Mark Conner Contemporary Culture

Life is not about ME!

Selfie-stick

Every year a new word is added to the English dictionary.

In 2014, it was 'shirt-front', thanks to our Prime Minister, Mr Tony Abbott. In 2013, it was 'selfie'. Yes, taking a self portrait. Doesn't that capture the spirit of our age! We even have selfie sticks to get a better view of ourselves and the latest technological invention is selfie drones who can fly around and give us an even more 3 dimensional experience of ourselves.

Yet, the truth is that life is not about ME! It’s about GOD and OTHERS. I am happiest when those priorities are the focus of my story. Jesus calls us to adopt a giving stance rather than a getting mode of existence.

Matthew 16:24-26. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?"

Mark Conner Current Issues, Family, Relationships

Say ‘No’ to Domestic Violence

Stop-domestic-violence
 
As a pastor and church leader, I have a confession to make:
 
The church has not handled the matter of domestic violence well.
 
Let me be more specific:
 
1. We have not done a good job of helping to prevent domestic violence, of confronting it when it does occur nor of helping those involved – both the perpetrator and victim.
 
2. There has been too much ignorance about the prevalence of domestic violence. Many church leaders have failed to believe that it can happen, even in Christian homes.
 
3. There has been much erroneous teaching about ‘submission’, ‘authority’, and ’obedience’ in the home. This has led to a culture of silence and acceptance..
 
4. Preachers have not taught on this subject nor referred to it enough in their messages.
 
5. Pastors and church leaders have not been equipped to address this matter (I can’t remember learning much about it in Bible College nor in seminary) nor have they equipped their congregation members with proper responses should domestic violence occur.
 
6. Pastors have often emphasised forgiveness and repentance at the expense of a person’s welfare and safety. For instance, a mid-1980s survey of 5,700 pastors in the USA revealed that 26% of pastors would advise an abused wife to continue to submit to their husband and trust God to honour her action (by either the abuse naturally stopping or giving her strength to endure). More shockingly, 71% of pastors said they would never advise a battered wife to leave or separate from their husband because of abuse. Clearly, greater priority has been given to keeping families together rather than ending the violence. 
 
Central to the Christian message is that we believe in the good news of Jesus Christ. The Son of God took on human form, lived among us, so that we can have LIFE (John 10:10)! Domestic violence not only causes great damage to the victim(s), it also hurts the heart of God because it is the very opposite of his sacrificial love and the abundant life he desires for us.
 
The Bible contains clear, unmistakable declarations against any form of physical, emotional or verbal abuse. It repeatedly calls on people to show kindness, generosity, and love to one another, and specifically condemns the abuse of wives and children. Domestic violence cannot be justified through the Bible and/or the Gospel of life and peace. The apostle Paul said: “As much as is possible, live at peace with everyone.” Sometimes, peace is no longer possible and immediate separation may be the safest and wisest option.
 
Every church needs to adopt a NO tolerance stance towards any and all acts of domestic violence. We need to recognise the serious implications and consequences of domestic violence. This issue needs to be addressed and spoken about more frequently in order to raise awareness and help people break through the fear barrier. Training needs to be provided for all church staff and leaders, as well as the preparation of helpful resources for assistance. Every church needs to be a ‘safe place’ for people to find support and care.
 
Personally, I don't have all the answers. There is a lot to learn. Our church pastors and counselors are dialoguing about this matter so we can become a greater help to families facing domestic violence as well as be able to continue to help build healthy, strong families where domestic violence is prevented. 
 
Please, join the conversation. Listen attentively. There is a lot of shame and fear involved with all of this. Speak up and speak out. Domestic violence has to STOP.
 
See also: Responding to Domestic Violence (June 2015)
 
 
Other Articles and Resources 

If you are in an abusive situation:

  • Contact the free DV hotline on 1800 656 463 (TTY 1800 671 442).
  • Walk into your local police station.
  • If you have been assaulted, call 000 immediately.
Mark Conner Spirituality

A Light in the Darkness

Light-in-darkness
 
Are you afraid of the dark? When I was a kid, I sure was! We lived in Portland, Oregon in this old 4-story house. Often at night I’d hear footsteps coming up the stairs, getting faster and heavier with each thump … only to discover it was my heart beating. Around this time, a friend and I went to a movie that we thought was a drama only to discover it was a horror flick. We ended up sleeping on the floor of my parent's room for a few days. As a result, I had to sleep with a light on. Yep, I was afraid of the dark.
 
In ancient (pre-electrical era) times, darkness signaled the end of working day. Time to sleep. When there is no light, you can’t see; it’s difficult to move forward, to find your way; and it’s easy to stumble or bump into something. We fear unknown.
 
