It's easy to say no.

The following is a poem which came to me during the Wales Synod / Synod Cymru retreat I have just attended. The background to it is a session on the poetry of Gwenallt (I'm not going to go into details about him here), but it got me thinking about the disconnect which there is between far too many churches (though by no means all) and the societies around them. I fully recognise that this will never rank alongside the poetry of the great bards of yore, it's just my contribution to the discussion.

It's easy to say "No, we've not done that before."
It's easy to say "No" and simply slam the door
It's easy to say "No", against modernity rail,
And yet, to hardly notice that we've grown old and frail.

We like these old, old ways,
We like these old, old hymns,
We like the old, old story,
"Forgiveness for our sins".

Well yes, there is a point there,
That's news the world needs hear;
The cradle, cross and empty tomb,
These things we must hold dear.

But, it's not about us,
It's not about the "we";
Our hymns, our ways, our chapels,
Our anniversary tea;

"Good news for all" is the Gospel.
How can we turn away
The homeless, the single mother,
Or people who are gay?

The Spirit will move in our churches
Oh, have we a heart for the lost?
Lord, lead us from Calvary to Glory,
And give us a new Pentecost


JREF 8 1 14