coffee break 15 DECEMBER 2020
Rethinking the church A minute with ... Jonno and Heather Crane Jonno and Heather have been serving as Global Interaction intercultural workers among the Yawo people in Africa since 2002. The Advocate caught up with them prior to their return to Australia for home assignment in December. What is home assignment? ‘Home assignment’ is a tricky term for us now … where is ‘home’? As our children say, Australia is definitely one of our homes. It is the term we use when we spend our time in Australia, visiting supporting churches, home groups and other meetings speaking about sharing the gospel with the Yawo people. It also means returning to a culture which has changed since we left and trying not to look or say things too stupid! What memories and experiences stand out to you from your recent season in Malawi? We have experienced several different seasons and locations working among the Yawo, and this past season has been different again. We have been in Blantyre and distanced from the team, who are spread over 400km. Jonno was focused on leading the team, holding the vision as God uses each team member in unique ways and relationships. Add the challenges of COVID-19, borders closing, already fragile systems and needing to let go of plans, which led to a growing reliance upon Jesus daily, and 2020 will be a year we will not forget. A new relationship with a senior Yawo chief reminded us that God has His purposes, using and placing people where they will fulfil His purposes. This man is a follower of Jesus, which makes him religiously different to the majority of people he leads. Other Yawo believers we know struggle to navigate ways of living out their faith in Jesus while still retaining their Yawo identity. This is obviously easier to do in a community, but new followers don’t always have a community around them to encourage them. There is a loneliness in walking this path as the first generation of Jesus followers, and it is incredible to see Yawo people draw on the resources and life that only Jesus can offer.
For many today, the church has passed its ‘use by’ date and should be relegated to the dustbins of history. The book Beyond Four Walls: Explorations in Being the Church claims something different. Principal of Stirling Theological College in Melbourne, Graham Hill said that this book will inspire you to see the church afresh – “Christ’s vessel for healing the world.” Despite its checkered history and its many present failures, the church remains an integral part of God’s redemptive purpose. God calls the church to be the faithful people of God, bearing joy-filled witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ in word, worship and work, in its corporate life and in the lives of each of its members. Beyond Four Walls, edited by Dr Michael O’Neil and Dr Peter Elliott began in 2011, when renowned New Testament scholar Scot McKnight visited Vose Seminary to participate in a conference on this theme. Almost 30 different papers were presented at the conference, and the best of these have been gathered into this book. Each chapter explores some aspect of what it means to ‘be’ the church and invites readers to reimagine what the church is and might be in the world today. As an example, in his first essay, McKnight argues that the church itself ‘is’ the gospel as it learns, indwells and embodies the gospel story and so learns to live under Jesus’ authority, living with Him and following Him. Could the church itself
ever be considered a good news, gospel story? This book says yes, it could! Other chapters explore the idea of the church as a “family” (Margaret Wesley) or as a community of “surprise, embrace and witness” (Brian Harris). The church is a community of the Word which aims at a “conversion of the imagination” so that the people of God are empowered and equipped to ‘inhabit the world differently’ (Michael O’Neil). Allan Chapple explores the question of leadership in the church while Karen Siggins reflects on the role of women in the church. John Olley reflects on what success in the church might look like as we fulfil our call to be a blessing to the nations. More essays consider the relation of church and culture (Peter Elliott, Stephen Garner and Andre van Oudtshoorn), church and the environment (David Cohen), and the question of religious pluralism with reference to Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit (Carolyn Tan). Beyond Four Walls contains a wealth of insight for pastors, church leaders and anyone interested in the life and mission of the church. Copies are available in print from Vose Seminary. A Kindle version is also available.
What springs to mind when you think of the Yawo team? We are a diverse group of people with strengths and weaknesses that cover an incredible spectrum. This comes together under the one vision to see Yawo people following Jesus in distinctively Yawo ways. We are a good representative picture of the body of Christ, needing the gifts that each member brings to make it a complete and healthy body. What are you most looking forward to back in Australia? We’re looking forward to hugs, laughs, long walks, talks and tears with family, especially our children – now that some of them live in Perth. We look forward to reconnecting with old friends who have more grey hair than last time we saw them (just like we do) and now have to wear glasses when reading a menu. For more information and how to support the Cranes, phone Global Interaction on 6313 6300.
Photo: Hannah Moore
Q: What do they call pastors in Germany? A: German Shepherds Dr Michael O’Neil was delighted when copies of the book he coedited arrived from the publisher in October.
letters to the editor send us your letters The Advocate welcomes your letters to the editor on topics of concern to you and the community. Send your letters of no more than 100 words to editor@theadvocate.tv by the 10th of each month.