::Activism-I promise never to pick on accountants again!

Labels: Activism, Social Justice, Vocation

  Posted by Stephen @ 9:29 AM   0 comments

::Politics-It's been a while... I thought now might be a good time to get back on the horse after the second child. I thought I was busy when I only had one?

In my room with the lappy whilst Lisa meets with some of the girls from missio Dei downstairs. Trying to put the final touches on the first Yits class for the year and was looking for a good reason to procrastinate. Will try and keep this short.

(PS - Ken, I met Peter Dobson and his wife today at Tabor's first chapel service for the year!)

Was listening to the radio a few days ago. The BBC were covering Bush's visit to Africa. Call me an optimist but he sounded like a very different president. It seemed as though he was moved by the difference determined and focused aid can bring.

I recall another radio article I heard a few years ago talking about lame duck presidents who go to Africa in their last year and get a conscience all of a sudden. They were talking about it in the same way that one talks about the benevolent rock star cliche.

Bush said he wouldn't do what Clinton did (ie: visit Africa in his final year and suddenly get a conscience). However, it seems the hospitality of poor communities and the difference one can make when you declare a war on real terror, namely the brutality and violence of hunger and poverty, just got to him. His speeches, mannerisms and behavior certainly challenged my tendency to pigeon hole.

I wonder if the US constitution should be changed so that they new president should visit all of the places in which their aid is being spent first hand, before they are allowed to start moving the armies around the map in that big room with all the real time satellite images.

Labels: Politics, Rants, Social Justice, Theology

  Posted by Stephen @ 9:28 PM   1 comments

::Theology-Some kind of conclusion... Rowan Lewis, the Coordinator of Year in the Son (which is one of the teaching gigs I have), is always encouraging me not just to challenge students with the state of the world, but to also give them a vision of what could be. He loves my work, but is a great foil for my mind and heart, as he challenges me to inspire people with a vision of an alternative.

A few months ago, I posted my version of the Sheep and the Goats that I used in this particular class. It was my attempt at engaging Gen Y with the call to radical discipleship. After some careful thought, I rewrote the second half for the class in response to Rowan's encouragements. This is the first time I have presented it in a public forum. I would appreciate your thoughts.

Jesus turned to the ones on his left and he will say:
"Depart from me you who are accursed. For I was hungry, but you didn't give me anything to eat. So we grew our own food, but we had to sell it into the international trading system, using the money to pay off our debts to your country. We had little left to eat.

"For I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink. So we found a water table and drilled a well. But Coca Cola Amatil came to our city and outbid us for access to our own water. They use it to make your Coca Cola. They outbid us with the profits they made from selling you their product.

"I was imprisoned in my own country, so I fled in desperation with nothing except the money that I was able to get in exchange for everything I ever owned. I managed to get to your country, even though the people smugglers told me I was going to England! When I got to your country, you put me into another prison. But you call yours a detention centre?

"I was naked, and you did not clothe me. So we had to find work in order to buy our own clothes. I found work, in a factory. I worked every day from 7am till 9pm with very few breaks, 7 days a week. It was hard work. I rarely got to see my family, life was very hard. This kind of life made me very sad. The factory I worked in made clothes that were sold to you.

"I was sick. I agonized as many of my family, friends and especially the children in my community died from things like diarrhoea and simple infections. I was afraid I too would die in this horrible way. Day after day, month after month, year after year. This happened whilst every now and then, you would give thanks to your God for your health.

"I was homeless and I read in one of your Christian books that if I applied myself and worked hard enough, I could have whatever I could conjure up enough faith for. I have been praying and believing for a home for my family. I cannot wait for God to answer that prayer.

"I was lonely, hoping for someone to visit. Often I saw your aeroplanes flying overhead. I suspect that you were probably on your way to London, or Paris to see things that were very important and special.

"You seemed so blessed with so many things. You must be very holy for God to bless you with so many good things. I am still very hungry and lonely and cold.

Then he will turn to the ones on his right, and he will say:
"Come you who are blessed by my father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world.

"For I was hungry, and you decided to prioritise environmental sustainability and the just nature of trade regarding the food you eat. When you made your food producers and manufacturers accountable to the way they treat me and the planet on which I try to grow my own food, you slowly but surely made a difference in my life and the life of my family.

"When I was thirsty, you heard my cry and sacrificially gathered some of God's wealth and resources and gave them to me so that I could build a well in my community. Your simple sacrifice and concern for me and my family made a huge difference in the life and health of our community.

