells have conditioned known about leaving him. But surely God 24 Hour Helpline on 1800 778888 me into someone who just can’t respond would not want me to be in a dangerous www.rapecrisishelp.ie - including appropriately to situations like that. situation? The memory of his hands details of how to find a rape crisis When the pastor asked to meet us around my throat yet again is a testament centre near you. together I’m the one who caused a scene. to the danger of return. *For NI use the Domestic and Sexual I ranted at the pastor while my husband I would love to find a church but I am Violence Helpline listed under sat there with a smug look on his face. It afraid that I may be judged. I am not ready Women’s Aid NI only served to make the matter worse and to hear from someone who has never I scuttled away, embarrassed. The pastor walked in my shoes that I ought to go back Samaritans - someone to talk to 24/7 looked at me with pity in his eyes but I to him and then suggest I should pray into Northern Ireland: 0845 790 9090 could sense that it was easier for him to the situation. I prayed for years - but the (Freephone) make the matter go away... invisible like violence continued.

Ireland: 116 123 (free to call from my scars. I got the feeling that he didn’t Sara’s face breaks into a smile as she landlines and mobiles) quite believe me. ushers me into her office. I can tell that she My husband is charismatic and is pleased with my progress. I am grateful COUNSELLING SERVICES impeccably mannered. His eyes flicker that I didn’t quit counselling and now I’m Irish Association of Christian with charm to the church fellowship, his ready to move on to the affinity group. It Counsellors - www.iacc.ie work colleagues and our neighbours but would be nice to make some friends. The Association of Christian Counsellors yield a cold fury towards me. It was in the room seems brighter. It is the first time Northern Ireland - www.accni.org moments when he was accommodating to that I take in the framed portraits and the Hope Counselling - www. others that the pain really ripped me apart. array of pot plants. The mirror still hangs hopecounselling.ie He said I was jealous but I resented that he in its usual spot. As I walk by I catch a was comfortably violent to me alone. glimpse of myself. A smile pops back.

In the fractured silence, Sara interjects, Mustard looks good on me.

“There is never any excuse for violence.”

And then adds, “It’s okay to be angry – it’s part of the process of recovery.”

Rae McKinlay lives in Ballydehob, West Angry, of course I am angry. I am Cork. She is a storyteller and free-lance angry that I am nothing like the woman community development facilitator. She has I was before he married me. Once I had three adult children. When she is not telling confidence and could assert myself. tales Rae creates and draws cartoon characters.

Nowadays, I fear speaking in case I say the wrong word. I am angry that I believed him when he said he would make an APR - JUN 2018 VOX

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Fearless Women

CELEBRATING WHAT GOD IS DOING THROUGH WOMEN IN IRELAND

BY RUTH GARVEY-WILLIAMS

hristianity is good news for women,” Miriam O’Regan shares with a delighted smile. We are enjoying a coffee together as Miriam tells me her vision for the up-coming Fearless Women conference in the Helix in Dublin on Saturday 16 June.

Currently working towards her PhD researching early childhood on behalf of Irish Child Minding, Miriam has always been involved in working with women, but she admits, “I’ve never been one for women’s ministry.” So how did a researcher make the leap to organise a conference for women?

“About a year and a half ago, I posted an article on Facebook about women in the church and I was shocked by the way some male leaders slammed into it,” Miriam explains. “I wasn’t saying the article was perfect but it was highlighting something important for us. Eventually, after two or three weeks,

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“We want to find women who are making a difference in their family, in their church, in their community or in the workplace.”

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I took it down because it was generating too much negativity, but in my heart I was disturbed. I don’t want to stir people up into a frenzy but I do believe this is important.”

Last year, Miriam attended the Hillsong Colour conference for women in London.

Seeing thousands of women worshipping together was inspiring and she was also struck by the challenge not to ignore “half of God’s army.”

“In many ways, this is the best of times and the worst of times to be a woman in Ireland, but in Christ we have such a hope and a future. Women love and follow Jesus because He has seen us for who we are,” Miriam says.

Miriam is on the board of Compassion Ireland and it was in a board meeting that the idea for the conference was birthed. “I happened to share that I did not know of any national Christian event for Irish women. Someone asked, ‘And why not?’ At that

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point, I realised that God was challenging me to do something about it, and the folks at Compassion were willing to back me to do it.

“I have never done anything like this or even tried to do something like this before.

I’m a thinker, so event planning is not my gifting. Although the conference is called Fearless Women, that was a challenge for me. It meant fearing less because He is faithful (rather than being completely fearless).

I’m clinging to that. Eventually, I got over the line and said, ‘I’m doing it...’ and here we are.”

Gathering a group of women together with representation from different churches, Miriam has developed a three-year plan for a national event that aims to bring together women from across the denominations and church backgrounds. “I also want it to be attractive to the ‘nones’ (women who do not have a church connection). That’s why I booked the Helix so that it would not be identified with any one particular church,” Miriam adds.

“Our focus will be on Jesus. I’m trusting that people will encounter God throughout the day, that they will be released and inspired to go and do things and that children will be sponsored (though Compassion) and be set free from poverty in Jesus’ name.”

THE LINE-UP

For the first conference on Saturday 16 June, Sophia Barrett, co-pastor, Audacious Church, Manchester, UK will be sharing some of her own story. Author of “Stay”, a powerful account of overcoming her fears, Sophia’s message is so relevant for today’s Ireland, speaking directly into

mental health, anxiety and popular culture, but also challenging and inspiring people to be all that God created them to be.

Leading worship will be Belfast-born Brian Houston together with his daughter Stephanie. Hailed as one of the UK’s great songwriters, Brian recently relocated back to Ireland from North Carolina.

NOMINATE AN EXTRAORDINARY WOMAN!

One of the distinctives of Fearless Women will be a campaign, in partnership with Spirit Radio, to identify extraordinary women all across the island. “We want to find women who are making a difference in their family, in their church, in their community or in the workplace. And they probably think they are ordinary.”

You can visit the website www.fearlesswomen.ie and fill in a form (Be the Difference) to nominate someone you respect and admire.

During the conference, Spirit Radio’s Wendy Grace will run a “sofa session” to share some of these stories from around the country.

Miriam imagines a map of Ireland dotted with hundreds of lights, with each light representing a woman who is making a difference! “We want to celebrate and give glory to God for the things He is doing through the women of Ireland,” she smiles.

