(In response to another pastor asking for help re leading an Anzac Day service):

I’m sure you’re asking this on a purely practical level, but I have to say I think it’s an excellent question…what should a follower of the crucified Jesus do when asked to lead a group of people in the spirituality of Australia’s most holy day?

Assuming one though it appropriate to be involved in the first place (given our Baptist heritage of noncooperation with the State on matters of war), personally I’d see it as the perfect opportunity to preach the gospel of the nonviolent, crucified and risen Jesus…adapting something like Shane Claiborne’s Counter-Propaganda ‘Jesus for President’ Litany (http://www.jesusforpresident.org/propaganda/index.html) might be appropriate. If we as Christians don’t start exposing the myth of redemptive violence for what it is, who will?

Lest we forget that ‘Lest we forget’ means “never again!”

My prayers go with you – blessings of peace,

Simon Moyle

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