'Mind your mind and manage your language' Weekly Reflection 8th September 2024

Last month on the 24^th August, Sven-Göran Eriksson died. He was the first non-British manager of the England team, who led the Three Lions to the quarterfinals at three major tournaments during his five-year spell in charge between 2001 and 2006.  Amongst other famous names from Sweden you will probably know are Ulrika Johnson, ABBA and Ikea. 

But did you know that between 1952 and 1995, there was a Church Fee/Tax paid by everybody in Sweden.  In this system, up until 1995, the Swedish church tax was constructed as an opt-out system. Then it became an ‘opt-in’ tax. Interestingly however,  a 2019 poll shows that 68 percent of people in Sweden continue to opt-in to pay this tax.

 (Many Europeans Happy to Pay Tax to Churches They Don’t Attend - Christianity Today)

Around the year 2002 (or thereabouts, the memory of the exact date is a tad hazy) the Diocese of Truro Youth Department organised an exchange with the Strängnäs Lutheran Diocese in Sweden, one of Truro’s linked dioceses. A group of young people from Cornwall (including our eldest sone, Daniel) went to Sweden.  We then hosted a group of Swedish young people in Cornwall. (I was working as the Diocesan Evangelist with close ties to the Youth & Children’s Department)

One of the aspects that the people in Sweden were concerned about was the lack of funding. As the tax system was now optional would there be a lack of funds for youth work and other aspects of church life. What the church tax fee had done was to enable the Swedish church to employ people, youth workers and the like, plus all sorts of other amenities.   They were keen to know how you could organise the life of the church around volunteers, which in their thinking was the path down which they were heading.

Paid and voluntary workers in a charity is a minefield that can explode and become very messy and finding a way through takes a lot of care, love, patience and understanding. 

On Saturday last I sat with a fellow volunteer of a charity with which I am involved and a paid employee of the charity, who moved from being a volunteer to a paid position.

Without any malice intended he had sent an email, and in the ‘flat way’ text can sometimes be taken, was misconstrued by another volunteer. We met to try and find a way forward and a better understanding. (Which we did)

I am reminded of something Jesus said about bringing an offering before God…

‘“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell. So, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.… Matthew 5.21-24 (Sermon on the Mount)

There is a deep wisdom in this teaching.  But first note the counsel to ‘leave your gift and go and be reconciled.’

A lot of churches have a go at something like this during the ‘Peace’ – which is placed before we come to take Holy Communion. (Anglican speak here, hope others get my drift)

But here Jesus is speaking about being in Jerusalem – and you have brought your offering, perhaps a live animal, the best of your flock, and have travelled down to Jerusalem from Galilee! A round trip to sort things out could be anything up to a week.  This isn’t a simple handshake or even a hug – this is way may serious than that. (Not wanting to downplay anybody's sincerity, but you get the point – well I hope you get Jesus’ point!)  

The second very important thing to note is the progression.  Murder brings judgment, as does anger, calling someone ‘raca’ (empty-headed, worthless) brings a condemnation from the next level court, the Sanhedrin, (High Court we might say) but simply calling someone a fool brings a person into the fires of hell!!!

Why?

Because Jesus is inviting us to check the well- head of our thoughts and our desires.

The charity I mentioned earlier has sought for many years to help those who find themselves in desperate straits. However, over the last few years it has shifted its focus upstream and is working hard with other charities to try and stop people falling into the river in the first place.

Whether you are a paid worker, or a volunteer please heed this wisdom, this counsel. Seek early intervention if there is some ‘difficulty’ between people, volunteers or paid staff or volunteers and volunteers. Above all take care of the well-spring of your desires, because ‘the thought is father to the deed.’

Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity. Romans 12.2