“I never dreamed I would do anything like this... I’m the most unlikely person but God opened the door! It is like watching a photograph develop and you just step into it.”

To book your place or to find out more about Fearless Women visit the website www.fearlesswomen.ie.

“It is like watching a photograph develop and you just step into it.”

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LIFE

NUTRITION and

WELL BEING Learning to glorify God in the choices we make about food Nutritional Therapist Linda de Courcy MSc. is passionate about encouraging Christians to be healthy so that each of us can fulfil the calling God has placed on our lives. She spoke to VOX editor, Ruth Garvey-Williams, about the importance of nutrition and self-control.

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ELL US ABOUT YOURSELF

I live in Dublin and attend All Nations Church. I have been in Christian circles all my life and always loved Jesus, even as a young child.

I have a diploma in nutritional therapy, a degree in complementary medicine and a Masters in Personalised Nutrition as well as being a qualified Pilates Instructor. I am passionate about helping people to make healthy choices. For me, seeing Christians become healthier is what gets me up in the mornings!

WHY DO YOU THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR CHRISTIANS TO THINK ABOUT WHAT THEY EAT?

Going to Bible School in Texas in 1993 was a real eye opener. At the time in Ireland obesity was very rare and I was genuinely shocked not only at how overweight so many people were but at how much really cheap food was available ($4 all you can eat buffets for example and free soft drink refills). While the prevailing attitude there was “alcohol was of the devil” it seemed pretty clear to me that excessive amounts of food was just as destructive as excessive amounts of alcohol.

Jesus Himself both drank and ate but was neither a drunkard nor a glutton. Too often as Christians, we say we can’t smoke, we can’t drink or have any fun, but we can eat.

Research from the USA shows that the Christian population is significantly less healthy than the rest of the population. We talk about our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit but we think that it doesn’t matter what we put in them.

Today, we are reaping the consequences of that in Ireland, as well. We are cutting our lives short because we are not looking after our bodies. When I was growing up, Type 2 Diabetes was called “adult onset diabetes.”

Today, children as young as five are being diagnosed with it. There is an increase in heart disease, respiratory problems and allergies. When you look at what we were eating in the 50s to 70s compared to what we are eating now, you realise that diet plays a significant role.

It starts with babies. When I was being weaned, I was given egg yolk, which was the norm at the time. Egg yolks are rich in

nutrients. They contain vitamins A and D, all the B vitamins, choline, amino acids, iron and other minerals, all essential for growing brains. People stopped eating eggs because of various health scares and now babies are given “baby rice,” which is just starch. That is one example of how our health is being affected by not getting the right nutrients, even at the earliest age.

HOW CAN CHURCHES ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO MAKE HEALTHIER CHOICES?

I believe God has called each of us, we all have a purpose and a destiny. He wants us to live long and productive lives. God has a purpose for my life and it is a bit like running a marathon. A great thing as you get older is that you get a lot more perspective.

There is an awful lot of wisdom to be gained from a lifetime of reading the Bible and walking with God. When someone goes to heaven that wisdom is lost to the Church.

Older people can have a vital role within our churches and we want to stay alive long enough to fulfil the calling that God has for us.

Paul talks about “buffeting” his body, like an athlete training to win a prize. We need to show selfcontrol and look after ourselves, not in a legalistic way, but so that we can fulfil what God wants us to do. There is a reason and purpose in me being healthy that is not “all about me.” The world is very narcissistic but our focus for being healthy is for the glory of God. What a great testimony it would be if Christians were healthier because of the choices we make to live a selfcontrolled lifestyle.

Everything we do should be for the glory of God. So, you don’t eat five slices of cake, not for primarily yourself but for the glory of God. This actually makes it easier as you realise that God is on our side. He sees the end from the beginning and He is coming back for a glorious Church, not one that is diseased and dying prematurely. This means enjoying our food but not being controlled by that can of cola or chocolate bar.

“We talk about our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit but we think that it doesn’t matter what we put in them.”

WHAT FOODS SHOULD WE BE AVOIDING?

It is vital to avoid refined sugar and added sugar. Excess amounts of sugar are stored as fat and can cause inflammation. We know the effect on children when they drink

a can of cola and become hyper and then crash and become cranky. We need to avoid these highs and lows. Insulin is the master hormone and we want to keep it regulated.

This is one of the reason so many people are becoming diabetic - the pancreas is being worn out even at younger and younger ages.

We have been told for half a century to cut out fat and eat low fat foods (which are often high in sugar). Today we know that the amount of sugar that is being consumed is destroying our bodies and our minds.

Another thing to avoid is vegetable oil (sunflower oil, margarines, etc.) These are highly processed, also inflammatory and are devoid of any nutrients.

SO, WHAT CAN WE EAT?

Try to eat things that are as close to their natural source as possible rather than processed foods. Buy local food. You will be supporting the local economy and the products are fresher and healthier. If products are organic, then that’s even better still. Frozen vegetables are almost as good as fresh and handy to have in stock.

If you are cooking, the best thing to use is butter. Over 20 times in the Old Testament, God said He was bringing His people into a land flowing with milk and honey. Butter fat from milk contains vitamins A and D, as well as several fatty acids, which protect against pathogens and cancer, plus it makes everything taste really good! In our obsession with cholesterol, we have turned away from nutritious food.

CAN YOU HELP?

I have found that it is hard for many people to make dietary changes on their own. If you start swapping your margarine for butter, then people often question what you are doing. But if you have a group of people, you can form a community growing in health. I would love the opportunity to work with churches or church groups to empower people to improve their diet and lifestyle so that we can fulfil all He has called us to do.

To find out more or to contact Linda, visit her website at www. nutritionforlifeireland.com.

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Celebrating

A LIFE OF SERVICE

ARTIST ROSS WILSON TALKS ABOUT HIS WORK AND HIS RECENT TRIBUTE TO MISSIONARY AMY CARMICHAEL

BY RUTH GARVEY-WILLIAMS

The poignant bronze statue of a ten-year-old girl looks out from under her hat at an unwritten future. This moving memorial to the life and work of missionary Amy Carmichael was unveiled on 16 December 2017, the 150th anniversary of her birth in Co. Down. Created by Northern Irish artist Ross Wilson and inspired by the late evangelist and author, Derick Bingham, the sculpture stands outside Hamilton Road Presbyterian Church in Bangor. In March, VOX editor Ruth Garvey-Williams spoke with Ross about faith, art and culture, and found out more about his tribute to Amy Carmichael.

oft spoken and surprisingly self-effacing, Ross Wilson attributes his longevity and success as an artist more to hard work than to talent. “There were some amazingly talented people at college who fell away. Part of survival is not just the ability to create but the ability to persevere,” he shares.