The first biblical references to darkness hint at the cosmos experiencing a conflict between light and darkness. We read that “the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep” (Gen.1:2). God’s first creative act is to produce light and separate it from darkness, with overtones of light’s conquering darkness (Gen.1:4–5). With approximately 200 references to darkness and 300 references to night, darkness is a major actor in the biblical drama. Darkness is a physical and spiritual reality as well as an apt symbol for some of the profoundest human experiences.
 
The good news of Jesus Christ message is about light coming into darkness: 
 
Luke 1:78-79. Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace. NLT
 
Luke 2:29-32. “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel.” NLT
 
Matthew 4:16. “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.” NLT
 
John 1:4-9. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. NLT
 
John 8:12. Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life. NLT
 
John 12:46. I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. NLT 
 
In the New Testament writings, “darkness” is more than a symbol but becomes a spiritual reality. Jesus spoke of “powers of darkness” (Lk.22:53). Paul spoke of battle with “powers of darkness” (Eph.6:12). A battle between the kingdom of light (God) and the kingdom of darkness (Satan), though not equal (dualism).
 
Being brought out of darkness into light is a major biblical image of redemption.
To escape the lost state requires nothing less than a divine rescue mission: the Father “has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins (Col.1:13 NLT).”
 
Those who believe in Christ as Savior are a “chosen people, royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light (1 Pet.2:9 NLT).” For people who are God’s children, “the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining (1 Jn.2:8 NLT).”
 
Step into the LIGHT. God IS Light and he calls us into relationship with Him.
  • Find forgiveness.
  • Find HOME in Him – no longer LOST.
  • Find warmth and love – no longer in COLD.
  • Find belonging – no longer ALONE.
  • Find meaning & purpose – no longer AIMLESS.
We can also experience emotional darkness where we lack clarity, sight or direction for our lives. During times like these, we can feel as if we are in a valley, dungeon or tunnel. Job knew what it was like to “sit in darkness” as he experienced adversity and intense suffering with no explanation as to ‘why’. Joseph had a dream with no map. Abraham left his home not knowing where he was going. Mary trusted God with very little to go on! Do you feel like you are taking a “walk in the dark”?
 
Barbara Taylor says, “To be human is to live by sunlight and moonlight, with anxiety and delight, admitting limits and transcending them, falling down and rising up. To want a life with only half of these things in it is to want half a life, shutting the other half away where it will not interfere with one’s bright fantasies of the way things ought to be.”
 
St John of the Cross once said, “God puts out our lights to keep us safe because we are never in more danger of stumbling than when we think we know where we are going. When we can no longer see the path we are on, when we can no longer read the maps we have brought with us or sense anything in the dark that might tell us where we are, then, and only then are we vulnerable to God’s protection. This remains true even when we cannot discern God’s presence. The only thing the dark night requires of us is to remain conscious. If we can stay with the moment in which God seems most absent, the night will do the rest.”
 
Is it possible that we can we learn things during times of night and dark that we cannot learn in the light?
 
Isaiah 45:3. And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness – secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name. NLT
 
God is described as one who creates darkness (Isaiah 45:7) yet God knows everything in darkness. Darkness is not dark to God; the night is as bright as the day (Ps.139:11-12). God has power over all forms of darkness.
 
God calls us to trust him even in the dark.
 
Micah 7:8. “Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light” NLT
 
Today I pray that you would find salvation, stepping out of spiritual darkness into the light of God's love. For those who know God, I pray that you would experience his comfort (he IS with you) and that he would give you clarity (insight to see into the current part of their journey) as you commit yourself afresh to trust him no matter what. May God truly be a light IN the darkness to you today. 
Mark Conner Biographies

Eva Burrows

Eva

From her tireless work on the streets of Melbourne to her rise as global leader of the Salvation Army, Eva Burrows has been remembered for a lifetime dedicated to the less fortunate. Retired General Burrows, known as "the People's General", died late on Friday night. She was 85 years old.

Dr Billy Graham, with whom General Burrows had a warm association, said of her: ‘General Eva Burrows is unquestionably one of the most respected and influential Christian leaders of our time. She is also an individual of great warmth, selfless compassion, unusual vision, and profound spiritual commitment. She embodies the spiritual commitment and dedication that led to the founding of The Salvation Army by William and Catherine Booth over 100 years ago.’ 

Thank God for people like Eva who give such an inspiring example of Jesus' commandment for his followers to love God and their neighbour as themselves. May we too be known by our love. 

