Generosity

This morning's Press reports a $4 million gift towards the rebuilding of Christchurch Cathedral. Lots of money is being raised through efforts as diverse as celebrities giving concerts through to donations of small coins. It is moving that people are generous. It will be interesting to see how this generosity is dispersed. I hope the really needy receive good help. To be in a destroyed home on damaged land with an insurance policy that will not cover all costs of transferring to a similar quality home on better land must be heartbreaking. Even the best insurance policies do not cover the real costs of uprooting a home, to say nothing of the scramble to live while things are sorted out. Today's paper says 10,000 houses may be demolished. There are not 10,000 empty houses elsewhere in greater Christchurch ready for instant moving in.

I guess $4 million donated specifically to rebuilding the cathedral must be spent on that project. Hopefully much more than that will be available for people in need. It would be terrible to have a rebuilt cathedral in the middle of a city with people living in tents.

It would also be a challenge for goodwill and peace among all Canterbury and Westland Anglicans if the generosity of cathedral supporters means we have a brand (re)new(ed) cathedral and 25 other churches in various states of disrepair. Hopefully we can make some decisions which see the damaged parish churches repaired at reasonable cost, or replaced with better, 21st century friendly buildings, alongside whatever future our cathedral will have. The good news in some cases is that stone churches which leak and freeze in the winter can be replaced with warm, watertight, flexible buildings at quite reasonable cost relative to cost of restoring stones to their former glory.

What would I like to see in a (re)new(ed) cathedral? Here are two simple ideas for architects to get their heads around: an underground carpark, so no one is deterred from coming to a large service because of fear of not finding a carpark*; a space flexible enough to enable our annual synods, and other conferences to be held in the cathedral (some underground space would help into which seating, tables, etc could be easily lowered and raised for storage between events).

In general terms we are a city now facing two significant challenges: heritage and homelessness. Proud of our heritage expressed in our buildings - cathedrals and churches, certain large houses and many buildings housing businesses, and the "formers" (provincial chambers, university) - we have a desire not to lose that heritage. But we now have many people who are either homeless or facing imminent homelessness. Can we meet both challenges? Can we wait for one to be met before the other? Grateful for the extraordinary generosity of others, will we nevertheless have enough funds to meet both challenges?

*It is true that a revamped inner city may yet include many new carparks near to the cathedral, and the future of the central district as a lively precinct may depend on the council making carparks free, so an underground carpark at the cathedral may not be necessary.

The good news and the tough news

A weekend in Hanmer Springs has been a tonic. Missed a big aftershock on Saturday night. But 'sang for my supper', preaching, presiding and baptizing in the Church of the Epiphany yesterday morning. Now, back in Christchurch, what lies ahead?

Some good news will help all Christians and churches this week: no one, in fact, died in or at Christchurch's Anglican cathedral. For days the prediction was 22 dead there. But despite tearing into one of the tower's walls, and pulling out the rubble, no bodies were found by urban search and rescue. This non-discovery is consistent with security camera footage from the time of the quake which showed no people movements in the tower. It is also consistent with anecdotes that there was a small moment of time between the quake and the crashing of the tower. Presumably people moved fast and successfully away from the tower and other falling masonry within the cathedral.

But there is a lot of tough news for Christians and churches to face. Here are three things which are at the forefront of my mind:

(1) Gathering spaces: yesterday some churches planned to have outdoor services, but the weather was not favourable to that. Where to plan to meet this coming Sunday? In some cases local schools which are signalling they will re-open this week may be available. What if they are not available? Further, what great long-term options can be found for those churches so damaged that it will be months if not years before repair or replacement is organised?

(2) People: it is all very well arranging a place to meet, but where are the people? Media say 20% of Christchurch has left the city. That percentage is quite believable. It will be much higher in the eastern and hill suburbs since lack of services there, or sheer totality of damage to houses means that if people haven't left the city they will have left those suburbs to live with neighbours and friends elsewhere in Christchurch. Then there is the matter of income for churches without people ... some live on a tight budget and a month or three with fewer than normal people attending could be very tough news. Somehow I do not think the government's help package for businesses losing income at this time will apply to churches.

