The Church: A Family Affair

2010 > May

Christianity Today, May, 2010

THEOLOGY

A Family Affair

What would the church look like if it put we before me?

Joseph H. Hellerman | posted 5/28/2010 09:20AM

What if church is a relational entity? challenges Joseph Hellerman, professor of New Testament at Talbot School of Theology in La Mirada, California. He is the author of When the Church Was a Family: Recapturing Jesus' Vision for Authentic Christian Community (B&H Academic).

His definition of church resonances with my thinking on what being church is all about.

Spiritual formation occurs primarily in the context of community. Persons who remain connected with their brothers and sisters in the local church almost invariably grow in self-understanding. And they mature in their ability to relate in healthy ways to God and to fellow human beings. This is especially the case for those courageous Christians who stick it out through the messy process of interpersonal conflict. Long-term relationships are the crucible of genuine progress in the Christian life. People who stay grow.

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Recommendation on Flu Vaccine for Children under 5

Professor Jim Bishop AO

MD MMed MBBS FRACP FRCPA

Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer

MEDIA STATEMENT

1 June 2010

SEASONAL FLU VACCINE REMAINS SUSPENDED FOR

YOUNG CHILDREN WITHOUT RISK FACTORS

After consideration of the results to date of a comprehensive investigation into the safety of the seasonal flu vaccine for young children, I have advised, that as a precaution, the suspension of seasonal flu vaccination should continue for healthy children under five years of age.

Since the first reports of a higher than usual occurrence of fever with convulsions in young children following seasonal flu vaccination in WA in April, investigations nationally have confirmed that a small number of children aged under five across the country have experienced fever with convulsions in the 24 hours after vaccination with the 2010 seasonal influenza vaccine. These reactions have been associated mainly with Fluvax, manufactured by CSL.

The investigation conducted by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), in association with the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance has identified no apparent clinical, biological or epidemiological factors that would explain the higher than expected observed rates of fever with convulsions. Laboratory testing of the vaccine by the TGA and an audit of the CSL manufacturing plant have also revealed no abnormalities to explain this event. However this investigation is continuing.

Nevertheless, to date, epidemiological analyses point to a rate of febrile convulsions in children aged under five years following 2010 seasonal influenza vaccination of about 9 per 1000 children vaccinated, while the expected rate would be less than 1 per 1000.

While I am recommending that healthy children aged under five years not be vaccinated with seasonal flu vaccine this year, where a child aged under five has medical risk factors that would cause serious health effects for the child if they got the flu, parents should discuss with their doctor whether, on clinical evaluation of the risks and benefits, a seasonal flu vaccination would be the best option.

More information is available on the Immunise Australia Hotline at 1800 671 811.

Media contact: Kay McNiece, 0412 132 585

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Benson's Choice: 5 Books on Prayer

My Top 5 Books on Prayer

Picks from Robert Benson, author of 'In Constant Prayer.'

Robert Benson | posted 5/24/2010 11:42AM

A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants Reuben Job and Norman Shawchuck (Upper Room)

This is the book that first showed me that prayer is more than talking to God whenever I want, about whatever I want. In its pages, I met the monks and mystics and poets and pilgrims who have continued to draw me into the mystery of prayer.

* * *

The Book of Common Prayer

The sheer poetry of this version of the ancient liturgies, psalms, and prayers translated into English remains, for me, the standard for corporate prayer in the Christian tradition. The language itself rises as incense; I suspect the psalmist would agree.

* * *

The Rule of Saint Benedict Saint Benedict (Vintage)

This book taught me that prayer is not an attachment to a life lived for God—it is the center of a life lived with God. Sometimes a single preposition can make all the difference.

* * *

Thoughts in Solitude Thomas Merton (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)

"Father Louie," as Merton was known, is the one who taught me what the fruits of a life of prayer, or at least one in pursuit of prayer, might turn out to be. His is the first book I downloaded to my iPhone when I was dragged across the bridge to the 21st century.

* * *

The Book of Hours Prayers to a Lowly God Rainer Maria Rilke (Northwestern University Press)

Rilke is my favorite poet, and his book of prayers based on the monastic hours opened me up to the way ancient prayer, prayed by the faithful for centuries, might take root in me, that I might finally come to hear and say the "prayer of God that is rising in my heart."

* * *

Copyright © 2010 Christianity Today.

Malaysian Politics, Money and the Church

One of the many fallout from the Sibu by-election in Sawawak in which the ruling coalition Barisan Nasional (BN) lost is the the money given to four Methodist churches in Sibu just before the polling day.

Haris Ibrahim a Muslim made some insightful comments in Desperately seeking Peter. The Methodist church is in need of your ‘rock-like’ foundation

While I share the sentiments of Goh Keat Peng in his blog ‘We don’t take such money’

I respectfully appeal to the churches directly involved in this episode:
If it isn’t true and it didn’t happen, then please say so.
If it is true, offered and received, give it all back.
WE DON’T WANT SUCH MONEY. Let the church be poor (as a church mouse) but
as the Book of Proverbs say, poor but happy keeping a clear conscience.

I also respectfully appeal to all Malaysian churches through the Christian Federation of Malaysia:
Please let us send a clear, unmistakeable and irrevocable message to the country and the world. As citizens and tax-payers we deserve to practise and observe our religious faith in peaceful and orderly fashion and we should get reasonable amounts of resources to enable us to do so. Any sitting government is welcome to sit down with us, discuss and understand in a timely and civil way our religion and our community’s needs and concerns regarding places of worship, burial grounds and our bibles in Bahasa Malaysia as well as how we will continue to serve all Malaysians in need through our social services. Provide the facilities and resources justly due to us but please don’t give us “special grants” only at the eve of by-elections. WE DON’T TAKE SUCH MONEY. No, thank you. Never under such circumstances.

However it must be noted that in Malaysia, Christians often only get a break before by-elections or the general elections - approval of building plans, conversion of land for religious use or permit for large Christian gatherings. Is that Malaysian politics or God answering prayers?

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Who is Jack Bauer?

24 is a eight seasons television series that is very exciting and addictive. Great for adrenaline junkies. Recently Chris Armstrong commented on the theology of Jack Bauer, the hero of the series 24. He based that on the blog entry of John Shore who wrote that 24: We do know Jack Bauer. We ARE Jack Buer.

I do have concern if Jack Bauer is every person’s hero as portrait by John Shore. That means that we all subscribe to relative moralism and that the ends always justifies the means; that violence always solve the problems and the best way to deal with bad guys is to shoot them.

The series is rivetting and addictive. It is also about a psychopath who wears a badge.

Reindeer Coloring Pages, Santa Reindeer Coloring Pages

Reindeers ride Santa cart that's why they are essential part of Christmas celebrations. So, we would like to make our viewers gift these Reindeer Coloring Pages to little kids so that they can beautifully fill colors in these blank color book sheets giving new look to the reindeers with lights on their horns, candy canes and other stuff.

Winnie The Pooh Christmas Coloring Pages

Present your little angels, their favorite Disney cartoon : Winnie The Pooh with their whole gang of friends for the winter holiday season of Christmas. Browse some of their Winnie The Pooh Christmas Coloring Pages presenting Tigger, Piglet, Kanga, Baby Roo, Eeyore and others in their happy friendly way of fun together. Download and color your cartoon with your choice to delight your holidays.