Now living just south of Coleraine, Ross is perhaps best known for his portraits of poet Seamus Heaney and playwright Arthur Miller, as well as the CS Lewis centenary sculpture in East Belfast.

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Encouraged by a “really good teacher,” he studied at Ulster University in Belfast before doing a Masters in the Chelsea College of Art and Design in London.

“After doing the degrees, you still end up on the pavement with a folder of your work. I became selfemployed as an artist and I’ve been trying to survive ever since. It is a difficult thing to do and it takes a lot of focus and dedication but it was what I always wanted to be,” he explains.

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university. “I remember thinking it seemed quite hopeless.

The location of the sculpture was also important. For That was before I had a spiritual dimension in my life.” over 80 years, Hamilton Road Presbyterian has hosted Ross’s own faith journey was to begin soon afterwards. the annual Worldwide Missionary Convention and, for “In my third year at university, my mother went out to many years, the church also helped to fund the Dohnavur buy the Sunday papers and came back with a Bible for me. Mission in South India that Amy Carmichael founded.

That was a radical moment in my life and brought me face Born to Christian parents in Millisle, Co. Down, Amy to face with Scripture. I was looking through and found wrote, “My mother had often talked to me about the Lord Romans chapter eight, which is all about death and life Jesus as I sat on her knee. I had felt the love of the Lord and living in Christ. That really affected me.

Jesus and nestled in His love just as I had nestled in her “I didn’t really know what to do, so that evening I arms.” went to a small, out-of-the-way church. I was concerned A choice to dedicate her life to Jesus as a teenager about somebody seeing me. That night, as I sat in the back led to a lifetime of service. Over the course of 55 years pew, the minister got up and spoke from Romans 8. That (she never came home to Northern Ireland), Amy and confirmed something for me. I needed a new identity!” her “starry band” - Indian women who had become Although all of his work has a “spiritual dimension,” Christians - helped to rescue hundreds of children from Ross does not describe himself as temple prostitution. a “Christian artist”.

Before a devastating fall “I’m a Christian before I’m that left her bed-bound an artist, and I would bring that for the last 20 years of her whole ethos to my work. I still life, Amy also travelled CAPTURING AMY CARMICHAEL AS A CHILD have trouble with the Christian the local villages WAS IMPORTANT TO ROSS, AND HE HOPES THAT through sub-culture; this whole idea of talking about Jesus.

THE MEMORIAL WILL INSPIRE CHILDREN AND a retreat, where we should be Capturing Amy advancing into culture with truth.”

Carmichael as a child YOUNG PEOPLE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. It was the concept of was important to Ross, influencing the culture that led and he hopes that the to many discussions between memorial will inspire Ross and Derick Bingham, and children and young eventually inspired the Amy Carmichael sculpture. people for generations to come. “I remember when I was “I used to meet up with Derick and we would chat. ten I started to see things in a bigger way. In the sculpture I had this idea of cultural evangelism. We touch the Amy is holding a diary, this little book of her life as yet cultures around us with truth by putting things out there unwritten but as planned by God. That is a diary of grace that have quality. Derick was interested in that. He was that God has laid out for her life. I believe it is important an inspirational figure and often talked about this idea of to show that a child of ten can have dreams and great ideas Christian heroes. That is how Amy started.” that later in life can be realised. I want to inspire children A prolific author, Derick wrote biographies of today, not with a computer screen but with something CS Lewis and William Wilberforce, alongside many they can actually see.” devotional books, but it was his work, The Wild-Bird For Ross’s latest project, he is working in partnership Child - a life of Amy Carmichael, that paved the way with a group of children in Bushmills, Co. Derry to for the memorial. “Amy was a prime example of a life celebrate the life and vision of Octavia Hill, a Christian dedicated to service and Derick thought this life should who was a radical reformer and founded the concept of be celebrated,” Ross explains. social housing. (Ed note: something that is extremely Derick started to raise funds for the project, and relevant for today’s Ireland.) after his death Ross continued to look for sponsorship.

“Octavia had the idea of the ‘noble life’ regardless of “Thankfully, I found donors who helped me across the your position or background. She believed that housing line. It is about having enough vision to follow through was one of those things that helped to give people a sense with an idea,” he says. of worth.”

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REIMAGINING MISSION FOR ORDINARY PEOPLE

Hugh Halter Director of the Lantern Network and Former Director of Forge Brian Sanders Director of the Underground Network

Praxis is a gathering for ordinary people to be inspired and empowered to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

19 May 2018 11am – 9.30pm DCM, Abbey Street

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Tickets and more info on: www.praxismovement.com This conference is a collaboration between Ignite Network, Innovista, 24/7 Prayer Dublin and Dublin West Community Church.

FAITH

CREATION AND JUSTICE

PART FOUR

VOX MAGAZINE

BY MATT WILLIAMS AND JONNY HANSON

In the last instalment of our thought-provoking series on creation care, Matt Williams and Jonny Hanson explore the role of justice in our mandate to care for the world, which God created.

roclamation, discipleship and service describe our activity, but justice is what God is establishing. Shortly after creation, when people had been given this beautiful world and its resources, they chose to take the one thing they were told to leave alone.

From that point, justice has been horribly distorted. Yet the story of the Bible is punctuated by God fighting injustice, whether through the terrible flood (Genesis 6:5-7), prophetic warnings against corrupt religion (e.g. Isaiah 1:11-17) or Jesus’ persistence in doing good, despite the religious establishment (e.g. Luke 6:6-11).

Christians are called to be Kingdom people now and not only in the future, even though it is only at the very end that justice is fully established (Revelation 21:1-4).

This means living under God’s reign, under the King ( Jesus), and thus under justice.

Creation is an area in which we in the West have most neglected this call as we labour under the spell of ‘progress’. We see what we want – more household convenience, faster communications, cheaper food – and to get it, we manipulate nature and its resources however we can. Never mind the price being paid by people we can’t see, whether in distant lands or the (not-so-distant) future.

It is this inequality in how the marvellous bounty of planet earth is shared out that is at the heart of how creation and justice relate to each other. It’s also about the uneven distribution of the side-effects and costs, or ‘externalities’ in economist speak. With climate change, for instance, wealthier individuals, communities and nations have benefited most from fossil fuel

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use over the last 150 years. But it is poorer cherish and steward creation together is individuals, communities and nations who an important dimension of healing rifts pay most of the price for our inability to in churches, communities, countries and constrain our consumption of this resource. regions.

