From town hall shouting matches to articles in local and national newspapers, the NHS debate now finds itself in the public square, literally and
technologically.
Every day another news release is sent out. Interest groups
marshal the troops to blanket in-boxes with e-mail forwards. In the last speech
of his time, Martin Luther King Jr.’s words have a prophetic application for
today: “The nation is sick. Trouble is in the land; confusion all around.” That
is easily applicable in the UK as anywhere.
I have found myself personally embroiled in conversations on
Facebook and elsewhere about the role of the government in health care reform. 37
years of driving a cab, 3 years at Spurgeons and seven years in ministry have yielded a
panoply of opinions that run the spectrum of political positions and
ideologies. The only unifying strand among those conversations has been the
perpetual telling and retelling of the plight of people within our communities
who are waiting for treatment or who have somehow slipped through the coverage
cracks of Doctors and nurses.
With all of the benefit changes with a new innovation called
“Bedroom Tax”, re-assessment by ATOS, a
French multinational, testing people claiming sickness and disability benefits,
it is good to catch out the cheats but scary for those who depend legitimately on the
financial help.
There are tales of amputees being asked if they are right or
left handed, the man is sitting across the desk with a complete arm missing. These
tales epitomize the tragic: Across any given congregation of 50 or more people,
someone is struggling – perhaps even dying – sometimes questions need to be
asked, “Where is my help going to come from” sometimes there needs to be a
place where those who need to talk, have a place to go and talk, to find a caring smile rather than a cynical question.
Belinda gave me two books “Shadow of the Workhouse” and
Farewell to the East End” both written by the lady who wrote the book which
gave rise to the TV show “Call the Midwife” where Midwives are resident in a Convent
called “Nonnatus” who is patron saint of Childbirth, Nonnatus, Latin, meaning “not
born”. Tending to the sick, the widow and the orphan has always been first the
task of the church, not the government. Yet democracy has advanced and
denominations have divested themselves of hospitals and clinics. Partisan
positions aside, the narrative of a people – lives affected on every level,
across denomination, geography and socioeconomic standing – bear witness to a
common cry within the church.
There are all sorts of questions to be raised regarding the
voice of the church.
For many, the pulpit has become a place to declare
admiration for or ridicule of political positions and “agendas.” Just as James
Dobson (Focus on the Family) conceded defeat (sort of) in the culture wars, there is a
continual focus to investigate politically red and blue pulpits, policing for
rhetoric that would threaten the as-yet-tax-exempt church. For others, there is
a sense in which the voice of the church must always be prophetic, speaking not
to individual politicians and policies, but to the structures that cripple
human beings and institutionalize oppression. Socially engineering the church into
a pacif state, a voice which is quelled.
For the average minister I know (including myself), both of
these polarities cause some unease. We are captive first to the gospel and
secondly to the congregation for whom we are preaching that gospel. The breadth
of human experience–notwithstanding the political and social trappings–is
enough to, with one word, incite some to ecstasy and allow others to smoulder
with contempt. It can be a precarious pulpit.
And yet there must be a church voice.•It is in the church that human beings across race, socioeconomic standing, ballot boxes and school districts, the corner office and the welfare line gather to place ourselves in orbit around a common purpose, learning to live and to love as Jesus, whom we call Christ.
•It is in the church that stories are told and food is collected. Collection/offering and Tithes are taken and visitation schedules are set. People and families are cared for and children are watched.
•It is in the church that we move beyond love of self and toward love for neighbour.
•It is in the church that we realize our salvation is inextricably bound up in the salvation of those in our midst.
•It is in the church that our conscience is pricked and our hearts are stirred.
•It is in the church that we quit asking “What will happen to me?” and start asking “What will happen to them?”
The church of Jesus Christ is uniquely poised to tell its
story, bearing witness to that which it has seen and heard about the way of
Jesus and what that way has to say about how we live our lives here and now.
Where corporations speak only to those under their employ,
the church must speak to and for those who find refuge within. The invitation
is “for all who would, come.”
We cannot maintain silence in the face of gross negligence.
We have a responsibility to take on the hard work of caring for the least of
these and to work diligently to repair that which is broken.
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith
but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is
without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you
well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what
good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by
action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me
your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You
believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that, and shudder.
James 2: 14-19
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all
men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6: 10
Listen out for our plans to care for Single Parent Families,
our launch of “Messy Church” in the autumn.Please pray for Gwen More and the family as they come to terms with a court hearing.
Please pray for Illdephonse, as he works with officials to secure a visit of his Mother and the children's grand mother.
Please pray for those organising our 150th anniversary celebrations on the 14th and 15th September.
Please pray for our youth as they prepare the service for this coming Sunday the 11th August
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FELLA'SHIP's plans
- To research and plan for the removal of the organ. This instrument with no musical playing function, which served the church for many years can serve this church again, by raising funds for another project. Please pray for these plans.
- To organise and hold a "Men's Breakfast" on the 12th October. This will be a relational evangelistic event. Please pray that our men will be graced with good response as they invite family and friends to the breakfast.
- To host our Youth by taking them out for a "CURRY EVENING" in November (TBA) Please pray that we can make a good deal at the Well Hall Tandoori for a great price and a great evening.
- Fella'Ship have found a new song to learn and sing to the church, the song is top secret!!! sssshhhhh! Please pray for their voices and rehearsals.
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Our women's group. http://bcbcbusybees.com/
Please go on line from here and complete the questionnaire
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