Open letters
Of the writing of “open letters” there seems to be no end! So, a few people have taken it upon themselves to write a public letter, claiming to be writing in a spirit of “all one in Christ Jesus” before joining in the insinuations that the Convention have aligned with the world against a Biblical position. They then demand that the Convention repents for its part in the the matter.
Now, if they are serious about Christian unity, then I’m not sure how setting up in effect a public petition and taking a very definite side helps with that. It seems to me that it is Brephos who are making all the running in trying to keep a story going with much protesting about how badly they have been wronged.
For what it is worth, I don’t think the Convention have anything to be repenting of here. But that is and can only be my private opinion. I have no jurisdiction to sit in judgement on the matter. Nor do those who have written the letter and signed it.
Before penning and signing such letters, I’d encourage others to perhaps make a sober assessment of the situation and be clear about what is going on and why.
However, as I’ve said, there seems to be a lot of this, a growing habit since the COVID pandemic. I’m not sure how this kind of thing helps anyone or what purpose it serves. So, I’d go further and encourage people to calm down and stop with the letter writing and signing.
Keswick, the police, reputation and the Gospel
One of the key reasons why the convention has more police involvement is due to concerns growing of potential terror threats.
Two years ago I was involved in evangelism at the Commonwealth games. We spent a lot of time building good relations not just with visitors but with those involved on the ground including stewards and police. It was not a fearful need to keep our reputation but it be good witnesses by our conduct to those in positions of responsibility.
Anyway, I met some police officers drafted in from Cumbria and so I asked them about policing and the convention. It gave us a point of connection and their experience was positive. It gave a good basis for conversation.
This is why it matters for those of us who get involved in public facing ministry whether evangelism or public policy consider those relationships and reputation. We might be building positive links in the chain of witnesssing to others or we may be breaking that chain
Faithroots 