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I can’t speak for every teacher of CRE but I know that in my six years of teaching I found the students (grade 5 & 6) enjoyed the lessons and discussions and that the teachers were also very much onside as they saw the benefits of CRE teaching.   The provision of a basic understanding of the Christian faith is beneficial to all students, and parents who don’t wish for their children to participate can opt out.  I found that many parents were more than happy for their children to participate – children from different religious backgrounds or no religion at all.

Rather than Access Ministries overstepping the mark, the furor has the hallmark of yet another attack on Christian influence in the public square.  And now here comes another one.

“Parents Victoria (“PV”) will be voting this Thursday and Friday at their AGM on a motion to remove Special Religious Instruction from schools.  The motion originates from, and has already been passed by, the teachers’ union, Victoria Branch of the Australian Education Union.  If it passes at PV, then the PV Executive will support the teachers’ union and lobby for the removal of SRI as well.” – That was the correspondence sent out recently by Parents Victoria.

The Motion that will be voted on reads as follows: “Parents Victoria endorses the motion passed by the Victoria Branch of the Australian Education Union May 13, 2011, and joins our teachers in calling for Special Religious Instruction to be moved outside of the normal school day by directing the Parents Victoria Executive to lobby to move SRI outside the compulsory school day.”  That is, that CRE or SRI would be an afterschool activity much like singing, dancing and some sports.

Part of the reasoning for such a move is that schools are secular and so no religion should be taught.  It could also be seen to be unfair to people of different religions – even though over 61% of Australians still classify themselves as Christian compared to non-Christian religions at 7.2% and those who don’t identify with any religion at 31.7%.  But it just seems that there are some people with an anti-Christian agenda who want us all out of the school system no matter what.

The bizarre twist in this latest move against CRE is that there is another motion being put forward at this AGM.  This states: “That Parents Victoria lobbies the Department of Education for all government schools to receive specific funding to allow them to provide expert continuing Cybersafety programs to their students and parents.”  While I’m all in favour of education for Cybersafety it strikes me as shortsighted that Parents Victoria seem to fail to see the inconsistency. Instead of trying to remove Christianity from our schools they should instead embrace it because the basic tenets of the Christian faith lead a person to lead a moral life and be loving and kind to others – qualities, I would have thought, would go along way to increasing the effectiveness of Cybersafety for our precious children.

But the purpose of theology is not just knowing about God and truth but knowing how God feels about and interacts with people.  Over the years I have met many people who know far more theology than me.  They are able to argue their case convincingly on any theological subject.  They cross every “T” and dot every “I”.  But something is missing.  These same people are often harsh and unbending and they tend to lack grace.  They put theology before people.  Jesus turned this around – that’s why he was always in trouble with the religious authorities of his day.

In John chapter 5,  Jesus comes across a man who had been an invalid for 37 years.  Jesus healed him telling him “get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”  It should have been a day of great rejoicing but those who saw theology as more important than people said, "It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat." What a bizarre response to a man who had just been healed of a 37-year disability.

Jesus was scathing of such people.  On one occasion he said to them, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices – mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law – justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel” (Matt 23:23-24).

On another occasion Jesus and his disciples were eating with “tax collectors and sinners.”  These were the most shunned people by the theologians of the day.  In fact “sinners” were people who deliberately and persistently transgressed the requirements of the law.  The religious leaders criticised Jesus for eating with such people.  In response to this Jesus gave them some homework to do, “go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy not sacrifice.’”  A few chapters later in Matthew 12 these same theologians are once again criticising Jesus and his followers.  Jesus responded, “If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent.”  They hadn’t done their homework; they hadn’t learned to put people before theology.

And this has been a sad reality through much of church history.  For hundreds of years many Christians, Jews and Muslims suffered at the hands of various Roman Catholic Popes.  It’s estimated that somewhere around 100 million people died during these times.  Those who were viewed at heretics were tortured, had property confiscated, received lengthy secret imprisonment, secret trials, and death by burning. The inquisitions and crusades are a massive blot on church history and amongst some of the worst examples of those who put theology before people.

But it wasn’t just Roman Catholics who were guilty of this.  Many of the Protestant Reformers, including John Calvin and Martin Luther, called for corporal and capital punishment on those they deemed as heretics as well as against Jews.

Over the centuries theology has been used to justify racial discrimination, the slave trade, persecution of scientists, the subservience of non-white people, the subjugation of women, the prohibition of inter-racial marriages, the persecution of non-heterosexual people and the demonising of refugees and asylum seekers.