(3) Decisions: there are lots of decisions to be made, some of which are urgent (e.g. how to minister effectively and sutainably to the local community) and some of which can be made slowly (e.g. when an undamaged hall provides an alt.worship space, what to do about a damaged church?). At the best of times significant decisions consume time and energy and demand of us the best our brains can give with analysis, discernment, and wisdom. These are the worst of times. Our minds are often on our own troubles, we are tired, and we are discouraged. Just one element of the discouragement to mention here: is it worth making a decision today when tomorrow we might have another damaging quake?

There is also the question of the layers of decision-making to be engaged with: parish and diocese, trustboard and Anglican Care, church and community.

But just at the point when the description can be made such that it seems an impossible situation, there is good news here: in a number of cases the damage to churches is so severe that demolition will take place and new possibilities for the 21st century are open to us. We love our stone churches, but they were not leakproof or warm or flexible for both church and community needs. The future may be less aesthetically pleasing, but it could be better than the past for the mission of God.

To conclude, here is an intriguing photo, supplied to me by Megan Blaikie, reporter and photographer for our diocesan newspaper:

It was taken last Wednesday and shows a church which is open for ministry and mission - St Ambrose's, Aranui - via a foodbank and a cafe. That availability for mission is part of the good news for this church, and also for this community which has lost the community centre to the left of the church. The digger and truck is a glimpse of the good news of cleaning up the devastating silt in the east of Christchurch.

But the tough news is hidden in this photograph. To open the cafe, water needs to be brought in. The church complex is damaged - not so badly that it is unsafe, but badly enough to crack walls and jam doors. Let's imagine insurance will pay for repairs. But not covered by insurance is the change to the community wrought by the earthquake. How many will return to live here? The visible bit of the road is in good repair, but much of the rest of Breezes Road is a bumpy or rutted mess. Liquefaction has damaged it and closed down shops and petrol station. How long before this community is up and running again?

New Kiwi Anglican bishop announced

It was bound to happen sooner rather than later. Julian Dobbs, ordained into the Nelson Diocese in 1991 and serving there in flourishing parish ministries, was always a leader among leaders. Having moved from parish ministry to directing the Barnabas Fund in NZ and then in the USA, Julian found himself ministering within the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA). His mission expertise led to a move from the Barnabas Fund to a leadership role in ACNA. Now he is bishop-elect as a suffragan bishop within ACNA.

"Bishop-elect Julian Dobbs currently serves as an archdeacon and missioner in CANA. He and Brenda, his wife, and their three children are natives of New Zealand and have resided in the U.S. since 2006. He was ordained in 1991 and went on to plant three congregations and served as the rector of the fastest growing congregation in New Zealand. Amongst his public outreach ministries, he hosted a weekly 60-minute television program."

Interestingly, as you read the whole report in Virtue Online, you will note that Julian's election was conducted by the Church of Nigeria. It seems that ACNA is neither independent of Africa nor unattached to the Communion!

At 42 years of age, Julian will be the youngest Kiwi Anglican bishop.

Thank you for praying; keep praying

It is heartening to know that so many people are praying for Christchurch, for individuals known to the pray-ers, and for churches and the church here in general, as well as for national and civic leaders, rescue workers, and others involved in the recovery operation. Thank you!

But please keep praying. I suggest two themes for your prayers.

Strength: we are now out of the first immediate, adrenalin fueled phase, and into the medium-term phase in which tiredness of bodies and minds is a burden and new strength would be a blessing. Our pastoral leaders, of churches and aid agencies are doing amazing things in order to meet people's spiritual,  physical, mental, emotional and social needs, but it takes a lot of energy to make calls, travel distances, and maintain communication in order to achieve this. Pray that we may have strength, stamina and sustenance for the long journey ahead.

Hope: we remain rational beings in the midst of emotional strain. Our eyes see the empty houses from which people have fled. Our minds compute the future as one full of uncertainty. Will our churches regain their flocks in full numbers? Can our city rebuild in ways better than the past (as we are assured some cities overseas have done, and as Napier here in NZ did in the 1930s)? What future for those we love who now find themselves out of work in a city with many closed businesses? It is tempting to despair, to be anxious, and to succumb to overwhelming negativity. But we have been taught and commanded to pray 'lead us not into temptation.' Please pray for us in that respect.

