SHALOM: Already - But Not Yet

To live in the period in between the time of Jesus of Nazareth and the fulfillment of God's mission is not easy. Like Jesus we look at the city and feel its pain in our very depths. We long for the fullness of shalom - of peace and well-being under God. We work and pray for a city that experiences all the dimensions of shalom that are bound up in the use of the term in the Hebrew Bible: peace, justice, care of the poor, safety, prosperity, harmony and a bustling life.

We see God at work already. We experience a taste of God's gracious presence, both within our churches and, in God's mysterious ways, also at work in wider Melbourne wherever there is justice, wherever there is love and wherever people search for God. If the church in Melbourne loves the city enough to pray and work as one, then we may indeed experience God's shalom and here the yearning of Jesus for his people to enjoy freedom and direction under God will be finally satisfied.

CHANGE TO LAWS THREATEN CHRISTIAN FREEDOM

The current review by the Victorian Parliament’s Scrutiny of Acts & Regulations Committee (SARC) into the Exceptions in the Equal opportunity Act 1995 has the potential to be even more of a threat to religious freedom than the infamous Racial & Religious Tolerance Act (RRTA). Faith-based charities, schools and organisations could have their activities severely constrained by the inquiry’s suggestions that religious bodies lose the right to employ staff who share their values.

A. THE VITAL PLACE OF CHRISTIAN WELFARE IN VICTORIA

1. The Church and its agencies provide extensive and unique welfare and support across Melbourne on which many communities and great numbers of individuals and families depend. 2. This support could not realistically be provided by the government or any other source or movement.

3. This support is based on the personal commitment and sacrifice of Christian people. This support could not be sustained without a continuing commitment to the values and inspiration of the Christian faith.

B. THE POPULAR DEMAND FOR CHRISTIAN VALUES IN SCHOOLS

1. There is a popular and increasing demand for Church-run and Christian Schools

2. Parents send their children to these schools is generally because they want Christian values or the style of education provided by such schools.

3. To undermine the values in these schools by not allowing them the freedom to employ teachers and others who hold those values and lifestyles would be an infringement of the religious freedom of great numbers in Victoria.

C. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF POPULAR DEMAND FOR SUCH A CHANGE

D. CONCLUSION:

The proposed changes give unfettered rights to a small number of individuals at the cost of the rights of the majority of the population and the stability and wellbeing of the community.

A City-wide Vision

Naturally a vision for a great city will combine both local & city-wide aspects. Melbourne is in many ways a large organism. People cross it every day to work, study, play and relax. It has its regions, its local government areas and its neighbourhoods, but it also has an identity as the city of Greater Melbourne. From the CBD to its outer suburbs, there are radial lines of road and rail. Radio and TV stations serve the city.

An urgent task for the Melbourne church is that we work together on a Kingdom of God vision for Melbourne that arises from the compassionate yearning of Jesus for the lost. The word 'together' is crucial, because a fragmented vision and fragmented efforts will continue to lead only to results that are fragmented of God's vision for Melbourne. This is a city with potential to become a centre of God's activity - and with people of so many nations in our midst, it could be a city of global influence for God. A century ago it was called 'Marvellous Melbourne' because of its wealth, culture and architecture, based on the gold-rush. If the church in Melbourne loves it enough to work as one, and if God hears our prayer for Melbourne's transformation, then it may indeed become a city to marvel at, because here we will experience God's shalom and here the yearning of Jesus for His people to enoy freedom and riection under God will be finally satisfied.

May the body of Christ work in one accord, for the transformation of Marvellous Melbourne.

A Vision For Melbourne

Melbourne has been ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world. The city is known as the sporting and cultural centre of Australia. It is famous for its multicultural diversity, yummy cuisine and beautiful sceneries. However, the reality is that Melbourne is full of deep unmet human needs, including homelessness, loneliness, conflict, situations of abuse or despair, depression, addiction, poverty and oppression etc.

Even deeper than unmet social needs is the spiritual need of the city. The All Melbourne Matters Research gives us a picture of the whole Church (Body of Christ) across the Greater Melbourne: the great strengths, resources and regular attendances - as well as the challenges.

So what is our vision for a transformed Melbourne? What would Melbourne look like if the Gospel took root and blossomed in this city - both in the local (community) and city-wide aspects? I would like to invite you to actively imagine, dream and pray as you walk with God in this journey of seeing the vision for the transformation of Melbourne. Please write your comments here.