In the 1996 movie, 'Michal Collins' Michael and Harry are having a conversation about Eamon de Valera in whichMichael says,
"He's scared Harry. We might achieve that Republic he wants to talk to the world about."
It's a line that's stuck with me over the years as I've reflected on the amount of time we take to talk about change in the church but how little change we have actually seen. I wonder how many churches have made the necessary changes for effective ministry in the 21st Century?
Eamon de Valera was a great politician and Michael Collins was a man of action (freedom fighter/terrorist depending on who you ask). In the church we have many great politicians, people who talk a good talk, say all the right things, are politically correct and keep the membership feeling good about themselves. But the kingdom of God is not about talk, it is about action... "whoever here's these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house upon a rock...", "faith without works is dead."
We need more Michael Collins type figures in the church. People who, without regard to personal wellbeing, lay it all on the line for the sake of the kingdom of God.
