Introduction: A Time for Change
David Porter

Politics: Blessing and Bane?
Norman Porter

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A TIME FOR CHANGE
David Porter Reflects on Recent Developments

Few of us will forget where we were when the news broke of the bomb at Canary Wharf and the ending of eighteen months of hope. It will remain one of those defining moments of change in the lives of individuals and our community. Some of us were with 600 other evangelical Christians in St. Anne's Cathedral, Belfast, to celebrate 150 years of the Evangelical Alliance.

As shock gave way to despair, the song Great is the Darkness that Covers the Earth became a potent cry to God. Part of the first verse provided the words to articulate the deep sense of outrage and sadness watching while sanity dies and in essence that seems to continue to define the aftermath of that evening. Recent weeks have witnessed the unravelling of the peace process and the tortuous route of the evolving political response.

On 16 February the ECONI Steering Group issued a statement - A Time to Listen -which was sent to political leaders, the media and over 1,000 local congregations. It was a time when many were calling for talks and the media were pumping the airways with sound bites. Yet aware of our own sense of being at a loss as to what more we could say, and in that spirit of worship, prayer and listening to God, we felt the need simply to call God's people to take time and space to listen.

In many ways Northern Ireland suffers from too many words - words that perpetuate division, words that are self justifying, words that paint us into corners, words that essentially mean we are not listening to each other, never mind God.

Christians must be prepared to embark on some hard listening, reflection and thinking. This is particularly true as we move towards elections to a Peace Forum on 30 May and the start of all party talks on 10 June. We all now have a responsibility for creating and sustaining the kind of society in which violence can no longer flourish. We can no longer sit back and leave the resolution of our problems to others, whether governments, paramilitaries, or politicians.

What are we to make of our changed circumstances? How can we assess the issues and develop a biblically informed Christian mind?

Things that have not changed
In the light of all that has happened it is good to remind ourselves of what remains constant as we face the test that lies ahead of us in the next few months. God is still sovereign and has not been taken by surprise. God will be the same God of history on 11 June as of biblical history. The God of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob, Rachel - the God of Jesus Christ - identifies with us and weeps over our turmoil, offering salvation and healing.

Christians are still called to love their enemies, be peacemakers and contribute to the healing of our divisions. Our goal in all our words and actions - including the many contacts and relationships ECONI has made across the divisions - is that they be based, not on particular political analyses or commitments, but on the integrity of our discipleship in a broken world.

This community faces the same issue of whether or not we can find a way to live at peace with each other, to share together this part of God's earth for the welfare and good of all. The will to make the deal and reach the necessary compromise that deals with the realities of our competing and at times mutually exclusive national identities, must be found in the people. As Michael Cassidy asked us in November, are we to be prisoners of history or prisoners of hope?

The greatest need in the political life of our community is not leadership, but the vision that gives rise to good leadership.

Things that have changed
However, there is a sense in which it can never be the same again.

Many new relationships have been built which have helped to break down misunderstanding and mistrust. We cannot walk away from these people in the months ahead. Yet trust has been damaged and there is a real concern over the commitment to peace or democracy of elements in our community. But it is equally clear that there are those whose commitment to a peaceful resolution of our conflict is genuine and they need our encouragement and support.

The experience of peace has been part of peoples lives for the first time in half a generation. The transformation in the last 18 months was tangible. ~t is something we will not give up lightly, particularly the young.

The return to violence threatens a different sort of conflict. The potential is there for the violence more acute. This places an onerous responsibility our politicians to move beyond the rhetoric. It challenges those of us who have not lived in those areas most affected, who at times seem carelessly willing to let to bear the consequences of intransigence as though they not part of us.

Christians can take risks because our confidence is in God, not our cause

Things that must change
There remains a long journey ahead. For that journey some fundamental changes, which are deeply spiritual are needed.

Vision: The greatest need in political life of our community is not leadership, but the vision that gives rise to good leadership. Where is no vision the people mess a and so perish. There is a lack vision, a clearly articulated concept to which all can aspire. What will a society living peace with itself look like?

Trust: It is evident that the whole process I September 1994 collapsed in the absence of trust necessary matrix for political accommodation. Trust cannot grow where violence casts it shadow. Yet violence must be tackled not simply by better security, but by creating common political ground where all people of goodwill can stand together irrespective of religious or national identity.

Risk: For this to happen we must be prepared to take risks. In a world where the risk factor is considered a dangerous variable, Christians to be reminded that biblical faith is spelt R-I-S-K. Which brings us to the start, for Christians can take risks because our confidence is in God, not our cause; in the Kingdom of God and not a particular constitutional settlement.

If we want to see change in this community, in the spirit of worship, prayer and listening to God we may discover that, as always, change begins in us. And doesn't stop there - it transforms how we act in the community, particularly as we take up our political responsibilities at this time.

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Editor   Derek Poole
Asst Editor   Ruth Hutchinson