Environmental justice, therefore, speaks Doing justice starts with recognising of a world where the costs and benefits of God’s justice. When we do that, we should creation are shared fairly among all. immediately see that we fall far short. But With food and farming, we see another on a pair of wooden beams outside a Middle way creation and justice are connected.

Eastern city, God atoned for our injustice Approximately one third of the food in Jesus Christ. Unlike everyone else who produced every year around the world is wasted, while nearly a ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE SPEAKS OF A WORLD WHERE THE COSTS billion people AND BENEFITS OF CREATION ARE SHARED FAIRLY AMONG ALL. suffer chronic malnourishment and over half a billion people struggle with obesity. has ever died, nature did not run its course How food is shared fairly, though, is less with Jesus (Acts 13:32-39). In rising, He a matter of production – we produce was crowned the just King who is even more than enough food every year to now building His kingdom, calling people feed everyone on the planet – and more to repentance in order to be conformed in a matter of distribution. The principle of His image. Creation is where we live this food sovereignty suggests that food supply out, which makes sharing resources, sharing chains that are focused on and controlled by food, and acting for peace all part of the communities (rather than markets or states) highest possible calling. best serve this goal.

Peace and reconciliation is the third component of the nature-justice nexus.

Many wars have been, are being, and will be Matt Williams fought over the control of natural resources. and Jonny Hanson Even on our own island of Ireland, for are co-founders of example, we’re familiar with how certain jubilee, a creation groups displaced other groups from the best care organisation and most fertile land at various points in our based in Larne, history. It is therefore very appropriate that Co. Antrim. www. creation should also be key to reconciliation, jubilee.coop. here and around the world. Working to APR - JUN 2018 VOX

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FAITH

LEADING THE WAY IN THEOLOGICAL STUDY THE IRISH BIBLE INSTITUTE RECEIVES A RINGING ENDORSEMENT

BY STEVEN SINGLETON

n our last issue, we reported the breaking news that the Irish Bible Institute (IBI) had been successful in securing the validation of its BA and MA degree courses through York St. John University for the next six years. Here Steven Singleton explores what re-validation means for IBI and explains the high quality of courses that are on offer on our doorstep.

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WHAT DOES VALIDATION MEAN?

Validation is very exciting for IBI as it means that the courses we have designed have been examined and found to be of such a standing that a university is prepared to stand over their quality. That is a significant achievement for a small institution like IBI. The courses we teach are ones we

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have designed ourselves after substantial consultation with Irish church leaders to find out what they want for future workers and leaders in the Irish church. York St. John (the validating university) has not told us what we should be teaching and we do not deliver 'off the peg courses' from anywhere else.

During discussions with current students, former students and groups of Christian leaders in Cork and Dublin about what the vital elements for future IBI courses should be, some common themes emerged. These groups felt that IBI graduates should be able to: • Identify, understand and engage with contemporary culture • Embrace and work with a diversity of

ideas and behaviours • Research, engage theologically with, and communicate on a range of contemporary issues • Be ethical in their decisions and actions • Demonstrate and promote attitudes and skills that foster good relationships and teamwork (e.g. humility and servanthood) • Be passionate about lifelong learning

WHY DID IBI SEEK VALIDATION AND WHAT WAS THE RESPONSE OF THE UNIVERSITY?

IBI wanted to demonstrate that what we offer can stand up to academic scrutiny and that we can deliver high quality education. It is all very well for us to claim that, but when

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an external body is prepared to affirm the The courses at IBI are taught by teachers In addition to the BA courses (BA quality of what IBI offers that should give who are passionate about God’s Word, (Hons) Applied Theology, BA (Hons) people tremendous confidence in what we Applied Theology with Christian in classes where the Bible is central. As are doing. Students invest substantial time Leadership) and MA courses (MA Applied validation shows, this is combined with and resources in their studies here; they Theology and MA Transformational academic excellence in theological study. need to know they are being provided with a Leadership), we now offer: Studying at IBI is an opportunity to learn quality theological education.

Certificate in Applied Theology with in a friendly and supportive community We were extremely encouraged by Youth Ministry (one year full-time or 2 alongside men and women from Christian the feedback from the university, which churches throughout Ireland and beyond. years part-time) - this is targeted at those thoroughly investigated the courses To allow for maximum flexibility, we offer, as well as the learning IBI offers a range of ways to study experience of our students. We including full-time and part-time, IBI IS COMMITTED TO TRAINING THE WHOLE PERSON, as well as online courses. Teaching received commendations from the panel affirming our “head, heart and SO WE DELIVER COURSES THAT DEVELOP THE MIND, is compressed into two days a week hands” approach, our consultation with (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) which TRANSFORM THE HEART AND EQUIP THE HANDS. stakeholders, our commitment to active allows students from all over the learning and “the way in which [IBI] country to study at IBI without having engaged with the panel in articulating to be located in Dublin. the integrity, passion and professionalism who are currently in youth ministry or are The training seeks to equip students underpinning the programmes.” thinking about it for the future. It also offers for life and Christian service, with special the possibility of studying 'on the job' while emphasis on the Irish context so it is relevant WHAT IS IBI OFFERING IN THE NEW being involved in youth ministry. for anyone preparing for ministry in Ireland.

Graduate Diploma in Applied Theology Find out more at www.ibi.ie.

VALIDATION? IBI is committed to training the whole (one year full-time or 2 years part-time) person, so we deliver courses that develop this is the final year of the BA degree ideal the mind, transform the heart and equip for anyone who has previously studied the hands. With our new validation we have theology but not yet completed a degree. deliberately built “head, heart and hands” Steven Singleton is the WHY COME TO IBI? into all aspects of the Certificate, BA and Director of Learning at “The Irish Bible Institute was a defining MA programmes. This will give students the Irish Bible Institute moment in my journey with the Lord and a a unique opportunity to develop not just with responsibility for the theological knowledge but also the attitudes catalyst that launched me into the path that BA and MA programmes. and skills necessary for Christian service and God had set before me.” Paul Maloney – ministry.

Westport, Co. Mayo.

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REALITY

NEW DATA PROTECTION RULES HOW WILL THE GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATIONS AFFECT YOUR CHURCH, CHARITY OR GROUP?

