HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2007-10-11, Page 11By Pastor Brent KipferBrussels Mennonite FellowshipIs religion a divisive force in theworld?
Many would say, “Of course it is!”
– and there is plenty of evidence to
back them up! Think of fights over
land in the Middle East, attacks on
holy sites in India or fierce
disagreements within many
Christian denominations.
In a particularly embarrassing
conflict five years ago, 11 monks
needed to be treated in hospital after
a fight broke out for control of the
roof of the Church of the Holy
Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the alleged
site of Jesus's crucifixion, burial and
resurrection.
There is a reason for the traditional
caution not to discuss politics or
religion in polite company: both can
involve great passion and
disagreement! Even the discussion
about funding faith-based schools in
Ontario quickly polarized our
province.
There are a number of common
ways to deal with religious tensions.
One is to declare Holy War.
Definitely not good.
Another is to pretend that
basically all religion is the same and,
in the interests of tolerance,
proclaim it all equally valid (or
invalid, if you are an atheist!). This
may be well-intentioned, but it is
dishonest. It is simply not true.
A third option is to privatize your
religion – hold your own beliefs
about God with conviction – but
never presume to talk about it for
fear of igniting conflict.
Options two and three are very
popular in Canada.
Is there a problem with religion?
Certainly. As a human enterprise,
religion is an attempt to connect with
God. Over time, we build up rituals
and traditions to do that. We build
buildings and hire people to help us
with it all. While we are at it,
religion easily takes the place of
God.
It becomes a substitute for the real
thing. It does not matter what our
denomination, whether our worship
style is formal or free. Our religioncarries the potential to push God outof the way. Who gave Jesus the hardest time
when he was on earth? Religious
leaders. At his trial, in the stately
home of Caiaphas, the high priest,
the spiritual leaders of the people
lashed out at him. Jesus was in their
way and they didn’t like it. They
wanted a manageable god – not the
wild goodness of Jesus.
Idols are so much easier. They fit
into your plans and keep you
comfortable. When Caiaphas comes
face to face with the living God, he
can’t stand it. He would rather just
run the temple. It is simpler. Forget
the call of God and pursue a
religious career instead!
When we try to take the place of
God, it’s threatening when Jesus
shows up. He refuses to play by our
rules. So then, we have a choice.
We either step off the throne to make
way for Jesus – or we plot to get rid
of him.
In the presence of Jesus, our
violence, lack of love, petty
ambitions, greed and lust gets
revealed for what it is. Like the
religious leaders of Jerusalem, wethen need to decide what to do withhim. Our religion can not save us;only Jesus can. We simply need to
say yes – not to religion but to a
relationship. Jesus invites us to
follow.
Arthur F. Burns said it well.
Influential in American politics,
Burns was one time chair of the U.S.
Federal Reserve and ambassador to
West Germany.
In the 1970s, he began attending
an informal White House study and
prayer group. Arthur Burns was
Jewish, surrounded by Christians.
No one knew quite how to involve
him in the group. Week after week,
when different people took turns to
end the meeting in prayer, Burns was
passed by – out of mixture of respect
and uncertainty.
One week, though, the group was
led by a newcomer who did not
know about this unspoken pattern.
As the meeting ended, the newcomer
turned to Burns and asked him to
close the time with prayer. Some of
the old-timers glanced at each other,
wondering what would happen.
Without missing a beat, Arthur
Burns reached out, held hands withthe others in the circle, and prayedthis prayer. He said: “Lord, I praythat you would brings Jews to know
Jesus Christ. I pray that you would
bring Muslims to know Jesus Christ.
Finally, Lord, I pray that you wouldbring Christians to know JesusChrist. Amen.”Indeed.
Our key decision is not about
religion. It is about Jesus.
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2007. PAGE 11.
Would you
like to swallow 20 pills every day,
just to digest your food?
If you had cystic fibrosis,
you’d have no choice.