Just mentioning some of these things of course will unleash a stream of unkind and unchristian emails and blogs from those who are still guilty of putting theology before people, before compassion, before mercy.  The religious fundamentalists still haven’t done the homework; still haven’t learned the lesson – and they probably never will.

According to Dr Olivera Petrovich, an expert in psychology of religion, “Infants are hardwired to believe in God, and atheism has to be learned.”  In other words, belief in God is not taught but develops naturally.  Her findings were based on several studies particularly one of Japanese children aged four to six, and another of 400 British children aged five to seven from seven different faiths.  The conclusion: “Atheism is definitely an acquired position.”

This research has now been backed up in a recent article in New Scientist (March 17, 2012 issue).  Drawing upon research in developmental psychology, cognitive anthropology and particularly the cognitive psychology of religion, Justin Barrett (author of “Born believers: The science of children’s religious belief”) argues that belief in God comes nearly as naturally to us as language.  He says, “the vast majority of humans are born believers, naturally inclined to find religious claims and explanations attractive, and to attain fluency in using them.”

Deborah Kelemen of Boston University wrote, “when it comes to speculation about the origins of natural things, children are very receptive to explanations that invoke design or purpose.  It seems more sensible to them that animals and plants were brought about for a reason than they arose for no reason.”  Kelemen has also done experiments with adults that suggest we do not simply outgrow this attraction but that it must forcibly be tamped down through formal education (Cognition, Vol 3, p138).

Margaret Evans of the University of Michigan has found that “children under 10 tend to embrace creationist explanations of living things over evolutionary ones – even children whose parents and teachers endorse evolution.”  It seems that we all share an intuition that apparent order and design such as we see in the world around us requires an agent to bring it about.

This has certainly been born out in my own experience over many years of teaching Religious Education to children in primary schools.  There were always one or two kids who would be atheists, but it was always as a result of what they had heard their parents articulate about there being “no God”.  All the other kids – including those from homes where no particular faith was adhered to – believed in the existence of God and were particularly fascinated by discussions on the spirit world and life after death.

What a huge responsibility there is in parenting or teaching a child – to protect this inherent belief in God and to nurture it into a vibrant faith that remains a strong foundation throughout the child’s life.  Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."  And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them” (Mark 10:14-16).

Justin Barrett says, “Children do not need to be indoctrinated to believe in God.  They naturally gravitate towards the idea.”  Let’s make it easy for them.

The danger with truth is that when you push a truth too far it slips into error.  That is true when it comes to the belief that Martin Luther reinforced through the Reformation – that faith alone, apart from the law, was necessary for salvation.

During Luther’s time there were those who pushed this truth too far by teaching that the law was unnecessary and all one had to do was believe in Jesus.  The way a person lived didn’t matter; it was unnecessary, they said, to hold to any moral law.  In response to this, Luther coined the term Antinomianism (taken from the Greek words meaning “against law”).

Now I most certainly believe in salvation by faith alone in the death and resurrection of Jesus.  The apostle Paul makes it clear when he says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Even though I believe this truth it doesn’t mean that I hold to antinomianism.  I believe that God’s law is vitally important for four reasons:

Firstly, the law gives us knowledge of sin.

Romans 3:20, “…through the law we become conscious of sin.”

If it weren’t for laws we wouldn’t know what was right and what was wrong.  If there was no speed limit, for example, we could drive at dangerous speeds that would harm others and us.  Having speed laws means that when someone exceeds the speed limit they can be justly punished and hopefully amend their behaviour.  Parents want to instil knowledge of right and wrong in their children so they become responsible citizens.  God’s law does the same for us.

The second purpose of the law is to declare the whole world guilty.

Romans 3:19, “all the world may become guilty before God.”

Just like the law of the land, the law of God shows us what is pleasing and displeasing to God.  If God hadn’t told us that lying, murder, adultery and the like are wrong, we wouldn’t have an understanding of them being wrong and so wouldn’t feel guilty for engaging in behaviour that is not only destructive to ourselves but also to others.

Thirdly, the law gives place to the justice of God.

Romans 4:15, “… law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.”

When we break a law justice says that it is right for the lawbreaker to be punished. When we break God’s laws He is just and righteous in punishing us.

Finally, God’s law is to lead us to Jesus Christ our Saviour

Galatians 3:24-25, “…the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.”

