Dear Friends
As I write this letter, the Road to Renewal house groups have ended but the outcome of our deliberations - whether there is any consensus of opinion - will not be known until April. One thing is apparent, though, those taking part seem to have enjoyed the experience; mainly, I suspect, due to the fellowship, although the opportunity to voice our views is usually appreciated. But talking about what we should be doing is the easy part; the real challenge starts in April when we shall have to take action.
During March we have had two series of television programmes based upon Charles Darwin?s work about evolution. One dramatised his observations and conclusions which resulted in his book The Origin of Species and the other showed the wider effect of his ideas and those of other scientists on our present concept of world ecology.
Darwin?s theories brought him into conflict with the Church because many of its beliefs had not evolved over the years; indeed much effort had been expended in attempting to force dissenters to conform. I believe that we have to evolve as we live our lives. Just as our physical bodies change and we adapt accordingly to our needs, so our mental and emotional needs require us to seek a better understanding of scripture to find how we can live out our faith in modern life. In other words we have to evolve in our spiritual life to meet the challenges that we are called to face in our physical life. It is the same for our church; we must evolve to fulfil the needs of our members in the current conditions. To try to maintain a status quo is to risk decline.
Much is being written about world ecology and a lot of opinions are being aired as to what action should be taken. Whilst I don?t subscribe to the ?spend our way out of global warming? idea I believe we should amend our lifestyle to reduce the adverse effect of extravagant and wasteful demand for the world?s resources. We might also reduce our living costs at the same time!
So in April, when we live, through our liturgy, the story of what Jesus did for us, let?s consider what we can do for him, for his church in Menston and in the wider world and for the ecology of a world upon which we all depend whether atheist or believer. I don?t know what the outcome of R2R will be but I?m sure there will be something to arouse the enthusiasm of each of us and in which we can get involved. All we shall need to do is get on with it!
See you in church.
Ted Day