Lama's log

Church meeting. We've just had one. It was the alcohol debate. Many things now come to mind as a result.

Firstly was my appreciation of a meeting well run. Mazza kicked things off and the atmosphere was one of reflection and worship. This really did put into perspective how we go about speaking to each other and what it looks like to be a Christian community. I think the way she started the meeting had a massive effect on how things were said.

That was the next thing then - people spoke from directly opposing views with tolerance and without personal insult. It's harder to do that than it should be. I came away from the meeting feeling I had input from other people that has has altered my view point. That would have been unlikely had there been a lot of shouting.

After that, our voting requirements suck. We need a 2/3rds majority to pass something, be it a leadership vote or a new proposal. It's inadequate. For my money we should be working very hard at seeking a 'mind' at trying to find the spirit and following God. 66% doesn't hack it for me. Also this discussion highlighted a real problem. In the end the vote was split, fairly evenly. This meant that the proposal didn't fly and 50% of folk were not happy. Because the proposal didn't go through though this issue will be dropped.

I reckon this was not so much a decision made but that a 'mind' wasn't reached. We highlighted that we still had more to do. If we implemented a change here we would have needed at least 80-90% of the meeting to go with it for it to fly with no ill will. Similarly though if we want to keep a dry church then we would need a 80-90% in this direction for that to show we are in agreement. It's hard to put figures down about it but surely we should be working very hard at seeking a way forward and finding some sense of clarity and God? Until then couldn't we allow ourselves time to journey? It can't be done on this issue now because people would perceive an agenda. But it has brought the need for us to look at this in all aspects for me both with leaders and decision making.

As for the issue itself. Well we did manage to touch upon the bigger issues. That of how we use alcohol not just in the church but also in how we socialise and live outside the building. We touched upon it but didn't run with it. That needs to take off. Suggestions for getting behind a campaign for plastic cups rather than glasses to reduce injury and an alcohol fast by certain groups have been suggested and now we need to put some energy into them.

If I'm honest I was also staggered by the majority of those who wanted church to be an alcohol free 'oasis' were also the ones running the fund raisers and social events involving alcohol, the 'wine pudding and plonk', the caleigh with a bar, the nights out where people staggered home from the club. I've staggered home too on various occasions. I'm not so proud of them but it happens and these events and times highlight a need for all of us to understand Kingdom as the place we find ourselves. That we are a people of God right where we stand and s/he celebrates and weeps with us wherever we are.

The high points for me in the meeting were listening to those who had managed to take a consistent approach throughout their lives with drink. Those who drank in moderation and those who were deciding or had made the decision to stop. I was both challenged and inspired and that was the meeting doing it's job and looking different from debate or politics. That was us operating in the spirit.