Grant Millard
At the recent launch of Anglicare Sydney’s 2011 State of Sydney Report, Home Truths: Impacts of housing insecurity on women across the life course it was clear that the Church and individual Christian people are noticed for their good works.
At the launch of Home Truths at St Philip’s York Street, the rich history of Christians serving the vulnerable in Sydney was evident. St Philip’s itself is a case in point, with its parishioners providing welfare and education to the disadvantaged through the early years of Sydney’s development and thereby helping shape institutions which we now take for granted.
Did you know, for example that in the early 1800s St Philip’s ran private tuition for those who could not afford it, before public education was introduced?
The Deaconesses also have a strong history of providing welfare and care to the vulnerable as well. Speaking at the Home Truths launch, Dr Karin Sowada, CEO Anglican Deaconess Ministries gave a compelling overview of the care provided by Deaconesses in the name of Christ, particularly to vulnerable women and families.
In all this notable history of social care provided to the needy in Sydney by the Church, one thing was clear. Christ was behind it all, in it all, doing it all through His people.
The transformative love and redemptive power of Christ was at work in His people to help them love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul and mind and likewise to love others as themselves.
And the world sure takes notice.
Some 200 years on, sitting in that church which has seen so much grief and joy roll past its doors, The Hon Tanya Plibersek, Federal Minister for Human Services and Social Inclusion gave thanks for the commitment and care shown by Christian people and the Church.
The Minister also acknowledged freely that the Church will continue to play a leading role in partnering with Government to help strengthen our community.
What opportunity! What privilege! For the world to truly give thanks to God for the good works of His people and to catch a glimpse of His glory.
In that moment, debates about Gospel works and Gospel words seemed redundant. In keeping the greatest of all commandments the two go together. God does not split them, neither should we.
In the meantime the world is watching and listening as we engage thoughtfully and lovingly with our communities, always prepared to give an answer for the hope that is in us.
What is your church doing to make God’s glory known, in both Word and deed?
Grant Millard is the new CEO of Anglicare Sydney
