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Date: 24 November 2006 17:25:54
I notice that if I manage one more post in the next week, I will have posted more this month than in any previous one. I was rather concerned that this would cause me to go completely blank and be devoid of anything to say, but it appears not.
The discussion unfolding on The Cartoon Blog regarding the affiliation or not of Christian Unions and Student Unions has been reminding me of various things.
First of all, I remember that it was in a Christian Union meeting at the age of 15 (I grew up on the campus of a university) that I first realised that this Christianity thing actually mattered, a lot. It completely changed my outlook on church and taught me something about reading the bible as God's living word and that if you pray, you might get an answer. They also taught me that there are some very bigotted people out there who consider being right to be more important than being compassionate.
When I went to university, I remained on the fringes of the CU, preferring to get involved with chaplaincy things. I did join one of the CU small groups and learned a lot. When I ended up on various chaplaincy committees, we spent a long time working with the CU exec to find ways that we could demonstrate unity as Christians together on the campus. We grew together and set up various social events so we could mingle and get to know each other as individuals rather than as people who did or did not sign up to a particular statement of belief. I was also surprised at the non-democratic methods of appointing a new committee.
After university, I spent a year working in a chaplaincy at another university - one of the most rewarding times of my life, and the time which sowed many seeds that later led to a vocation (actually I typed vacation - not quite the same) to the ordained ministry. Again, I was involved in very rewarding CU-chaplaincy links.
I remain very grateful to the CU for showing me so much that has been so valuable to me, but I am saddened about the mud-flinging that has become evident in the media recently. It is not news - these conflicts have been hanging around for years. I hope that some aspect of God's love can shine through this, else people will continue to think of Christians (and particularly student Christians) as a lot of argumentative, navel-gazing reactionaries. There is so much richness happening on our campuses, so many ways of expressing our love for God and each other, of learning more about discipleship and growing together. It is such a shame that this is not reaching the news.
My message to CUs (if any of them are watching, which I doubt) - God can work through a democracy too - trust your members. Even if the 'wrong' people are elected, great things will be achieved.
While we are thinking about student Christianity, lets keep in mind and in prayerRambling Folkie who has a big SCM gathering this weekend.