Ministry in Australia

noticed how the church in China had accepted this principle of powerlessness, and how it had drawn people to Christ. It has become clear to me that this is the right way to overcome most violent confrontations. It will hurt, I may die in the process, but ultimately there is no other way. I think of all the martyrs who have gone that way before us. Tyrants and dictators have passed away, but the value of powerlessness has remained. Such powerlessness can bring profound change, where force and all the powers in the world cannot achieve that.

Related to the way to overcome domination by powerlessness is the way we may overcome the domination of evil and addiction over us. Prohibition, the death penalty or heavy fines have not prevented our young people from experimenting and misusing drugs. We need to take more time to persuade them, to show that we care for them, to give them back their self-esteem. We should jail people only for two reasons: one, to protect the community, and two, to reform the prisoner. Unfortunately, to this day there is far too little emphasis put on reforming prisoners, and far too much on punishment.

One of the heaviest load to carry is guilt. Until I became a minister I didn't know how widespread guilt is among people. Guilt will drive people to do the most obscure and weird things, sometimes totally irrational. Guilt will drive people into the arms of fanatic sects which exploit their members ruthlessly. I have also seen some quite respectable religions, where the guilt of their adherents is being exploited and increased, in order to have power over them, rather than proclaim the gospel of forgiveness. For me, Jesus has died for us, which means that our guilt has been taken away, no matter what the crime. Only after we have realised that, and accepted it for ourselves, can we live a full life, freed from guilt.

Is my view totally coloured by our permissive society? I don't think so. I believe it to be the gospel, the good news for all. There is a time for parental control, guidance and discipline. Without it, children grow up insecure. It is a wise parent, though, who knows when discipline is required, and when the time has come to let the adolescents make their own decisions.

Unfortunately, though, there is also evil in the world, which will not respond to kindness and forgiveness. I had in my congregations people who would spread disunity, envy, malice, lies, and cause untold damage to their families and congregations, and there was nothing I could do to help. No amount of prayer and time spent with them and their families would persuade them to leave their evil way. They were simply either not aware of the evil within them, or not admitting to it. I felt quite a failure, and so did the elders and other members of the congregations. I guess in cases like this, and also in the larger community, the law needs to take care of such people, and the community needs to be protected, but we must never give up hope on anyone. I could never subscribe to the notion

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