Don Dowling's Blog

Don's Blog

Being in conflict it is hard going. Being involved in a conversation where there is tension and disagreement is not what we would always choose to do. However, as anybody knows when you are in relationship with people there is always the possibility that a difference of opinion will arise.

In the end I always want to go back to the way that Jesus handled conflict and listen to some of the stories from our biblical tradition that help us understand how to live with tension. Jesus occasionally became angry and frustrated in some of his relationships but in the end it seems that peace and love became his predominant message. As I read the stories of his relationships with people I constantly see him treating people with respect, including them in his ministry and offering them a way forward beyond the pain of their tension.

To my mind it is paramount that abuse or disrespect are not part of the process. Consequently it is paramount that we treat each other as equals, listen carefully, and hear not only the pain of the other person who is in tension with us but find a way to move beyond the pain to a place of hope and peace.

It is interesting that conflict can happen at various levels sometimes between two individuals or within a family or at a community level or between nations. It almost doesn’t seem to matter at which level we may observe or experience it because the principles to work through the tension seem to be the same. Listening, compromising, seeing the relationship as significant, working towards a place of harmony and tolerance are our end point.
On our faith journey may we always continue to keep in relationship with each other, because we believe in God of love who keeps in relationship with us, who respects and loves us with the deepest possible love.

Sunday 2nd August.

Thanks to Toby Keva, our theological student, for being the preacher last week. The message was a challenging one and gave us much to reflect on, especially our position and voice as mostly, ‘middle class’ people. Toby appreciated the many people who offered feedback as this is all part of his learning experience and partly why he wanted to be with the Wesley Congregation.

The Joint Congregational meeting after the service where we discussed the proposal from St Andrews congregation was a long and at times difficult conversation. As I indicated above it remind me that sometimes in the life of the church we have to work hard at listening to each other and working out what our relationship to each other really means. I look forward to further conversations. In the end I felt hopeful and would want to continue to pursue the possibility of the St Andrews congregation remaining within the UCIC.
Thanks for reading.
Don


Sunday 9th August – 10.00am A Celebration in 3 parts Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life”. With Rev Bev Fabb, Rev Don Dowling and Toby Keva.

As you enter the church we hope you are able to have your senses awakened by the smell of some freshly baked bread. This will allow us to enter into the theme and reflect on what it means for us to be connected to the Bread of Life.