There is much to be thankful for in the midst of intercessions. Financial aid is excellent! It means we can look at some projects and say 'We think we can use some aid money to pay for that.' Our civic, national, and business leadership is united in forwarding the recovery of Christchurch. The weather is pretty good at the moment: warm and no rain. Empty or little used buildings are being found for churches to worship in, and for businesses to resume trade and services. Other cities and towns in NZ are welcoming our refugees.

And you are praying. That's a blessing and we give thanks for that.

Deserted Christchurch

You know those Western movies where the hero or villain turns up in the middle of a street, itchy hand near to holstered gun, and dust swirls around to tell us viewers that this town is a long way from anywhere and so might is right and fastest draw is law? East Christchurch had that feel yesterday. Not the guns (of course) but the swirling dust. Blustery nor-west winds first dried the silt then blew it everywhere. Driving the streets was driving in a desert town. And that wasn't the only aspect to deserted Christchurch. Houses are empty. There aren't many cars on the streets. I think more people have left Christchurch than the media are telling us because all they give are stats from the airport. But anecdotally there are convoys of cars on the roads north, south and west. Our children are still at home, waiting for schools to restart, but many other children seem to be already enrolled in schools elsewhere.

What are on the streets of east Christchurch are trucks. Liquefaction has been greatest there so between removing silt and fixing broken roads the truck is king of the road. Despite some media impressions that nothing much is happening to the (literally) poor people of the east, impoverished through lack of water, power and sanitation, I can assure readers that a lot is happening. But the problems are so great I am sure what is happening is being experienced as not enough and not fast enough in providing solutions.

Every church I visited yesterday is broken. One is open and safe, three are not yet safe, at least one is likely to be demolished. None are on the media's radar. Yet the church in its universal sense - people, congregations, ministry units, aid agencies - is operational in the mission of God. I learned firsthand of how this great operation is going when I had the great privilege yesterday morning of participating in a meeting of church leaders at Spreydon Baptist Church, called by Murray Robertson (the most widely known and respected church leader in our city). Over one hundred people gathered to share what we are doing, what we need and what we can offer.

It was an eye-opener to me how many churches are in our city which I have never heard of. It was very impressive to hear how much well-organised and creative work is going into the churches' responses to the quake. From food parcels to making space available for other churches, even small businesses to operate; from care for elderly to running children's and youth programmes at very short notice, churches across Christchurch are pitching in with love to meet human need. Aid agencies are working together in a co-ordinated work well connected to civil defence. Overseas connections are being tapped for funds and even personnel. Churches in other cities are present in our city offering help. Soon we will see pastors and preachers from far away coming to relieve local ministers overwhelmed by needs around them.

But one clear theme emerged as stories were told. The west of Christchurch is largely untouched and has resources to share. The east of Christchurch is badly hit and has many needs. Connections between the two halves were being made before the meeting, but will increase after it.

For some time to come there will be a need for cooperation between all churches if we are to continue worshipping God corporately and serving the community. Some have safe space and others need it. Some have people queuing for food parcels and others can supply them. The city needs volunteers and churches can provide them. I imagine yesterday's meeting will not be the last of its kind in the months, if not years ahead of us as we rebuild our city and its social and ecclesial structures. The church of God is not deserting Christchurch!

Onion Theodicy

I now realise firsthand that there is nothing like a serious disaster to pose a significant and urgent challenge to Christians articulating theodicy or the justification of God's goodness in the face of evil's apparent rampant triumph over human life. Walking an individual through (say) an awful tragedy there is potential for hugs, long silences, counselling to cover a multiple of shortfalls in one's ability to offer theodicy. A large natural disaster, by contrast, leaves a lot of people fit and able to engage rationally with hardheaded (if not hardhearted) critique of theodicy, in response to which hugs, silences, and counselling are no response.

Here, so as not to disappoint you once you get to the end of the post, I am not offering my own theodicy. I may or may not do that in a future post, but there are others aroundabout able to offer theodicy with greater intelligence and wisdom than I can muster. But I am offering here the idea that theodicy may be like an onion: layer upon layer of justification, each serving a purpose in specific contexts.

One layer of the onion goes like this, based as far as I can remember it, on an actual reported conversation a day or two after the quake last week:

Shop attendant to collared clergyperson: "Tell your boss to stop these quakes. We have had enough."

