Christian Persecution

Ever since the Road-Tax petition publicised the government website where anyone can start an on-line petition it seems like everyone’s at it.

These are some of my favourites:

David Kitchen’s petition: “We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to replace the national anthem with 'Gold' by Spandau Ballet.”  It has 4,912 signatures.

Tim Ireland’s Petition: “We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to stand on his head and juggle ice-cream.”  It has 4,037 signatures

Anyway, never to be left behind, us Christians are at it as well… and this is what worries me.

In the last couple of weeks I have received an e-mail asking me to sign a petition protesting against a government bill which “will give homosexuals far greater rights”.  Now regardless of what we think about this issue, what concerns me most is the message being conveyed by the words.  Campaigning against a group’s rights is the same as saying we support restrictions being placed on that group, which seems to me to suggest persecution.

Should Christians be persecuting people?

I got another e-mail this week for a petition asking the government to stop the building of a mosque in London.  If I’m honest, I just don’t understand why we would be asking our government to do this.  Would we like a country where the building of any religious building by groups other than Christians to be banned?  (Who would decide what constitutes orthodox Christianity anyway?) What would the next step be, pulling down all temples, mosques and synagogues?  Then what?  Deporting all non-Christians?  (the test for this would be interesting…)

We’re very concerned when foreign governments try to prevent the building of churches, as happens in countries like Egypt.  Is that the sort of government we want in the UK?  Or is it ok because we’re Christians?

Jesus went to the cross because God gave us free will as a precious gift.  We abused it, yet God loved us still.  If people choose to go to the Mosque or if gay people want to stay at a bed and breakfast, it’s their choice and I’m really uncomfortable with these campaigns asking the government to legislate on these issues.  Especially when God desires us to follow him with our heart, not just with outward conformity.

I’m uncomfortable because when these petitions are sent around they claim to speak for Evangelical (or ‘Born-Again’) Christians and I don’t like issues of individual conscience being presented as issues of Christian doctrine or orthodoxy.

I’m uncomfortable that these petitions vilify and demonise Muslims and the gay community, when we need to see that the vast majority of conscientious Muslims are seeking God in the only way they know (see Acts 17:22-23 for Paul’s attitude to people of a different religion and how he concentrates on what they have in common rather than pointing out why he thinks they’re wrong).

History shows us time and time again that when an idea welded by those in power tries to stifle a different idea held by a minority it always has the reverse effect.  The Church has thrived time and time again under persecution.  Despite the fact that I think it goes against the heart of the gospel to so aggressively harass others, it’s not even a good idea from a purely practical perspective.

And what are we afraid of anyway?  Where should we point the accusing finger because people aren’t finding Jesus’ offer of abundant life and want to go to a mosque?  Is it the governments fault?  Is it their responsibility?  Or does the blame lay a bit closer to home?

On a level-playing field I’m convinced that Jesus’ radical message of life, hope and love will beat all other ideas every time.  We don’t need to try and fix the game with the government's help, and personally I think that by trying we’re actually making our job an uphill struggle.

I firmly believe Christians should be involved in politics and government, campaigning for justice and the poor.  Sticking up for the disadvantaged and the needy.  Reminding society about the people that everyone else wants to forget.  But not picking fights with minority groups!

So let’s get behind something we can all agree on… changing the national anthem to Spandau Ballet’s classic!
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Do You Remember The A-Team?

Do you remember the A-Team? Every week there’d be that bit when the situation looked hopeless and the odds were stacked against them. They’d usually be stuck in a deserted workshop or aircraft hanger, surrounded by loads of Military Police, with no way out. But then, to the accompaniment of some stirring music, they’d start fiddling with some toilet roll tubes, wire coat hangers and a MIG welder…

I think that’s a good analogy for Exeter Vineyard at the moment. We had to move out of St. Peter’s High School with very little notice and although we’re indebted to Riverside’s generous hospitality over the summer, their hall isn’t large enough for us once everyone’s back from their holidays.

At the moment we don’t have too many options for our Sunday meeting place. I don’t think we can realistically expect to move back into St. Peter’s for at least the next few months, and at the moment we still don’t have enough information to know whether the hall will even be suitable for us anyway.

In fact, my experience these last few weeks as we’ve searched for a Sunday venue is of pushing a lot of doors only to find they’re closed at the moment. Like the A-Team, seemingly stuck in the workshop, we don’t really have a lot of attractive options. But maybe because I’ve seen the A-Team too many times (or maybe because I know what a wonderful God we serve!) I’m not feeling particularly worried.

Without fail every episode, to the amazement of viewers, and to the horror of the assembled police, the A-Team emerge from their hopeless situation with a fully-armed battle tank, built from the coat hangers and toilet rolls. Da da da daaaah! Da Da Dah!

I have a growing sense of faith that our situation with property isn’t a problem, but part of God’s opportunity. Who knows what will happen? Not me, but I feel confident that something good will, because I have a confidence that God has a plan for Exeter Vineyard.

In the Bible God says “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.”

I want to encourage you to be full of faith during this time of uncertainty. We’re going to have to be flexible, creative, adaptable and open-minded, while all the time remaining a loving community and staying focused (much like the A-Team in fact!)

Please continue to pray for this situation. It’s been said that God does nothing except in answer to prayer. Let’s not be complacent but keep expectantly asking God for his provision. And let’s be patient. Things rarely seem to happen quite as quickly as we’d like, but God sees the bigger picture we can’t. This is a time for us to grow in trust with God.

I’m hoping we won’t end up as nomads for too long, but I can’t guarantee it. If you want to know up to date information you can check the website or phone the office. Even outside office hours the answer phone will have the current information.

I’m excited for the future, and I look forward to saying, like Hannibal always did, “I love it when a plan comes together!”

Blogging and My Massive Ego

In my mind (...and so therefore it shouldn't be taken seriously...) I find I can't help but link having a blog with having a massive ego - so while you may not be surprised that I've started blogging, I still find myself cringing a little as I write this.

I guess I think that blogging is, by its nature, an act of self-obsession, and I can't help but think that if anyone reads this they'll keep thinking "Who cares?"

I constantly deal with this sort of fear anyway - every week when I'm preparing a preach I often find myself thinking "This is a joke! Me preaching - as if anyone would care what I think!"  (...I'm sure this is probably quite a healthy attitude so please, I'm not fishing for compliments...)

Anyway - I figure a blog could be useful.  Almost every week as I mull over my previous preach I realise something new about the passage or subject (...and then I think "If only I'd prepared properly, then I could have included it in my preach"...) But now I can put it in my blog!

Also I hope that it will help us have a bit of dialogue as you can post comments and replies. 

Also, from now on please don't sit on the chair next to me at church - I need the room for my massive ego.