Down-under round-up: 29 April 2015

Issue of the week

Australia and New Zealand observed the centenary of the Gallipoli landing in Turkey on 25 April 1915, a date commemorated every year as ANZAC Day (ANZAC = Australian and New Zealand Army Corps). Of the various Christian reflections around the anniversary, Murray Campbell’s The Stupidity and Brilliance of War was perhaps most helpful. It has plenty of resonance beyond 25 April! For something different, watch this six-minute ANZAC Day speech—entirely secular—delivered by Vietnam veteran and retired headmaster, Neville Clark, and a large cut above the standard war memorial speeches. It’s worth reflecting on how he does it; without histrionics, but with quiet and spell-binding verbal power, he integrates the history of Gallipoli (and subsequent military campaigns) with the ANZAC spirit. He captures what resonates with Australians (even as we fall short of that ethos). But for me, the most telling bit was when he explained it was not ‘ANZAC spirit’ that kept the soldiers going in that terrible first assault. Ponder this, on training and leadership:

“It’s not the larrikin in the ANZAC soul that sends them up those cliffs. It’s the discipline instilled in training, together with the initiative of individuals, leaders of every rank and no rank."

Making disciples of Jesus

Erik Raymond at The Gospel Coalition pops up twice this week:

• Tips for Evangelistic Intentionality: basic but so helpful.
• How to Prevent Brotherly Love: and therefore, of course, how to pursue it!

What would you write to your church’s high school graduates? My dear internet friend and fellow pastor, Chris Brauns, supplied what I’d been thinking about for ages: Dear 2015 Graduate: Never Forget… Now I have the impetus to write to my own. I think I’ll be plagiarizing wildly!

Good simple thoughts on How to build a faithful witness in the workplace, encouraging Christian workers in what consumes a large portion of their week. (And I still think leaving a Bible on your desk—or in your locker—is one of the best things you can do in the workplace. Just see what comes of it.)

Thom Rainer—with his basic evangelical drives and mix of quantitative and anecdotal research—often has some good discussion starters for pastoral staff or eldership teams. Here he suggests Seven Reasons Some Church Members Don’t Want Their Churches to Grow. What you do about them is up to you, but understanding the dynamics is often a good first step.

Image of the week

Returning to my opening theme, this photo of Lieutenant WS (Syd) Duchesne meant more to me than any other picture this week. He is one of 55 listed on the World War I memorial in St Michael’s, where I serve, to those who “gave their lives”. Duchesne was the first, and died exactly 100 years ago this ANZAC Day, on the first day of the Gallipoli assault. You will be deeply moved by his last letter home prior to his death. In it, his faith is visible. His deeds illustrate Jesus’ famous ‘greater love’ words in John 15:13 (which so often appears on war memorials). But as he speaks of a mother’s sacrifice, he illuminates how much it costs to not spare but “give up your own son” (see Rom 8:32).



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