A radical vision

THIS time last year as Councils and Committees readied themselves for the General Assembly there was little hint of the storm that was brewing in the ranks. The General Assembly, however, is an extraordinary phenomenon and while it is easy to criticise, it is never easy to predict. As a gathering the General Assembly has the ability to conjure up all manner of feelings and emotions. I have seen it act with great compassion and grace. I have witnessed it reaching compromises that, at one and the same time, have perplexed the firebrands of the left and the right.

And just occasionally I have seen it act with frustration and force. Last year’s Assembly fell into that latter category. It jettisoned the Council of Assembly’s strategic plan for 2018 – 2028 and it ordered up something more far reaching. Indeed, for better or for worse, it ordered up a Radical Action Plan which, over the period 2019 to 2022, would have the effect of bringing about “much needed reform within our Church”. I was once advised that one should never over-promise in case one under-delivered, and I do hope that on this occasion the General Assembly has not set that trap for itself.

Since last May I know that much hard work has gone into trying to identify the levers which, if pulled correctly, over the next three or four years, could make a big difference to the efficiency and the effectiveness of the work of Church of Scotland. Many of us are praying that the church, which we still love and cherish, will be pulled out of its tailspin, but (to mix metaphors) many remain anxious that we will do no more than rearrange the deckchairs on a sinking ship.

What then can save us from just another reorganisation which does nothing much for our passion and commitment to grow in faith, in service and in Christ? At this point I am prompted to consider the story of Jesus’ encounter with the rich young ruler (Luke 18: 18 – 24). This is a story about a man who is interested in the life of his soul.

He had kept all the commandments and lived an altogether good life, but something seemed to be missing. With rapier insight Jesus saw the problem; this young man was a prisoner of his economic success, so Jesus suggests that he should give his riches to the poor and risk his present wealth for the adventure of following Jesus in self-giving discipleship – do that, and his life would be transformed. Sadly as we read on, we discover that the young man walks away, overcome by sadness. He has not captured the vision that would clear the way for his transformation.

I was reminded the other day of Antoine de Saint-Exupery, who said: “If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.” So, it is a fact that there is no radical action plan under the sun that will make any difference if we are not also motivated by a radical vision.

As a gathering the General Assembly has the ability to conjure up all manner of feelings and emotions.

So whatever the Council of Assembly and the Special Commission bring to the General Assembly it will be more aimless work unless, above and beyond the words, there is a genuine renewal of our discipleship and a commitment to work together for the building up of the Church. It would be radical if, as Christ commanded, we learned to love one another rather than call each other names. It would be radical if we could set aside our differences and unite around the common purpose of building the kingdom of God. And it would be radical if congregations stopped competing like supermarkets for the same customers and collaborated in mission and service to the communities they are called to serve.