Reflections on Rural Life

26 Jul 2009

Recently, there has been a series of gatherings around the regions of the diocese for Rural Anglican Life where we have reflected on Isaiah 58:9b-12. This passage depicts the grim realities of life for Israel in exile and offers guidance and hope.

Communities that are under stress have a tendency to turn in on themselves. Their inner life can become unhealthy with injustice, pointing the finger, and speaking of evil becoming commonplace. Isaiah calls the people to look outwards, to share their food with the hungry and to help those in trouble. He promises that when this is done, light will rise amid the darkness. This has echoes in the call to Christ Centred Mission in our strategic plan. We have recognised the need to grow healthy church dynamics in rural parishes so that we can indeed be a light to those who are searching for a way forward in their distress.

If we become this kind of community, then we are promised that the Lord will guide us and satisfy our needs in parched places and make our bones strong. Many rural parishes have experienced a kind of drought in recent times and their ‘bones’ or parish structures are anything but strong. They have struggled to maintain an existence, let alone being able to adapt to the rapidly changing realities around them. It can seem that all that we see is the trouble on the surface, a bit like a droughty paddock covered in sheep manure. As farmers know, when the drought-breaking rains come, the manure on the surface contributes to exceptional growth, even if sometimes re-sowing is also needed. Following a drought there is plenty of work to do, and it takes courage to overcome the negativity that droughts of various kinds can engender. I think the Strategic Plan is a drought breaker, and the aim of Rural Anglican Life is to ensure this benefit is felt in rural ministry.
Isaiah promises that we could become like a watered garden, a spring of water that never dries up. This is as much a challenge to us as it is a gift. The use of water and rivers is a critical issue for environmental stewardship and the church needs to develop a voice about such matters. Such a voice needs to be grounded both in biblical theology, and in our own practice of financial stewardship. We need to demonstrate good stewardship of the resources we have responsibility for, both personally and as a church, before we can ask others to do the same.

When we do these things, Isaiah promises that the ancient ruins will be rebuilt and the foundations of many generations will be raised up. Importantly, this means equipping and building up young people for leadership in the Church and the community at large. If we engage new generations, we will indeed be called the repairer of the breach and we will be led to praise and honour God in joyful and thankful worship.

WORDS: ANDREW STARKY – Archdeacon of Timaru
PHOTOS: SI MOORE