Cara Simpson <> wrote in message .

[on aus.religion.christian, October 26, 2001]:

> Well firstly, I would like to know about your background, childhood,

> “heroes”, all that sort of thing. Basically anything you think might be

of > interest as a basic background. What your upbringing was like in terms of

> religion, religious beliefs, the “strictness” of your upbringing with

> religion.

Background: fairly strict-but-gentle fundamentalist (‘Plymouth’ Brethren in Sydney)…

> 1. What did you choose as a career? Why?

Teaching: to equip me with skills for pastoral ministry

> 2. Have there been many people in your life that have greatly influenced

> you onto your current position in society and the church?

Probably half-a-dozen significantly – peers and ‘patriarchs’ in equal proportions…

> 3. What was your greatest inspiration?

Better – who? Jesus

> 4. Have you ever doubted what you are doing (or did)? And if so what

helped > you to stay focused on your ambition/ career?

No. Best way (IMHO) to spend the one life God’s given you is to be a fellow-struggle helping others sort themselves out in terms of relationships – God, self, family-of-origin, marriage, parenting, friendships etc. How have I stayed focussed? Before my mid-life crisis, the joy of seeing people change/grow. After: trust in the living God who can do lots of things for/with/in people without my help 🙂

> 5. What was your relationship with the church? Do you feel especially

> close to the church and its high authority?

Pastor in a couple of Baptist churches. IMO ‘churches’ don’t have much ‘high authority’ unless they’re sects/cults or their adherents/members are dependent types. You’re allowed to think for yourself in our country these days. However, if we’re talking about respect for legitimate authority in terms of response to _leadership_ (as distinct from, say, something like papal doctrinal authority) that’s another matter…

> 6. Are you happy with the “institutionalised concept” of the church, or

do > you disagree with this concept? Why?

Institutions are two or more people trying to do something together. So you’re not going to get away from institutions, except alone on a desert island. Now… I agree with sociologist Robert Merton: all institutions are inherently degenerative. And the evil of institutions is probably greater than the sum of the evil of the persons who comprise them. Institutionalization and spirituality are inimical to each other, generally. There are, however, exceptions… The great Roman Catholic Archbishop Dom Helder Camara was one such…

> 7. Are there parts of the religious belief that you follow that you

> disagree, have changed or tried to change?

Yes, lots. Visit my website for numerous examples. Start with the article ‘Was Jesus a Christian? (I Doubt It)’ http://jmm.org.au/articles/9664.htm

> 8. Lastly, (to begin with) what do you feel has been or is your influence

> and contribution on the development of the church in Australia?

That’s probably for others to judge. At one stage in the 1980s with my editing World Vision’s Leadership Letter ‘GRID’ (circulation 23,000 – to most of the nation’s pastors) and lots of traveling around the country doing seminars etc. I was supposed to be read by more Oz Christians than anyone else. Latterly people like Tim Costello would have that privilege (which is great)…

> Well, I think that’s enough to start with, I feel a bit ahh how would you

> put it? Impertinent I think you could say. Anyway, thank you again for

> your co-operation with myself.

Feel free. I believe a group like this is a good forum to be honest… Come back with more…

And a question for you Cara: why are you asking these good questions?

—

Shalom! Rowland Croucher Director, John Mark Ministries: counseling and consulting services for pastors, ex-pastors, church leaders and managers http://jmm.aaa.net.au (5400+ articles)

http://priscillasfriends.org/ (Pastors’ wives)