The Red Queen, the Vox Populi and Theocracies?

So Australia's 17 day period of political purgatory has ended. The knife-edge electoral result has been called. The hung parliament that has literally kept a nation suspended in limbo has dropped the Liberal National Coalition through the dreaded trapdoor whilst the ALP and Julia Gillard have been given their gallows reprieve. Well at least until the next election anyway. Much has been said about the process that has seen a handful of independant MP's decide which political party would be entrusted with governing the nation for the next term of government. And it stands to reason that much discussion will continue as the respective decisions of messrs Bandt, Wilkie, Katter, Oakeshott and Windsor will be dissected ad nauseum. But one quote within the excesses of political diatribe over the past two and a half weeks stands out to this white man as worthy of mention. It was Rob Oakeshott, independant MP fo Lyne who had this piece of wisdom as it relates to the recent clandestine and murky trends in political process in the Australian parliament when he said something to the effect of, "sunshine is the best disinfectant for the current status quo of Australian parliamentary process". In other words, through necessary reforms Australian politics needs to take itself out of the shadows of self-indulgent pontifications and processes and open it's doors to the full scrutiny of the Australian people. Well, the Australian PM Julia Gillard, for the purposes of today at least, agrees with this and has decreed that the now duly elected governing ALP will "draw back the curtains and let the sunshine in." Well we'll see about that over the coming months but the essence of that "sunshine sentiment" is a worthy and valid one indeed.

Because despite the long-winded political shenanigans over the past 17 days (not withstanding the four week electoral campaign prior to the hung parliament result), one thing can be agreed on - the democratic processes of this nation, whether you like them or not, always dictates that the voice of the people, the vox populi is heard. And this historic electoral result ensured that generally-speaking, the Australian electorate sent a clear and firm message to both major parties that we are not happy at being continually presented with inept party policies and processes and equally inept leadership. And as such the people spoke and this time this white man has the feeling that the leadership will listen. Well at the very least I trust that the independant MP's influence in the parliament, combined with the slimmest margin of power will hold all processes within the government and opposition parties accountable on behalf of the Australian people. That's why this crazy political result may have more than just a silver lining - it may just bring with it a little ray of sunshine for the sake and benefit of our nation's political integrity.

Which finally brings this white man to the matter of theocracy. What does a theocracy have to do with all the above you ask? Let me explain...recently a young person in church reflected this thought to me as far as church governance is concerned. "Things would be a lot better if all decisions in church were just made by the one person...things would happen a lot quicker... too many people have too much say in decision-making and it's a waste of time to the point that nothing gets decided upon and nothing gets done...there's too much democracy in church - things would be better if we instituted a theocracy instead!"

Well first let it be said, and I believe I reflected this encouragement to the youth who voiced this opinion, that at least this person had the courage of their convictions to express an opinion to their pastor. Many youth these days are so apathetic and non-committal that drawing an opinion out of them is like pulling teeth! But nevertheless, this white man is fairly sure that a theocracy, in accordance with it's definition, is a governmental form that recognises God, or any other deity as it's head. This is usually held within the context of governments ruled by or subject to religious authority and/or it's deity. To the best of my knowledge, all Christian churches, if they are doctrinally true to their Christian identity, would claim to acknowledge God as the only authorised head of our church. No-one in the Christian church is going to argue with that. So we acknowledge the spiritual theocratic right of, and the reality that our God does rule over His Church. But what it seems this young person desires for his church is a spiritual theocracy alongside a practical system of human pastoral autocracy. And many churches these days function in direct alignment with this principle of pastoral leadership. It's the system that has given rise to hierarchical structures of church governance and power, led usually by a senior pastor who has the ultimate voice and power within that community. And for many faith communities this structure seemingly works perfectly - well at least for as long as the pastor at the top carries the duties of his position with due Christian integrity and responsibility. But when such structures break-down how often are people in faith communities told to just "swallow and follow" and that if they don't then they know where the door is?! Autocratic church structures minus principles of democracy can easily end up equalling really uncomfortable, tense churches containing estranged, alienated believers . Surely this kind of unholy equation isn't God's design for His church is it?

So in summary, this white man suggests that if this recent political scenario provides any worthwhile example at all, that perhaps we in the church should be reminded that the voice of the people is a compelling voice indeed. And that the democracy we are blessed to live under in this nation still has a viable and dynamic presence that doesn't stop at the doors of our churches. Yes, democracy sometimes makes things take longer and seem more complicated. But are expedient alternatives more worthy? My wife reminded me in no uncertain terms that a 17 day period of political mediations just would not happen in her homeland. An outcome over there would be more likely to have acquired a solution via fists, bullets and prison cells rather than through dignified conciliation and consultation. So perhaps there really is something in this thing called democracy - it's alternative, whether within the greater society or within the institution called church is just frightening. This white man embraces democracy and always will - even in the church!

But for now this white man also bows down and willingly hails the Red Queen!