And so, through the law we realize that we are sinners, that we are guilty and that we deserve to be punished.  Then comes the good news – Jesus has taken our punishment for us so that we can be free from guilt and shame.  The law is like a tutor that brings us to Christ, but once we have been introduced to Jesus we are no longer under the tutor (the law) – it has served its purpose, we are forgiven and free.

The Old Testament has many complex laws; the New Testament simplifies them all into one statement: “The commandments are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” (Romans 13:9-10; Galatians 5:14)

Once we have been forgiven by Jesus He calls us to live a life of love – a life that does no harm to its neighbour.  That is the purpose and fulfilment of the law.

Tolerance is the new buzzword.  Google it and you’ll get 138 million results in 14 seconds!

There is a modern myth that holds that true tolerance equals agreement – that the tolerant person occupies a place of complete impartiality where each person is permitted to decide for himself. No judgments allowed. No forcing personal views.  But that is not what tolerance is all about.

According to Webster’s New World Dictionary the word tolerance means “to allow or to permit, to recognize and respect others’ beliefs and practices without sharing them, to bear or put up with someone or something not necessarily liked.

Tolerance, then, involves three things: (1) Permitting or allowing; (2) A conduct or point of view one disagrees with; (3) While respecting the person in the process.

True tolerance is not about agreement – it’s just the opposite.  If I agree with a person’s viewpoint I have no need of tolerance.  It’s only when I disagree that tolerance needs to be exercised.

Today, however, we have distorted tolerance from defending the rights of those who hold different beliefs from us to affirming all beliefs as equally valid and correct. This “new tolerance” is not only socially dangerous and intellectually debilitating it also leads to genuine intolerance of all who struggle to hold fast to their beliefs.  This is particularly true for those of us who wish to hold fast to a Biblical worldview.  Cardinal George Pell put it this way: “Ironically, intolerance of Christianity and Christian culture is proclaimed most often in the name of tolerance: Christianity must not be tolerated because of the need for greater tolerance.”

This has been seen in a number of ways in recent times.  For example, the debate surrounding the abortion law in Victoria. Pro-abortion commentators attacked “conscientious objection” as nothing more than a way for doctors and nurses to impose their morality on their patients.

Antidiscrimination laws are also raising serious freedom-of-religion issues for churches in counseling, education, the hiring of facilities, and employment of staff.

Intolerant tolerance could also threaten the belief that there is only one way to God – a view that is not only taught in Christianity but also by Islam and many other religious groups.  As a Christian I believe that salvation is only found in Jesus Christ.  People of other religious faith (or of no faith) would disagree with me.  That’s when tolerance kicks in.  I am tolerant of the fact that others hold other views and I expect those same people to be tolerant of me – and we are to be respectful and kind towards each other in the process.

I believe it’s in the area of respect and kindness that the “tolerance” debate is seriously missing out these days.  If we disagree with someone we are told we are intolerant, homophobic, unchristian, judgmental and the like. People who are crying out for tolerance are in turn intolerant of others who hold – and are entitled to – a different opinion.

Christians should be leading the way in expressing tolerance towards others because we claim to have a relationship with a God who reveals Himself to be tolerant: “do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?” (Romans 2:4)

Tolerance comes from the Greek word “Anochēs” which means “the ability to put up with things.”  This is wonderful truth.  If you have messed up, God is not looking to get you back and beat you up. God is rich in the ability to put up with things. He is exercising patience and kindness towards you as an attractive force that ultimately draws you to him so he can forgive you.

Sadly some Christians are not tolerant. They will not put up with anything. If you sin you’re out the door. They are not tolerant because they do not know the tolerance of God.

Two Baptist pastors from the US clearly illustrated this intolerance recently.  Pastor Charles Worley told the 100 or so congregants at Providence Road Baptist Church in North Carolina, “I figured a way out, a way to get rid of all the lesbians and queers but I couldn’t get it past the Congress – build a great big large fence, 50 or a hundred mile long. Put all the lesbians in there, fly over and drop some food. Do the same thing with the queers and the homosexuals. And have that fence electrified so they can’t get out.  And you know what? In a few years they will die out. You know why? They can’t reproduce. If a man ever has a young’un, praise God he will be the first.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2839yEazcs

About the same time Pastor Sean Harris of Berean Baptist Church in Fayetteville, NC said this in a sermon, “Dads, the second you see your son dropping the limp wrist, you walk over there and crack that wrist. Man up. Give him a good punch. Ok?”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTiBv99MYDk

God is gracious! God can put up with things – but obviously these pastors can’t.  Christians need to lead the way in demonstrating true tolerance to the world around us – not agreeing with everyone, but rather allowing others to hold different points of view while maintaining respect, kindness and patience.