BY MARK GORMAN

rom the 25 May 2018 new rules come into effect which CONSENT determine how information about people is to be After the 25 May 2018 you will not be allowed to process collected, stored and used. These are called the General (use, store or share, etc.) information without consent. Therefore Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). you might consider seeking renewed consent from the people The rules give individuals whose information you will be using. greater power over how Depending on how you have collected information about them is stored information in the past, it may or may and used. The purpose of the not be necessary to seek renewed FOR CHURCHES AND COMMUNITY GROUPS THAT ARE rules is to protect people from the consent for processing information, CAREFUL AND CONSIDERATE THERE IS NOTHING TO FEAR. but doing so would not do any harm. misuse of personal information.

This is not a new thing (it is Contacting people about whom you described in the Regulations as a have information will give you, and “fundamental right”) and therefore them, an opportunity to reappraise churches and charities shouldn’t see this as a new imposition but your relationship - if done well this should lead to your community rather as something that already affected them but is now being deleting and destroying information on some people but deepening modified and extended. a relationship with other people.

For churches and community groups that are careful and considerate there is nothing to fear. The changes should be seen as PROCESSING an opportunity, not a threat. Several church denominations have In order for information to be processed lawfully, it must issued helpful guidelines and templates for how to address rights come within at least one of the criteria set down in the regulations. and responsibilities under the new rules - it is well worth consulting The most relevant is that the person has consented to you using, these guidelines for your particular context. storing or sharing that information or that it is necessary for the performance of a contract. (Ed note: For example, in order for us REVIEW to send your copy of VOX magazine directly to your door, the VOX The most important thing for your community to do is to team needs to store your address on file but we would not share that appoint a person or team of people to conduct an audit of the information with anyone else!) information that your church or organisation holds and how you use Consent for the processing of sensitive personal data must be it. Arising from your audit you should come up with a plan called ‘opt in’ and not merely ‘opt out’. This includes information about a “data protection policy”. There are templates available for how to a person’s racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, genetic or biometic conduct an audit and for data protection policies but, at the very data, health information or information regarding a person’s sex life least, you should examine your group in the light of the obligations or sexual orientation. Of particular note for readers of VOX is that placed on you by the new rules. information regarding a person’s religious affiliation is considered The obligations under GDPR are: ‘sensitive’. This will mean that the use of any information that you • Information must be “processed” (used, stored or shared) in a hold, which may reveal a person’s membership of a church or other lawful, fair and transparent manner.

• Information must be collected for specific, explicit and religious community should be carefully considered and protected. legitimate purposes and not used for any purpose beyond that Consent to use non-sensitive information has to be which it was collected for. ‘unambiguous’. In practice, this means that either an oral or written • Information that is collected and used should be limited to what statement should be given consenting to the use of the information is necessary and no more.

- this can include ticking a box (these rules apply to both online and • Information must be kept accurately and up-to-date. Any errors written/personal interactions). should be rectified without delay.

There is a specific exemption for religious bodies that allows • Information must be kept for no longer than is necessary. them to process sensitive data about members, former members or • Information must be kept securely and confidentially. people with whom the organisation has regular contact as long as the

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personal information is not disclosed outside of the organisation without the consent of the person. This is a helpful exemption but it is necessary to make certain that all appropriate safeguards are taken to ensure the security of the information and that it is not disclosed.

FINES

Much has been made about the new penalties that may be imposed under the new Regulations. Organisations can be fined up to 4% of annual global turnover for breaching GDPR or €20 Million (whichever is greater). Churches and charities that are careful and considerate in how they use personal information need not worry about the penalties, but obviously if a matter does arise then it is important to seek legal advice.

BREACHES

Another new aspect of the regulations is the obligation to report a breach of information (e.g. theft of documents or computers containing information, computer hack, etc.) to the Data Protection Commissioner, if that breach could result in a risk to the rights and freedoms of individuals. The report must be made within 72 hours of becoming aware of the breach - if it’s made later than that, reasons for the delay are to accompany the report. The report should also set out the the effects of the breach and the steps taken to remedy it.

INDIVIDUALS

In addition to increasing awareness in organisations and how they use personal information, individuals can use the regulations to assert their rights. In the coming years, these rights will become increasiningly important in protecting people from the excesses of modern transnational corporations. If you’re concerned about the information that you have given to groups or companies don’t be afraid to ask questions as to how they’re storing and using your information and for what purpose.

WHAT NEXT?

The Data Protection Commissioner has set out a series of 12 steps that organisations can take to ensure that they are able to comply with the new rules www.gdprandyou.ie/organisations.

Remember reviewing and carrying out the steps outlined by the Data Protection Commissioner will allow your community or church to better serve and protect both your members and your neighbours.

Please note: This article is not intended to be legal advice specific to your situation but rather a general overview. Legal advice should be sought for specific issues that arise in your context.

Mark Gorman is a Solicitor at Cormac Ó Ceallaigh and Co. Solicitors

Be the host with the toast!

Serve up a Big Brekkie for your community to support Christian Aid Week 2018. A great chance to enjoy breakfast together while raising vital funds for our global neighbours.

If hosting a Big Brekkie is your cup of tea order your free fundraising pack at caweek.ie/brekkie

SOME HELPFUL SITES www.gdprandyou.ie www.irishmethodist.org/data-protection-resources www.ireland.anglican.org/parish-resources/501/general-dataprotection-regulation-gdpr www.wheel.ie/content/download-wheels-gdpr-guide-for-nonprofits (Members of The Wheel only) www.charitiesinstituteireland.ie/information-and-guidance-notesgeneral-data-protection-regulation-gdpr www.eugdpr.org www.twobirds.com/en/hot-topics/general-data-protection-regulation

Eng and Wales charity no. 1105851 Scot charity no. SC039150 Company no. 5171525 Christian Aid Ireland: NI charity no. NIC101631 Company no. NI059154 and ROI charity no. 20014162 Company no.

