When I Gave Up Talking....

During the 40 hour famine last weekend, I went beneath the water, let the world above go on, and gave up talking. The experience was both enriching yet challenging! I spent a fair bit of time praying, as I believe that prayer could be like a canvas of silence, and on it we paint sparely, with no word or sound. Instead of 'talking' to God like I usually do during prayer, I simply spent time with Him, and realised that silence can really be a symphony bathing my ears with God's Presence. No wonder it's been said that silence is golden.

On the other hand, as I looked into the silence, at times I battled with a sea of mutes, which led me to begin thinking about those who don't have a voice in our society. There are so many injustice issues in our world, so many without a voice: the hungry kids in extreme poverty, the women that are trafficked victims, the refugees that have experienced war, the homeless people on the street.

The Father heart of God breaks over His voiceless children. What would our city look like if the voiceless children of God are cared for?

Reasons For Working Towards Unity

"Why bother with unity?' you may ask, "wouldn't it be a lot easier not to worry about all those other local churches and just take care of ourselves? Probably! But the Scripture gives us no other option.

Walking in biblical unity with the other members of the Body of Christ in our communities may not be easy. It fact, it takes a very deliberate, intentional decision. It takes an investment of time, energy, money and comfort. But the investment pays great dividends.

Here are some Scriptural reasons for that commitment:

1. Because it reflects the very nature of God - John 10:30

2. Because it is a specific answer to Jesus prayer - John 17:11, 20-21.

3. Because it embodies the essense of the gospel: reconciliation - 2 Cor 5:15-21

4. Because geography is the only point of division Scripture allows in His Church - 1 Cor 1:10

5. Because it is God's will - Eph 4:3, 1 Cor 1:10

6. Because we need it to survive - Eccl. 4:9-12

7. Because we need it to function as the Body of Christ - 1 Cor 12:12-26

8. Because Jesus deserves it - Eph 5:25-27, Rev 19:7 (Note both "church" and "bride" are singular).

9. Because God blesses those who do - Psalm 133.

10. Because it is essential for our maturity - 1 Cor 3:1-4, Col 2:1-3

Committing to walk together with other believes in our city is not an easy task, or a smooth process. But it is well worth it! Let us continue to press on in unity.

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.