In the meantime it appears that all views are equal, but some views are more equal than others!

The Hunger Games was written by Suzanne Collins, who has written many children's books over the past two decades.  This series, however, is a departure from her regular children's writings and explores some themes that are not just thought provoking for teenagers but also for an adult audience as well.

I was first introduced to The Hunger Games when I was given the book for my birthday.  Once starting the book I became completely absorbed by the story and then quickly read the other two books.

The story is set in future America which is now called Panem.  The world had been all but destroyed by nuclear war and Panem was now a dictatorship, divided into 12 districts ruled by The Capitol.  The dictator is President Snow.  In Panem's recent history a rebellion had taken place as the districts rose up against the Capitol. The districts lost and, as a constant reminder of the price of rebellion, The Hunger Games were introduced.  Every year two tributes aged 12 to 18 were chosen to represent each district in a fight to the death.  The one who survived was crowned “The Victor” and the district the Victor was from was awarded certain privileges.

Suzanne Collins' Catholic faith comes through clearly in the story lines.

Firstly, it's refreshing to read The Hunger Games because there is no crude language or sexual overtones.  More than that though, there are some strong themes that reflect Suzanne's Christian faith. 

Early in the first book, the main character's younger sister, Primrose Everdeen, is chosen to be the female tribute for District 12.  When Primrose is chosen, her sister Katniss volunteers to be the tribute in her place in order to save her life.  This is exactly what Jesus has done for us.  We were destined for death but Jesus volunteered to die in our place so that we can live forever.  That is the very heart of Christianity.

The second theme that stands out strongly in this trilogy is The Capitol's domination and use of slavery of the districts.  Each district has one purpose and that is to provide a certain product for The Capital. One district provides coal, another seafood, another electrical products and so on.  How similar this is of the treatment the first world gives the third and developing worlds.  It's like they exist for one purpose – to provide the West with all it needs, wants and desires.

Closely associated with this theme is the decadence of The Capitol.  People have too much time and money on their hands and so they are preoccupied with their looks and their stomachs.  Plastic surgery, hair styles and colors, gossip and shallow conversation are the order of the day.  They've also developed a drink that causes them to vomit so they can continue to eat the bountiful food.  Sound familiar?  The Capitol residents have more than enough while the districts are poor, hungry and struggling.

Because they have so little to do, the residents of The Capitol become engrossed in the Hunger Games. It's the ultimate reality TV show.  They fall in love with the characters but distance themselves from the reality that these characters are fighting to the death.  It's reminiscent of the gladiatorial contests in Rome where people's deaths became entertainment for the masses.  In our "civilised" society we may see this as horrendous and yet our own "reality" programs are often built on the ridicule and shame of those who participate.  It's just a cheap form of entertainment for those with too much time on their hands.

The final theme I'll mention here is the ultimate triumph of good over evil.  Without giving the end of the story away, ultimately evil is overcome by good.  This is the main theme in God's Word too.  Have a look at the last two chapters of the Bible. Good triumphs!  But in the meantime the battle between good and evil rages and there are many occasions in real life as well as in The Hunger Games where it's obvious that the only thing we learn from history is that we learn very little from history.

The Hunger Games is a total page-turner.  It's a ripper read.  Parents, if you allow your teenagers to read this Trilogy you would do well to read it yourself and discuss these and other themes with them.  Be aware that there is considerable violence in the book but that the themes are a great discussion point for sharing life-changing truths with your teens.  Enjoy!

The astronomer was fascinating. We got a clear look at Mars and Venus and then checked out some of the phenomenal clusters of stars that can’t be seen with the naked eye. Then he directed us to a distant star that appeared red. He told us that when stars appear red it means they are starting to burn out. The star is Chi Cygna and is about 550 light-years from earth.

What he said next surprised me. He told us that our sun is also starting to burn out and appears red from outer space. Chi Cygni has swollen in size to become a red giant star so large that it would swallow every planet out to Mars in our solar system. Moreover, it has begun to pulse dramatically in and out, beating like a giant heart. As a sun-like star ages it begins to run out of hydrogen fuel at its core and like a car running out of petrol its "engine" begins to splutter.

