Fareham United Reformed Church

Dear Friends,

Being wise after the event

Thank goodness our church magazines are independent, and their editors beyond reproach! Not for them any underhand means of getting a story!! No, far from it. Our magazines are co-operative efforts. We get out what we put in. So do keep interesting thoughts – your own or those of others – flowing through. We can hear God’s voice in many forms of the written word – or picture, or art for that matter.

The sordid revelations surrounding the News of the World and its owner News Corporation have been a long time coming. The unwieldy – or should we say all-too-wieldable power of certain newspapers has skewed British politics for too long. There may, even by our publication date, be more far-reaching aspects of this story. But they must come out and a cleansing process begin: a process akin to that following the MP’s expenses scandal.

Many have been wise after the event. This letter, you may say, is an example of that. But people of faith are challenged to take an objective, and as far as we can, a Godly view of affairs, both private and public. That’s why the prophets got into some hot water. At root that is why Jesus was put to death.

Remember his words to his disciples? “ You must be as wily as serpents and as innocent as doves”. This is a caution against naiveté for members of churches in general, and ministers in particular!

Have a good August.
Yours ever, in Christ,
Paul