Orange Reformation and its internet claims that undermine the worth and work of the Institution for its own sectional interests, cannot be appeased.
No group should be allowed to exist that has the objective to sew discontent, and to take pleasure in doing what we regard as conduct alien to, and hurtful of the Institution.
Action must be taken to prevent this group, or any other Orangeman, from saying words and taking actions, which bring the Order to division and disrepute.
There are disciplinary rules in the Institution to deal with this situation. They must be used or it will suffer grievously from negative judgements and public distaste.
We have to see ourselves as others see us and move to ensure that the Order is what it claims to be a Christian organisation, positive in its commitments to the Christian faith and valuable in its place and purpose in society.
This matter must be dealt with expeditiously, for it is of deep concern to us now and promises to be more worrisome for the future well being of the Orange Institution.
Past experiences have taught us that we must not try to mediate with, or accommodate to, the aims, attitudes and aspirations of those who are set to advance their own agenda which is contrary to that of the Institution as a whole.
It is better to lose Orange Reformation members, than to allow their contrary views in order to retain them. “ An empty house is better than a bad tenant”
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
Monday, 3 May 2010
The Church And Society
Article 3 ~ April 2010
"We see real love, not in the fact that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His son to make personal atonement for our sins. If God loved us as much as that, surely we, in our turn, should love each other. " 1 John 4: 10, 11
. . . it is His (Christ's) explicit command that the one who loves God must love his brother too." 1 John 4: 21
A refusal of some church people to consider the views of fellow-believers of other denominations, much less to take them seriously, is the mark of that divisiveness which bedevils Christianity.
The churches may differ in belief and doctrine, but often their antipathies are about loyalties, animosities, and an unwillingness to live happily together. There is endemic suspicion and distrust even while verbal assent is being given to the Christian concept of brotherly love. It is easy to be self-satisfied when what we have makes for contentment.
There is pride of denomination. We should be more anxious to fulfil the Divine commission, and by learning from others and sharing with them, help in the common cause of bringing people to the knowledge of God and to faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord of their lives.
The task of the whole church is to influence the society of which it is a part, though the extent to which it involves itself in it will often be questioned. Churchmen have been charged, and condemned, for expressing political opinions because 'it should have confined itself to religious matters.'
This denial of Christianity's inclusiveness of everything which affects the lives of people is a refusal to recognise the church's true vocation which is to serve people whoever and wherever they are and whatever their needs.
Christians should fulfil their obligations as citizens, that must mean being concerned with and involved in all that matters to people in their society. There is always the language of religion, but the words which are meaningful today often have political and sociological content. Christian outreach in a secular society must be all-embracing. No subject is without the need of a Christian viewpoint, which will have the purpose of helping people to live happier, better and more useful lives.
The co-operation of the churches is needed in efforts to change our society.
"Sharing such others insights and standing together as Christians is an utterly essential part of our duty if the Christian faith is to remain credible to the people at large." (F. J. Mitchell)
Rev. Canon Dr. S.E. Long
"We see real love, not in the fact that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His son to make personal atonement for our sins. If God loved us as much as that, surely we, in our turn, should love each other. " 1 John 4: 10, 11
. . . it is His (Christ's) explicit command that the one who loves God must love his brother too." 1 John 4: 21
A refusal of some church people to consider the views of fellow-believers of other denominations, much less to take them seriously, is the mark of that divisiveness which bedevils Christianity.
The churches may differ in belief and doctrine, but often their antipathies are about loyalties, animosities, and an unwillingness to live happily together. There is endemic suspicion and distrust even while verbal assent is being given to the Christian concept of brotherly love. It is easy to be self-satisfied when what we have makes for contentment.
There is pride of denomination. We should be more anxious to fulfil the Divine commission, and by learning from others and sharing with them, help in the common cause of bringing people to the knowledge of God and to faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord of their lives.
The task of the whole church is to influence the society of which it is a part, though the extent to which it involves itself in it will often be questioned. Churchmen have been charged, and condemned, for expressing political opinions because 'it should have confined itself to religious matters.'
This denial of Christianity's inclusiveness of everything which affects the lives of people is a refusal to recognise the church's true vocation which is to serve people whoever and wherever they are and whatever their needs.
Christians should fulfil their obligations as citizens, that must mean being concerned with and involved in all that matters to people in their society. There is always the language of religion, but the words which are meaningful today often have political and sociological content. Christian outreach in a secular society must be all-embracing. No subject is without the need of a Christian viewpoint, which will have the purpose of helping people to live happier, better and more useful lives.
The co-operation of the churches is needed in efforts to change our society.
"Sharing such others insights and standing together as Christians is an utterly essential part of our duty if the Christian faith is to remain credible to the people at large." (F. J. Mitchell)
Rev. Canon Dr. S.E. Long
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