Now before you start to panic, our sun still has plenty of time left and it’s more likely that humankind will end up destroying itself by its own sins and shortcomings. But one-way or another life, as we know it now, will one day cease to exist. This is sobering especially in a world full of people who seem to live life with no thought for tomorrow, of anything changing, and no expectation of a future judgment or Second Coming. The Bible speaks directly into this in 2 Peter 3:3-14. Find a Bible and read this amazing prophecy.

These verses speak of a future when “the heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare …That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.”

Years before the sun burns out, the earth will be subjected to massive radiation as the sun starts its destabilisation process and life on earth will change dramatically. 

The astronomy lesson in Africa was a timely reminder of the finite nature of life on earth. As the Bible says, “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14). 

Let’s make every moment count for eternity!

But there’s another type of aloneness that doesn’t energise and refresh – that’s loneliness.  Wikipedia describes loneliness as “an unpleasant feeling in which a person experiences a strong sense of emptiness and solitude resulting from inadequate levels of social relationships.”  Loneliness has a number of causes – relationship breakdown, conflict, loss of friends and family, loss of mobility or health, reduction in income, moving to a new community or only having connection with others via social media such as Facebook.

Todd Harper, CEO of VicHealth says, “Loneliness is a growing problem in our society.  There will be an estimated 3.7 million Australians living alone by 2026.”  He goes on to say, “Recent research has shown social isolation can be as harmful for health as smoking cigarettes, and the evidence is stacking up that people with more friends live longer.”

Loneliness has also been described as “social pain”.  That’s an interesting definition because pain is a friend that comes to warn us of impending danger so that we can take action to avoid it.  Loneliness then is a mechanism meant to motivate us to seek social connections.

The Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Dr. Peter Jensen, last year described loneliness as “one of the major problems confronting society, the result of an emphasis on the individual at the expense of a commitment to other people.”  I agree.  And this individualism can even creep into our Christian faith so that we think it’s all about “Jesus and me!”  Some Christian songs reflect this view such as “All I need is you Lord.”  We need to remember that even the first human – who had a perfect relationship with God – was still alone, and God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.”  God’s solution to loneliness was the company of another human being (Genesis 2:18).  And this is still God’s solution – and a major reason why Jesus is building his church –to create a stable community in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured.

But church attendance per se will not cure loneliness.  You can be in a crowd of people and still feel lonely.  Loneliness is cured when we get to know others and are known by them.  This takes time and can be difficult especially if you’re shy, but it’s important to take some small steps in order to rise above loneliness – join a Connect Group at your church, volunteer with a group of people to serve others, get involved with shared activities you are genuinely interested in, like a hobby or sports team.

Being with people who are focusing on an activity you all enjoy can quickly lead to close personal bonds being formed.  You may also need to look at developing your social skills.  If you find yourself always talking about your problems other people will quickly get tired of hanging around you. 

Mother Theresa said, “Loneliness is the most terrible poverty.”  Jesus came to set us free from all kinds of poverty and call us to be in community with other people – to “do life” with them, to love and be loved!

When the men scaled the heights they were met by merciless fire from Turkish guns, but they hung on, dug their trenches, and prepared to attack.

From April to December the allied forces held on till the order came from London for the withdrawal.  By then 7,600 Australians and nearly 2,500 New Zealanders had been killed and 19,000 Australians and nearly 5,000 New Zealanders had been wounded.  French casualties were as high as the ANZACS and Britain lost three times as many.  Turkey lost 86,000 troops.

From 1916 onwards, ANZAC Day was established on April 25 – the day the ANZACS landed at Gallipoli – as a memorial to honor and remember those servicemen who lost their lives serving their respective countries.  Since that time ANZAC Day has been extended as a memorial to all men and women who have sacrificed in order to preserve the freedom that we enjoy today.

John Simpson Kirkpatrick, a swaggie, cane cutter, miner and sailor from Australia, landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula on April 25 1915, at a place now known as ANZAC Cove.  With his donkey Duffy, he became the best-loved figure at Gallipoli as he carried the wounded to the dressing station.  Known as “the man with the donkey” he transported the wounded day after day amid fierce shrapnel fire.  He was shot dead on May 19 that year.  Kirkpatrick served in this way for just three weeks and yet we remember his heroism, courage and sacrifice almost 100 years later.

Almost 1900 years earlier another man with a donkey rode into Jerusalem also on the way to sacrifice his life for others.

ANZAC Day is a memorial lest we forget those who gave their lives to purchase our freedom in this world.  Jesus Christ established the Lord’s Supper as a memorial lest we forget his sacrifice to purchase our freedom not only in this life but also in the one to come.

