Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 

Ephesians 4:15    

It can take courage to name matters as we see them. In declaring our honest opinion as to how we see or understand something we risk offence, and can create disagreement. Conclusions about our motives may be drawn that we had no intention of being made. 

There are times where the NCCA is asked to comment on a matter of public concern.  It is not often that we make such comment. This week we had such a request and we contributed to a statement regarding the continuing impact of the war in Gaza. The deaths of the humanitarian workers, the holding of hostages and the reality of famine in Gaza is very confronting.

On our part when we comment we do not want to be naïve about the complexity of conflicts such as this and so make simplistic statements. We do, however, want to be clear about what is not right and what is needed for an end of the war. 

It is undisputed that free access to sufficient food and water for each day is a human right. Limiting this such access is wrong. The deaths of civilians and the destruction of their homes, schools and hospitals is not right. Punishing and killing humanitarian aid workers for distributing food is without excuse. The keeping of hostages must end. 

We can speak of such matters out of honest and gracious love. An honesty that sees the reality as it is and love that calls all involved to live differently. Paul describes this dynamic in Ephesians 4 when he says: ‘speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ’ (vs15), and also, ‘So then, putting away falsehood, let each of you speak the truth with your neighbour, for we are members of one another’ (vs 25).  Both these passages call us to speak ‘truth’ and to do motivated by respect, care, relationship and love for the other. 

So we make our comment with the prayerful hope that what we say may be heard in ways that call out a new path, one that leads to peace with justice, one guided and blessed by the Risen Christ.

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbour, for we are all members of one body. 

Ephesians 4:25  

Rev John Gilmore 

NCCA President