Easter with General Burrows

It was obvious that The People’s General had not lost her passion for people as she moved amongst those gathered, greeting and affirming each person in turn. She sang in language with the Zimbabweans, reminisced with the Sri Lankans and the Scots, told stories of Salvationist ‘heroes’ in China – and each person felt like she had been there just for them.

The number of people attending the Easter meetings at The Meeting House in Auckland grew as people left each successive event inspired and challenged by the words of General Eva Burrows (Rtd).

Together those who attended were led on the familiar Easter journey from the garden - where wills conflicted - to the empty tomb. But each person left with a challenge reverberating in their hearts – if Christ was not raised, then there is no gospel, there is no eternal life, there is no freedom – what we do and are is senseless – “but there was a resurrection!”
A highlight of the weekend was the dinner to raise funds for the Sri Lanka mission team. Over seventy people paid to hear the General speak of her experiences as the International leader of the Army. Those gathered sat spellbound as she recalled audiences with heads of state; embarrassing moments with African Kings and alcohol; engagement with the poorest and champions of the poor (Mother Teresa); moments of panic in airline mishaps; and times of thrill in worship and fellowship.

Regardless of who you were you could not help but be inspired by this unique woman of God – and by the way in which God spoke through her – as if to each person individually.

General Burrows is on her way

It's all about to start here at The Meeting House, in Auckland. Newspaper journalists have rung, television and radio stations have booked interviews, the sound system is checked through, the leaders have booked lunch dates - and as we speak the General should be somewhere over the ditch (other wise known as the Tasman Sea).

Easter is a special time, and it has resulted in more questions than usual from our people. It has been a privilege to speak to the people associated with our Church about Jesus, the cross and Easter. Mostly they want to know what relevance Easter has for them, now! I'm not going to preach here - but it has caused me to make sure that all that we do here this weekend, in all the running around, that we make sure that we don't get so busy that we don't hear the questions, and we don't lose sight of the fact that if we fail to present the relevance of Easter then we have failed.

So, it's some pressure to put on the General, but it is equally pressure on the rest of us - because if the people don't feel accepted and welcome then the words will be irrelevant - won't they?

Religion That's Lost The Plot

I have long been suspicious of religion and the religious! I think I am now getting to the stage that I might even have to confess that I hate religion. I think I'm in good company in this attitude because, as I read it, Jesus felt the same way!

I don't know how many times I have heard a preacher tell me that the difference between Christianity and every other faith community is that following Christ is about relationship ("vertical to God and horizontal to God's creation") and all other faiths are religions (rule based constructs).

So, if that's true, why do so many Christians so slavishly adhere to a hybrid construction of 'man-made' rules and regulations? Why do charismatic leaders who espouse 'new' rules and more advanced behaviours - or regulations for belonging and believing - attract more and more people. (Is there some danger of cultic following here?)

I am not suggesting that there is no place for rules of living, of course there are! Rules for living in a civil society, and Biblically based principles of living form the foundations of living as good representatives of Jesus.

But, I object to being told that unless I live and operate the way you do that I am less of a Christian. Especially when many of the things you tell me are essential for being 'an effective Christian' are your personal (and contextual) additions. Additions that are essentially selfish lifestyle choices - some of which are great for personal health, well being and discipline - but not necessarily beneficial for relationship building and kingdom expansion.

Jesus said that the way the world would know we are 'effective Christians' is by our love for one another as a result of our love for God. His priority was making sure people knew they were loved, important and accepted: he was single minded in his desire to build relationship and develop capacity.

He took care of himself: he was disciplined (walked a lot!) and he adhered to many of the rules for living and faith allegiance. But he had a special name for the people that added more and more 'rules' for best practice and as a condition of belonging - expectations that made others feel inferior if they weren't living the same way - Pharisees.

I am not advocating for 'anything goes' Christianity - there are clear and sensible guidelines for living the Jesus Way. What I'm advocating is that the priority for ministry, and default for humanity, must be on relationship development.

If, as a result of adhering to your extra suggestions, I do not have time, or energy for my family, or others then haven't I lost the plot?

Unrealised Potential

There is nothing more frustrating than watching a talented person choosing to disengage from the opportunities and in so doing live a life of unrealised potential.

I know a man who is naturally gifted: he can pick up any musical instrument, listen to a tune once, and within minutes be playing that tune back: he can pick up languages quickly: he can converse on any subject with confidence in minutes: he can be friendly, disarming and outgoing - but he chooses to exist rather than excel - he frustrates me and, at times, I believe himself.

As a person passionate and committed to identifying and releasing capacity (or potential) in the people I work with there is little more disapointing than working with people that refuse, (or choose not), to see that their engagement in the community could make an amazing difference. Not just for the community, but for their own self worth and sense of achievement.

It's when you hear of another person 'letting you down' (and perhaps letting themselves down) that you begin to wonder whether you have what it takes to make a difference. When I consider the past I know I do, but the immediate present can tend to overshadow the reality of a lifetime!

Perspective is an essential tool for capacity developers but often frustratingly illusive.