“He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.”

“After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you” (Luke 22:18-20).

I’ve heard that possums are smart animals. You wouldn’t think so because you hardly ever see one except when it’s dead on the road. There’s a joke that goes, “why did the chicken cross the road? To prove to the possum that it could be done!” 

But possums, it turns out, are smart. They won’t enter a hole if there’s just one set of tracks going into it. They know there’s something in there. But if there are two sets of tracks – the other set coming out – the possum will enter and not be afraid.

And that’s the message of Easter. It’s because of Jesus we can enter the grave – we don’t have to fear death because there are tracks leading out of the tomb.

The apostle Paul preached the proclamation of Easter: “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death is your sting?”Everywhere God has hidden the message of His Gospel in creation.  From the humble possum we can learn this message.  Jesus entered the tomb on the first Good Friday – and three days later he walked out. Jesus has risen.  And because of Him we shall rise too!

The Bible tells us that “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).  He didn’t wait for us to change our behaviour or even our beliefs – He died for us, accepted us and told us we belong with Him.

We would do well to follow His example.  When we get it wrong it causes people to be alienated from Jesus rather than drawn to Him.  This must break God’s heart as He is “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

In my early years as a Christian I attended a church that emphasized behaviour and belief as conditions for belonging and acceptance.  As a young guy with long hair, an earring and op shop clothes, there was great pressure on me to get my hair cut, take the earring out and buy a suit and tie.  Emphasis was placed on certain beliefs as well and people who didn’t embrace these beliefs were shunned rather than accepted.

Repeatedly Jesus demonstrated the importance of acceptance first.  Consider His parable of the Lost Son as well as His interaction with the woman at the well (John 4) and the woman caught in adultery (John 8).  He taught us to love and accept people just as they are.

People who are safe in the knowledge that they belong and are unconditionally loved and accepted will be in a position where the Holy Spirit can work in their life to bring the change that He wants.

Make a choice not to usurp the role of the Holy Spirit.  He will bring the desired change.  Our job is to love and accept people as well as provide an environment where people belong – a safe place where radical change is possible.

Now I don’t doubt that some retailers are struggling and I understand their call for GST, customs charges and duties to be added to online purchases under $1000.  However, a Productivity Commission Report found the cost of tax collection would exceed revenue raised.  The Federal Government’s retail task force is still examining this issue.

Australians are not going to stop buying certain goods online.  Each household only has so much discretionary money and although we try and buy Australian, we also need to make wise financial decisions.  So, Australian retailers have some work to do to encourage us to buy from them.

In recent weeks I’ve needed to update my wardrobe for Bayside TV.  I’ve chosen to buy the clothes in local shops but it’s been a very mixed experience.  In general the department stores offered atrocious service.  One in particular had three staff members standing around talking while customers were waiting.  I asked them for help but was told they worked in another department and so could not assist me.  When I asked who could help me I was told that someone would be there shortly.  Fifteen minutes later a staff member arrived.  In the meantime customers had walked out.  I had planned to spend more in that store, but chose not to because of my experience.

The best service was given in the smaller boutique shops although that was not always the case.  One men’s clothing shop I went into had some really nice shirts but the girl “working” there spent ten minutes talking to a friend on her mobile phone.  She didn’t once acknowledge me. I had several hundred dollars to spend and I would have spent it in that shop but I walked out and bought the shirts elsewhere.

Good service has got to be the number one key to the survival of Australian retail.  No wonder Apple is now the world’s most valuable company.  You walk into an Apple store and a friendly person comes to you straight away, asks your name and how they can help you.  The service is amazing – and so are the products.  If good service isn’t offered why shouldn’t we buy online?  What value is added by shopping in a store?

And so, as a shopper, I give this advice to retailers:

• Train your staff well so they know how to serve well.  And give your staff incentives for good results.
• Give something for nothing – a discount voucher or frequent shopper bonus; buy two get one free or discounts for large purchases.
• Develop online buying yourself. If people want to buy your products online why not give them the opportunity.
• Keep up to date with current trends, innovations and technology. Remember Kodak, the company that pioneered the digital camera was eventually brought down by its failure to invest in its own ground-breaking invention.  It became a fossil because it came to a point of change and failed to make the transition.

It’s not good enough for retailers to complain about competition and expect the government to bail them out.  It’s time for all retailers to realise the world has changed and to do the hard work of remaining competitive and give us, the shoppers, good reasons to buy from you.