"I was naked and you were outraged. You demanded that the corporations from whom you purchased your own clothing treated me with justice. I was able to form a trade union and campaign for good working conditions. I was able to work and to rest and recreate because of your concern and action. You now have to pay a little bit more for your own clothing, but that does not concern you for now people are more important to you than money.

"I was sick with preventable diseases, and this filled you with remorse. You decided that you would give some of your monthly income regularly to programs that helped to improve the quality of my life, and that of my family and friends. In your monthly budget, you made sure that you remembered me always, for the remainder of your life.

"I was homeless, and you knew that this was wrong. You opened your home to me, sharing a room, meals, tears, time, frustrations, patience and love with me. It was uncomfortable for you; however you gave much and learned much about yourself, about God, and about our common humanity.

"I was lonely. But so were you, trapped in a world where you needed to be constantly entertained and stimulated. As you broke free from your materialistic prison, we found each other. We talked, and listened to one another, we spent time getting to know each other, and ourselves. In your act of reaching out, you became more human than you realised possible.

And the ones on his right said to the King:
"Lord, when did we see you hungry, thirsty, naked, sick or lonely and in prison?

And the King answered:
"Whatsoever you did to the least of these, you did it to me."

Labels: Culture, Gen Y, Lifestyle, Missiology, Rants, Social Justice, Spirituality, Theology

  Posted by Stephen @ 10:55 AM   10 comments

::Resources-Internet Fund Raising This is a great idea by a mate of mine in Tasmania (and a few of his friends) to get as many individual $1 donations as possible. I think the calculation is something like: if they can get 10% of the worlds internet users to give $1AU, they can raise over $7.9 million dollars.

And of course, I like the fact that Tear is one of the handful of beneficiaries too!

Spread the word, AND MAKE SURE YOU GIVE YOUR $1 DONATION!

PS - THe url is www.onehitwonder.org...

Labels: Discipleship, Environment, Events, Lifestyle, Social Justice, Spirituality, Tasmania

  Posted by Stephen @ 10:23 AM   1 comments

::Resource-Fair Trade info in Australia I often get asked about where people can get information regarding Fair Trade and how to be involved in a meaningful way. Yvonne James (Tear Tasmania) has compiled this list. Thanks Yvonne!

Fair Trade in Australia

Contacts of organisations:
Fair Trade Association of Australia & New Zealand (FTAANZ) http://www.fairtrade.com.au/

FTAANZ is the coordinating group for individuals and organisations in the fair trade movement in Australia. They also coordinate Fair Trade Fortnight each year. Website includes plenty of info, links and programs such as “Fairtrade communities” of which there are now 277 in Aust & NZ. FTAANZ can also supply posters & brochures to help you promote Fairtrade products.

aust@fairtrade.com.au (03) 9662 2919. The Australian FTAANZ office is in Melbourne.

The website also includes a searchable database of where to buy Fairtrade products: http://www.fairtrade.com.au/locator

World Fair Trade Day 2008
Saturday 10th May

Fairtrade Labelling Orgnisations International (FLO) http://www.fairtrade.net/
“FLO is an umbrella organization that unites 20 Labelling Initiatives in 21 countries and Producer Networks representing Fairtrade Certified Producer Organizations in Central and South America, Africa and Asia.” FLO develops & reviews the Fairtrade standards that producers & traders must meet to gain Fairtrade certification of products. FLO also supports Fairtrade producer groups. FLO international is based in Germany.

People for Fair Trade http://www.fairtrade.asn.au/
People for Fair Trade (PFFT) are a voluntary network of people in Australia who are committed to fair trade with producers of goods, through the support of education and alternative trade.

PFFT are suppliers of Fairtrade tea & coffee and give priority to products where value adding (processing & packaging) is done by local companies in the country of origin.

State Contacts
Western Australia: Robert Roberts email: robert@fairgotrading.com.au or phone 08 9228 2610

Contacts for Fair Trade Fortnight 2008
Qld - Shannon Sheedy enquiries@thedharmadoor.com.au
NSW - Joanna Jouinn joannajouin@bigair.com.au
Vic - Victoria Schladetsch victoria_sch@msn.com
SA - Karen Wahlstrom shop50@oxfamshop.org.au
WA - Bob Roberts robert@fairgotrading.com.au

Labels: Discipleship, Environment, Lifestyle, Social Justice, Spirituality

  Posted by Stephen @ 10:16 AM   0 comments

::Rants-Mark Reissen makes me cry... I was in Adelaide recently for Slum Survivor. That is worth another post entirely. The thing I wanted to post today was the reason Mark Reissen made me cry. I have been following the story about the Vox Congo boys and Mark bought me up to date and is responsible for making me cry in a public place. (He shed a tear when I started crying to!)