Please help us.
1-800-378-CCFF • www.cysticfibrosis.ca
From the Minister’s Study‘Is religion a divisive force in the world?’
The God Rocks!®cartoon characters and
universe is based on Luke 19:40,
“If the people fall silent,
the stones will cry out.”
Fun rock characters, including
main character Chip Livingstone, live in the
imaginary town of Rocky Ridge,
where they live to sing and praise God
- just in case the people fall silent!
Beginning on Monday, October 15
Living Water Christian Fellowship will be offering children
aged 4-6 (JK-Grade 1) an opportunity to become energized with
the Good News. This program will be held at Blyth Public School from
5:00 - 5:45 pm. Overview:“Because God Created Me, I Am Special”
• I Will Worship God • I Will Trust God • I Will Be Kind
• I Will Forgive People • I Will Encourage People.
For more information about the God Rocks!Program in Blyth,
contact Angela at 519-523-4800 or email redcastle1@ezlink.ca
For general information visit the website www.godrocks.ca or watch
an episode on Saturday mornings at 8:00 am on the CTS network.
Using high quality animation, original music, books and other
creative resources,God Rocks! was designed to teach kids
important lessons from the Bible in a fun way.
Brussels Mennonite
Fellowship
Sunday, October 14
Pastor Brent Kipfer
519-887-6388
Everyone welcome!
9:30 a.m. Worship Service
Led by Adam Shepski,
Youth for Christ worker in Brussels & Wingham
10:45 a.m. Coffee Break
11:00 a.m. Sunday School for all ages
Sunday 9:30 a.m. - Family Sunday School
10:30 a.m. - Morning Worship Service
7:30 p.m. - Evening Worship Service
Wednesday 6:30 p.m. - Olympians (JK to Grade 6)
7:00 p.m. - Youth and Adult Bible Study
HURON CHAPEL
EVANGELICAL MISSIONARY CHURCH
Auburn - 519-526-1131
PASTOR DAVE WOOD
BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE
UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
Sandra Cable, Worship Leader
Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wightman.ca
Sunday, October 14
Ethel United Church
Worship Service - 9:30 a.m.
Brussels United Church
Worship Service - 11:00 a.m.
Celebrating our Christian Faith together in worship
308 Blyth Rd. E. ~ Pastor Les Cook 519-523-4590
B l y t h C o m m u n i ty Church of God
C H U R C H O F G O D ,ANDERS
O
N
,
I
N
D
I
A
N
A
“The Church
is not a building,
it is people
touching people
Sunday School 9:45 a.m.
- Christian Education
for all ages
11:00 a.m. - Worship Service
Mid-week Bible Studies
See you
Sunday!
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
Welcomes you to come
and worship with us
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14
Trinity, Blyth
9:30 a.m.
519-523-9595
St. John's, Brussels
11:15 a.m.
519-887-6862
Please join us for worship
SUNDAYS
Morning Service 10:00am
Evening Service 7:30pm
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
Pastor John Kuperus
Hwy. 4, Blyth
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14
Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available
Rev. Cathrine Campbell - 519-887-9831
11:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship
- Sunday School
9:30 am - Sunday Belgrave Service
Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street
Blyth United Church
Office: 519-523-4224
Worship Service
11 a.m.
Sunday, October 14
All Welcome
getlivingwater.org
Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848
Oct. 14: Micah 6:8
Living Water
Christian Fellowship
at Blyth Public School,
corner of King & Mill
10:30 a.m. ~ Worship & Sunday School
Christ-centred, Bible-believing,
Fellowship-friendly, Growth-geared
1st & 3rd Mondays - Prayer Warriors
Tuesdays - Wingham Small Group
Youth: Mondays - Senior
- Fridays - Junior
Oct. 13 - Women’s Fall Renewal
at Huron Chapel, Auburn
“What Does the Lord
Require of You?”
Relief & Development
Sunday