Thursday, May 5, 2011

Church Leadership: Global Perspective in a National Moment

The death of Osama Bin Laden elicited a diverse response from Americans and from within the church. Articles on how Christian leaders in America have responded and should respond abound and descriptions of celebration, relief, fear and sobriety have littered Western media. Jim Wallis asks the question, "Is it moral to celebrate a Person's death?" It is imperative that church leaders consider their role, not only in the aftermath of the tragedy of terrorist attacks, but also in the days following the elimination of the terrorist who orchestrated many attacks. While the cessation of terrorism and tyranny is certainly a portion of the Christian's role in breaking the chains of the oppressed (Isaiah 61), there is a fine line between relieving the suffering of brothers and sisters, and rejoicing over the death of someone created by God (Ezekiel 33:11).

Though there are many links in this post, the link of the title will send you to an article about St. Peter Canisius Catholic Church in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Lately, this church has been called Bin Laden's parish. This church is located in the area where Bin Laden was recently captured and killed. Pastoral visits to parish members have been cancelled this week. Security has been stepped up. Services have been cancelled.

As we consider our role as leaders in the church, in the wake of such an event, let us remember that our church is bigger than our parish, our town, even our nation. We are members of a Global Body of Christ and our actions must reflect that truth.

2 comments:

  1. Last Sunday night I flew from New York City into Columbus. Having spent the weekend in the city with a good friend, and visited Ground Zero, it was surreal to get off the plane and hear the news. The friends that picked me up weren’t quite celebrating, but they did speak of it positively. It was something that seemed to bring peace to them. On the news I saw people feeling joy and celebration. Christians countered with comments about loving enemies and God’s justice, some of which you referenced here. I posted Matthew 5:43-44.

    I felt like I was being true to my convictions, to what I felt. And I was. But my convictions were not simply as a follower of Christ, but an American follower of Christ. I remember praying, “Well, God, I guess I’m glad it brought peace to some families?”

    But how many lost peace because of this? This church in Pakistan has lost its security and what very little freedom it had left. It’s not just a case of loving one’s enemies, but still loving our forgotten brothers and sisters. I wonder how they felt, seeing American “Christians” rejoice with singing over an event that could cost them their lives?

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