426928. The Christian Aid name and logo are trademarks of Christian Aid. Christian Aid is a keymember of ACT Alliance. © Christian Aid March 2018. J54102 APR - JUN 2018 VOX 39

Ministry Opportunity INTERNSHIP » Serve the church » Grow in character » Develop your gifts » Gain ministry experience » Deepen your theological/biblical understanding » Part time, with flexible timetable » www.christcitychurch.ie/internship

APPRENTICESHIP » Mentoring in church leadership » Further theological/biblical training » Opportunities to lead, administrate, teach, preach and pioneer » Receive intentional discipleship » One year fixed contract, part-time » Have completed the CCC Internship or equivalent » www.christcitychurch.ie/apprenticeship

We’re on the hunt for an Intern and an Apprentice for September 2018. To find out more visit our website or contact Ola at ola@christcitychurch.ie Fearless Advert-Print.pdf

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VOX MAGAZINE

UNITY IN THE MIDST OF CONTROVERSY

BY NICK PARK

everal years ago, while watching help make our society a kinder and more theological traditions and denominations. the film ‘Saving Private Ryan,’ compassionate place. Our country is on the There is overwhelming support for our I was struck by the realisation verge of being the first nation to ever choose, approach in defending the human rights of that the soldiers portrayed in by popular vote, to decrease and limit the the unborn, and for our message that the that film had, before the outbreak of World extent of human rights. For the church, these campaign for life should be conducted with War II, spent their time worrying about days cannot be ‘business as usual.’ a positive emphasis on grace and truth. work problems, paying their mortgages, I have been travelling the country I have been profoundly humbled by the or debating what to plant in wide variety of churches that are their gardens. But war changed opening their doors to us, and everything. Their priorities the numerous expressions of WE HAVE A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY TO HELP MAKE encouragement and support. became very different, and their dreams for work or family were The result of the forthcoming OUR SOCIETY A KINDER AND MORE COMPASSIONATE PLACE. put on hold until the terrible referendum should not be taken conflict was over. for granted by any side in the In my role as Executive debate. I remain very hopeful that Director of Evangelical Alliance Ireland I with Stephen Cardy of family.ie and the Irish people will take the opportunity would, given a choice, be spending the bulk representatives of the Pro-Life Campaign, to affirm the rights of the weak and of my time talking about the Gospel, about holding meetings night after night in vulnerable. However, whatever the result of the beauty of the Bible, or sharing the many various corners of the country. We have also the referendum, something significant and encouraging stories I hear from around the distributed over 8,000 copies of my books beautiful is happening in God’s church – country about growing churches. Instead, ‘Birth Equality’ and ‘The Gospel & Human and that is worth celebrating. most of my time in recent months has been Rights.’ This is in itself remarkable when consumed with the campaign to retain the you consider that even the most popular Nick Park is Executive Eighth Amendment.

Christian books usually only achieve sales of Director of Evangelical I am convinced that the forthcoming a few hundred copies in the Irish market.

Alliance Ireland.

Referendum on abortion is the Irish My overriding impression of this www.nickpark.ie church’s ‘Wilberforce Moment.’ As with campaign so far, apart from being absolutely the battle to see slavery abolished, we bone-weary, is the incredible unity that have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to we are seeing among Christians of various

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OPPORTUNITY TO VOLUNTEER PART TIME AND LIVE IN THE YWCA IN THE HEART OF DUBLIN The YWCA in Dublin city centre is now inviting applications to become a volunteer on its two Resident Assistant programmes. The Summer Programme has 4 places with free accommodation and food for the months of July and August 2018.

The longer term Resident Assistant programme runs from September 2018 to the end of June 2019.

This is a wonderful opportunity to spend some time in the heart of Dublin whilst contributing to the aims of the YWCA, meeting new people and developing new skills. Closing dates are end March for Summer programme and end April for longer term programme.

Full information and application forms are available at ywca.ie or contact John O'Neill at 01 644 9666.

Church Insurance a broker with a difference

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

In addition to the usual cover (property etc) we can also arrange the following:      

Professional Indemnity Pastoral Care Indemnity Public Liability Employers Liability (including volunteers) Charity Trustee Insurance Legal Expenses

Whether you are a large or small congregation, operate from a private home, rent space or own your own building we can protect you by providing advice and solutions for your insurance needs.

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

R.J. CROLY & Co. LTD

The specialist for the Christian and charity community.

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UCB Ireland Serving the Church Reaching the Nation www.ucbireland.ie

Have you reviewed your pension lately? rement?

How much will you need at reti How much can you co ntribute?

Is it enough?

Trillium Financial Services can go through all your options and find the pension that best suits you. We provide pension advice tailored to each individual’s financial aspirations.

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.

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.

MUSIC REVIEWS

Evergreen Audrey Assad

As a music critic, I receive countless albums from the record companies, and believe it or not, I do actually give them all a fair hearing.

It can be a tedious process but every now and then I come across an album that makes the job worthwhile; an album that stands out from the mediocrity that epitomises so much Christian music today. Audrey Assad's new album Evergreen is one such album.

It's this singer/songwriter's first full album of original material since her critically acclaimed Fortunate Fall and its release marks Audrey's emergence from a lengthy period of doubt and tested faith, which all but stopped her from writing songs. Her story of doubt and despair, her struggle to break free from, and let go of, years of spiritual conditioning, and her rejection of the constraints placed upon her as a woman by her strict denominational upbringing, has been a painful and difficult one. Her new album shows how far she has come in her journey.

This is a collection of songs about rebirth, trust, joy, and love, it will resonate with anyone who feels pigeonholed or boxed in by religiosity. We all have a place in this world, and we all have a vital role to play in God's plan for humanity. Audrey Assad has discovered hers. It is almost impossible to pick a favourite from 12 rich and melodic tracks. Having said that,

VOX MAGAZINE

Unfolding and Drawn to You spoke to me.

Evergreen is essential listening and an early candidate for my album of the year, 2018.

Horizons

Prestonwood Choir

Now for something different: "The thing that drives our church is still and forever will be the Great Commission.

For us, it is all about the Message— proclaiming it from the pulpit and getting it to as many people as possible." So says Rev. Jack Graham, pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. As with all things Texas, Prestonwood do things big, and their musical output is no exception.

The choir is over 500 strong, and I can only imagine what worship in that church must feel like as the voices and harmonies of such a huge choir, together with orchestral backing, compliment and lift the congregation in praise. If you want to experience it for yourself, I'd recommend you put your headphones on as you listen to this album. It opens with the soaring Psalm 46, and then dips and rises through a further nine worship hymns and songs of impeccable quality. There is a sense of reverence in this recording.

The arrangements are superb, and the balance between orchestra and choir is just perfect. This album is totally different to anything I would normally listen to, but I love it.

The Collection All Sons and Daughters

I have loved the music of All Sons and Daughters since I saw them perform in the intimate setting of an old church building in the heart of Dublin's historical Liberties.