I asked him to send me the story so that I could share it with you guys here...

Here's the story i posted on my blog back in June. hope it's useful. It's a news item, if you'd like me to rewrite as a commentary I can...

For 4 or 5 years now the band Vox Congo have captured and warmed the hearts of thousands of Australians not only with their amazing energetic music and strong Gospel message, but also with their tragic story of fleeing their country (DRC) to seek asylum here in Australia. It is a story that tugs at the heart strings and their past 5 and a half years here in Australia have been a real rollercoaster ride of appeal and rejection. Not only had their plea for asylum in Australia been rejected but their home country didn't want them back. They refused to reissue passports after they had expired so when the guys were ordered to leave our country they could go nowhere. They were labeled as non-persons with no country. This means no health care, no government assistance, no rights.

Etienne, Adolphe, Martinse and Papy expressed deep faith and determination to continue hoping in a hopless and helpless situation. They appealed to the compassionate hearts of people who make desisions within our immigration system and waited patiently in prayer. My wife Verity and I, journeyed with them through the uncertianty and the heart ache, as week after week we would ask, 'have you heard anything yet?', only to meet long faces and a sadened response. Yet through it all they continued to play their music with energy, to sing their song of joy in a strange land and Adolphe would always say to me, 'yet God is good and we have faith'. It has been an awe inspiring journey.

We shared in celebration with Papy and Martinse at the end of last year and early this year when immirgation informed them they were allowed to apply for residency. We then went through the gruling task of preparing the application which wasn't guarunteed to succeed and wondering where on earth they were going to find the $3000 each to lodge the application.

It is with great excitement and tears in my eyes that I share this amazing news with you.

Papy Mbikulu Wena (keyboard player and drummer for Vox Congo) received a letter from immigration yesterday, Wednesday June 27th, to say he is now a PERMANENT RESIDENT IN AUSTRALIA!!!! This great news has been 5 years and 8 months in the making. Through much heart ache and struggle we have journeyed to this point of celebration.

Praise God for the amazing journey, the prayers, the persistence, the courage and the hope we have that yes we can actually make a difference when we stand with those who cannot and ought not stand alone.

I had the privilege of sharing in tears of joy with Papy on the phone last night. He would like me to spread the news far and wide that he is now free to make a home with his family here in Australia. His wife Rebekkah is relieved to say the least and daughter Jael will continue to grow in the comfort of knowing that her dad will not have to leave her behind.

On behalf of the family I extend special thanks and gratitude beyond what words could ever express to Urban Neighbours Of Hope and the Knoxfield Church of Christ for their endless support and tireless efforts in standing with the ‘Congo Boys’ as they appealed to our government again and again for compassion. Your advocacy support, compassion and prayers made all the difference. One particularly special thankyou goes to Robyn for her amazing financial gift to help Papy apply for residency. Robyn, you are truly amazing and will not be forgotten.

I am still overwhelmed with the news and can’t wait to bring similar news once Martinse finds out the answer to his residency application. We are yet to find out if Etienne and Adolphe are allowed to apply for the same rights, they continue to seek asylum in Australia. Please continue your prayers for them. They now have even greater hope and expectation for this great news to flow through all of their stories.

Please share this story through you networks and newsletters as I have lost many contacts through my move to Adelaide. I promised people I would let them know when these guys reached the final goal they had been praying and hoping for, for so long. When citizenship comes up I’ll make sure you all hear about it so you can go to the ceremony. I know I’ll be there.

Post your comments at www.myspace.com/voxcongo so papy can receive your encouragement.

Shalom
Mark

Labels: Politics, Rants, Social Justice, Theology

  Posted by Stephen @ 11:31 AM   0 comments

::Rants-Bible Rewrite The Sheep and the Goats doesn't get a whole lot of airplay. Maybe a bit more now but very little when I first came to faith. A significant contributor to my formation was a rewrite of the Sheep and the Goats that looked something like this:

I was hungry and you formed a humanities club and discussed my hunger, thankyou.

I was imprisoned and you crept off quietly to your chapel in the cellar and prayed for my release.

I was naked and in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance.

I was sick and you knelt and thanked God for your health.

