Reflections on John Drane

At the end of a busy week, I was in two minds whether to go along to St John's Church a week last Friday, but I am so glad I did.
I arrived early, was invited in to share in a sit down meal, beautifully prepared and presented. I thought what a civilised way to start an evening! The meal was followed by an inspirational talk by John Drane.
His opening sentence was "Britain is showing the world how religion in Great Britain can die."
The 2001 census showed that 65% of people in Scotland consider themselves Christian. However many people in Scotland are angry with the church, much more so than in England. Our politicians see any kind of faith as problematic and are uncertain how to deal with it. Voting SNP into power means that Scotland is ready to change. There are great challenges and opportunites for the church if Christians are up for change - a new age is dawning in Scotland. John Drane looked back, quoting an ancient Chinese proverb, " Those who don't know the village they have come from won't know what village they are looking for." He reflected on the change in lifestyle over the last 4/5 decades in Scotland
The Agricultural background was one where worship reflected the life of the community -everybody knew each other.
The Industrial age - mines, factories and shipyards where worship reflected what workers thought of their bosses.
The IT age -lifestyle became globalized in the 80s -the 24/7 age where thinking was more valued than physical strength.
The conceptual age - NOW - when everybody is looking for meaning and imagination. We have so much that self-storage places are being widely used because people don't have the room to store possesssions in their own homes. WE HAVE IT ALL so WHAT NEXT? This age is leading to huge personal insecurity. Being young carries a high risk of being anxious, depressed, suicidal and under medication.
There is a mammoth spiritual hunger in our age. The few books which are displayed in Starbucks have spiritual titles eg " In a spiritual style" and the Body Shop advertise products to soothe body, mind and spirit.
Something is going on in our culture and the church mustn't miss it.
IS THIS NOT A NEW OPPORTUNITY for Christians to connect with culture - a Kairos moment - a space that God has made for the nation for Christians to occupy. A space that might not be repeated for a long time.
People are looking for a better way to live - the whole world is lost and looking to what to do next. They are not against God.
John Drane concluded his talk with 2 stories. One of a time when he prayed for his hairdresser anointing her with shampoo since there was no oil in sight, whilst her colleagues and clients looked on in amazement. She now prays for and anoints her whole family with oil every Saturday evening. Who knows what God is doing in their lives? Another story about an elderly lady [a blue-rinse lady] who took the risk of setting up a prayer stall at a psychic fair where the queue was so long she had to start praying long before the time advertised. She is now well in her seventies with prayer networks at psychic fairs in many towns in England. She believes God has prolonged her life because of this work.
The evening finished with discussion and questions.
I came away with excitement in my heart, realising that church is so much more than meeting in a building on a Sunday, and a determination to take the Good News to the places and people I encounter in my every day life.
Doda