“Them” And “Us” by Bishop Peter Fox.
Someone calling himself ‘Concerned Anglican’ of Popondetta wrote in ‘The National’ recently of “The Anglican Church in PNG” being “like the blind leading the blind”. ‘Concerned Anglican’ blamed the problems of the Anglican Church in his (or her?) diocese on “negligence and indifference among those in church authority and leadership”. The anonymous writer thought that someone else, someone called “Them” was to blame for everything and “challenged those in authority”. I have a challenge for him (or her). It is easy to say “They should do something”, but much more useful to say, “What can we do to make things better?”
We have many problems to overcome, not only in the Church but in the Nation. Those in authority should not be surprised that people expect them to lead by example, whether they be bishops or politicians. Unfortunately, though, we cannot use the inadequacy of our leaders as an excuse for our own failings. So often when we speak of Church or Nation we forget that the Church or Nation is not “Them” it is “Us” (Yumi iet). We the people are the Church and the Nation. If the Church or the Nation is sick then it is we ourselves who need healing. Every one of us has a part to play.
Bishops are certainly part of the Church leadership, but every person who calls himself a Christian is a leader. No-one, not even a bishop, can lead a whole diocese alone but all of us are leaders in our own congregations, our own parishes, our own communities. Tell me, ‘Concerned Anglican’, what are you doing about the problems you describe? What are you doing in your parish? Are you trying to make things better? If you think you see so much better than the rest of us do not just stand on the sidelines criticizing ‘Them’. Help us. You value good leadership so much, have you the courage to follow it?
Believe me, ‘Concerned Anglican’ those in positions of authority and leadership are just as concerned as you are, and just blaming someone else for the problems will not solve them. A true leader does not hide the problem, nor does he hide his name.