[See also the recent Melbourne Age article and a full tribute from the Chief of the Staff, Commissioner William Roberts, which has been sent to Salvation Army leaders around the world]

Mark Conner Church, Contemporary Culture

Church Attendance in Australia (McCrindle Research)

Church-Attendance-ThumbAustralia has more churches (13,000) than schools (9,500), and more Australians attend a church service each week (1.8 million) than there are people in South Australia (1.6 million).

And while the latest Census results show that Christianity is the religion with which most Australians identify (61.1%), well above the second most popular religion in Australia, Buddhism (2.5%), less than one in seven of the Australians who ticked “Christianity” on their census form regularly attend a church.

Easter is a time of the year when church attendance increases, but what do the 92% of Australians who are not regular church attendees think of churches, and churchgoing in 2013? Check out Mark McCrindle's recent BLOG post for the latest infographic which shares the data, as well as additional information about perceived community needs. 

See also:

Mark Conner Personal Development

Decisions

Decisions

As you think about your life right now, what do you really need? Is it more information? Probably not. If we are honest, most of us know that we are educated beyond the level of our obedience. For example, we know we should pray, forgive, exercise, serve, give, etc … but it's in the application of knowledge where the real life change occurs. There is usually an incongruence between what we say we value and how we really live. 

When I was going out with Nicole I began thinking that I 'could' ask her to marry me and then I 'should' ask her to marry me but only when I got to the I 'will' ask her to marry me did our relationship move into a new season. All because of a decision – a commitment.

Decisions determine our destiny not our conditions.

Most problems are a decision waiting to happen.

Rarely is one decision the only possible choice at any given time but waiting for the perfect option often paralyses us into indecision. Life is about making decisions and then making those decisions work. We can't eliminate uncertainty or guarantee the future but can prayerfully make decisions based on the best information available to us at the time.

Think about where are you heading. What's your next step? What do you need to DO today that you already know about but simply need to turn a good intention into an action? As Nike says, "Just do it!"

Knowledge doesn't change the world. Action does.

Mark Conner Personal Development, Think About It

Vision

VisionAround 3,000 years ago, one of the wisest men to ever lived made this observation:

Proverbs 29:18. Where there is no revelation (vision or insight), people cast off restraint (they perish, run wild or live carelessly); but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction. NIV

A vision can be defined as "a picture of a preferred future that creates passion on the inside of us."

Without vision, life is a bit of a drudgery. The days drag along without much direction or purpose. In contrast, with a vision we live motivated lives. A vision causes us to set goals that propel us forward each day, whether it is finishing a degree, getting a job, winning the grand final, starting a business, engaging in a ministry, or losing weight.

What’s your vision for your life? What do you SEE this year?

The good news is that God has great plans for us, to give us a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” NIV

This connects with the inbuilt desire we have for purpose, meaning and contribution.

Take time to receive, clarify and focus on God's vision for your life.

Vision. Think about it.

Mark Conner Personal Development

Never Too Old to Learn

Learn

In our series of BLOG posts on the wisdom we glean from the Book of Proverbs, we noted frequently how the person of wisdom is continually open to learn and grow. In contrast, the arrogant person believes that they already know it all and therefore aren't open to new things or to feedback from others who might see things differently. 

Liz Wiseman, in her recent book Rookie Smarts, supports this through her research. When we know something we tend to see what we know. Once we've seen a pattern we 'assume' and we stop thinking because we already know. She notes that the more we know the less likely we are to learn. Experience can build blind spots.

Liz goes to to show how we often do our best work when we don't know something and we're making efforts to finding out what we need to know. When we are in 'rookie mode', we are curious and inquisitive, we ask lots of questions, we listen, and we seek feedback. Instead of doing a a lot of telling, we focus on collaboration with others. 

Think about a time when you felt like a rookie? Ask yourself these questions:

1. What could you see that others couldn't?

2. Who did you seek for guidance?

3. What did you do to prove yourself quickly? 

4. How did you get feedback and stay on track? 

5. How did you recover from mistakes? 

When something is new and hard, we take risks, we work hard, we collect information, we reach out to others, we are persistent, and we listen because we don't know everything.

Could you benefit from putting your "L" plates on or taking the stance of a Rookie?

Quotes worth Reflecting On:

"We don't see things as they are; we see things as we are."  Anais Nin (French author)

"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." Aldous Huxley (English philosopher)

"The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes." Sir Arthur Doyle (Scottish novelist)

"We find comfort among those who agree with us, and growth among those who don't." Frank A. Clark (minister and newspaper columnist)

Proverbs 18:15. Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge. NLT