I was homeless and you preached to me of a spiritual shelter of the love of God.

I was lonely and you left me alone to pray for me.

You seemed so holy, so close to God, but I am still very hungry and lonely and cold.

It impacted me to such a degree that I thought that I had to do something to give it the same gravity to the young adults that I spend time with, that the original had upon me. Here is my humble version...

For I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink. So we found a water table and drilled a well. But Coca Cola Amatil came to our city and outbid us for access to our own water. They use it to make your Coca Cola. They outbid us with the profits they made from selling you their product.

I was imprisoned in my own country, so I fled in desperation with nothing except the money that I was able to get in exchange for everything I ever owned. I managed to get to your country, even though the people smugglers told me I was going to England! When I got to your country, you put me into another prison. Except you call yours a detention centre?

I was naked, and you did not clothe me. So we had to find work in order to buy our own clothes. I found work, in a factory. I worked every day from 7am till 9pm with very few breaks, 7 days a week. It was hard work. I rarely got to see my family, life was very hard. This kind of life made me very sad. The factory I worked in made clothes that were sold to you.

I was sick. I agonized as many of my family, friends and especially the children in my community die from things like diarrhoea and simple infections. I was afraid I would die in this horrible way too. Day after day, month after month, year after year. This happened whilst every now and then, you would give thanks to your God for your health.

I was homeless and I read in one of your Christian books that if I applied myself and worked hard enough, I could have whatever I could conjure up enough faith for. I have been praying and believing for a home for my family. I cannot wait for God to answer that prayer.

I was lonely, hoping for someone to visit. Often I saw your aeroplanes flying overhead. I suspect that you were probably on your way to London, or Paris to see things that were very important and special.

You seemed so blessed with so many things. You must be very holy for God to bless you with so many good things. I am still very hungry and lonely and cold.

I would be interested in your thoughts...

Labels: Culture, Discipleship, Lifestyle, Rants, Social Justice, Spirituality, Theology

  Posted by Stephen @ 4:35 PM   16 comments

::Event-Ciaron O'Reilly My mate John asked me to let you guys know about this guy...

“Ciaron O’Reilly is a devout Brisbane-born Christian pacifist. In a life dedicated to protest, he’s been jailed for disarming warplanes, dismantling uranium mining machinery and performing exorcisms of warships. To some he’s an inspiration, to others a criminal.”

(Andrew Denton: Enough Rope June 2006)

Please join us on the 25th of August for a special evening with activist Ciaron O'Reilly. We will be serving a vegetarian dinner, providing some entertainment, and then Ciaron will give a talk about Christian anarchy, and activism, sharing some of his stories of 20 plus years of fighting for peace and justice. This will be a challenging night, hopefully giving us an imagination for a world transformed, and a sense of how to get there.

The cost of the evening is $0.00 but we will take an offering to pay for Ciaron's flight and to help fund his future court battles :) If you have any more questions feel free to ask, or if you might like to have Ciaron speak at your group while he's here please email me at johnj at forge.org.au

Labels: Events, Forge, Lifestyle, Melbourne, Social Justice, Spirituality

  Posted by Stephen @ 1:24 PM   1 comments

::Rants-Social Justice is the new Emergent Social Justice is the new black. Apparently.

Seems as though (in the Australian context anyway) that "cool" for Christians is involvement in social justice. Emergent has worn off a while ago it would seem.

The problem I find with interest in social justice is (as I have blogged before) it's consumed just as quickly as any fad. "Social Justice" becomes another t shirt, wrist band or some other consumer product that gives someone a feeling of involvement.

In the same way that social commentators refer to Gen Y's experience of community as "pseudo community", so too the social action engaged in is "pseudo social justice".

The issue, once again becomes the ability to hold the information or an idea in our head whilst living out contradictory actions, and at some level considering this to be belief.

One of the biggest issues I find is the long term nature of living a life in response to the injustice that grips so many levels of our world. It requires continuous action, every hour of every day. Our purchases, our interactions with people, our interactions in the systems which we inhabit, it is never ending.

In this context, I find Paul's encouragement to "not become weary in doing good" (Gal 6:9). There is recognition that the task of remaking the world is a long term one, requiring several million small acts each week, that may at certain points, really annoy you because you sometimes will feel like giving up and buying into the prevailing culture.

Labels: Culture, Discipleship, Mission, Rants, Social Justice, Spirituality

  Posted by Stephen @ 10:34 AM   7 comments