This duo of Leslie Jordan and David Leonard wrote the songs with their own church congregation in mind. Their songs are intimate, personal, worshipful and have become a part of my own personal faith journey. So, it was with sadness that I read a recent letter that they sent to their friends around the world saying, “After much prayer and consideration, we have decided that our season as a band has come to an end.” Integrity music is releasing a collection of their songs, and being familiar with each and every one, I would urge you to grab a copy of this beautiful compilation.

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.

THE DIFFERENCE - Samuel Lane “Say your prayers and let them soar, fall on your knees and be restored, look to Jesus,” is the opening lyric of the first track on the new album The Difference

by Samuel Lane. This sets the tone for what is a unique and distinctive album from this Vineyard worship leader.

Vineyard music recordings are normally associated with congregational praise so this album caught me by surprise. Samuel Lane has been very quiet musically since the release of his 2013 debut album The Fire, and he is back with an amazing album.

As a worship leader, he could have followed the trend and recorded a generic worship album. Samuel Lane has bucked the trend. This is a creative record that is beautifully put together. The ten tracks are carefully crafted. The musicianship is absolutely sublime, and Samuel Lane’s voice is one the best I have ever heard on a Christian contemporary recording.

This album tells a story of looking to Jesus. When we are weak, He is our strength. When we fail, He is the difference. The songs are raw, intense and honest.

I hope it won’t be another five years before we hear more from Samuel Lane, but if such is the case, I think The Difference will keep me satisfied ‘til then.

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EVENTS

VOX MAGAZINE

Events Calendar What’s happening where and when

April Explore Church in Chains Event Saturday, 14 April, 2pm Crinken Church, Shankill www.churchinchains.ie

June Fearless Women’s Event Saturday, 16 June The Helix, Dublin 9 ww.fearlesswomen.ie

July Sligo Summer Conference 8 - 13 July Sligo I.T. www.newwineireland.org

May Praxis Conference Saturday, 19 May, 11am Dublin Central Mission www.praxismovement.com

Summer Fire Conference 22 - 29 June Trabolgan, Co. Cork www.summerfireconference.com

August New Horizon Conference 4 - 10 August Ulster University, Coleraine www.newhorizon.org.uk

Summer Madness Conference 29 June - 3 July Glenarm Castle, Ballymena www.summermadness.co.uk

EXPLORE

DIRECTOR

an interactive afternoon with Church in Chains FOCUS...

on Iraq’s Christians with

Christian Unions Ireland (CUI) is a stable and growing movement. Our mission is to inspire and equip students to become passionate lifelong followers of Jesus Christ. Today we work on most campuses and colleges in Ireland, through our network of Christian Unions. We encourage and help our CUs to be mission teams on campus, living out the Christian Gospel.

all your questions

PRAY...

in the Prayer Room or at the Prayer Wall

ENJOY... constant supply of tea, coffee and biscuits

   

WHERE? Crinken Church

(Bray Road, Shankill, Co Dublin)

WHEN? Saturday 14 April 2pm-5pm (come and go whenever you choose)

Any Questions?

Ring the Church in Chains office at 01-282 5393 or email info@churchinchains.ie

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We are now looking for the person to lead Christian Unions Ireland into the next chapter of its history.

The Director of CUI is responsible for:

FIND OUT... how you can make a difference

Of Christian Unions Ireland

The future of Christianity in Ireland will be shaped in no small part by the witness and ministry of Christian students in university and college campuses throughout Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Malcolm MacLeod (Steadfast Global).

A regular visitor to the region, he brings aid to Christian refugees.

ASK...

Visit www.vox.ie/events for a more up-to-date event listing.

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

Development and implementation of CUI’s strategic goals, Leadership of the staff team, Development of relationships with supporters, Maintenance of a persuasive Christian voice in wider culture.

The Director will be committed to the doctrinal basis, and to the values, of Christian Unions Ireland.

Further details about this important opportunity can be found on the CUI website. The closing date for applications is 16th April 2018.

www.cui.ie

BOOK REVIEWS

VOX MAGAZINE

tPt - THE PASSION TRANSLATION

New Testament with Psalms, Proverbs and Song of Songs

Why another translation, when we already have many wonderful versions of the Bible? Because God wants to meet us not only in an intellectual way but deep in our hearts. The goal of tPt – the Passion translation - is to trigger inside us an overwhelming response to the truths of the Bible and to God’s love for us.

Technically, it’s a dynamic-equivalent translation. It is unique in incorporating ancient manuscripts in Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke, thereby conveying the emotions and nuances of these writings. The lead translator was Dr Brian Simmons, assisted by an extensive and diverse team of respected scholars and editors. Translation started in 2012 for publication in late 2017 and work on the Old Testament has now commenced.

‘It’s the most exciting thing to happen to Bible translation in my lifetime!’

Senior Pastor Bill Johnson, Bethel Church, Redding, California Compare for yourself - Psalm 62: 2 NIV - He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I shall never be shaken. tPt – the Passion translation - He alone is my safe place; his wrap-around presence always protects me. For he is my champion defender; there’s no risk of failure with God. So why would I let worry paralyse me, even when troubles multiply around me?

If you want to read your Bible as if with fresh eyes, then I’d really recommend tPt – the Passion translation.

The New Testament with Psalms, Proverbs and Song of Songs comes in a choice of three hardback and five embossed imitation leather editions, with limited stock still at introductory prices.

EVERY GIRL HAS A STORY

by Eleanor Watkins Church on Sundays – yes, but what are our young people filling their minds with the rest of the week? In answer, this publisher aims to encourage young people in their faith and to show kids who don’t attend church what they are missing. And all while seeking to be cringe free.

Here are some brief extracts …..

I didn’t really expect to enjoy the first day at my new school … and I was right.

For one thing, the school uniform we’d ordered hadn’t come in time … The other girls had proper school sweatshirts with the school logo in gold … I felt I stuck out like a sore thumb.

Then, it was difficult learning the layout of the school … By the first break I was hopelessly lost ... I found myself wondering desperately how I was going to find my classroom for the next lesson.

The corridor was deserted. Everyone was safely installed in their own classes.

Then I heard hurrying footsteps. A small, dark girl skidded to a halt beside me. “You lost?” I nodded, blushing. How I wished I could get out of that stupid blushing habit. I bent my head and let my hair fall forward to hide my face … She looked friendly, but you never knew.

That’s the start of Annie’s story.

