Categories: uncategorized
Date: 08 October 2004 11:43:23
Yesterday I heard the vicar of Soham speak at the Christians in Journalism meeting I sometimes go to. It was off the record, so I can't blog about it, except to say that it was very moving, and he was remarkably kind about us for someone who had spent so long dealing with the media at such a difficult time. I liked him tremendously.
It is common for certain types of preachers to use "the media" as shorthand for all that is bad in the world, and I don't think I realised how tiring this is until I met other Christians in the same position as me. Meeting together, albeit infrequently, is a relief, although I know it is not always helpful to retreat into a little huddle and moan about how persecuted we are. I once told a church leader how much it bothered me when he kept saying that "the media" do this and say that - and he said "oh, but I didn't mean you". I'm sure he didn't, but it is wearing all the same.
I think supporting other Christians in the workplace, no matter where it is, is totally vital - even in a church like ours where many members tend to be "christian worker" types or young mums who are at home all day. I know they are working too, but an office like mine takes a particular kind of dealing with - I realise how it influences the way I talk ( swearing absolutely de rigeur here, although I try not to), and much of my creeping cynicism comes from my involvement with daily news. But there are great things too. It's so buzzy here - I'd go mad somewhere that wasn't, and the people are intelligent, articulate, and curious. They will engage wholeheartedly with whatever you tell them, and are remarkably open to other people's ideas, faith and way of living. I've had some great conversations here.
But I don't know whether I could bring these people to church, because it isn't always terribly accepting. Last night, I went straight to housegroup from my meeting, and one of my housegroup leaders asked me where I'd been - I said "to my Christian Journalist meeting" and he said "that's an oxymoron isn't it?". I'm sure he didn't mean it - but I still snapped "The reason we have to have the meetings is because people like you say things like that". Not helpful. I need to learn to control my temper.