What to do with Sundays

March 29, 2004
by Rodney Olsen
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The Pope isn’t happy with us Aussies. We’re not going to mass on Sundays.

He is quoted today as saying that our nation’s Catholics should head back to mass rather than playing or watching sports.

According to Julie King we should go back to living in the 50s. But does Julie actually believe that? Of course she doesn’t or she wouldn’t be out at a sporting fixture on a Sunday.

However, the Pope’s message found fertile ground with mother of three Julie King, who said she agreed with every word of his message.

“As a country we’re sports-obsessed. Sunday should be a family day – mass and then a baked dinner afterwards. Like it was in the 1950s,” she said.

Despite her views, she admitted the call to mass was not as strong as the call to watch her son play in his cricket team’s final.

I absolutely believe that we should set time aside to worship. But is the Pope telling us that we’re a naughty nation that should go back to mass going to achieve anything?

Surely people first need to connect with Jesus. The need to avoid a hell they don’t believe in is not a great motivating factor. It is only when they see the church as applicable to their lives that they will want any part of it. No one is obliged to attend church or mass and I wouldn’t want to see churches filled with people there out of a sense of duty anyway.

We need to go out to find those people who aren’t at church on Sundays. Not to drag them back to church, but to introduce them to Jesus.



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The Passion of the Merchandisers

March 19, 2004
by Rodney Olsen
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Richard at connexions has highlighted the spending spree that has been started by the movie The Passion of the Christ.

I think the movie is an excellent aid in introducing people to Jesus and what he endured for us. It is not the answer to every evangelistic question, but it is a powerful tool if used correctly. I have already heard many stories of people coming to faith through the film and I’m sure many more will also be introduced to Jesus.

The sad side of things is that many are choosing to use the movie and the renewed interest in Christianity to fuel their own consumerism.

I don’t have a problem with the sales of good Christian literature going up, and I’m pleased that people are going out and buying Bibles, but it turns my stomach to hear about all the other rubbish.

People are rushing out to buy nails on chains and other crass commercial items.

It saddens me that given the choice between using the experience of the film to deepen faith or to buy product – people choose to buy product.

Our answer to most things in our society is to respond with consumerism. It’s sad that many choose this familiar path when dealing with spiritual issues. Maybe those who know no other way are also experiencing something deeper.

Of course the jump in sales is a measurable effect of the film’s influence. Let’s hope and pray that there is a deeper effect going on in thousands of lives that we will see further down the track.



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We often forget how easy we have it.

March 17, 2004
by Rodney Olsen
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There are Christians all over the world who constantly put their lives in danger to serve God.

I experienced that kind of danger in a very small way during my trip to India last year. I can’t say anymore than that about what I experienced.

Four American missionaries have given their lives as they served the Lord in Iraq.

There are many stories of persecution on the Voice of the Martyrs website.

How serious are we about our faith? Are we really ready to go anywhere that God sends us? And maybe before we answer that we need to remember Peter’s words just before he denied Jesus, “Even if all the others reject you, I never will!”



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Birdies, Eagles and Sharing Your Faith

February 6, 2004
by Rodney Olsen
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When I attended an education conference in Singapore back in 1986, a professor from Wollongong University spoke about language acquisition (how we learn language).

He talked about three things that need to be present for a child to learn language when they start to talk.

1. They must believe they are a potential doer.

2. They must believe it will further the purposes of their life.

3. They must believe it is safe to have a go.

Are they a potential doer? A child sees that everyone around them is talking so they have no reason to believe that they can’t do it too.

Will it further the purposes of their life? When dad says, “Pass the bread please.” He gets given the bread. Neat trick. “That’d be handy for me to learn.”

Is it safe to have a go? Parents don’t normally say, “Junior, you’re putting the verb and the nouns in the wrong place in your sentences. Talk properly.” Kids know that they can approximate language and develop in their use of it in a safe environment.

I believe these three things also dictate our ability to learn in general.

I heard on the radio that some golfer had birdied 3 holes today. What the? I have heard endless stories on golf talking about birdies and eagles but they still mean nothing to me. Being immersed in the language of golf and seeing lots of it on TV sports stories hasn’t helped me to learn anything about it. Why? I don’t believe that I’m a potential doer. I don’t believe golf will further the purposes of my life. With my coordination, I don’t feel it’s safe to have a go.

Finally I come to the point. When we express our faith, either personally or in our corporate meetings, do we convey those three concepts? Do others really believe that they are a potential Christian based on what we demonstrate as being Christian? From what they see of us and our faith, do they really think it’ll further the purposes of their life to get involved with Jesus? Do we give people trying to explore our faith the license to make mistakes so that it’s safe to have a go?

I might take this one further sometime but the post is already way too long. I’d appreciate your thoughts.



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Bight Me

February 4, 2004
by Rodney Olsen
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When we cycled past the Great Australian Bight last year we stopped to have a quick look at the cliffs. I was once again reminded of one of the great lessons God taught me on one of my first visits by bike.

Many years ago on our way to Canberra by pushbike, we stopped for a quick peek. Being someone who’s afraid of heights I wasn’t too keen on getting too close to the edge.

From a safe distance back I could see a spectacular view across the ocean and some of the other cliffs.

When I finally plucked up the courage to move slowly forward I got to the edge – on my hands and knees mind you – but I got there. The view was so much better because I could look down and see the surf pounding the rocks. I could see a lizard running through the cracks in the rocks. I could look straight down and see the rock-face disappear before my eyes. I was up close to the action and the view was no longer just ‘nice’ it was breathtaking, exhilarating.

I could have thought – no that’s not for me – and to this day I would never have known what I’d missed. I would still think I’d seen the most spectacular view. It was only when I moved away from my comfort zone and got close to the edge that I realised what it was all about.

We need to move out of what’s comfortable when we serve God because it’s only when we can rely on nothing else but God that God can truly work.

As we seek to serve God we can do one of two things. Do our very best for God and hope that it’ll be good enough – or let God do his best through us – knowing that nothing less really is good enough.

It’s scary when we’re not in control and we don’t know where God will lead us next but it’s a fantastic ride.

God is calling each of us to participate in his plans for this world. Not if we feel comfortable about it but calling us to be involved – relying only on the fact that we know the God we serve – and we know that he will equip us for every task.

Are we listening? More importantly – are we obeying?



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