On the other side

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 12, 23 August 1983, Page 10

On the other side

Gerrit Gerlach

Chaplain,

Waiouru Army Camp

As Army Chaplains we welcome the publication of the Waimarino Bulletin. Even though we are on the other side of the Mountain at Waiouru, this community has very strong links to the centres of Ohakune and Raetihi. Our people tend to drift that way for their schooling, shopping and recreation, and our spiritual links are very strong in that direction. The three chaplains at Waiouru appreciate very much our involvement with the Ministers Fraternal that meets monthly in the Waimarino. Life in what is essentially an Army Town does nevertheless have its problem of isolation where the situation for soldiers and their dependants can be likened to a "pressure cooker" where the pressure is kept on and there is a sealing-off from the rest of the world in many ways. For that and other reasons there is a strong emphasis on Community and Family Life here at Waiouru, and the Chaplains are heavily involved in the many efforts made to reduce some of the pressures and in the keeping up of things that can help to make life as "normal" as possible.

Though not seen as "religious" by some, these tasks are nevertheless vital in an authentication of the Christian Message. For unless our Christianity relates to and helps meet the needs of our everyday living, then it simply falls into the category of another religion. These days there is little demand for mere "religion". However, if the Christianity we profess is evidenced in the stability of life and in the availability of resources to meet the demands of the pressures we face, then we need say little in defence of our faith. Christians are often seen to be "on the other side" by their actions or words that separate them out from the norm. Jesus himself warned of this as a result of his call to repentance and faitl^^ though I strongly suspe^B that modern Christian's tend to stand out more for their defensiveness and insecurity than for their lives of faith. For faith is not contrary to life, but rather flows with it and so produces living that is normal and harmonious and thus strangely attractive to those who speak out and, above all, live! Then our "walk" will match our "talk" and we will deserve to be listened to.