Church on fire

Devon Dick, Contributor

ON SUNDAY, Clyde Edwards, leading churchman, along with a co-host on LOVE FM, discussed the recent destruction by fire of the historic Mount Carey Baptist Church. They condemned the alleged arson and encouraged the church community to rally around the congregation and its pastor. In expressing their outrage they likened the torching of the 200-year-old Baptist church to a Nero-type fire.

Nero became Emperor of Rome at the age of 16 and served from 54 until he committed suicide in 68. He is known as the first persecutor of Christians. Legend claims that Nero played the fiddle while Rome burned in 64. The fire on December 30 of Mt Carey Baptist Church, located in Anchovy, St James, and pastored by the Rev Dr George Simpson, has no political overtones so it might be a stretch to draw similarities to Nero. However, with the police suspecting it was deliberately set on fire, it could be likened to what happened when churches were destroyed in the aftermath of the 1831 Baptist War. This tragedy is in addition to the May 2008 attack on George Simpson in which he was shot three times including in the head. Not to mention the assault on the members of that church. Obviously there are powerful interests which the church has confronted.

Make no mistake, those responsible for setting the church on fire are sending a message. It is an attempt to intimidate the people of God. It is an attempt to silence the voice of the people of God. It appears to be an attempt to drive the pastor and the people out of the community or at least underground. This amounts to a declaration of war against the church community.

Holy ghost fire

The church also must be on fire, that is, Holy Ghost fire. It needs to discern the mind of Christ and respond appropriately. It is a call to confront evil and the activities of the agents of death. The targeting of members of the congregation and its pastor should not be treated lightly.

It was heartening to see the response of United States President Barack Obama and the people of America to the recent shooting of a congresswoman and the killing of six persons. Not only did Obama express shock, but he and others took time to pause on the tragedy and take stock of what is happening in the American society.

Too often in Jamaica we allow things to be a nine-day wonder. We become tolerant of crime and violence. And we are only moved when it is someone close to us or well known who has become a victim of violence.

The church should expect unfair or unfavourable criticism. Ill will, envy and malice will be directed at the church. And we must seek to benefit from all criticisms and be courageous in ministry in spite of a hostile environment. In addition, the church is not perfect and some negative criticisms are well deserved. Nevertheless, the church must expect protection from vandalism and violence. The setting on fire of the church building and educational centre is a sign of the decadence of the society.

Thankfully, a young member of Mt Carey summed it up correctly in stating that the blaze cannot destroy their joy because they are on fire in the Holy Ghost. She, the pastor and others recognise that they can burn the building but they cannot stop the church, the people of God, from being on fire for the Lord.

Let this watershed event of setting the church buildings on fire be a platform for the 'church on fire', through its commitment to rebuilding the building and the lives of people who are rebelling against God.

Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church in St Andrew. Send Comments to columns@gleanerjm.com.