By Reverend
Stephen-Claude Hyatt,
Contributor
TO SPEAK or not to speak? This seems to be the thought on the mind of prominent members of the clergy within the various denominations, with respect to what is happening in our society. Will it make any difference if the Church speaks? This was the question posed by a guest, a prominent Reverend gentleman, on a radio programme "Beyond the Headlines".
This for me was rather disheartening, as it meant that the nation was truly in a state of hopelessness, if the Church, the agent of hope in the society, was indeed in a state of hopelessness herself, with respect to the situation. I think it is prudent at this time for us to get historical, and look at the relationship between the Church and State through Biblical history.
In this history, we found that there was never a separation of Church and State, the two always went hand in hand for the common good of the particular nation. This was certainly the case with Israel, as the King would never go out to battle without the word from God through the Prophet or Priest, nor would a decision be made without consultation with God. Indeed, the battle plans always came from the Church to State (nation), and they were always victorious. Not listening to the Church always spelt defeat for the people.
Certainly, I am not saying that the battle plans for war today, or dealing with crime and violence, should come exclusively from the Church; however, I am saying that the Church should have a significant role with respect to dealing with the nation's problems. However, is the church speaking?
Some persons would say, and I must agree, that elements of the Church are speaking; however, unless certain figures speak then it is said that the Church is silent. Many local preachers and church leaders have been busy trying to address the situation in their part of the vineyard, and have met upon success. Still, there are others of us who take the time out to contribute via articles in the printed media or involvement over the electronic media. However, it may be that the press is not interested in these events generated by such "small fries", and are instead waiting for the "big men" within the Church to speak. Or could it be that many of these pastors still believe that the Church should not publicise what she is doing?
Many quote that "the left hand should not know what the right hand is doing"; however, to them I say, get real, that quote was in reference to almsgiving, not helping to lead the nation. Therefore, the Church has been speaking and continues to speak; however, maybe it is that her voice has lost its strength, and is no longer a shout but a whisper. What is it that may have weakened the voice of the Church?
In the wake of what is happening in Jamaica at this time, the Church needs to stop whispering and start shouting. The question is: how effective is the voice of the church at this time? I believe that the Church has lost the effectiveness of her voice over the last few years, due to the compromise of many of her leaders. I know I will be offending here, so let me be quick to state, "Who the cap fit, let them wear it"!
I know we were all born in sin and shaped in iniquity, and were rescued only through the salvific presence and grace of Jesus. Therefore, we all sin at times, though our aim is to strive for perfection and sin not. I can thus understand Ministers of Religion falling into sin, be it sexual, moral or otherwise, after all, we are human beings striving for perfection while struggling with our humanity.
However, our aim is to rise above our sinfulness and not become complacent in same, realising the difference between a sinner and someone who sins. The truth is that the Church is losing her voice because some of her Ministers have compromised their positions as ethical, spiritual and moral leaders of the nation.
In biblical days, the Kings and government officials had a lot of respect for the prophets and priests of the Church. They knew that these men were righteous and just, and lived by the dictates of God, hence they knew that the Church was indeed hearing from God. In those days, Men of God lived as Men of God being called out of sin and corruption to effect ministry. What do we have today?
We have some men and women in ministry, involved in the very things they are preaching against. We have pastors sleeping around with church members, fathering children while they are married, who do not belong to their wives. Let me state here that God is a forgiving God, and has forgiven those who may have fallen in the past, but have confessed and repented, and sought to rise above their temptations.
Struggling
However, we have some who have fallen into sin and are quite content in staying there, pretending that all is well with us. Still we have others involved in organisations that are counter to the doctrines and beliefs of the Church, sitting next to certain officials. The sad thing is that these officials are cognisant that these churchmen and women are acting counter to the beliefs of their church. Why should they ask for help from individuals who are just as struggling as themselves? Why should they believe we are hearing from God when we are also living compromised lives?
We have a number of self-serving politicians who are into politics for themselves, not for the people. How are they expected to learn from Ministers of Religion who are just into Ministry for themselves, not for the people? Instead of feeding the sheep, many pastors have taken it upon themselves to feed on the sheep, taking the best "cut" for themselves.
