Jerusalem
and the Middle East
Church Association

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Editorial

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The Reverend Rafiq Farah, Archdeacon Emeritus of Jerusalem, has recently celebrated his Diamond Jubilee as a priest. He now lives in Toronto where he assists at St Andrew’s church. We asked him to mark his Jubilee with a reflection for the church in the Middle East which he served 40 years until his retirement.
He writes:

Ponderation

We live in a period of vigorous change; the church is challenged as always to face new facts and volatile socioeconomic or political currents. In such times the church, historically, has to be dragged to meet those inescapable realities. For example, the ordination of women, the remarriage of divorced persons or biblical research which proved beyond doubt that there are mythical and legendary passages in the Old Testament, have caused fear of change in the church.

Moreover the church, to protect its interests, has usually sided with the polices of the State and in times of violent turmoil, its voice is hushed.

We cannot but notice the success of Obama in the American Democratic Party; he succeeds not only due to his eloquence, but in stressing the need for change. It is change from the direction of US foreign and domestic policies which the majority of people in US want. I sincerely hope that if Obama becomes president he will bring positive change, so that tensions between nations will be relaxed and he will be serious about human rights and justice issues concerning the Palestinians.

Will the Anglican Church in the Middle East see the need for change? It is traditionally difficult for the hierarchy to initiate change; what about liturgy and church unity? As far as liturgy is concerned, there is a definite need for an alternative which uses modern expressions and symbols to fit the thought forms of sophisticated youth and highly qualified secular people; it is no good to stick to traditional liturgical forms as if they possess some kind of sanctity. The object of liturgy is to draw people to meaningful worship.

What about church unity among Anglicans, Lutherans and Presbyterians in the Middle East? It is fair to ask whether those in the hierarchy or among lay leaders of congregations want to move towards unity! There is a comfortable feeling in the status quo. There are vested interests. Those churches are small and face serious threats to their existence. They have much in common and doctrinal and other differences are not huge. They must stand together. Our Lord is calling them to have his courage. He accepted the challenge of the Cross. Religious tradition and structures were not important to him. Man was not made for the Sabbath, but the Sabbath was made for man.