The MICAH series

Micah 6:8

He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

A couple of weekends ago I attended the School of Discipleship in Sydney. The School of Discipleship has developed out of the Radical Discipleship movement inspired by people like Athol Gill (Life on the Road), Ched Myers (Binding the Strong Man), Jim Wallis (The Call to Conversion). These scholars were strongly influenced by Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s conviction (The Cost of Discipleship) that the Christian life is never just a matter of accepting grace, it must involve costly discipleship. This discipleship is radical because it calls into question the social and political order and calls us to go back to our roots of faith to the teachings of Jesus. These writings have had a profound influence on my life and I firmly believe that the future of the church is found not in a comfortable, respectable Christianity that is couched in power and status, but one that challenges the powers that maintain the status quo and the values of this world.

The theme for this year’s NAIDOC week ‘Voice.Treaty.Truth.’ acknowledges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have always wanted an enhanced role in the decision-making in Australia’s democracy. This seems to be a challenge for our government who responded to the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart’s call to establish a First Nations voice enshrined in the constitution with indications that a voice would not be part of the Government’s constitutional model. Colonialism that justified the domination of indigenous people’s through racist, illogical theories such as terra nullius, continues to prevail in our relationship with our first peoples.

The message of the prophet Micah is a call to Justice, Mercy and Humility. Micah challenges unjust leaders and defends the rights of the poor against the rich and powerful while looking forward to a world at peace. Micah announces that God's justice is coming in order to create a new future of love and faithfulness on the other side of Israel's sin and exile. This ancient message is still relevant for the church today as we commit ourselves to building a just and good world.

Rev. Janet Staines

For three weeks in August, come and participate in a Life Group as we explore each of these topics. Each Sunday the message will introduce the topic and then in small groups we will have the opportunity to discuss this topic more deeply.

August 4th - Love mercy

August 11th - Seek justice

August 18th - Walk humbly

If you would like to join in a small group study, please contact our friendly Office staff.