Through real life issues, Annie and five friends draw nearer to each other and to God. They share laughter, tears, hopes, fears and secrets. Their stories are moving, honest and fun, with a miracle and a party thrown in! For girls of 10 – 14 years.

IMMANUEL: A PRACTICUM

by Patricia Velotta

I love the writings of the 17th century monk, Brother Lawrence, in the little book ‘The Practice of the Presence of God’.

He increased my hunger to practice that presence but never seemed to bring me any nearer to experiencing it. But what Brother Lawrence couldn’t help me with, Patricia Velotta could. I have found her book life-changing.

The title comes simply from the prophesied name of Jesus, Immanuel – God with us [Matthew 1:23]. We all know in our heads that Jesus is with us and that He will never leave us nor forsake us. But how much are we aware of Him as we go about our days?

The subtitle ‘A Practicum’ tells us that this is a very practical book, and so it is.

It is very easy to read, and both simple and profound at the same time.

Now I am not a lover of formulae in spiritual matters. But reading Patricia’s book and following the steps she outlines has brought me to a far greater awareness of Jesus with me in all sorts of situations. I can’t recommend this book highly enough.

Book reviews by Julie Carvill of www.christianbooks.ie, from where you can order these and other inspiring titles.

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NO POWER LIKE PRESENCE

BY SEÁN MULLAN

e was clearly well on in years but his grip was firm. The big rough hand shook mine and as he looked at me I could see his eyes were damp. “I’m sorry for your loss,” he said, “she was a mighty woman.” I thanked him and he melted back into the group with others who had come to do the same.

I knew who he was. He had done occasional work in the garden for my mother. It was she that we had gathered to remember. And he wanted to be there. She was almost 90; death was not unexpected but it was still sudden, difficult and sad. In the hard time people, as they so often do, came good. Neighbours, family, friends, colleagues came together at various gatherings, the wake, the funeral mass and the crematorium service. There were tears, hugs, laughs, warm handshakes, food, stories, drink, kind words, songs, and memories. Lots of memories.

Not long afterwards, a public spat between two formerly famous people managed to make international news headlines. Somehow it was deemed to be an issue of global significance. The issue centred on a message of condolence on a bereavement, sent publicly on social media, and an equally public rejection of the message. Having just come through

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our own bereavement, I was left reflecting compared to the quiet handshake and the on the grand canyon that exists between a words of condolence that take hours, cost public tweet of condolence and the power of something and are private and personal. a handshake with a quiet word and a damp Technology has its place. My 89-yeareye. old mother was a dab hand at Facetime and Social media has turned expressing Skype and used it to stay in touch with her condolence into a spectator sport. When family around the globe. Our family received someone well known dies now, there is a plenty of tech-carried messages of sympathy competition to express the extent of the on my mother’s death and they were greatly emotional distress being experienced. If “X” appreciated. But nothing that technology is “gutted” then “Y” is “absolutely gutted” can offer can replace the power of presence. and “Z” just “doesn’t have words”. And their In our workplace, we have a hierarchy distress is of communication not just to be that we try to communicated ensure governs all to the family or I WAS LEFT REFLECTING ON THE GRAND CANYON interactions between friends of the customers and THAT EXISTS BETWEEN A PUBLIC TWEET OF staff, deceased but to suppliers. At the everyone. Why CONDOLENCE AND THE POWER OF A HANDSHAKE bottom of the list is tell one person WITH A QUIET WORD AND A DAMP EYE. a group text message when you can – only to be used for tell hundreds, communicating basic thousands factual information or even millions about the extent of your – times, dates, venues. Next come various emotional distress? forms of communication with the phoneTime was when we joked about call in second place. But top of the list by politicians who would turn up at local a long way is face-to-face conversation – funerals, not because they knew the person, talking, listening and looking. It’s what we but because they wanted to be seen there. humans do best. Nothing that technology Votes, not sympathy, were the prime has produced can come near to it. motivation. We are all politicians these days.

Given my mother’s age, there weren’t Social media can do that. We find many people expressing condolence on ourselves doing things in a way we social media. But the kind faces, damp eyes, never would if social media didn’t gentle words and warm handshakes and enable us. Imagine receiving in the hugs far surpassed high tech. Those who post a photocopy of a sympathy gave them had nothing to gain from being card I had sent to a bereaved there but had much to give. Their presence family that you didn’t even know. had power. Ours does too. It’s not cute, Your first word would probably clever or slick but it’s what we were made for. be “why” and your second would be “weird.” Why does anyone else need to know that you’re sending condolences? A public tweet is the Seán Mullan has been working in church same as a photocopied sympathy leadership for many years. He has card except that it only takes developed a project in Dublin City Centre seconds, costs nothing and goes to called “Third Space”. everyone. It is less than worthless

DISASTER DOESN’T HAVE TO MEAN THE END When the shells and gunfire came closer, families such as Halla’s had no choice but to leave everything behind in Syria and flee.

Halla’s whole world was snatched away. The same thing happened to the 1.5 million other Syrian refugees like her in Lebanon. But war need not destroy people’s dreams forever. Halla still wants to become a teacher. And we’re determined to help her make that happen. Will you help us meet refugees’ most urgent needs – to help keep hope alive?

€45 could give two refugee families hygiene kits, providing essentials such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, sanitary towels and nappies.

€112 could pay for a water tank, giving a whole community ongoing access to safe water.

Please consider giving a gift this spring to help Halla and other vulnerable children hold on to their dreams.

Donate online at tearfund.ie/donate or by calling 01 878 3200. Thank you.

Tearfund Ireland 2nd Floor, Ulysses House, 22–24 Foley St, Dublin 1, D01 W2T2 enquiries@tearfund.ie Tel: 01 878 3200

www.tearfund.ie/donate Registered Charity No. CHY 8600. Charities Regulatory Authority Number: 20021337

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OPEN ARMS DUBLIN EVERY SUNDAY At 11am

THERE IS MORE THERE IS MORE THERE IS MORE THERE IS MORE THERE IS MORE THERE IS MORE THERE IS MORE WE ARE A LIFE-GIVING church

CONNECTING PEOPLE TO JESUS FULL KIDS CHURCH

FREE UNDERGROUND PARKING

YOU ARE WELCOME HERE

CLAYTON HOTEL LEOPARDSTOWN FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.OPENARMSDUBLIN.IE OR FACEBOOK.COM/OPENARMSdublin.IE 48

VOX APR - JUN 2018