Clergyperson: "My boss didn't cause the earthquakes."

In one way or another a variety of church spokespersons in the media have offered a similar line: God did not cause the earthquakes - the earth did.

Now, in my view, in a brief conversation in a shop, or in a media interview when a soundbite is all that will be broadcast, something pithy, understandable, and direct is needed, and the kinds of things I am hearing said serve a purpose: to uphold the honour and reputation of God as the One who is Love, who may be turned to for help and comfort in good faith and without fear.

But there is another layer, longer to explain, and liable to lose the listener at the shop counter or watching the TV, but it needs to be said, at least in the theological discourse of the church, at some point in the process of honest dealing with the general situation humanity experiences in a world experienced both as friendly and as hostile.

In this layer God is responsible for the world. God has caused it to exist in the way it exists. God continues to sustain the world. God continues to watch over the world with all its travails and groanings, working a purpose out which culminates in a new heaven and a new earth. Various passages in Scripture supporting this understanding of the work of God can be turned to. One which hit me with special force yesterday is this:

'All things were made through [the Word], without [the Word] was not any thing made that was made.' (John 1:3)

This earth with its spasmodically moving crust is not a random outcome of an ancient cosmic explosion which God ignited without foreknowledge of how all the post big bang bits and pieces would end up. We praise God as creator, precisely because we believe God created our world as it is, not because we believe God's creative power was solely about detonating the initial explosion of cosmic matter. God through Christ the Word is at the centre of creation as well as at its beginning and its end: all things were made through the Word.

From the perspective of theodicy, in this layer of the onion, the God of Jesus Christ is not quite so easily off the hook for responsibility for earthquakes.

There is much more to say, other layers of the onion. But I must stop there today.

The Great Debate

Even as dead bodies have yet to be removed from Christchurch's Anglican cathedral, the first murmurings of what will be a great debate are beginning. Damaged historic buildings will be torn down. Gerry Brownlie, government minister in charge of the post-earthquake response, is very clear in today's Press about that. After three people were killed in Durham St Methodist church attempting to remove organ parts there is a 'never again' approach to restoring the past by way of repair. So the great debate will not be about to demolish or not but about whether to replicate or not, and how much to replicate. Gerry Brownlie also spoke sensibly on the TV news a few minutes ago: consideration could reasonably be given to restoring through replication the historic precinct running from the museum down Worcestor St to the Anglican cathedral.

There is a lovely vista down Worcestor St, no question, and restoration to former glory and safe futures is laudable. But many questions would then remain. What cost and who would pay? Would some kind of facade of stone encasing (say) solid steel internal girders be aesthetically acceptable over (say) a brilliant 21st century architectural and engineering gem?

Why the Anglican cathedral and not the Roman Catholic cathedral? There are definitely arguments in favour of the splendour of the latter over the former: George Bernard Shaw visiting here in the 1930s acclaimed the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament as the most beautiful building in the Southern Hemisphere!

And, very, very importantly, as Bishop Victoria Matthews observed on a BBC radio interview, there are many other churches damaged in Christchurch and its surrounds, and they are important too. Bishop Victoria said there were 25 other Anglican churches alone which are damaged. I imagine that if all the other churches were added the total would be around 75. That would not account for halls and church houses.

I sense that, in the end, the (full, safe, rebuilt from scratch) restoration of the Anglican cathedral, or its replacement with a magnificent 21st century edifice, will be a matter for the people of Christchurch to determine as a whole community. It will take time to discern the will of the people. Emotions are running too high at the moment to make any reasonable decisions other than to proceed with demolition on the grounds of safety. I find it hard to take seriously those voices saying our Anglican cathedral can be repaired if that means putting the visible broken bits back together again 'back to what it looked like, without and within'. Rebuilt from scratch, stone by stone, around a solid steel framework, presumably is possible and able to be approved by building authorities. Repaired? Would I be the only one dubious about that solution?

Such questions will be part of a wider and greater debate about what kind of Christchurch we wish to see arise from the rubble of the earthquakes. One irony in considering the course of that debate is that nearly every TV interview these days of the great and good of our city and country takes place in front of our relatively new Art Gallery, an amazing structure which looks brilliant and has survived the earthquakes. Perhaps it is acting as a signpost to the future?