Message from the Minister
A new decade: what does it mean? The last decade was marked by austerity; the rise of populism; civil unrest in many parts of the world; an increase in rough-sleeping on our streets; ever decreasing membership of the Church of Scotland and much more that would depress the normal person. Does it need to continue like that? The Christian must have a realistic view of the world (warts and all) but the Christian need not be a pessimist. Life is proving more than difficult for many as we set off into a new decade- the outlook is not rosy but it is not without hope. A young Swedish girl called Greta supercharged something of Sir David Attenborough’s cry about saving the planet; democracy campaigners challenged autocratic regimes around the globe; people became more aware of the dangers of social media both for the health of young people and for society, people woke up to the fractured lives of many of our fellow citizens and our country finally got through the impasse that was called Brexit. In the case of the last one it depends on your opinion, whether or not, it was good or bad.
Where is the Church in all of this? The Church is where it should always be – in the middle of it. We should be engaged in the big issues of our day, both social and political. The Christian Faith shaped much of what our society is, as previous generations enacted legislation about all sorts of matters that impact our daily living, and it still should. Our health system, our educational system and our local democracy has, to some extent, been forged by what the church did in earlier generations. The well-being of the nation was, in a previous age, of primary importance to the kirk and it still should be today We may not have as much influence as we once did but there are more practicing Christians in this country than there are secularists and we contribute to the commonweal of our nation in a way the secularists couldn’t even begin to understand. Your voice is important – let it be heard. Let it be heard loudly as the politicians peddle their wares and ask them, “Do you share our values? Are the things that are important to us important to you?” Remind them the Church gave birth to this modern nation and as its midwife we still have a responsibility for its well-being.
Tom
A new decade: what does it mean? The last decade was marked by austerity; the rise of populism; civil unrest in many parts of the world; an increase in rough-sleeping on our streets; ever decreasing membership of the Church of Scotland and much more that would depress the normal person. Does it need to continue like that? The Christian must have a realistic view of the world (warts and all) but the Christian need not be a pessimist. Life is proving more than difficult for many as we set off into a new decade- the outlook is not rosy but it is not without hope. A young Swedish girl called Greta supercharged something of Sir David Attenborough’s cry about saving the planet; democracy campaigners challenged autocratic regimes around the globe; people became more aware of the dangers of social media both for the health of young people and for society, people woke up to the fractured lives of many of our fellow citizens and our country finally got through the impasse that was called Brexit. In the case of the last one it depends on your opinion, whether or not, it was good or bad.
Where is the Church in all of this? The Church is where it should always be – in the middle of it. We should be engaged in the big issues of our day, both social and political. The Christian Faith shaped much of what our society is, as previous generations enacted legislation about all sorts of matters that impact our daily living, and it still should. Our health system, our educational system and our local democracy has, to some extent, been forged by what the church did in earlier generations. The well-being of the nation was, in a previous age, of primary importance to the kirk and it still should be today We may not have as much influence as we once did but there are more practicing Christians in this country than there are secularists and we contribute to the commonweal of our nation in a way the secularists couldn’t even begin to understand. Your voice is important – let it be heard. Let it be heard loudly as the politicians peddle their wares and ask them, “Do you share our values? Are the things that are important to us important to you?” Remind them the Church gave birth to this modern nation and as its midwife we still have a responsibility for its well-being.
Tom