I have a feeling I am not alone in wondering what the New Year will bring.
This morning I joined Birmingham's Christ Apostolic Church (Bethel) for their annual New Year's Day service. As always the mood was upbeat as we thought about the challenges ahead for 2009.
The CAC(B) in Birmingham is committed to praying for Revival and did so this morning with enthusiastic commitment.
I have some real concerns for 2009.
There is no doubt that unemployment will rise during the first few months of the year. I get fed up with middle class clergy saying that the economic downturn should be an opportunity for some sort of spiritual advance as people put aside material things. I can understand that for people in "safe jobs" (though the safest jobs these days seem to be in the church). However I've seen many friends and their families destroyed by unemployment. I just hope that in 2009 Church leaders think carefully before they preach.
This morning I was rejoicing to the family that the US was about to have a Black President. Someone pointed out that before the inauguration something fatal could happen to the President elect. We really need to pray for that man.
My email links with Israel tell me that there is a concerted effort underway to persuade Israeli civil society to call for peace. Let us hope this is successful.
Meanwhile the personal challenge will be to remain in business. I pray and I work. I keep saying to myself that possibly I don't need to earn as much and then I think of my biggest item of annual expenditure.....
....our church has had it's troubles in recent years. I can't go into details but it feels that we carry an enormous burden. Sometimes in Methodism people get dewy eyed about our inner city witness: they forget that this witness has to be self supporting and that the inner city is often the dumping ground for society's and the church's problems.
So 2009 will be a difficult year, one in which we need to cling closely to the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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2 comments:
May God's blessing underpin all your hopes and fears for 2009.
All clergy are, by definition, middle class - evenif they come from working class backgrounds. You are now middle class by dint of your salried occupation , lifestyle values etc. What's wrong with being middle-class? Aren't they allowed to comment?
We live in a very greedy society. We need a shift of values. Materialism affects the poor just as much as the rich. Money can be unwisely spent no matter how poor you are.
As for Obama..
The Anointed One came through the Chicago/Illinois political system. It is acknowledged as the most corrupt in the the USA. Corrupt systems don'e elect anyone out of the kindness of their hearts.
The campaign to force Obama to produce his birth certificate and prove that he is a natural-born US citizen continues. Why won't he silence them by producing said document? Instead, the relevant authorities in Hawaii, Kenya and Indonesia have sealed their records.
How many concessions must Israel make for peace before the Arabs will leacve them alone? War is terrible, but so is the torture of your citizens and children by constant rocket bombardment.
As for a certain church, is it money well spent? But you know what I think on that specific issue. The truth is that all denominations are going to have to look very closely at what money is spent on. Ministry (Lay and clerical) and evangelism should take priority over buildings and certain other projects the chuches seem to favour.
Every blessing for 2009. We'll need it!
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