5th January 2010
He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt.
(Deuteronomy 10:18-19)
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
(Matthew 5:9)
To all church leaders
During the last meeting of the National Council of Churches in Australia (of which Churches of Christ are members), a concern was expressed by a representative of the Mar Thoma Church regarding the recent attacks against Indian nationals in Australia - particularly in the larger metropolitan regions. The NCCA wrote to its church members in December, urging us to bring this matter “to the attention of the appropriate leaders in your church who are in a position to support the students and communities who might be affected by mistreatment”. It is to this purpose, and in the wake of further violence, that I write to you now.
Can I urge you to do what you can in your local settings to show compassion to Indian nationals (and any other groups who may feel threatened)? As local church leaders, you will know what this will best look like for your church community:
* It may include something as simple as a shared meal.
* It may include lobbying local, State or Federal government representatives to enact measures that increase the safety of your local community.
* It may include arranging a service (on Sunday, or midweek) that focuses on the role of the church in society as peacemakers, and inviting representatives of the Indian community in your area to attend, or
* It may include meeting and listening to representatives of the Indian community, and offering ongoing opportunities to listen and counsel.
We all know that fear is a difficult emotion to quell. Those who feel it need our compassion. They need our reassurance. Fear can lead to irrational thoughts and actions that can inflame the sense of persecution, whether it exists or not. The above verses would be good ones for us to dwell on – they remind us of the church’s role of
compassion and it’s role as a
peacemaker. Compassion was a key aspect of Jesus’ character and one – if we are to truly be Churches of Christ –we would do well to model.
Let us not underestimate our ability to bring peace of mind to those who may be living in fear and anxiety.
I pray every blessing on your endeavours.
In Him
Craig Brown
Federal Coordinator of Churches of Christ in Australia
