Voice of the Laity - Anglican Diocese of The Murray

The Voice of the Laity - Diocese of The Murray

Brian's Bits

Inspiration and Encouragement from Brian

High Hopes

These words from that very popular song came to mind after Saturday August 4th’s meeting at Murray Bridge. Ordinary people have the power to move mountains.

The meeting showed that most of us as individuals and parishes had had experiences of a similar nature. This was distressing, but at the same time reassuring – we are not alone. Some who attended with no knowledge of the happenings within the Diocese of the Murray went home wiser and extremely moved.

As was stated we have many powers even in an undemocratic organization. Synod elections, withdrawals of finance etc.

All good leaders of any organization must have the power to inspire the the workers. This has been proved many times in history; this inspiration does not have to be of the friendly, we’re all mates, let’s be chums style, but must communicate trust.

Some of the great leaders within the military hierarchy are good examples of this. General Montgomery who took over a demoralized army and inspired them to victory by meeting privates at the front. His opponent General Rommel inspired the confidence of his troops. He was aloof and aristocratic but his foot soldiers loved him. General Ord Wingate was given the onerous task of converting the Depot misfits into one of the greatest, unacknowledged armies of the Second World War, the 14th. This army alone accounted for 75% of all Japanese causalities and destroyed 3 Japanese armies sent against it in a very hostile and unfamiliar environment. General Wingate was what today we would call a fundamentalist Christian. His faith was not shared by most of his troops, but they knew they could trust him, and so he inspired them.

Like many others, Church organisations are of a pyramidical structure. If the top is to stay in place, the base must be firm. Many leaders of organisations are only concerned with themselves and not with what is supporting them so eventuality they will crumble and crash.

Inspiration and leadership is what we are lacking in the ‘Murray’ now. Those who make up the ‘base’ of the structure are treated with contempt and arrogance.

The power of individuals has been recently demonstrated with the demolishing of the ‘Berlin Wall’. Not by Armies, not by Governments, not by Industry, BUT BY THE PEOPLE.

So let us HAVE HIGH HOPES and win.

Behaviour

What an inspiring and at the same time sorrowful meeting we had on the 4th August. The tales of woe from so many persons made us all realize that we were not the only ones affected and gave us the resolve to continue.

This last weekend (12th August) we received at my church, Mypolonga, a notice concerning a safe Church. This brought to mind some of the tales of inappropriate behaviour of some Christians.

In my ancient Chambers Dictionary, 1901, which I love as it has many words no longer seemed politically appropriate. Bully has quite an expansive explanation, some quite amusing. To quote some:- a blustering, noisy, overbearing fellow; a ruffian hired to beat or intimidate any one, a fellow who lives upon gains of a prostitute; a term of familiarity to either sex; to bluster; to threaten noisily; and so on, not all definitions are bad. Bully for you – Bravo.

Some of the events related at the meeting were stories of personal experience of abusive and threatening language used by some to endeavour to change their victims’ opinions and beliefs, use of foul language when on the defensive, abuse of position in trying to force their opinions upon others, or to justify improper behaviour. These actions have been witnessed by most of us. They have been perpetrated both clergy - persons called by God to lead and nurture - and by lay persons as well. Bullying is not appropriate at any time and of course in our society, ILLEGAL.

Let us then ensure we have the strength to endure and oppose these attacks with love, forgiveness and a desire to nurture and heal.

Openness

All organizations need openness and truthfulness. It has been brought to our attention that over a large period of time many items of correspondence from the Registry were not forwarded to the Parish of the Murraylands or sometimes to other parishes. There have also been letters to clergy or parish councils with instructions that they were not to be tabled for public scrutiny. This will not be our practice. All our minutes and newsletters are available for all, copies are sent to the Bishop of the Murray, Archbishop Driver the Primate and any one else who wishes to receive them, thus ensuring openness and truthfulness. In other organizations which have undergone changes the publication of mail and other documents ensures full and honest disclosure. Honesty is a practice this Diocese needs to investigate.

I must congratulate those who have felt able to inform us of their disquiet and its causes. Please continue this process. Unless people do this – talk to each other openly about abuse, lies and tantrums, we will not be able to support one another - ALL OF US WILL BELIEVE THAT WE ARE THE ONLY ONES WITH TROUBLES.

"It's amazing how much panic one honest man can spread among a multitude of hypocrites." Thomas Sowell

From the Scriptures

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Whoever conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Proverbs 28:13

This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: "Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not cared for them, I will bring punishment upon you for the evil you have done," declares the LORD. Jeremiah 23:2

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