Santorini, Greece, 2010
(Photo krb)
What can we do to make the church better? You would think that it would have been recognized long ago that there is a crisis both of confidence and in numbers participating. Maybe that is just the way things are, that every institution has a life cycle and that this is the end-stage in the life of the church. I would have hoped that it would have been different for the church. It has always been such a central entity in the life of Australian society. Of course, over its 2000-year history there have been many crises through which the church has struggled and it has survived and perhaps emerged stronger and more committed to serving the community. But this feels different. It feels like there is no longer the broad community support and engagement in the church that there once was.
From my point of view, part of the problem is the growing dominance of the most conservative extreme expression of religious thinking which seems only to want to condemn the world rather than engage with it. It seems strange that the media are so strongly attracted to this extreme viewpoint when it seeks the opinion of 'the church'. It certainly can always be relied upon to provide a divisive point of view which the media seems to thrive upon. I do not share this point of view and nor do I believe do many others.
I would really appreciate any comments anyone would like to make about this. Perhaps a broader perspective would be helpful to me and others who want the church to change in a way that will be more engaging with the world in a positive way - that means without judgement and without an agenda. Perhaps if the church would listen it would be a start.
Every blessing as you continue on your journey. May God bless you and be your companion on the way. Please get in touch any time to say g'day.
Peace, justice and blessings to all.
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