Mandela: just a man but what a man

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Mandela: just a man but what a man

Cyberspace and the airwaves are today (6 Dec 13) buzzing with the death of Nelson Mandela.

Much of the commentary is adulatory (eg I have seen references to him as a Christ figure). In response, some push back with respect to his embrace of violence in the ANC armed struggle against apartheid.

I want to make a quick Christian comment under two headings.

1. Mandela; just a man.

Nelson Mandela was born with the creational greatness of every person of every colour. He was made in the image of God - and that is greatness (Gen 1:16-17).

But he was just a man. This showed in his creational limitedness, most recently visible in his aging, illness and death. It also showed in his sinfulness, for he too was part of the ‘all’ referred to in Rom 3:23. This showed in things like his initiation of the ANC violent struggle and the depths of that violence. It also showed in his part in a publicly dysfunctional marriage and family life.

So, Mandela had feet of clay like the rest of us. That’s no surprise to those who read their Bible, but it is worth mentioning on this day when hagiography abounds.

2. Mandela: what a man.

Jesus tells his people not to retaliate against their enemies but to bless them (Matt 5:38-47). The later Mandela embodied this to a remarkable degree and with far reaching global impacts.

From his birth in 1918 until about 1990 Mandela lived with the stigma of being a black man in a racist society.  This mean separate and unequal treatment, in which he was subject to deprivation and to the depravation of institutionalised white supremacism.

His moment of greatness came in association with his 1990 release from prison and his subsequent election as President of South Africa. Power was now his. However, this was an hour of grace and reconciliation not revenge. That is remarkable considering his sufferings under apartheid and his previous involvement in the armed struggle. It is also rare in a world where the ‘lest-we-forget’ way of the Balkans and the Middle East is expressed in endless cycles of hated and payback violence.

Mandela: indeed just a mortal and sinful man, but what a man in his generous grace.

Hosting a visiting gospel worker

Hosting a visiting gospel worker

The preacher was already away from home and had been in two beds over three nights. He had preached that morning and sat through a lengthy congregational meeting. Ahead of him was an evening sermon and then an hour's drive to another new bed and another new group of people. The hostess invited him (with others to lunch).  When he entered her home she showed him the bathroom and a spare room, commenting that she expected he would want an afternoon nap. Her family was introduced and a generous meal provided - with the invitation that he eat only as he desired and feel free to leave the table for the spare room whenever he desired.  The visitor's heart was warmed and he was well-rested to preach that night.

The Scriptures speak of the gift of hospitality as being important (Heb 13:1) and it is especially singled out as a quality of church leaders (1 Tim 3:2).

These passages have wide implications. For now I want to focus on the ministry of hosting at travelling gospel worker. In doing so, I note the words addressed to such people as to how they should receive hospitality (eg Lke 9:1-5). Put simply: the visitor should stay where they put and be content with what is provided.

I write as one who has often been a visitor in people's homes and churches and who is grateful for the hosts who make a thoughtful ministry from the act of hospitality. Of course, the Scriptures also give many examples of this ranging from the widow who housed Elijah (1 Kng 17:8f), to Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:2-3), the mother of Rufus (Rom 16:13) and not to forget those who received the Lord himself such as Mary, Martha and Lazarus (Jn 11:1-5).

The following points are derived from my experience. Each needs to be adapted to circumstances and some may just not be possible.

·       House the worker in just one home during a visit. Moving from home to home can be draining especially if the schedule is heavy and the guest is a more retiring type.

·       Provide a private room in a quiet part of the house with a clean bed and bedding.  If possible include a comfy chair and table where the visitor can sit to pray, chill out and work. Include hanging space and somewhere to hang clothes.

·       Offer clothes washing facilities - depending on length of stay.

·       If you have it, offer wireless facilities so your visitor can hook up to family, work and the wider world. Likewise for printing facilities.

·       Provide a door key and local information so your visitor can come and go as desired and explore the neighbourhood.  Can you include a travel card for local services?

·       Don't provide a different venue for every meal. Pity the worker who goes to a different place for every meal. Not only is the succession of new people to engage with tiring, but each host may act as though this is the only meal that will be eaten all day and provide meals whose richness and quantity leave the visitor gasping.

·       Ask about any dietary restrictions and honour them. Ensure good balance in healthy and tasty foods. Travelling can be a health hazard in more than one way!

·       Give your visitor the opportunity to sleep when wanted and be careful of late night conversations immediately after travel or ministry - or just before ministry.

·       If you are responsible for setting the schedule, include times of rest especially for extended visits.  Take are in adding extra ministries at the last minute and check that your guest is up to them.

·       When there are down times, ask your visitors what they would like to do and give a range of choices.

·       Include the visitor in family activities to the extent that they wish it.  Some will delight in engaging with your (grand)children and pets. Others may not.

·       Pray for your visitor and offer to pray with him or her.

Finally, on behalf of myself and other travelling gospel workers, I thank you for receiving us in the Lord's name.  Your service is not just a functional necessity but an echoing of God's hospitable gospel and a vital ministry in bringing it to others.