I am fascinated, having worked now in a number of different dioceses in the world about three things. The first is perhaps the greatest as it hits hardest at the basis of faith and how we portray the path that Christ walked. This is the constant display of hypocrisy displayed by those who purport to lead the church whether in this country or overseas, whether as Anglicans or any other denomination. Unfortunately it is most obvious currently in the Australian Anglican church but is by no means constrained to that denomination. We are well aware that there are differences in the way we interpret scripture and some place more emphasis on particular parts of scripture than others. For example, it would appear that the basis of our faith walk is solely dependent not on love of God and love of neighbour, as one would perhaps expect, but rather on sexuality. Indeed it has become so politically charged that those who are invested in this idol appear not to read scriptures such as Luke 6.37-42 or even 2 timothy 2.14. We all have our faults but love is the commandment that we as faith holders for Christ's presence on earth should at least attempt to uphold as fundamental. Instead we politicise it to such an extreme that we wish to not form loving communities but sunder communities, see for example this article from the Church Times.
This article perhaps leads us into the second of my thoughtful fascinations is the very essence of the commandment to love our neighbours as ourselves. This rightly should mean that whatever and whomever we are as practising followers of Christ we should be demonstrating and upholding this commandment in our lives. How can any leader of a Christian faith community not pursue this commandment in all that they do? Paul makes the suggestion that we are the "Body of Christ" and should act as one body. It is clear that we do not act as one body but rather as a fractured community that often has no love for its neighbours and pursues its own inward looking selfish ideals. The commandment is to love not to like, not to disagree with but to love. This means that no matter how we might think, interpret the scriptures, follow a different denomination or faith, or have a different sexuality, etc. our need is love. Bishop Tutu emphasised this in terms of the colour divide in South Africa in his writings. Not everyone in a family likes their relatives but at the end of the day the majority will reach out to help when members need or ask for it. Not everyone in the family will cosily sit down at a meal but will more often than not still participate if invited to do so. Yet, it is clear that this does not extend to the leadership of some churches who cannot even participate in a service of worship and communion together, perhaps thinking about Matthew 5.23 and separation, rather than the centrality of love and bonding in difference. Paul emphasises the need for each part of the Body to support the other and goes to great lengths to fundraise for Jerusalem. Today's culture has pervaded the denominations to such an extent that it is impossible for separate dioceses / areas to support others unless they obtain a reward. However, scripture states that our reward lies with God and not on Earth with its politics of uncertainty (Lk 12:16-21) so generosity of wealth without attachments is our goal as we love our neighbour.
Third and finally in this thoughtful line is our shift away from the public square. The words of truth are never wanted to be heard and our apparent deliberate stepping back from speaking out is part of today's politeness. Christ was not polite when he chastised the scribes and pharisees of his day so why should the leaders of denominations, dioceses, ministry areas not speak out in truth. It seems that we have bowed to the popular opinion of society that faith is private and not to be seen and yet those not of the Christian faith are able to speak out because it would be rude not to allow them. Perhaps, our shepherds should speak the truth boldly into the public square knowing that we will be vilified but also knowing that we are following Christ by picking up the crosses of today to bring the truth to light not through our interpretation but by living up to the commandments of loving God and our neighbours as ourselves. Very few Bishops in my life have made a deliberate stands on political agendas in the public square. It appears we detest ourselves so much that we are unable to speak up against injustice, evil and violence within our communities.
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