RECONCILIATION AND GRACE

Paul Bartlett Lang

Paul Bartlett Lang, a former Vice-President of the Methodist Conference, has written a book entitled 'Reconciliation and Grace' in which, from his own experience and through potted sketches, he illustrates ways in which the ministry of reconciliation has been and can be achieved.

He begins, in the first two chapters, by outlining his ecumenical pilgrimage where he enlarges on experiences he has had which gave him an ecumenical dimension to his ecumenical pilgrimage. In the following two chapters, he includes some of his experiences in Northern Ireland, where he witnessed much progress despite the problems confronting the people there. He includes the work of the Corrymeela Community for reconciliation in Ballycastle, and the Peace and Reconciliation Centre in Londonderry where he illustrates from the experience of a former republican and a former loyalist who had changed their lifestyles for good. He continues by drawing on his experiences with a number of reconciling enterprises and people engaged in ministries which have sought to bring people together in understanding and cooperation, and, in particular, those divided by cultural differences.

The further chapters are briefly listed as follows:

Reconciling the victims of war
This recounts an amazing ministry which followed the destruction of the Coventry Cathedral during the 2nd World war and the founding of the "Community of the Cross of Nails': a ministry which spreads across national and international boundaries in honouring those who make former enemies into friends.

Bert Bissell, M.B.E.
A Christian peacemaker who climbed Ben Nevis 100 times and who created international mountain-top links with mountaineers around the world, including Russia and Japan. Bert encouraged the young men of his Bible class to be part of this initiative.

Christian and Jews
After all the prejudice and violence perpetrated upon the Jews, one of the most encouraging signs during the 20th century has been the joint relationship which has developed and which is promoted by the Council for Christians and Jews. Paul. Lang stresses the need for continued understanding and friendship between the two Faiths, with similarities far outweighing their differences.

Jimmy Butterworth, Youth leader
A remarkable Methodist minister who built up a community of young people. His initial Club premises were destroyed in the 2nd World war, rebuilding them with great faith and dedication in the years that followed. He secured considerable money from American sources, and eventually the new premises were declared open by the late Queen Mother in May, 1964. He was a wonderful eccentric as the personal reflections in the book outline.

Arthur Connop, M.B.E.
A Methodist minister who expressed his faith in costly acts of compassion through serving the needs of the torn of Stockport unconditionally. He has been chaplain to the Police and was called out at any time in the day and night in order to attend to the casualties in major accidents and tragedies, including the Stockport air disaster of 1968.

The miracle of Moral Rearmament
Moral Rearmament (M.R.A.) is a movement of international reconciliation which began its work in 1958, prior to the 2nd World war, in order to replace the production of war machines with the production of moral resources. Paul Lang develops its early life, with its foundation under Frank Buchman who wished to address the root causes of conflict and work towards a hate-free, fear-free, greed-free world. Earthed in the Christian gospel and now open to all Faiths within the love of God, it seeks to influence all people who have a desire to work for peace.

The love of God in action
Under this heading, Paul Lang develops the Ministry of healing under the authority of scripture and outlines the way in which the developing healing ministry relates to the whole of a person's life, physical, mental and spiritual. He also shows how all the Christian denominations can be brought together into a unified whole by breaking through the divisions which separate people within the Body of Christ.

Michael Bourdeaux of Keston
Michael Bourdeaux, an Anglican priest, founded the work of Keston College, now the Keston Institute, which monitors religious freedom and researches religious communities in post-communist and communist countries. The work originated in 1962 when a young Russian girl wanted the west to be informed of the religious persecution taking place in her country. Michael became the 'voice' of the persecuted, representing them in the media and through publications. He gave his life's ministry over to defending a person's right to believe in his or her own faith in the face of tyranny. Paul Lang outlines a story of great courage and determination.

Mavis Doughty, M.B.E.
50 years ago there was still a stigma on being and unmarried mother. Mavis provided her home and devoted her energies to supporting girls and training them in motherhood. She gave them much stability and advice for their future lives. She also developed an interest in juvenile justice by providing an active alternative to a prison sentence for young people. She is a modern example of great faith in God allied to a firm faith in young people.

John Dodd's calling
This is an example of hope centred in one man's attitude of forgiveness* John had been a prisoner of war in the infamous Changi jail outside Singapore. His prison experiences gave him an empathy for those in prison, and he dedicated his life's work to serving them in their need and creating Homes for ex-prisoners under the name of the Langley Houses. John had possessed a genuine willingness to share God's grace with offenders. He personified Martin Luther King's maxim 'He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love'.

Paul Lang's final two chapters are entitled 'True Faith' and ‘Love supersedes all things’ as faith and love are essential in the fulfilling of the will of God. In 'True Faith' he takes faith from the standpoint of those whose lives have been deeply tested and their faith has been costly. True faith is found beyond the darkness.

In the final chapter 'Love supersedes all things' be emphasises God's love as being our supreme point of reference which, through the Spirit, breaks through all cultural barriers. He refers to John's first letter, chapter 4, as being basic to this truth.

Copies of the book can be obtained from:Paul Bartlett Lang
46 Pine Walk, Carshalton,
Surrey, SM5 4HD
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8643 1800
The cost is £5,95 per copy + postage of 57p (in UK).