Do not get me wrong, we have several politicians on all sides of the political fence who are genuine, and concerned about the lifestyle of the masses. Likewise, we have several Ministers of Religion who are concerned about the people, and involved in serving the people. However, there are far too many who have compromised their ministry and have lost their voice. Certainly they can speak; however, at what price? What is it that they stand to lose by speaking out against the injustices in our land? Some have aligned themselves to the different political parties, with a view to making a difference; however, they have lost the vision of their mission and as such they have lost their voice. To speak out means to lose their standing or popularity, and certainly they cannot risk that, after all, status is everything.
What is it that is happening in the Church today through the various denominations? We have churches no longer concerned with the business of healing; rather, they have become sources of hurt for people. The condemnation, the hypocrisy, the fight for power and rule, the beating down of others in order to move forward, the political tribalism, all of which have switched the focus of the ministry.
How can the Church speak to the government about accountability when she herself cannot be accountable for her members? How many members have become discouraged for one reason or the other, and have left their local congregation, not even to receive a call or visit from his/her pastor or representative of same? Yes, many congregations and denominations make the effort to leave the ninety-and-nine in search of the one; however, too many do not. This is not good enough, and cannot be accepted; hence, it is not a good example for the government to model.
Should we speak a little about the politics, we will find that it is as much in the Church as it is in the society. A young man seems to becoming a bit too popular within his congregation. The young people tend to gravitate towards him instead of his pastor who is hardly around. This young man, incidentally, is a candidate for ministry with a flair for others. Instead of taking him under his wings and nurturing him, teaching him what he needs to know, and educating him in the ways of ministry, the pastor takes his concerns to the pulpit, and literally curses this young man.
In addition, he does everything to try and hinder the young man's progress in becoming a minister of religion himself. Is this not the same thing happening within the government, the older and more mature ministers of government not being willing to share their knowledge and experience with the younger ones? Instead, they try to keep them under subjection, holding the country at ransom in the process. How is the Church expected to help chart a way forward when she is doing the same thing?
In order for the Church to have a strong voice and make a difference in our society, she will firstly have to try and deal with her own struggles and difficulties. She will have to be willing to go back to the days when she was indeed light and salt of the earth. Back to the days when she was so respected that her voice brought with it not only power, but authority, hope and wisdom.
Yes, there are great things happening within the Jamaican Church. We have so many great and dedicated leaders who will walk to get to their members no matter how rough the road. We have others who have committed themselves to the cause of the suffering-mass and diseased people of our nation. Still there are others dedicated to the task of restoring Jamaica to a country where indeed the voice of God reigns supreme once more. However, there are too many ministers of religion who are self-serving and arrogant to even remember what the mission is much more to accomplish same.
My call therefore goes out to the various religious leaders, not just Ministers of Religion, but all church workers, to come together and ask: what is it that we can do as a Church to make the difference? We must be able to cross our denominational lines and make the change; instead, we are too busy competing against each other and trying to condemn the other, instead of focusing our attention on problem-solving techniques.
Our nation is not in a state of hopelessness, and it is up to us to prove that. Let us put aside our personal difference, our personal bias and conviction, which are not necessarily biblical, and realise that we are indeed in a crisis. Why go out of our way to try and obtain the most luxurious vehicles, when our people are suffering in unspeakable ways? This is not primarily about what we can accomplish for ourselves as ministers, as it is, what we can do for the people. Must I remind that as Ministers of Religion, we are called to serve the people, not necessarily to be served by the people.
To Dr. Al Miller I say, job well done, I really appreciate that which you are trying to accomplish in terms of helping to chart a way forward for the government and indeed the nation. However, I urge you to "rope in" some other members of the clergy and laity, because together we can do it better. After all, it is high time for the members of the various denominations to come together and brainstorm ideas and come up with solutions to assist in dealing with the crisis of this country.
Before we can expect the various political parties to even consider our suggestion of them being unified, we have to show that it is possible by us ourselves becoming unified. In addition, we must realise that faith without works is dead, and prayer is faith; therefore, prayer alone is not enough, though it is important. Yes, we must come together as a Church and pray for the nation, as this is biblical as seen in 2 Chronicles 7:14. God instructs us to pray for our nation in order to see change; however, God usually sends change for man through man, and we must take time to listen in order to hear from God so that we can help direct the country. This article is not to cause offence; however, if you are offended, chances are there is something you are guilty of, be it consciously or subconsciously. Let us as the people of God make the difference, I know we can.
Rev. Stephen-Claude Hyatt is also a guidance counsellor.
Email: theos@cybervale.com
