The Bishop writes...

“Dear Friends,

Those who have been thinking, praying and preparing for HOPE25 will know that the season between Easter and Pentecost (which we are in now) is the time when many Anglican churches around Australia will be inviting people in the communities to hear about the hope which Jesus gives them. I know that parishes and congregations throughout the diocese are taking up the opportunity to do something specific, maybe even something new, which is designed to share the gift of hope which Jesus brings.

I find it remarkable that God would choose us, with all our interesting quirks and limitations, to be bearers of such great news. I think this trust which God places in us only underlines our dependence upon God’s enabling hand. A few editions of the Spirit ago I wrote in preparation for HOPE25 suggesting we should prepare by thinking about a few specific people we should pray for, especially that God would give opportunity for us to understand what worries them and where they need hope.

I also said that it would do us well if we chatted with each other and read about our faith so that we could encourage each other as ‘sharers’ of hope’. Do not stop doing this (and it is not too late to start) as any efforts we make to share hope in Jesus must be fuelled by God’s Spirit.

In the last issue of The Spirit I wrote about the way that people need to see the hope-filled message of Jesus being lived out. In other words, people need to say, ‘I see what you are saying!’ Hope-filled people give credence to the words of hope which are spoken. Our unspoken words (the way we pray, the pattern of our lives, and the way we treat each other) either show trustful dependence in God’s work through Jesus or they do not. While hypocrisy is corrosive, even what feels like faltering attempts to trust Jesus – and then find hope – are surprisingly attractive!
One of the good things about hope, if it is really hope and not just a nice wish, is that it is durable. Another way of putting it is that a worthwhile hope does not have a use by date, including Pentecost Sunday 2025! We are putting significant energy into HOPE25, but I yearn for it to be just the beginning of the way we look outwards to transform our communities. As we come to the official conclusion of HOPE25 I wonder what your heart is for whatever is next?

Maybe three c’s can help.

Confidence –Spend time as congregations on those things which help you have confidence in God. Know the promises God has made you and the way that these have been fulfilled in Jesus (this is the point of Bible study). Learn to recognise where God has sustained you in-and-through ordinary life (practise sharing these times with each other). Exercise your discipleship muscles (good worship will help this). Having confidence in the way God sees you will naturally give surprising reserves of grace-full calm.

Creativity – Look around to see the people in your orbit. Who are they? What are their names? What do they like doing? What do they find stressful or difficult? Together with your congregation ask who you are? What personalities or capacities has God placed in your midst? What experiences have you(se) had which you have learned to trust God through? Start to think abut ways that you can bring the capacities God has given you(se) close to the people you have thought about in your community.

Clarity – Practice articulating what you find attractive – or hopeful – about your faith in Jesus. The first time we do anything is difficult and rarely our best effort. Yet the more we practice the more natural the activity becomes, and wonderfully the more ‘part of us’ it is. There are many bible verse calendars or apps for the phone which will identify an encouraging verse for the day. One way to be able to practice telling your story of hope clearly is to get hold of one of these prompts and read it out loud…and then think of one way that you have seen God work in the way the verse suggests…and say that out loud too. It may feel a bit strange today, but I suspect that this time next year you will sound like a pro!

Your servant in Christ,

Bishop Matt”