Readers share their news and views.

Christianity in Modern Times

The Honest to God item, “Losing Faith”, in Touchstone July 2022, paints a bleak view, indeed, of present Christianity in this country, and in the west generally. One reads in vain for any glimpse of hope within its description of the current “saga of spiritual dereliction”. The tone of the article is in contrast with some of the more optimistic contributions to the same issue. The writer attributes this “loss of religious faith, which then silently corrodes faith in the core values and traditions that have shaped our culture,” to a failure to rethink Christianity in terms of our modern understanding of the world and our place in it. The problem lies with our persistence in maintaining the “supernatural worldview which is the setting for traditional Christian faith”. Is this true?

The writer provides examples of alternative ideologies that have grown as “western” Christianity has declined. He sympathises with the scientism viewpoint that only science can provide truth about the world and reality. However, this supposition and the belief that there is no supernatural Being, is a metaphysical act of faith not held by all who practise science. It lies outside of scientific methodology and does not follow from our present knowledge of the material world. In fact, our immensely enlarged concept of the universe resulting from scientific discoveries made in recent decades (e.g., its dramatic origin; the unexplained “fine tuning” of many factors without which we would not be here) might seem to beg for an external, supreme, intelligent Causal Agent. Whatever, it certainly does not invalidate the potential existence of an all-powerful, all-knowing, personal God.

Is lack of faith really only a recent development of modern times? A look back at the Gospels suggests that faith has never been intrinsic or ingrained. Do we all not have doubts at times? Think of the man with the ill son who cried, “Help my unbelief” (Mk 9:24). Or, Peter who sank into the water after starting out so well (Mt 14:28-33). And of course, doubting Thomas who would not believe (Jn 20:24-29). These passages strike a chord, even if their miraculous aspect may raise other points of contention. But Jesus’ position is clear and consistent: “Stop doubting and believe” (Jn 20:26); “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Mt 14:31); “If You can?! All things are possible to him who believes!” (Mk 9:23). Christianity may decline further here, as we move into an unknown future in the west. Do we not need belief and hope more than ever? What other real options are there? “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life”. (Jn 6:68). Has the paradigm for Christianity really shifted that much in modern times?

Ian Hood, Ōhaupō.

Disability Sunday

How did your church acknowledge Refugee Sunday this year? Did you have a guest speaker, watch a special PowerPoint, consider how it would feel to be a refugee, pray for ways to improve life for refugees and/or respond with a special offering? How did your church acknowledge Disability Sunday? They are but a week apart every June.

As a lay preacher I have always acknowledged Disability Sunday, sometimes with a guest speaker from the disability community, however I’ve never known an ordained preacher do so. Could the reason be it is much easier to pray for and donate to causes that don’t require practical action by us? In 2014 the ‘missions at home’ part of the NZMWF ‘Special Project’ enabled the Disability, Spirituality & Faith Network to produce and distribute Creating Welcoming Churches - a resource for faith communities to churches throughout Aotearoa. Most churches have tried to comply with its recommendations in regards to making their buildings more welcoming to the sight, hearing, and mobility impaired.

Covid has thrown up a whole new set of unwelcoming attitudes. Have you considered what it is like for the sight impaired to identify people when half their faces are covered by a mask, or for the hearing impaired who need to see lips and facial expressions to grasp meaning, or live-alones whose smiles are greeted by censored blanks? How will young children know church is supposed to be a welcoming place?

Rosalie Sugrue, Waikanae

Drama Christi – 75 years

In 1947, Rev WH Greenslade asked two stalwarts of Wellington theatre to organise a Christmas production for Wesley Church, Taranaki Street. Don and Tim (Allona) Priestley had recently rejoined the Church. The First Crib played in Wesley Church on 7 December, 1947. Congregational members involved in this continued to provide dramatic contributions to worship services. The name Drama Christi was adopted for the group which continued under the guidance of Don and Tim.

Don died in 1979. At the 40th Anniversary in 1987, Tim retired from directing productions but continued to be involved until her death in 1998. Arthur Olsson, a member of the original cast, remained actively involved until moving to the Kapiti Coast in 2015. He died in 2019. Since Tim’s retirement, the group has continued as a cooperative with various members directing plays.

Drama Christi is based at Wesley Church but has performed in many places. The group has helped to celebrate the opening and anniversaries of many churches, not just Methodist.

Plans are being finalised to celebrate 75 years on the weekend of 5/6 November. Many people who attended Wesley Church over the years became part of Drama Christi and would be very welcome to be there. For more information email info@dramachristi.org.nz.

Colin Scarf, Wellington

Humbly and Proudly Tauiwi

I am a Methodist lay preacher who is passionately ecumenical, and proudly and humbly Tauiwi. John Thornley has entered into a lay preacher debate about the future of Word and Worship.

John Thornley and I are singing from the same song sheet when we celebrate the contributions of Colin Gibson, and John and Jill Meredith. These three have, over three decades, lifted Word and Worship into the status of a world class publication for lay preachers. Colin and John and Jill, we are proud of you.

After that I must strike a discord.

Word and Worship should not have a policy of retaining English language for all of its contributions. As a collective, Methodist lay preachers lead Sunday worship in Fijian and English, Samoan and Tongan, Korean and more. Let NZLPA and Word and Worship celebrate this diversity. Let Aotearoa New Zealand join with nations like Canada and Australia in affirming that our identity is more than English.

Garth Cant, Christchurch